Finding That Motivation To Start
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We always talk about New Year resolutions but in reality it does not have to be a New Year to make one. Do you have a fitness or health related goal you want to achieve but have not acted upon?
At least half of the population will have a generalised goal – something like eat healthier, exercise more and/or lose weight. Whilst these are often well intentioned, most people fail to keep them past the first few weeks. So, how do we become successful at keeping this goal? Like most things there are a few steps we need to follow.
The bottom line is try and keep it simple.
1. Commit to yourself. Without this you will be setting yourself up to fail. From my experience it is all about attitude. Just get into it and get it done!
2. Establish an obtainable goal. Goal setting is one of the single most important things you can do. Write it down; in the diary, on the mirror, on the fridge, post it in the car. Some examples may be: lose 10% body fat by 1 June 07; fit into my favourite dress or pants by April 20.
3. Avoid choosing a goal that you have been unsuccessful at before. Why make the same mistake every year and set yourself up for failure. This will leave you frustrated. Break down the goal into manageable components – this may mean you have a weekly/fortnight goal (ie this week I will change 3 things about my diet). Rather than one big overall goal link smaller pieces together. An exercise example would be to have an end goal of running 10 kms. You may start off running 1km, then building to 2, then 3 etc until you get to 10.
4. Plan the action. Start with writing down the goal and developing a concept of play. Include exercise, diet, family effects and workplace effects. Keep it in the diary.
5. Ask friends and family for support. YES, tell them what you are doing. This will mean you will be not only accountable to you, but also to them. Ask them to remind you when you are straying off course!
6. Reward yourself after each milestone you reach- i.e. go to the movies! Keep it sensible though. If the goal is weight loss, keep it to non food rewards. What shoes did you like again?
7. Don’t go it alone. Get professional assistance. Sometimes a friend is just not enough. Don’t see this as a cop out but an action that can keep accountability in place. When it comes to fitness, research shows that assistance from a trained professional dramatically improves results. If a Personal Trainer is out of the question, try an online trainer, or a friend who exercises regularly.
8. Limit changes to a few at a time. Don’t be drastic and make a zillion changes. Make small changes as you go and see it as a lifestyle change rather than a diet or short term solution. Think back to the goals (ie one might be ‘to be healthy and fit to play with the grand kids’).
Happy Training
Frank Liardet |
