Several years ago (end of '99), I entered the EAS Body for Life Challenge. I am only mentioning this fact to tell you what I learned from doing it. It is a 12 week challenge that you set your own goals for. My goals were to lose body fat and increase muscle mass. At the beginning of the challenge you are asked to write the reasons for doing it and what you hope to achieve, and then you do it again at the end. The prize was $50,000, (that alone is motivation enough).
I really wanted to know if it was humanly possible to look like the fitness models that you see in magazines. I was already working out pretty intensely, but my food choices needed a makeover. I had a sports nutritionist work up a plan for me. It was hard, don't let anyone kid you. I had to count fat grams, carbohydrates, fiber, protein and water. Somewhere along the way, I learned that I HAD CONTROL over what I was doing to my body and my life! As I stuck to the plan, it started working! I learned more about myself during those 12 weeks than I could have imagined.
Why do I bring this up? To simply point out that when you take control of what you put into your body, you will take control of other factors in your life. I'm not saying your life will change, who knows, maybe it will. But, when you stop making excuses and really get to know your body and what works for you, and what you are putting into it to fuel it, it is empowering.
I did achieve the goals I set out to accomplish! No, I didn't win the prize, but (as sappy as this sounds), I did learn a huge life lesson that I still apply to this day!