| The Olympics are long over but yet we're still seeing | | | | people or a support mechanism that will support you? |
| Michael Phelps commercials (and I'm sure we will | | | | So many people come to me about fat loss, but |
| continue to for years to come). One of the best | | | | they don't have a clear goal in mind other than |
| things about the Olympics, at least in my opinion, is | | | | perhaps a number on the scale and even that is |
| the number of inspirational stories that revolve | | | | often unclear. And they almost never want it as |
| around this amazing gathering of world class athletes. | | | | badly as they want air. |
| The stage itself, a battle of the WORLD's best, being | | | | How motivated are you to achieve your fat loss |
| watched by practically the entire planet, is | | | | goals? Do you want it as badly as you do your next |
| mind-staggering. Not everyone can be Michael Phelps. | | | | breath of air? Are you motivated enough to lose fat |
| However with the right work ethic, desire, motivation | | | | that you are willing to eat healthier? Are you |
| and will power, we can all strive to be our best in | | | | motivated enough to lose fat that you are willing to |
| whatever goals we choose to pursue. | | | | eat less? Are you motivated to lose fat enough that |
| So although the Olympics are old news, I'd like to | | | | you are willing to exercise? |
| revisit the topic, because quite frankly, it's a source | | | | If you really want to lose fat, then create a plan for |
| of inspiration and motivation for me. Specifically, Dara | | | | yourself with clear and compelling reasons to |
| Torres, my favorite Olympian. Yes, Michael Phelps | | | | motivate you to reach your goal. Visit this plan often |
| won eight gold medals, but for pure inspiration, I | | | | and make sure that nothing or no one gets in the |
| absolutely LOVE Dara's story. | | | | way of your success. Post pictures of where you |
| Just to provide you with a quick reminder of who | | | | WANT to be, what you WANT to look like |
| Dara was, this was her 5th Olympics and she is 41 | | | | somewhere where you can see them everyday. |
| years old AND a mom! | | | | Want your fat loss goal as badly as you want air! |
| She was already the oldest swimming gold medallist | | | | With the proper motivation, ANY goal is possible. You |
| and also the oldest American swimmer to qualify for | | | | just need to want it bad enough. Here are some tips |
| the Olympics and the first to make five teams. So I | | | | to help: |
| think this throws the "I'm too old" and "I'm too busy" | | | | 1. Have a clear and well defined goal. |
| and "I have no time because of the kids" excuses | | | | You can hit almost any target if you define it and put |
| right out the window. | | | | a time line on it. WHAT do you want and WHEN is it |
| Excuses are a dime a dozen and people have many, | | | | going to be done? |
| many reasons for not exercising. If you're not | | | | 2. Have a detailed action plan with small milestones |
| exercising, why not? | | | | along the way. |
| The American Council on exercise posed this question | | | | WHAT are you going to do? WHAT are the action |
| in an informal survey on its web site. "I'm too out of | | | | steps? "Baby-steps" are always easier and more fun |
| shape to work out" responded 19 percent. "I don't | | | | than "giant leaps." It's relatively hard to stay |
| know what to do at the gym" said 21 percent of the | | | | motivated over the years to put a million dollars in |
| respondents. "Gyms are too crowded", said 46 | | | | the bank, but it's easy to start saving $500 this |
| percent. "People at the gym are too rude", said 11 | | | | month. Have a clear, doable and actionable plan. Then, |
| percent. "I don't know what questions to ask once I | | | | take one step after another. |
| get there", said the remaining 3 percent. | | | | 3. Surround yourself with positives. |
| Based on my personal experience, the biggest | | | | Daily motivation is key to success. You've got to |
| reasons people don't exercise or stop exercising, is | | | | read, listen to, watch and talk with exciting and |
| because they're not motivated and there is no one | | | | knowledgeable people that will not only energize you |
| to hold them accountable or help them stay | | | | but provide you with the knowledge and support you |
| motivated. Over the long term, most people fail at | | | | need. We live in a "bad news world." It wears |
| holding themselves accountable and most people fail | | | | everyone down! |
| to stay motivated. | | | | I would also add to put down the paper, turn off the |
| My favorite Olympian, Dara Torres has a coach. | | | | TV and surround yourself with positive input that |
| Someone is holding her accountable. Someone is | | | | energizes you! |
| helping to motivate her, and there's nothing wrong | | | | 4. Begin the day right. |
| with that. Even for an Olympian. | | | | Recommit to your most important priorities, goals |
| Of course she knows what to do on her won, she's | | | | and plans every single day. Personally, I begin every |
| been an Olympian for two decades. So why does | | | | morning with a 15 minute workout then focus on my |
| she need a coach? Accountability. Motivation. | | | | major priorities. If I don't do these things first thing in |
| There's a wonderful story about a young man who | | | | the morning, chances are I won't do them at all. Start |
| wanted an interview with a famous guru. When they | | | | every day by reviewing and re-affirming your most |
| met, the man asked, "How can I find wisdom?" | | | | important objectives. |
| Without a word, the guru led the young man to a | | | | 5. Have a strong support system. |
| nearby lake and pushed his head under water. After | | | | I think this may be the most important, easiest, and |
| the man thrashed and fought for a moment, the | | | | most often overlooked. Recruit friends and family to |
| guru let him up, where he immediately gasped for air. | | | | hold you accountable. Teach them to support and |
| The guru then said, "When you desire wisdom as | | | | encourage you. Pick their brains for good ideas, and |
| badly as you wanted that breath of air, you'll find it." | | | | report back to them regularly. Join a community of |
| Do you have a clear and compelling weight loss or fat | | | | like minded people, with similar goals. |
| loss goal? Have you developed your weight loss or | | | | With a strong support system, whether online or |
| fat loss action plan? Have you created a system or | | | | with a group of friends and family, you can |
| environment that will support you in your goals? Do | | | | accomplish anything. |
| you focus each day on your goal? Do you have | | | | |