Practice makes perfect. We've all heard that mantra. If you want to be perfect, you need to practice. But what does that mean to this blogger topic, about getting what you want? Well, ideally it means you will achieve what you want in life - and you will perfect that practice.
Let's first remind ourselves about what we want. Did you try the lunch experiment at breakfast time? At breakfast, you are to make a decision about whether or not you are going to have lunch today. Just making that decision is an act of formalizing what you really want. It is easy to be hungry, and make the decision to eat something - that is wanting something to take care of an immediate need.
What about the future wants? You want a better job. You want a million dollars. You want a loving relationship. It does not sound like the same thing as eating food when you are hungry, but it should be exactly the same.
When you are hungry, any number of food items can help satisfy your cravings. How often has your mother offered three or four leftover food items in the fridge, and at your turned up nose and whining said "so I guess you are not really that hungry, or else you would eat that."
If you are still struggling to find a better job, relationship, million dollars - the only sensible answer is that you are just not that hungry to find it. You could be a high school drop out, and if you are determined to become a lawyer someday - you will achieve it, because your desire is clear and strong. And once you become a lawyer, if you truly do want to become a judge - your life path will get you there, because of your strong will to achieve it.
However, if you are an office worker, wondering why you can't seem to get a promotion, there is a clear and simple answer. You don't really want the promotion. Because if you did, you'd have it by now.
Okay, so the message about truly focusing your talents on your desires is clear. But how to do it?
Remember the lunch decision scenario? How did that go? Once you made the decision that you were going to have lunch, you can put that thought away and not worry about it anymore. It is the same with any "want" in your life.
Try it.
Think of something you want to do today. Anything, from a walk in the park, to gym class, or drinks with friends. Make a decision that you will do that before the end of the day. Go ahead, just decide! Tell yourself that at 6pm you will be taking that walk, or you will be in the gym, or having a cocktail with friends. Visualize that activity.
Really think about what it will look like, and think through the details - the sights, the smells, the sounds. The more you can picture, the more real it will become. You may find yourself calling to reserve a table at a favourite bar, or checking with the gym to see the class schedule. I assure you, the more you visualize the world as you want it to be for you, the more effort you will find yourself making to reach that goal.
So try it today.
Tell me about it.
And we'll discuss more visualization techniques for longer term goals soon.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tracy Anderson Method - does it work?
We are in the onslaught of summer and bikinis so of course the time has come to get in shape. I can't really complain as I'm not obese or excessively overweight - but I do seem to gain weight when I'm content - anyone else like that? I mean, if I'm depressed, the last thing I want to do is go eat a tub of ice cream. I lose my appetite and pretty much just go out walking or jogging on my own, to think, reflect, wallow, etc. No eating - and I don't feel like going out dining and drinking. Heck, depression is the best diet for me.
It's when life is content, happy, going well...that's when I find myself enjoying rich meals, lots of wine (and champagne and vodka too), and of course the pounds come on easily during happy times.
So given my recent happy months, I must say it was time to find a way back to a healthy svelte body and lifestyle. I decided upon two things: No alcohol for 30 days, and follow the Tracy Anderson method.
I thought I should give a review of the two Tracy Anderson videos I am using: her Dance Cardio DVD and the Mat Method DVD. I've been using both for about two weeks, and thought it best to record my results. Most of the review sites I have read about her method seem to rate the usability of the video, but don't really share results specifically. I think it's important to know what's happening on a day to day basis - so at least you can try it yourself and rate your progress against someone else.
Of course we all respond to exercise in different ways, and I know for sure that people have ways of "cheating" and not really performing correctly - if you get lax in either of these videos I am pretty sure the results will be less than good.
So before I even tell you about the videos, I'm just going to post my results here. I weigh myself everyday, after exercising and before eating anything. I also take a body fat measure (my scale measures it for me), and by tracking that over time I can see if any progress is being made. I think it is important to take measures every day - of course, in just 2 or 3 days you really don't have much information, but over time, you will see a pattern and that is the important thing in weight loss.
June 1 64.1 KG / 33.8% body fat
June 2 63.6 KG / 32.2%
June 3 64.3 KG / 30.7%
June 4 64.3 KG / 31.3%
June 5 64.7 KG / 30.2%
June 6 64.0 KG / 31.3%
June 7 63.1 KG / 30.6%
June 8 63.9 KG / 30.7%
June 9 63.3 KG / 30.5%
June 10 63.7 KG / 28.8% no exercise
June 11 62.9 KG / 29.4%
June 12 62.6 KG / 28.4%
June 13 62.2 KG / 29.5%
June 14 62.2 KG / 29.0%
June 15 61.7 KG / 28.1%
June 16 62.3 KG / 26.0% no exercise
June 17 63.0 KG / 28.5%
Okay, those are the results so far...and the no exercise days were for pretty lazy reasons. On June 9th I went to an AC/DC concert in Marseille, so had little energy the next day to get up and do the DVDs. And on June 16, I had so much to do I had to start early and never got around to the exercise.
