Even if its chilly you can bundle up in layers
Most people break those perennial promises. The new year’s resolutions that can be counted on to bring frustration and downright depression because people don’t set themselves up for success.
Well, Hike Tri-Cities.com is hoping to help you succeed on the number one new year’s resolution of all time, getting fit.
You can literally hike your way to better health if you take some simple steps to make it happen.
I loosely borrow some advice from world famous motivator Zig Ziglar as I attempt to weave a plan which will help you see more of the Columbia Basin outdoors and make a committment to do it on a regular basis.
Start by deciding what you want to do or acheive. If you don’t know where you’re hoping to go, you won’t know how to get there or when you arrive. As author and radio host Dave Ramsey says, you have to “define winning.”
Make your goals specific and measurable. For example; “I want to hike one new trail each week” instead of the vague “I hope to walk more.”
Make sure the goals you make are your goals, not someone else’s. This will give you ownership and purpose.
Give yourself a timeframe to acheive your goal. Hiking 100 miles by July 31 is a lot more effective than “Someday, I want to hike up Badger Mountain.”
Make sure you write down your goals. By some accounts, only 3 percent of people put their resolutions to paper. Dave Ramsey also suggests you post it on your mirror or fridge next to a motivational quote or bible verse.
List what you’re willing to give up to make your goal happen. Maybe that means you’ll miss Judge Judy, Ellen, and/or Christine Brown on KNDU News once a week. Put it down on paper, next to your goal and weigh which is really more important, especially when compared to your better health.
Other ideas that can help you be successful are to involve others in your goal. Create a support system or get involved in groups who are already doing what you want to do (like ffofc.org). Reward yourself for milestones, maybe a dinner out or a new hiking pole! Plan out your goal in steps, start with a simple walk on the Yakima River Delta, then you can work your way up to a Badger Mountain hike.
Alex Work from yourgoalsetting.com has some great reasons for setting goals in general:
- Goals are a road map for the life you choose to live. Its empowering to have a plan before you instead of a “crystal ball” or psychic predicting your future.
- Goals provide you with a sense of focus. They help prevent distractions.
- It feels good to make progress, having purpose and doing something productive.
- Acheivement inspires even greater dreams for the future.
- You learn the habit of not waiting. When you get excited about a goal and you’re on the journey, procrastination fades and you tighten your grip on your fate.
As a nurse, I often try to remind people its up to them to take their good health into their own hands. It is possible to stick to resolutions if we have a plan. Follow the few steps I’ve outlined here and you can hike your way to better health!
Here’s a link to a talk I gave recently at church that may be of help to you as well.
This is awesome Paul. Keep up the good work!