Breakfast may not be the most important meal!???
Here is some very practical advice on which meal to focus upon….it may not be what you think.
I like Steve Jobs’ perspective on life
Two interesting reads on Steve Jobs.
One is the 2005 commencement address he delivered at Standford University. (click here)
The second is a 1985 Playboy interview. (click here)
I think you will find these motivating and inspiring!
Pam
Let’s get philosophical about fitness!
Have you ever stopped to think about your philosophies for fitness? You know – those beliefs and values that keep you going, inspire you, challenge you to be at your best. If you have never thought about it, you might be surprised what is at work in the back of your mind. You may find some mental clutter that is actually working against you and your goals. Or you may discover some gems that keep you focused and motivated.
Take some time to write down what your fundamental philosophies are in this area of your life. If there is a belief that weighs you down and works against your success, make note of it. Time to explore that belief and find a way to change it for the positive (or just leave it behind).
I recently wrote down my philosophies in this area of my life. There are eight. Here they are:
1. Make your body (and your mind) the top priority in your life. When you do, everything else seems to fall into place.
2. Think and act “integration.” When fitness becomes another “to do”item on your list, you risk not getting it done. When it is integrated into your everyday life, it will naturally get done. Just like brushing your teeth every morning (you do, don’t you?)
3. Excel at the basics – sleeping, eating, and breathing. We need the right amount of sleep for survival, we need food to nourish our bodies, and we need oxygen to live. Be sure to get these right!
4. Create your environment of success. We can be armed with the best know-how, yet be tripped up by some trigger in our environment. Remove or leave behind whatever in your environment that does not serve you well. This means more than sweets or snacks in your pantry. It could very well be the type of work you do, the people you hang out with, the clutter in your home or office….change it if it does not serve your fitness (and health) well.
5. Learn to be a great competitor. Someone reminded me of a great quote the other day – Life is not a marathon, it is a series of sprints. Channel the great competitor in you as you sprint – race well!
6. Once you start, don’t stop. Momentum is your best friend here….mindfully do something for your fitness every day, even if it is taking a 10 minute break or getting to bed 15 minutes early.
7. Strive to be better NOT perfect. Trying to be perfect puts way too much stress on each decision and each action we take. Just strive to be better and you will stay on course.
8. Strengthen your mind/body connection. These two go together. Work on one when you work on the other. Your body can be a great radar system for what is going on in your life; learn to listen to it and take action based upon its wisdom
From time to time, I add to the list and take some things off of the list. It depends on the lesson I am learning at the time about my body, my mind, and myself. I like that about this list…..it moves with me. It is not a rigid list of things I gotta believe or take action on. It reflects what is most important to me and what helps me be successful.
What are you going to put on your list?
Pam
So you want to get fit?
So you want to start taking better care of your body and aren’t quite sure what to do and where to start? My suggestion is to first spend some time getting ready to take on your fitness….here are some things to think about.
First of all, know that you are taking on a project whose return on investment is priceless – your increased health, fitness, and well-being.
Second, create a mindset that you are beginning a training process – training your body and your mind to be strong and in shape. I believe you will be most successful if you view your health, fitness, and well-being as an on-going training process, something you do each and every day.
Third, know your goals – be clear on what you want to accomplish and why it is important to you. Write those goals down and read them to yourself every day (or multiple times a day). When faced with a choice that will impact your health, fitness and well-being, check in with those goals and determine the action that best serves these goals.
Fourth – Start training your mind along for strength, tenacity, focus, and discipline. You are going to need these traits to be successful in creating more health, fitness, and well-being. It doesn’t happen by luck. It happens with true grit – grit that needs a strong mind as well as a strong body.
Fifth and finally – you gotta “elevate your game.” I use this phrase to describe what I believe is the #1 reason for success in this area of life. The people who get results and sustain success are the people who decide to up their game and get better along the way. It is not so much a race as it is a competition. There will be distractions, obstacles, successes, and failures. A true competitor always strives to be at their best. And that is what is necessary to win at fitness, health, and well-being.
“Elevating your game” means different things for different people, but here is my list of what is necessary to win:
- Be prepared.
- Plan ahead.
- Train well.
- Let obstacles make you better.
- Learn to lose.
- Relish winning but know there is still work to be done.
- Results are not guaranteed, but know that when you play at your best, you will get positive results.
- Take charge – you gotta lead yourself in this area of your life – no one else can do it for you!
To your health, fitness, and well-being!
Pam