Fall is around the corner, which means our annual Fall Intermittent Fasting Challenge is coming up -- stay tuned for the deets!
But along with the change in season can also come a decrease in motivation. With so many holiday parties, sweet treats and events during this time, it's easy to slip into habits that don't support your wellness goals or make you feel great.
Which is why I asked Monica, a long time AENpeep who lost nearly 25 pounds TWO YEARS ago following the Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle programs, to share her top 3 pieces of advice to stay motivated through the Fall or even start your wellness journey.
Her tips are gold, regardless of where you're at in your journey. So scroll down for some major inspo and advice!
Consistency matters more than perfection.
You must let go of the all-or-nothing mindset. We’ve all been guilty of falling into that trap. There have been days - WEEKS - when I’ve felt like I failed so I just continued to stay unmotivated and allow myself excuses to make poor choices. One unhealthy meal or snack does not have to set off a domino effect.
Missed a workout? Work out the next day. Broke your fast at 8:00 AM with a donut? Instead of calling it a loss and binging for the rest of the day, be intentional - cook a nutritious dinner that fuels you. You’ll feel better when you can begin to tally up your good choices, (even with a few poor ones sprinkled in between). Building lasting habits takes time, and it won’t happen instantaneously. Three years of messing up repeatedly but slowly building a routine and forming healthy habits you can keep is more meaningful (and sustainable) than a three-month perfect streak.
Motivation is just like any other muscle.
It grows stronger the more you use it. At the risk of sounding like a Nike commercial, just do it. Try it. You might start to like how you feel. Whatever you do, have a plan. Plan your week out in advance. You will have fewer excuses if you already have at least a few meals thought out or if you’ve committed yourself to being active for a certain amount of days that week.
Start slow. Go for a walk. Buy ingredients for one or two new recipes. Start with a 12-hour fast. It will all add up in the end and you’ll start to gain momentum. Once you get the ball rolling, you won’t want it to stop. It’s physics, really. An object in motion stays in motion and an object at rest remains at rest. It will become easier, and you may even see your motivations shift.
What started as a quick weight loss goal for me turned into a lifestyle. I became conscious of how good my body felt when I fueled it the right way, and I wanted to keep feeling that way. The choices I made were not for some external source, not just to check a box, but for my own well-being. When my nutrition is on point, I function better, my body and mind feel good.
(Plus, Autumn’s recipes are delicious, so that helps!)
Get to know the AEN community.
Join the Facebook group, follow Autumn’s YouTube channel and Instagram. Educate yourself on all things IF. And once you feel comfortable, share your story. Reach out. Ask questions. Join the challenges. Find an accountability partner to keep you in check. The AEN peeps are so open and supportive.
I have developed several unexpected friendships through the AEN community with people who have supported me in more ways than just nutrition, and I will always be grateful for their encouragement and kindness. Having someone to stick with you on this journey, whether it’s someone in your household, at work, across the country, (or sometimes on a different continent, in my case) makes all the difference! You can do it on your own - of course, you’re awesome - but why should you have to? The AEN peeps have got your back!
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❤️ Autumn
Autumn Elle Nutrition