If you just look at the numbers, it looks like I am edging down in both weight and body fat - with some fluctuations day to day. Bottom line is that I definitely weigh less than I started - and for sure my body shows less fat than when I began. I notice it mostly in my clothes - tight pants/skirts are now fitting quite well. So while the overall weight loss is not significant (only about 1 kilo or 2 pounds in two weeks) I must say that a 5% reduction in body fat is a very important differnce.
(By the way, if anyone wants to know what scale I use, happy to share; I did quite a bit of research to select it and feel confident that my brand gives near accurate readings overtime - compared it with doctor's and gym facility measurements and it does match).
Okay, now we see my results in 17 days...next thing is to focus on the DVDs themselves. Let me get to my lunch date (oh yes, did I mention that I've changed nothing of my eating habits? Well, nothing except omitting alcohol...all right, there was one Pop Pommery bottle of champagne at the AC/DC concert, but then lots of bouncing around to the rock!)
More later...
It's when life is content, happy, going well...that's when I find myself enjoying rich meals, lots of wine (and champagne and vodka too), and of course the pounds come on easily during happy times.
So given my recent happy months, I must say it was time to find a way back to a healthy svelte body and lifestyle. I decided upon two things: No alcohol for 30 days, and follow the Tracy Anderson method.
I thought I should give a review of the two Tracy Anderson videos I am using: her Dance Cardio DVD and the Mat Method DVD. I've been using both for about two weeks, and thought it best to record my results. Most of the review sites I have read about her method seem to rate the usability of the video, but don't really share results specifically. I think it's important to know what's happening on a day to day basis - so at least you can try it yourself and rate your progress against someone else.
Of course we all respond to exercise in different ways, and I know for sure that people have ways of "cheating" and not really performing correctly - if you get lax in either of these videos I am pretty sure the results will be less than good.
So before I even tell you about the videos, I'm just going to post my results here. I weigh myself everyday, after exercising and before eating anything. I also take a body fat measure (my scale measures it for me), and by tracking that over time I can see if any progress is being made. I think it is important to take measures every day - of course, in just 2 or 3 days you really don't have much information, but over time, you will see a pattern and that is the important thing in weight loss.
June 1 64.1 KG / 33.8% body fat
June 2 63.6 KG / 32.2%
June 3 64.3 KG / 30.7%
June 4 64.3 KG / 31.3%
June 5 64.7 KG / 30.2%
June 6 64.0 KG / 31.3%
June 7 63.1 KG / 30.6%
June 8 63.9 KG / 30.7%
June 9 63.3 KG / 30.5%
June 10 63.7 KG / 28.8% no exercise
June 11 62.9 KG / 29.4%
June 12 62.6 KG / 28.4%
June 13 62.2 KG / 29.5%
June 14 62.2 KG / 29.0%
June 15 61.7 KG / 28.1%
June 16 62.3 KG / 26.0% no exercise
June 17 63.0 KG / 28.5%
Okay, those are the results so far...and the no exercise days were for pretty lazy reasons. On June 9th I went to an AC/DC concert in Marseille, so had little energy the next day to get up and do the DVDs. And on June 16, I had so much to do I had to start early and never got around to the exercise.
If you just look at the numbers, it looks like I am edging down in both weight and body fat - with some fluctuations day to day. Bottom line is that I definitely weigh less than I started - and for sure my body shows less fat than when I began. I notice it mostly in my clothes - tight pants/skirts are now fitting quite well. So while the overall weight loss is not significant (only about 1 kilo or 2 pounds in two weeks) I must say that a 5% reduction in body fat is a very important differnce.
(By the way, if anyone wants to know what scale I use, happy to share; I did quite a bit of research to select it and feel confident that my brand gives near accurate readings overtime - compared it with doctor's and gym facility measurements and it does match).
Okay, now we see my results in 17 days...next thing is to focus on the DVDs themselves. Let me get to my lunch date (oh yes, did I mention that I've changed nothing of my eating habits? Well, nothing except omitting alcohol...all right, there was one Pop Pommery bottle of champagne at the AC/DC concert, but then lots of bouncing around to the rock!)
More later...
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Wanting but not achieving...
My last post was in December 2008, so now that Spring 2009 is here we need to continue our discussion.
The time for new year's resolutions (making and breaking) has come and passed - we may now focus on the newness of Spring and all it brings: new love, flowers, greenery, and of course quite a bit of rain.
Having said that, have you actually been able to achieve what you wanted? Why do you have the same resolutions year after year? If you were actually achieving them, you would weigh under 40 kilos by now, losing 5 kilos each year...and why are you not able to STICK to the goal, once achieved? Is it not really what you want?
