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Step 5: Take the Mystery Out of your Motivation Problems

Mind Over Body: A Healthy Lifestyle Plan for Success

-- By Dean Anderson, Behavioral Psychology Expert

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There are several kinds of motivation problems that people run into, and each requires a different set of strategies. Let's start here with a little quiz to find out which motivational problems you might be dealing with.

Get out a small piece of paper to mark your answers to the following five questions. Respond to each statement with "True" if you think it applies to you more often than not or "False" if you think it doesn’t apply most of the time. Next, indicate on a scale of 1-10, how big of a role you think the statement plays in your motivation problems. If you think it plays almost no role, give it a one. If you think it is by far the most important factor in your motivation problems, give it a 10.

1. True or False: My motivation seems to depend on what the scale (or tape measure, fit of my clothes, etc.) says. I feel motivated when I see results, but unmotivated when I don’t. SCORE (1-10): _____

2. True or False: I feel like I am in a constant battle with myself. In my “normal” state, I want to eat whatever I like, whenever I want it, and/or my body just naturally gravitates towards the couch. It’s very hard to make myself do what I know I need to do. SCORE (1-10): _____

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Step 6: Write Your Vision Statement (article)
Mastering the Mysteries of Motivation - Part 1 (article)
Mastering the Mysteries of Motivation - Part 2 (article)

Dean Anderson
Dean Anderson has master's degrees in human services (behavioral psychology/stress management) and liberal studies and extensive social work experience as a caseworker and community organizer. Dean's interest in healthy living began in 1999 when, at the age of 50, he confronted his own morbid obesity and related mental and physical health issues. He joined SparkPeople, lost 150 pounds and regained his health. During this process, Dean earned a personal training certification from ACE, received training as a lifestyle and weight management consultant, and began working for SparkPeople. He is currently pursuing a certification from the American Senior Fitness Association.