Choose To Accomplish Your Goals!

By Carlos Alberto Rivas, M.S., C.S.C.S.

It's that time of the year again when you set your New Year's resolutions. So, the purpose of this article will be to arm you with the tools you'll need to accomplish your mission or, shall we say, vision. Yes, vision! The first step to realizing your resolution is to define your purpose. Defining your purpose means creating a vision for how you intend to invest your energy and time. A compelling vision statement requires a careful balance. On the one hand, to provide inspiration it needs to be lofty, ambitious and even a bit overreaching. On the other hand, it needs to be realistic, specific and personal. Defining a vision becomes a picture of the possible and a blue print for action.

THE VISION (example)

For the next three months, I will lose ½-1 pound of body fat per week and thereby reduce stress, depression and anxiety. I know that I can make the decision to change my lifestyle in order to gain strength, energy and more confidence. I will do this by making better decisions in my eating habits, walking 5-6 days per week and by weightlifting 2-3 times per week.

THE ACTION PLAN (example)

•  Eat breakfast, and then eat every three hours from food sources such as fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.

•  Walk, bike, swim or get on the elliptical trainer for 30 minutes 5-6 days per week at a level that is comfortable and doable.
•  Weight train two to three times per week on non-consecutive days. Choose 8-10 exercises with emphasis on the major muscle groups. Perform two sets of 12-15 repetitions with a weight that causes me to struggle without compromising form on the last few repetitions.  

THE RESULTS (example)

•  I lost 10 pounds and five percent body fat.
•  I have a better sense of wellbeing.
•  I feel better and look better, and I have improved my self-esteem.
•  I have more energy, which allows me to be more productive at home and at work.
•  I feel less anxious, and my depression periods are fading away.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The first step to realizing your New Year's resolution is to define what is possible. Remember, you are the one who makes a decision on how you are going to invest your energy and time. You make the decision on whether you succeed or fail. It's up to you to have a better outlook on life.

But how? One of our most coveted gifts is the freedom to choose! Dwight Eisenhower once said, "The history of free man is never written by chance but by choice - their choice." The power to choose the direction of your health, to feel more secure, to be more positive, to be fulfilled, to influence others allows you to be in control of your own destiny. The power to choose enables you to elevate your life and achieve whatever you set out to do.

Carlos Alberto Rivas, M.S., C.S.C.S., is the fitness/personal training director at the Baptist East/Milestone Wellness Center. Carlos has a master's degree in exercise physiology and has over 10,000 hours of personal training experience. He is also a member of Kentuckiana HealthFitness magazine's editorial advisory board. Carlos can be reached at 502-896-3900, ext.142.