The Carrot or the Stick

With the New Year just around the corner, many people will be setting resolutions having to do with losing weight.  History shows that many of these people won't be successful.  The first reason for this is choosing a routine that is too ambitious.  You shouldn't go from being sedentary to working out intensely 5 or 6 days a week and not expect to burn out.  A better plan is needed than that.

The second reason could be how a person motivates themself.  Many people use negative motivation as a reason to get into shape: "I look terrible", "I'm unattractive"," etc.

But is this kind of self-flagellation necessary?  There's no doubt it can be effective, at least in the short-term.  But in the long run, I think chasing positives rather than trying to avoid negatives is the way to go.  I believe it's better to set goals in a positive frame, remembering all the benefits that come with the achieving them.  Better to say, "I can see myself looking trim and fit", rather than saying "I need to lose this gut".

Arnold  Schwarzenegger has talked about visualization and a positive attittude quite extensively over the years.  In his book, "The Education of a Bodybuilder", he discusses his motivational strategies during his bodybuilding days:

"Next you have to decide what you want to look like. Again, be explicit. My own image was Reg Park. I built it so clearly in my mind I could actually see myself standing in Reg Park's body. This second step, forming an image in the mind, creates what I call the want power. You have an image of what you want to look like, which in turn creates the willpower to go into the gym and work out. Now you have a goal. Without it you'd be like a ship without a destination. You must know why you are training in order to give it your best and be productive."

Visualization and a positive attitude are powerful tools for motivating oneself.  In psychology, they talk about motivating rabbits with either the carrot or the stick.  I encourage you to chase the carrot and then enjoy the rewards of your labor.