A number of years ago I met a man who had started a new health journey. And the commitment that he had made to himself and to anyone who was listening was that for the rest of his life, he would workout for at least 45 minutes a day, six days a week and he would only eat healthy, whole and natural foods. FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. For the rest of his living days he would not do anything that veered off this path.
When I met him, we were on a cruise and I remember people being so excited for him and in awe of what he was doing and of what he was denying himself while on vacation. He had lost some weight and was talking up his program to anyone who was interested. I thought to myself, so you’re telling me that to be healthy and live my life “right” I have to go to the gym every day of my vacation and say no to every dessert? On vacation?
Adhering to his plan left no room for new experiences or for any other kind of change he might encounter FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.
Some might read this and be inspired by the guy. And some might read this and fall into the pit of despair because who has that kind of willpower. And some might read this and see that his goal is not sustainable nor does it allow you to live to the full potential that the Lord is wanting you to.
The sad thing is that this kind of “FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE” goal setting is not unusual. I see it all the time. You see it all the time. You’ve probably said something like that yourself. I definitely have. “I will only eat salads for dinner from here forward.” “I will walk for an hour every single day from here forward.” “I will never ever drink another soda for the rest of my life.”
And by a show of raised hands, who has managed to follow through?
The new year tends to bring these statements out the most. New Year’s Resolutions anyone? I’ve definitely heard things like “in the new year I’ll workout every day and get 8 hours of sleep every night.” I’m turning over a new leaf and I’ll never do anything bad ever again. I’ll take care of myself like I know I should. I’ll stop smoking cold turkey. (For the record, I do think everyone should stop smoking…topic for another day) And that’s as far into the plan as most people get.
I work at a gym, and the first two weeks of the new year brings soooo many new faces. And it’s exciting and I’m excited for people who are making changes for themselves. But two weeks later those numbers wain significantly. Two months later and it’s like they were never even there. And it makes me so sad that because there was no plan or because they bit off more than they could chew, they are saying goodbye to their goal at that first bump in the road.
And perhaps that bump was significant but there wasn’t a plan for how to handle it. And that needs to happen. The goals you set, the things you reach for, need to have an action plan and a troubleshooting plan and they need to be sustainable.
If you have never stepped foot in a gym before, your first goal probably shouldn’t be every day of the week for the REST OF YOUR LIFE. A better statement might be, “I’m going to start going to the gym on Monday mornings because they offer childcare and I don’t have any commitments in the mornings. And if something comes up that prevents me, I have three other days in the week where childcare is also offered that I could go to if I needed.” That is a much better plan when getting started. There is a start that is not overwhelming and there is a solution to a potential bump.
So, the next time you think about setting a New Year’s Resolution, draft an action plan with it!
Unfortunately, I don’t know what happened to that guy. I don’t know if he’s still working out 6 days a week and eating only health, whole and natural foods. If he is, great! If he’s not, I hope he’s still doing well wherever he is.
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2
Go in grace and God bless,
Colleen
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