Human Potential Catalyst

Changing Habits for Fitness Success

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Some thoughts for you....

There is a sure sign of insanity - continuing in the same pattern of behavior and expecting that you will achieve a different result. Let me help with some examples (some of which may have come from my vast library of personal experiences):

• Not taking the time to study and learn but instead choosing to cram at the last minute or hoping beyond hope that the exam would be easy, then being surprised when the grade is far short of what you hoped for
• Being diligent with a nutrition program whose main ingredients are large helpings of KFC (extra crispy, of course), french fries, beer, soda and other similarly high quality foods and expecting that you will lose weight
• Wondering why your waistline increases in direct proportion to the amount of time you spend with the television remote but convincing yourself that you can't miss this particular episode of __________ (fill in the blank)
• Spending more time and money for cable tv and cell phone bills than on your health club membership and training program and wondering why your index finger and jaw are the fittest parts of your body

These are all habits. It is learned behavior; something we originally chose to do that has now become part of our routine. The question we must continually ask ourselves is whether or not these old habits are serving our lives? We stay in bad relationships, we continue in bad patterns of behavior, we don't develop new habits or learn new skills even though we know we should.
Deep down inside of us something is saying "I am better than this!"
These habits aren't part of our subconscious, individually they are not part of our essence, and we can choose to do something different..but what is the catalyst - what will help us or cause us to make the change? I heard a phrase once that said people make conscious changes either out of inspiration or desperation, but I believe that is an after the fact description. When I was 275 pounds and a 50" waist, I didn't take the time to say "hmmm, am I inspired or am I desperate?" (Actually, I was probably too busy eating, drinking or watching tv!). The catalyst for me was a postcard that came in the mail with a picture of someone's shredded midsection and the words "you too can look like this". This is one of the few times in my life when I was grateful for being one of those people who believes everything people tell me! (If you are interested in the rest of the details I would be more than happy to send you my short eBook on weight loss). There are a variety of "changing your habit" timelines; I believe that to give yourself a fair start in the right direction requires one month. Why one month? Perhaps it is because I was an accountant and my nick-name when I was younger was "Spock", so logical sequences work well for me, I don't really know. I do know that two weeks is not enough and if I tell you three months you won't get started. I have developed some thoughts that I believe would be helpful for anyone interested in developing a higher level of fitness, irrespective of their starting point. I have outlined my thoughts below and will expand on each of them over the next twenty days.

1. Set the goal - be SMART. In order for a goal to be a goal and not a gamble, there are five key elements: Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Constrained.
2. Prioritize - things at the bottom of the pile usually remain there and become moldy - if it is really important to you then it has to be more than just an after-thought.
3. Assess - you need an objective measurement of your starting point - to get to point B, you need to know where point A is so that you can commit the proper resources and effort.
4. Plan - the old saying is "if you fail to plan you are planning to fail".
5. Execute - you have to follow through with your plan.
6. Measure your progress and elicit feedback - are you getting the results you expected.
7. Adjustments are always required - perhaps you need to adjust your plan or your level of effort.
8. Persist - it is impossible to develop, change, learn and grow without some level of discomfort.
9. People count - surround yourself with people that encourage you, support your efforts, and are good role models. Utilize the skills and education of the right coaches and teachers.
10. Celecrate your successes - progress toward your goal is success and should be celebrated. Be proud of yourself for participating in a Monday morning 6AM class!! I know it was hard, but stick with it and see how positively it affects the rest of your life!!

Your AHA Moment is right around the corner:

"I'd gone through life believing in the strength and competence of others; never in my own. Now, dazzled, I discovered that my capacities were real. It was like finding a fortune in the lining of an old coat." - Joan Mills
Keep finding ways to turn perceived negatives into real positives!!