If you’ve ever set a fitness or weight loss goal and didn’t reach your desired outcome, you might have believed it was due to a lack of motivation. If this is the case, I’d like to challenge you to re-think motivation was the reason you didn’t arrive at your determined destination.
A lack of motivation alone may not be the problem. It may be a lack of commitment.
Yes, a lack of commitment. Stay with me, don’t tune me out.
Are you with me? Great let’s move on.
Here’s the problem with motivation. Yes, I said problem. This sounds contradictory, but I’m going somewhere. Motivation can be brought on by an emotion and unfortunately once that particular emotion has left, motivation is thrown out the door like a week old gallon of milk. You know that feeling or emotion of wanting to fit back into that favorite dress or your desire to look great at your 20 year class reunion!
You’re so motivated to reach your goal that you commit to the gym 7 days a week, you pack your healthy foods before living your house and water becomes your best friend. These are great actions, but here’s where motivation gets us all in trouble when we aren’t committed to long-term healthy living.
Once we reach our destination, we typically venture back to our normal unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.
Has this ever happened to you? If it has, allow me to help you avoid the motivation trap and shift your mindset from strictly using motivation to get your to your destination. It’s time to focus on commitment. Let’s do this…
5 Tips to Avoid the Motivation Trap
1). Go Beyond How You Look: Go beyond your desire to change how you look and make the decision to get healthy for more than aesthetic or superficial reasons. There’s nothing wrong with desiring to look good in your clothing, however, if you attach long-term value such as better quality of life, better mobility to play with your children, or the ability to experience better overall health, your chances of sticking to a healthy eating and exercising regimen will outlive the emotion of getting back into your favorite pair of jeans or swimsuit.
2). Don’t Trust Your Emotions: Emotions are untrustworthy. When you’re shedding unwanted pounds, the motivation to stick to healthy living is high. When you stop shedding pounds or don’t see results, your emotions can be low! You get where I am going. Don’t trust your emotions; rather, trust your commitment to healthy living.
3). Set Fun and Realistic Goals: Getting healthy shouldn’t feel like a chore. Therefore, find fun and challenging events that will help you lose weight and get healthier. Sign up for a 5k walk/run and give yourself at least two months to prepare. Join a running club or start a fitness challenge at your business or religious organization.
4). Stay OFF the Scale: Too often people measure their success by 
how many pounds they have shed. The scale isn’t the only way to predict your success. Instead of just using the scale ask yourself the following! Do you feel more confident about yourself? Do you sleep better? Is your posture better? Allow these answers to drive you and keep you committed.
5). Create a Village: It takes a village to create healthy behaviors. Therefore find like-minded health conscience people and stay connected with these people. Let them know how you need to be supported and link up with this group of people on a regular basis.
I completely understand motivation has become the rock star in the fitness and weight loss industry over the years; however, it is time to say goodbye to motivation and hello to commitment! You can do this! Just trust the process.
Laticia “Action” Jackson has been called one of the most dynamic and energetic personalities in the health promotion, body awareness, women’s health, fitness and personal development field. She is an IFBB Fitness Pro/ 3-Time NPC Fitness Champion, 2008 Fitness Olympian and Author of “I’m Not a Size Zero-Defining Your Curves While Loving Yourself”. Laticia is passionate about empowering people with the tools to change their lives through health and nutrition. Visit her website at laticiaactionjackson.com
