We all know resolutions are notoriously tough to stick with, but by starting small and committing to the process you’ll win the day. The Willows Health & Lifestyle way is all about supporting you in reaching your goals, so let’s look at a survival guide to achieving your health resolutions in 2012 and the new support programs we are introducing.
- Your Reason for
Change
The starting point is making sure any goals you have are aligned to your values. If you just focus on a weight loss goal, for example, you are setting yourself up to fail because you need something that you can live by every day to achieve your goals. You need to find your reason for change and focus on the possibilities that change can bring. http://troymorgancoaching.com/2011/03/02/hello-world/
Research shows that focusing on possibilities such as asking yourself “Who do I want to be?” can arouse positive emotional attractors in your mind increasing your chances of
success, rather than focusing on your weaknesses which arouse negative emotional attractors in your mind, thus limiting your chances of success. (http://troymorgancoaching.com/2011/08/22/the-positivity-of-coaching/)
2. Commitment
Once you have your reason for change you have moved from just wanting to do something and moved to generating commitment to take action. Your reason provides an enduring commitment to the process, so write down a list of why it is good to carry out this goal. Once you have this constantly remind yourself of the reason and the good that it
will bring, continue to focus on the positive.
3. Plan
Being spontaneous doesn’t work with resolutions; you need to have thought about it beforehand. You have your reason for change and you have your goals now you need to break it into small steps and then get what you need: it might be new walking shoes, a dietitian visit or a gym membership.
The steps towards your goals need to be attainable rather than some broad aim and be specific – such as, “I will walk for 20 minutes five days a week”. If you change your approach to previous failed resolutions, you are on the road to success.
4. Manage the process
Work out how you’ll fit the goal into your day. Put in place structures that support this; for example, if eating breakfast every day has been an issue because of early morning time constraints ensure you have a breakfast option at work and eat it as you check your morning email. This may mean having structures such as a fruit basket in your office or
having cereal and milk on hand in the staff room.
Once you have your structures take action.
Anticipate obstacles and work out how to overcome them. Stay present by revisiting your reason for change regularly. You’ll feel the saboteur part of yourself trying to assert itself and you can short-circuit it before it takes hold.
5. Setbacks
There will be times when you have setbacks; it is not always smooth sailing reaching for something that is worthwhile. When you slip don’t give yourself a hard time and don’t use it as an excuse to give up. It isn’t failure; it’s part of the process. Ask yourself what caused the stumble and revisit your reason. Make adjustments to manage this in future.
Recognising setbacks as a learning process helps you develop self-mastery.
6. Acknowledge and celebrate success
Praise yourself when you stay on course; positive reinforcement helps keep you on track. Chart your progress so you can measure success, but be patient.
7. Support
You need to support to achieve your goals, share your goals with family and friends who can help you along the way. Working out with a friend, for example, can help you stick to your workout routine because you don’t want to let your friend down by not turning up to a prearranged appointment.
8. Your membership
Willows Health & Lifestyle Centre’s membership provides you with many support structures to help you achieve your goals. Do you realise that your membership has the support of Fitness Coaches who can provide you with an appropriate program to match your goals and body? Movement and exercise are great but they must match what is appropriate for you.
In 2012 we are introducing even more structures and events to support
you on your journey of health:
- Willows Health &
Lifestyle Centre Australia Day Body Sizzle
The first of our Willows event days for 2012 is designed to introduce
you to new and exciting benefits your Willows membership can open, while having
fun and meeting other members of the Willows family.
This event will be held on Australia Day, Thursday 26th
January where we will launch our new group fitness room and three new Les Mills
programs to the centre. The day will involve some super classes with crèche
being fully operational, there will also be a jumping castle, face painting and
sausage sizzle for children. The day will launch the first of our challenges
for the year: the six pack challenge – complete 6 of each of the new classes in
six weeks and go into the draw for some great prizes (details to be released
soon). The new classes to be launched are:
- CXWORX
Based on cutting-edge scientific research, this program is the ultimate
way to get a tight and toned core. With dynamic training that hones in on your
abs, gluts, back, obliques, and “slings” connecting the upper and
lower body. This workout will leave you looking good and feeling strong.
2. RPM (Indoor Cycling)
Take on the terrain with your inspiring team coach who leads the pack
through hills, flats, mountain peaks, speed work and interval training.
Discover your athlete within – sweat and burn to reach your endorphin high.
3. BodyStep
Using a height-adjustable step and simple movements on, over and around
the step you get huge motivation from sing-along music and approachable
instructors. Cardio blocks push fat-burning systems into high gear followed by
muscle-conditioning tracks that shape and tone your body.
- Lisa Westlake
Seminars and Classes
This event is the first of our visiting specialists who will educate and inspire. Lisa Westlake is owner and director of Physical Best. Physical Best combines Lisa’s pysiotherapy and fitness skills to provide exercise programming and health and fitness events for all ages and abilities, even corporate groups. Lisa is a physiotherapist, highly regarded fitness instructor and a sought after national and international presenter, who has won several prestigious awards:-
Australian Fitness Leader of the Year 2000
Australian Fitness Presenter of the Year 2003
Australian Fitness Author of the Year 2009
On the 18th February 2012, Lisa will be presenting an education seminar on: Exercising for Two – all you need to know about exercise and fitness programing for pre and postnatal women. Lisa will also be running some special group fitness classes for our Willows members leading into the seminar. Further details to come in the next few weeks.
- Food and Exercise Wisdom for Sport
The first of our quarterly in-house Health Seminars for 2012, this seminar will provide you with all the nutritional and physical performance information you need to take your sports performance to the next level. This seminar will also see the launch of Willows new Sports Conditioning Program. The seminar will be held at the end of February with details released at the end of January.
- Peak2Park
Willows are once again a proud supporter of this great Toowoomba family fun run/walk event and will be holding training sessions leading up to the event in January. Engage in taking your fitness to the next level while helping others. Peak2Park is held every year in Toowoomba on the first Sunday in March. The event is held to raise money for local charities. Peak2Park began in 2006 and has continued to grow, drawing hundreds of participants each year. Now a premier community event for the Toowoomba calendar, Peak2Park is now recognised Australia-wide. http://www.peak2park.org.au/
- Small Group Training Membership
Weare launching a new membership option in March 2012 that provides you access to
all the great benefits of Personal Fitness Coaching and working together in a group. The program will make Personal Fitness Coaching more affordable than ever before, stay tuned for more details.
- Safe Exercise for Women Coach and Support Programs
This great support program will be introducing even more Pelvic Floor Safe programs
in 2012. Remember that Carol Archer, our Safe Exercise for Women Coach, is available for appointments to ensure your program at Willows is Pelvic Floor Safe and access to this support is included as part of your membership so ask at Reception for details.
- New Products
Two new products to be launched in the first quarter in 2012 will take your program
to the next level. The first of these products is a heart rate tracking system that will not only track your performance while in the centre but also when you are working out away from the centre. The program will download all your workouts and present them automatically to your email, stay tuned for the promotions coming soon.
The second product is an online nutrition program that provides you with live
support and eating plans.
Appropriate support can mean the difference between New Year Resolution success and
failure. So with your reason for change in hand and the support of a Willows Health & Lifestyle Centre membership, 2012 is going to be your year of health!
