For many of us, exercising regularly and eating in a healthy manner is something we are committed to, or at least have the best of intentions of being committed to. Some days are easier than others, and some weeks can be completely out of whack when it comes to getting either one of those goals done accordingly. The answer that I come across most often to this conundrum is what I refer to as the Treat System. And the treat that I have dangling like a carrot in front of me is a leather bed. Now, I know this is not exactly a common reward, but the one doing the work gets to set the treat, and that’s what I say.
All the top trainers will tell you that setting rewards is a banner way to achieve your goals. Mainly, you need to make it something you really want, and then make it achievable. Lots of people decide to follow a healthy lifestyle in return for things like new clothes, renewed gym memberships, or even holidays. Others opt for jewelry, spa treatments, or meal cheat days. While all of that sounds good to me, none of that is as important, or as feasible in certain cases (ie. Holiday) as getting the bed of my dreams.
One thing I have learned from past treats that I have won is that you must be absolutely clear on what it is that must be accomplished prior to receipt. The agreement with yourself needs to be iron clad, meaning really detailed. This way there is no wiggle room, and when you give yourself the prize you know it was fairly accepted. Otherwise, their can be lapses in your intake, and changes made that stray too far from what your original intent truly was.
To get it right, sit down and map it out. Be reasonable with the time requirements, and results or not only will you not get that new Diane von Furstenberg dress, or holiday to Barcelona, but you may not trust yourself to try again and succeed. This could set you back, and that would be the greatest loss of all. Specifically, do not say something like I will loose thirty pounds in a month by working out and eating well. As you can probably see right away, this is probably doomed. Too vague, no real method behind this plan.
Instead, write something clear and decisive down. I wrote I will workout five days a week for an hour and a half for three months. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday I will do an hour long dvd, followed by running for thirty minutes at 6.0 on the treadmill. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I will do preset workouts on the treadmill for one hour, followed by half hour dvds. My meals eighty percent of the time will follow the instructions of my nutrition plan book, and I can eat as I choose to within reason the remaining twenty. If I should miss any of these schedules I can make them up on the weekend.
My plan is clear, and there is room for some flexibility so that I do not set myself up for defeat. To keep myself motivated, I have been looking at leather beds online in the evenings before climbing into my lackluster bed. I would ask you to wish me luck, but that would be missing the point here, no luck is involved, just concerted effort and good structure.
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