If you drive a car, you know that it requires regular, routine maintenance in order to perform well. When you miss an oil change or a tune up, or decide that the tires will have to last one more season, you are making a decision by not taking action since inaction is ultimately the same as making a decision.
The same principle applies to your body-it requires regular, routine maintenance or it will not perform well.
Read the following points to help you stay motivated to treat your body better than your car:
1. As an employee at work, we are given standards in which our performance is based directly correlating to our income. We are rewarded when we go above and beyond, but we can be demoted or even fired if we are not meeting expectations. Similarly, you should reward yourself when you have reached a milestone like losing 5 pounds, going for a few days without chocolate, or exercising for 3 days in a row for example. It is not necessary to splurge on something big and expensive; think manicure, massage, a pair of walking shoes or a (healthy!) dinner at your favorite restaurant. This will keep you motivated to reach your next health and fitness goal. If you are not the type of person that is disciplined enough to reward yourself, get a buddy to help you stay accountable to your goals and remind you to reward yourself when you reach them.
2. Ever heard the term ‘step your way into fitness’? Make those steps small ones. When you set a goal of losing weight, take it a few pounds at a time as opposed to setting a big, lofty goal of losing 50 pounds. This is similar to when you set a goal to get a degree: You start with the application, move on to registration and finally showing up to class. Nothing else in life gets accomplished in one big step, why should healthy eating and proper exercise?
3. You are expected to perform well as a parent, as a teacher, as an employee or whatever role you have decided to step into. How can you perform your duties well if you are tired, sick, or diseased? Your body expects you to treat it well if you expect it to perform well to fulfill the role that you have chosen. Proper intake of carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, protein, water and necessary vitamins is essential if you expect results from your single and only body. Treat it well and it will perform well.
Stay motivated everyday to nurture your body with what it needs to rise up to the expectations you set. Your kids, your students and/or your manager at work will appreciate your increased energy, clarity of thinking and stress-free attitude. Set and reach your goals in many small achievable steps and reward yourself along the way. Your body will thank you for it!
