Adapting to Your Lifestyle
Human beings are funny. For instance, as much as we want to lose weight, be toned and fit, and feel more energetic, once we get started the road suddenly seems scary, and we can quickly scurry in the other direction.
Is this fear of success? Lack of commitment? Self-sabotage? Hundreds of books have been written on why so many of us have trouble reaching our goals, and this is not the book for that kind of self-scrutiny. However, because this problem is so widespread, there is a good chance that not only do you recognize it in yourself, but also you can already predict how and when it will happen to you.
So, be honest with yourself about this potential problem, and, once again, as much as possible, be prepared. Take, for example, sleeping late when you want so much to wake up early and walk for 20 minutes. You wake up early and exercise for five days straight. Then one day, you set your alarm clock, and, with seemingly no control the next morning, you hit “snooze,” and then spend the majority of your day berating yourself for hitting that button.
If you are always good for five days, and always get messed up on the sixth, then plan for that sixth day. Know that five days of intention setting and goal reaching is your norm, and adjust your intentions and goals accordingly. For instance, wake up early for five days, take off two days, and then get back on your five-day schedule. Or change your intentions and goals every five days.
Allow for and embrace your personality and quirks. Rather than setting yourself up for what might be considered failure, work with yourself and look at that as success. Success is not sticking to an arbitrary plan (even one that you yourself created), but is, instead, making adjustments every day for long-term health and fitness.
