Carlo Alvarez

Motivation can be defined as the desire to achieve, the fuel that inspires us to reach our goals. It has been said that motivation strengthens the ambition, increases initiative and guides our energy. Motivation is one of the most important keys in fitness success. I say this, due to the fact that I usually train athletes who are highly motivated.  It is easier for a professional or even amateur athlete to stay motivated to train because their living or their ability to win in competition depends upon it.  

When it comes to training the average person, we often find that people are not as motivated, so they often fall short of what they really want to accomplish.  This does not mean that they won’t work as hard; it’s just that they might not know how to visualize the necessary keys to stay motivated longer. Normally, the design of a successful fitness-training program should always begin with the end in mind. And so, the first thing you should do to is set your goals, because these can be very motivating. In setting those goals, be specific, it’s always helpful to concentrate on your weak areas physically, so that as you work out you will see results.  There is nothing like results to improve motivation! After that it comes down to being consistent in your workouts.

But what if you have trouble staying consistent?   Usually, this happens due to being overcommitted in your schedule or sometimes, it goes back to motivation.  One of the biggest things that motivates is knowledge and working together with the LaValle Metabolic Institute and its staff has consistently reminded me that vast amount of knowledge shared by colleagues to enhance each individuals unique needs is an important tool to keep you motivated to achieve your exercise goals. If you are reminded in your daily life that what you do now is going to heavily influence whether you succumb to chronic illness down the road, it keeps you better motivated to stay consistent with your exercise.

One of the great benefits of exercise is its role in helping to reduce stress hormones. When you exercise it literally reduces the body’s norepinephrine, epinephrine and cortisol.[i]  This is probably part of the reason that exercise is consistently shown to reduce risk of heart disease and other chronic disease like breast cancer.[ii]^,[iii]  Deal with the stress hormones and you take away the negative impact they can have on your arteries, blood pressure and immunity.

For those that are intimidated by vigorous exercise or workouts, you should know that one of the best exercises that has been shown to reduce stress hormones is yoga.[iv]^,[v]  Yoga has even been shown to aid weight loss when no other diet or lifestyle changes were made.[vi]