Did You Resolve to Be More Fit?

                                               Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay 

One of the more common New Year's resolutions is to be more fit physically. Even if you don't formally make those New Year's resolutions, you probably had an idea of what you want to change in 2020. New Year's resolutions help us set forth in the direction of something we want to change. Plotting your course is important, no matter what goals you may have.

So, in order to reach your goal you need to know how to measure it, why you want it, and what you are willing to do to get it. Things like weight goals are easy to measure - you know where you want your weight to be when you reach your goal. Pounds are track-able and measurable. You can set out objectives for a few pounds at a time; breaking down the process into measurable objectives. All you need for that is a scale.

If your goal is to change your weight, either up or down, you need to be clear on why you want it. It only really works to make changes be personal to you. If you are doing it to please someone else, that never works in the long run. Maybe you want to improve your health by losing a certain number of pounds. Or you want to feel better about yourself because your extra pounds feel unattractive. (Be careful of this reason, because if you are doing it to attract someone specifically, you need to realize that you can't control anyone but yourself.) 

Or maybe you want to be more fit, have more stamina or strength. You are just feeling sluggish or you tire too easily. Being more active can help that. But how to measure it?  Can you measure how sedentary you are? Maybe you could begin by getting up from sitting or lying down every so many minutes. You stand up and walk around your desk and sit again. Even that small behavior change can get you started. 

Or you can start walking more, farther. Or you can use the stairs more that use the elevator. You could start by counting your steps with a pedometer. Set measurable objectives so you can mark progress on your way to being more fit.

If you are good at following a diet, pick one you think fits with your lifestyle and track your 
successes. Or maybe you could eliminate one particular food. Have you ever tried an elimination diet? You eliminate grains for one week and notice if you feel better. Or you eliminate simple sugars for a week, or dairy, etc. You might find that you are sensitive to certain foods that make you feel sluggish. Many people are sensitive to dairy and find they have less joint pain without it.

Get to know your body and how it works for or against you. Chose a way to your goal that works for you. It may take a while to learn what your body needs or to what. it responds poorly.

The longest journey begins with the first step, you know. So set your sights on your goal and keep going. You can enlist someone to help you, maybe join a group that wants to change the way you do, or a group that is already doing what you want to do. You don't have to do it alone.

Just start. Do it!

Where Would You Go?

Image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? If there were no limits - not money or time or physical ability - where would you go?

Do you have any travel dreams? Have you thought of places you'd like to see but don't think you could ever go there?

I love to travel, but I have lots of limitations. I don't have the financial means for many trips in the world. I don't have the physical stamina or ability for some places. I'm getting too old for some. I don't know how to do a lot of things I'd need to know for some travels.But the reality is, if I wanted to go someplace badly enough, I'd find a way.

So dreams aren't enough on their own. You have to have passion. Your desire must be strong enough to propel you through all your "limits."

This is true of any passionate desire, dream, goal. You have to want it badly enough to do whatever it takes to reach that goal. So, you'd better have a good goal.

What makes a goal achievable? There are several criteria that help you succeed.

• It must be something you really want badly enough to risk getting outside your comfort zone.
• It must be possible for someone to reach. It has to be within the the laws of nature. You can't change some things, like gravity and your date of birth.
• It must be compatible with your value system. If it isn't, you would eventually  regret it.
• It needs to be time-ended so you can track your progress.

Of course, there is no guarantee you will achieve it, however. So, it might  be a good idea to have  plan B.

But I encourage you to go for it. Don't end up regretting not even trying to do what you dream of.

                                           Image by Julius Silver from Pixabay 

We've All Heard It Said Before

"Be the change you want to see in the world." But what does it mean, specifically? How do we do that?

I think the first step would be deciding what change you want to see in the world. And pick just one, the one you think is most important. Maybe you think the most important change would be world peace, or people loving and accepting each other without regard to how they are different, or respect and protection of the earth and its resources, or . . . whatever you believe. In order to be successful you must have a direction in which you want to go, a clear goal.

When I think of change I often think of the metaphor of the butterfly. It hatches as a pupa then builds a cocoon in which it becomes a butterfly. The butterfly then lays eggs and starts the cycle again. And each stage has its own challenges.

Change has challenges. So if you want to change the world, you will have to change something about yourself. And that will present some challenges. Be a hero and overcome the challenges, because you are worth it and the world needs you.

What change do you want to see in the world? And what about you will you change to make that happen? Let's talk about it.