ENJOY THE JOURNEY NOT JUST THE DESTINATION

We've looked at some issues around goal setting in the last couple of blogs. This time I'm going to encourage you to really enjoy the journey to your goal, not simply focus on getting there.

For many of us, exercising more is part of what we want to achieve this year. For me one of the main the keys to continuing with any exercise programme is to really enjoy it while you are doing it. Now some of you will be reading this thinking "how can anyone enjoy going on the treadmill?" Am I right? If you fall into this category and the sheer joy of exercising for it's own sake doesn't do it for you, then take this simple step......combine it with something that you do enjoy. That way you can create great habits, habits that will help and support you to reach your goals.

I've got to be honest here. I love going to the gym, I particularly love doing weights. My least favourite part of my routine is the cardio - at least the start of the cardio. Once I'm into it it's great, it's just those first few minutes. I've learned to get around this by distracting myself by doing something else at the same time. Sunday afternoon was a great example. During the week I do either 30 or 40 minutes on the treadmill or cross trainer but had more time available on the Sunday so promised myself I would do an hour. I have to confess here that I'm a bit of an Eastenders fan. Yes I know but sadly I have watched it since it started.......Now you may laugh at that but I'll tell you, the hour I spent on the cross-trainer whilst watching the omnibus edition went by in a flash. I watched the TV whilst I trained and suddenly 63 minutes had gone by and so had 625 calories! Shame about the ending though........ surely David and Carol are destined to be together!

So not only did I get that wonderful endorphin rush that comes after exercise but I really got to enjoy it whilst it was happening too. And it felt easy and as if I could do it again. Sounds like it's becoming a habit to me........
Michelle

TAKING ACTION FEELS GREAT!

Goal setting is a big part of what I do, in all three of my jobs. As a GP, as a success coach and and as an NLP trainer, working with others to realise their goals is a really satisfying part of my work. But what about when things don't go so well, when things slip a bit? How can you get yourself back on track? I thought I'd share a personal example to illustrate the importance of just taking action.

Towards the end of last year I lost a stone in weight. No rocket science involved - I just ate less, ate more sensibly and exercised regularly. Last autumn I was in the gym about 6 days a week and playing tennis once or twice a week on top of that. But then I hurt my knee, nothing major but a niggling thing that stopped me working out and threw me off track. Then with Christmas and all that entails, I managed to regain about 6lbs of the weight loss.

Last year I started to learn welsh. I love learning stuff, pushing myself to find out new things and I am particularly keen on languages - I'm also a reasonable french-speaker. I found a fantastic website called www.saysomethinginwelsh.com and followed their programme. I completed the beginner's course and got about two-thirds of the way through the intermediate course - and then I stopped. For no better reason than I lost my headphones. Not having the headphones to hand meant I didn't just listen when I had a few minutes free and next thing I was out of the habit. About two months passed and I learned no new welsh.

New Year is often a time that we stop and take stock. We look ahead to what we want to achieve. I thought about how well I had done with my weight loss and my welsh in the latter part of 2011 but at first getting back to where I had been seemed a very long way to go.

Until I did one simple thing -  I decided to take action! 

I could have sat around feeling sorry for myself remembering that I used to be fitter and a better linguist but the moment arrived when I simply decided enough is enough! Armed with new headphones and renewed enthusiasm I simply took the action that was needed to start me back on the path again. There's still some way to go of course - I'm not quite back where I was yet with either the weight loss or the welsh. But do you know what? I'm really happy because now I am on my way!

Michelle