Just Do It? Ten Tips to Get You Started

We've all heard those three words before, right? Just do it. And while I encourage taking personal accountability for your actions, and further support the notion that we DO, indeed, control a lot of our life, getting from the WANTING to do it to the DO of doing it is a different story.

And it isn't about the HOW of just doing it. I have an entire videography filled with tips and proven methods and programs that explain, in detail, HOW to lose weight, battle addictions, get in shape, balance your life, and much more. I have written countless blog posts about the same topics.

Google "weight loss" and you will get 93 million responses offering ways to lose as much weight in as short a time as you want, need, desire, or dream. The HOW, while at times different and debatable, is not always the issue.

Of course, I'd like to think that my methods for weight loss, eating a high-fiber diet and making your calories count, are more effective than what all those other sites are offering (they are), but if you are not READY and WILLING to just DO it, no diet or exercise program will work. NONE.

But I have good news for you: helpful tips to motivate you from WANTING to do it to just DOING it.

TEN TIPS TO GET YOU STARTED.

* ENVISION THE NEW YOU

Let's say you're trying to lose weight. Try taping an inspiring photo on your fridge or workstation of you in that nice bathing suit you would love to fit in again. See your future! This works for anything: new car, flat screen TV, house! If you stare at your dreams every day, something may just "click" in your brain, and help motivate you to take that first step.

* REPROGRAM YOUR BRAIN

You have the power to do more than you think. Start thinking differently about the way your mind looks at:

*Food (if you're trying to loss weight or eat better)
*Exercise (if you're working on getting back in shape)
*Finances (balancing your budget, trying to get out of debt)

Change your mind and you can change your life.

* REALIZE THAT IT'S OKAY TO FAIL

Oft times failure is good. Why? Because it means you're at least trying, attempting something. My video, Failing = Feedback, will help you see that the only people who never fail are the ones who never try to do anything.

* EDUCATE YOURSELF

By reading this post, you already have a good start toward this, but read more. Read, research, watch, listen. Knowledge is power. If you want to loss weight or eat healthier or quit smoking or balance your life, livelife365.com and this blog are great starting points, but don't stop here.

* DISCOVER SUPPORT GROUPS

During your self-education, besides discovering sites like livelife365.com, you will also find lots of other wonderful support groups of like-minded thinkers. For health and fitness, with the support of hundreds of bloggers and certified nutritionists, there's no better place than Iowa Avenue and its sister site, Healthy Lifestyle Bloggers.

And don't limit your support groups to just online ones: investigate local and community groups and clubs. Remember, they call them "support" groups for a reason.

* TAKE BABY STEPS

A little at a time goes a long way. If you're trying to quit smoking, cutting down from three packs a day to only ten cigarettes is progress. Don't take on more than you can handle; this leads to discouragement, which can lead to giving up. Like that toddler learning to walk, you may fall on your bottom a few times, but, just like a kid, you need to get right back up and keep going...taking one baby step at a time.

* DON'T LET ANYONE STAND IN YOUR WAY

Hey, it's your life, right? If it is your desire to drop a few (or a lot) of pounds or stop drinking or smoking, then why allow anyone (or anything) to get in the way of your goals. It is imperative that your significant other, family, and friends are all on board; if not, at least don't allow them to deter you from your desires. If they care about you, they will understand.

* IF NOT FOR YOU, THEN FOR THEM

If your six-year-old asks why you smoke after their teacher told the class that smoking is bad for you, what do you say to that child? If you don't care about your health, think about how your sudden death or lengthy illness would affect your loved ones.

* HIT BOTTOM

Sadly, sometimes it takes a life-changing event before we finally take life-changing actions. Believe me, I know. I was divorced twice, addicted to nicotine and alcohol, bankrupt and depressed before I finally hit bottom and decided to do something about it. I strongly suggest not waiting for the bottom--start now!

* CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE

You may never hit bottom, never take action. If this is the case, what's left? Obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are the leading causes of death in the world today. The sad fact is that most of those deaths can be prevented by taking action NOW by changing your lifestyle from harmful to healthy.


When someone tells you to JUST DO IT, they are trying to help you, trying to motivate you into changing yourself into living a long, happy, healthy, productive life.

This blog and livelife365.com are here to help you DO just that.

I sincerely hope this post has motivated you to try to...

JUST DO IT.

peace,

Mike