Motivation, Schmotivation!

You already know WHY you should eat right and exercise. A study in the Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research suggests that, instead of concentrating on the why, you should focus on the HOW.

Sedentary college students were asked to write down either the actions or reasons associated with exercise. The students who wrote down ways to pump up their exercise became more active. The other group, who focused on the rationale for exercise, did not.

I'm not JABR junky and haven't analyzed the methodology of the study, but for me this result does make sense. Focusing on our motivation can sometimes be counter-productive, leading to a sense of guilt. When we start thinking of actually rolling up our sleeves to take action, however, we often do.

So how about it? On this crisp November day are you going to pop in an exercise video for ten minutes? Put on those gloves and ear muffs and get outside? HOW are you going to fit physical activity in today--post a comment and let me know.

PS--One way is to try Belly Dance Fitness tonight at 1070 Richwood Road, Walton, 7p. Class is $12 and I guarantee you a cleansing sweat. I also guarantee you'll have so much fun you won't notice the sweat!