Goal Setting, American Eating Healthier??

Today’s Re-Powering information. Since I am missing Friday, I’ll give you two messages today. One is on achieving your goals followed by my sentiments on the LA times article about Americans Getting Smarter about eating and exercise.
"The discipline you learn and character you build from setting and achieving a goal can be more valuable than the achievement of the goal itself."
-- Bo Bennett, Author

For those who have been with me for almost two years, I am sure you notice the repetition of some common themes in the e-mails and besides getting 7 hours of sleep a night, eating cleaning, showing up for camp and drinking primarily water, the other component which drives the rest and pulls it all together is discipline and it starts with the discipline to have a goal. To even have a goal you must be pretty focused. Without goals you are going through life on a cruise to no where, letting lifes events toss and turn you about. You go where the wind blows, you get taken by the storms and get tossed about by the waves. Without direction and focus, you will be influenced by others and ultimately rarely be living your unique dream, leaving your legacy or feel like you have purpose.
I invite you to choose one thing that you want to accomplish in life. It can be long or short term. If it’s long term, break it up into shorter term goals. It does not even have to be a physical goal. It may be professional, relationship, financial or personal. The cool thing is that when fitness is in your life, it has incredible positive effects on all of the other aspects of your life. When you are physically fit you are better able to think, function, have high levels of energy, soaring levels of confidence and there are even studies to prove that those who are regularly engaged in physical fitness activities earn more money.
If you are constantly making resolutions and not following through on them (or if you know someone who always seems to fall short of achieving a goal), the time is now to get everything you want out of life. There is no reason you can’t achieve (with in reason) anything you want. It starts with powerful goal setting and discipline towards goal achieving.
You have the power to do anything and you will become unstoppable. You will live the life that YOU want.

Take out a piece of paper, a note book or even type the goal you are committed to on your computer. For example:
I run an 8 mile race by May 2009
1 volunteer with children 5 hours per week
I save 2K a month towards an investment
I grow my own fruits and vegetables
Then turn it into a question – How can I run an 8 mile race by May 2009?
Then come up with at least 10 answers.
Then look over your answers, decide which one is the most impactful, most urgent and most important. Begin there.
Having a goal keeps you on target, moving in the directions of your dreams. Start now.
END
According to the Los Angeles Times . . . .
Americans getting smarter about nutrition and exercise
By Jeannine Stein
November 10, 2008
Americans are getting savvier about eating right and exercising, according to a nationwide survey of 783 men and women by the American Dietetic Assn., "Nutrition and You: Trends 2008."

When asked about maintaining a healthful diet and engaging in regular exercise, 43% said, "I'm already doing it." In 2002, that number was 38%. People in the "I know I should" category -- who understand a healthy lifestyle is critical but haven't done much to achieve it -- numbered 38%, up from 30% in 2002. And just 19% of men and women put themselves in the "don't bother me" category -- not believing that diet and exercise are important. That's down from 32% in 2002.
More stats: When participants were asked to rank major and minor reasons for not wanting to do more to attain a balanced diet, 79% said they're satisfied with the way they eat, and 73% said they don't want to give up the foods they like. Only 41% said it was because they didn't understand diet and nutrition guidelines. In 2008, 40% said they were actively seeking more information on nutrition, up from 19% in 2000.

People also are making different choices. In the last five years, 56% of people surveyed increased their consumption of whole-grain foods; 50%, vegetables; 48%, fruits; and 42%, chicken. And 41% decreased their intake of beef; 23%, dairy; and 33%, pork.

Stein is a Times staff writer.
jeannine.stein@latimes.com
End
While I think the reporting of these results are encouraging, I don’t know how accurate or realistic they are. People may report knowing what to eat, but too few people in America eat healthy. 43% of people report that they are maintaining a healthful diet and engaging in regular exercise, 43%, yet only 16% of the populating is exercising on a regular enough basis to see fitness benefits. The goal for the year 2020 is to get 20% of the country exercising. Even if people report eating healthy, it’s doubtful that they have a nourishing, that truly promotes health. Personal Trainers are confused. Nutritionists disagree and doctors also have different opinions about what we should eat so how can the average American who primarily gets their health information from the TV and Internet know what is healthy – especially when they are being influenced by big business and pharmacy?
I don’t mean to sound like doom and gloom. I am hopeful that we are becoming more savvy shoppers and eaters. I caution you to exercise common sense when selecting foods, stick to the most natural ingredients and rely on the best sources when you have questions.
Have a phenomenal day,

Kelli