Beauty: Real Smart Strategies

January 2009

Reproduced with permission from WeddingBells.ca

A new year has just started and you have your wedding coming up—what an exciting time!  This is typically a time when people set goals they would like to achieve within the year or by their wedding day. Unfortunately, statistics show that most brides never achieve the goals that they set, which results in disappointment and frustration. 

I help people plan and realize their goals, so I want to share some fail-proof strategies that can really make your health and fitness dreams happen while you plan your big day. To keep it simple, follow these straightforward tips and set REAL SMART goals.

• READY for obstacles - realize that nothing tends to unfold without challenges and obstacles along the way. If you understand that unplanned situations will come up, and if you can even try and anticipate what they may be, you will not be caught off-guard and you will be more able to stay on track, be in control and not lose focus of the big picture. 
• ENVISION it - be able to truly see yourself having accomplished your goal. You need to be able to vividly see the end result. If you can’t, then maybe it is not the right goal for you.
• AUTHENTIC - make sure that the goal you are setting is congruent with who you are as a person and what you believe in. If you are trying to accomplish something that goes against your true being, it will be very difficult to follow through, especially when life gets busy and challenging.
• LIVE it - you need to live each day as if you have already achieved your goal. That way you are doing the things you need to do to accomplish it and at the same time you are creating the habits that will enable you to sustain the results.
• SPECIFIC - make sure your goal is very specific. If you want to lose weight, decide how much you want to lose in total, how much you want to lose per week etc. The more specific you can be the better.
• MEASURABLE - make sure that whatever your goal is, you are able to measure your progress in some way. So if it is weight loss, you can weigh yourself once a week or have your body composition checked once a month etc. You must be able to see how you are moving forward towards your goal.
• ATTAINABLE - is your goal something you can realistically attain, is it something you have control over.  Don't expect to lose 10 pounds in one week. Be realistic so that you are setting yourself up for success. If you are not sure what is realistic for you then consult with an expert in the field who can guide you in the right direction.
• RECORD in writing - both your goals and your results. It has been shown over and over that when you write down your goals and record your progress you will have greater success.
• TIME sensitive - this will be easy for you as your goal date will probably be just before or on your wedding day. By having a deadline you know how much time you have and will be more disciplined in adapting new habits.

Finally, as you embark on this journey make sure that you have fun along the way. Get involved in activities that you enjoy and that will help you achieve your goals. If you remember one piece of my advice, make it this: it is not about perfection but consistency. The more consistent you are with your new habits the better the chance that you will achieve and sustain the results. Look at this as a lifestyle change and not just something to do until your wedding day. Good luck and enjoy the journey!

About Wedding Bells.ca New Year New You series by Lauren Jawno

Nutritionist, certified personal trainer and life coach Lauren Jawno contributes a series of blogs which offer inspiring advice to get your mind and body on track before your big day. With more than 15 years of professional experience, she has made appearances on TV, led speaking events and trained athletes. Her mission is to inspire others to realize their true potential, which is why she’s thrilled to share her expert strategies with you!