Friday, October 5, 2012

Take Small Steps to Live Your Healthiest Life

Great success is the result of small, smart choices over time—and this applies to every area of your life, whether it’s your work, relationships, finances or health. 

That’s the theory behind The Compound Effect, a book by my friend Darren Hardy, who’s also the publisher of Success magazine.

Your success boils down to your choices and habits, and it's a result of work, discipline and commitment. 

I couldn’t agree more! In fact, it’s key to becoming healthy and fit, and something I discuss daily. Let’s a take a look at some of the great takeaways in The Compound Effect and how you these principles can help you live a healthier life.

“Write out a half dozen seemingly inconsequential steps you can take every day that can take your life in a completely new and positive direction.”

You make dozens of small decisions every day that have a direct impact on your health. Depending upon where you are right now, decide to start exercising or decide when you will get active each day. How many cardio and strength training workouts you will do each week? How much water will you drink? How will you incorporate five servings of fruits and veggies into your daily diet? How can you get seven hours of sleep most nights? Who will be your accountability partner? Could you make a smoothie for lunch and skip the fast food? 

“Where in your life are you not taking 100 percent responsibility for the success or failure of your present condition?”

Are you blaming your excess weight on stress? A spouse who doesn’t want to exercise? The weather?  Whenever you blame someone or something else, you aren’t taking 100 percent responsibility for your life.  You have one life, one body and you are 100 percent responsible for the story your body tells about you.

 “Start tracking at least one behavior in one area of your life you’d like to change and improve.”

Maybe the habit holding you back is procrastination, avoidance, inconsistency or a lack of motivation. Just pick one behavior you think is detrimental and decide how you want to change.

 “Identify three new habits you need to develop to put you on track toward your most important goal.”

You can track your weight. You can track your body composition—your ratio of fat vs. muscle. You can track the food you eat in a food journal or the workouts you do each week.  You can track your goals, your progress and your results.

 “Discover what gets you fired up to achieve big results.” 

Why do you want to be healthy and fit? Everyone is motivated by different things. Maybe you want to live with vitality as long as possible or look fabulous in a pair of jeans. Maybe you want to complete an endurance event such as a marathon. Whatever it is for you, plug into your why to find your motivation. 

As Darren puts it, “The life we end up with is simply an accumulation of all the choices we make.” 

What choices are you going to make to take charge of your health?

Published October 5, 2012 at 11:22 AM
About Chris Freytag 
Chris Freytag is a health and fitness expert, author and speaker. She has been teaching fitness classes and personal training for over 20 years. She is a contributing editor for Prevention Magazine; the fitness contributor for the NBC affiliate in Minneapolis; and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the American Council on Exercise. Chris has authored 5 books; has created dozens of fitness DVD’s; and sells her signature line of healthy kitchen and fitness products on QVC. Find out more about Chris Freytag or contact her at chrisfreytag.comFacebook.com/ChrisFreytagpage or on Twitter

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