LIFESTYLES-It would be somewhat obvious to say that our health and fitness has a big impact on our lifestyle! Anyone who ignores that fact is most likely encumbered by too much weight, lack of energy or esteem, low motivation, poor and/or failing health or even disability. The sedentary (inactive) lifestyle is restrained and limited - compared to the health and fitness lifestyle - which not only prevents illness and disease but empowers you with more capability and freedom in all areas of your life! Not happy with your lifestyle? Look at your results!

RESULTS-The state of your health and fitness really is the state of you as a person! Barring injury, illness or impairment (over which you have no control) – any other lack of health and fitness comes down to YOU! You might say you’re too busy, too tired, too poor or too whatever but the fact is they are all EXCUSES! If you make your health and fitness a priority -  you will make time to do the right things and you will get the results you desire. The results you get are the results you deserve based on your actions!

ACTIONS- Want to get fitter? Watch more TV! Want to get leaner? Eat another cake! Doesn’t make sense does it?! It is completely self-destructive and self-limiting to say you truly want something and then do nothing to attain it! Or worse - do something to push yourself further away! Your actions are the cross roads where you can turn thoughts, dreams and desires into realities – results and lifestyles! Your actions are also the cross roads where thoughts, dreams and desires remain just that. Thoughts ARE nothing without action and it is our actions that are the only real expression of our attitude.

ATTITUDE- We are delving into the depths of the psyche now so let’s simply say attitude is what we think (our beliefs, feelings and values)! What we believe, feel and value affects what we do and have? YES!!!! So it is possible that what we think can help us or hinder us?

Yes!!!! So it is possible that my excellent results or lack of results can be largely attributed to what I think, believe, feel and value? YES!!! And Guess what!!! You can change your thoughts, beliefs, feelings and values any moment you desire!! You control these things – you control your thoughts and your body and it is not the other way around! Take control of your attitude! Just like muscles can be trained to be stronger or more durable – thoughts, feelings and values can be strengthened with training. There are countless books, audio programs and DVD’s out there to help you.

PHILOSOPHY-Speaking of depths it doesn’t get much deeper than principles and truths of being, knowledge and conduct. Our philosophy (what we accept to be guiding truths and principles) definitely affect what we think, what we do, what we have and how we live. If you doubt this - try comparing two different religions and you will see examples of different philosophy yielding different attitudes, actions, results and lifestyles. Some of your guiding principles and truths may need confirmation (if they are leading you towards what you want in life) or reflection and re-setting (if they are leading you away from what you want in your life). You have the power to choose your philosophy – your purpose and your inspiration. Here’s a little philosophy that helps me:

“Health is a necessity for the duties and the pleasures”. You only get one life – I will ensure my health and fitness helps me to perform my duties to the best of my ability and helps me to enjoy the pleasures in all of their richness.

Maybe this year instead of “losing 5 kilos” you can “create a health and fitness lifestyle”?  

Ryan