Your 2020 Transformation Plan Starts Today!

With 2020 looming large on the horizon, it’s time to begin thinking about your change plan!

If you’re serious about a New Year’s resolution that involves improving your fitness level, finding community or simply feeling happier all around, listen up.  All the “shoulding” in the world makes no difference when it comes to reaching your goals.   You need a 2020 Transformation plan.  Here are some common-sense strategies for making it happen for real.

Discover your most compelling motive for making change.  Motivation plays the biggest role when it comes to enacting long term, positive behavior change.  But identifying your true motive may not be as obvious as it seems at first glance.  Ask yourself, “Why do I want to begin a regular workout plan, really?  What will the outcome look or feel like?”  Dig deep and envision clearly.

Leading neuro-science expert Dr. Daniel Amen keeps a picture of his grandson where he’ll see it every day, as a reminder of his real motive for keeping his health a priority.  The mocha fudge becomes less tempting when you connect it to a bigger picture, as in avoiding options that move you further away from your goals.  The same rationale has been effectively used by former smokers to kick the habit, it works!

Then choose one habit that you know isn’t serving you.  Do you hit the drive-through every morning only to end up so hungry you’re wondering how you’ll possibly make it all the way until lunch? Reach for your cell phone the moment you wake up instead of making time to exercise?  Instead of resolving to diet away the extra ten pounds, start with one simple behavior change directed toward achieving that goal.

Give yourself time to get comfortable with that change, whether it’s days, weeks or months until this becomes your new normal.  Now you’re ready to take another step, and repeat until your diet brings you all of the benefits excellent health has to offer.

State your personal 2020 credo, write it down. Seriously.  Don’t skip this step.  Go to your computer and open a word doc.  Write down your 2020 Transformation Goal.

For example:  2020 is my year to increase my energy levels and connect with healthy community.  Step 1; Join a Meetup group for women who hike, begin attending weekly.   Now put this action item on your calendar.  Once you’re comfortable with this new routine, you’ll be ready to repeat the process with the next step in your Transformation plan.

Another great way to do this is to create a vision board, complete with images, as in pictures of loved ones you’d like to have the energy to spend more time with, or people who inspire you through their achievements that you know are not outside your realm of possibility too.

Make your health a top priority!  You may have noticed that sometimes your willpower seems stronger than others.  Every wonder why when you’re calm and well-rested, you seem less inclined to succumb to temptation?  One reason is pure physiology.  It takes energy to exercise willpower, and if we’re out of fuel, we’ll have less of it. If it’s way past lunchtime, you’re beyond hungry and you happen by VooDoo donuts, all bets are off.  Good health habits let you avoid these pitfalls!

• Get enough rest (a huge factor in harnessing willpower)
• Exercise even a little bit every day, even 15 minutes of brisk walking counts!
• Prepare ahead to avoid the pitfalls

Yes this takes intention and even a bit of time, but you have the tools you need to succeed, including the willpower.  When you prioritize your health, you’ll bring your best self to the table, making smart choices easier and happy outcomes more likely every time.