Goals...think outside of the box

How many of you out there have say, set a New Year's resolution to lose 20lbs? You join a gym, work out for six weeks and 'dang it' the scale tells you you're a quiet 17 lbs. shy of your mark. Or you're a bridesmaid 10 weeks out from the big day and you just found out that not even Gabrielle Reece could rock the hideous form fitting taffeta on a low carb day. So, you plan on running three days a week and doing 100 crunches a day until that extra 25 lbs is gone...only to find that the night before the bridal shower, (that you didn't want to attend) you've only lost 7 lbs.

How about we go bigger. How about we set a goal outside of the usual weight loss box. One that's outside of our comfort zone. For example, why not choose a specific activity such as 'I'm going to do a marathon' or 'I'm going to do a biathlon in six months'. Or 'I'm going to get my yellow belt in tai kwon do.' Sound ominous, daunting and not to mention scary? Wait, don't go anywhere. Bear with me. Ninety per cent of us want to lose weight, firm up and look good. That is the end result- goal, let's say. If you take on an 'outside the box' goal as mentioned above there is a greater benefit. These goals take extreme focus.They take dedication and commitment. So, right there you are using mind power (as opposed to six months on a treadmill to nowhere which takes limited cerebral activity). Mind and body working together; how Eastern of you!

Next, this goal will take research. What sort of diet do marathon runners eat? How much protein per day? How many carbs? Do I run 3 days per week or every day? This research falls under the aforementioned commitment and focus. During this training period you will undergo a mini lifestyle change. Do ya see where I'm headin' here folks?

Lifestyle change is perhaps the hugest key of all. (Hugest sounds like a word Donald Trump would use). You've trained for 8 months, changed your eating habits, run until you're blue in the face (not literally I hope) gone through two pairs of shoes, driven everyone crazy with your talk of runner's high and finally...completed the race. Voila! You've achieved the BIG goal! You did it! Oh and look, your body looks great. You not only feel great but you're also full of pride. And now the new disciplined you can train for another marathon or take your new true grit and knock down the next goal; climbing mount Everest...or whatever.

The 'out of the box' goal calls for motivation and keeps one motivated. Challenge yourself. Do the tangible thing that pushes you and gets you that rockin' physique in the process. Some of you readers I've met and some I haven't but I believe in all of you. So set the BIG goal and go get it like a big dog!