I'll start next year

So we are about to hit December...

the 'right-off' month!

Why do we even bother with December?

Everyone is already thinking about next year anyway!

Tell me I'm wrong!

December comes along and we start planning our next year...

"In 2010, I am going to really start exercising..."

"Not like how I said I would in 2009, no way! This year is going to be MY year to REALLY start!"

"My food is REALLY going to change! and my health is REALLY going to be a priority!"

You know what I have found from years of working in the fitness industry with the general public?

People are really good at TALKING about things!

and awesome at SAYING why this time is going to be different!

What the general public is not so good at is...DOING!

Here's the challenge, ladies and gents...

Start your new year's resolution on Dec 1, 2009 not Jan 1, 2010.

Why?

Because making long term changes in not about a date on the calender but more about changing your mind set.

If you can't make some positive changes from December 1 because you want to get over the Christmas period first, you are basically saying that this is not a long term change for you.

Because if you do start on Jan 1, what then happens at Easter?

and then Holidays?

and then next Christmas?

and so on and so on.....

This is certainly no way of approaching a long term change!

Sure, let your hair down and have a great time this christmas, but don't kid yourself with the whole New Year's resolution CRAPOLA!

Make some changes for life, not because a date on the calender says we should!

Keep intensity high and excuses low

Matt Collins

Do it by myself, are you kidding me? (20/20)

It seems some people are really keen, really motivated, really ready to better their health and fitness and lifestyle BUT only when their friend/neighbour/partner/workmate/lover/ex lover/son/daughter/mum/dad/etc is ready to do it with them.

Why is that?

Why is it so hard to do stuff unless we have some one there to do it with us?

It doesn't make the exercise any less of a struggle.

They don't actually do the work for you.

Most times, they need as much of a kick in the butt as you do!

We know all this, yet we still set out with excellent goals of sticking to the exercise thing, because "we are going to push each other"!

And what happens if/when the inevitable happens and your new training partner doesn't want to go one day!

Well, that's obvious.....you just don't go either, right?

And the next day, same thing...

and the next day, and the next...

until you wake up one day and say, "rememember when we used to go to the gym, we should try that again one day"

And the vicious cycle continues.

The whole idea of being motivated and dedicated is doing stuff no matter how you feel.

or how the weather is,

or how the kids have been,

or how work was,

and especially if your "training partner" just isn't interested any more!

Some people tell me they enjoy their exercise time because it is THEIR time away from all the stressors and anxiety of the real world!

So why not try that?

See how you go, training by yourself. Because at the end of the day...

No one really cares about your looks/health/fitness/dress size/BMI/weight/etc except you!

Hope this helps.

Keep intensity high and excuses low

Matt Collins