Category: Motivation

It’s that time of the year again. New Years always inspire big promises. “This year I will lose weight”; ” This year I’ll be fit”. Unfortunately, only a few people will act on their goals and succeed. Where do you want to be in 2017? Among the ones who abandon their goals because life got too busy or among the ones who stick to their dreams and make them happen? Be aware that the choice is yours. You are the only one who can decide to change.

The good news is that you don’t need to have a perfect plan. All you need is a first step. Think of a small habit you could easily adopt in your life. The easier the better. You will be more likely to stick to it if you can see yourself doing it. It may be something like drinking 2 liters of water per day or going for a walk two times per week after dinner. Resist the urge of trying to do too much. If so, you will soon feel overwhelmed and give up.

“As many others, Vivian came to me for help with weight loss. She wanted to get in shape for her wedding which was only a couple of months away. I told her that it was an ambitious goal but it could be achieved if she put enough effort into it. Together we set a realistic plan of action which included exercising most days of the week plus a major dietary adjustment. In order to keep her accountable, we had weekly check ups during which we’d not only taken measurements but also talked about her progress and struggles. Vivian took all my advice to heart and had the most amazing results: she lost 10 kg in two months, just in time for her big day.”

There is something magical about the beginning of a new year that fills our hearts with hope. Maybe that’s why millions of people start their year with a list of resolutions that they don’t intend to keep. It is almost as if we are throwing wishes at the Universe, not committing to a goal. We dream big, over promise, and under deliver. By the end of January, we can’t even remember most of the items on the list. However, this year could be different. You just need to follow a few steps:

Have you ever thought about what motivates you to exercise? I mean what makes you want to hit the gym floor for a smashing workout? The promise of results (losing 10 kg), external rewards (a new dress!), enjoyment (it is just fun!), or a person (my doctor told me to)? Motivation is defined as “a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way.”  Simply put, it is what drives us to move forward or to keep going when things get tough. Do you know what motivates you to exercise?

Many of us spend too much time worrying about the things we believe are wrong in our life. Some people even keep repeating to themselves that they are not good enough. The problem is that this type of thinking only focuses on negative emotions, which hardly ever bring us any good.