Get Fit & Stay Fit
Reach Your Goal & Keep Your Goal
It's not uncommon to feel a little bit of pressure this time of year to state our New Year Resolution...the top ones are lose weight, become more fit, eat healthy, decrease stress and improve health...no surprise! But, what I feel is missing when people make these resolutions is that they neglect to examine what THEY want. Are you happy at the your current weight? The way you look and feel about yourself? How much you exercise? Your answer should help you choose what a realistic New Year Resolution should be. What do YOU want?
As I read all the posts and watch all the commercials for avenues to lose weight, get in shape, change how you look in just 6,8,12 weeks...I started to think about all the members that I have met over the 25+ years of working as a fitness trainer. Some have joined fitness clubs, weight loss programs, signed up for different challenges etc. What I found is that the ones that are most successful are those that have the two mottos above as part of their plan. Don't start and quit...
Don't get there and quit...
Don't expect it to happen quickly...
Don't be unrealistic of what YOU really want and are capable of doing.
Joining an exercise facility can help you reach your goal..if..you enjoy what you are doing. If you don't like it, if you dread doing it, if you can't wait for it to be done...then, you are doing the wrong exercise. Of course, you should feel challenged if it's something you've never done before, and it can make you feel uncomfortable, but the benefits of the time that you take out of your day to focus on yourself should make that time worthwhile. (This is another place where I like to say "Make it a good ROI-Return on Investment!")
I have received emails and letters from people saying that they are so glad they found my studio. They are sticking to an exercise program that they love and look forward to. Some have said prior to joining, they have never stuck with an exercise program longer than 30 days. Many have been coming to classes on a regular basis for over 2 years. This is so motivating to ME!
What's the secret? Well...they chose to make fitness a lifestyle. They chose to Get Fit & Stay Fit. They chose to Reach Their Goal & Keep Their Goal. They are still challenging themselves...they still get uncomfortable...they still make mini goals to help maintain their original goal. It's not about depriving...it's not about eliminating...it's not about punishing..it's about finding what you want to do to make you want to keep doing it.
I have a hard time understanding why some people quit exercising. I don't mean that in a sarcastic, or demeaning manner. I just really scratch my head when this happens. I have had conversations and witnessed people that absolutely LOVE the way they feel when they exercise, LOVE the physical, emotional and mental changes that accompany them during their exercise plan. LOVE the energy they feel throughout the day and how much better they feel about themselves when they are exercising regularly...then BOOM!...they quit. Not just coming to the studio, but totally quit exercising altogether. These are the people that I would love to connect with and find out what happened?; how can I help?; was it something out of their control? etc...It's especially confusing when people that reach their goal (be it weight loss for an upcoming event, get in better shape after a life event, or train for an upcoming challenge), then remove/quit the component that had the most profound affect on their outcome~Exercise!
So, this year, my resolution is to reach out to those that are struggling and let them know they will succeed. I want to assist, support, motivate and inspire those that feel they can't do it alone. I want to cheer, recognize and congratulate those that make the small changes that lead up to their big changes. I want those that are struggling to know that I struggle too...I have days that sticking to "the plan" is hard and frustrating...I don't always make the best choices...but, I also know that I control my outcome. I chose many years ago to hop on this party bus and make fitness part of my lifestyle.... I'm hoping I can assist others to come take the ride with me...Let's do This!~~All Aboard!!
