05 Dec Plan for Success

Excitement is good!

Excitement is great, but you need more than that to reap the rewards!

So, you’ve decided this next January is your official start date.  You are determined to improve your health, extend your longevity, and you are pumped up!

Passion and enthusiasm certainly fuel us toward our goals, but excitement and “going all ninja” is not necessarily going to get us to the finish line.

Each January, roughly one in three Americans resolve to better themselves or their health in some way. A much smaller percentage of people actually make good on those resolutions. While about 75% of people stick to their goals for at least a week, less than half (46%) are still on target six months later.   

Before you clear out that extra bedroom, buy an expensive Bowflex MAX Trainer, Elliptical machine or worse yet max out your Sears card on the latest and greatest equipment, hold on!  Don’t sign on at that fancy gym or buy those expensive running shoes just yet! Consider what you can do for FREE!  That’s right; for FREE.

Here are some tips to help you as you plan to get fit and healthy:

Ditch the all-or-nothing attitude. You don’t have to spend hours in a gym or force yourself into monotonous or painful activities you hate in order to experience the physical and emotional benefits of exercise. A little exercise is better than nothing. In fact, adding just modest amounts of physical activity to your weekly routine can have a profound effect on your mental and emotional health.

Be kind to yourself. Research shows that self-compassion increases the likelihood that you’ll succeed in any given endeavor. So, don’t beat yourself up about your body, your current fitness level, or your supposed lack of willpower. That will only demotivate you. Instead, look at your past mistakes and unhealthy choices as opportunities to learn and grow.

Check your expectations. You didn’t get out of shape overnight, and you’re not going to instantly transform your body either. Expecting too much, too soon only leads to frustration. Try not to be discouraged by what you can’t do or how far you have yet to go to reach your fitness goals. Instead of obsessing over results, focus on consistency. The payoff will come in time.

You can do it!

All content and information are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for the advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment by a qualified medical practitioner.

Before starting any diet regimen, check with your physician to see what’s best for you.