In Need of Fitness Inspiration and Motivation?

It is said that the lamp of the body is the eye. What we see, we like – and what we like, we want.

For example, if you fed yourself with pornography – it will destroy and corrupt you. If you spent all your time at the gym checking out the opposite sex, it could destroy you as well – you’d be surprised at the number of people who are actually perverts in the gym, but let’s save that for another day.

But if you fed yourself with positive images, inspirational teachings and materials, reading real life success stories, seeing ‘before/after’ images of people who have succeeded in weight loss, inspirational movies, reading my blog (*grin*) – it would definitely do you good, and the effects will certainly become noticeable in many areas of your life.

One image that I constantly find myself being reminded about is the cover of December 2008’s Men’s Health Malaysia:

What makes this one extremely inspirational to me personally is the fact that I know Jonathan Wong in real life (he too, is a fellow ACE-certified Personal Trainer and is the founder of Pushmore Fitness Centre). Seeing someone you KNOW, takes the inspiration to a whole new level.

I’d like to challenge you to try this if you haven’t already – to use visuals to help you reach your fitness goals. Seen a great physique in a magazine lately…? A role model, a celebrity, bodybuilder, or fitness model perhaps? You know which one I’m talking about… the one that you can still remember even after a few weeks have gone by?

Cut it out, and pin it up where you will always see it – some places you could display them are like your room, in your diary, an image in your mobile phone/PDA, or perhaps even leave the magazine in your car for you to flip through before you step out and head to the gym.

There will come those days when we stumble, or are feeling tired, or a bit less enthusiastic than we usually are (we all have those days don’t we?) – it is then you can look at that inspirational image and remember what it is that you are working so hard for. I too am human just like everyone else, and during one of ‘those’ days… this has worked very well for me without fail.

Do this often enough, and with the right image/photo (not one you randomly cut out just for the sake of trying this out) – and you will find yourself being filled with a new eagerness and passion to achieve your goals. And when that happens – you will find more willpower within you to stick to your diet, go for every scheduled workout, and perhaps even adopt new positive habits/lifestyle changes - and when THAT happens… you are already one step closer to achieving your fitness goal.

I bought myself a brown pin-up board that I can attach to my wall, and pin-up not only inspirational images – but favourite quotes as well.

Try it if you can – and let me know how this works for you. I’d love to hear the experiences of others.

Yours truly,
DM

Read also:

1. Physical Perfection - Finding Inspiration When You Least Expect It
2. Your Dream Physique - Finding Motivation When You Least Expect It
3. No motivation to hit the gym after a long day at work?