A New Year feels like a clean slate, a second (or third, or fourth) chance to make dreams happen THIS year. We start the year dreaming of how THIS year we will lose weight, get in shape, or feel more confident in our skin. But fast forward life to February, it’s obvious most people do not stay consistent in making their dreams a reality. Eating ice cream on a comfy couch seems way more appealing than humus and hot yoga.
Don’t misunderstand me…I speak of broken “New Year’s Resolutions” with my own experience as an example. For many years I promised myself I would the lose weight that crept on after the start of family life and job stress. Those pounds were sneaky! They made a home on my hips, thighs, and belly so quickly that it was easy to miss at first. Until my clothes didn’t fit and I was buying clothes in a size I had never been. For many years I wasted time dreaming of losing weight without realizing I needed to turn my dream into a goal.
In January 2011, I decided to kick the tired and bloated feelings out of my life. I was ready to feel more confident and have energy to enjoy my family more. It was my time to dig in to turn my dreams into goals to reach. In my heart I had the drive to get healthier, but I needed help. Making changes to my daily food choices or adding exercise would not be easy to do on my own. This pushed me to get the support and knowledge that I needed to reach my goals. I reached out to a coach and a community to help me start my journey to getting healthier. During this time I learned tons about the importance of setting goals and healthy habits. It took a daily commitment to my goals and health plan to lose weight a little each week. I celebrated milestones along the way. I felt encouraged by the support I received to keep moving forward. The journey wasn’t perfect (and still isn’t) but I reached my “goal weight” in about 11 months.
I still continue to learn what works best for me in reaching my current goals. NO matter what your goal is, here are a few steps almost anyone can use for goals setting and digging in daily to make it a reality.
- Record your big goals in a journal. Make sure to be specific and use “action” words. For example, instead of writing “I WANT to lose weight”, write “I WILL lose “X” pounds by choosing healthy foods at most meals and keeping a food diary.
- Share your goals with someone that will encourage you and push you when needed. Community matters in your journey!
- Create a written action plan for the month and each week that will help you focus on tasks to start to digging at your big goal.
- Celebrate your accomplishments often and reflect on “failures” as opportunities to learn.
- Take time daily to focus on the positive! Start your day recording what you are grateful for. And end your day by recording what were the best parts of your day.
Fast forward 6 years, I’m still striving to reach goals. Those goals look different now but my commitment to myself is the same. I want to be the “best version” of me for myself and loved ones. I want to be an example to my children of a woman that respects her body and doesn’t abuse it by starving or overexercising. You never know how working on your goals may change your life for the best! Now it’s a privilege to help guide others as a personal trainer and nutrition coach.
Reaching health & fitness goals will take time, but be a goal digger this year and make it happen! What goals will you make happen this year?
P.S. If you’d like to receive my “Goal Digger’s Guide” to be successful this year, please request it here. Please note I’m finalizing this e-booklet now, so it may take a little time before the awesomeness is ready to e-mail. 🙂