Recently, Pastor Mario Moxey at Bahamas Harvest Church, here in Nassau, challenged us to be good stewards of our bodies. He noted that taking care of our physical health is “a spiritual discipline.” So how do we practice such discipline?
It’s easy for me to tell you to eat healthy, exercise, meditate and relax more, but we all know doing it consistently is hard. We need to set SMART goals and take action. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound. So here are four tips to help you keep on track with your health and fitness goals:
1) Make a Plan: Before you can do anything, you need to make a plan. This helps put the intention firmly in your mind and part of your memory. You can make a plan by visualizing what you plan to do and how you are going to do it or by writing it down step-by-step. I suggest you write it down, review it often and share it.
The more detailed you are with your plan, the more likely you’ll stick with it. Just saying you’ll go to the gym is not enough. Try being specific by planning to go to the gym at 5:30 and attending the step class on Monday.
2) Put Something of Value on the Line: There are two ways to do this. The first way is to set aside money that you’ll give away if you fail to maintain your goal. The second way is to exercise with a friend. Studies show that people are less likely to cancel on a friend than they are on themselves.
3) Bundle Your Temptations: This tip involves combining things you don’t like with things you love. Say you love reading novels or watching a certain TV show on your iPad, but don’t love the gym. Tell yourself you can ONLY watch the TV show while you are on the cardio machines at the gym.
4) Seek Social Support: Research shows you can achieve mo
re if you have the support of
friends, a mentor, a trainer or even a F
friends, a mentor, a trainer or even a F
ace
book group that has the same goals you have. I have my wife to nudge me and the alarm clock to be motivation.
Now go take care of your body! Need some help throwing off those unwanted pounds?
Check out some tested, proven and natural products along with a coach, if you wish, at www.PGDsystem.com. Then send me a message at http://www. steledge1.myunicity.net.
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