Did you know that 87% of all New Year's Resolutions are health and fitness related? Ok so we completely made that statistic up but let's pretend for a moment that it is true. What would compel someone to resolve to get into better shape? Perhaps it is because it's fun to imagine imagine making improvements to our lives, bodies, and minds. We imagine what it would be like if we could just find the discipline and determination to follow through. We imagine how amazing it will be when we reach our goal and arrive at our imagined new fitness level.
But the fun ends when the work starts. We quickly realize that in order to attain a fitness goal we have to do real work, set real priorities, change real habits. The truth is that once reality sets in 75% of people give up. (...also a completely made up statistic)
Why? Because we imagine the destination but ignore the journey. We must also imagine every step of the way as we get closer and closer to our goal. Each challenge, each milestone, each week that goes by when we are still making progress is a promise kept, a commitment fulfilled. Watching thousands of people take the Run/Walk 2,018 miles in 2018 challenge showed us what it is like to celebrate the journey. Seeing milestone bibs, hearing stories, feeling tangible frustration and sadness along with genuine jubilation and joy was part of the ongoing challenge.
We witnessed authentic spirit, camaraderie, and compassion. We witnessed greatness. We witnessed the power of a community sharing positive energy, support and a deep well of resolve.
A New Year brings new hope. But hope without action is merely a day dream. Resolutions are fun because we get to imagine making improvements to our lives, bodies, and minds. We imagine what it would be like if we could just find the discipline and determination to follow through. Well THIS is that year. This is the year you not only dream it but live it! This is the year you find out what happens when you keep going and refuse to give in. This is the year you Make Fit Happen!