The Language of your Goals in 2017

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Happy New Year to you! I wish you and your family a SPECTACULAR 2017!

With the start of a new year there is traditionally a time of reflection, and goal setting. This year I have a lot to be thankful for; I live in a new, beautiful house (that's all my own- wow!), my son is getting older, and my husband has a new job that he loves. My business is taking off and I am meeting and working with such lovely people. It's easy for me to write my goals this year, because life has been good to me, and I'm grateful. If you are writing goals of your own, there's something I want you to consider first and I feel it is very important. It's the kind of language that you use to write them.  Let me explain.

I can see it everywhere now. Posts on Facebook, blogs, emails, ads. The fitness industry is leveraging the "New Years Resolution" craze to whip up more customers. The language of the fitness industry is often the language of shaming. Cajoling. Assumptions. Mostly shaming though. Things like "Finally do something this year about that spare tire" or "Get beach body ready!" or other similar sentiments. These kinds of phrases assume that you already don't like yourself, that you are powerless to change on your own, and that you subscribe to socially accepted ideas of beauty and fitness. In my experience, shame is a terrible motivator. It simply doesn't work long term and you are miserable when you fail.

We tend to absorb what we read everyday. That means when people write their resolutions, they often echo these ideas. Here's an example:

• Go on a diet and finally lose those 30 lbs!
• Stop eating cookies
• Finally get fit, by working out at least 3 times a week

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So I am proposing a new language of goal setting this year. No shaming language allowed! Instead use the positive language of compassion, of understanding. How about, instead of the above, we have ones like this:

• Work on feeling positive about my body and forgiving myself when I eat cookies
• Join a fitness class to see if I like it
• Incorporate exercise into my daily routine by walking to the store instead of driving
• Learn more about healthy foods and how to cook healthy meals

Those ones don't involve shame as a motivator. And I truly believe that you will achieve a healthier, longer term result with this kind of mindset. This is my greatest wish for you in 2017, to ditch the shaming language and learn to use positive language for your resolutions.

If you are looking to try a fitness class this January, I would love to meet you and teach you all about Pilates. I hope you will discover that Pilates is the exercise system for you and that you want to keep practicing. But if it isn't, then fair enough! At least you came out and gave it a shot.

Classes start January 9th and run for 6 weeks. I hope to be meeting you then! 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic, so please feel free to reply with any comments. I'd also love to hear your positive goals for 2017! I'll be sharing this idea on fb today so you can also pop on there to join in the conversation.

With love,

Diane :)

p.s. My resolutions are below... did I mention cookies before? LOL
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