healthy, wealthy, wise Challenge healthy Stay motivated in Part 2 of the Challenge! 44 HEARTANDSOUL.COM · FEBRUARY/MARCH 2006
7WaystoStay motivated <strong>by</strong> donna richardson joyner wealthy & wise fix your finances page 54 1 3 Accept that you won't be per- Post reminders. Place little fect. We all fail. The key to reminders in places where fitness success is to persevere. you will see them often, like If you miss workouts for a day, your refrigerator, wallet (for or even a week, don't beatthose times when you are yourself up about it. Just get about to buy that fattening, moving again! You can't dosugary snack) and desk, to anything about the past, but 4name a few. you can make the right choices Be accountable to a friend in 2the present. Set SMART goals. A major reason many personal fitness goals are not met is because they aren't SMARTÐ Specific, Measurable, Actionoriented, Relevant and Timed. Saying you want to lose weight is too vague. A SMART goal would be: ªIn order to improve my health and increase my energy, my goal is to lose 40 poundsÐfour pounds per month for the next 10 months. In order to reach this goal, I will exercise three times per week for 30 minutes. I will also eliminate late afternoon trips to the vending machine, drink more water and avoid eating after 9 p.m.º . One of the questions I get asked most often is ªHow do I stay on track with my fitness goals?º Many people put forth the effort to exercise, eat healthily and lose weight, only to gain it back and then some. If you want to establish a healthier lifestyle in the long term, it will take deliberate, consistent action and the ability to get back on track when you fall short. Here are some strategies to stick to your fitness plan: 6Be driven <strong>by</strong> more than looks. It is good to want to look slim and attractive. But what is most important is your physical and spiritual health. Get fit not for its own sake, but because it will help you reach your 7larger goals. Reward yourself. As you Share your goals with a make progress toward your trusted friend. Ask her to hold SMART goal, use positive re- you accountable <strong>by</strong> asking you inforcement. Pat yourself on if you have done the things tothe back. Set aside time for a which you have committed. long, luxurious bath. Spring Often, knowing that someone for that painting, dance or fit- else knows what you are supness class you've wanted to try, posed to do will give you the or buy that book or that pair motivation 5 to do it! of shoes you've had your eye Make adjustments when nec- on since last year. Make your essary. When you create a journey to a healthier lifestyle fitness plan, be flexible. You a rewarding one. It isn't just may find after a couple ofabout the destination. It is weeks that some aspects of your about the journey. Celebrate plan are working well with your along the way! schedule, your lifestyle, your fitness level, etc., while othersDonna Richardson Joyner, a are not. Don't give up. Make longtime fitness expert Heart for adjustments until you find the& Soul, is host of ªMind, Body right mix of activities that fit & Spiritº on TV One. Go to you just right. heartandsoul.com for more tips. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2006 · HEARTANDSOUL.COM 45 · ·
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