That Dayum DeeDee

I recently visited one of two message boards that I had on MSN since 2002.  It has long since died but I was browsing through some of the info that I posted to keep members motivated and came across these.  (No, I didn't make this up and it's been so long, 5 yrs. ago that I couldn't even begin to remember where I got them)  I think this is a good place to start and so I am posting this just as much for myself as I am for those of you that may need a little help in devising a plan.  As you all may or may not know, I am a huge procrastinator so it may take me a little while to implement.  Enjoy!

SET GOALS

Here are a few 'real life' tools that will help get you started and keep you in the game when trying to reach your health goals.

• Pick a specific goal. You want to lose weight, but how much? For example, you would like to weigh what you weighed in high school (50 pounds lighter), but your doctor says it would be a good start if you would just take off 10 pounds. The goals you aim for don't have to be the be-all and end-all of your life, but they will help you get focused. The more specific, the better.

• Pick a reasonable time frame. Is your goal realistic for your time frame? You don't want to set yourself up for disaster and disappointment. For example, you have a wedding to go to in a month and want to lose 50 pounds. Sorry to say, but that ain't gonna happen; you're simply setting yourself up for failure. About two pounds a week is reasonable. Any more weight loss than that is unrealistic. If you're unsure what a reasonable time frame is, consult a fitness expert.

• Tell a friend. It can seem less embarrassing if you don't tell anybody what your goals are (just in case you don't accomplish them), but telling a friend helps hold you to your goals and can help provide some driving motivation. If your goal is to do 20 minutes of exercise daily and you're not feeling up to it, a friend can be the one to help you get your butt in gear. Enlist the help of a friend who's had some success in the fitness department. Or get a friend who could use a push herself to hit the gym or the road with you. It's often more fun when you're exercising with someone else.

• Make a Plan. Design your program by reading literature or consulting a health and fitness expert. Write out a day-by-day or week-by-week program that slowly but consistently increases exercise time and effort. For instance, try walking 10 minutes one day and then increasing the time by 1 or 2 minutes a day. You'll be up to 20 or 30 minutes in no time.

• Track your progress. How do you know if you are accomplishing what you set out to do? By keeping a training log so you can see where your improvements and weaknesses are. A simple calendar or weekly planner will do. It is rewarding to see that power-walking an extra tenth of a mile each day adds up to an extra half-mile at the end of the week.

• Be careful of injury. If you experience any signs of injury, revise your plan. Getting injured is one of the main reasons people fall short of their fitness goals. If you are trying to do too much too quickly, cut back.

The 10 Commandments Of Weight loss/Body Sculpting Perfection

Commandment #1: Belive in yourself!!    If not, you won't be able to achieve your desired
results!!!!

Commandment#2: Write down your goals. How can you get somewhere it you don't know where you are heading?

Commandment#3: Set New Goals Every Six Weeks. After 6 weeks, compare your results against what you had in your original goals.

Commandment#4: Place a calendar on your fridge. Mark a back slach on the days that you followed your diet without cheating. Make a forward slash on the days that your trained. If you trained and followed a good diet on a given day, you should have an "X" marked on that day.

Commandment#5: Place a picture of how you currently look somewhere that you will be able to see on a daily basis. This picture should provide you with additional motivation to follow the program.

Commandment #6: Take pictures of yourself every 4 weeks and place them on the refrigerator next to your "before" picture. That way, whenever you have a craving and go to the refrigerator you will remember the reason that you are doing this and also get motivated by seeing the progress that you are achieving.

Commandment #7: Write down the reasons why you are following this program and put them on your refrigerator. Same benefit as item 6.

Commandment #8: Keep your house free from any foods that are not good for your program. Only on FREE DAY can you bring these foods into the house. yayyyyy free day!!!!

Commandment#9: Remember to prepare all of your meals the day before,so that when you are at work, you already have all the food that you will need for the day with you. That way you limit the amount of times you will be tempted.

Commandment #10: Remember that only you can control what gows in your mouth. Food does not control you!!!!!!

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