Welcome to afitnewyou! Today I would like you to save the date. Out of the 365 days of the year on our
calendar, there are many that we either plan for and/or remember with joy. Whether you have received a “save the date”
in the mail for an upcoming wedding, or you know a particular event or holiday
is on the way, you have time to plan for that date so that you are ready for
it. Other dates are ones that we fondly
remember, such as birthdays, anniversaries and life accomplishments. The date I want you to save is the one that
you are going to take responsibility for your health and fitness and make a
major change towards improving it. So
first, you need to set the date.
Maryanne is one of those people who
have gotten wiser as she has gotten older, and is in better shape in her 40’s
than she was when she was in her 20’s.
She is in better shape now because as she has matured, became a mom, and
is now responsible for not only her life but also those of her family’s, she
has learned the importance of exercise and eating well. I was recently at a child’s birthday party
with her and when she was offered soda she declined and said she hadn’t had
soda for the last 15 years. She told
those who were impressed and part of the conversation that she had given it up
after her dad was diagnosed with diabetes.
She remembered the exact moment she had given it up. While it isn’t exactly a date she has marked
on the calendar and celebrates with a party, it is one worth being proud of in
my opinion. And fortunately, she made
the healthy change on that date without her herself having to suffer an illness
or tragedy. Sometimes people can
remember the date they gave up an unhealthy habit such as smoking or drinking
after suffering a loss.
No one should wait until after
suffering a loss or at the expense of an illness to make a positive
change. Nor should people wait until
January 1st to make a healthy resolution. While there are many dates on a calendar
worth celebrating, there are many more open dates; waiting for you to mark the
day down so you can remember that day as one you took charge of your
health. The cliché says that “there is
no better time than the present” and this is especially true for making
positive changes to your lifestyle.
Make the change now, but with a few
important considerations. First, pick a
date in the near future that will have some significance to you. This will help you hold intrinsic value on
the date, and will help you stick to that as your start date. Second, pick a date that offers you little to
no excuse to back out of starting your healthy habit. For example, if you will need the finances to
join a gym and/or shop for healthier food choices, pick a date following a pay
day. Or, if you know you will need the
support of someone else, make sure to pick a date that they will be available
as well. Lastly, pick a date with the
best timing. Starting today or tomorrow
sounds great as it is as soon as possible.
But you might not have everything lined up for you to succeed. Even athletes need some time to train for an
event. However, don’t pick a date too
far in the future as the longer you wait, the more chance you will either
forget about your plan, or some road block pops up.
There are 365 days on the calendar,
pick one to be your starting point to make the changes you need to live a
healthier lifestyle. There are so many
things and days to celebrate each year; why not make one of them the day you
took control over your health. It is a great way to celebrate the time you started to build
a fit new you!
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