Nick Rozek, For USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Published 10:42 a.m. CT Oct. 18, 2019

Child having a tantrum(Photo: Oksana_Alex, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Adults know everything. We have all the answers. There is not much we can learn from other generations.

That is, until we realize that toddlers are highly effective goal achievers. They utilize simple goal-achieving principles to be successful over and over.

Allow the lessons below to give you a new perspective on how to achieve any health and fitness goal.

A screaming toddler can turn into a smiling angel in the blink of an eye. How does this transformation happen? How did their tears dry up so fast? What were they even crying about in the first place? One of the incredible skills that many toddlers possess is the ability to change moods like a light switch.

Like tantrum-throwing toddlers, adults with health and fitness goals should learn to improve their short-term memory. Often, setbacks and obstacles are allowed to linger in our minds for too long. We dwell on missed opportunities and wallow in self-pity when things do not go our way. A setback may be missing a weight-loss goal by a few pounds. Perhaps the perfectly planned fitness routine got off schedule. Whatever the case, learn to accept setbacks, acknowledge how you can improve for next time when similar challenges arise, and move on with your fitness journey.

Developing the ability to learn from the past and progress forward takes time and effort. To hone this skill, consider writing about the struggles you face in a journal. Detail what happened, how you reactedand how you can improve if similar situations arise in the future. Consider talking to a personal trainer or fitness professional, someone trained in overcoming fitness obstacles, and improving your likelihood for future success.

Toddlers know that treats and toys are not easily earned. Rather, they set their mind to their end goal and kick and scream until they are successful. If they want a cookie, there is often no amount of negotiating that will bring the battle to an end. You are often left wondering why you try and push back at all.

Searching for a magic pill or industry secret for achieving your goals with ease is the most common pitfall among health-seekers. Nothing comes easy. Like toddlers, we need to determine our ultimate goal, put our head down, and kick and scream until we achieve what we truly desire. Some people have goals around improving their physique, others want the ability to play with their grandkids pain free, some train for performance. Toddlers teach us that a significant struggle is often necessary to get what we want.

Fighting for success can mean many things, including avoiding consuming alcohol even when others offer, going to bed early so you can work out before your kids wake upor staying committed to your training plan even when motivation is lacking. Whatever struggles you have to work through to be successful, fight as hard as you need to until what you want is yours.

Feel free to skip the part that involves rolling on the floor and pounding fists. But, do appreciate these lessons learned from toddlers. When it comes to achieving your goals, have your own mini-tantrum, move on from previous strugglesand work hard for whatever you want most.

Nick Rozek is a healthy living director for Greater Green Bay YMCA and a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Reach him at 920-436-1297 or nick.rozek@greenbayymca.org.

Read or Share this story: https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/life/2019/10/18/health-and-fitness-lessons-we-can-learn-toddlers/4012580002/

Read this article:
When it comes to health and fitness goals, we can learn a lot from toddlers - Green Bay Press Gazette