We're going to spend some time talking about motivation.  Motivation is a word that suggests movement of some kind.  Some of our movements are simple and automatic...such as our breathing and swallowing.  They don't really require any thought.  Others are automatic because they're part of a pattern.... or routine.  For example, you may have a morning routine that involves hearing your alarm clock, getting out of bed, showering and brushing your teeth.  All of these activities require very little thought, because they are part of an established daily routine.  You do it every day, except maybe on the weekends, and you've done it so much, it really doesn't take very much thought anymore.

But even these simple activities required some motivation in the beginning. You had to have a reason to develop the specific behavior of getting up at a certain time, brushing your teeth and so on.  Maybe it's to go to work, or get the kids off to school on time but what ever the reason, there had to be some type of motivation.  And these new actions had to be added to whatever routine was already going on in your life at that time.

It's like a house that has been built with great attention to the strength of the foundation, because a strong foundation will allow a strong house to be built on it...a house that will with stand stress and strain and remain strong.  The strength of your motivation to change can help you stay on course as we start this program.  This will be a journey to lasting, positive change, that will serve you well for the rest of your life.  And we're going to do it together!

You know right now your motivation or reason for wanting to change may seem obvious to you.  Matter of fact, you might be so sure of your motivation that you think....there's no reason to look further.  But I'm encouraging you now to think with me about a few simple questions.

As you think about your responses, I want you to be clear and specific.  By doing this kind of preparation we'll accomplish two things.  First we'll head off a few problems that could possibly arise along the way...and second, your journey will become an adventure.  Something to look forward to, something to relish and enjoy.  Just like an action movie or great novel where the leading man or woman depends on their own ability to see options and ways to accomplish their goals.  After all, taking care of our bodies is a very important part of the quality of our lives....and it's basic to our own 'survival'.

So....first of all ask yourself...."do I really want to change?"  This is very important so I'm going to repeat it... Ask yourself "Do I really want to change....or am I choosing to make these changes for someone else?"  You see, if you're motivated by pressure from others...or by fear or guilt put upon you by others, then now is the time to begin to look at yourself through your own eyes.  'Now' is the time to decide whether or not you choose to commit to this important change in your life.

Pressure from others is very different from the loving support of those whom you care about.  Pressure tends to create anger and resentment that makes for a shaky foundation at best.....and your anger and resentment may be directed toward the one or ones you feel have made this decision for you.  The anger could be turned inward and lead to very negative results.  For example, a lot of people who go to a marriage counselor often begin by telling the counselor how they want the counselor to change their 'spouse.'  Well guess what, this approach simply doesn't work.  Because....change comes through each individual making changes within ourselves.  Making those changes will then subsequently change their relationship to each other for the better.

I'm sure if you thought for a moment, you could think of a time or two in your life, where some negative consequences have resulted from a change you have made.  Well it's not going to happen here.  Together we're going to make this experience different.  This time, let's be sure you’re working toward change for 'you', a change 'you' want.  Not because someone else has decided for you. This puts 'you' in the very healthy position of accepting responsibility for your own behavior and your own success.  'You' are going to succeed, because 'you' want to.

Next, I want you to ask yourself another question.

Is this change really desirable at all?  Are the goals that you've chosen for yourself what you really want?  Ask yourself how your life will be different when you make these changes.  Imagine for a minute that you have achieved your goals and you now look the way you have always wanted to look.  You have made a significant change in your weight, your appearance and your life.

Think about what the impact would be.  Is the impact positive and conducive to achieving other goals in your life?  For instance, will your self-esteem and energy level increase so that you would function better at your job, or in your family, or other relationships in your life?  Would you be better able to do many of the things you do on a daily basis?

Do you see any negative consequences?  Realize that we're talking about making a substantial change in your life, and you need to realize, that change is going to greatly affect 'others' that share your life.  Is it possible that others might be envious or threatened by the changes you made?  Could this response from them be harmful to you?  Do you need to watch for messages from others that want you to go back to your old life style?

You know sometimes the other people in your life will attempt to sabotage your efforts, and not consciously realize that they are doing it.  As you start to lose weight, things are going to change, and others may be jealous of the changes, and try to hinder your efforts.

Others may see you do it, and start to feel inadequate themselves because you are accomplishing something they have failed at many times themselves. What's important here is that....if you anticipate any negative consequences, you need to take some careful time now to think about the pro and cons of change for yourself.  If you have reason to suspect that others could or would react negatively to what you're about to do, and you decide to go ahead with this change in your life, it's going to be very important to plan constructive ways of dealing with this negativity.  I'll give you some time to think about that, and if you think this may happen to you, Dr. Steelman will have some great ideas for handling any negativity a little later in the series.

Do you feel that your present situation is such that you have a good chance for success......or are there some things going on right now in your life right now which might set you up to fail?  For example, if you've experience a death of a loved one very recently....or made a stressful job change.... you may be in school and have a big test coming up, if there is anything like this going on right now that is causing a great deal of stress for you...... then perhaps postponing for a short time would be the right thing to do.  Now, I said for a short time.

It's also very important that you realize however, that the sooner you do feel ready to get started, the sooner you'll increased your outlets for dealing with stress.  This is a valid issue and one which we will talk about more a little later in the series, but for now it is important to begin to think about creating an environment in which you can move toward change with a maximum of comfort and support.  Make it easier for yourself to stay motivated!  Think about it before you begin.

Motivation Tips is part of a fantastic new Diet and Weight Loss program developed by Michael Steelman M.D., and the Active 8, L.L.C., Better Health - Better Life Program.  This is the first weight management program that gives the results of a physicians clinical weight loss program - at home.  For more information on this very effective program go to:  www.active8products.com and click on the weight loss products section.

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