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health check up
21/01/2016
At Best Practice, we are big on behaviour change and we like to use every little psychological trick in the book to achieve it. When it comes to the best tricks, I look at how games are designed and then use the addictive nature of such ingenious methodology to mould the action of clients towards the ‘good’ habits, as opposed to the numerous bad ones we form, seemingly without even trying. And you know what, I think that last point is key – ‘without even trying’. When I finish a workout now, I almost can’t wait to tick the box in our systems that says, in graphical form, “hey you got something done pal”. My little calendar, which is easily accessible on my smart phone displays a little orange man on the day when ever I have completed a workout. As simple as that is, the accumulation of little men means I know at a glance that I am active in that week, and I will do almost anything to make sure I can tick the box that means I get a little icon to show up. I guess another big reason this works is because ‘being active’ is one of my KPI’s for a good life and like anyone, I want a good life. We use this method with our clients and members because it is easier to drive new behaviour with the simple rather than the complex. You should give it a go. Even a simple walk get’s you a tick and an orange man. Our two group […]
08/07/2015
We make a living by what we get. We make a life from what we give. – Winston Churchill. I believe the best thing you can ‘give’ is a great example. I am thinking specifically here about family and health. In health and fitness, it is all about a getting into a consistent routine. When you can display this in your own life, you will start to see it multiply around you. Your kids will model what you do. Have you ever heard the saying “I can’t hear your words because your actions are screaming so loudly”? If you are wondering why your kids aren’t getting outside to play whilst all you ever do is crack a beer and slouch down on the couch, then maybe it is time to think what kind of picture you are giving them of life. Perhaps you are feeling overwhelmed and all you ever do is give. Well, the idea that charity starts at home is well worth considering. When was the last time you gave something to yourself? When did you last carve out some ‘you time’? I have mentioned this concept before. You are no good to anyone if you are feeling this way. You need to factor in some ‘energy up’ time. Let’s also not forget recovery and recuperation. It is a salient point that the most gains in fitness happen when you are NOT doing anything. But of course you have to do the ‘something’ first! So harking back to the wise words of Winston… You can make your own […]
16/06/2015
Half way through the year: health check up So, it’s halfway to the end of the year! Are we on track or not? This is an important question that needs to be periodically asked because operating without feedback is akin to ‘hoping for the best’. And you know whilst I am a big believer in positive thinking and many of the elements of the celebrated “The Secret”, merely ‘hoping’ without the hard data to adjust course does not normally end well. At the start of this year you probably made some claims, resolutions, assertions or if you were really serious, actually had written goals about how this year was going to go health wise. I am suggesting to you that now is a good time to do your check in. I would like to think you were appraising your progress on a monthly basis and taking the appropriate action to keep on target, but I know that not all of you have your health on that pedestal of priority! At the very least though, let the EOFY signify more than just a check in on your finances… So what should you be checking? I would at least be looking at the broad numbers of health including your blood pressure, blood sugar, liver function, immune system and cholesterol. These are a good start but I would go further than this. If your only goal is to live with the ‘absence of illness’, then maybe this is enough. But I think most people are looking at how better to thrive not just […]