MOTIVATION......Why do some people have it, and some people do not?



How Determined are YOU???



Self-Determination Theory

What determines your goal –directed behavior? Have you ever just felt un-motivated? Do you hear yourself give a lengthy list of excuses to your friends and family as to why it is not possible for you to succeed at your goals? The SDT; or self-determination theory has become a popular area of study in the exercise science departments across the nation. The relationship with our own fitness has become the war to rage in the 21^st century. As I talk to other fitness and health professionals in our area it is clear that no matter how educated or experienced we are if we lack the ability to motivate a client (or patient) to change our knowledge is useless. We cannot share the skills it takes to live a long and healthy life with those still on the couch.

What is your means of motivation? There are three types of motivation. Intrinsic motivation is motivation that comes from within. That means that you are driven to meet a goal or milestone internally. This is the best kind of motivation and is the most likely to be sustained over long periods of time. External Motivation is motivation that comes separate of you. When the boss wants it done in one particular way, or if your spouse would like you to lose weight. Do your parents expect a certain type of behavior from you?  External motivation is much less effective, but not nearly as ineffective as amotivation. Amotivation is the complete lack of motivation, so many of us find ourselves in this state more often than we would like to admit. Stressful lifestyles, busy schedules, and lack of real rest are often the excuses I hear from clients. They verbalize the desire for certain results from their training, but lack the ability to find the right kind of motivation.

How do you find motivation? There are many ways to find motivation, and most of us will have to find many ways to motivate ourselves to meet even one goal.  Weight loss clients rebound back to their heavier weights every day. Why? Because once they reach their goal weight if they cannot focus on a new goal that will keep them there, it is far too easy to fall back into the old habits. Knowing what drives you to success can make or break any lifestyle change. Some of the best “self-motivators” I have worked with will constantly shift their focus to new and more challenging goals. If you can do 10 push-ups, set the goal to do 20 without resting in the next 30 days. If you are running 3 miles a day and your fitness level has plateaued. Set new pace goals to get faster, or register for a 10k in 2 months. If you are a fierce competitor, there are many clubs or groups out there with very competitive people who will push you to greatness, if not just so you don’t finish dead last.

My September challenge for you is to find a quiet place once a week to meditate. Listen to music, pray, or just listen to the world around you. Ask yourself what you really want, what makes you happy, who makes your life easier. Set realistic 30 day goals and get to work. It is time to add your own changes to this season. Mirror the leaves and find your beautiful colors.