Send This Site to a Friend
Three Steps to Achieving Your Health Goals
We all have aspects of health we want to improve. It could
be as simple as increasing your stretching, or as great as
starting an exercise program. Regardless of its scope, there
is a reason you're not doing it. Although the focus of this
article is on health goals, these steps can also be applied
to any aspect of your life, personal or professional. I will
walk you through 3 steps that are guaranteed to help you
achieve a health goal
To begin, write down a list of all your health goals. Then,
pick one. Now write down all your perceived obstacles to
achieving that goal. Include them all! Now, everyone can
site lack of time, unable to fit it in, it's something they
just don't like, it's uncomfortable, etc, etc, but if
it's something you really want to do, I believe anyone can
make it happen! What is it that makes one person get up and
jog every morning before work, but another person says they
`can't'? It has a lot to do with desire and determination.
It's something that's important enough to them that,
regardless of obstacles, they fit it in.
Think about what the real blocks are to achieving this
health goal. Is it something you really want to do, or is it
something you should do? If it's something you should do for
your health, then perhaps looking at all the various options
to at least help you get started would be helpful. Let's say
you've tried to go out jogging. You hate it; your feet hurt,
our joints hurt, it's hard, you can't breathe, the
weather's too hot or too cold. There's nothing about it you
like and can't imagine anything worse than having to actually
do it daily!. What else could you do, then? Make a list of
all the things that you think you would ever like to do,
even if they don't seem even slightly realistic.
This has led us to the next step, which is finding solutions
to your block. So, as with the jogger, make that list of all
the solutions you can think of to your obstacles. If you're
stuck, ask for some outside ideas. This is where a life
coach who specializes in health could be an invaluable
resource. A coach can give you outside ideas you never
considered before. They may also help you see that jogging
may be a goal for the future, if it's what you'd really like
to do, but instead of starting now, and hating every minute
of it, they could help you devise a plan to build up slowly,
starting perhaps with walking, making small, manageable
goals along the way.. If it's something you really want to
do, you'll take all steps necessary to finally make it
happen! A coach will just help you get there, faster and
with more success!
You've now listed various solutions to your obstacle. Now,
pick one solution. It has to be a different solution than
you have tried in the past. There's a reason you have not
accomplished this goal, previously. If you continue to try
the same solutions, you'll never overcome the block you've
set up. This is why it's important to get outside input,
such as a coach, for different ideas and different
strategies. In fact, studies show that people are much more
successful in health goals, such as weight loss, when they
worked with a coach who empowered them to do more and
achieve more. A coach is an advocate for all your health
goals and dreams, but is also there to support you when you
fall. Consider this: Even Tiger Woods has a life coach!
So, now that you have chosen a solution, how will you
implement it? How will you ensure success?
You have to share your intentions and you need a plan to
carry it out, which is the third and final step. You can't
"Just do it". If it was that easy, you'd already be
"Doing it"! The more people you tell, the more responsible
you'll feel to carry out your plan. Sit down and put your
plan together. Using our jogger, let's say he's decided
he'll start walking every work day. Just saying, "I'll walk every
day at work" is not enough. He has to determine when, where,
how long and plan for the days it won't work, such as rain
or extra-long work days. It has to be specific and detailed,
with the back-up plan. Our jogger has decided he can commit
to a 15 minute walk each work day during lunch, before he
eats. He'll put his shoes in his car so he has them every
day and he'll tell all his co-workers his plan. Some may
even eventually join him! He has determined that if the
weather is bad, that he can take the time to stop at the
indoor mall after work and get that 15 minute walk in before
going home. He has his plan!
Will it work? It depends on how serious he is. If he doesn't
do it, then he knows this isn't the right solution. This can
happen, so then it's time to go back to the drawing board
and pick a new solution. It's ok if the solution doesn't
work, as long as he realizes it just means finding a new
solution. Perhaps he needs a new, more workable goal!
So, take these steps to achieve your health goals: Determine
all your goals, choose one to work on at a time. List all
the obstacles then determine solutions to those obstacles.
Pick one solution, draw up a plan, and tell everyone you can
about your plan. Make the plan specific and then stick to
it. If it's something you really want to achieve, you will
do it!
About the Author:
Marjorie Geiser has been teaching health, fitness and
nutrition since 1982. She is a nutritionist, registered
dietitian, certified personal trainer and life coach.
As the owner of MEG Fitness, Marjorie's goal
for her clients is to help them incorporate healthy eating
and fitness into their busy lives. You can learn more about
Marjorie from her website, www.megfit.com, or contact her
via email to margie@megfit.com.
Find More Related Info:
Also See:
Our Health and Wellness Center