As we sit here on the cusp of another year how are you feeling?
Stewing on a wave of guilt over the three tins of choccies that were polished off between Christmas and New Years?
Or motivated with a level of drive and determination that would put an Olympian to shame…but it will have to wait till Monday?
Half the globe will be looking at themselves this week with a level of shame and self-loathing hoping to start something that will end in a body to die for.
I hope that this won’t be you.
I always look back on the goals that I set out to achieve and laugh at how some were achieved on the 31st December!
But it is also a great time to reflect and be grateful for what you have learnt and are looking to achieve this year.
Goals should be realistic and matched with behaviours that take you to them. If need be hire a coach. It was one of the best investments I made this year and has spurred me to do the same again this year in another realm. I need accountability too!!
If weight loss is your goal then maybe you need to match it with weight loss behaviours like a) preparing your meals the night before b) exercising three times per week for 45 minutes c) drinking three litres of water per day and so on. A list of 5 behaviours is something that you can draw up now. This minute. Grab some paper and get going.
You can make this year your best ever by starting out promising one thing. That you love yourself.
As one of my mentors mentioned this week for every 1kg of bodyweight you have a trillions cells which all have an uncanny way of expressing themselves for good or for bad. In essence they eavesdrop on your thoughts.
So start loving yourself and stop feeling guilty.
It makes no sense to detoxify with every fad diet under the sun, drink the cleanest water that the crystal springs of Never-Land can provide and train your back side off with a training schedule that makes Jessica Ennis look like an Octogenarian, UNLESS you cleanse your mind and thoughts first.
One of the new rules in my gym will be zero negative self-talk. It will promptly be punished with 1000 Burpees and a run around the Sally Gap.
Then it really is a case of enjoying the ride.
Over the next 12 years you will have ups and downs. Slip ups and blow outs. But that is what it is all about.
I was in the audience of an Olympic medallist when I was at college one year when they were asked what it felt like to win the medal after the years of slog.
“It felt kinda empty to be honest but then what really emerged was all the sacrifices along the way and what I had learnt in the process about myself and how far I could really go”.
Interesting to think that after all those years of focusing on the prize itself it wasn’t all that it was cut up to be and the true rewards came from learning from what it took and the journey it takes to get there.
Your year will be a good year. I know that for sure. But promise me this. Be real. Be authentic. Stay away from fads and sculpt a person not a physique.
Enjoy what you do. If life is a pain in the ass, do something about it. Eat some healthy foods and watch your mood change almost immediately. Treat yourself with the respect that you deserve and stay strong – mentally and physically. Don’t succumb to toxic friends trying to drag you down. I know you are stronger than that, you know you are stronger than that.
This year I have learnt a lot so out will come the diary and down will go this years goals and the steps needed to achieve them. Habits take 21 days to get rolling so don’t be too hard on yourself. They take months before you see them emerge as part of you.
If you are looking for quicker results that is fine. But understand the reality of the sacrifices that you will need to make in the process. We are not talking ‘doing a bit more’. More often the sacrifices you need in this case are way beyond your comfort zone to even imagine. But how will you know without going there?
I wish you well this year. I know you can do it. Ready, aim fire.
Sphere Fitness is a personal training gym in Maynooth, Co.Kildare. Call 01-5052131 and find out about our 30 Day Jump Start Programme to kick off your 2013 with results.
