Setting Goals to Attain Your New Body!
by Body Makeover Expert Kris Reid

     A new body requires a new self image and new habits.  I don’t know anyone who can instantly develop good habits overnight without once backsliding into their old routines. Habits are formed in order to obtain goals.  They are your plan of action to obtain your goals. Therefore, it is important to constantly be aware of your goals, to prevent yourself from going back into your old routines that got you where you are now. 

     Now, just like the rest of us, you are probably too busy to keep yourself on track all day long.  Why not let thoughts linger in the back of your mind and let your subconscious work on your new you, by writing down your goals?  We are goal-seeking individuals.  An article titled Depressingly Easy in July, 2008 Scientific America: Mind Magazine explains the science behind goals:  Endorphins are actually released when we accomplish simple tasks such as washing the dishes, doing the laundry, and in general, finishing tasks.  When we check things off our lists, we feel a rush.  This is a type of survival mechanism that encourages and rewards us for doing what we need to do.  See, having goals is written in your genetic makeup.  However, you need reminding of those specific goals daily, just like a GPS regularly checks your position when you travel. You need to remind yourself and keep updating your goals as you reassess your position. 

     Imagine two weeks go by and suddenly you are regularly turning down the fatty junk food you are used to eating, you are exercising every day and you have more energy than you ever remember.  You know what else probably happened?  You probably lost several pounds.  I write my goals in my diary each day, sometimes many times a day, to remind myself of the big picture.  That way all the actions of the day, in some way, take me closer to my goals.  There are many ways you can make a decision and if you have your plan in the back of your mind, it will influence you in the right direction.  Some of the things I write include looking like the image of myself I have in my head, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels all the time, and doing cardio and resistance exercise at least five times per week total.  I write down these goals every day, morning or night (sometimes both).

     Now it’s your turn: First, you must visualize the ideal you and what that means.  Think carefully about what steps you need to take to get the body you want, and what values you will need to have.  For instance, it you tend to stop and eat junk food because it is convenient, write down something like, “I make only healthy choices, low in fat, sugar and sodium, when I eat at restaurants.”  If you tend to be a little busy and forget to pack food you may want to write, “I pack my food daily and buy healthy snacks on the way to work to make sure I have enough food for the day.  As soon as you get to work, write down the 5 to 10 things that will keep you motivated for the day.  If you need a reminder, read your goals.  Then if you need more encouragement, re-write them so that they are fresh in your mind.  We need these daily reminders sometimes twice daily, when we try to make a dramatic change in our lives.  If we don’t have these reminders we will tend to go back into our old routines.  Finally, if you do stray from the goals, don’t be hard on yourself.  Just tell yourself, “This isn’t like me to order a fatty (fill in the blank).  Next time I will only choose something low in fat, sugar and sodium (or whatever goal fits).” 

     Keep your daily goals and an image of the you you want in your mind, and you will be well on your way to making the changes you want!

Yours in Good Health