2013: The Year of Progress

I have declared 2013 as "The Year of Progress" instead of making a resolution this year. Sure, I have set some lofty goals for myself on both a personal and professional level, but every goal is contingent upon completion of a previous one. I have a plan to get from point A, to point B, etc.

What's the point of having a plan? Consider that thousands and thousands of people vow to lose weight and get in shape every year. By March, they have fallen back into the same old habits. Why? In large part, this is due to a lack of measurable, attainable, time-driven goals. We need a plan containing specific criteria in order to hold ourselves accountable. Let's consider a different approach:

What's the ultimate goal? To get healthy. (Great! But, vague.)

WHY? My current lifestyle will make me sick and I have a family history of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc. Or, I want more energy to excel at work and keep up with my children. Or, being fit helps me to manage stress. Or, I want to reverse the effects of aging. (Knowing your "WHY?" is the most important thing!)

What are the necessary components to the plan? Visit the doctor for a complete physical, find 3 forms of exercise that are enjoyable and easy to work into the schedule, change the diet. (Better, but let's be more specific.)

Which specific goals must be achieved?  Lose 3 pounds per month over 12 months totaling 36 pounds, exercise a minimum of 3 days per week for 30-45 minutes each session, weigh-in once per week, eliminate 3 bad foods from my diet and 1 bad habit (like smoking) every month, drink 8-10 glasses of water daily, sleep a minimum of  8 hours each night. (Now, we're getting somewhere. Let's make it time-sensitive.)

When must all of these things happen? Doctor visit by January 15, 2013 and first weigh-in, start exercising January 20th, make dietary changes today, increase water intake today, lose 3 pounds by February 20th, shop for new clothes quarterly (assign dates) including new workout gear if goals are met, set new goals if you fall short monthly, revisit your "WHY?" statement.

What is the penalty for not staying the course? Revisit your "WHY?" statement. Write it down and post in the places where you are most tempted to fall off the bandwagon.

Best wishes and much success to you all in the coming months! Be good to yourself! More next time...

Nutrition Series: "What's Eating You?" Is Coming Soon!

One of the most popular New Year's resolutions is to lose weight. There has been no shortage of ads promoting weight loss since the beginning of the year. The choices are endless and may be overwhelming. Before you invest in prepackaged meals, start counting points, or join extreme bootcamps, turn your attention to nutrition.

Barring any medical issues, weight gain is tied directly to what you eat and your level of physical activity. And if you are consuming the wrong foods at the wrong proportions, your health and fitness attempts will be futile.

Starting on February 13, 2012, we will be launching our Nutrition Series: "What's Eating You?". We are looking for medical, nutrition, and fitness pros to contribute their expertise to this effort. Bloggers and authors are welcome! Contributors will be allowed to promote their websites, blogs, and books in exchange for their articles. Find our Guest Blogger Guidelines HERE.

If you are seeking an interview regarding your published book and/or professional services, find our guidelines HERE.

We also want to hear from our readers! What questions would you like answered about your nutrition and weight loss efforts? Submit your questions HERE.

Be good to yourself! More next time...

Commit to Be Fit in 2009! -Your 30 Day Checkup

Are you keeping your New Year's resolutions? The end of January is days away and some of us have yet to move off the couch and do something to improve our health and quality of life. Why? Consider the following:

1) Did I set a realistic goal?
2) Did I really commit to it?
3) Did I adequately prepare?
4) What was my motivation?
5) What am I waiting for?
6) Do I believe that I can achieve my goals?

Tomorrow is not promised. To enjoy every moment of your life, you must be present and actively participating in it. So, don't punish yourself for what you didn't do. Start today. Right now. Do something good for yourself. TODAY.

I'll leave you with some inspirational thoughts in the hopes that you choose a better path for you life. The clock is ticking...

"The big secret in life is there is no secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work." -Oprah Winfrey

"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying." -Michael Jordan

"Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." -Lou Holtz

"To be a champ you have to believe in yourself when nobody else will." -Sugar Ray Robinson

The Next Five Minutes

At the end of my 6th grade year, my elementary school principal shared with me a quote from Irving Berlin that said:

"Life is 10% of what you make it and 90% of how you take it."

Life is a fascinating journey of difficulty and ease, struggle and concession, victory and defeat, joy and pain, and errors and perfection. Whether or not you believe that your existence is part of a divine plan, I think that you would agree that your path is shaped by the choices that you make. The next five minutes of your life are not promised. If you knew the date and time of your demise, how would you spend it? Would you continue to procrastinate, hold that grudge, keep smoking or drinking, or put off changing your diet? Would you ignore your spouse, put off your children, harbor envy and jealousy, or be selfish? Would you do the opposite? In an instant, you could make the decision to do something that could greatly benefit your life and the life of others. You could do it in the next five minutes.

We have just ushered in a new year. Many of us have made resolutions to do something better this year than we did last year:

"This year, I am going to FINALLY lose the weight."
"This year, I am going to FINALLY stop smoking."
"This year, I am going to FINALLY get out of debt."

Finally... Finally... Finally...

Studies have shown that if significant progress isn't made in the first three months of the new year, resolutions fizzle. Generally the methods used lack clear, written, measurable goals coupled with a measure of accountability. The original thought of the need to make a change in our lives probably occurred months or even years ago. Why did we assume that we could put it off? Who said that the next five minutes were promised?

The way that we handle life's ups and downs makes the greatest statement about our strength of character. Do we make good use of every opportunity, or do we take them for granted? I believe that our success in life stems from finding our purpose, making a good plan, setting clear goals, setting well-placed priorities, working hard and smart, being diligent, being the most prepared, timing, and being kind to others along the way. If you are still reading this post, then you may have the opportunity to apply any one of these principles in the next five minutes. How will you take it? What will you do? The clock is ticking...

More next time!