That's Fit

Ever find yourself inspired by a certain phrase, quote, or idea only to forget about it as time goes by? Keep the good mojo going with this simple tip.

I remember watching Ice Castles as a kid and wanting nothing more than to be an ice skater. (Preferably without a terrible accident that caused blindness, though.) So maybe the movie is a bit cheesy and admitting that I had a little crush on Robby Benson certainly dates me as a child of the '70s, but it motivated me into trying something I'd never tried before. And that's exactly what a great sports movie can do.

FitSugar recently asked readers what their favorite motivational sports movies were... and they came up with a great list. Some of the picks are:

• Remember the Titans.
  
• Million Dollar Baby
• Miracle
• Rudy
  

Click over to FitSugar for the full list. A couple of my favorites that didn't make the list are Hoosiers and The Rookie. What other sports movies have inspired you?

Dick Hoyt, 67, and his son Rick, 46, have accomplished more than many of us could imagine. They've climbed mountains, completed 224 triathlons (including six Ironmans), 66 marathons, a 45-day cross-country bike ride, and more. Obviously, that's inspiring in and of itself.

What makes it AMAZING is that Rick is a quadriplegic and cannot walk or talk -- he was born with cerebral palsy, which kept him from ever being able to control his muscles and limbs, including his vocal chords.

Dick started participating in races and endurance events with his son when Rick was just 11, and the duo hasn't taken more than two weeks off since. Dick continues to train and compete because Rick gets so much joy out of it, and it makes him happy to see his son happy.

Motivational problems: who doesn't have them? Nobody is really completely free of them because we all have days where we have to make ourselves get up and get moving. Now for some people getting (and staying) motivated is much worse than for others, and finding what works for you to get you moving can be quite a trick. Have you thought about what works for you? Is it rewarding yourself with something new? Or simply focusing on the satisfaction you get after a good workout?

The thing about motivation is that it's not something that can always be created in the same way -- different days need different inspiration. So even though you may have an idea or two of things that help get you in the mood for exercise, do those couple of things always work? If you're anything like me the answer is no, and what you really need is a whole list of ideas to run through every time you're having an off day because it's really hit and miss as far as what's gonna work and what isn't.

If you went around and asked people why they exercised, or why they should exercise, I bet you'd get hundreds of different answers. I think it's good that there are so many motivations available, especially since sometimes what works for you one day doesn't work for you the next. So if you're currently in need of some renewed inspiration here's a list of 5 good reasons to workout:

• Get out of your head and into your body. Get away from over-thinking and over-analyzing and get into the natural function of physical movement.
• Find a great way to de-stress and relax. Exercising for as little as 15 minutes can bring a feeling of inner peace and tranquility.
• Use your exercise time to work through issues. It's a great time to clear your head and think.
• Gain confidence and self-esteem-- you won't be able to help feeling better about yourself!
• Learn to live in the present. Exercise helps your over-all wellbeing, which includes not worrying about the future or dwelling on the past.

It's always nice to read other people's success stories, especially when they aren't necessarily celebrities or rich people who have unlimited resources at their disposal. At this time last year, actually not even quite a whole year ago, Priscilla Houliston weighed 390 lbs and couldn't even tie her own shoelaces or get up out of a chair without help. And now, having bicycled over 2000 miles with her husband by her side and lost 25% of her body weight, she is successfully spreading the message that obesity can be solved with small steps.

They started together in Key West, FL, and crossed into New York not that long ago. That leg marked 1/8th of the total trip completed.

And to think, all this started with Priscilla simply making a promise to herself and beginning by walking 1/2 mile each day. Good for you Priscilla!

I don' t know what the exact number is, but I do know that the vast majority of weight loss and fitness related New Year's resolutions have already ended in failure. And it isn't even February yet, how sad! Truth is that even though many people are good at supporting and motivating their friends and family, they suck at helping themselves. If you are your own worst enemy when it comes to keeping yourself on track, then maybe you just need to learn how to be kinder to yourself and focus some of that caregiver energy inward. This article has 10 tips that seem to share the theme of developing positive habits and coping methods -- like signing an actual pledge to yourself that you'll reach your goal, and calling on your own personal "911 squad" whenever you're about to do something self-destructive.

