Olympic Inspiration

Are you feeling inspired by the Olympics? I am. The years of training, the focus on one goal, the clarity of their dreams, that is inspiring. Lately everyone I have spoken to has been inspired to feel great about themselves, to be fit and healthy, and after watching the Olympians they want to start now.

But, how do you translate that inspiration into personal success? It is not easy, when there are so many demands on our time and so many ways we can sabotage our own success. After talking to many people this week about their health and fitness aspirations. I have heard the same thing, "how do I fit my goals into my life?" Especially with a family and a career? How do I fit my goals into my day. It seems to overwhelming and unattainable.

I can tell you it is not. I have helped many busy, successful men and women change their health, get fit and attain amazing personal goals and here are my top 5 suggestions to help you achieve your health and fitness goals.

1. Be consistent. Want to lose weight, run a 10 KM or decrease your blood pressure? Small changes will lead to big results if you do a little everyday. Break it down into manageable chunks and take one step everyday in the right direction. Olympic athletes train for over 10 years just to be able to train for the Olympics.

2. Do it for yourself. Trying to make a change, even a positive one, for someone else never works out. There will be times when you don't want to go out in the rain to go for a run and doing it for someone else makes it less likely you are going to push yourself out the door.

3. Get some support. It is more fun to work together for a common goal. Even better having a buddy means you have someone to share your best and worst days. It is even more likely you will succeed when you have a friend to share in your success.

4. Have a plan. I have seen too many injuries, unfulfilled goals and disappointments from people who jumped on all the latest fads and trends only to find themselves as unfit, overweight and as unhealthy as when they started. Having a road map to your goal is a great way to see your improvements, stay motivated and be successful for life.

5. Have fun. This is the most important one of all. If you are not having any fun you won't be consistent or want to continue once you have achieved your goals. Try lots of activities, take some lessons, but remember to have fun. If you aren't having fun it isn't worth all the effort.

I would love to hear your health and fitness challenges and success stories. Let me know if you have been successful or have been trying to find the motivation to stay on track. What works when you are feeling unmotivated to stick to your plan? Looking forward to hearing about your  Olympic inspiration.

Shayla

Olympic Sized Tip

We in Vancouver are welcoming the world to compete, cheer, and if you are Dick Pound add to your list of "all the stupid things I have said about athletes". I wasn't going to talk about the Olympics because I love the athletes, I love the competition, I love the discipline and focus it takes to compete at the Olympics. But, unfortunately the Olympics are about many things I don't love and none of them are about sports. But, I digress, I wasn't going to talk about the Olympics, until our fellow Canadian was quoted as saying " Canadian athletes that don't make the podium are just tourists". Oh brother, that is embarrassing. For the record Dick, it is more embarrassing than coming in fourth or tourist class.

Well Dick Pound is a little like the distant cousin that you hope doesn't show up for your party and proceed to embarrass the family. How about we make a pact, no more dissing the athletes, no matter what. Even if they have monster egos which funnily enough when athletes are really good they are also usually unassuming and encouraging. So that leaves me to believe that Dick has a case of "I was never really good enough to be the best, only good enough to be a tourist (his word not mine). Dick has won many Commonwealth medals, but he only placed 6th in his Olympic event and 4th with his relay team.
Apparently he has been trying to make up for it ever since.

When I coach adults and encourage them to try something new, their greatest fear is looking foolish or being the worst/last/most pathetic (also their words not mine). What I have found is that if you talk to really talented athletes what they say to "newbies" to their sport is AWESOME. They appreciate you putting it on the line, maybe getting that little extra courage to perhaps look foolish or uncomfortable. What they really want is for you to enjoy their sport as much as they do. They risk it all, give up a lot, and sacrifice daily because there is something they love about it. The Olympic ideal is to be your best, strive for greatness and hopefully be able to put it all together on that one day.

So here is my Olympic tip of the day, take one aspect of your life and add a dash of Olympic sized dedication to making it better. If we all had a fraction of the discipline and focus it takes to be an Olympic athlete we would all be better for it.