Do you remember a great inspirational story you read or powerful movie you watched that really moved you? While reading or watching it, something made you want to be a better person. You were inspired and felt you were up for the challenge. Did the feeling fade away and the wind leave your sails?

When you were initially inspired, did you feel as though something had been awakened within you? Something probably was. I call it the "champion," the split personality we all have. This personality uses strong words, has a clear vision and believes in its purpose. This personality will go running outside even if it's in a rainstorm or worse. This champion endures hardships with clear purpose and reaches goals. There is a champion inside us all itching to come to the surface.

Think back to an inspirational weight loss show or story of someone's success that made you want to achieve. Sometimes, it happens that you set goals, make plans to start a new lease on life and the champion inside you is off and running. But one day, you step on the scale and your weight actually goes up a pound or those workouts just seem too difficult. Before you know it, you're in front of the frig, eating some comfort food, and your tennis shoes are still sitting in the corner.

When that happens, it seems like someone is telling you, "Don't go do that, it's too cold out, you can't do it anyway." That someone is who I call the "couch potato," another personality we have. This personality only wants to do what's comfortable and easy. It despises new challenges and can't look into the possibility of a bright future.

Looking at our own selves from a bird's-eye view like this helps us clearly see that there are two completely different personalities taking change of our actions. The problem arises when we don't realize this is happening. Try to think more in a "we" sense rather than an "I" sense. Instead of fearing another failure -- "I did it again, I can't, I'm not ready" -- try thinking that it's not you who can't do it, it's the couch potato that doesn't want to do it. Work with your champion to defeat your couch potato.

Know that there is a champion within you who wishes to reign over your life. If we can recognize when the couch potato is trying to squash our dreams, then we can differentiate between the two and make a decision with a champion's mind-set. Each time we resist temptations to take the easy way out and make a choice that will add strength and integrity to our being, we will become more of this person, this champion.

It's important that you know that you are not alone in this battle. Many times in my life, my workouts and in business the easy thing to do would be to throw in the towel. I, however, realize that there is a reason and a purpose behind every struggle. Don't stop short of your dreams, and every step in the right direction is exactly that, a step in the right direction. Keep heading along the road to good health and fitness.

For more assistance, contact Troy Fontana at 331-6918 or by e-mail at getfit@fontanafitness.com

Troy Fontana is owner of Fontana Fitness in Sparks.