5 Steps to be Successful

So, we've all started new plans, new resolutions, and wondered what it was going to take to be successful. What are those key components that make the difference between tried and failed and success? In my "whole life" challenge, I've identified the five pillars for the healthiest version of me:

Nutrition

Strength Training

Cardiovascular Training

Rest & Relaxation

Maintenance (including regular chiropractic care)

The most important thing to remember about these five pillars is BALANCE. If any one pillar is missing, my "whole life" will lean, and eventually topple. As is with many things in life, balance is key. All things in moderation. Nothing new here, folks.

But here are five helpful tips that will helps us all in moving forward with any new plan we put in place, from weight loss, to going back to school, to new projects at home:

Knowing that to make change, you must change.  We've all heard this definition: "Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results." And even though this quote has been incorrectly attributed to Einstein (and many others), it holds value and truth. We can't keep eating the same old foods, and doing the same old workouts (or not working out!) and expect changes to just happen to us. We have to make changes, maybe small at first, but changes none-the-less. Maybe you replace your pasta with whole grain pasta, soda for water, and fruits or veggies to crunch on instead of chips.  Park farthest away, take the stairs, get up and get active.  Make changes to see changes!

Smart goal setting is key.  It's tempting to say, "I want to lose 50 pounds by Memorial Day...next month!" or "I'm going to avoid all carbs!" Let's face it, peeps, we are masters at biting off more than we can chew. So, it's important to set smart goals. "I'm going to work out twice a week" is a tangible, manageable, and a great step to a healthier you. Maybe it's a walking date with your bff or neighbor or a spinning class at your favorite gym or studio. Whatever it is make it tangible, manageable, and realistic.


Prepare to succeed. Failure to plan is planning to fail. We've all heard it from our high school English teachers. We didn't listen then, well, most of us didn't.  So now it's time to take it in.  Making a plan is what is going to allow you to succeed. If your goal is to avoid fast food for lunch, then you have to give yourself healthy options. Don't leave it to chance. Lunch time is coming - every day, at the same time, so, be ready for it. Take time to shop for your healthy alternatives. Prepare a few days in advance. Take them to the office (with your name on them !) and - voila! - lunch time success is nearly guaranteed... this week. You have to continue to prepare in order to succeed.

Choose your support staff (or your teammates). Two heads are better than one. And so are three, four, five, six, well... you get the picture.  If you want to run a successful business, you need the best people in those office chairs: marketing, administrative, HR, sales, and executives... people there to support you in your goals. If you want the very best volleyball team, you need great defensive players, a setter with great hands, a strong middle blocker and outside hitters who can slice through a block and see holes on the court. Find the people in your life who have the strong skill sets you need. Find someone to be your mentor -maybe your personal trainer, nutritionist, doctor, or coach. You'll need strong support people - someone to try healthy recipes with, someone to workout with, someone to tell you how great you look! You'll also find that you may become a mentor to someone else. Share what you're learning, be encouraging. Isn't life better when we share?! Surround yourself with positive people who are on your team. Get those heads together and make a difference!

Define failure and find success. We are human. The only failure is not to try. So, you've had a great week, clean eating and following your plan. And then, it happens. It's a co-worker's birthday. Someone brought cake. Damn. You want some. Remember my 80/80 rule? Ya, we are human. You won't ever be perfect. Enjoy a splurge and get right back on the wagon. Not the next day or next week, but right then. If you can manage to keep it together 80% of the time, you will be so far ahead of the pack, you'll be lapping the pack. You're a success because you want to improve yourself. You're a success because cake isn't failure, it's a set back, a speed bump. Keep moving forward, put your best foot forward, and remember set backs aren't failures. They are opportunities to learn.

Keep learning how to become the best version of yourself! I'm learning every day... and I hope I never stop!

Until next time...
<3 Jen