Resolve To Be Better

by: Pm - December 31st, 2007

Doctor tell you that you need to lose 15-20 lbs to get your blood pressure and LDL cholesterol down? Resolve to be better.

Want to sleep more and take fewer stimulants for your daily energy? Resolve to be better.

Need to better control stress, that negative outlook on life, and other psychological factors that are counter productive to health and fitness. Resolve to be better.

Time to truly educate yourself about something worthwhile? Resolve to be better.

Looking to finally break the 300… 400… 500… 600 lb barrier on your bench, squat, and deadlift? Resolve to be better.

Whatever it is that you want, need, or are looking to do, you can do it. But first, you must resolve to do it; you must resolve to make the change… resolve to be better than you have been.

Change is never easy. All habits, both good and bad, are learned though. So, they can be changed. Over time, bad habits like skipping meals, staying up too late watching Adult Swim, or sucking down too many brews during the games on the weekend, can be modified – and in some cases even unlearned.

Think about it. It’s unlikely that you adopted any of your bad habits like some kid who gets hooked on drugs after the first try. No, more often than not, it’s the repetition of similar scenarios over a period of several weeks and months that leads to adoption of these practices. While it won’t be easy, you can gradually replace these undesirable “duties” with other, more-productive behaviors. …DVR those late-night shows, so you don’t miss-out and can still get plenty of sleep …Learn which fast-food items are best for you at each of the major chains; better yet, plan ahead so that you don’t need to rely upon drive-thru fair much at all …Pack all of your pills and powders into multi-compartment containers, so that you remember to take them all every day …build cheat meals or cheat days into your nutrition plan, so you’re less likely to binge. Whatever it is that you want or need to change; there is a way to undo it.

I don’t profess to be self-help guru (I’m a work-in-progress myself), but having learned and re-learned many bad habits over the years, I am a bit of a bad habit guru. Thus, I feel somewhat qualified to give you a few tips on how to break them.

First, figure out what you’re trying to change and why. Without having a clear understanding of what it is you’re looking do differently, you’re less motivated to actually do it.

Next, develop a plan. Simply saying "I’m going to eat better", isn’t likely to actually help you eat better. If you’re looking to cut sodium levels, learn about which foods are highest in sodium and reduce or replace these foods with lower-sodium options. If you’re goal is to increase your max on the bench, visit some power lifting websites, read magazines like Muscle & Fitness, Ironman, Muscular Development, etc., and/or enlist the help of a qualified personal trainer or strength coach to get a 1, 3, 6, and 12 month plan to help you achieve.

Evaluate your progress often. It takes about 21 days to develop a habit. So, unless you have will and dedication of steel, chances are good that you’re going to fall off of the wagon a few times along the way. The good news is, you have a clear goal and a plan. So, even if you stumble a little bit along the way, you’ll make it there eventually, if you hold yourself accountable.

Finally, be realistic. Contrary to the way many people think, living a healthy life isn’t an all or nothing thing. We humans are complex beings with changing moods, outlooks, and viewpoints. We’re not perfect. Though we might be “good” 25 days out of the month, those remaining days might involve anything from putting away a bag of chips, ½ of a cheesecake, or a pitcher of margaritas to smoking a couple of cigars with boys on poker night. We all have (and will continue to have) vices. Consider yourself a better person for recognizing them and for trying to keep them managed. This alone puts you in a better position than most.

Hope that everyone has a Happy New Year. This is as good a time as any to get up and get started on whatever it is that you’ve been meaning to get around to. Make 2008 your best year ever. You know that it’s time: Resolve to be better!

…till next time.

Happy Heaving,

PM

The information contained in this article is not intended to be used for, or replace, the advice, medical diagnosis, or treatment of your doctor. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other licensed healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, diet, or exercise routine or when you have questions regarding any medical condition. Use of this article indicates that you expressly acknowledge and agree that Optimum Nutrition, Inc., its suppliers, licensees, and sub-licensees are not responsible for the results of your decision resulting from the use of this information including, but not limited to, your choosing to seek or not seek professional medical care based on the information contained in this article.