Can you believe its already 2010. “Happy New Year to you”. One of the customs of the New Year is to do new years resolutions. Many people will have resolutions to do with their health. Unfortunately some of these will be the same as last years and maybe some years before that too. The problem being that by middle to late January great intentions fade and we revert to usual patterns.
The two commonest new years resolutions we make are to lose a few pounds (or kilos) and to get fitter. The problems arise in two ways. Firstly, our beliefs. What we believe is a function of our collective past experiences. This includes both the results of our previous actions but also our observations of what other people have done. If we have tried to get fit in the past and haven’t then our belief system will tell us it can’t be done. The same applies to changing eating patterns.
So lets say we start out with some ideas about exercise and healthy eating. If we believe that our ideas can be brought to reality, we will set about doing them. If we believe they are not possible, then it is likely that the idea will go no further. There is a third option which sometimes is the default one where people set out to do something but deep down don’t really believe they will succeed.
Many people fall into the third category as described above where they set out on an exercise program or to improve their diet, and despite good intentions deep down, they don’t actually believe that they will succeed. This is usually based on past experiences.
Yet if you look around, people have done it and there are countless stories of success. This means it can be done. In turn this means that for you to succeed the first step will be a change in your beliefs and mindset. As Henry Ford said, “whether we believe we can or we can’t, we are likely to be right”. This is therefore a choice you make as to what you choose to believe.
Secondly there is a lack of a plan. The resolution to “get fit” or “eat better” is noble but vague. A plan to work out for 30 minutes, 4 times a week with the time and place written in your diary is specific, measurable and much more likely to be acted on. Likewise a plan which says I will eat two extra serves of fruit and vegetables and stop eating potato chips is specific and measurable. So is I will drink water instead of soda.
The twin problems of beliefs and lack of a plan can be overcome. You may need to work at them, as it may be a new experience. That’s fine. Nothing that is worthwhile comes without effort. Equally it is effort (note not struggle!) that brings rewards.
The third component is knowledge. There is no shortage of how to books out there yet as has been said if all we needed was how to books everyone would be rich and of ideal weight. What you need is a guide to better health complete with tips, simple ideas and knowledge that is easy to understand and easy to apply.
Believe that you can, have a DIY Health action plan that you follow and start 2010 with a gift to your self of the best guide to health- Dr Joes DIY Health. ( available at http://www.drjoe.net.au )
Please add your comments and thoughts below.
Changing your mindset is the first step to being a better you.
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