Shape Up Sonoma 2012
Well, Sonoma, I can hardly believe it has been a year since we started Shape Up Sonoma. We kicked off 2011 with a lots of excitement and continued picking up steam throughout the year. Thanks to all of you who participated and sent emails with goals and success stories. It was quite a year.
And there’s no need to give up now! Sonoma is a great community for achieving a healthy lifestyle. We are fortunate to have amazing farmers markets, great weather and scenery for outdoor exercise, awesome fitness offerings, and conscious, supportive friends to partner with. Whether it’s a power walk along the bike path, a hike on the Overlook trail, Zumba, yoga, or bicycling, the opportunities are abundant.
So how did your health goals work for you in 2011? If they didn’t work out too well, ask yourself why. Then set a new goal that is more attainable with an approach that is realistic. Check out the goal setting form and commitment contract on the Shape Up Sonoma website. Keep a food, exercise, and sleep log for a few weeks and see where you are needing the support. Life is too short to let another year go by without making changes that will help improve your quality of life.
I highly recommend partnering with family, friends, or a coach to get the job done. Studies have shown that friends do what friends do. This can either hurt or help you. If you desire making healthy changes, but your friends and family stick with the old habits, your chances of success will be greatly compromised. True story. When programs fail, it is often for that very reason. This is a serious thing to consider when making lifestyle changes. Be sure you have the support you are going to need from your friends and family, and, best of all, bring them with you!
Regardless of your goal, you are the determining factor of the outcome. YOU are the variable that will either make or break your success. Ninety percent of health and weight loss goals fail within the first thirty days of the year. There is only one person who can help you from being part of that statistic. You. Have a talk with yourself, and with your friends and family. Download our getting-started forms, set a few easy goals that you can realistically achieve and have your friends do it with you. It takes conscious effort and planning each week until new habits are formed.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when setting goals:
1) Do I really know the best eating plan for me? If not, seek the help of a coach
2) Is my exercise program getting me the results I want?
3) Do I sleep well and feel good levels of energy throughout my day? Look at your diet for clues if not.
I know you can do it. I hope you will share your story with us. Also, feel free to contact me with any questions or tips you might need in getting going. I’d be glad to steer you in the right direction. You can also check out my blog, which has great tips, muffintopmakeover.com.
Yours in healthy living,
Heather Morgan, MS, NLC
[email protected]
