© All rights reserved Keith Crovatt

All too often, each of us grasps for quick fixes, fast results and "little effort" schemes to lose weight and get back in shape (or get in shape for the first time). Without exception, most fail miserably and continue the same patterns of behavior that put them there in the first place. What usually follows is the "blame game" citing time, obligations, work, soreness, food taste and the wrong phase of the moon for the lapse in self achievement.

Each of us has exactly 24 hours in a day. No one has more and no one has less. How we choose to use this time is the difference between achieving what we desire and staying in the same rut we started in. Go find a mirror. Take this article with you. When you are in front of the mirror, that person is the one responsible for your life. Your fitness level, weight, self image and role model for others start with you!

Fortunately, the mind is very adaptive to change and reprogramming. A habit can be broken for a lifetime in as little as 21 days.

History tells us human nature has battled with motivation and self achievement since our creation. Let us ponder what our 26th president, Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, spoke of taking responsibility for ourselves.

"Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to become an oyster." An oyster is closed off from the world. Wishing, dreaming and talking about what you should do or could do never gets anything done.

"Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering." Think about this statement. How many leaders, athletes, celebrities, achievers got where they are now by easing through life? No one said weight loss, fitness or muscle building was easy. Do not be afraid of work. It will not kill you but not working could.

"In a moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing." This does not mean if we do not know the exact right thing to do we should study options for years. No action leads to few results. Start doing something now. Take a walk at lunch. Walk the dog an extra mile tonight.

"People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives." Leaders are visionaries. Leaders have a goal in place, steps to achieve that goal and leaders will not stop until the goal is accomplished. Others wait for the leaders to tell them who, what, where, when and why. Be a leader for your body.

"Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you've got to start young." Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Exercise programs and weight loss control can start when you are 70 as well as 25 years young. Be a role model for your family and friends. Imagine the impact on future generations because of your action today.

"The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight." If you are not willing to take control of your fitness level and weight control, who is? We were not born with a "right" to a slim and beautiful body created by anyone else but you. This goes back to self achievement and motivation. Grab a friend and help each other pull their own weight off!

"If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you would not be able to sit for a month." I saved the best one for last. The difference between doers and watchers is evident by now. Those who take responsibility for our own bodies, fitness levels and weight loss are the ones that start doing something now.

Weight loss and fitness programs start in our mind. There are many resources available for the specific how-to knowledge for diet, nutrition and exercise. Without the motivation, measurable results and constant feedback from others and ourselves, we are limited in our success.

I know you will print out this article and tack it to your cubicle at work, fold it into the sun visor of your car and slip it under the magnet on the kitchen refrigerator (near the handle)! We all will slip from time to time and indulge our whims. That is ok as long as the ultimate goal is life long weight loss, control and improved fitness levels. Thank you President Roosevelt. History continues to repeat itself.