Peel Away the Layers to Peel Away the Pounds

Yesterday we talked about how once you can identify your internal and external motivation, you will be able to use those factors to help you stay on track. Motivation to improve health comes in many forms. Some motivators are internal – thoughts or feelings that come from inside you. Others are external – events, people or situations that inspire you. Both types of motivators can be an important type of fuel for change. Motivators vary from person to person, and are completely dependent on unique personalities, priorities, life situations, needs and desires.

The first step in mastering your motivation so you stay on track is to clearly identify what it is that’s motivating you. Knowledge is power: the more you get to know yourself, the more likely you are to be successful at changing your unhealthy habits! When you know what it is that truly motivates you, you will be able to plan for ways to keep feeling inspired and driven to positive change, even through difficult times.

Hopefully after being with us yesterday, you have put some thought into your reasons for wanting to improve your health or life in general. If you are a member of Make It Fit, you have even taken those first steps to becoming healthier by using our fitness videos at convenient times during your busy week. But to successfully overcome the daily challenges that face you and your attempt to stay on track with your exercise regimen, it’s important to peel away the layers until you identify the real, powerful motivators. If you haven't already, I encourage you to spend a few minutes writing your answers to the following questions:

• If you could choose one area in your life to change, what would it be? Be specific.




• Why is it important to you to make this change?




• Why do you want to make this change now?

When you’re done, review carefully what you’ve written. Think deeply about the questions and your answers. Challenge yourself to dig deeper and peel away the layers to find even more meaningful answers. Take your answers and ask yourself the last two questions again: So why is that important to you? And why now?

In order to master your motivation, you must get to know exactly what it is that is driving you to change now. Be honest with yourself – you might be surprised what you come up with!