Moderation

Just like everything else; healthy eating and exercise are most profitable in moderation. Now moderation is relative to each person according to his/her own abilities. The only way we will be able to really reach our desired goals/results is by taking the "tortoise method." It is not realistic to think that in 3 months time we can reach "Hollywood like" results and still hold a day job. Now if you want to sacrifice social life, work, and any kind of delicious food, then yes, I guess you could look like the guys in 300 by springtime. It's simply not realistic or practical, or fun. Make it a commitment to make an overall lifestyle change and you will appreciate the effects of exercise and healthy eating much more than you would if you committed to being an outcast from society by going on a quick fix diet plan. Allow yourself to cheat once and a while with your eating and workouts. Make Saturdays your day off to enjoy delicious foods and take a break from exercise, and then on Sundays get back at it again with a light workout and wane yourself back into your weekly regiment. Everyone is different and everyone's body responds differently, don't compare yourself to anyone but yourself. Motivation needs to come from within, or you will never achieve what it is your setting out to accomplish. Another reason moderation is beneficial is because you won't ever truly be "content," meaning that if you were to try and reach all your goals in a short period of time, then you would be "done," and "satisfied." But, if you allow for some cheating then you will always be able to say " I can improve." The roller coaster effect is what people often find themselves doing when it comes to getting into shape, they will go all out for a period of time and reach and goal and then often fall back to where they once were. Make it a habit that when you take 5 steps forward take one small step back and then continue to go forward; instead of taking 10 steps forward and stopping; this way you will never plateau or fall all the way back down. Keep getting after it and remember there are 1000's of people just like you, and you are not alone in the Battle.