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Goals & motivation

Numbers can put more sense to us than frightening threats so let me talk sense to you. Study estimates suggest that 40% of the American population is completely sedentary, while there are only a little less than 20% who are active at an intensity and frequency which is recommended for cardiovascular benefit. Worse, the dropout rates for those who think they are up to an exercise program reach up to 50%, this means more people probably think they need an exercise or more but gave up at the end of the first six months on average. Clearly, these numbers show that while most people acknowledge how important exercise and physical activity are to their lives, still few are just regularly active enough to really work for the significant health benefits of physical fitness.

Motivation - one word that’s easy to pronounce but is quite hard to muster. Perhaps it would have been easier if somebody will just come to our house and pour a bucket of ice water on our head to get us moving and motivated. But sometimes, it’s just a pain in the behind to get out there and get the job done. Sometimes it’s even hard to remember why we have to do what we have to do.

Well, I know what it’s all about cause I’ve been there myself. And I know the path isn’t easy and nobody can really understand just how hard it is to get up and shake our bon bons. But I have some tried and tested bullets here that might just work out on you to get you all the motivation you need to lose all the pounds that you want!

First, it might really helpful for you to think of that a motivational process must be dynamic and ongoing for it to be successful. Therefore, you’ll have to try out different strategies to suit the different stages of your exercise program. Don’t rut on one phase because that’s when boredom will come in and motivation will go out! To keep you going, keep a journal so that you'll be able to see how far you've progressed and evaluate as well what works and what simply doesn't. In fact, you can even take bimonthly photos so that these pictures will let you see real changes over time. The truth is, change is gradual and we don't see the difference from day to day and we often get discouraged from this.

To be more optimistic about the entire thing, you must build on successes. Don’t shy away from celebrating your small goals achieved for without them there’s nothing else out there to lead you to your larger goals. To get nearer to your dreams, set well defined goals and then reward yourself for reaching them in every step of the way. With this practice, you will be encouraged to set new goals. Also, learn to visualize your goals because it's really not enough to just have a goal or even several goals. As they say, to see is to believe so you must actually see and visualize being leaner or more muscular and then you will be. This will help you achieve both your short-term as well as your long-term goals. So go ahead, close your eyes and visualize the gorgeous you that has always been meant to be. Imagine how you can surpass the eight reps you achieved in your previous workout and how you can do out nine or 10 more reps for the next set or the next workout. Believe me, this works!

Don’t get your head up cloud 9 and be realistic, this isn’t romance so get out of your reverie and simply set attainable goals. Being realistic will encourage you from becoming discouraged later. To get nearer to this, write down your goals, whether you want to lose 10 pounds or whether you aim to make it to the gym at least two or three days a week – just list your goals on paper and elaborate a detailed plan along with specific steps toward reaching them. Somehow, it just feels different when they are on paper, it somehow feels more formal, more sane too.  Then you can regularly refer your paper each day and keep copies of it in your car, or at your desk at work, the refrigerator, in the bedroom, bathroom mirror and virtually anywhere that will serves as a constant reminder of your progress.

Sometimes, creativity is the name of the game and you only do this by creating variety to keep you from getting stuck in a rut. As you learn the basics you can then add new exercises and activities into your personal program for this will help keep you from becoming bored with your routine. On the other hand, concentration on your routine is good but try not to focus too much on what you are giving up. Instead, focus on new options that you'll have which you’ll certainly enjoy after you become more fit and beautiful. Don't make exercise just one of those things on your to-do list for you will end up just taking it for granted and making alibis instead of making results. Learn to connect what you’re doing to a deeper level. In order ot do this, educate yourself about a lot of fitness stuff because the more you know the less likely you are to be injured or to run out of alternatives and get stuck in a rut. This will aid you in using your time wisely too so that you don’t have to take hours to achieve your fitness goals. In fact, greater intensity workouts can improve results and shorten your total workout time.

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