Image courtesy of Teerapun/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Flash & Sparkle — makes me think of fireworks.  Which reminds me, bathing suit season is quickly approaching.  30 days to drop a jeans size! 90 DAYS to TOTALLY TRANSFORM YOUR BODY!,  6 Weeks to Bikini Ready, 8 Weeks to Your Best Body Ever! It seems like every gym membership trial, workout DVD series or crash exercise plan has an expiration date.  Change your body by _________ or BUST!

I think that’s why so many of us get discouraged, frustrated, or just give up.  If we can’t achieve the results we want in a short amount of time, we burn out.  We go like great guns, and then fizzle out.  We’re like bottle rockets.  By July 4th, we’re looking for the security of those bulky winter sweaters and writing off another summer of not having the best body ever.

What if we looked at it differently?  Like a whole 4th of July display. I didn’t get in this shape overnight, and I’m not going to change back into something else overnight.  One day at a time, one short term goal at time.  Start today with a walk, tomorrow a swim, or a bike ride.  Who knows?  In a couple of weeks, a weight lifting program, gym trial, or jog.  We can’t all magically walk into a gym or buy some plan and poof transform into He-Man or He-Woman.  Sometimes the most profound change is the gradual one.  It sneaks up on you, you become absorbed in the small changes, and just like the firework display on the 4th, end up with one awesome grand finale.

We need to build up.  Start with one healthy step and add on.  Start with some exercise, try a healthier way to cook a favorite recipe, a new activity you want to try.  One push up, a few more seconds holding a plank, getting off the couch at the end of one of those work days.  It won’t be magical.  It may not even be fun.  It will take time.  Find something that sparks your interest and light the fuse.  It won’t bring awe that first day, but stick with it and you might just find yourself inspiring.