Correct me if I am wrong, but don’t we go into EVERY New Year claiming that we will make it the BEST one yet? We always claim we’re “going to do better this year”, with the best of intentions. We scream from the rooftop “new year, new me”! We send wishes to others via text, email, holiday cards that say: “make this your BEST year”. And then, the end of January rolls around and reality hits. That’s when all of the excitement dies down, momentum is lost, and we throw our hands up and give into mediocre again, rarely doing anything different than we have done before. Making this year the BEST? It just seems like so much work!
Being a fitness coach for the last 20 years, I’d love to say that there is a magic formula for making any year your BEST year. Personally, I don’t think that such a “magic formula” exists. However, I DO believe that you can make ANY year your BEST year. I think it starts by attacking it one day at a time. Of course you have to have a grand goal out there in the distance to work towards, but if that’s your only focus, and you fail to take the small, yet necessary, steps each day, it’s easy to get discouraged and thrown off course. Life happens. It throws obstacles and challenges at us. Ultimately it’s your mindset that determines the outcome. So the question you must answer is: Do you face the challenges head on, or do you avoid them?
If you have the mindset of facing your challenges head on, and taking the path of MOST resistance in life, there is a great chance that you will indeed make 2018 your best year yet! You likely don’t need any sophisticated recommendations or “magic formula” for success, because you already possess it-with that mindset! However, if you are like most people and find yourself avoiding obstacles in your life, shying away from difficult decisions, and taking the path of least resistance whenever possible…read on! There is hope for you too, to live your BEST!
Being known to over-analyze and overthink just about any decision I have made about my personal and professional life, it has taken quite some time for me to realize the value of simplifying. When it comes to creating BIG life changes, here are some tactics I have used, and gotten great success:
- ACT before you think! Sometimes you have to take the action forward without stopping to think about how to do it, or what could go wrong. Just DO IT, take the plunge, and then you can process once it’s done. Sometimes this is precisely what needs to happen to get momentum started. How many times have you talked yourself out of doing something before you even tried? For instance, do you want to get in better shape in 2018? Just GET MOVING! Don’t try to plan for it, make a list of pros and cons, or look too closely at your daily calendar to realize “you don’t have time”. Once you’ve taken that first step to start, then you can sit down to think about the other things that need to happen to keep you moving forward and help you reach your goal.
- Do something DIFFERENT! It’s pretty simple, to get what you’ve never had, you have to do things you’ve never done. You can’t expect the solutions that worked for you last year will give you the same results this year. You have changed, the world has changed, so you have to change your approach. Your past does not determine your future…so stop living there! Try a different approach to training if fitness is your goal. Skip the “diets” of the past and try a new and sustainable change to your nutrition if you’re wanting to lose a few pounds and feel energized. Consider a new course or book to read on the skillset you want to adopt or improve on this year. Bottom line, just do something different than you’ve done before!
- Create GREAT habits! If you look at the most successful people in this world, they have one thing in common: they have a lot of really good habits. When you routinely do things that will add value to your life, it’s hard NOT to gain momentum. I find that it’s a lot harder to break bad habits than it is to ADD good ones. One thing we do at TFW Greensboro each month is “Choose One Lose One”. We write down one good habit we want to bring in for the month, and one bad habit that is currently holding us back from our goals. Practice this every month for a year, you have gained 12 good habits, and lost 12 bad ones! Remember that it’s the little things you do every day that really manifest into something BIG!
- Live for TODAY! Some of the most impactful moments of your life are not the ones you’ve planned out, but rather the ones that come from spur of the moment actions. Do something each and every day that lifts your soul and feeds your inner happiness. If you put it off until tomorrow, it may not happen. Tomorrow is promised to no one. Before you put something off, ask yourself: “will my future-self wish that I had done this”? If you can answer “yes”, then GO FOR IT! You never know what you do today that may create the momentum to lead you to your BEST year yet! Don’t wait for it…go after it today!
I hope that you are feeling encouraged to take action and let NOTHING stop you from finding your greatness in 2018. You have what it takes to succeed! Believe in that, and take one small step today that will give you momentum!
If you are struggling to find momentum on your own, consider allowing myself and the team at TFW Greensboro to facilitate your journey. Try a risk-free one month trial for our group training program for $99. CLICK HERE TO APPLY for this limited time offer. You’ll get guided and structured strength and cardio training, nutrition coaching, tracking of progress to keep you on track, and a community of supportive people that will help you succeed!
Chia seeds add omega-3 fatty acids and fiber (a whopping 10 grams in about 2 tablespoon) to this already high-protein breakfast. Chia seeds have gained popularity because of their “superfood” nutritional profile, and research shows they may play a part in improving risk factors for heart disease.
Omelets are one of the easiest ways to add veggies to your diet while upping your protein intake. This version incorporates mushrooms and tomatoes but you can add peppers, onions, or spinach too. Combine 4 egg whites with one egg and beat gently. Using a cooking spray, cook eggs in a non-stick pan. Once the egg begins to take form along the edges, add 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese, 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms and 1/2 chopped tomato in the center of the omelet. Cook until eggs are set and fold over. CALORIES: 256; PROTEIN: 36 grams.
