Hi Faye,

If you're like me, fear can be a great motivator. By 2015 75% of Americans will be overweight. One in three American kids today will develop diabetes and this is the first generation of children in the USA who won't live as long as their parents. America now ranks 42nd in the world for longevity and is outranked by some third world countries. Kids watch and learn from us. Try thinking about what you'd like to teach your children about their power to take control of their health (and therefore finances) through diet and exercise and how your current habits are teaching them something every day. Realizing that they're watching and mimicing might be a good first step.

Best wishes,
Deirdre Earls, RD, LD

George Tabares Fit. Spec./MT

It seems that you know what you want and how to get it. That is a great start. Here are a few tips to help spark your motivation.
1. I do not know the intricacies of your current schedule but it is important to have consistency. Even if you workout every day for only 15 minutes it will soon become a habit.
2. Find a partner, someone with similar goals to show up at the same time.
3. Start a consistent activity that you can do with the kids.
4. Make sure your workout destination is within your normal route.
5. Small nutritional changes make a huge impact.
6. Set smaller short-term goals.
7. Sit still for a few moments and visualize how great you would feel to achieve your goals.
8. Meet with a trainer even just a few appointments may help with accountability.
9. Acknowledge all of the positive thoughts and changes that you create.