Motivation - Identify your Motivator

When it comes to exercise we often "think" of doing it for the wrong reasons. Is finding time for fitness really important to you? Here's how you determine that.

1. Write a "Why Bother?" List - Make a list of YOUR personal reasons for wanting to exercise. Ask yourself, why now, at this point in my life, should I bother to try to become more active? How will my life be better when I am exercising more? How is increased fitness going to help me? Why is it important to me to be an active person?

2. Get to the heart of the matter - review your list and cross out any reasons that are not important to YOU personally. Then, put a 1 next to the reason(s) on your list that really make you feel a strong emotion when you think about them. These are your POWERFUL motivators and there is no rule about what the reason(s) can be.

3. Use your powerful motivator to your benefit - now that you have identified your true list, create a way to remind yourself daily of these motivators and the emotions that go along with them. For example, if exercise is important to you because you want to be healthy and fit to keep up with your children, consider putting pictures of your kids in places you'll see them when you
may be faced with the decision to exercise or not.

Identifying your true motivator(s) is the first step to making your intentions to exercise turn into reality.

Strength Training - Forget the Barbie Weights

As a trainer who works with woman each and every day, I am constantly battling with ladies that don't want to lift weights heavier than 5 pounds for fear of looking too big and bulky. Guess what ladies - if you have children you have been lifting heavier than five pounds since the day your child was born. How about those laptop bags - those are certainly heavier too.

To quote Lou Schuler who said it best in his book The New Rules of Lifting for Woman, "Hard work includes lifting heavier weights. If the weights do not challenge you, your muscles won't grow. If your muscles don't grow, they wont look any better than they do now, even if you could somehow strip off whatever fat sits on top of them. Unless you're an extreme genetic outlier, you can't get too bulky. Your body won't allow it." Woman are naturally deprived of the amounts of testosterone that would make this worry a true concern.

So, the next time you pick up the weights, don't waste precious time with the 2 and 3 pound barbie dumbbells. Make your workout more effective in less time by choosing weights that challenge you. It won't be long before you begin to notice the difference in your figure.

Attitude - All or Nothing

Since our behaviors are largely the result of our thoughts, the way we think about fitness and activity often determines whether or not we'll choose an active lifestyle. One of the most subtle forms of sabotage to any fitness commitment is all-or-nothing thinking.

If you're having trouble starting or staying consistent with a fitness routine, get rid of the notion that you must do it "right" or not at all. And remember three things:

• Some activity is always better than none.
• There's no perfect exercise; whatever you enjoy and will do regularly is a good choice.
• You may not be as fit as you wish you were right now, but the sooner you start moving, the sooner you'll get there!

Attitude - Setting Goals

Fail to plan then plan to fail. Goal setting is a powerful tool and can make the the critical difference between success and failure. Most of us don't have any issues setting those far-off, big picture goals. However, the weekly, step-by-step goals to the big picture is the key to success. The big picture, though motivating, can be overwhelming. Here are some important tips toward successful goal setting.

1. Break It Down - each week set a smaller more attainable goal that has you moving closer to your ultimate outcome.
Ex: Big Picture goal - I want to lose 10 pounds within the next three months.
Weekly goal - I will exercise 2 times this week for at least 45 minutes.

2. Base It on Behavior - avoid goals that are outcome based. Behavioral goals are what you do, outcomes are what happens when you do the behavior.
Ex: Increase bone density (outcome) so that I reduce my risk of osteoporosis
Behavioral goal that will lead to outcome above - I will do two 20-minute strength training sessions per week.

3. Set SMART goals
Specific - be as specific and as detailed as possible
Measurable - goals should be measurable so success can be determined
Action Based - focus on the behaviors rather than the outcomes
Realistic - make sure the goal is attainable and determine what stands in your way of achievement. Success with each goal will lead to setting the next. Goals should be challenging enough to create great reward in accomplishment but they still need to be attainable.
Timely - Set a time line as to when you will achieve the goal. With no time frame tied to a goal there's no sense of urgency.

4. Create Accountability - Tell a few of your closest friends and family members about your goals. They are sure to check in on your progress and your desire to show success will keep you accountable to those goals.


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Creativity - How are you fitting in exercise this week?

I took a quick office break to tone the entire back of the body. A reverse plank hold will strengthen and tone the back, triceps, shoulders and core. Try it out. Rest hands on any sturdy surface. The lower the surface the more difficult this exercise will be. Arms are shoulder width apart. Lift the hips up so the body is in one straight line. Try to point the toes down toward the ground and you will get some strength through the legs too. To add a little extra challenge, lift one leg. Hold for as long as you can (minimum of 10 seconds). Try 5 of them throughout your day, adding on 5 seconds to your time each time you do it. Send us the creative ways you are fitting in exercise.

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Cardio - Just 10 Minutes!

Dedicating the recommended 30-60 minutes, three times a week to cardiovascular activity can be a daunting task. Here is some good news - small bouts of exercise can be just as effective. Three 10 minute periods of physical activity accumulated over the day can have the same effect on prevention as longer stints of exercise. So make the commitment to exercise today!



Today's society is hung up on how exercise can help with weight loss. It's more important than that... it’s about prolonging your life . Scientific research strongly supports the role of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of disease. Regularly participating in physical activity can:

• Lower your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Help keep bones strong, reducing the risk of osteoporosis. It can also slow the progression of the disease.
• Reduce joint pain and improve function for people with arthritis.
• Help manage stress and relieve symptoms from anxiety and depression.

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Motivation - Enjoying Exercise

Because our time is limited, we are always faced with decisions regarding what we will actually fit into the day. But, the choice of either working out OR doing something relaxing for yourself like enjoying the outdoors, reading a book or watching your favorite television show doesn't have to be a guilt-ridden choice any longer. You can do them both! In fact, what you enjoy doing may just be the perfect way to get you motivated to exercise! Read a book while riding a stationary bike, download an audio book to get you through a run or circuit program, watch tv while you complete a print workout from www.youcanmakeitfit.com. Exercise doesn't have to be a miserable experience. Couple your workouts this week with something you really enjoy. You may just find the perfect way to start or end your day.