Psssst! Congrats to Steph V as the winner of the Timex ONEGPS+ watch! Steph, send me your information in an email, and I’ll pass it along to Timex!

Whenever I’ve made a health goal – whether it’s fitness or nutrition-related, I always give myself a little pep talk before I go forth and tackle:

“Paige, you are setting this goal to better your health/performance/strength/composition/etc. Here’s what the plan is: (lay out plan.) Remember: this is YOUR choice, YOUR plan, and YOUR responsibility. It’s no one else’s, so let’s keep it that way.”

It varies from time to time, but the bottom line was always the same: I’m the one making the choice to tackle this goal, so the actions that I’m taking to do that are my responsibility. If I’m going to own this goal, I’ve got to own my choices.

The thing is, if you’re like me, you tend to get lost in the energy of those around you and let those “necessary actions” slide to the way side.

Oh, a friend’s in town? Forget about that whole I’m-not-drinking-right-now action! Happy hour with friends? Welllll, if everyone else is having burgers, fries, and beers, I have to join in.I have a long run/workout/hike etc. tomorrow, but if my girlfriends want to drink a bottle of wine, I will too…

OR just the opposite – you don’t give in, and end up resenting those around us for being able to partake in the festivities (also no bueno)

Now, if you read my blog or any of my content, you know I’m not huge on extremes when it comes to diet or nutrition. I use a sane, sustainable, comprehensive approach for all of my clients – and it works. But let’s be honest: every goal takes some dedication, willpower, and hard work. It’s just the way it is.

[Tweet “Every goal takes dedication, willpower, and hard work.”]

Tell me this: have you ever been in a situation where you’re working toward some sort of body composition goals, and then you go to your Aunt (or friend, or in-laws) house, and it seems as if all there is is food and drink that don’t really support your goals? Did it seem as if it just wasn’t fair that everyone else got to eat all of your favorite foods, and that you were miserably sitting there eating the chicken, vegetables, and rice? It just didn’t seem fair did it?

Truth time: it IS fair because YOU were the one to make the decision to better your health. Own your choices – don’t be a victim of them.

Whenever a client tells me they have an aesthetic-related goal, we begin thinking of a few action-items they can start implementing in their lives to support those goals. Usually we start with 2-4 actions.

Each week, I check in with them to see how consistent those actions are taking place. I’m going to use alcohol as an example here because it’s one that people tend to be emotionally attached to.

For body fat loss, I generally recommend my clients either cut it out – or limit it to one glass a week – for the first few weeks. Then after we see how results progress, we can add it back in and see how it shakes out. This is a tactic I used and learned while working with my own nutrition coach, and found it makes and incredible difference. I don’t force them to do this (or anything) but if they’re game to try, we try it.

HOWEVER – if week after week, they tell me they ‘gave in’ at a party/social gathering/what have you, I tell them this: you made the choice to lose body fat. You know you don’t have to do that, right? You’re also the one who made the choice to limit alcohol (or insert any fat loss-related action item) in your life. You know that’s a choice, right? You don’t have to do that.

What this does is reminds you that you have the ultimate say in your life, your choices, your attitude, and outcome. It might not be easy. It might seem unfair. It might be frustrating that your friends are eating all of your favorite foods and not gaining weight. It’s when we get the idea that it SHOULD be easy, it SHOULD be fair, and it SHOULDN’T be frustrating that we end up stressed out, burned out, and then eventually give our goals the big “Oh well.”

And this isn’t to say you absolutely can’t lose weight not eating your favorite foods or having a drop of alcohol. You can.

SO. What to do instead.

1. Stop comparing your life to those around you. Remember: you made the choice.

2. Remember you have other options. You could choose a less aggressive route to your goals, modify your goals, or heck, forgo your goals at this time. It’s all about what you prioritize the most.

3. Remember you’re in control. You have the power to own your choices, take action, and reach that goal. The power is in YOUR hands – and no one else’s.

[Tweet “Own your choices to OWN your goals – via @trainerpaige”]

Bottom line (in a tough love, sort of way:) suck it up, buttercup. Or choose another action.

XOXO,

Paige

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