What’s Holding You Back: Why Aren’t You Achieving Your Goals?
While I was in the gym an acquaintance, observing me, told me, “If I were you I would eat anything I wanted!” I replied, I can eat anything I want however knowing the impact some of those choices can have on my overall health I choose not to abuse my body in that way. I smiled as I said it. I wanted to take any “sting” off saying something that strong. She got it and wasn’t offended.
That led to a long discussion about eating habits, fitness, emotional health, etc., She was naturally curious. The discussion ended with me picking up a client. That was about five years ago. Today she is off her medication and a slimmer version but still the same beautiful person I got to know.
A few weeks ago I picked up another client. She found me online. She surfed onto vegan momma and noticed my articles about fitness, nutrition, etc. She saw a link to my whole foods website and visited me there. Then she went to my alternative healing website. Interested with what she had read she contacted me via email. She wanted to know more and she wanted to know if I could help. I try to assist those who contact me through my websites. I receive emails daily from people looking for assistance. I enjoy helping others or at least pointing them in the right direction.
Anyway I sent her some information on the various topic. That took time. I didn’t think anything more about it a lot of people contact me for information about nutrition however most people never follow up. It can be frustrating especially if I put a lot of time into getting the information together that’s time I could have used devoting to something else. My time is valuable. I don’t have a lot of it.
Guess what? She emailed me a few days later. She had read all the information I had sent her. Yes, I even sent her a book. She wanted to know more. Do you know how many times I’ve physically sent people info and it just sits in their home collecting dust? Talk about frustrating. It won’t stop me from helping others because if what I do makes one person make a change then I think its worth it. I do have to admit the lazy attitudes and weak excuses I’ve heard from those I’ve followed up with after they intially contacted me gets frustrating.
The information I send takes a lot of time to compile. Naturally, it doesn’t feel good when I know it’s not being used. Her email was a great gift it showed me that she truly appreciated the information and is serious about making changes in her lifestyle. I hear all sorts of excuses as to why a person cannot do something. It gets old, but it doesn’t make my cynical. :-)
In her email, she told me about the changes she made, and she told me she needed help. I gave her links but that’s not what she wanted. She wants a coach she asked me to fill that role. For the amount of time, that would require I can’t do it for free so I told her I could do it, but I would have to charge her. I was direct with her and told her if she wasn’t serious about making a change in her lifestyle than she was wasting both of our time. I would not work with her. That didn’t sway her she still wanted me to help her.
I’ve done this in the past much before my daughter was born. I had about four clients they all were serious about making changes. I really wasn’t planning on doing it this soon however I know she wants to make a change. She’s at the point where she is not hiding behind excuses. I’ve created a meal plan for her which she is following. It’s not vegetarian, but it’s extremely healthy. I’ve also suggested that she do some exercises. They are simple and she can perform them at home. She has my private number and I gave her times that she could call. I also follow up with her. It’s a pleasure working with her because she isn’t making excuses. She’s taking responsibilities for her actions and is determined to make a change. She will achieve her goals.
Although she might not know it, she has inspired me to do even more with my own goals. I always set goals for myself. I’ve accomplished many in my lifetime, and I know there are still more that I will eventually achieve. I don’t let obstacles stand in my way, and I don’t give up if things don’t happen quickly. This is the real world baby! Things don’t always go as planned.
Next:Â How I Turned I Can’t Into I Can!Â
[tags]goals, procrastination[/tags]
on January 3rd, 2008 at 11:27 am
Your attitude rocks.
I mentioned the idea of changing the family eating habits to my older daughter yesterday while shopping at the grocery store. She seemed to like the idea, even if it meant giving up some of her favorite things.
Satisfied with her response, I dropped it and continued shopping. We hit the candy aisle about two minutes later and she excitedly said, “Can we get that?” I’ve got a lot of work on my hands. And no, I didn’t get the chocolate.
pete’s last blog post..Blooming Sour Grass
on January 3rd, 2008 at 11:52 am
pete,
It can be tough making changes taking those first few steps are the hardest.
