lulu57
01-10-06, 09:08 AM
http://www.weightwatchers.ca/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=9961
B]WeightWatchers.ca has developed seven strategies to help you reach your goal in the post-holiday season. No matter what you are striving for, setting your sights on one particular goal will help you get there.
If you want to live a healthier, happier life but don't think you're disciplined enough to achieve that goal, or you simply don't know where to start, don't despair. Self-discipline can be learned — basically you just need to cultivate the ability to work systematically and progressively toward a goal until it is achieved. To master this approach, try following these seven strategies from setting your goal to staying focused and beyond.
1....Formulate a mission statement. Ask yourself what are your five biggest wishes in life, and what do you want to accomplish with your health and body. The answers will help you formulate your mission statement. One example might be: "My goal is to reach a healthy weight and feel confident with my body." From there, you can set your initial goal -- remember, you can't expect to achieve all your goals right away!
2.....Develop role models. One excellent strategy for learning how to reach your goals is to model your behaviour after a successful achiever — someone you know and admire, or an impressive public figure. While you don't have to follow that person's exact goals and philosophy, you can match certain elements of their strategy for success that make sense for you.
3.....Develop an action plan. First, isolate any behaviours that keep you from reaching your goal, then ask yourself how you would act if you had already reached your goal. Say you normally stay at the office later than everyone else; when you leave at 8:00 p.m. you're too tired to go to the gym. If you want to try to leave earlier, mentally work yourself through how you might leave the office in time to make that 6:00 p.m. class. Are there meetings you can get out of? Is there work you can delegate?
4.....Visualise your goals. Self-disciplined people form images of themselves achieving their goal. As silly as it sounds, visualisation helps the brain convert images into reality. If weight loss is your goal, for example, imagine yourself looking and feeling fantastic in a slim black dress — you'll find it much easier to make healthy choices with this image in mind.
5...
.Search for pleasure as you pursue your goal. Many people find delight, excitemen[t and intense involvement in working toward a goal. Even if some of the tasks necessary to achieve your goal may not seem instantly gratifying, the overall feeling of accomplishment will be worth it in the end.
6.....Compartmentalise your life. People who achieve goals have a remarkable capacity to divide up the various spheres of their lives to stay focused on what they are doing at the moment. You can make continual improvements to your diet, for instance, while other aspects of your goal — like stress reduction — may require other strategies.
7....Stop making excuses. If you want to reach your goal, concentrate your energies on accomplishments rather than on concocting reasons for what you haven't done. To avoid this behaviour, write down all the reasons why you are unable to achieve your goal, then write down ways you might overcome them. So what if you don't have the money right now to purchase new workout clothes? Exercise in a T-shirt and shorts.
By following these seven steps and setting you first goal for Victoria Day, you can create and maintain the healthy life you want. You'll also be able to join the ranks of people who can say, "I set a goal for myself and achieved it." And who knows... you might even become a role model for someone else![/B]
#7 really stuck out at me..Why does everyone have an excuse everyday?
Lulu
B]WeightWatchers.ca has developed seven strategies to help you reach your goal in the post-holiday season. No matter what you are striving for, setting your sights on one particular goal will help you get there.
If you want to live a healthier, happier life but don't think you're disciplined enough to achieve that goal, or you simply don't know where to start, don't despair. Self-discipline can be learned — basically you just need to cultivate the ability to work systematically and progressively toward a goal until it is achieved. To master this approach, try following these seven strategies from setting your goal to staying focused and beyond.
1....Formulate a mission statement. Ask yourself what are your five biggest wishes in life, and what do you want to accomplish with your health and body. The answers will help you formulate your mission statement. One example might be: "My goal is to reach a healthy weight and feel confident with my body." From there, you can set your initial goal -- remember, you can't expect to achieve all your goals right away!
2.....Develop role models. One excellent strategy for learning how to reach your goals is to model your behaviour after a successful achiever — someone you know and admire, or an impressive public figure. While you don't have to follow that person's exact goals and philosophy, you can match certain elements of their strategy for success that make sense for you.
3.....Develop an action plan. First, isolate any behaviours that keep you from reaching your goal, then ask yourself how you would act if you had already reached your goal. Say you normally stay at the office later than everyone else; when you leave at 8:00 p.m. you're too tired to go to the gym. If you want to try to leave earlier, mentally work yourself through how you might leave the office in time to make that 6:00 p.m. class. Are there meetings you can get out of? Is there work you can delegate?
4.....Visualise your goals. Self-disciplined people form images of themselves achieving their goal. As silly as it sounds, visualisation helps the brain convert images into reality. If weight loss is your goal, for example, imagine yourself looking and feeling fantastic in a slim black dress — you'll find it much easier to make healthy choices with this image in mind.
5...
.Search for pleasure as you pursue your goal. Many people find delight, excitemen[t and intense involvement in working toward a goal. Even if some of the tasks necessary to achieve your goal may not seem instantly gratifying, the overall feeling of accomplishment will be worth it in the end.
6.....Compartmentalise your life. People who achieve goals have a remarkable capacity to divide up the various spheres of their lives to stay focused on what they are doing at the moment. You can make continual improvements to your diet, for instance, while other aspects of your goal — like stress reduction — may require other strategies.
7....Stop making excuses. If you want to reach your goal, concentrate your energies on accomplishments rather than on concocting reasons for what you haven't done. To avoid this behaviour, write down all the reasons why you are unable to achieve your goal, then write down ways you might overcome them. So what if you don't have the money right now to purchase new workout clothes? Exercise in a T-shirt and shorts.
By following these seven steps and setting you first goal for Victoria Day, you can create and maintain the healthy life you want. You'll also be able to join the ranks of people who can say, "I set a goal for myself and achieved it." And who knows... you might even become a role model for someone else![/B]
#7 really stuck out at me..Why does everyone have an excuse everyday?
Lulu