2024 is my year to…my year to what? For many of us, we see the New Year come and go, and before we know it we’ve taken that trip around the sun and we’re in the exact same place again one year later. Time flies, as they say, and the older we get the quicker it goes.
Two years ago, I was introduced to a calendar called “Life in Weeks“. You can certainly make your own but I bought one off of Esty that was prefilled in for under $10. I ordered an 8 1/2 x 11” copy so I could put it in my “planner”…yes, I’m still on paper 😂.
It’s a great way to kick off a new year because, for those of us over 50, we can “see” that at least half of our years are in the past. I don’t know, it just makes me want to use what’s left in the most meaningful way possible and to do that I’d like to be healthy enough to do whatever it takes to make life meaningful.
And for all those people who are now shunning “resolutions” for intentions, or those who don’t like the word goal because…well…what if I don’t achieve it? Then I failed and I won’t get a trophy…Good grief people! I think I’d prefer to spend more time working on the goals versus splitting hairs about the terminology.
A few things we’d like you to focus on as you think about the new year ahead:
- Be a Rebel for YOUR health. Ironically, that statement is what started Ed and my current career evolution. RebelHealth was the name of our first fitness company that morphed into CrossFit Rebels…betcha didn’t know that! As cliche as this sounds, without your health it’s tough to work on other goals. You truly have to advocate for yourself and be smart and educated about both your body and what you believe to be good medicine for you. Where that statement goes in one ear and out the other is the definition of “health”. A common definition, albeit so inaccurate, is health is the absence of disease. (scratching my head right now…) I mean, because most lifestyle-related conditions can be managed through medications or treatments that cause adverse side effects, even poor health that is maintained or made slightly better by non-lifestyle interventions, can be seen as healthy. And this isn’t meant to shame, but rather refocus: because a condition is being managed with medication, it shouldn’t be the end of the search to improve that condition. For example:
- type 2 diabetes, controlled by medication, before or without consideration for diet, exercise, and sleep
- hypertension, controlled by medication, before or without consideration for diet, exercise, and sleep
- heart disease, remedied by stents and medication, without further emphasis on diet, exercise, and sleep
- frailty, managed through scooters, walkers, reachers, and ramps, without effort to regain strength and function through diet and exercise
- overweight & obesity causing inflammation, joint pain, and, lack of movement, managed through weight loss drugs and bariatric surgery, without aggressive lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and sleep
- …think about this – hard. There are things YOU can do and control that will improve as a result of lifestyle changes. You are in control more than you think. You were given a brain to use as a critical thinking and decision-making asset. Control your environment – and yes, that takes effort on your part.
- Be Kind. Being self-critical, introspective, and always striving to be a better person pays off…it usually results in kindness. I think there is a lot of “give yourself some grace” going on, and we’re not seeing a lot of holding ourselves accountable and striving to be better people. Continuing the theme above – you are in control of how you feel, how you allow others to make you feel, and how you make others feel…use that power for good!
- Be Coachable/Teachable. Ruh roh! Sounds like humility, right? Maybe. Yes, I’m sure you’re an expert in something. So am I. So is Ed. BUT, the ability to listen and learn before you exert your excuses on why you can’t do something or why you are a unique snowflake, which is why the instruction you’re being given can’t apply to you…yes we’re mainly speaking to our athletes in the gym environment but this applies elsewhere. Listen. Understand the “why”. Try. If it doesn’t work – keep trying. But offering excuses before you try something new or different just makes you..uncoachable. And your results will never be as good as they would be if you open yourself up to being “coachable”.
- Give. Whether your time, your expertise, or finances, giving fulfills a common need in humans, provides anti-depressive/mood benefits, and links us to the greater good. Many of our GMRx athletes volunteer and you can see it’s baked into their life now. The world would be a better place if all of us did this.
Happy New Year!