Re: Chocolate
Good for you! There are many people would have bought that or something else that they know they don’t need and of course some would have made a feeble excuse as to why they did it. The facts don’t lie many people need to make a serious change in their eating habits.
Is it obvious that I’m tired of excuses? :lol: It won’t stop me from doing what I love to do, but it will stop me from devoting so much time with those who continue to make them. That’s time I could spend working with someone who is ready.
There are many that want to make change I’ve got to move on and assist them if possible.
on January 3rd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
The first steps are tough. I’m thinking about mapping out a menu to start, since that’s a lot of the work. Having a menu will allow me to “order” without the stress of having to think of something healthy. Instead of reaching for ice cream, I can look on the menu and find a healthy replacement.
I’ve even considered a new blog around the transition, but my current one keeps me busy already. Wait, that’s an excuse. I will make the time for it! (btw, how much sleep do you get each night? just wondering how you fit it all in.
)
pete’s last blog post..Blooming Sour Grass
on January 3rd, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Who says I’m not achieving my goals? Huh? You trying to start something? LOL. I’m working on it. I am already doing my situps every day and I’m working more on the trampoline. Now I’m looking into getting my own hosted blog. And I finally did try out E-bay and have more going on there so things are starting to shake around here. And I’m working on my meal plans too so you are inspiring me - keep those great food sites going!
teeni’s last blog post..Some Bad News and Some Good News
on January 3rd, 2008 at 4:26 pm
pete,
That’s a good! I think what sabotages most people is they simply don’t have a plan. In fact, statistics prove that those who document their eating habits are more likely to stick to the changes they’ve made. Another is to keep healthy snacks on hand so if you want to eat something you won’t feel guilty.
For example, my body has been craving fat since I came from the gym. I ate a small amount of pistachios. I felt better.
It’s been a few hours, and now I’m eating a bowl of steamed broccoli in a marinara sauce. I added nori to the sauce. It’s simple, delicious, and extremely satisfying. Since it’s a whole food my body will be able to break it down quickly not too much has to be tossed to the wayside since it recognizes what I’m feeding it as food.
What people need to realize when they experience cravings that’s usually a signal that a nutritional need hasn’t been met. However, most people don’t recognize these signs for what they are and continue to fill their bodies with “junk foods.” Although they have responded to the bodies signal they filled it with empty calories devoid of nutrition. The body doesn’t recognize it as food regardless of what it says on the package. There’s nothing nutritious about junk foods. People are usually emotionally attached to junk food so naturally they will justify eating them. The sad thing is they haven’t nourished their bodies.
Once the stomach is empty, the body will alert them again. Responding to the “hunger pains” the person will again respond by giving the body the incorrect nutrients. It’s a vicious cycle. When we continue to ignore our bodies and feed it with junk that’s when our system breaks down. It usually takes time, weeks, months, even years before our bad choices rears it’s ugly head then we have to deal with a disease. We take medications to stop the symptoms but we still haven’t fixed the problem. If we stop taking the medication the “problem” is still there. We can break this vicious cycle by feeding our bodies what it craves, whole foods. I don’t eat a lot of food then again I don’t need to I give my body exactly what it needs nutritionally.
It can take time to correctly listen to your body. It’s going back to “total wellness” aka attuned to your body. Once it’s achieved it’s amazing what you can accomplish not only within your life, but everything you interact with. I attribute a lot of my success to being attuned to my body. It definitely has taken me to another level and I’m loving it.
Re: Sleep
I receive between 3-5 hours sleep nightly. What you eat and when can affect the amount of sleep you need. I rarely eat solids after 5:00. I drink my meals. It gives my digestive system a break. I eat one to two solid meals daily the rest are liquids.
teeni,
This post wasn’t directed at anyone just writing what’s on my mind. The beauty of it is if a person isn’t stepping up to the plate then yeah it will strike a chord.
