What's Scrooge got to do with it

Over the Christmas period there were many versions of the Christmas Carol. How many did you see?  Poor old Scrooge, visited by three spirits. All well and good but you may be asking, 'What has this got to do with me?'

New Year is the time for resolutions, the time when you are gung ho and can't wait to get started on your new...(insert your own goal).

Now if your goal is to get fitter and lose a bit of weight then you are about to be visited by three spirits.

The Spirit of the present
The present, or the here and now, is gone as soon as you have said it. The present is where life chugs along and all is comfortable. You may be a little out of breath when you climb a flight of stairs or your clothes may feel a little tighter. No problem, that's why they make XL, right! How did it get to be like this, what brought you to the here and now? You are about to be visited by the Spirit of what has been - the past.

The Spirit of what has been - the past
Every one of us is a creature of habit. Some habits are good and some are bad. You need to go back and see how your habits have evolved.  When you were a child were you always told, 'Eat up, there are people starving in ...'.  Or, 'You can't have dessert until you finish what is on your plate'.  When things got too much did you reach for the ice cream, chocolates, crisps, something comfortable.
At school were you perceived as being clumsy or no good at sport. Were you the last one picked in team games. I know I was.
Habits are not given, they are formed. It's not easy, remember you are comfortable, to change habits. It takes effort and work to change but it is not impossible. It is achievable. You have choices, it is up to you to make them. Watch out, here comes the Spirit of what is to come - the future

The spirit of what is to come - the future
This is where choice comes in. Look into the future. In fact, there are two futures.  Lets look at the first, the comfortable no change future. How far have you gone?  Five, ten years.  You are now out of breath after climbing a flight of stairs. XL was a long time ago, you can't even remember XXL.  Your knees and hips ache because they have to deal with your excess weight.  Your heart is working harder for that very same reason. You have just started a new course of blood pressure tablets, your doctors says...stop! Rewind it doesn't have to be like this.
How about the second future?  You took steps to learn from your past.  You have taken responsibility for your actions and made some lifestyle changes.  You have found a way to exercise, weight bearing and cardiovascular, that you enjoy .  You don't get breathless after running up a flight of stairs. You are at a weight that is right for your body frame. Your heart and lungs feel ten years younger at least.  You look and feel fantastic.
Be like Scrooge, learn from your past and embrace change.  Achieve the future you want.  It will take a bit of work but it is worth it.

What ever your resolution is I wish you success.  I also wish you a Happy New Year.