My Blog Log

Friday, January 4, 2013

What Will You Gain?

    
     Happy New Year! A new year has different meaning for all of us, but most of us think of new year's resolutions. This  year I really did not want to set myself up for any resolutions because I think they are really hard to stick to, and sometimes can counter the positive effect that they are supposed to have. So no resolutions this year? I want to try a new twist on the idea.
     Kellogg's has the right idea. Their new campaign, ' What will you gain when you lose?' is brilliant. Kellogg's has proposed to think of losing weight as what you will gain instead of a negative word like lose. They are kicking off their campaign in Time Square on January 3rd by displaying a large scale and screen. When you step onto to the scale instead of seeing a number, inspirational words will display to encourage healthy weight management. I love this idea.
      The word lose( according to the Online Dictionary) means; Be deprived of or cease to have or retain (something): "I've lost my appetite", or to cause (someone) to fail to gain or retain (something): "you lost me my appointment at the university. No wonder we can't stick to our resolutions. The word lose has many negative connotations like deprived and fail to gain something. Who would want to start something like that? But if we change the wording(mind-set) and realize the many things we may gain by becoming more conscious of what we eat, and how exercise will help us gain something, why not try?
     One of my goals for the new year is to gain fitness that I lost over the holiday. I lost fitness during the holidays because I had bronchitis, and I was busy getting ready for Christmas at the last minute due to illness. When I think of losing weight I really don't want to because I know that means depriving myself of foods that I love. But, if I rethink what I'll gain or get out of working out, I know that I'll be able to eat something that I love because I've done the work. As long as I don't go overboard with the treats I'm golden.
     I know that I'll gain those smaller jeans once I get back on my regular routine of swimming, running, and biking. I may even gain a new pair of jeans that don't hang in my closet, again as a reward for sticking to a plan.
     When I stick to my regular routine of eating right and exercise, I also gain a sense of accomplishment which raises my self-esteem and generally makes me happy. There are three gains in that last sentence: accomplishment, self-esteem, happiness. Sticking to my commitment of healthy living gives me back much more than I put out.
    Increasing activity levels will also benefit our heart health, and may increase our brain cognition, and help us sleep better, according to an article on science daily.com. I know that personally I do sleep better when I am more active. Again all those items listed are gains.
     I am a big list maker. When I have a decision to make I fold a piece of paper in half and at the top write pros on one side, and cons on the other. When it comes to fitness I can guarantee if you try this list making exercise you will have more on your pro side than con side.
     A new year is always exciting. Whether you just want to improve your fitness goals or maybe you just want to be more organized. Change your thought process to what you will gain rather than what you will lose, and you will be on your way.

Tri-On and Happy New Year!
Kelly

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110131153249.htm for more information on the benefits of moderate aerobic activity in adults.