I've been doing a lot of thinking...
Over the past 6 months, I've gained about 15lbs. It's been a stressful couple of years where I gained and then lost and then gained - yoyo depending on what was going on in my life. The funny thing is that I gained that bit of weight over the last little bit simply because I've relaxed - let my body rest and recuperate. Stress does a number on the body! I deal with back injury as well, so some of it was doctor's orders as well!
But.....I don't feel comfortable in my clothes anymore. I miss feeling strong. I miss rocking it out in the gym.
This got me thinking about goals. Because I need some. BUT....I need to make some specific goals.
Let's think about goals for a second....work with me here....
What is it that you want to achieve this Fall? Is it really just to “lose weight” like most people?
…Or is it to gain better control over what you eat?
…Or is it to manage your time better so that you have time to go out with friends or even go to the gym with friends?
…Or could your resolution be to value your body and only eat foods to nourish?
…Or maybe going to a psychologist and sorting out some personal issues that have lingered over the years?
…Or maybe nourishing your spiritual life?
…Or spend more time slowing down a bit and taking care of yourself a bit more (mani-pedis or hair appointments etc – just a way to treat yourself) instead of busy busy all the time?
…Or a goal of maybe using that gym pass a bit more or signing up for a fitness class?
Do you see what I mean? Let’s change our weight-loss goals and not just think “I wanna lose weight” because maybe the byproduct of your REAL goal could be losing weight.
Something is holding you back from your ultimate goals of getting healthier. What is it? Once you can identify what it is, THAT should be you goal this Fall –
To work on that weakness
and transform that weakness into a strength.
Doesn't that sound amazing – and inspirational!! Weakness to strength….this is a personal goal of mine.
Okay, so that all sounds well and good, but HOW you say.
Here are some very easy steps to making a SMART goal -
1. Be specific. Put it down on paper. What exactly do you want (healthy/lose weight/stronger)? How badly do you want it (enough to put your all in it/just kinda want it etc)?
2. Let it be measurable. Give amounts of weight you want to lose. Give amounts of repetitions you want to do in a certain exercise. Give inch amounts you want to get to. See what I mean? Specific.
3. Action oriented. How are you gonna do this? Go to the gym? Write down your food in a journal? Do a workout video at home 3 times a week? How, how, how.
4. Realistic and Relevant. You wanna lose 150lbs by next summer? But is that realistic? Are you setting yourself up for failure if you don't reach it? Be realistic. By all means, don't set your bar too low, but do be realistic. Know where you're at, and think about what you'd like to achieve.
5. Time based. Give yourself smaller time goals. Yes, I said 9 months until next summer, but how much would you like to lose in 2 months from now? How many inches would you like to lose in 6 weeks. See what I mean? Smaller goals that will ultimately get you to your big goal. Give it a time frame. This keeps you accountable. Then it's not "I wanna lose 100lbs by next year - I still have tons of time, I'll start on Monday instead of today" and then many Mondays go by and you still haven't started yet. Small goals. That's what it's all about. Step by step.
My biggest piece of advice is to write it down. Post it up in your pantry. Post it up in your bathroom beside the mirror so you see your goal right in front of you every morning.
You can do this. You're stronger than you think. Promise.
Re-read that a few times. Smaller goals to achieve bigger goals. If you love sugar, and it’s a weakness for you, slowly wean yourself off of it – and make that your goal.
If you hate drinking straight water and know the value of drinking a lot, find an herbal tea that you can drink. Change those weaknesses into strengths.
If you’re a big carbohydrate eater and want to cut back on that, plan your meals out for a week and work on following it.
If you love your treats, wean back to 1 a day, then 1 every other day etc etc. See what I mean?
Discipline. We all hate the word but don’t even realize what an amazing word it really is.
It’s being in control.
It’s freeing.
It’s ultimately going to get you to where you want to be.
If there is any word for my resolution this Fall, it’s going to be discipline. With my time, with my energy, with my food, with my exercise. Can’t go wrong if you keep trying…
And please allow yourself to make mistakes. Don’t plan for them, but give yourself grace and keep pushing forward.
Let your goals be changing your weaknesses into strengths. It doesn’t need to be elaborate and have the words “I’m going to lose 100lbs this year” – let it be “I am going to gain control over my eating” or “I am going to value my body enough to exercise” or “I am going to work towards getting stronger and stronger muscles”.
Lots of love, as always..