New Year’s Resolution: Love Your Body!
Author: Laura M. Turner, C.P. T.

Ah, the beginning of a New Year. A time to reflect and start anew:
new hopes, dreams, goals for yourself. Speaking of which, have you
taken that all important inventory of your body, yet? Is this the
year you’re going to make the change?



Wondering how to begin? Read on…



Most people begin a new year in earnest; dreaming of building a
shapely new body. However, by the end of January they are back to
their same old habits. This year make it easy on yourself; simply
commit yourself to building healthy body. The rest is easy: you’ll
need only to glean the proper education and time management. Here,
I’ve outlined five basic steps so you can easily begin your
commitment to a healthy, shapely new year:




Step One: Begin where you are. This sounds logical but it’s true.
All you really have is this moment; today. The past is behind you,
learn from it, then let it go. Aim to be grateful for where you are
right now, give thanks for who you are. You are unique and special.
In fact, take some time to list all of your greatest gifts. Reflect
on them and give thanks.



Step Two: Just as you must begin where you are, you must Love your
body as it is right now. Perhaps you don’t know this yet, but your
body is perfect, healthy and whole just as it is. Even if it is not
the image of what you define as perfection, inside you is the
potential for health, beauty and well being. Give thanks for this
beautiful machine! This beautiful body that is yours has the
potential to do great things. At this moment: vow to take great
care of this body and engage its natural ability to be healthy.



Step Three: Do more with less. You don’t necessarily need expensive
equipment or gym memberships to take care of your body, begin by
getting yourself moving everyday and making some small changes to
your diet. Here are some simple ideas: decrease your salt and sugar
intake and take some long, leisurely walks. Embrace how good it feels
to treat your body well and put it in motion. Form a habit of
feeding your body better and get it moving. Soon you will work these
efforts into a regular exercise and a sound nutrition program.



Step Four: Get support. There are many ways to get support in
creating your Brand New Body: online and off. If you need to lose
weight, Weight Watchers has built a community of like minded people
that know how get the job done. You can find your local chapter
or check them out online at http://www.weightwatchers.com
There are also many communities that have group support
check out: http://www.groupdiets.com. They have an excellent
community, specializing in weight loss, proper nutrition and
exercise.



Step Five: Set a goal for the year, then break it down. Finally,
set your big yearly goal! But wait--before you get intimidated--
break this big goal into 12 mini-goals; achievable things you can
do each month. Next, begin to carve out specific “exercise time”
in your day. Are you a morning person? Do you have most of your
energy before bed? Be aware of these things when you begin to move
into your exercise “habit forming.”




Most of all make a motion to educate yourself this year. Yes you
can, be Smart and Fit! Check out books on exercise (see Brand New
Body ==>http://www.1brand-new-body.com) Finally, reward yourself
as you progress through 2004. Instead of food, try a massage, a
weekend trip to a day spa or just taking a day for yourself. Yes,
sometimes beginning a new year can be daunting, but if you have a
plan, support and a bit of motivation: chances are you will meet
with success!







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Laura Turner, C.P.T wants to help you build a Brand New Body in 2004. She is building an Online Fitness Community at===> http://www.1brand-new-body.com. Set goals, Lose Weight, Get Fit and healthy. No more excuses! Start now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------