We live in the Information Age. And it has been said that knowledge is POWER. If this is true, why are so many people feeling powerless when it comes to their health? I know I should eat less junk food. I should drink more water. Well, its time to stop shoulding on yourself!
How do you narrow the gap between knowing and doing? Anyone with the answer has managed to access their true inner power and self discipline. This power can take information – pepper it with inspiration and some perspiration and turn it into ACTION:
Establish some baseline information If you have ever visited a financial advisor, the first thing they do is find out your current financial status. Fitness is no different. So, where are you now? Make an appointment with your doctor and chart your current status. How much do you really weigh? What are your blood pressure and cholesterol levels? Also, consult a dietician and a certified trainer to get help.
Uncover your powerful reasons It is important to dig deep to achieve results. List the benefits of making positive lifestyle changes. In establishing new habits, having a powerful reason can mean the difference between failure and success.
Form a clear vision Close your eyes and envision yourself the way you would like to look and feel. Write down your goals and place them where you will see them daily. You are sending a message to your brain that you mean business. Jim Rohn, author of The Art of Exceptional Living says, “A life worth living is worth recording.”
Get your loved ones on board Share the importance of your decisions with people who will support you. Seminar leader Harv Ecker has something to say about people who feel they are not getting support in their lives: People who complain they aren’t supported in their lives often aren’t giving it”.
Brainstorm Write down some simple things you could do right now to get started on the road to better health. Walking one block every day and drinking one extra glass of water are realistic behaviours that you can do immediately.
Ritualize Successful people have made certain activities into rituals. It helps form good habits. Schedule the new fitness ritual in your day book. Keep in mind, everything that starts as a challenge becomes easy with persistence.
Celebrate results Give yourself a pat on the back every time you take a step towards your vision. Many beginners postpone celebrating, waiting instead for the final outcome, like losing ten pounds. Make the process fun by acknowledging every success along the way. Your sense of empowerment will grow as you take note of the smallest improvements.
For many people it takes a medical emergency or relationship break-up before they start caring for themselves. Steven Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, says that the #1 habit is being proactive. This means taking responsibility, and having an “I can do it” attitude! Get LEAN and MEAN it today!
“You can’t leave footprints in the sands of time sitting on your butt.
And who wants to leave butt-prints in the sands of time?”
~Bob Mowad
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Dr. Uche Odiatu is an NSCA certified personal trainer and the co-author of the best-selling books Fit for the LOVE of It! and The Miracle of Health. He has inspired and motivated people on national TV, on hundreds of radio interviews and in lectures for Fortune 500 companies. Questions? Email them at HYPERLINK “mailto:info@fitspeakers.com” info@fitspeakers.com or twebsites HYPERLINK “http://www.fitspeakers.com” www.fitspeakers.com
