I've posted before about the importance of having SMART goals - ones that have a specific, measurable, acheivable, relevant and timed deliverable, like be able to do one pistol, each leg, in 12 weeks. That's a measurable, specific and timed goal, also very relevant to health as the ability to do a pistol is a great sign of overall strength, balance and well being. no kidding. 12 weeks is pretty good estimate for an able-bodied person to achieve with the right practice plan to get there. If it's not, it's always possible, once into it, to adjust the plan to better suit the individual.
Getting to a pistol is a commitment, and that level of commitment may seem a bit steep for someone just starting out on a fitness plan. But, tell you what: i'll make a commitment that i'll join any ECS iamfitter in that goal this term for as long as they stick with it.
But steep commitments aside (and it's just dumb to commit to do something that is just a turn off and you won't do), 'tis the season of resolutions, so how take the SMART approach and apply it to new year's resolutions for health, weight loss, fitness etc.
It can be easier than you think. Take a look at these examples.
There's a great post on new year's resolutions over at Coach Mike's blog that talks about getting real with resolutions. Riffing on Mike's fantastic post, here's some ideas for highly doable, realistic, measurable, achievable wonderful resolutions:
• - keep a water bottle at my desk every day - and drain it a few times
• - take the stairs wherever and whenever possible
• - pack my own healthy lunch at least three times a week *
• - write down what i commit to do and track how i abide for at least a week
• - introduce myself on the iamgeekfit forum before midnight tonight : )
* (check out this post for all sorts of free links on what a "healthy" lunch might be)
These are not huge things, but they're real. And as such so much better, as Coach Mike points out, than saying "i'm gonna go on a diet" or "i'm gonna workout." Planning and practicing these tangible real things says something pretty solid: you can commit to something and carry it through. You have immediate feedback: yes you took the stairs instead of the elevator; yes your waterbottle is at hand; here is your lunch container packed and ready to go; there is your forum entry! If you can commit to the smaller challenges and achieve them, you have proof in your self for a history of taking on larger challenges, goals and commitments.
What real tangible SMART thing are you planning, or have you already started to carry out? Why not put it in your intro or in the members log on the forum??
All the best of the coming new year to you, and here's to your health, eh?
ps - here's some examples of real transformations of people who committed to 16 weeks of good nutrition and fitness. Who had a plan and stayed with it. Note, they're not going from hugely obese to slender and ripped. They are real people making real progress without going insane.
