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Why eight weeks??
As it turns out, in science we study people at in four weeks, six weeks, eight weeks, 10 weeks and 12 weeks. There are critical times in a person’s transformation, where they say to themselves, “What can I accomplish in a reasonable time to commit to a lifelong journey?”
We look at what it takes a person to psychological integrate new habits, to become committed to it. Eight weeks does the trick.
Four weeks is the honeymoon. It’s like you’re running a 5K (3.1 miles) and all the sudden, around mile two, people are pooping out. The people who can push through that second mile, to get to the third, those people finish the race.
People who push through that initial four-week period are the ones who succeed. After that four-week timeframe, we learn who is resilient, who is learning the rules and tools to adapt and adjust. The excuses are no longer a big deal. So what if the treadmill blows up – I’ll walk outdoors. I’ll join a gym – I’ll adapt. People have reserve in four weeks that they can power through it. But after that four weeks, they get tired, and they are vulnerable to go back to old habits.
Eight weeks builds foundations.
Let’s say you’ve watched the scale move somewhat, maybe not a lot, but some. Maybe you’ve seen some changes. Let me tell you what you’ve really done. If you’ve taken that 30-minute walk every day, or at least 5 times a week, you’ve reduced your heart disease risk by 50 percent. You’ve reduced your cancer risk (breast cancer for women, prostate for men) by 50 percent, all by simply getting up and moving more.
Why restart?
So – hey you’ve just done eight weeks – You’ve got to be feeling good. In every single area of your life - it’s about mind, muscle and mouth - you can see some improvement. Don’t you dare say – woulda, coulda, shoulda… Stop and congratulate yourself, and say:
“Look what I was able to pull off. I am beginning to understand this is my life. This is a part of my life. I want to continue. I want to do it smarter. I want to live smart. I want to live long and smart. I’m on a roll – I’m changing my expectations for fitness. If I made these changes, whether it’s pounds, inches, reducing disease risk, calmer moods, or energy levels… how about some more of that?!!!"
