New Year New You, Panda Ramblings

[windwalker]

We have talked before about New Years Resolutions, making goals and staying realistic. Now that I'm back from the Mouse House we can continue with that train of thought.

I noticed yesterday that the gym was packed. That is normal for the month of January but by this time next month it will be back to normal again. So many people take that initial step of joining the club and then when the soreness sets in and the results don't come quickly they lose interest, until the next year.

The best way to begin the quest for the "New You" is to take it in baby steps and small easily met goals. You will not be able to go from carrying a little extra fluff to looking like a ripped and super toned athlete in a month or to, it takes a while. But positive change is obtainable with a good progressive program.

You have to know where you are before you can figure out where you are going. Go weigh yourself, take a good look at your body in the mirror and get out the measuring tape. Measure your biceps, waist, chest, thighs and hips. Now you have a base line for where you are. Next is to decide where and what you need to change. Losing weight and inches around your middle is a result of proper eating and exercise. But if you want to add inches to your chest and arms, then you have to target these areas.

A good well rounded program must include your whole body going through it's full range of motion. So it's a good idea to do easy stretches and see how far you can comfortably go with each one. You will easily see from this where you are and where you need to go.

Once you have all your "where I am" stuff done it's time to take a realistic look at what you would like to accomplish. "I want a better body", or "I want to be in better shape", is not a good goal because it's not specific. "I want to lose 2 inches off my waist and 2 inches off my thighs" is a good starting goal because it's specific and measurable. Then you need a time limit like 2 months to reach your first goals.

Now decide how much time and when you can exercise. If you can do an hour 2 days a week or an hour 5 days a week then start scheduling that time for yourself and make your appointments. This is a minimum commitment. You can combine this with other healthy living ideas.

Baby steps and easy goals will get you the healthy, strong body you want.

Thanks for reading.

Healthy Panda

 

[dsnyfan21]

Thanks Panda - I took off 15 pounds last year right arond the time of the DL 1/2 I tried to maintain that weight esp around the holidays and it worked. Now this year will be a start up to loose more and keep myself motivated to keep walking and doing events!!

Tracy

 

[windwalker]

Thanks Panda - I took off 15 pounds last year right arond the time of the DL 1/2 I tried to maintain that weight esp around the holidays and it worked. Now this year will be a start up to loose more and keep myself motivated to keep walking and doing events!!

Tracy

I thought you had lost some, you really looked strong. This will be a year of accomplishments and goals met.

Happy Panda

 

[bubba73]

I remember back in high school that the football team had a system called "Bigger, Faster, Stronger". That is exactly what my goals are for this year. I do want to add a little more muscle but I want it to have strength behind it. Not just for show. And I want to change my training up some so I can get faster for such events. I will never win a race but I do want to better my time at each race that I might do.

Thanks Panda!
Bryan

 

[CarolA]

Last year I think I focused on "can I do this" I have now done TWO halfs and have two more scheduled for his Winter/Spring. So this year's "self improvement" has to do with eating.

I travel a LOT on work and it's just tempting. So I have to learn to "limit" those templations! I don't expect perfection, but "improvement".

There's 10 less pounds of me on 12/31/08 then there was on 1/1/08. Next year I want the scale to keep going down. In the past it kept creeping up.... it's time to creep down LOL!

 

[windwalker]

Last year I think I focused on "can I do this" I have now done TWO halfs and have two more scheduled for his Winter/Spring. So this year's "self improvement" has to do with eating.

I travel a LOT on work and it's just tempting. So I have to learn to "limit" those templations! I don't expect perfection, but "improvement".

There's 10 less pounds of me on 12/31/08 then there was on 1/1/08. Next year I want the scale to keep going down. In the past it kept creeping up.... it's time to creep down LOL!

That is really cool, thanks for sharing your accomplishment with us.

Cheering Panda

 

[windwalker]

I remember back in high school that the football team had a system called "Bigger, Faster, Stronger". That is exactly what my goals are for this year. I do want to add a little more muscle but I want it to have strength behind it. Not just for show. And I want to change my training up some so I can get faster for such events. I will never win a race but I do want to better my time at each race that I might do.

Thanks Panda!
Bryan

I'm sure your accomplishments this year will be even better than last year. You have come a long way already. Never say never, you just might suprise yourself.

Walking Panda

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Hey Panda!

You are so right about the babysteps! I am stronger and faster than last year, but not necessarily smaller. So that's my goal this year -- I'm going to spend the first 6 mos really focused on there being less of me, and also increasing my flexibility. I've been doing yoga once a week, I'm upping that to 3 times.

I'm actually going to keep track of what I'm eating, and cut myself off after a lovely hot cup of tea each night. I'm also tackling those pesky clutter projects around the house, which will help clear my mind!

Thanks for the ongoing support and pushes, we love our Panda!
Maria

 

[Mooshu]

Thank you for blogging WISE panda! You are always motivating me to accomplish more than I think I can actually do.

 

[windwalker]

Thank you for blogging WISE panda! You are always motivating me to accomplish more than I think I can actually do.

I get way more motivation from you guys than I could ever possibily give back. I have a bunch of heroes on here.

Grateful Panda

 

[bunnyfoo]

Great post Dave! I think another reason some people get discourage easily is that they're expecting big losses ... and quickly too! I know that had that mindset early on last year but one thing my PT told me was that I didn't gain all of my weight in 2 weeks so I wasn't going to lose all of it in 2 weeks. I also agree with you about the tape measure because the scale sometimes doesn't change.

That said ... I have to get back into my routine of eating clean and exercising. I gained weight while at Disney. Too much post race celebrating I think