In theory, losing weight and getting fit should be one of the easiest things in the world for anybody to do: by eating less and exercising more. But something hangs us all up and makes it one of the hardest things instead. Just think, though, how successful you could be if you could only learn to conquer your own inner demons.

I'll be totally honest -- if there's ever a good day to procrastinate on your fitness plan and "start tomorrow" I think today, Christmas Day, is the perfect day for that. But even if you plan on starting the physical exercise tomorrow, there's no reason you can't start getting motivated today. Motivation is key, it's paramount, to your success. And the more thoroughly you motivate yourself the easier it will be to stick to your plan once you get it going.

Here are some ideas taken from a survey of experts to amateurs, so one or a few of these might work for you:

• Use stickers on a calendar to track your workouts, or tape your goals up on the bathroom mirror or refrigerator. The idea is to keep a visual reinforcement of what you promised yourself.
• Join a club, any club, even one you might not normally think of yourself fitting into. It definitely won't be boring, you'll meet new people, and have others counting on you to be there.
• Make a commitment to a goal. Pick an event, like a 5k run or a weekend biking getaway. Once you make reservations, or pay deposits and entry fees, you'll be invested (literally!).
• Dance! Music is a great motivator in and of itself. If you're not in the mood to workout, the right tune can change your mind and get you moving in no time.
• Reward yourself with luxury. Try putting a dollar in a jar every time you go to the gym or get outside for that jog. At the end of the month go get your nails done, have a massage, or buy whatever pampering you don't get on a regular basis.

So today I am not going to worry about what I'm eating, or whether or not I worked out. I am giving myself permission to procrastinate! But I am going to think about what I'm gonna do tomorrow (and by tomorrow I don't mean next week or next month!) and I'm going to renew my focus and motivation to make sure I get off to a good start. Looking over this list of motivators, I think the whole "stickers on the calendar" thing works the best for me. It's addictive somehow, sticking little stickers on day after day -- it almost gets hard to take a day off my workout just because I want that fun little row of designs to go on uninterrupted! ...anyway...

Happy Holidays!

Here is an idea that has worked wonders for me and many other people: Listen to music that inspires you while you work out. It could be heart-pumping tunes with a great beat that you can pace your run to. Or something inspirational that makes you feel alive. Because let's face it. Working out can be tedious, and anything that takes your mind off of how much your body wants you to stop right now is a good thing.

I have pretty alternative tastes in music and I am not a fan of country music usually, but one song that always gets me in the mood to push harder (not to mention live every aspect of my life to the fullest) is Tim McGraw's Live Like You Were Dying. Another song that has a great beat and always put me in a good mood is Scissor Sisters' Don't Feel Like Dancing. I'm always on the lookout for more tunes to add to my iPod though. What are you listening to when you workout?

Having a personal trainer is one of the most effective ways to get motivated and get in shape. Unfortunately, it's also pretty expensive. So if you decide to treat yourself and are out shopping for your own 'personal' personal trainer, how can you make sure you're getting the best one for you? How can you find out before you've dropped too many dollars on useless sessions?

First off look for the most qualified trainer you can find (or afford). Ask at your club if they have ranked trainers (or if they are categorized by level of expertise) or consider hiring a private trainer to come into your home or gym.

Secondly, but just as important, you'll need to evaluate the trainer's personality to make sure you mesh well together. Try booking a session or two with a variety of different people and see who you click with the best. Personal trainers are supposed to be motivating and inspirational, and if you annoy each other the sessions won't be nearly as effective as they could be. In fact, it might turn you off to working out altogether.

The best place to start your search is to ask your friends for referrals, or usually the organizations that certify personal trainers can help locate them in your area.