New Years Resolutions do not work because you are really not motivated when you think you are. On the surface you may be, but deep down you are not. That is why by April, that membership to the gym, those new clothes and that new found motivation has all but disappeared.

When it comes to weight loss and sticking to an exercising program you are motivated from two emotions; fear and pleasure. You are also pushed from two directions; internally and outwardly. Out of the four choices there are two good ones and two bad ones. In other words, two that will help you stick to losing weight and two that will eventually hinder you. Do you know which ones they are?

What motivates you to exercise?
Fear of your health   or    Pleasure of feeling better.

What drives you to exercise?
Internally vital signs or    Toned arms and legs.

I best way of staying motivated is a combination of both. However, you have to figure out the combination. I’ll give you a hint – pure motives are not seen. I believe that the journey goes from denying the reality of your health to a deep desire to take better care of yourself.

What does it mean to have deep desire for something? Remember those feelings you had back when you wanted your first bicycle. That Barbie doll you made a fit over in the toy store in front of everyone. Or what about that girl or boy you would have done just about anything for? There was such a hunger, a burning in your gut. You couldn’t even think straight, eat or sleep because it occupied your every thought. You just had to have it! 

If you want to go from denial to desire, call on the “all or nothing attitude.” If you are going to start now, you have to start for good. The reality is you will have good attitude and bad attitude days for the rest of your life. But understand, if you are going to be healthier through exercise and eating, you are going to have to participate in some form of exercise till the day you die. This is not a temporary fix to a long-term problem; it is a lifestyle.

The bottom line of staying motivated to exercise and eat right is finding a meaningful reason too, not just because you have to.