There is no limit to how many times you can “begin” again.

Staying motivated to remain fit has its challenges and a lot of people struggle with this. I know people want to learn how others remain motivated to stay in shape and maintain their fitness levels. So after the New Years Eve resolutions begin to slide out of focus, what can we do to strengthen our desires again?

Real world example: whether you want to cook-in, play tennis, exercise, read, write, walk, run, dance, speak, consult, sell or save more, put a number on it. How many times a MONTH will you make it happen?

“Well, I always make resolutions and then I give up. So, I did some research and I found out that experts say if you’re really serious, you have to write them down. So I got organized. I got all these ‘to-do’ lists, each broken down by priority, category, and deadline. And because we’re more likely to change when we focus on the rewards instead of the work, I’ve listed them in this column, ranking them from one to ten. And there’s more…”

It’s easy to say resolutions don’t work and leave it at that, but the simple truth is that I got distracted by fantasies of my “New Me!” results and didn’t consider the effort and expense required by the massive changes I was taking on. When setting goals, it’s best to be realistic.

Should we desire a different outcome, we must alter our pattern. That triggers a feeling of being out of place. Since we are creatures of comfort and avoid anxiety when possible, this awkward awareness drives the need for consolation. End result? We revert to our habit and remain trapped. Ironically, lowering the uneasiness to zero means we are not making any adjustments; hence the same result.

Welcome to Excuse Central pal; know ‘em all. Got ‘em all right here. “Just a little bit won’t hurt.” “I deserve it; it’s been a tough week.” How about this one: “When things settle down, I’ll do it.” I don’t mean to be rude or crude, but the only time things will totally settle down is when six friends are carrying you away in a box. Of course, there’s always my favorite: “I can stop whenever I want.” Yeah, right. If you can stop anytime, why did you let it get so out of control?

Personally, I think the “New Year’s Resolution” is a manufactured event; akin to holidays we didn’t know existed until we went into the greeting card shop. Nothing’s wrong with January 1; I mean why not, it’s as good date as any. But change drives its own train and you better get on board when it’s time or you’ll be left at the station. If your marriage is monotonous and unsatisfying on April 7, you might be single in seven months. Having trouble seeing your belt buckle without looking in the mirror? Why wait? After all, your belly’s not going to shrink by itself, is it? Or, if you get up most mornings with an “ain’t-life-a-drag hangover,” it might seem the perfect date for a decision is the one that’s staring you in the face on the calendar.

In reality, the simpler we make it, the more likely we will achieve our goals. We have built our lives over years with patterns and habits to fill our days. If we try and make too many changes, we have to knock out huge sections of the our life. If we can just rearrange a few adjustments, we’re more likely to fit that in and stick with it. Here is a very simple Five-Step Plan to make change starting right NOW.

I’m confused. We have three lucky numbers: 15, 6, 4. Add those and the result is “25.” Two+5=7. Seven could [number 1 on pavement] work; that feels right. But “7” is so commonplace and run of the mill; everybody and their brother uses “lucky 7.” What is the correct number for this year?

What is the number that will change your attitude and allow you to be happier? It’s always the same thing. It’s so simple, we tend not to use it. And you know what, it works every time!

I found this online; it’s by a company from Hawaii. I thought it was kind of cool and wanted to share it. Top 10 New Years Resolutions 2011 – EP View more presentations from Empowered Presentations, Honolulu, HI. If you like it, give them as shout-out for a nice job by clicking on the link [...]

Statements containing some inner truth are the only ones that wound us. As example, should someone tell you “you’re a lousy golfer,” and you’ve never walked a course, nor do you know a divot from a dogleg; you would take no offense, your emotional well-being remaining fully intact. Yet, should your child shout, “you’re a horrible mother;” that might inflict some pain. Although we know she is acting out, if we possess ANY insecurity about the subject — no matter no minute — and someone casts light upon it, we cannot help but flinch. Inner doubts multiply rapidly.