When you set out to accomplish a goal, do you think about the big picture and what is waiting for you at the end? Reaching your weigh loss and fitness goals can seem daunting if you don’t have a clear vision or picture of how you are going to look but better yet, how you are going to feel. If you think with the end in mind, you always have that reference to go back to. A reason why you are doing what you are doing. A reason why you are working so hard, day in and day out. You must start with a clear idea of where you what to be and what it is you want! Think for a moment now, do you have that vision in your head? When you tell yourself you want to get in shape, do you know what that looks like? No matter what you goal is, weigh loss or to free yourself from some illness, you must have a clear vision of what it is you are going to look like and feel like when you reach your goal.
If you take the time to create this vision, it is much easier to stay on track or get back on track when you may fall off course. If you don’t know where you are headed, you can easily get caught up in the fact that you fell off track or simply get so frustrated that you don’t get back on course. It is important to see the bigger picture, rather than the incident that is in front of us. Without the clear “end in mind” mentality, it is too easy to give up or tell ourselves it is just too darn hard! Having the bigger picture as clearly defined as you possibly can, this will help keep you on track and motivated to keep moving forward, no matter what comes up! Forward momentum is all we need and all we can ask for. How do we keep that forward momentum when we happen to take a fall? You must think with the end in mind and want it that bad!
No matter what, there are always going to be battles that need to be overcome and obstacles that need to be conquered. Here are a few pointers to help keep that forward momentum going, no matter what!
1. WHY do you want to reach your goal? You must ask yourself WHY and create that clear definitive answer. This is what is going to keep you moving forward. Your WHY must come from deep within you. It cannot be wishy washy or come from someone else’s heart. It must resonate from you. Your reason can easily be a short term reason such as preparing for an event or “looking good” but to make this goal last, you must find a bigger picture life long answer so you can reach your goal(s) and keep them. So now I ask you, WHY?
2. Don’t get hung up over your falls. You are not perfect, I am not perfect, nobody is perfect! We all have things that come up or choices we make that we wish we wouldn’t of made but it is okay. Let those choices be yours and let them go. Harboring those choices is only going to harbor your results.
3. Don’t allow your slips to become falls. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel that you didn’t make the best decision, acknowledge it and don’t allow that decision to reflect your next. Because you may have made a bad choice doesn’t mean that you need to give up and throw in the towel. Don’t continue on the same path, rather break the cycle and know that you are in control of your very next decision. Once bad decision can be a minor slip but you can easily recover if you make your next decision be one that is going to keep you up and not let you fall.
4. See your bigger picture. It is too easy to get overwhelmed, when you have a lot on your plate. If you continue to see the bigger picture, you can remind yourself that each moment is leading you to that big picture of life long happiness. There is a reason and it is so worth it! Keep that picture implanted in your mind!
5. Learn from every decision. NO matter what the decision is, no matter if it is a good or bad decision, every decision is an opportunity to grow. We have the amazing right to choose. Having choices is a beautiful thing. No matter what our choice is, we can learn so much about ourselves throughout our decision making process. For example, if you are in your work break room and tempted by a delicious box of doughnuts someone brought in but choose to walk out, you have just learned that you absolutely have the self control and ability to say no! If you give in, you can observe why you made that decision and where that choice seemed. Maybe you are easily tempted by sweets and need to conquer that temptation. No matter what the decision is, it is empowering to know that at the end of the day, you are the one in control. Learn from every decision so that you can learn more about yourself with each one!
6. Pat yourself on the back! Yes, right now, take a moment to congratulate yourself and pat yourself on your back. Whether this is a journey you have been on for one day or several years, congratulate yourself on your decision to change. Each journey is unique but it all starts with the choice to begin. Every choice is leading closer to where you want to be and that “bigger picture” in mind. Don’t wait to celebrate, celebrate every day! No matter how far you are along your journey, you are one step farther now than you were a few minutes ago, congratulations on your success! Why wait to celebrate, every day, every moment, every positive choice is a celebration!!
7. Breath. Simply put, don’t forget to breath. If you ever feel overwhelmed or confused about a decision, take a moment to regrouped and breath.  Long deep breaths will calm you down and point you in the right direction. Reset yourself and breath in positive thoughts and breath out negative thoughts. Your thoughts are your reality and the breath allows your thoughts to be activated. We only have room for so much air in our lungs so only breath in positive, fresh and calming air and you will transform your mind into a fresh, positive and calming place. Breath!
8.  Believe in yourself! Hopefully you have tons of people in your corner believing in you but no body is going to believe in you like you. Don’t wait to get other people to believe in you and then in turn convince yourself that you believe in you, rather only focus on one thing, believing in yourself when no one else does. Be your biggest cheerleader, grab your pom poms and believe in YOU!
Remember that this is a lifestyle journey and there are simply NO rules to follow. You create your own rules and intern your own journey! Everything you do and every decision you make is making you stronger and bringing you closer to your goal. We are not perfect and no journey goes without trials, tribulations, doubts, fears, set backs, tears or frustrations but each emotion is part of your experience to learn from. It is up to you and nobody else, what you decide to do with yourself. Envision that end in mind and see that pretty picture, feel that amazing feeling of crossing the finish line. Carry that feeling and that vision with you everywhere you go and that is all it takes to keep you going.
You are amazing and right where you need to be, right now! Take this moment to congratulate yourself for embarking upon such a journey and now as you move forward, always keep the “end in site” and allow that vision to guide your decisions!