Obstacle Mud Runner - Issue 7

ForEliteAtheletes toFunRunners obstaclemudrunner.co.uk 20 You can’t do a couple of runs around the park then turn up on race day and expect to succeed The Weight Loss Race Jennie Gough jenniegough.com When it comes to weight loss, faddy diets and products that promise a quick fix don’t work Shedding the fat and getting in shape takes time, so consistency with healthy eating and lifestyle is critical. However, it’s easier said than done and many people struggle to stay motivated – they can follow a diet for a few days or a few weeks but then something happens, they fall off the wagon and end up back at square one. To create long-lasting motivation, it helps to think of weight loss like OCR and so to achieve your goals you’re going to need a solid strategy and a mindset for success. Know what obstacles you’ll come up against When you’ve signed up for a race, one of the first things you want to know is what the course looks like and what obstacles you’ll be faced. The same goes for healthy eating. When you can foresee what barriers are going to get in the way (such as the cakes at work, the mid-afternoon sugar craving or the party this weekend) you can plan accordingly and navigate the hurdles with ease. Be clear about your goals and plan ahead Like knowing the course layout, if you’re not clear about where you’re going with your health goals then you won’t know how to get there or when you’ve reached the end. Breaking it down into smaller milestones makes it more achievable and stops you from feeling overwhelmed. When it comes to dropping the pounds, setting up a plan of action and focusing on the small goals (such as drinking two more glasses of water or improving the quality of your snacks) will automatically move you towards where you want to be in little bite size pieces. The importance of a routine You can’t do a couple of runs around the park then turn up on race day and expect to succeed. You need to put in place a training plan and follow it consistently. When you develop healthy habits, that will become your default way of thinking and doing. Having routines are what keep you going despite how motivated or unmotivated you feel at any given moment. Stay flexible Although habits will provide you with a strong foundation for eating healthily, it’s also important to remain flexible for the times you go off track. Just as a versatile skill set of strength, endurance and speed will help you conquer the challenges of competing in an obstacle race, having this same approach to healthy eating and weight loss will help you successfully navigate any temptations that come your way. You’re going to get muddy No-one can sustain perfect healthy eating 100% of the time, so it’s not about if you’ll “slip-up”, it’s when. Plan for what to do when it happens and above all bounce back as quickly as possible. In OCR, if you fall over during a race you don’t stay on the ground, you get up again and keep going. One day of eating all the “wrong” things doesn’t mean you have to write off the whole weekend and start again on Monday. Every meal or snack is a new opportunity to make a healthy choice and get back on track. Have the right mindset Positive thinking and self-affirmations are what keep you going when times get tough. Utilising the right mental attitude can be the difference between the winners and the losers. So if you approach any challenges with the right mindset you’ll be far more likely to succeed. It’s not all about the finish line In OCR obviously you want to reach the finish line but the fun is in the course itself and the way the race makes you feel is what keeps you coming back for more. With healthy eating it’s the same – when you tune in to how healthy eating makes you feel you’ll be motivated to make better choices with food. Obstacle course racing and weight loss are both challenges that will test your resilience and dexterity, your ability to overcome obstacles and adapt to the territory. It’s not going to be easy but the result is worth it. And if you employ these strategies you’ll find you can go the distance and actually enjoy the race rather than just survive it. create long-lasting motivation HEALTH & NUTRITION Every meal or snack is a new opportunity to make a healthy choice and get back on track.