Be Persistent. Choose your Journey.

New Year's Resolutions.

We all become quite reflective as the new year begins. Some of us set goals that we strive to achieve in our pursuit of progress and improvement.

When it comes to a healthy lifestyle, what are your goals?

Have you been successful as January has ended?

It's no secret that social media impacts each and every one of us who use it. This often correlates with suggestions and influences on what a healthy lifestyle looks like. I’m here to remind you:

We are all unique.

Cookie-cutter approaches don’t work for everyone.

And not everyone is qualified to give you advice.

Each and every one of you beautiful humans is unique. You differ in so many ways, from genetics and habits to bone densities, ethnic backgrounds, food preferences, activity levels, interests, occupations, and goals. You are simply and uniquely different. And that is such a beautiful thing.

This means that your body will respond differently to habit changes, including workout plans and dietary alterations. That's why it’s so important to be in tune with your body. What does it respond well to? What gives you energy? What boosts your mood? What makes you feel lethargic? These questions help us become more in sync with our bodies, and that's what matters. It matters because it means we are one step closer to changing a habit and improving our lives.

Remember that on social media, everyone has an opinion. Some people might have good ideas that aren’t necessarily qualified. But the important takeaways are:

What credentials do they have?

Did they attend a higher educational institution and receive a degree in their practice? How many years of experience do they have?

How many success stories do they have?

These questions don't give you everything you need to know as the consumer, but it’s something to consider when choosing who you allow to influence you and your health.

I fall back on goal-setting with my clients. What is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and has a timeframe? This is a basic goal-setting tactic we are taught in the field of exercise science and health promotion, but it truly helps you to break down a goal, and make it achievable and easy to conquer. When searching for a solution to improve your health, promising quick easy results isn't usually realistic. Change is hard in every aspect of life, but consistency triumphs over all! You shouldn't be promised results based on one standard plan, disregarding your personal metrics and unique self. One approach doesn't work for everyone!

Ultimately, you will be the judge of your what your journey is. Choose your hard. Choose a better quality of life for years to come. Your health journey will be messy. Your journey will be hard. But try to enjoy and appreciate it every step of the way. Grow and bloom along the way. Life is all about trying, failing, learning, trying again, and seeing progress. Keep striving for progress and improvement.

If all else fails - Be persistent in aiming for positive change.

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My primary goal for habit change centers around increasing my daily movement. I aspire to push my body to new limits, aiming for increased functionality, strength, and overall health.

To achieve this, I've devised a plan that involves gradually upping my step count and embarking on what I've dubbed my 'Jog Journey.' This new endeavor will add value to my existing weight training and other hobbies. I've set specific targets for myself. Even if I get 1% better each day (James Clear) I am improving. I am progressing.

I'm focused on enhancing my cardiovascular strength, incorporating a 2-mile interval jog-to-walk routine every other day. Acknowledging that my ankles, calves, and tibialis (anterior and posterior) – the muscles supporting the foot arch and outside ankle – will need time to adapt to this routine.

I recognize the importance of listening to my body, monitoring soreness levels, and being mindful of my energy levels. Fueling my body adequately is a huge part of this. Recovery is huge in building strength and endurance. Sleep, hydration, and protein all play a role in muscle recovery. This journey into longer distances is new to me, and giving grace to myself is important to achieving success. Balancing persistence with grace has become a vital part of my approach.

Join me as we persistently continue these journeys, embracing the challenges and celebrating the progress along the way.

Regardless of what your goals and aspirations towards a healthier life are - Be persistent.