One size fits all isn’t a good idea for clothing and it’s an even worse idea for goals. If you pick your goal based on someone else’s achievements or ideals, the end result will probably not be what you had hoped for. Let me give you an example. When I started to lose weight I was thinking, “Hmmm. My sister in law and I are about the same height, so if she can be that little and skinny so can I.”. BZZZZ Wrong answer. As I started to lose the weight I realized how completely ridiculous this was. She has a very slight and petite frame, while I, on the otherhand, have very wide shoulders and at least a medium frame. If I were to starve myself and become skin and bones, even my bones would be bigger than she is. I had fallen into the precarious trap of trying to be like someone else instead of trying to become a better me.
Each of you is amazing, fabulous, and completely unique. No one else has a body exactly like you, so why should you try to force it to behave like someone else’s? Your individual composition of body type, metabolism, and genetic predispositions means you will lose weight differently than any other person on the planet. You and I could eat the same exact foods, do the exact same exercises, and we will still always have different results. So once you let go of any lingering desire to look exactly like that guy/girl at the gym that’s amazingly toned and fit, then you can start to find and work towards your body’s version of healthy and fit.
Now you’re ready to find your goal. To do this you, need to seriously evaluate what you really want and who you are doing the work for. The answer to the first part will vary, but the second part should always be yourself. Try asking yourself this list of questions.
- What do I want to do?
- Why do I want to do it?
- Is there anything that could prevent me from achieving my goal?
- Is this a long term goal or a short term goal?
- How am I going to achieve this goal?
- If something gets in my way, am I willing to keep going until I finish?
You should ask yourself these questions anytime you want to accomplish something. Whether it be a broad goal like becoming a healthier person, or a short specific goal like getting the house clean today. You might not know all the answers yet, and that’s ok. The How is always tricky. But it is absolutely essential that you can answer the first and last questions. Because if you can, you’ll now know 2 things. First, where you are headed. And second, that you will without a doubt figure out a way to get there.