To Deadline or Not To Deadline...

that is the question.

Life is full of deadlines. They help keep us on track, get our work completed in a timely fashion, and make decisions in a reasonable amount of time. But when it comes to "getting in shape" do they help us or hurt us?

Everyone has something coming up in the future. A wedding, a reunion, a vacation (or some combination of those), and we all want to be the best we can be, but do setting our fitness goals based on these dates really help us get there? Lately, I've been thinking "not so much."

Life is a series of important events. And because of this, we can always push our deadlines back to meet the next one. In that way, we're never focusing on being happy and healthy, but instead focusing on our outward appearance for the next event. You can say that you want to lose 10 lbs. before you head to the beach. And you might (or not). But what comes next?

Being truly happy and healthy, and living life to the fullest, requires a commitment all the time.

Notice I didn't say it requires being on a diet all the time. That would be awful.

You are who you are, so let the events happen when they may. Set more commitment-based goals (I will exercise 4-5 days per week, I won't eat when I'm bored, I'll drink plain water instead of soda or juice). Soon you'll feel better than ever, and be happier, too. Why? Because you gave up the cycle of deadline dieting and started living. It's definitely better.