Nobody's Perfect: Setting and Achieving Realistic Health Goals

Apr 24, 2012

Written by Stacey Bohr, Personal Trainer @ O2 Fitness Fuquay Varina

You don't have to focus on healthy food choices 100% of the time.  For most of us that can sound daunting.  Instead, focus on what you eat and how you exercise day in and day out.  That's what really counts.  A goal of eating healthy and exercising 85% of the time is a much more realistic goal and one that is so much easier to live with.  The healthier you get, the easier it will be and the more automatic the healthy choices will become.

We all know how guilt and shame can play such a huge role in our health goals.  One missed workout, or a splurge at dinnertime can stir up such powerful emotions.  We have to look at these "hiccups" as a time to reassess and reflect and learn where we may be able to do better.  Instead of giving in to the "hiccups", I think it is better to embrace them and take them in stride.  Nobody is perfect!!

While out with friends you decide to forget your healthy eating and go for the triple layer chocolate cake for dessert.  Why is it that you couldn't resist the dessert?  Was it because you were all having a great time and having a few cocktails that you become more relaxed?  Compromise.  You don't have to forgo the dessert all together.  You could split the dessert with your friends and not do as much damage to your waistline.

Didn't get to the gym today?  Don't be so hard on yourself.  Make your next workout really count and you will feel better about having missed a day.  Remember, it all adds up and over the course of a week or month, a missed workout or a calorie splurge is not going to ruin all the hard work you have achieved.  Aim for the 85% and your goals can be real



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