End goal: Dont’ worry about losing those “last five pounds” before a vacation every again!

Dieting before Vacations and Events

Looking back at your vacations and events, do they read like a connect the dots of diet trends and punishing workouts? You’re not alone.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a client say they “need to lose 10lbs” before [fill in the blank with important life event].

It seems every time we have something important coming up, we want to jump on the latest diet and kick some serious ass in the gym.

You can find articles online: 5-Step Plan to Lose 10 Pounds in One Week, Emergency Bikini Body Workouts, How to Lose Weight Fast for Vacation, and more!

It’s Okay to Want to Lose Those “Extra 5 Pounds”

It makes sense because usually we want to present our best selves to the world. If we’re headed to a wedding to reunite with old friends or planning on showing some extra skin on the beach, we want to feel good about ourselves.

We want to be accepted. And we want to be respected. It’s human nature and it’s 100% normal (and okay) to want these things.

It took me a while to write this post because it feels vulnerable and personal. But it’s also important. It’s an important message and I want to make sure I get the message just right.

Self Acceptance and Weight Loss

I took a vacation with my husband to Miami last week to getaway to the sunshine and relax for a few days. This vacation was the first time in my life that I’ve had a trip that I didn’t feel like I needed to change myself for. I didn’t feel that I should diet, or follow an extra intense workout plan leading up to it.

This time, I had no interest in changing myself to fit an expectation of what I “should” be on vacation. Sure, I’ve been leaner but I’m happy where I’m at.

I’m content. I’m at a place of self acceptance and I maintain a consistent fitness level. But, there’s two sides to this coin.

The Best Way to Be Fit for a Vacation

One side is a bit obvious. Since I’m consistently taking care of myself, I’ve finally found myself in a state of “readiness” all the time. There’s no finish line or end goal. I live my life In a place where I’m happy with my body day to day. Of course, it wasn’t always this way.

That brings me to the other side of the coin. The less obvious and far more important side. I finally became the person I was always wishing to be.

I didn’t get here by meticulously tracking or restricting food, or by punishing myself with workouts. I stopped scoring myself based on how I measured up in a bikini.

I got here by accepting myself and recognizing that eating well and working out in a way that makes me feel good is actually one of the nicest things I can do for myself. I got here because I created the habits that align with the kind of person I wanted to become.

The Way to Everyday Fitness

The journey to everyday fitness isn’t paved with food scales and bootcamps and 4-week plans. It’s a road of tiny improvements and decisions that align with the new identity you create for yourself along the way.

There is a freedom that comes with transforming yourself and your lifestyle. Once you’ve finally “done it” and made the changes to be the person you want to be, you realize you have the tools and nothing can stop you.

You don’t have to worry about “falling off track” because you know you can get yourself right back in check when you're ready.

There’s also a lot of psychological value to reaching that place using sustainable, healthy strategies because you aren’t waiting for the finish line. You aren’t biding time until you lose control, go off the rails, and gain all the weight back.

Habits and skills that help set you up for success are the foundation to fitness because inevitably things will come up and life will get in the way. If it were easy, everybody would be walking around with a 6 pack and a perfect blood lipid panel.

The approach that’s best for you is the one that you can actually follow, sustain, and enjoy for the rest of your life. If you’re unsure of what to do next ask yourself “What would a person who has already accomplished what I want do in this scenario?”

And then do that thing. You already know what to do, you just have to make the choices that align you with that goal.

You’ve got all the super powers you need to be successful and Google solved the information gap a long time ago. We all have access to the information on how to be healthy, and it’s high time to use it!

But, I also understand that some aspects of health and fitness can be confusing, which is where I come in! As a certified nutritionist and personal coach, I’ve made it my mission to help individuals, particularly women, look and feel their best!

If you feel like you may need some guidance in this area, or just have a general question about your fitness and nutrition needs, email me at Ashley@AshleyBrownFitnessNutrition.com or fill out this form and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!