On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to approve a Virginia motion calling for the official separation of the colonies from Britain. This resolution was added to the closing of the Declaration of Independence. Two days later, on July 4, the declaration was formally adopted by 12 colonies after minor revision. 

Even if your holiday celebration is not necessarily history-in-the-making, you can still emulate the original intent of our ancestors by declaring your emancipation from the barriers which you perceive to be holding your goals at bay.  What is keeping you from the gym?  Why is it so difficult to make prudent food choices?

We all have unique barriers in our lives which stand in the way of our transformation into the person we wish to become.  Some of the more commonly reported barriers are:

• Time constraints due to work schedules
• Family activities / family meal planning / social events around food
• Intimidated to be in the gym
• Lack of motivation
• Previous failure at achieving these same goals

If any of these sounds familiar, it is time to take stock of ways in which you might declare your independence from the shackles which you have been allowing to keep you from personal growth and change.

With the advent of the holiday weekend, think about making good use of the time off from work, and make a list of goals for the second half of 2014. Revisit resolutions you may have set forth on New Year’s Day, and come up with a new plan of action. This may include gathering the family together and discussing ways in which healthier eating might be incorporated into daily life.  Perhaps elicit the help of a few friends who might be in the same position, and make a firm commitment to exercise together several times a week.  If driving to and from summer camp is cramping your free time, seek out a carpool. Set small goals, periodic rewards, and be prepared to re-evaluate your progress in a month’s time.

Life changes are never easy, as was demonstrated by the early colonists.  However, by persevering and never wavering from their goal of freedom from Britain’s rule, they were able to achieve a mighty dream, the results of which are still being enjoyed today.  Remind yourself that you are a strong, patriotic American, and that determination will usually triumph.  Ready…set…ring the Liberty Bell and go for your personal independence!