By: Sgt. Flex (Tony
Edmond, Sr.)
SET REALISTIC GOALS NOT RESOLUTIONS
With
the New Year upon us and the bells are ringing, it’s the perfect time of year to
avoid resolutions and embrace realistic goal setting. Year after year people
set a list of New Year’s resolutions that are seldom fulfilled. Though, the
motives are right and the intent is good, statistically failure is nipping at
your nose. A major reason for this is due to the resolution’s sudden change of
old habits that perhaps have been established for years. Setting goals offer a
better alternative and are far more realistic than resolutions.
William
Wordsworth, a 19th century poet once said; “Not choice, but habit
rules the unreflecting herd.” The brain is a processor, which is responsible
for functions such as coordinating, recognition, memory and all other forms of
learning. It is the largest energy part of the body. Therefore, it’s to no
surprise why we may find it very difficult to break old habits suddenly. Having
such understanding reveals the importance of goal setting versus relying upon
New Year’s resolutions. Consequently, most goal setting always involves some
form of habit.
Another
pit fall to resolutions is that they tend to fall short as being viewed as
clichés, in terms rendering powerless: “I’m going to start exercising.” “I will
start eating better.” “I will stop smoking.” “I will lose ten pounds.” They all
are examples of great intent resolutions, but fall short of a plan of action. Again,
in most cases these fall under the learned memory category of the brain, which
are big changes to adapt to. Goals normally provide a sense of direction. When
setting small goals to obtain larger goals you will have a plan of attack and motivation
to achieve what you set out to do. Therefore, as you unleash the power of
goal-setting you will find yourself that much closer to engaging in that new work-out
plan, healthier eating, losing weight and even kicking that bad smoking habit.
DEVELOP GOOD HABITS AND PRACTICED
REPETITION
In
order for any activity to develop into a habit it must be repeated several
times. Repeated studies have shown that approximately 21 days of repetitive
activity slowly transforms into a habit. In other words, if you began drinking alcohol
or cigarette smoking consecutively for thus amount of days, it stands a great
chance of becoming a bad habit. Like unto, engaging into at least 30 minutes of
daily physical activity or choosing to incorporate healthy balanced meals into
your diet instead of high fat high calorie meals, it too will become good
habits. Permitting good habits to become practiced repetition would eventually
allow the activity to be stored into our subconscious mind. “Whatever the mind
can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” (Napoleon Hill).
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR SUCCESS AND BUILD ON
IT
A
frequent measure of your progress and new developments will keep you abreast of
where you stand in comparison to where you stood. It would provide you with
helpful insights on possible necessary adjustments. Keeping track of your
success will motivate you to continue on the right path to obtaining your
goals, hence evolving growth. As you focus on your success you will more likely
get more of it.
Many
times we find ourselves subconsciously focusing on our failed results more so
than our success. That is why it is vitally important to remain focused and to
keep track of your success. Think of what you have achieved. Then imagine how
much more you can achieve and where you’d like to be in two, five, or even ten
years as you build on your success.
TAKE 100% RESPONSIBITY FOR YOUR LIFE
If
you want to develop good healthy habits, achieve fitness goals, have a successful
new year and even become a new you, then you must take 100% responsibility for
everything you do and experience you face in life. This includes your health
status, quality of life and relationships, achievements and even failures.
Although, this is not always an easy task it must be done. Many of us are
programmed to blame everything and everybody other than self. Sure,
realistically there are times when things happen beyond our control.
Even
so in such cases we still must take full responsibility of our reactions to
every action. This means taking complete control of our thoughts and our
actions to make the necessary changes to improve the situation. Yes, sometimes
we have to play the hand that we’ve been dealt, but there is always something
different that we can choose to do in order to transform the situation at
hand.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE
As
much as we would like to believe so, your New Year journey to success and
becoming a new you will not be easy. There will be times when we are faced with
adversities and unforeseen circumstances. But guess what? As such is life. But,
as long as we accept that this journey is not meant to be easy, hold to
intrinsic values of self-improvement, remain determined and tap into those DEVELOPED
HEALTHY HABITS, we will be just fine.
Your
willingness to persevere is compared to the increased muscle and strength that
you will gain from the developed healthy habits and incorporating a fresh
exercise routine into your new year: You must work it every day. Enjoy becoming
a NEW YOU in this NEW YEAR. No more excuses… Just Do It!
If you are interested in more training,
health, and fitness information you may contact Sgt. Flex at sergeantflex@gmail.com, or
on Facebook at “Sergeant Flex Physique & Fitness.”
