Building Your Own Cheer-Leading Squad

You know for some time now, as I'm learning what it takes to build a brand, I've also been on a journey to drop a few pounds (since February 2011). When I first started my weight loss journey I was about 165-170. I wanted to get back between 155-165. I was loosing weight by going to the gym, having a personal trainer, and doing P90x with my roommates back in college. The heaviest I've been was 190lbs... Can I get off trail for a little bit here?-

I realize that I get very easily distracted.. For example, at this very moment as I'm typing this, my mind shifted from blogging to bead making. Prior to even writing on the subject I want to address here, I was actually going to type away about, "systems vs goals in order to get things done." It's here, in the midst of my shifting thoughts, that I realized that having a way to stay on track on the journey to your goal(s) is an absolute necessity. I've learned that one of the most effective & important ways to keeping yourself from getting distracted is to have a cheer leading team to keep your momentum going in the direction your want to head in.

How do you that? One simple way is to tell people what your goals are. You do need to set a goal, but you also need to have a support system that will help you work to maintain that goal. For my weight loss goals, I have people checking in on me to see how my progress is going. I have a personal goal to strive to log my food in, "My Fitness Pal," daily for a year. Joining a gym where you get free guest passes, also helps. I can bring someone along every time I go to the gym, and it can be the same person each time. It's a great motivator having someone willing to meet you at the gym. Multiple accountability partners helps in the long run. I'm also in a challenge with my co-workers (Summer bodies bro) to see who can loose the most body percentage weight. I am excited for the scale to go under 180.

As for lettering, I've used instagram as my cheer leading squad. As I see my numbers increase in followers, likes, and comments; I like to see it as people on the sidelines cheering me on. However if I don't get a like, its OK I'm not doing it for them. At the end of the day I do it for me, my future and the overall bigger picture that I can't even see right now.

Being connected with other people who are both aware of, and encouraging you in what you want to accomplish is a great way in helping you focus and keep from being distracted. Unfortunately we will occasionally have our moments when we wander off....but it doesn't have to be the end. You have a set back? Don't worry, Pick up where you left off. And think about the reasons and causes you fell off. The more honest you are with yourself, the better you'll feel, the better you'll do when get back to it, and the easier it'll be to be even more dedicated.

Actually I lied,... it doesn't get easier. It gets harder to be more dedicated. But when it begins to feel more like a chore, always remember the 'WHY,' behind the things you do. It helps to alleviate the doubts that circle around us. I want to leave you with this question:

What good is your wealth if you don't have your health?