Motivation (shortstory)

Kerri and I took a weight loss quiz in Prevention Magazine. One of the questions asked, "What is your motive for loosing weight?" There weren't any right or wrong answers, but it essentially said you must be motivated for yourself, not anybody or anything else (like a wedding).
Over the past month, I have spoken to a lot of people about their motivation to exercise or diet and everyone has something that motivates them. Mine is my daughter's wedding and this is my sister's also. Some women just say, "my butt" or "my gut" or "I have never been this fat in my life."
Rarely do I hear anyone mention the motivation is health. Rarely does anyone approach weight loss and exercise as a life changing decision. I know I am guilty of this. Some of you may be guilty of this. I think we all have a tendency to look at this type of change as a short-term goal that once achieved we don't have to think about it again. I believe this because a lot of people have been on diet and exercise plans before and are still on them or starting again. I believe this when I hear how many people use to have gym memberships (like me) and never used them or are "going to start a program, any program...again!"
I give us all credit because we keep trying, but I think if we changed the motivation, and changed our skills at being motivated, we might see this as a long term health issue that becomes part of a lifestyle rather than a must-do every Spring! Isn't it funny how thoughts of Spring can be a motivator?
The Mayo Clinic Plan gives some tips on staying motivated and I will list some of them here for you:
1. Start slowly. It reads that one of the common mistakes that people make is starting at too high an intensity and progressing too quickly for your body (which has been doing nothing up until you threw it on the treadmill at 4 MPH). This can lead to injury, soreness and stiffness which may lead to abandoning your program. So start slowly and progress slowly. If this is a committment for life, you have the rest of your life to get your body to walk 4 MPH.
2. Make a commitment. It takes three months to develop a healthy habit. If you can stick with your program for three months you are more likely to stay with it long term.
3. Choose activities you enjoy. Boredom is the major reason people stop exercising.
4. Broaden your definition of physical activity. Everyday activity such as walking the dog, taking the stairs, riding your bike to the store all promote health. Doing something everday is what counts.
5.Choose activities that fit your lifestyle. Do you like to exercise alone or with a group?
6. Learn discipline. To make a permanent change, you have to be disciplined. If you tell yourself you are going to take the stairs instead of the elevator--then do it, even if you decide when you get to them you don't want to.
7. Plan for exercise. Reserve a time slot each day for physical activity. If you wait to find time, you won't. Schedule exercise like an appointment.
8. Avoid all-or-nothing thinking. On days when time is tight, do less, but do something.
9. Support your plan with other healthy behaviors. Get enough sleep. Drink plenty of water. Eat healthy food. Reduce stress. Stop smoking.

I think there are a lot of good tips here for long term changes. Good luck to everyone this week. Let us hear how you are doing or let us know if you need encouragement.