They say hindsight is 20/20. What about foresight? Imagine being able to go back and have a talk with a younger version of
yourself right before you made a big mistake. I know I’d like to say a few words to the 15 year old version of myself that thought it would be cool to try smoking cigarettes…..or the 21 year old version of me who totaled a friend’s car driving like an idiot. I’m sure you can think of a time or two when some common sense….or wisdom could have saved you a lot of embarrassment, pain, money,
etc. We all do things we wish we hadn’t.
When it comes to our health and fitness, many people live as though there will be no consequences for their actions. They live with an ‘It will never happen to me’ mentality. Sadly, when it comes to poor choices with our health, often things do not work out in our favor.
Countless people live shortened and diminished lives based on choices. I was once on a path that was a shortcut to the grave. I was using tobacco. I was eating junk. I was inactive. I was overweight. I felt like dirt! Eventually I got fed up and took action. I quit using tobacco. I stopped drinking alcohol. I started to exercise. I stopped drinking sugary beverages day in/day out. I started eating healthy foods.
All of these new behaviors were tough. I stumbled and made lots of mistakes. I struggled with finding the motivation to stick with these new behaviors and kept falling off the fitness wagon. One day an idea came to me: What advice would the version of me 30 years from now give me? Would he tell me to keep using tobacco? Would he tell me to sit around and watch hours of television drinking beer and eating pizza? Would he want me to be sick, diseased, or worse….dead?
I think the 70 year old version of me would want me to make good decisions today so that he can be healthy, alive and happy. I cannot control the future….but I can control my decisions today to ensure I have the best future version of me possible. I want the 70 year old version of me to look back and say ‘Thank you!’. And with that new mindset, I found my motivation!
You can look around see the negative consequences that sedentary and unhealthy behaviors create. Hospitals and graves are filled with people who are getting sick and dying way too young.
On the flip side, you can see older people who are active and enjoying their golden years. They are continuing to live happy and fulfilling lives. My grandparents are a fine example of this. They are both in their mid 90s and still travel around the country visiting friends and family. They inspire me to make good choices so I can be around a long time too. And it’s not just living longer that inspires me, it’s adding quality experiences to those years.
So, what would the 70 year old version of you say about your current lifestyle? Would they be happy or would they tell you to make some changes? Really think about how your choices today are going to affect your tomorrow. Your future is up to you! We can’t
predict what tomorrow holds, but I am going to assume that foresight is 20/20 and make the best choices possible. That’s keeps me on course with my journey towards wellness.
To learn more getting yourself motivated to create a fit and healthy life, order my book ‘Operation Motivation – The Ultimate Guide to Crush your Fitness Excuses!’ at: sgtstevecoaching.com.
SGT Steve’s philosophy is simple: Real transformation is about changing lives, not just dress sizes. He is a Transformation Coach who serves as a guide and ally for those who want to create fit, healthy and more fulfilling lives. He is also the author of the powerful book ‘Operation Motivation – The ultimate guide to crush your fitness excuses!’ He will be launching an Adventure Boot Camp for Women in Prescott, AZ in the summer of 2013.