For example, yesterday when I was in the sauna I listened to some of the guys in the sauna. They were discussing what they were doing to prepare for their upcoming bodybuilding competition. I could not help thinking that could be I. Although they weren’t talking to me what they said made me feel guilty and realized that I could do more to make that happen. I just need to find out how I can work it in. I know I can! I’ve seen a lot of gains in my physique over the past month. In fact tomorrow I’ll be following up on this post and talking about the excuses I’ve made and how I’m turning those into a reality. ;-) Yes at times I’ve made excuses and they drive me nuts! :-)
Congratulations on achieving those goals. It’s wonderful keep up the great work. :-)
on January 3rd, 2008 at 5:38 pm
That is absolutely awesome.
I binged over Christmas and am facing the same situation as many. I think I eat reasonably healthy as a normal thing but I do need to cut some body fat and get back to the gym.
Anyway it’s good to be back to blogging and good to be back here so Happy New Year.
Forest Parks’s last blog post..Happy New Year
on January 3rd, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Im glad you are able to help her!
I am happy to say that I have reached one of my goals and gotten my IBS under control WITHOUT meds! GO ME! LOL Sorry for the all caps, but Im proud of that! lOL
on January 3rd, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I think setting goals and working to consciously work towards them is important. I already have my goal list printed and up, right next to the computer where I can’t miss reading it, every day. I like having goals, keeps me focused on what I want to achieve, even if it takes a bit longer than I wanted it to.
Veggies,Crafts & Tails’s last blog post..Goodbye 2007?and Happy New Year !
on January 3rd, 2008 at 11:00 pm
You do have a lot of good points. I hope you know I was just teasing though. :shock: :grin:
teeni’s last blog post..Some Bad News and Some Good News
on January 4th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Forest Parks,
Glad to see you back!
Of course, I have to ask, “What is reasonably health?” I hear that often, and it means different things depending on whom I’m talking to. Holidays do seem like the time that people make allowances, lol.
Calamity,
There is no need to apologize. That deserves an all caps celebration. CONGRATULATIONS! ;-)
Veggies, Crafts, & Tails,
That’s an excellent tip. It’s something I do also. :-)
teeni,
I figured that. Everyone might that. Over 70% of my traffic comes from new readers to make sure they understand my tone yes I will definitely make the clarification. ;-)
on January 4th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Forest Parks,
Glad to see you back!
Of course, I have to ask, “What is reasonably healthy?” I hear that often, and it means different things depending on whom I’m talking to. Holidays do seem like the time that people make allowances, lol.
Calamity,
There is no need to apologize. That deserves an all caps celebration. CONGRATULATIONS! ;-)
Veggies, Crafts, & Tails,
That’s an excellent tip. It’s something I do also. :-)
teeni,
I figured that. Everyone might that. Over 70% of my traffic comes from new readers to make sure they understand my tone yes I will definitely make the clarification. ;-)
on January 4th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
i think most people who set new years resolutions dont achieve them because they dont set up a plan that shows them how they are going to achieve that goal. practically everyone makes a weight loss goal at the start of the year and almost none of them stick with it. why? because they dont take the time to make a game plan and set up a schedule and lack the disicpline to go through with it.
on January 4th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
DRoPSHiP MaN ,
Exactly! You need to have a plan without one you most likely won’t stick to your goals.
on January 10th, 2008 at 12:32 am
Americans have not increased their consumption of fruits & vegetables even though we have heard over & over again how important they are to our well being. Many provide the antioxidants we need to fight illness and maintain mental performance in our daily stress filled live
on January 10th, 2008 at 9:01 am
“Americans have not increased their consumption of fruits & vegetables even though we have heard over & over again how important they are to our well being. Many provide the antioxidants we need to fight illness and maintain mental performance in our daily stress filled live” ….. don’t be so unhappy with it. Why do u say so?
on January 20th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Love the Whole Foods Website :mrgreen: I have had a hard time finding good healthy recipes and everything on your site looked very good.
rob’s last blog post..Quote of the Day
on August 6th, 2008 at 6:18 am
Good for you! There are many people would have bought that or something else that they know they don’t need and of course some would have made a feeble excuse as to why they did it. The facts don’t lie many people need to make a serious change in their eating habits.
on August 29th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Its always great and encouraging to hear people really helping other people.
I am a firm believer that everybody has the personal power and ambition to do whatever they want in life and achieve there goals, if you TRULY believe in yourself.