The number ONE reason that people do not achieve the results that they set out to when it comes to health and fitness is because they haven’t got their heads prepared for what lies ahead.
Anyone can set a goal on New Year’s Eve with a few Moet’s inside them.
“This year I’m finally going to get fit”
“I’m giving up booze for at least the whole of January”
“I’m definitely going to stop smoking this year”
“I’m gonna spend more time with my kids this year”
“I’m gonna join the gym and get fit” – oh how those gyms rub their hands together when people start saying this one!
Why do so many not achieve what they set out to?
Why do they give up after only a few weeks (sometimes only a few days)?
It’s because they’re not mentally prepared for it.
The achievement of any health and fitness goal works in the same way as the achievement of any normal business related goal.
STEP 1:
SMART goals work best.
Be specific – I will lose 1 stone by February 14th (6 weeks until Valentine’s Day!).
Measure it – every week (and no more) check your progress by jumping on the scales
Achievable / Accountable – First is it achievable? but I have added that you should make yourself accountable to someone else when setting out on this
Result focused – make sure that the result is outcome focused
Time – specific deadline needs to be set in order to create some urgency
STEP 2:
Then (and this is really important)
Write out a minimum of 10 reasons WHY achieving this goal is so important. The first 5 will be easy. The last 5 will stretch you.
Step 3:
Project yourself to that specific date in the future and write out how you’re feeling, looking as a result of this achievement. Write in the present tense as if the goal is already achieved.
eg. It’s February 14th (Valentine’s Day) and I’ve lost the 1 stone in weight that I set out to. I’ve just been out and bought some new (smaller waist) jeans and a new Ralph Lauren shirt. My clothes are fitting me much better and I feel more confident wearing them.
My wife is proud of what I’ve achieved and we’ve booked a night away in a luxury hotel. I have more energy than ever and am managing to find the time now to engage with the family. As a result we’re getting on great.
Step 4:
Write this down every single day as part of your morning routine when you get up. (it takes 2-3 minutes)
When you do all of the above and have an accountability structure in place to make sure you keep doing it you will be amazed at what you can achieve in such a short space of time.
Steps 3 and 4 very rarely get done…..and they are the key!
Ricky