Ingredient number 2 is: HAVE A GOAL!

Zig Ziglar says: “A goal properly set is halfway reached.” and he also says, “If you want to reach a goal, you must ‘see the reaching’ in your own mind before you actually arrive at your goal.”

The biggest reason people fail to achieve their fitness goals is because they either didn’t set any to begin with or they made them too big. Set specific, realistic goals. Write them down on paper and read them daily. Take your goals seriously and write them out in the present tense. For example, instead of “I want to lose 10 pounds.” say, I weigh ___ pounds and am maintaining it with ease. Whatever your goal is, write it out like you’ve already attained it. Your mind will work toward that goal if you state it in the positive. And the more emotion you stir up, the more motivated you’ll be to go after it.

And don’t just concentrate on the obstacles or problems of reaching your goal. Negative statements and self-defeating questions or statements are: I can’t lose weight no matter what I do –  Why can’t I lose this last ten pounds? – I have a slow metabolism – I’ll try. – It’s so hard to lose weight. Change the way you phrase these into more positive statements: I weigh ____. I exercise ___ days a week and feel energetic all day long.  I am in the best shape of my life. My metabolism is getting faster and faster every day. I LOVE eating healthy, whole, living foods. I have more energy than I know what to do with.

As you repeat these goals, they will become a part of your life. Have a plan everyday. Write them out on 3X5 cards and repeat them morning and night. This not only works for losing weight and getting into shape, but scripture memory and accomplishing other daily tasks as well. Whatever you need or want to do that day, write it down.

Once you’ve achieved your goal, set a new one. Celebrate your accomplishments and take it to the next level. Keep setting goals. It’s an energizing exercise and will change your life.

Ingredient number 3 coming soon!