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“You want to make a change, but past failures hold you back. Here’s how to stop looking over your shoulder.”
Are you a person who lives in the past, thinking about past failures, bad events, unhappy days? It's time to face forward. Good or bad, your past is behind you. You live in the present and you will move toward a future. What will that future be like? Stop holding onto the past and it could be much different. The good thing about the future is that you can plan for it, set goals, and start acting to make great things happen. Chart a course for a bright future and happy days, then set sail.
“You start out motivated, but when your goal isn't being met quickly enough you start planning your escape:”
First of all, don't make unrealistic goals, "I want to be down two pant sizes in six weeks," or "I want to look great in a two-piece for my vacation next month." When you get all motivated and geared up, it's easy to get lost in the moment and think you'll give up all your bad habits at once and your lust for pizza and e'clairs will take a trip to the Bermuda Triangle, lost forever with no explanation. Secondly, don't make a goal that will take too long to wait for "I'm going to lose 50 pounds in a year." It's so hard to wait that long to see the outcome. Instead, set reasonable goals with a short window "I'm going to work out three times a week for the next month." Then, make another "I'm going to stop eating unhealthy snacks five days a week for the next month." Besides reaching these goals, you'll see other benefits like reduced body fat, lower weight, and feeling better. Use these goals to keep yourself motivated, and to eliminate bad habits (like poor eating habits and quitting exercising regularly.) Make sure to reward yourself after each goal is reached - not with food, but with a special treat like a new lipstick, book, workout wear, or hair style. By focusing on your habits and lifestyle more than pounds and time, you'll be far more successful in the end.
“Everyday there are dozens of choices you make that affect your health. Here's how to say no to no-no's:”
J.K. Rowling said, "it is our choices that show who we really are, far more than our abilities." Regardless of who we are, we all have choices that affect us. This is a great power. A power to make things happen in our lives. If we wield the power wisely, good things can happen. If not, we must live with the consequences. What choices will you make today? Choices that will move you toward your goals or away from them? Surprisingly, the more good choices you make will give you the power and motivation to perpetuate the positive choices - in other words, it gets easier the more you do it. Take control of your options
*“Although you want to change your ways, you always end up back at square one. Here's how to annihilate square one¦”
Do you realize you have the capability to do whatever you want? Okay, perhaps you can't fly, invent a time machine, or grow taller, but you can stick with an exercise program, eat healthily, and feel good about yourself. Yes, you can. Yes, you can. Answer this: Who runs your brain? You do. Sure, other people have input data, but like a bad software virus, you can erase it.. well, at least you can put it in the background and ignore it. Instead of dwelling on failures, think of successes. Instead of setbacks, focus on goals. Instead of unhealthy behaviors, plan new strategies. You have a choice what you think about. Eliminate all negative thoughts from your mind. When you start stewing on them, replace them with positives. Think of the benefits and write down things you like about yourself. When you look in the mirror, don't allow the doubt to set in. Instead of “I am too fat!" or "I'll never lose weight” replace it with, "I like my eyes!" or "I'm so happy with my new hairstyle." By changing your mindset, you can move forward in life and give square one a run for its money.
“You want to do more, but you just feel tired in the evening. Here's how to take it in stride.”
You had a tough day at work. You-know-who gave you a hard time, customers were rude, and you wore two different shoes to the office. You deserve to sit in front of the tube and veg out. Naw. You're tougher than that. Instead, slip on your tennis shoes and get out the door. Walk around your neighborhood, or drive to a park or nature center and hike around for a while. Simply stroll or power walk while you pump your arms. Soak in the beauty of your surroundings...or make a mental list of which neighbors have "interesting" yard items. In the time it takes to see an abandoned piece of clothing, flowerpots that will never be watered, and grills that have seen better days, you'll realize you have been re-energized.
“All the good intentions and motivation can quickly go out the window if you have a set back. Here's how to keep stepping forward:”
We can read all the insight on what is effective for getting healthy, but as W.T. Grant once said, "None of the secrets of success will work unless you do." When you're motivated, write down all the reasons you want to achieve this goal. Write in a letter to yourself. When you're losing motivation, pull out your letter. In your letter, include some thoughts on what setbacks you've had in the past, why you gave up and the result: You lost 25 pounds but then hit a plateau. After a couple of weeks of the scale not moving, you quit working out and eating right. You forgot how excited you were to have lost the 25 pounds and that you felt so much better. After you gained the 25 pounds back you felt like a failure and you'd wished you hadn't given up so easily. When you're writing your letter, tell yourself what to do to keep motivated: Don't give up! You'll just end up starting over again in six months when you realize how tight your clothes are and how yucky you feel. You ARE doing this, NOW! Do you really want to lose all the ground you've made? NO! You are allowed to take the next workout day off. Regroup. Think about what you can do different. Set a new goal for the next six weeks with a different twist. Go to the gym at a different time of the day. Make sure you're drinking enough water. How about going for a walk a couple times a week, too? Remember, this won't work if you don't. You can do this!
Yes, it sounds a little odd, but treat yourself like a good friend. Be direct and honest. Sometimes, being your own best friend can be the best motivator.
“You want to get in shape, but when you think about how long it's going to take it's overwhelming. Here's where to start:”
Start by starting. Yes, it is going to take time. You didn't get out of shape overnight so why do you think the reverse is a quick fix? As they say, the elevator to success is out of order: you'll have to use the stairs, one step at a time. Instead of focusing on how much time it will take, and that you won't be at your goal even several months down the road, imagine how you'll feel at that point. The future is going to come no matter what we do. Would you rather be on the way to your goals, proud and motivated by how far you've come, or still standing on square one waiting to take the first step?
Hey Jackie,
First of all you should seek an expert eye doctor’s opinion regarding your problem. They will suggest you the correct vision range that will solve this problem. Buying contact lenses is not a big deal as you can easily find them on online shops like contactlensheaven.com and many more. But you have to make sure that whether it will suit you or not. Also you need to understand that you can’t wear them regularly meanwhile in a day you have to wear eye glasses too.
“You're eating better and exercising (gold stars for you!), but you're wondering what else you can do to improve your health. Here's how to embrace all there is.”
While exercising and eating right are unmatched at keeping you healthy, you could add some other things to your life. Love and laughter are two biggies. There's proof that people in love get sick a lot less. Showing love (or friendship) by simply hugging stimulates your well-being and de-stresses you. They've always said, "Laughter is the best medicine." The truth is laughing may keep you from needing any drugs because it boosts your immune system. The best part is, hugs and laughter are free - so soak 'em up until you're silly.