“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” - Jim Rohn Wanting and even dreaming to be physically fit – and looking fabulous – is one thing. Keeping at it until we do have a physically fit and fabulous-looking body is another.
Just think about it. How many health-related New Year’s resolution have we broken? True, we all start with good intentions but they are not enough to keep us focused on our goal. After a month of working out at the gym, we slacken, pointing to traffic and the office workload as excuses. We stop doing our morning jog when sleeping in during Saturdays looks more and more attractive. Or two weeks into our nutritious diet plan, and the hamburgers and sweets we swore never to touch again suddenly enter our dreams and even our daytime fantasies…
And after six months, we are nowhere near our goal. We feel miserable and guilty and start all over again, only to fail again. And the cycle goes on. Don’t get me wrong. Becoming physically fit – especially if we have not been, in a while – takes mental toughness. It requires patience, perseverance, and endurance.
Most of all, to succeed in our fitness goals, we need a compelling motivation or several of them. We need to know why we want to become physically fit. It is the fuel that keeps us going.
The motivation has to be very important & inspirational to us. It is something we cannot live without. It is part of a dream or a goal that we hunger to reach. If it's not a personal reason - an absolute 'must' - many will likely give in to temptation.
During the times when hitting the gym can feel like a chore, or cutting back on our favorite sweets appears too much of a sacrifice, we need to remind ourselves why it is important for us to get in shape.
To give an example: a friend of mine was a habitual smoker who smoked a pack a day. His wife complained about the smoke that his doctor told him that his habit put him at risk of lung cancer. He shrugged off their objections.
However, a significant turning point occurred when his five-year-old daughter refused to kiss him due to the unpleasant smell caused by cigarettes. This incident prompted my friend to quit smoking abruptly the next day. His daughter's love became a more compelling factor than any potential health risks or objections from his wife.
What is YOUR motivation for becoming healthy? Maybe some of these tips can help you:
Can achieving a healthier body elevate your self-confidence and enhance your self-esteem? Envisioning a new wardrobe and the positive impact on your mood may be a motivating factor.
Could improved health positively impact your significant relationships? Beyond pleasing children, it might rekindle the spark with spouses or significant others. For singles, it may contribute to an enhanced dating life.
Will the advantages of a healthy body benefit your career? Increased energy, mental alertness, and stress management skills can lead to improved job performance, possibly resulting in career advancement.
Can adopting healthy habits positively affect your finances? Think about the potential savings from reducing or eliminating smoking and drinking habits. Additionally, avoiding medical bills for issues like chest pains, migraines, or high blood sugar levels could contribute to financial well-being.
Is there a dream activity or bucket list item that you've longed to pursue but struggled due to health limitations? Whether it's hiking mountains, running a marathon, or dancing in the hall, achieving better health may make these dreams more attainable.
Consider these motivations to join a weight loss program or commit to regular nutritious meals.
Remember: it may be tough at first, but remembering your main reason to become healthy will help you stay on the course.
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