HAPPY HEALTHY 2018
Many of you are familiar with the whole idea of goal setting and for most people who engage in this worthwhile activity, it normally happens around the end of December when people get a range of ideas of how they are going to make the coming year so much better than the one just about to pass. Joining a gym, losing weight, getting into a relationship, maybe getting out of a relationship, the list goes on. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I wonder how many people actually follow through on their goals, plans and aspirations, and hold them tight and work at them throughout the following year. If I were a betting man and I maybe harsh here, I’d say maybe 10/15%. I have no evidence to back this up, simply life experience and due to the fact I meet and talk with hundreds of people every year who appear to have a number of things in common, one of the main things being a genuine lack of discipline.
In reality it’s up to ourselves, all down to you.....and an observation I would make in this space, would be that people often get mixed up in the terminology around inspiration and motivation. Sure, all of us need a little push, someone to encourage us, to tell us to get our shit together and sort ourselves out. These people I tend to class as those who can at times inspire us to crack on and do the work to achieve whatever it is one wants to achieve. However when it comes to motivation, my own view is that this must come from within. Nobody can actually make you eat better, exercise more, or get a new job. That internal action/motivation, must come from you taking the appropriate action to follow through with whatever task or goal you have set yourself.
Personally speaking my main goal of 2018 is to make it as healthy a year as I possibly can. 2017 was a great year for me health wise as I gave up meat and dairy, stopped my daily MS injections, ate copious amounts of fruits, vegetables and other plant based foods, and with the aid of this new plan, for the most part I have been able to keep my MS symptoms at bay. I also completed one Ironman race, four triathlons, another marathon, and ran over 350 miles on the roads, through forests and up mountains.
However living with MS every day brings it’s own challenges, and one of the most unwanted has to be the uncertainty of how each day, week and month is going to pan out. For example this past ten days I’ve had an onset of dizziness and nausea that at different times through the year raises its head. This can be a very frustrating symptom as although quite manageable can be distressing at times as it also has a tendency to suck the life out of your body. I’m hopeful that with my plan, and the fact that the mitochondria in the body will be getting lots of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, my physiology will repair and improve over the next few days, which will allow this to pass.
I’ve written quite alot about illness over the last few years on this blog, and it continues to pain me to state the obvious, but unfortunately, more people are getting sicker younger. Scientists believe that over 75% of illness comes about as a result of our environment. Your environment being what we eat, what we drink, how we move and also how we think and interact with people. Stop what you are doing right now, read the last sentence again, and think about this. If there is one thing we can all do in 2018, surely it’s improve all of our environments, as it's the one thing we have the power to control. Therefor its right to assume that in effect it's ourselves, our own actions and decisions, that will dictate on many occasions whether we are to continue to experience good health. An interesting thought I would suggest.
As I do every year I’ve written down my own goals for 2018 over the holidays. They comprise personal goals, business goals, and family goals. A tip I would share with you is that it is accepted that those people who write down their goals and aspirations and regularly review them, have a greater chance of achieving them. Why not give it a go yourself.
New Years day is an important day in the year, and it does give everyone an opportunity to improve their health, their philosophies, set goals, and strive to make things better than they currently are. Just remember if you are lucky enough to be in good health right now, do not take it for granted and make it a priority to look after yourself throughout the next twelve months. It’s one of the best decisions you will make this year.
Can I start 2018, by thanking everyone who has supported me and continues to support me. I appreciate all of the help and support especially from those closest to me and also many of you who continue to engage with me through emails, messages and my website.
ANNOUNCEMENT - At the end of January 2018, I will be releasing my book IRONMIND, AGAINST ALL ODDS, on audio format. This will allow you to listen to the book in the car, gym, out running or wherever. I really enjoyed the experience of recording the book in Belfast and I'm delighted it's getting excellent reviews on amazon. I hope you enjoy the audio.
I will announce the date on my website.
Happy Healthy 2018
