In most cases, I actually don’t believe it is…..
My thoughts are that the issue lies with the goals we set in the first place, based on what we ‘believe’ health is /should be / looks like (oh yes, I’m getting deep here folks!).
So I say again, are your goals helping you, or harming you?
The point is that ‘Health’ is fluid and an ongoing, changing journey. There is not 1 ultimate destination to reach or strive for. Just as life is fluid – nothing on this planet is ever fixed, everything always changes. So why are we setting such rigid goals? ‘Goals’ allow for one outcome only – and if we haven’t achieved it / we don’t maintain it, we’re not successful, right?
Let’s look at this in regards to weight – a common New Years resolution, or health goal.
For example “I want to be 60 kilograms”, the truth is you are never, ever, ever going to stay 60 kilograms everyday, or even every minute of the day. Your weight will even change multiple times per day: after a meal, after a workout, after a visit to the toilet, around ‘that time of the month’, in the morning, in the evening, when your pregnant, when your sick…….on and on it goes.
And because of this, HOW OFTEN do women step on the scales and rip themselves to shreds for “not reaching their goals” and therefore begin to self sabotage and fall off the wagon - and it’s purely because your goals are shit! Not you!
Any goal that makes you feel as though you are not enough the way you are, or that your body is this mechanical ‘project’ that needs to be fixed and perfected, or measured up against other people or other peoples ideas time and time again, is never going to work out in the long run. This kind of thinking is harming your mental and emotional wellbeing, and ultimately you are getting in your own way from reaching the health that you so desperately desire.
Your body is a gift, it is your ticket to experiencing the adventure of life.
A reason to strive for health is so that you can be fully involved in every moment, and every day of life that you have and to live your days to the absolute fullest, with energy and vitality.
So I am changing the face of “goal setting” for 2017, (and its not too late to start now!) instead of writing one outcome, or one destination goals, replace that list simply with things you want to do more of, and do less of , things that will allow your body to thrive.
Instead of “Go on a diet”, it could be: eat more plant foods – eat less meat, or try more raw dessert recipes - eat less chocolate.
Instead of “Exercise 3 X a week”, it could be: walk/bike to work more – drive the car less, or take the dog for a walk to the beach – watch less TV.
You get the picture!
By doing this you can easily see that not only are your goals more flexible and actually account for real life situations, but you can easily see that you have TIME to reach your goals, because by removing one unhealthy habit, you instantly have the room to replace it with a healthy one.
More importantly, what makes this more successful is that you can create your “do less – do more” chart around things you actually want to do or try, not things that you think you have to do. When it excites you, you immediately ignite commitment.
So go out and be the best YOU this year, leave the negativity out of it (that’s so 2016), I look forward to hearing all about your success xx