Sidetracked From Your Goals? Get Back in the Game!
By Donna Stark
Life has a way of sidetracking me a little more often than what I would like, and the biggest piece of my life that falls by the wayside is exercise. When I stray from my established path, my normal routine of fitness, it is usually because my life has suddenly gotten really busy again. And then my “I should” persona comes out.
I should wake up early to exercise. I should walk an extra 1,000 steps during my break. I should do those crunches during commercials. I should …
Just Start
It is always hard for me to get started again because I replace my fitness routine with a routine of busyness. Eventually though, I always find a way to break out of that. Here are some suggestions for you to do the same.
- Begin with one goal at a time - Because my life has, for the moment, gotten busier, it makes sense to ease back into my fitness routine by setting only one goal at a time. One of the most common mistakes that people make is when they try to accomplish too many goals at once. Choose one goal to start off with and give all of your focus and attention to it completely. Then move forward to the next.
- Find your inspiration - Sometimes all we need is a little inspiration to get things moving again, so find whatever it is that works for you. This could be a picture you hang on your bathroom mirror, a success story you saved from the internet, or a blog from someone who is working toward the same goal as you are.
- Post your goal - Put pen to paper and write down your goal, then tape it where you can see it every day. Tape it to your mirror, the refrigerator, and your computer. You want to have a visual reminder of what you are working toward in front of your eyes every day so that your focus remains strong.
- Go public - Typically, we will stray less from a goal if we know that others are watching, so make an announcement. And no, this doesn’t mean you need to rent a billboard to do so. Just let those around you know what goal you are trying to reach so if your motivation drops a little, if you are having a bad day, you will have them around to lovingly nudge you back on track and hold you accountable. Having the support of loved ones is a great motivator so keep them up-to-date on your progress as well!
No More “I Should” Comments
Replacing your “I should” comments with “I will,” or “I am,” is an accomplishment in itself and a huge step forward. You can make a change. You’ve got this. Now let’s see where this journey takes you.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in La Verne, Calif.