Tag Archives: health

Consistency is Key

Consistency, , , , , , , ,

One of my clients made this comment that I’m sure many can relate to:  “I wish I could just eat, rather than strategize.”

Wait! Strategizing isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  Doing anything well takes practice, discipline, and a strategy for incorporating it into your lifestyle.

Learning a language, playing an instrument, getting a degree – the better you want to be, the more you want to know, the more skill you want to achieve, the more practice and discipline are required.

It seems odd that we don’t make those same connections about eating, weight loss, and living a healthy lifestyle.  What most people think they want is a better-than-average body, better-than-average health, and a better-than- average look in their clothes.  That takes better-than-average focus. As long as you want to be better-than-average, you must put in that level of effort.  It gets easier and more second nature, but still has to be tended. Music is a great analogy. When you practice more, you play better.

Your road to health and wellness is the same thing – like playing the perfect Bach.  It takes consistent practice and attention.

I’m just sayin’

 

Advertisement

No Willpower for a Healthy Lifestyle?

Behavior Change, Willpower, , , , , ,

As a personal trainer since 1994, I have partnered with countless individuals on their journey to a fit and healthy lifestyle.  Many of them achieve their goals and decide to proceed on their own to live their new lifestyle. I see them a year or two down the road and they are as out of shape and overweight (or worse) than when we began.  What happened?

If you can relate to this then you are in good company.  Research suggests that 50% of persons starting an exercise program will drop out within the first six months.  (Wilson & Brookfield 2009).

It’s not because you are weak or have no willpower. It’s not because you’re not good enough or don’t have time. It’s because your brain patterns are stuck in the rut of habit and lifelong programming.  You have to reprogram your brain to maintain long- term success.  You have to be mindful of your negative self-talk and treat yourself with the same love and compassion you would a dear friend.

In his concluding summary at the Mind and Human Potential Conference (2009), (You Tube: The Brain and It’s Potential), Dr. Evian Gordon states that BIG changes can only be achieved through very SMALL steps.

Take it one day at a time. One habit at a time. One step at a time. Be patient with yourself.  Be easy about it.  Life is supposed to be fun.