Thought I'd share an excerpt from an article on making change. I hope this helps motivate you all in some way. Start small with something you know you can stick to and the bigger steps you may choose to take will be even easier.
Enjoy the journey!...
Behavior change requires a clear mission, a gap analysis, action, daily engagement and consistency in the practice of new habits. The staff at IDEA Fit is starting with manageable changes that are designed to layer one over the next—as a sustainable fitness and wellness practice should. Their first program, “7 Weeks, 7 Changes,” gives the group structure and accountability as they begin the process of forming healthier habits. Each week builds on the last, so by the end of week 7 they hope each employee will have made or reinforced 7 healthy lifestyle habits. IDEA member Margie Kidd, director of wellness for Clayton Homes in Knoxville, Tennessee, helped design this 7-week structure.
Their program looks like this:
Week 1: Complete at least 10 minutes of stretching 3 days of the week.
Week 2: Choose at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
Week 3: Complete at least 30 minutes of cardio 3 days of the week.
Week 4: Eliminate or replace an unhealthy item from your diet this week.
Week 5: Complete at least 5 minutes of sit-ups or push-ups 3 days of the week.
Week 6: Drink at least 64 ounces of water each day.
Week 7: Sleep 7–9 hours each night.
So far, they're all doing well and staying motivated. A few of have even gained new clarity on the power of choice in the context of wellness. “This program has help(ed) me realize that happiness and wellness are choices that are within my control,” says Jared Ashlock, IDEA’s senior programmer in the Internet technology department. “I see that I have the power to make changes in my lifestyle—whether small or drastic, and many of which I can do while in the office—that will increase my fitness and happiness. With everyone on the staff making positive changes, it makes it easier to continue to make healthy choices myself.”
from the article, Health and Happiness Start at Home by Peter Davis, CEO at IDEA Fit
