A Four Run Attempt at New Year’s Resolutions

Image via Wikipedia

The other day I mentioned on Twitter that “trying something new” is  an excellent way to inspire your brain and body for New Year’s resolutions. Studies continue to show that the brain loves new adventure and learning, and the body demands it in order to stay healthy, fit and on top of your fitness goals. Need I say anything else?

I practice what I preach and decided on behalf of my New Year’s resolutions I would try something that I never really wanted to do- snowboarding! I am a skier and love the mountains, fresh air, ease of getting on and off of the chair lift and the beautiful scenery from the chair lift itself, but the rest of my family snowboards so I thought I should give it a whirl.

My first lesson and attempt at surfing the snow was today at Steven’s Pass. I was frustrated, angry, competitive, humbled (especially by the little 5 year olds whipping by me as I laid on my back), joyous, elated and content- in that order exactly. It also reminded me of how hard it is to have the guts to try something new, let alone feel successful at it your first attempt. Very much like New Year’s Fitness Resolutions.

I summed up these comparisons in my four runs down the Daisy chair today:

Run Attempt #1- I fell 37 times (yes I counted) and felt frustrated, angry and completely wanted to punch my instructor, get to the bottom of the run, turn in the board and rent some skis. I compare this to that first week of being at the gym, working with a trainer or getting a new workout program started. You’re sore, frustrated, angry because you don’t really enjoy what you’re doing and seriously just want to go back to your old comfortable ways and be content.

Run Attempt #2- I fell 6 times. I had lunch and regrouped my thoughts and told myself that this is an adventure and to give it everything I could. Similar to week 2 of your new fitness regime. Your getting the hang of things, remembering why it is you decided to do this and are looking at the positive changes you’re making in your life. The muscle soreness is getting a little better and your feeling pretty good by the end of this week.

Run Attempt #3- I fell 3 times. Yeah- things were connecting. I focused on one skill, and  hammered it into my head all the way down to the bottom. The falls were on purpose to avoid hitting others or to slow my uncontrolled, novice behaviors on the board. Similar to week 3 of a new fitness routine- positive mental changes continue as most begin to  sink their teeth into the exercise programming.  They learn not only what they are good at, but also what needs a little polishing. Of course their trainer tells them to focus on what they can do and do it well (and possibly adjusts their program to accomodate this).

Run Attempt #4- I fell once. Yes, just once and it was off the chair lift. My goal on this last run was to NOT fall off of the chair lift because I had every time before, but instead I had a beautiful experience all the way to the bottom. I was elated and completely content with my attempt, but also knew more practice would be needed to get off of the Daisy chair and onto my favorite skiing runs (precious Big Chief). I compare this to the 4th week of many New Year’s fitness resolutions. The goal may have been to lose a certain amount of weight, but instead the goal of weight loss is surpassed by the fact your waist is 2″ smaller and your pants are too big. BONUS!! It’s motivating, exciting to see the change and encourages you to continue the journey and add more weeks (runs) to your fabulous, new thing.

In essence, what I’m saying is it takes a bare bones minimum of 4 weeks of  commitment to anything to see some changes. It won’t happen overnight, and of course will be different for all of us due to individual differences in not only our physical state of body, but mental state of mind. For me, the mind is the key to most resolutions we make. We pre-contemplate, we contemplate, we take action and we succeed or don’t succeed depending on how strongly we want to see change or make attempt. Attempting  something new is the first part, committing to it is the second.

Make your four run attempt this New Years! Attempt, commit, change  and see the changes in your body, mind and soul. May blessings of health, wellness, attempts and commitments shower you and your loved ones.

Happy New Year- Amy

PS- For future reference, being a fitness pro does not mean that I’m good at every physical stunt known to man; practice and skill are required for all human performance movements indoor and out

Related articles by Zemanta

• 5 Keys to Successful New Year’s Resolutions (naturalbias.com)

Spot Reduction- The Three Secrets to Losing that Body Fat

Image via Wikipedia

Looking for the best way to get rid of your saddle bags, muffin top and flabby arms?  I’ve got it for you right here, right now. The three things you must know in order to get the body of your dreams. The best part is there is no need to perform 8 minutes of a singular exercise to make it happen.

Better yet, you don’t have to purchase some obnoxious piece of equipment that inevitably ends up collecting a pile of dust bunnies under your bed. More good news- you don’t even need to spend a dime on diet foods, powders, potions, pills or fatten Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers wallets anymore.

Sounds too good to be true doesn’t it? Well, it’s the truth- it happens everyday to people with healthy, strong and aesthetically pleasing bodies. They know the 3 secrets to spot reduction and how to keep body fat at bay. Are you ready to soak them in, too?

Take a deep breath, get ready, here we go:

1. Move your ass- get off the couch and take a walk, go jogging, ride your bike and do something most days of the week that gets your ticker ticking at a level that screams exercise to you. Lift heavy things that work all your muscle groups a few times a week to make them stronger, which will torch more calories. Hire a trainer to help you put together a proper program for your current fitness level, or join a fitness boot camp or exercise camp that provides you with accountability and support to exercise. Exercise = weight loss, DUH!

1. Shut your mouth- put down the fork and leave the seconds to the rapidly growing teenage athletes in your home who need those extra calories. Eating proper portions of the right foods not only provides your body with critical vitamins, minerals and nutrients, but also keeps your body weight in balance because it supports your energy needs. Too much food (no matter what it is) leads to weight gain. By making simple adjustments in your daily food intake you can lose body fat weight and see those rippling muscles you’ve worked so hard to get (see number 1).  Less food = less ___________ (insert whatever loving name you have for your body part here)

1. Stop making excuses- we all have them, just like other body parts. The difference between those who have body fat issues and those who don’t is simple. Priority! Behavior change is inevitable if you are trying to lose body fat weight; you simply can’t continue doing what you are doing and you simply can’t keep making excuses for it either. Losing weight is a psychological process that takes time and energy on many levels, but it has to be done to spot reduce any appendage on the body. Excuses = no results, so STOP it!

Basically, I’m repackaging the same information I’ve been yelling from the top of my soap box for years. There is no magic way to make things disappear off of your body unless you would like to enlist the help of a plastic surgeon. Weight will come off gradually from all parts of your body that are carrying extra weight. We all have genetic potential to carry extra weight in certain places (thanks mom and dad), plus the aging process tends to shift things south and give the skin a less than plump appearance.

As a matter of fact, the majority of what my personal clients call “fat” is actually extra skin from losing weight after childbirth, or aging skin that’s lost elasticity. Sorry, no exercise will change that. However, exercise can change the appearance and give a little lift if the muscle underneath said skin is underused and no longer developed. Remember that butt muscle you used to have when you played sports? Maybe now it is a softer, flatter version of itself. I can fix that!

Most of you have heard of one or more of the three secrets to spot reduction. So the question now is what secret(s) do you need to put into play to give you the action figure body you want? I’ve got the answers: contact me to schedule a personal training appointment or sign up for a camp, go to http://www.dietgrader.com and sign up for a free week of nutrition enlightenment and get those portions and nutrients in balance. Oh yeah, almost forgot, please flush your excuses down the toilet with the rest of your crap. Excuses have no place in your spot reduction journey.

Lightheartedly- Amy