As Tracey Chapman puts it

Tonight we're 'talkin bout a revolution'. Not a resolution. To be honest, I don't really have anything against resolutions, in the same way I don't really have anything against the Slap Chop. Full of promise. Short on delivery.

C'mon now, let's be honest. Everyone knows the joke that New Years Resolutions are really just a 'to do' list for the first week or month of the year. But there MUST be a reason that we keep coming back year after year and saying "this is it". "this is my TIME!" "This year I will RESOLVE!"




It's because inherently we want to improve our lives. We want to live our very best lives and show the world that we can change.

Well, as you already know, I belive that if you want to change your life, first you have to change your mind. So, let's get into your brain a little bit. I'd like to change how you think about this whole "New Year's @#$*#" (I am hereafter deeming the word resolution a curse)

Yes, I know it's semantics, but I think it's important.

Look at the word: RESOLUTION "a resolve or determination." "To make a firm resolution to do something. "

Now look at the stem of the word (resolute) " admirably purposeful, determined and unwavering".

Blah blah blah. The entire word is about being inflexible and about deciding upon a course of action. There is nothing about the word resolution that implies anything is ACTUALLY HAPPENING! Besides, what is the most common reason people stray from their resolutions? LIFE! We need to be flexible and work within our LIVES to achieve our dreams.

Thanks for bearing with me so far on this.

So, back to Tracey Chapman. Let's talk 'bout a REVOLUTION. Here's why I love the word.

Revolution: (from the Latin word 'revolutio': to turn around) is a fundamental change in power that takes place in a relatively short period of time.

HOW AMAZING IS THAT! How about the CHANGE in power as in the POWER in your life shifting to your Control!

And even better.....how about the meat of that word.

EVOLUTION/EVOLVE: " a process by which something passes by degrees to a different stage, especially a more advanced or mature stage."

Which person do you want to be? The person who "resolves" (aka, makes a determined plan) or "Evolves" (using a process to pass to a more advanced stage).

Personally I think the answer is obvious.

So come start a REVOLUTION with me and make fundamental changes in your POWER in a relatively short period of time.

It's much more honest and realistic. It is a process. A series of events/stages that need to happen. (yes, you actually do have to do the work). It is a permanent change.

Begin your Revolution by choosing One (yes, just one) thing you want to improve upon in your life. Of course I am really referring to a health or fitness goal here. I am after all a personal trainer.

But we can learn a lot from another area that people tend to focus on in the New Year. The fundamental principle of debt reduction always tells us to start with the highest interest debt and chip away at it until it's gone. Then move on to the next biggest interest bearing burden, and so on and so forth.

It's the same for your health. I'll let you in on a little secret. By listing 8 things you want to change in 2011 with your health and fitness, you actually reduce the likelihood that you will achieve any of them. The key to success is setting a clear concise goal that supports your REVOLUTION of changing your life!

So choose it.

Flush it out (be specific and time constrained)

Break it down and make it manageable.

Don't be afraid to ask for help (maybe this is the year you finally hire a personal trainer to help you on your way). Don't be afraid to say it out loud. Don't let your ego get in the way. And for the love of effectiveness, do not be so HARD on yourself! Plan ahead for the obstacles and curve balls you already KNOW will come your way.

That way, when they do show up, you can smile, acknowledge them, and say with a smug look on your face "oh, I was expecting you to show up...and I already know what I'm going to do" and with a flick of your finger, you can flick that obstacle off like a pesky bug. Or at the very least, you can laugh it off and pick yourself back up!

Lastly, put an image in your mind (or better yet, somewhere you can see it) of what success looks like. You can draw it, use clipart, a photograph, a word or image. Anything that inspires you on the dark rainy days of February.

Then guess what? When you Actually Achieve it (and I believe you will), you simply move on to the next one. You didn't actually have to set out the plan for #2 back on Janaury 1st, and it will still be there waiting for you when you are ready for it.

So, to put my money where my mouth is, I'm going to set you up a little example using my own New Year's Revolution right here.

The number one way I want to EVOLVE in 2011 (fitness and health wise) is to prevent the injuries that continually plague me year after year so I can race through this summer without dragging a team of physiotherapists, doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists and Pharmaceuticals behind me.

I will take back the POWER by applying Balance to my exercise plan. I will continue to be active every day, but I will now incorporate Yoga into my schedule 2 days per week in place of other, higher impact activities that put me at risk of injury and do not help me MOVE TO A MORE ADVANCED level within my life. I will practice my strengthening exercises and use periodization to manage my training schedule.

I may overdo it. I may still get hurt. And if that happens, I"ll immediately back off my training, let go of my ego and I will NOT race through pain. I will do my rehab exercises diligently, even if it means cutting into my blogging time (ha ha ha).

I will measure my success pretty easily. I will be able to compete in 2-3 foot races and 1-2 triathlons in the summer of 2011 injury free.

I am crossing the finish lines over and over with a smile on my face and without a limp in my step.




Be Clear. Be Powerful in your commitment and Strong in your Conviction. Evolve. Don't Resolve.




Now, talk to me 'bout your REVOLUTION!!!! I'd love to hear your comments :)