The key to success is having the motivation to follow through with your ideas and put them into action; to set goals and actively work towards achieving them.

Well it's just about that time of year; the holidays and the New Years resolutions!
So what is it about the New Year that induces the need to lose weight, stop smoking, lift weights or start any positive healthy lifestyle change? Why are we not easily driven to get healthy and lose weight by our family, our significant others, or just ourselves?

Even the severe threat of heart disease, diabetes, and chronic obesity does not keep people motivated enough to go to the gym. It's not at all uncommon to feel tremendous need for change one day, and then even without knowing it, self sabotage and give up before we make a good effort.

Is it that we don't know what we are doing? Is it fear of a new place, and being insecure about our bodies, our clothes, or people watching you? Is it the fear of not knowing what we are doing, lack of knowledge of exercises we want to try, or is it just laziness?

I am going to help you learn ways to get motivated, really make yourself want to exercise and eat right, and start seeing results!

The first three weeks is very important, this is the time it takes for people to form a habit, and we all want to create a healthy, positive and permanent habit.

The end goal must be constantly on your mind, and reminding you of your next action. What and how you will need to do to help you achieve your goal. When an immediate goal presents itself, such as a hot date, wedding, or your high school reunion, the end goal is the motivation itself. You want to look good on your date, on your wedding day, and making your high school sweetheart jealous.

Visualizing the end goal to be gained is motivation enough for some people, while others might just be too scared into doing something about their health. It can be difficult to realize your daily goals of eating right and working out, so here are some tips to help you start today and hopefully make it a little easier to continue.

When starting out set up some regular cues to help yourself maintain your commitment to exercise; pack your gym bag the night before and put it by the door, schedule exercise in your calendar and set a reminder on your phone or blackberry.

Find a good friend or role model, someone who started in the same place you did, and try to feel inspired by their goals and success. Be realistic in setting your own goals, make sure that they are attainable so that you don't become frustrated and upset with yourself later if you didn't achieve your set goal.
Remember to focus only on the positive no matter how simple this seems. Don't focus on what you have to give up; time, alcohol or junk foods. Stay positive!!

Setting your goal--

Setting a specific goal is vital in your overall success, if you don't know what you are working towards, how do you know when you have achieved it? The simple act of setting a goal can be motivating all by itself.

Remember to consistently set small, daily or weekly goals... such as "I want to do 30 minutes of cardio, two days this week," or "I won't eat any processed foods this week," or "I will drink 10 glasses of water today," doing this takes you from just wishing to moving you towards a reasonable, more realistic end goal.

Set a specific deadline because this will push you to give it your all and help you get the most out of your time in between your small goals. Everyday that you achieve your small specific goal; you have succeeded and can then set another!

Writing it down--

Writing down a list of reasons why you are starting a program and why it must be completed in your set time-frame is a great way to keep in touch with your goals. Just remember that the new lifestyle that you want must be a constant presence in your life, which means you should post your "why" list on the fridge or mirror, or any place you are forced to face daily; your home, your car, your desk at home or work.

In addition it's very important to keep a record of your changes in reference to circumference measurement; this is a much more accurate way of measuring the changes in the body, than just simply a weight scale. A body fat monitor is a good general gauge, but those can be off by a few percent in either direction. Water retention in a woman, for example, can affect the reading of this device. The tape measure does not lie, if your body got smaller, it will show in the number.

Take some pictures--

I know, some of you may cringe at the thought; but seeing the changes taking place to your body, will keep you going when you feel like you have not gotten any repayment for all your hard work. Take a picture in shorts and a work out bra, or a two piece bathing suit. This will give you a clear, untouched image of yourself and your changes.

It is important to use the same outfit every time, and try to take the picture at the same time of the day and in the same location. Take a front, back and side shots and be sure to note your weight, and measurements and the date it was taken.

Post these pictures somewhere in your home, maybe next to the list of your goals and reasons. People tend to hide from their own bodies when they are insure of the way they look, so seeing your body daily will help you become better acquainted with it again.

Then take a new picture weekly or maybe bi-weekly. Your changes may seem small at first, but after a few weeks of consistent self-discipline and hard work, the changes will become more apparent.

Keeping a record--

Whether you use a note book or a computer, it is very important to keep a record of all your efforts. Did you take up running? Keep a log of how many miles you ran, your pace, and your heart rate; start lifting weights? Write down what exercises you did, how many sets and repetitions, and how much weight you lifted; this way next time you are in the weight room, you will know what you did and see your progression.

Keep a food log, of what was eaten, how much and what time, this gives insight into what makes us want to eat and when we shouldn't, and maybe where the extra calories are coming from. Keeping a journal of your efforts keeps you right on track, and avoids time wasting mistakes. If you are not sure, just check your log, it doesn't lie.

Listen to music--

Having Trouble getting out of bed in the morning to exercise? Try to playing some energizing music. On your way to the gym play it in your car, it can help motivate you before you get started with your workout. Find a favorite CD or download some songs that get you pumped up and makes you want to move!

Do what YOU want to do--

Finally, selecting an exercise routine or a certain diet because your mom, friend, or neighbor lost 45+ lbs, is a sure way to failure. Select an activity that YOU actually enjoy doing; choose healthy foods that YOU like and YOU know you will prepare. If YOU don't like large crowds, then group exercise classes probably aren't for you. Hate water? Aqua-size is great for the body and overall fitness, but not if you wont get in the water!

My point here is, if you love dance, find a dance based fitness class, if you love walking, but have small children, take them with you and work out on the play ground equipment along with them. Just find something, anything that is fun for YOU to do, and you will never want to avoid doing it.

You will be absolutely amazed at what you can do if you simply put your mind to it! Now that you know what to do, try it and watch the change!

Maggie P is a health & fitness advisor as well as an acclaimed nutrition specialist with a focus on women's weight loss and diet. http://www.maggiepfitness.com