For the second post of the Nike Women’s Make Yourself Movement, we were asked to “share your one secret/professional tip to stay fit/healthy in the New Year.”
One.
That little word just kept staring at me. I can list a million reasons, tips and ways to make yourself stay fit and healthy, I am good at lists! But just one? That was a little harder.
I started thinking back to my big resolution. I am pretty familiar with the whole New Year’s resolution thing, especially those that are about doing something big health wise since I became a runner as part of my New Year’s resolution in 2008. I wanted to do something different that year and I wanted to go big. I wanted a challenge, a lifestyle change, a goal to work towards and a new passion to thrive on. I found running, I started training, it clicked, and I haven’t stopped since. It has become a part of who I am now.
As I sat here typing this brainstorm out, the one tip just appeared on my page.
Make it a part of who you are.
Whatever your resolution or goal in the new year is needs to become a part of you. Being healthy isn’t about a fad diet or a going crazy for one month exercising as much as you can until you get burned out and stop. Being healthy is about a lifestyle change, making health a habit, a priority and something you just don’t think twice about anymore, then it will become a part of who you are.
So how do you make something a part of you?
Make yourself passionate
Find something you are passionate about or at least something that you are excited for and you will actually follow through with. Whether it’s a form of exercise or healthy food, find something that peaks your interest and go with it! You might even surprise yourself with what that might be.
I never thought running would be something I was passionate about, I always hated it! But I took the risk and found something I was excited about, that challenged me and it didn’t take long before it turned into a passion.
Make yourself accountable
Tell people your goal or resolution, don’t keep it to yourself. When others know, you really will want to succeed and you will commit to it. Even more importantly then being accountable to others, make sure you are accountable to yourself. Keep yourself in check, don’t accept excuses, and just get it done.
I signed up for a marathon with a training group to raise money. With that fundraising commitment came a sense of obligation to do what I set out to do. I was asking people to donate money to support me and I didn’t want to let them down. I told them what I was doing and I kept them updated on my progress (the whole reason I started this blog), which all held me accountable to my goals.
Make yourself challenged
Find something that challenges you, that pushes you and that isn’t necessarily easy and remember anything worth having is worth working for. A challenge makes you stronger, makes your fight harder, and makes the sacrifices worth it.
I like to be challenged. I like to push myself and to find out what I am made of. I had no idea if I could run a marathon when I signed up for that first one. I was scared, I was intimidated, but I stuck to it and challenged myself every day to get out there and get the training done to get to the start line prepared.
Make yourself successful
When you find something you are passionate about, that makes you happy, that you have fun with and that challenges you, you will find your success. Your health resolutions will turn into habits, which will turn into a lifestyle and you won’t have to think twice about being healthy because you will have made healthy a part of who you are.
How have you made your resolutions or goals a part of who you are?
What are your tips to staying healthy in 2011?
These are fantastic words of wisdom! I am going to send it to everyone in my family.
I LOVE everything about this post Aron!!!!!!!
As for myself, I have huge goals for 2011. I want this to be the year I get back in fighting shape – carpe diem right! The Husband and I have already started to make healthy a bigger part of our lives. And this Friday I have a meeting with my new personal trainer.
Frankly I’m super excited for what this year will bring!
And as far as tips – I think visualizing where you want to be is my top advice! If you can see it, you can achieve it!!!
Great tips – I totally agree with making your health goals fit into your personal lifestyle and enjoying it.
My mantra this year is to plan my work and work my plan. I’ve learned that if I have a list or a goal or a plan, I do far better than winging it. Seems logical, but sometimes planning isn’t fun when you would rather rest or have fun. I’m working on being more prepared with meal ideas and when my workout will fit into my schedule this year – I think this goes along with making it fit into your world as you pointed out!
Great post A! This is truly what resolutions should be for and not some fad diet or short lived routine. My goal for this year is to be balanced in all aspects of my life and hoping that it will especially help me physically to quit being injures so much!
this is wonderful.
Great post and so true! You should be an inspirational speaker!
This is a great post! And this is how I feel about running.
This so true! With any goal or resolution you have to make it fit in your life and fit to you individually! Not everyone like to run in the morning or at night so picking the right time is crucial!
I’m awake. Everyone else is sleeping. The sun is rising and what am I doing? Getting dressed and checking a few blogs before I head out to run. Making it a part of who you are is so true and it will sink into your core…even on vacation. Great post, Aron!
Miss our GChat and texts…take care of the baaaaay for me!
Great post. It’s funny that you began not being 100% keen on running and now it’s become such a passion for you. And what a good runner you are.
My tips for a healthy 2011: Make small, positive changes in your diet if you tend to eat a lot of nutritionally empty foods. Even small steps will get you there. Add just 30 minutes of exercise to your day if you haven’t exercised before. If you have, add 10 minutes more.
This is what I have followed for a long time too! Small gradual changes (especially with eating for me) are more likely to become habits and are something you will stick to. Great advice.
Awesome post! If there’s one thing I have learned from all of my goals and resolutions over the years, it’s that it has to become a LIFESTYLE. I always try to incorporate small changes here and there for a healthier me…. nothing too overwhelming at one time, but they do add up and make a big difference.
Love all of this! I keep saying to myself that no one is making me do any of this – run when it is freezing/snowy/early etc. – go to bed early on Fri/Sat nights, eat well, endure ‘pain’ in our cross training etc.
I am doing this for me and therefore…everyone else in my life.
I completely agree with you, make it a part of you, a lifestyle change…not just a fad. My 2011 goals are to help someone else understand that, to become passionate about their health rather than just want to lose 10lbs in a week! I think I have it down solid, so now it’s my turn to pass it on.
Awesome post.
I’m printing this one out.
Loved this.
Great post! You are completely right!! Love it.
Well said! I believe running is who I am too and I can’t image my life without it!
great post! i love the motivation!
LOVE this post, Aron! And so true!! Some people can’t believe how much time I spend running and doing yoga each week but I LOVE it! It’s something that I really enjoy doing and it’s literally a part of my life, which makes it so much easier to stick with
Hey, I just found your blog, and I love this post! I’m focusing this year on adopting some small changes into my life that will help me accomplish bigger goals.
This is an awesome post, Aron! Thank you for sharing!
This is a great life lesson too! Thanks for posting Aron.
This is such an awesome post, I love it!!