If someone says they want to lose weight - why is it not achievable? Without medical blockages or issues preventing weight loss, why cannot someone just say "I want to lose 5 kilos" and then be able to set about to reach that goal? As I said in December's blogpost - the most difficult thing is deciding what one wants and once decided, things can then be achieved.
And of course, people always say they want more money, a nicer car, new clothes, etc. etc. - again, if the dilemma is actually deciding "what do you want" then why are these things still so difficult to attain, even though we are quite sure, in fact we are positive that these are definitely things we want in life.
The answer, I'm afraid is quite simple. The reason you cannot lose those 5 kilos is because there is something that you want a bit more strongly than to lose weight, and that is FOOD. The reason you are not able to have more money is because you want something else a bit more: leisure time perhaps, instead of working harder at your job. I am not saying that you are lazy. Simply that you want something else a bit more.
Think back to my December blog. A starving person wants food - more than anything else. He will work for it, beg for it, maybe even steal it - which means other things (such as his leisure time, pride, ethics) is given up so that he can get food. Someone who wants to lose 5 kilos but never seems to manage to do it has simply put another "want" priority ahead of the desire to lose weight. It has nothing to do with willpower.
Another example. You want to quit smoking - well why haven't you? Because when you have a drink you want a cigarette, or because when you're around other smokers you want to join in, or because you prefer the taste and feel of the cigarette - more than the benefits of quitting altogether.
Last night was Earth Hour. Hopefully, you were participating and did turn off your lights, tv, computer, cell phones, etc. and read or chatted by candlelight for one hour. I met someone today who said that by 9:15pm he was so bored he gave up and turned on the TV. So...he wanted to watch television more than reduce electricity usage on the planet. It's not a matter of willpower - it is want and desire. When you know what you want, your life is quite simple and things are achievable because you will do all you can to reach those goals.
Keep that in mind the next time you see a delicious double fudge chocolate layer cake and think to yourself "I shouldn't..." and then you have a slice anyway. Remember you've simply stated "I want that cake" stronger than "I want a healthy body" and that it, easily achieved!
It's not all doom and gloom though...the power of learning what you really want can help you shape your desires and reach your goals. More to be discussed in the next blog: how to actually determine what you want (so that you can then achieve it!)
See you on the next post...
The time for new year's resolutions (making and breaking) has come and passed - we may now focus on the newness of Spring and all it brings: new love, flowers, greenery, and of course quite a bit of rain.
Having said that, have you actually been able to achieve what you wanted? Why do you have the same resolutions year after year? If you were actually achieving them, you would weigh under 40 kilos by now, losing 5 kilos each year...and why are you not able to STICK to the goal, once achieved? Is it not really what you want?
If someone says they want to lose weight - why is it not achievable? Without medical blockages or issues preventing weight loss, why cannot someone just say "I want to lose 5 kilos" and then be able to set about to reach that goal? As I said in December's blogpost - the most difficult thing is deciding what one wants and once decided, things can then be achieved.
And of course, people always say they want more money, a nicer car, new clothes, etc. etc. - again, if the dilemma is actually deciding "what do you want" then why are these things still so difficult to attain, even though we are quite sure, in fact we are positive that these are definitely things we want in life.
The answer, I'm afraid is quite simple. The reason you cannot lose those 5 kilos is because there is something that you want a bit more strongly than to lose weight, and that is FOOD. The reason you are not able to have more money is because you want something else a bit more: leisure time perhaps, instead of working harder at your job. I am not saying that you are lazy. Simply that you want something else a bit more.
Think back to my December blog. A starving person wants food - more than anything else. He will work for it, beg for it, maybe even steal it - which means other things (such as his leisure time, pride, ethics) is given up so that he can get food. Someone who wants to lose 5 kilos but never seems to manage to do it has simply put another "want" priority ahead of the desire to lose weight. It has nothing to do with willpower.
Another example. You want to quit smoking - well why haven't you? Because when you have a drink you want a cigarette, or because when you're around other smokers you want to join in, or because you prefer the taste and feel of the cigarette - more than the benefits of quitting altogether.
Last night was Earth Hour. Hopefully, you were participating and did turn off your lights, tv, computer, cell phones, etc. and read or chatted by candlelight for one hour. I met someone today who said that by 9:15pm he was so bored he gave up and turned on the TV. So...he wanted to watch television more than reduce electricity usage on the planet. It's not a matter of willpower - it is want and desire. When you know what you want, your life is quite simple and things are achievable because you will do all you can to reach those goals.
Keep that in mind the next time you see a delicious double fudge chocolate layer cake and think to yourself "I shouldn't..." and then you have a slice anyway. Remember you've simply stated "I want that cake" stronger than "I want a healthy body" and that it, easily achieved!
It's not all doom and gloom though...the power of learning what you really want can help you shape your desires and reach your goals. More to be discussed in the next blog: how to actually determine what you want (so that you can then achieve it!)
See you on the next post...
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