Passing The Torch
With summer in mid-swing we are excited about the opportunity to watch athletes from around the world compete in the Olympic games. I’ve always loved, when preparing for the games, representatives from the host country and others cross the globe, passing that iconic torch from one champion to another. The effect is inspiring. A symbol of peace, strength and resilience, the Olympic torch reminds us all of the best that we can be.
We don’t need to wait for the Olympics to “pass the torch.” Every day, we can strive to achieve our best in health, fitness, work and life. And we can pass those ideals on to our friends, families and co-workers.
Here at RISE, we wanted to share with you a few ways you can start a fitness movement in your own world – and keep the momentum of exercise and good health going strong!
Find support:
All successful athletes and individuals have had support along the way, someone to encourage, push and teach them. Think about who your fitness supporters are or might be. Having a friend or a spouse who can provide you with positive encouragement and accountability is key to a successful fitness program.
Fitness buddies, such as a coworker, spouse, trainer, coach or mentor can assist you with an added dose of reality to overcome unrealistic expectations, injury, stress, travel, old unhealthy habits, negative self-talk, tempting situations or lack of motivation.
Give support:
Once you find that person or people, remember to reciprocate. Be the coach and cheerleader to those who have helped you out. Working as a team, people can achieve much more than any one individual can on his own.
Consider starting your own health and fitness movement and helping others reach their desired goals. Start a marathon training group, Mommy & Me stroller-walking sessions or a mountain climbing club. In my 20 years of fitness experience, I have realized that there is no better way to achieve your own goals than to help others reach theirs.
Reach the Finish Together:
There is a famous story of a runner at the 1976 Seattle Special Olympics who stumbled at the starting line to the 100-yard dash and fell to the ground crying. Some of his competitors noticed his tears, walked back to the starting line and helped him up. Linking arms, they walked to the finish line together to the cheers of the throngs of onlookers who will never forget this poignant example of human spirit.
We can all help each other to the finish line by linking arms with friends, mentors and coaches who are truthful with us, who encourage us and who help us realize that our goals are not achievable overnight.
By working together with others to systematically plan achievable “mini-goals”, you and your team will be more likely to succeed. For example, instead of beginning your fitness program with the idea that you will lose 6 pounds your first week, focus on setting a daily goal for you and your exercise buddies to eat sensibly and get more exercise than you did yesterday. Each day you accomplish this goal is a day you succeeded – and each success is something you can use to encourage someone else!
Nobody does it alone – or as Mark Twain put it, “A self-made man is about as likely as a self-laid egg.”
So keep that torch going!
www.risetogethertoday.com/coachingmembership
