You know the cycle well. An event comes up where you want to look your absolute best – it could a wedding you’re in, a reunion, or the beach vacation in the summer. And you do it – you stick to the diet, push yourself in the gym, and get to your goal weight. For a weekend.
And then it’s time to binge. A whole lot of pizza, dessert and everything else you feel you’ve deprived yourself of all those months. And then, you’re right back to where you started. Or even worse than when you started. It’s time to stop the quick-fix, yo-yo lifestyle and make a life-long commitment to being healthy and looking great.
Here are the first 2 tips of 5 on staying motivated…
1. Find an INTERNAL desire to be healthy instead of an EXTERNAL reason to get fit.
Yes, short-term goals and events are helpful and motivating. Sometimes they are important in getting you started. But they will TYPICALLY (not always) only get you through that event, then you tend to fall off the wagon when they are your ONLY source of motivation. Finding your motivation to get in shape outside of yourself in something such as a big event, an article of clothing you want to fit into, or to impress friends or family is a recipe for crash and burn. Deep down you need to have a personal belief that caring for your body with proper nutrition, exercise, and rest is your own responsibility.
2. No more “victim” mentality.
Most people that have a problem with their weight or how their body looks usually have an irrational reason outside of themselves to blame for them being that way. Basically by not being where we want to be in life we justify it to ourselves by blaming our problem on something or someone else. That could be our genetics, our metabolism, our job, not having enough time, having kids, not having enough money, etc. etc. You know what I’m talking about…we all have excuses. Don’t let yourself be a victim. Admit to yourself that where you’re at with your fitness is because you let yourself get there. And then decide to make a change.
I’ll share tips 3-5 next…check back soon!
[...] back and read Part 1 to this post here. 5 tips on how to make a life-long commitment to being healthy and staying [...]
04.12.2009, 11:04 am