The Key to Success is Sustainability

Like most of us I have a pretty long list of things I wish I’d known when I was younger.  Lessons that would have saved me lots of time, aggravation and money.  As I’ve gotten older I have managed to make the list smaller by only keeping the items that have the most impact.  One of those items is “sustainability.” 

Sustainability forces you to look at the big picture, not just what your desired outcome should be.  It demands that you implement changes to your current lifestyle in order to achieve your goals.  But the curious thing is that it forces you to examine every single step so you are assured they are realistic and manageable in order for you to see your desired results.

Sometimes we fail because in spite of how strong our will and resolve are, we have chosen methods that are not realistic for us.  The best example I can share is these quick weight loss systems that encourage you to simply drink a shake, or eat a cookie.  As intelligent individuals we clearly see the flaw in this system but our emotional side overrules logic and suddenly we are spending money and time on this promise of weight loss.  By implementing the question of sustainability you quickly find that although you can get results eating only cookies you cannot maintain this system for a long healthy life.  The same holds true for a variety of exercise programs or equipments.  I for one cannot be trusted to do any type of exercise routine at home.  It is for this reason that I no longer own a treadmill. I have to physically leave my house to run or else I will just step off the treadmill and lay on the couch. 

Knowing your goals and carefully choosing the most sustainable path for you to achieve them is paramount to your success.  For your health and life.  

Social Networking as your Trainer!

Of all of the wonderful things that have come from the World Wide Web one of my personal favorites is the social networking sites.  These online darlings make it possible for us to connect with friends and family, as well as catching up with those from our past.  An added bonus is the ability to connect with sites that guide, motivate and promote the healthy lifestyle.

Because you are reading this on Runningninja.net, you already understand the importance of having trusted resources to help you stay on track while keeping you current on what is new in the world of health and fitness.

A great trend I have been following on the social networking sites is how people are no longer just using this system for idle chatter but instead to promote themselves as they attempt physical changes and challenges.  A few years ago I spent my Facebook time giving thumbs up to friends that were having babies or buying new homes but now I find most are posting about the progress they are making on their weight loss journey or athletic endeavors.  

I am most impressed with this use of social networking because it provides a forum of support for those attempting these life-changing efforts.  It also serves to inspire others that are on the sidelines and watching all the positive feedback and results that their friends are experiencing. 

We humans are really a simple bunch.  We crave accountability because it provides us with the positive reinforcement that feeds our spirit. 

If you have not already done so I encourage you to consider using your current Facebook page to announce your new great effort.  Whether it be to quit that nasty smoking habit, or to tackle your first 5k run.  If you are really ambitious you should go big and create a fan page for yourself.  You will be surprised by the amount of encouragement and useful information you will receive. 

As social beings we all truly want to root for someone, why not let that person be YOU!

LIVE LEAN!

As a self-described moderate minimalist, living lean is one of my favorite topics.  It is where I have found true serenity in all aspects of my life.

Thinking lean was the first step to bringing balance to my previous hectic and chaotic life.  By taking a realistic and harsh look at the entirety of my life I was able to make the necessary deletions to enjoy a full, healthy and lean life.

• Save the drama for your mama! One of the first areas I had to attack was my social group.  Difficult as this may sound, I had to eliminate the drama queens.  Surrounding yourself with positive and accountable people will do wonders in removing the negative elements from your life while also challenging and helping you to continue evolving into the best you that you can be.  Remember the Volkswagon slogan, “Misery has enough company. Dare to be happy!”
• Hide and seek! One of the biggest culprits of weight gain is the hidden sugars and salts in your food used as flavoring and preservatives.  Your best bet to avoid this completely is to eat fresh foods while seasoning or sweetening them with healthy alternatives.  Dried ginger, cinnamon, curry and garlic are just some items that can add flavor while providing countless health benefits.  
• Back to basics!  When it comes to exercise I am constantly finding folks in one of two stages of fitness.  They have just started a new fangled program or they had recently quit due to an injury or grew disappointed by the results of their former fitness routine.  Start a fitness program using the bare minimums.  Walking, running, swimming, cycling, Pilates and Yoga are great ways to get exercise while not spending money or exposing your body to injury.
• Declutter your mind!  Eating healthy and exercising will be extremely beneficial to your overall physical and mental wellness while decluttering your mind will do wonders for your soul.  Tackle that unwanted habit or memory for once and for all.  Or research and possibly pursue that lifelong dream.  By clearing out your mind you will empower yourself to live in the present honoring your body, spirit and mind.

Tricks of the Trade

One of my favorite benefits of having attended all those weight management meetings was all of the tips I would get from my fellow weight watchers.  While the team leader had lots of sensible and technical advice on weight loss, it was these everyday weight-loss warriors that really knew how to navigate temptation.

As the holiday season quickly approaches here are some calorie and sanity saving tips!

• Halloween:  When you go off to purchase the candy for Halloween buy candy you don’t like.  This will keep you from dipping into it and running out before your first costumed guests approach your door.
• Thanksgiving:  This holiday is perhaps the one best known as the “food Olympics.”  I know of families that will eat their entire meal, fall into a food coma, then snap out of it and return for more.  Before you enjoy your first bite, develop a strategy that will keep you from zombie-eating through this holiday.  After dinner encourage your family to take a walk around the neighborhood.  If the weather is not cooperating, try to playing a game of charades or plug in the Wii.  Take the focus off of the food and put it into having some fun.
• December  holiday extravaganza:   The season of gluttony comes to an end in December, leaving us filled with dread for the coming year.  Break the cycle by carefully planning out a strategy on how you will navigate your food intake and social commitments.  My friend Daniel shared how he actually “lost” weight one year because he scheduled himself for races every weekend starting at the end of November and ending at the end of January.  The races were simple 5ks that he would finish in about 30 minutes but having to train for them during the week kept him physically and mentally fit.  He also enjoyed the fact that in the season of consumer consumption, he was actually running to benefit several charities finishing off his health trifecta of mind, body and soul!