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How are those goals coming along? Are you feeling frustrated that you might not be progressing as quickly as you would like, only to be frustrated when warm weather rolls around? It’s easy to stop trying and go back to old routines, but when the mercury starts climbing, and those goals you set for yourself in January seem not so long ago we begin to ask ourselves, “If only I had started sooner!”
The best way to protect yourself from a regret-filled spring is to set a deadline and start now. Yep, right now. Deadlines are powerful motivators. Without a deadline, you really have no set-point toward which to work. You have nothing to pushing you and we need to be pushed. Deadlines create a sense of urgency. They help you position yourself to succeed, because that final date is always staring back at you. It forces you to prioritize and strategize. Otherwise, you will let things slide, you will keep putting off the workout or healthy food choices, and insisting that tomorrow you will start eating better. Without a deadline, tomorrow never comes. If you keep doing what you have always done, you will get the results you have always gotten. It’s time to do something different. Ask yourself this question: If I keep doing what I am doing right now, will I achieve what I want to achieve? If you answered no, then it’s time for a change. Go get your calendar out and decide when you want to see your first wave of results. Be realistic and make sure you give yourself time to really dig in and see changes happen. But challenge yourself, too — make it a little tough so you can take full advantage of the power of urgency. If you have tried that before, then a deadline may not be enough. Why? Because you may be tempted to move it. Deadlines are not supposed to be moving targets. The best way to prevent deadline-creep is to get competitive. Entering into a competition or contest is a sure way to give you the edge you need to keep yourself on track and finish strong. There is something very motivating about competing with others. Just knowing that your effort and results are going to be measured alongside others really will give you an extra boost in motivation. This is a time when a little peer pressure can be helpful. And you will find that those with whom you are in competition will also be your biggest cheerleaders. They know exactly what you are going through and will be there to encourage you to keep moving. Deadlines and contests form the perfect combination to assist with your health success so put them to work for you. Spring is close enough to give you a push, but still far enough away to ensure that you have enough time to get some serious work done. Plan now to greet spring and warmer weather with no regrets. Want to do this? Join my February Healthy Living Challenge. You do not have to be a training client to join in. Everyone is welcome! Congratulations. You survived Christmas weekend and all the craziness that goes along with it. Now I am sure you are starting to think about the new year to come. It is approaching fast. Well, technically it is here.
What would I like to achieve this year? Where would I like to go? How should my life be different this year? So many thoughts and ideas on what I want to achieve in 2016. Time to set a resolution. You might think that it is weird that I encourage people to make a new year’s resolution. Especially since most people fall off the horse within a couple of weeks. However, I choose to promote realistic resolutions. No starvation diet plans or unrealistic leanness goals, please. Making a new commitment is important and healthy as long as you think about it. Think about how to add this new behavior into your “real life”. Your real life can be crazy and hectic at times. Perhaps you have a kid or two to feed, clothe, and interact with, a job to manage during the day, a household to care for and maintain and maybe even some animals, too. Real life is busy and active and just about the time you want to go for a walk another life situation stops you dead in your tracks. Therefore, this new year make a resolution that fits your “real life.” Really take a moment to think about what you want to achieve or how you want to live. It does not have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Truthfully, I discourage those types of resolutions because usually you end up with nothing, not all you desired in the first place. Maybe that fitness goal needs to be a bit more flexible with where it happens or striving for one healthier meal a day instead of an entire week of healthy meals. In order to fit this resolution into your real human life you must be prepared for hurdles. It may not be easy, but if you make a realistic goal, set a plan, and continue to move forward while being flexible great things will happen in 2016. I can feel it. Happy New Year! |
This is me, Liz. I am an, instructor, personal trainer, exercise physiologist, dog-mom, loving wife, little sister, coolest-aunt ever, and now blogger living in Libby, Montana.
Welcome to my blog! This blog follows my life and my interests in fitness, adventure, food, and healthy living. The Girls, Katy & Madi, and I. We have spent a lot of time together the past few years. I appreciate them for their quirks and how they love me unconditionally. They help me appreciate the small, simple things in life. Archives
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DiclaimerThis is a personal blog created and maintained by Liz Whalen. My blog posts document my life and sometimes highlight the food I eat and workouts I perform. I do not have professional medical training, nor am I a registered dietician. I am an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, while the content you see on my blog aims to bring you along on my health & wellness journey. The published information may not be right for you and should not be viewed as guidelines in any way. Seek counsel from a medical doctor when looking to incorporate or change your physical activity and/or dietary habits.
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