Denton County Living Well Magazine July/August 2017 | Page 25
Motivation and Confidence
Start exercising and adding physical activity into your life.
By Julie Alvira, M.D., MBA
W
e’ve all heard about the
famous New Year’s reso-
lution of getting fit and
losing weight. As soon
as the holidays are over,
everyone is excited and fitness centers
are packed. But what about a couple
of weeks later? Does everybody stay
on track? The answer is, “No.” A ma-
jority of individuals become discour-
aged. It can be seen more often in in-
dividuals without an exercise program
designed by a trainer. Usually the
individuals with a trainer tend to stick
more because they have leadership,
motivation, and guidance.
But if a person does not have access to
a trainer, how can he or she can stay
motivated? How can they stay on track?
Earl Nightingale once said, “Never
give up on a dream just because of the
time it will take to accomplish it.”
Motivation and Confidence
For an individual to stay on track with
a goal, they will need what I call a
“game plan.” Within this game plan,
there are many players such as dis-
cipline and determination. But there
are two more players that need to
be taken care of in order to stay on
track. The inside ones: motivation and
self confidence. Every morning you
have to open your eyes and say, “I
can do this! Because I have the power
and will to make anything happen.”
I think self confidence is the master
key. It can get affected by many situ-
ations including life events, loss of a
loved one, end of a relationship, the
feeling of loss of control, stress, lack
of support, etc. All of these can sup-
press our confidence and eventually
our motivation to stay focused and do
things such as exercise and healthful
eating.
Some Strategies to Activate:
• Make a list of goals already achieved
(even small ones). Read it over and
over and you will see that you have the
capacity to make things happen. Mimic
the steps you followed to stay focused.
• Positive affirmations. Personal sen-
tences you can tell yourself to lift
yourself up. “I can.” “I can do this.”
“I will succeed.” “I believe in the
power within me.”
• Make a mental image of the goal
you want to accomplish and see
it happening. Break it down into
small goals. Remember that things
take time and you need to have
patience.
• Stop excuses. Take responsibility
because 90% of failures come from
people who have the habit of mak-
ing excuses.
• Make a support group. If you do
have a trainer, they will be your
major ally in the group. If you don’t
have one, start a group with a
friend, family, partner, etc. People
that will help you get back on your
plan when you fall “off the wagon.”
• Short goals. Make sure your goals
are short term (ex. weekly) because
those are more realistic.
*Always remember to consult your
physician before you start any exer-
cise or eating plan.
Julie Alvira, M.D., MBA Healthcare Management. Health & Wellness consulting. www.
ajbodysculpt.com. Coaching services only for women in the areas of wellness, nutrition,
fitness, addictions recovery, and wellness in the workplace to reduce burnouts. “I like to
focus on women and helping them get into a healthier lifestyle.”
You can reach Julie via [email protected].
DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JULY/AUGUST 2017
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