Motivation

How do I stay motivated?

This seems to be the question of the week.

 

Let's look at the definition, particularly #3:

–noun

1. the act or an instance of motivating.

2. the state or condition of being motivated.

3. something that motivates;  inducement; incentive.

 

The BEST way to find your motivation or stay motivated in your change to a healthy lifestyle is finding your WHY.

What is the ONE thing that is the driving force for you to: 

1. lose weight? 
2. get in shape? 
3. eat healthier?
4. Is it the way you look? If so, WHY is looking good important to you? 

• Is it for a job? 
• a spouse? 
• single and looking for love? 
• Is it just to fit back into your skinny jeans? 

     5.  be healthier?

• is there a history of health issues related to being over-weight or obesity?
• did you doctor just hand you some bad news related to your health?
• are you trying to be a good example for your children or grandchildren?
• do you want to be the oldest person in the world?

Dig deep! 

 

Once you find your WHY or WHYS you have to dig even deeper and determine what will keep you focused. 

• Set goals that you want to achieve -- short term and long term goals. Refer to them often.

• Put a support system of friends and family together 

• Find a buddy or two to workout with (2 is better than 1)

• Keep an exercise log noting when you exercise, how long, any achievements or goals your reached, etc. 

• Work out in the morning! get it over with before your day has the chance to sabotage your workout!! (and it will)

Most importantly, make sure the changes you are making to your diet and/or exercise is something that can be maintained in the long term. Drinking Slim Fast 2ce a day or eating Nutrisystem meals will not sustain you for the long term. Think Marathon NOT Sprint! You need to learn how to eat healthy, know proper portion sizes, when to eat etc. Visit with a nutritionist and your doctor, they will be able to run the proper tests to find out what will benefit you the most. If you have health insurance check with your carrier, most nutritionists are covered.. but here is a quick start that will give you almost immediate results:
1. Get rid of Soda (even diet) no excuses
2. Get rid of white bread, white rice, pasta (if you choose pasta eat the whole grain kind for now even though it's still going to spike your insulin levels)
3. Get rid of Wine and Beer

Those 3 all metabolize into what I like to call sugar fat.

Lastly, you have to have a plan. 
What will you do once you get to your goal?
Will you fall back into bad habits? or will you chose to stay where you are and enjoy it?

There are 2 tools that I will ALWAYS recommend time and time again to anyone that wants to change from their current lifestyle to a new one. I'm a realist, It IS hard when you look at the big picture, but it doesn't have to be. I will refer you to The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy. This book is BY FAR the best place to start. Once you have had the chance to read that and absorb it you then have TWO choices to help make it stick:

1. Darren Hardy's Living Your Best Year Ever
2. Chalene Johnson's 30 Day Challenge (free)

Remember it takes 21 days to create a habit, break an old habit, or replace one habit with another. Motivation is your vehicle; your WHY is is your key!

What is your WHY? Tell us in the comments below!