Here’s How to Stay Focused on What’s Really Important

I recently lost my mother. She was 97 and had lived a remarkable life. Born in Liverpool, England in 1924, she had stops in Sioux Falls, SD, Sun City West, AZ, and St. Paul, MN.

During the process of grieving, keeping up with my regular workouts has helped me keep an anchor of normalcy in my life. By keeping up with my daily logging and weekly consultations, I have stayed focused on my goals. I know that without this, I would have gone off track.

It seems that, during times of transition, many people use that to stop forward progress or use it as an excuse not to stay focused. Have you ever said or thought one of the following?

1. I’m on vacation so I can eat what I want.
2. I’m too busy for a one-hour workout.
3. I’m too stressed to think about exercise or eating healthy.

Here are some replies to these statements that may help you gain a different perspective.

I am on vacation so I can eat what I want.

Alternative Statements:

—I am on vacation. I have the time to be more focused on eating healthier.

—I am on vacation. This is an opportunity to try some new fruits and vegetables.

—While on vacation, I will have time to think about ways I can eat healthier when I get home.

How a health and wellness coach can help:

1. Brainstorm new ideas for healthy eating on vacation.
2. Be accountable for reaching your vacation goals.
3. Help you set goals regarding eating that are measurable, obtainable, and flexible.

I am too busy for a one-hour workout.

Alternative Statements:

—How can I arrange my schedule to incorporate shorter workouts?

—I find I am too busy for a one-hour workout. This is an opportunity to talk to my fitness trainer about alternatives.

—Can my family help me so that I can find time for my workouts?

How a health and wellness coach can help:

1. Brainstorm when you can exercise.
2. Help you find support team members to help you meet your goals.
3. Help you change goals so they continue to be measurable, obtainable, and flexible.

I’m too stressed to think about exercise or eating healthy.

Alternative Statements:

—I need help managing my stress so I can keep meeting my goals.

—Who on my support team can help me with stress reduction?

—I have developed strategies for stressful days. Which ones will help here?

How a health and wellness coach can help:

1. Develop strategies for those stressful times.
2. Assist with asking for help when support teams are especially needed.
3. Help with revising goals that continue to be measurable, obtainable, and flexible.

To conclude:

In times of transition, it is important to keep following your plan and finding ways to be successful. Remember, it takes the same amount of energy to figure out how to do something as it does to say why you cannot.

Your support team is there just for these occasions, so ask for the help you need. Also, your health and wellness coach is available for support during times of transition.

Be kind to yourself, and feel free to call me if you’d like to discover alternate ways to cope with stress or overwhelm.