Alright, check this out: at the beginning
of every new year folks make resolutions in the hopes of improving their
health, vitality; their life. Typical resolutions are "I will do better at
work so I can get that promotion" and/or "I will lose 50 pounds by spring".
As it turns out all those good intentions are forgotten or abandoned by
February - though some may actually make it to Valentine's Day.
The problem is that most of these resolutions are either
too vague or too unrealistic. One thing martial art training gives us is
an understanding of realistic goals via our belt system. Make the goals specific and reachable as in
stair steps.
Don't say you're going to do 100 push-ups every day
because you're not gong to do that if you haven’t done 100 push-ups on a
regular basis. A more realistic goal to be able to do 10 perfect push-ups by
January 31st. Now to some that may seem like nothing, however 10 perfect
push-ups is a huge accomplishment if you weren't able to do 1!
Your resolutions should not be for public consumption, it
is a private agreement you make with yourself. No matter what others may
say, you are the one who has to fulfill that agreement, not your family,
neighbors or friends. YOU have to do it.
So start out with 10, next month a realistic goal may be
15, increase it by 5 so maybe the goal is to be able to do 50 push-ups by June.
Because you have reachable goals, things you can measure and accomplish,
your goal of 100 push-ups is realistically within your grasp. It is like
climbing stairs, one step at a time until you reach the top - your goal. As long as you are making positive progress,
you are climbing those stairs; you should not become frustrated by your
“inability” to advance.
Same idea with losing weight - 10 pounds a month may not
be a realistic goal. If you've ever been on a couple of diets, then you
know they do not work. Starving yourself, or denying things you crave
will cause you to "fall" back within a couple weeks. You make
excuses as to "well just this one won't hurt etc..." and before you
know it, you are angry and frustrated because you are back where you started.
One needs to make a "lifestyle change' in order to
make those meal plans work for you. Lifestyle changes usually mean a new
job, apartment etc... In lieu of that, one has to go and make a conscious
effort to do something. Going to a gym or health club may seem like fun, but
solo exercises get boring, and personal trainers get on your nerves after
awhile.
What to do: make a small personal change: instead of joining
a health club, join a Zumba class, a yoga class…hey…a martial arts class! Do something that will give you a new skill
set and also engage your mind.
A more
realistic and achievable resolution is more along the lines of “I will lose 20 - 15 pounds in 5 months, and
become more active”. Instead of saying I
will not eat such and such anymore though you know you like it and will crave
it, lesson the amount you eat. This is a
more realistic goal, one you can achieve and spur yourself on by marking your
personal accomplishments or milestones each step of the way. When you
lose 3 pounds at the end of the first month, enjoy it, and use it spur you
onward to lose more (don't ruin it by going backwards). Eat smaller portions and drink more fluids, don't eat after 8, 9, or 10pm depending on the time you go to bed. Have at least a 90 minute window between your meal and when you go to sleep. These are things you can more easily control and then feel good about what you do.
Frustration is killer of goals and achievements, if you
want to climb stairs and try to take them 3 at a time, you may give up by your
4th or 5th attempt if you’ve never climbed stairs 3 at a
time. Climb them in a realistic fashion,
one step at a time. This may take a bit
of time; however, you can actually see your progress. You should not get frustrated because you are
still moving forward in a positive way toward your goal. At white belt, the skills you are learning
are new and daunting. You see the Black
Belts and think you can never reach that level, but if you advance one belt at
a time, continue to pick up and understand the techniques and principles,
quicker than you realize you are a Black Belt.
Martial Art training is the best way to accomplish these
things, lose weight, get fit, get in shape, increase your focus, etc...
All of these are components in traditional martial arts and your teacher may be
the best vehicle you have to guide you on the path to attaining your personal
goals.
Remember, your resolutions are your personal contract
between you and yourself, they do not have to impress or involve anyone else.
Make them realistic, keep them in the manner in which you can honestly do
them and move forward.
Have a great 2014 and I'll have more next time....
