More and more people are pursuing gastric bypass as a last attempt at weight loss. Many complications can arise from the surgery, but I do not want to get into the particulars of that in this post. I am not against gastric bypass, I only want to discuss a certain angle within its context. Working with gastric bypass clients has reaffirmed for me what I already know...that happiness is an inside job.
People I meet and get to know wake me up to the challenges they face, challenges very different from my own. I have never struggled with my weight, attempted a diet or felt like I even needed to "lose a couple of pounds". Therefore, I have never created a fantasy world around "being the perfect weight" or established a pattern of "I'll be happy when I ...(fill in the blank)". I think it is easy to romanticize weight loss when you are always chasing it and it remains elusive.
All of the desire, hard work and efforts surrounding attempts at weight loss create a heavy attachment to the desired end result. The end result for many, is a magical weight that also provides the key to personal happiness. I had to gently explain to one of my clients the other day that happiness is not a weight, and it never will be. Individuals that weigh 132 lbs, and those that weigh 270 lbs are both struggling to be happy. Happiness must be self-generated, and the sooner we realize this, the better off we will be. Feeling good about ourselves is truly the key to happiness, and this has more to do with the type of person we choose to be and how we choose to live life, versus how we appear to others.
We are all a work in progress, and we must take responsibility for our own happiness and learn to self-generate it in the NOW vs. in the future. One of my favorite expressions is "Wherever you go, there you are". So, if one doesn't bring a healthy mindset to a certain set of circumstances, there will no escaping the same end result elsewhere in time.
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Right now, many people are contemplating their 2011 New Year's resolutions. Many fitness resolutions die within the first four weeks of a new year for many different reasons. One obvious reason behind such failures is that the goals behind these resolutions are not S.M.A.R.T. in nature. A powerful tool to use when attempting goals involving health & fitness is to make sure that the goal(s) created are S.M.A.R.T.
This can be defined as follows:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time-bound
Goals set without these five parameters tend to be poorly defined and therefore, proper direction and focus towards attainment is lost. Breaking down each component more specifically means:
Specific goals recognize why it is being created, the benefits of it, who is involved, what needs to be accomplished and where it will be accomplished.
Measurable means that with progression towards the goal, there should be a means to monitor progress. If there is no measurement procedure, then it is difficult to tell if one is on track to meet the goal, or if efforts have to be redirected.
Attainable means that the goal being set forth must be achievable. Many failed attempts to reach a goal surround the fact that it was not realistic in nature. When an attainable goal is set, it is much easier to visualize attainment, stay motivated and persevere in the efforts required. Think about the person you know that swears they are going to hit the gym every day for two hour workouts. That is not achievable for most and will lead to certain burnout. Less really is more as consistent, realistic progress leads to success. Remember that smaller goals always add up to bigger ones.
Relevant means that the goal should surround the needs and abilities of the person attempting it. If you find yourself to be rather uncoordinated, then perhaps stay away from heavily choreographed group fitness or dance classes. If you love cycling, then include group cycling classes, stationary bike or other cycling activities to keep things relevant.
Time-bound means that there should be a time fence established on the goal. If one wishes to lose 5 lbs, but does not define a time frame for doing so, then incremental steps to achieving it cannot be clearly established. Making efforts time-bound helps build in accountability.
If you are gearing up to an improved you next year, then try the S.M.A.R.T. strategy and improve your chances of success.
This can be defined as follows:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time-bound
Goals set without these five parameters tend to be poorly defined and therefore, proper direction and focus towards attainment is lost. Breaking down each component more specifically means:
Specific goals recognize why it is being created, the benefits of it, who is involved, what needs to be accomplished and where it will be accomplished.
Measurable means that with progression towards the goal, there should be a means to monitor progress. If there is no measurement procedure, then it is difficult to tell if one is on track to meet the goal, or if efforts have to be redirected.
Attainable means that the goal being set forth must be achievable. Many failed attempts to reach a goal surround the fact that it was not realistic in nature. When an attainable goal is set, it is much easier to visualize attainment, stay motivated and persevere in the efforts required. Think about the person you know that swears they are going to hit the gym every day for two hour workouts. That is not achievable for most and will lead to certain burnout. Less really is more as consistent, realistic progress leads to success. Remember that smaller goals always add up to bigger ones.
Relevant means that the goal should surround the needs and abilities of the person attempting it. If you find yourself to be rather uncoordinated, then perhaps stay away from heavily choreographed group fitness or dance classes. If you love cycling, then include group cycling classes, stationary bike or other cycling activities to keep things relevant.
Time-bound means that there should be a time fence established on the goal. If one wishes to lose 5 lbs, but does not define a time frame for doing so, then incremental steps to achieving it cannot be clearly established. Making efforts time-bound helps build in accountability.
If you are gearing up to an improved you next year, then try the S.M.A.R.T. strategy and improve your chances of success.
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