17 Dec 2011 Realistic resolutions

by Karl Lenser

Here are some resolutions that you may find applicable in your life. Hopefully you can extract some of these and use them as you begin the New Year. Do your best!                         

Make a commitment to get some physical activity at least five days per week.

“I will make the most of what I have been given and not compare myself to others.”

Find a workout partner or explore some group exercise classes. There is strength in numbers, and realize that “no man is an island” when it comes to exercising consistently.

Discover some physical activity that you enjoy.

Make my motto “1 to 2 in 7.” Translation: Lose 1-2 pounds per week. (This assumes you have a goal to lose weight.)

Perform flexibility exercises at least three times per week. Each session should be at least 10-15 minutes.

Perform resistance training three days per week and invest at least 30 minutes for each session. (Group exercise classes that focus on strength training are an excellent option if you are intimidated in the weight room.)

Consider food to be a source of fuel for your body.

Realize that low carb diets and many of the “quick fix/guaranteed results” diets do NOT work.

Become a wiser consumer by reading food labels.

Be thankful for friendships and people that care about others.

Incorporate cardio workouts and strength workouts because they are the BEST way to effectively become healthier and to lose excess body fat.

Appreciate what it is to be healthy and to be able to function as we were designed to function.

Realize metabolism will begin (or began)  to slow down at age 30.

Fight the aging clock by being active and eating a diet that is full of whole grain carbs, fruits and veggies.

Embrace moderation in all things of my life. Life is about being balanced with work, play, family time, church, etc.

Conduct a self-analysis to determine risk for heart disease:

> Do I have cholesterol levels above 200 (and an HDL below 40?)   Y    N
>Am I sedentary?   Y    N
>Am I overweight (body fat  > 20 percent for men and 30 percent for women)  Y   N
>Do I smoke?    Y    N
> Am I being treated for high blood pressure?   Y    N

See a physician if you checked off at least two Ys on this self analysis.

Live and apply the “Golden Rule” 24/7.

Do your best to make every day a good day.

Adhere to the words of Paul in his letter to the Philippians: “I have learned to be content in any and every situation.”

Or the words from the Rolling Stone’s Mick Jagger and Keith Richards:  “You can’t always get what you want, you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you just might find, you get what you need.”

Make every day a PPGT day:  Pray, Praise and Give Thanks.

Remember that nothing happens without motivation. Motivation, discipline, a sense of purpose, goal setting and staying focused are keys to success in many areas of life. Motivation drives us to accomplish things and meet our goals.

I will gain energy by expending energy.