Do Something Radical for 14 Days

OK my fellow brothers and sisters, let's make a move. We all talk about wanting to make a change, but we get lost in the wishy-washy way we approach the area we desire to change. "I need to eat better." Or "I really should start making time to exercise." What does that mean? What are you doing about it? It can't be a change if we don't do anything different.

I have a wonderful friend named Don who told me we are crazy when we do the same thing over and over expecting a different result. As if somehow this time will be different...come on! No handholding. Let's do it.

I train hard, eat healthy, and am in good shape, but I am tighter than all get-out, and it's starting to affect my body. For example, I believe I could have improved the health of my knee if my hips, feet, and IT bands were not so tight. I hate stretching and it hurts like a mother. I love chocolate. I have gotten into the habit of eating it all the time. I don't drink coffee or alcohol, but chocolate is my pacifier.

So for the past week (and I have another week to go) I have been fasting (eating only soft veggies, eggs, and smoothies with protein) and taking yoga. Why? I need to change and I wasn't able to pull it off just going along day after day in my life. So I am committing this time to redirect my ship. I feel hungry and my husband can tell you I have been just a little more direct (which is a nice way of saying edgy). My three-year-old asked me why I was so grumpy. You get the point.

When I'm in the thick of it, I just keep telling myself that it's only for 14 days and I will have moved closer to better habits. My body feels better and even my knees and other joints feel great. No processed sugar. Less inflammation in my body.

Now you pick an area or areas in your life and commit 14 days to do or die doing it better:

1. Create the goal. Really see where the need is.
2. There is no perfect time, but start in a window that is somewhat realistic to your life.
3. If you can, do it with a friend. Support is key. If you have someone you can go through it with, that makes it so much easier.
4. When you are in the thick of it, see what changes are occurring and focus on all the good that you are doing for yourself.
5. Commit. Don't quit!!!!!

So if you need to get some exercise in your life, make a workout calendar. Write it all down and do not break that date. If you say you want to eat better, then suck it up for 14 days. This is not a diet, this is boot camp. This is you and me changing our day-to-day habits with a sledgehammer. It's just 14 days.

I'm of the belief that once you see that you can do it on an extreme level, you will be able to pick and choose so much easier in your day-to-day life. You will be able to implement better habits. Do something drastic, and let's rewrite the ending to our same old stories. Why not? What do you have to lose?

2007 Gabrielle Reece . All Rights Reserved.