top 3 ways to get back on track

Spring is finally here, traditionally a time associated with the blossoming of flowers, a time to get outdoors more, and more sunshine to fill the days. I don’t know about you, but I’m D.O.N.E. with cold and winter weather!

Spring also brings about a few not-so-savory things. Here in the North Texas area, springtime means ALLERGIES! The unforgiving winds of our area seem to kick up every known allergen to mankind, making me realize I should invest in Kleenex stock. Then there is the addition of yard maintenance to consider. And finally, the realization for many that nothing has been accomplished towards the health and fitness goals you said you wanted to achieve this year.

We’re almost 3 months into this year. Have you made the progress you intended to make since January 1st? I suspect many have not, as the trend remains the same year after year. We start of with great motivation and determination to make this THE year, only to fall back into the same routines and habits which have kept us stagnant in the first place.

The GREAT news is all is not lost. Each and every day is an opportunity to make a better choice, to move the needle just a little towards being healthier, to address our bad habits and take responsibility for our personal health and wellness.

For those of you still struggling, for those of you who haven’t taken a step forward to better health, and for those of you who may be even further away than 3 months ago, there is hope!

But that hope has to turn into action. So here are a few strategies you can employ RIGHT NOW to get back on track, or simply get on the track in the first place.
Give Yourself Grace
No one will ever be harder on you than you are on yourself. Most of us (I hope) would never speak to others the way we speak to ourselves. Too often we belittle ourselves, tell ourselves we’re not good enough, we failed, we shoulda coulda woulda blah blah blah! Get that crap out of your head, and know if you’re alive and breathing and reading this you can still make a positive impact with the very next choice you make. No one is perfect. Everyone will have setbacks, times when things don’t go right, times we make a less than desirable choice. It’s simply part of being human. However, our past choices only define us if we let them. Give yourself the grace you would give a good friend if they came to you with the same issues you’re facing. You wouldn’t tell them they suck, so don’t tell yourself that either!
Change One Thing
Pick one thing, ANY thing, and put your focus towards behavior change in that area. Don’t tackle anything else other than that one thing. For example, if you’ve been saying you need to get more exercise in, start with that. Don’t worry about your food choices or sleep schedule or gas prices or getting off medication…none of that. For the time being, focus your energy and attention towards exercise. Furthermore, don’t overcomplicate the process. Sure you can enlist the help of your favorite friendly neighborhood Fitness Ninja (that’s ME!!), but you can also start walking 20 minutes a day. You can take the stairs, park further away, start your morning with some squats, pushups, and stretching…whatever you need to do to incorporate exercise in, find the time, be intentional, and make it happen. Once that habit becomes a part of your daily routine, THEN you move on to the next thing you’d like to change.
Make a Plan
Plans are not perfect, but having one is FAR better than not having one. Most achievements in life don’t just fall into our lap, we have to work for them. If you keep saying you need to get in shape and eat better, but all you do is SAY it without actually figuring out how to DO it, then the positive results you seek will continue to allude you. Change takes work, period. The work itself doesn’t have to be complicated, but a consistent effort still has to be present. Back to our example of exercising more. Just saying you’re going to do it usually doesn’t will it into existence. PLANNING the when/where/how of it will serve you much better.
If you just want to start by walking/running each day, define it.

• How far will you go?
  
• How long will it take?
  
• Will you go outside and do it, or will you go to a gym?
  
• What time of day?
  
• How many days per week?

See, when we formulate a plan, we have guidelines to work with. It won’t be perfect, but by setting the parameters of you intentions, you have a much great likelihood of success!
Conclusion
​It is never, I repeat NEVER too late to work on improving your health and fitness. No matter what you have or have not done this year, last year, this decade, TODAY can be the start of positive change. And if there’s anything I can do to help coach you thru that change and expedite your health and fitness journey, please let me know. I’d love to help!