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Tag: goals

  • Do You Have a Friend Like This? You may have a well-meaning friend who is excited to involve you in their activities. Jen Sinkler posted the above exchange in a blog entry, “If you don’t like it, don’t do it.” It’s nice to be included, and if the answer is, “OK! Let me know if…

  • Should I Hire a Personal Trainer? When you make a new commitment to exercise by joining a gym, you will usually be offered an orientation to the gym’s equipment, which generally includes some cardio machines (ellipticals, treadmills, stationary bikes, and sometimes rowing machines) and resistance machines. Some of the resistance machines may be oriented in…

  • Should I Care About My BMI? Sort of. You should take an interest in your health, and BMI can give you a mini gut check on “at-risk status.” It’s probably fairly rare that someone learns something new from their BMI, though — if your BMI is high enough to be important to your health, you…

  • Is Yoga Dangerous? A couple of years ago, The New York Times published How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body, a discussion of serious injuries — even fatalities — resulting from yoga practice. The Times got lots of angry letters! In the US, yoga is often touted uncritically as a healing restorative, and a safe alternative…

  • I’m Proud of You, Complete Stranger! One of the best ways to follow through on a goal or resolution is to seek accountability from others. Tell a friend or family member, “I am doing this” Explicitly ask a friend or family member, “Keep me honest” Team up with a workout partner for extra incentive to…

  • How to Set Good Short-term Goals Concrete is better. “I will take a 10-minute walk at least twice a day” is better than “I will get more exercise.” Simple is better. “I will exercise at least 10 minutes, at least twice a day, even if it’s just a walk or two” is better than “I…

  • What Is the Secret? When you make a new commitment to health eating and exercise, you face a firehose of information. Do this, not that. Make sure you do X, Y, and Z together. Avoid these terrible pitfalls. Follow these 43 steps for success. Choose a big goal. Hire a trainer. Prepare your whole week’s…

  • I have to admit, I don’t love this one. I sometimes see this notion phrased as “do something that scares you,” or even “if it doesn’t scare you, it’s not a big enough goal,” but not all of us are cut out to be scared. Fear hinders more changes than it fosters. We have to…