| Dieting and buying the
latest exercise gadget teaches us that controlling our body size
and shape is a short-term project rather
than a life long lifestyle change. Headlines and advertisements
that read "Lose 20 pounds in 10 days" install in us
the belief that a lifetime of over eating and fat gain can be quickly
fixed by spending some money or trying the latest diet. So you
go on and off diets, start and stop exercise programs and your
weight and self-esteem go up and down.
Remember this simple rule Effort (Change
in Lifestyle) Over Time = Results so we can either put in
an enormous effort over a short period of time to get the results
we want or we can make small
changes over a much longer period, preferably for ever to get our
desired outcome. The problem with a large effort over a short time
period is that it is not easily sustainable so we become discouraged
and give up losing all the gains we previously made! After all
it didn't’t take you a couple of months to get the size you
are now so why would you expect to get to your ideal size and shape
in such a short period of time?
Setting small and achievable goals is a great way to stay motivated
because you can easily be successful and each small success encourages
you to continue making other small changes to your eating and exercise
habits. Unfortunately, most people set goals that are far to short
term. For example the setting of a short-term goal to lose 20 pounds
before your best friends wedding isn't’t very helpful. Once
the wedding is over, most people will revert back to their old
eating and exercise habits because the special event is over or
they will simply quit altogether because the goal they set was
unrealistic.
Eating and exercising correctly to reduce your body fat takes a
long-term commitment. Trying to do it all at once will lead to
frustration and you will most likely become discouraged. Instead,
set a realistic long-term goal; then achieve it by reaching smaller
short-term goals. For example, if you wish to reduce your dress
size from 20 to 12 set a realistic goal of a of reducing a dress
size every 6 to 8 weeks. You will still reach your target dress
size but at a speed which is safe and sustainable.
Each time your dress size goes down you are reinforcing the fact
that you are successful which will encourage you to continue.
One of the most important laws of the mind states that “What
the mind expects to happen tends to be realised” so when
you become successful by reaching your short-term goals you start
to expect success and as soon as you expect success you become
successful!
Ensure any goal you set is measurable a vague goal such as "I
want to be fit" can't easily be measured whereas "I want
to lose a dress size every 8 weeks" can. After all if you
can't measure it how do you know you've achieved it?
Every goal you set should also be one that not only you are in
control of, but is also truly attainable. Setting a goal to
exercise at least twice a week for 30 minutes is under your control,
is
attainable and will greatly help you reach your ultimate goal
of having a healthier, well toned and beautiful body.
The earlier you start the quicker you can realise the benefits
but the old truism "You don't get anything for nothing" is
true! You can't have a change without making a change, so commit
to making
a change today.
For more information please click on the following links:
Personal Training (One to
One)
Group Personal Training (Groups
of up to 8 people)
Pilates Training (Groups of up to
12 people)
Carol Bartram (Dip.PT, IIHHT)
Personal Trainer
Pilates Instructor
Hull, East Yorkshire, UK
carol@zestforliving.co.uk
http://www.zestforliving.co.uk
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