Motivation: Finding the Fire Within
by Joanne Bednar
Finding the motivation to change your body should be
easy to do if you just look on the surface. It is really easy to say
"I need to go on a diet" after eating a whole pizza by yourself,
or "wow, she looks so thin....I am going to start exercising
on Monday". But truly finding that motivation deep within yourself
is not quite so simple. Sometimes we must peel back a few layers to
find that burning desire.
Choose Your Role Model
One way to get motivated is by finding a hero....an idol, so to speak.
So you're green with envy because your friend just lost 50 pounds?
Don't put her down by saying she'll gain it all back within a year.
Congratulate her and really mean it! Losing weight is hard work--no
matter how you look at it. Use her as an example for yourself and
be reassured by her success that you can succeed as well!
I am inspired whenever I see an Olympic athlete. The dedication required
to train as long and as hard as competitive athletes do is remarkable.
Maybe your role-model will be your next door neighbor with three kids
who still manages to wake up at 5 am everyday to get a morning jog
in before they all wake up. Inspiration is all around you if you are
open to it.
Get Out the Photo Album
Another way to find that fire within yourself is to get out the photo
album. Seeing pictures of yourself when you were in better shape is
very motivating. Take a few of these pictures and place them where
you can easily get to them. Then, visualize yourself at that weight
again, and be confident that you can get that body back with some
hard work and dedication. For some of you this might be difficult
to do because in a way it is proof you have let things get out of
hand.
I have a roll of pictures I kept throughout my fat years, and I remember
pulling them out from time to time and crying because I used to look
so fit and healthy. But take the attitude that you WILL get back to
where you were, and let old pictures push you towards your goal instead
of further away.
Re-educate Yourself
If you still think that working out involves a sauna, aluminum foil
sweat suit, and a thigh master, then you need to re-educate yourself.
Read as much as you can get your hands on about weight loss and fitness.
The fitness industry is so dynamic that advice changes as quickly
as the seasons.
Good sources of information include: fitness magazines, books, the
Internet, and even some cable television network channels. One of
the main reasons I buy fitness magazines is because of the success
stories profiling women who have actually achieved their goal weights
and are keeping it off! Keeping open to suggestion is great, but be
aware of the controversial information out there and understand that
there are no magical or quick fixing solutions.
Reprinted with permission. Joanne Bednar is the owner/fitness
trainer for The
Motivation Station, featuring online personalized fitness program
created just for you. Joanne also writes a daily fitness tip.
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