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"I was out of control until I got serious and envisioned what life would be like if I followed The Prize Club Core Beliefs and kept my small commitments for a year.” – Richard S., Prize Club Member
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To have long-term success with living a healthy lifestyle, we must create a new, principle-centered paradigm. The Core Beliefs are the cornerstone of this new paradigm. They are designed to help members keep "first things first", as well as to simplify our decision making.
We must care for ourselves before we can care for others.
Many of us don’t make personal health a priority in our lives…everything else comes first. Putting ourselves first is not selfish; it’s about maintaining balance, setting a good example, and thriving. At some point in our lives, we will have to make our health a priority. The question is whether it will be before or after a health crisis. We must be proactive and make the decision now.
We always have choices; we are not victims.
People often create roadblocks (i.e. time, special events, environment) and place blame for their inability to improve their health. The truth is that once they have a significant health scare, these roadblocks disappear. They can suddenly make exercise and nutrition a priority. The Prize Club does not accept artificial roadblocks as an excuse. Rather, we deal with reality and develop strategies to succeed.
Changing our mindset from one of deprivation to one of gratitude.
Most people start a wellness program thinking they must deprive themselves of the food and activities they enjoy. Likewise, many people dread the idea of maintaining a consistent fitness program. These are negative mindsets that should be switched to a mindset of gratitude. After all, it isn’t a stretch to say that we are lucky to be healthy enough to exercise and to have all the food we will ever need to stay satisfied. The question is: should we feel deprived when we limit ourselves to one cookie, or feel fortunate to have had one at all? This example doesn’t even begin to address the real benefits of eating right, such as good health and increased self-esteem. A mindset of gratitude helps with self-control and allows us to be less obsessed with the destructive foods and habits many of us have become accustomed to.
Willingness to stretch ourselves and get out of our “comfort zone”.
It is amazing how powerful our so called “comfort zone” can be. The fear of leaving it is quite often more powerful than the misery of staying there. Most people beginning their wellness journey make it an unrealistic, daunting task and secretly fear that they will ultimately fail. Prize Club members face these fears and go down a new path that can be challenging, but unbelievably rewarding as they develop new habits that are consistent with who they aspire to be. This process is made easier by doing it with others who have the same goals and face the same challenges.
Acceptance.
Accepting life on life’s terms is an important key to happiness. After all, there is only so much we have control over. Not practicing acceptance or killing ourselves trying to control things that aren’t ours to control leads to frustration, stress and unhappiness. Too often these negative emotions contribute to unhealthy lifestyle habits. If we are unhappy we have two solutions; either change our habits or accept the reality of our current circumstances. This is critical when it comes to developing healthy habits. We must do what it takes to change, or gladly accept our current circumstances.
We must care for ourselves before we can care for others.
Many of us don’t make personal health a priority in our lives…everything else comes first. Putting ourselves first is not selfish; it’s about maintaining balance, setting a good example, and thriving. At some point in our lives, we will have to make our health a priority. The question is whether it will be before or after a health crisis. We must be proactive and make the decision now.
We always have choices; we are not victims.
People often create roadblocks (i.e. time, special events, environment) and place blame for their inability to improve their health. The truth is that once they have a significant health scare, these roadblocks disappear. They can suddenly make exercise and nutrition a priority. The Prize Club does not accept artificial roadblocks as an excuse. Rather, we deal with reality and develop strategies to succeed.
Changing our mindset from one of deprivation to one of gratitude.
Most people start a wellness program thinking they must deprive themselves of the food and activities they enjoy. Likewise, many people dread the idea of maintaining a consistent fitness program. These are negative mindsets that should be switched to a mindset of gratitude. After all, it isn’t a stretch to say that we are lucky to be healthy enough to exercise and to have all the food we will ever need to stay satisfied. The question is: should we feel deprived when we limit ourselves to one cookie, or feel fortunate to have had one at all? This example doesn’t even begin to address the real benefits of eating right, such as good health and increased self-esteem. A mindset of gratitude helps with self-control and allows us to be less obsessed with the destructive foods and habits many of us have become accustomed to.
Willingness to stretch ourselves and get out of our “comfort zone”.
It is amazing how powerful our so called “comfort zone” can be. The fear of leaving it is quite often more powerful than the misery of staying there. Most people beginning their wellness journey make it an unrealistic, daunting task and secretly fear that they will ultimately fail. Prize Club members face these fears and go down a new path that can be challenging, but unbelievably rewarding as they develop new habits that are consistent with who they aspire to be. This process is made easier by doing it with others who have the same goals and face the same challenges.
Acceptance.
Accepting life on life’s terms is an important key to happiness. After all, there is only so much we have control over. Not practicing acceptance or killing ourselves trying to control things that aren’t ours to control leads to frustration, stress and unhappiness. Too often these negative emotions contribute to unhealthy lifestyle habits. If we are unhappy we have two solutions; either change our habits or accept the reality of our current circumstances. This is critical when it comes to developing healthy habits. We must do what it takes to change, or gladly accept our current circumstances.