What do you want to achieve in life? You may want to advance your career; build better relationships with others; learn a new language; simplify your life; raise a family; the list goes on! How are you progressing so far?
What about your health?
Most of us try to save for the future, perhaps for our retirement or for an extended holiday abroad. We think of places we want to go, things we want to do and things we want to see in the future. However, if we don’t take the steps NOW to care for our health, our savings will end up being spent on medication and health care instead of on the things that we want.
The hardest step to take is the first one!
Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, often regarded as “the greatest player of all time” is quoted as saying, “You miss 100% of the shots you never take”. Gretzky missed hundreds of shots in his playing career, but the shots that people remember are the ones that scored goals. If you don’t take the shot, then obviously you won’t score. It is physically impossible to make a shot that you never took.
In essence, if you never take the first step you will never achieve your goals. This applies to any situation in life, including creating healthier habits. All it takes is making the choice to make changes and you are on your way to a healthier life.
8 keys to success!
1. Have a plan
You must have a plan of what you intend to do, how you want to incorporate healthier choices and then simply follow the plan. Then compare your progress with your plan later down the track, may it be 30, 60 or 90 days later. Using a journal is a great way to track your progress. Even on days where you feel de-motivated, you can encourage yourself by looking back and reviewing the progress you have made.
2. Benchmark yourself
In order to determine the progress you make, you need to know the current status of your health and note the areas of needed improvement.
3. Consult your health practitioner
To make benchmarking easier, consult your health care practitioner. Your health care practitioner can help you monitor things you may not notice or can’t see for yourself. Make a booking with your local GP to get your cholesterol, blood pressure and sugar levels checked. In addition to seeing your GP, your chiropractor can evaluate the state of your spine, posture and muscles and even prescribe suitable exercises that won’t predispose you to injury.
4. Be patient
You’ve made the right choice and taken the first steps, now you need keep it up and be patient. You won’t see immediate benefits overnight, unless you were bitten by a radioactive spider and develop a six-pack overnight!
5. Expect obstacles
Unexpected things happen. It may be a sudden death, loss of a job, injury or even a party that you only recently found out about. It may break your routine for a short period of time, but don’t let it take you completely off track. If you plan for obstacles to happen, you will be better equipped to handle them and move on.
6. Sleep
We have discussed the benefits of sleep in a previous article. It is far better to get a good nights rest, than to stay up late to work on tasks. You will wake up in a much more productive state and be more likely to make better health choices, e.g. instead of staying up late snacking on a Snickers, you go to bed early, wake up refreshed for your morning fitness regime and enjoy a substantial nutritious breakfast after.
7. Exercise
One of your health goals should be to exercise for 30-60 minutes three to five days a week. It will go a long way in helping you achieve a healthier body. Try something that you find fun. I enjoy tennis and soccer, hence I play those sports. Don’t force yourself onto activities that you loathe since you will be less likely to stick at it. However, this rule doesn’t apply if you don’t like any form of exercise!
8. Keep it fun!
We all get bored easily, so having a plan that is too regimented will result in failure. When planning your new healthy lifestyle, why not invite a friend to join in. Make time each week for a bit of recreation and socializing. Surround yourself with positive people who encourage you for your efforts. It will make staying motivated a lot easier!
“You miss 100% of the shots you never take!”
Apply Gretzky’s advice; take the shot; choose a healthier life; and you too can become a LEGEND!