It’s a tradition! Each time we ring in a new year, people conduct a “state of
person” and evaluate themselves-their career, their current wealth (or lack thereof), and their health. Then they resolve to change what they’re not happy with. But big question is: how many actually follow through?If a change in date is a reason to reflect, that’s great. But is that by itself a true motivator, or a real catalyst for change? Why should fact that you’re now writing “04” on your checks be a reason to lose weight and get fit? All too soon, it will seem natural to write that new date, and you’ll lose feeling that too much time has passed you by without results.
If you really want to lose weight and get fit, don’t call it a New Year’s Resolution. And for Heaven’s sake don’t call it a diet either! Both of these are temporary, and everyone knows that. You’ll be setting yourself up for ultimate failure from beginning, because not only will you think it’s temporary, but so will everyone you need to support your efforts.
Losing weight and getting fit is all about improving your health. That’s only real reason to do it. And why do you want to improve your health? Do you want to live longer? Do you desire a better “quality of life” as you grow older? Are there specific things you have a burning desire to do, like traveling to far away places or playing with your grandkids, that demand good health and fitness? Getting in touch with your personal “why improve my health” is one and only true long-term motivator. Think about this, reflect on it, and then write down every reason you can think of for improving your health. And don’t forget where you put it! You’ll need to pull this list out and refer to it when going gets tough.
And going will get tough because true long-term weight management and fitness will require changes in your behavior. Replacing long held habits with healthier ones, finding time for exercise, and discovering better ways to eat, are all necessary changes but may not be easy for you. This business of getting healthy is major work; make no mistake about that! And it’s not something you can ditch after a few months if you want to keep progress you’ve made. Even if you lose all weight you want and develop body of your dreams, it doesn’t end there! You must maintain your focus in order to keep improvements you’ve made. Your house needs paint sometimes and your car needs oil changes. Your body needs maintenance too! If you return to old habits that made you overweight and out of shape, you’ll go right back to that state.
