I find myself among the growing number of baby boomers
who are reaching the age in life when retirement is not far off in the
future. In fact, a growing number of people my age are already starting
to take early retirement. Like many, I find it increasingly more
important to do the things that keep my body in shape so that when I do
retire, I can enjoy my life to the fullest. I want to be free to travel
and do all of the things I couldn’t during my working life.
Unfortunately, too many of us will reach retirement unable to do all the
things we want because of health-related problems.
When I was young and in my prime, I thought, like most
young people, that I would live forever. I had Superman Syndrome. I
could run all day and still had energy to burn. As I grew older, got
married, had kids and began my career, a lot of my energy was channeled
into these areas. Fortunately I have a high energy level, but over the
years I didn’t exercise as much and I gradually put on extra weight.
About 18 months ago, I looked in the mirror and did not like what I saw
looking back at me. The person in the mirror was not the person I had
been or wanted to be. I decided it was time to change the image and get
back into shape. I implemented the Five Critical Tenets that I use in my
Management Safety Training Classes. The Tenets are the key steps in
making things happen and if they worked in improving a Safety Program,
they would work in changing health habits as well.
The 1st Tenet is - AWARENESS: Since I looked in the
mirror and did not like what I saw, I was clearly aware of my situation.
Many people get to this step. They are aware that they do not look or
feel the way they want to, but all too often they either just accept it
or are not willing to make the effort to change. The effort is not worth
the outcome. This is where the 2nd Tenet is so important.
2nd Tenet is - WINNING ATTITUDE: Whatever you do in
life, it must be worth winning or you won’t do it well. You may start
the process, but it is just a matter of time before more important
issues divert your attention. This is certainly true when you are trying
to lose weight. There is always some type of party, dinner or event that
you must attend. Time is limited so exercising on schedule is difficult
at best. Many times there is not sufficient time for a sit down lunch so
fast food becomes the lunch of choice. These are all obstacles that must
be overcome, and therefore the reward — better health, more energy and
better appearance — must be constantly referenced.
3rd Tenet is where the rubber meets the road - TOTAL
COMMITMENT TO SUCCESS: In anything we do we must be totally
committed to success. We need to be on a mission and focused on
achieving the desired outcome. There can be no acceptable excuses.
Excuses are only justifications for failure. A diet must be established,
weight monitoring must be done everyday and time for exercising must be
set aside. In other words, you establish an Action Plan and stay on it
like a laser beam.
4th Tenet keeps you on track - BELIEF IN WHAT YOU ARE
DOING: If you don’t truly believe in what you are doing, you won’t
do it with passion. Passion is the drive behind successful people. Set
yourself a weight reduction target and constantly monitor the results.
Success does not happen overnight and takes time. Do no let day-to-day
life pull you off your plan. If you overeat one day, do not give up —
get back on your plan.
5th Tenet is the hardest of all to achieve and maintain
- BEHAVIORAL CHANGE: You have to change your day-to-day behavior and
this has to be a permanent, long-term change. We can all change our
behavior temporarily, but long-term, permanent change is hard. This
change will only occur if we truly believe in what we are doing, are
committed to change, see the real value of making the change and are
aware that we need to make the change. It must become a part of your
daily life and repeated over and over each day. Since I decided to
change, I have reached my target weight. I am now in the ongoing,
never-ending process of maintaining my weight at a level where I feel
good about myself, have increased energy and I no longer have that other
person looking back at me from the mirror.
I have joined millions of other Americans that have
decided to change their lives for the better. It wasn’t and isn’t easy.
There are always roadblocks, but I now stay on my plan. A healthy
lifestyle is worth the effort.
Lifestyle diseases are the number one killer of
Americans. If you have not already started a wellness program for your
employees, please think about it. Encourage proper exercise, diet and
weight control. In the long run, it will save millions in health care
costs, reduce many types of job-related injures and increase employee
work longevity. All of these are good for your employees and good for
your business. In other words, it is simply good business.
If you have any questions about your Safety Program or
have any questions, please feel free to call me at 1-800-356-1274.
