Surrender yourself to the idea of exercising and eating well today. Why not? What's been holding you back? Maybe you've already been exercising but just need to restart your engine, or maybe you haven't tried for years.
The truth is, you must make time to exercise and you must practice healthy nutritional choices. But why is it that it seems so much easier not to exercise or eat right? When we don't do what is good for us, why does something still tell us that we must? So, how do we listen to the sometimes-quieter voice asking us, even telling us, to get moving?
I believe it starts with a self-realization. You must decide inside yourself that this is something you are going to do and that this is important to you.
This change is important for reducing stress, for adding quality to the reaming years of your life, being a healthy role model to your children or others, seeing your grandchildren grow, excelling at your sport of choice, and simply to be healthy. You must first make the choice.
Second, you must believe. If you don't believe it, how can you ever achieve it? If you get up in the morning and frump your way out the door, how can you expect to get that promotion; how can you expect that cute co-worker to ask you out; how can you expect to kick butt at the gym?
Guess what? Those things probably won't happen if you don't believe it on the inside.
I will tell everyone right now: You can succeed. I have worked thousands and thousands of hours as a personal trainer with just about every type of individual.
Never once has someone not succeeded at some level of fitness and never once has someone finished a workout feeling down. Exercise is invigorating and can be a lot of fun. Live with expectancy and believe to succeed.
Finally, you must develop a great deal of determination and discipline. Don't get down if at first you find things are not going as you planned.
It is often easier to listen to the negative, destructive voice inside you, but realize that we are not perfect. You can get back on track. Self-discipline will take time and work, but through work we create, and it's time to create who you want to be.
No matter how many times you have beat yourself down, each day brings a new beginning with new possibilities. Soon, you'll find your pace, your routine, and new healthier habits.
Each one of us has a champion inside. It's time to train that champion. Remember, it's never to late to try again or pick it up a notch. Commit to your plans whatever they are and you will succeed.
Troy Fontana is owner of Fontana Fitness in Sparks. Contact Fontana at 331-6918 or by e-mail at