Editor's Note: We had a chance to sit down and chat with former NFL football player and current television star, Michael Strahan, who was kind enough to share with us his tips on balancing fitness, nutrition and motivation while leading a busy life. We'll be sharing his best tips in this ongoing series, ''A Minute with Michael.'' Getting and staying motivated to reach goals, whether health-focused or otherwise, is a struggle for almost everyone. It can be all too easy to choose instant gratification and immediate comfort (like relaxing on the couch) over the choice that will make us happier in the long run (like hitting the gym). But guess what? You're not alone! Even the people who seem to have it all figured out have difficulty mustering up the motivation to stick to their long-term goals. The only difference is that they've found a system that works for them—and they make it a priority to stick to their own rules. Michael Strahan, television star and Pro Football Hall-of-Famer, knows all about keeping the eye on the prize in the face of temptation. Read on for Michael's advice on how to stay motivated when life has every intention of getting in the way. .jpg) How do you stay motivated to stick with an exercise routine? Michael: I want to be the best I can be. To keep up with my kids and my various obligations, I need to stay in shape. Whether it’s a day outside with my kids or in the gym with my trainer, La, I know that I need to be at my ultimate best to continue to be able to do all the things I love. What are your favorite motivational quotes or affirmations? Michael: No matter what I did growing up—earning a football scholarship, joining the NFL, winning the Super Bowl, being hired on LIVE with Kelly and Michael—my dad always talked about it like it was a sure thing. It was never ''if'', it was always ''when.'' And I think I internalized that. He never doubted me and I’ve learned to never doubt myself. Here are a few more I think about: • Just because you do one thing well doesn’t mean you have to do it forever. Know when to make an exit—sometimes making a change is the best way to live. • Don’t tie your ego to what you do for a living. • You’ll always be your own worst critic. But if you can move past it, you can really start to succeed (and have fun doing it). • Finish everything you start! Put your mind to everything you do, and get it done! .jpg) How do you pick yourself back up after making a mistake?Michael: I like to think there is a lesson in every mistake and do my best to not make the same mistake twice. You can’t let yourself get down when you mess up. Just try to do better next time! What’s your motivation for living a healthy lifestyle? Michael: My motivation is (and always has been) my family. Living a healthy lifestyle so I can be there for them will always be number one in my mind. It doesn’t seem like much of a sacrifice when you know you’re doing it for the people you love. I think about my parents and their health a lot—especially now with my mom’s diabetes. It was a wake-up call for all of us. Now we make it a family goal to eat better and take more walks together—and just generally be more aware of how we’re caring for ourselves. I always try to set a good example by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or getting more healthy fiber in my diet by taking my Metamucil in the morning or eating a Meta Health Bar in the afternoon. My kids see me doing these things, and it keeps me motivated to know that they're looking up to me as a healthy role model. What’s the biggest motivational challenge you face (and how do you deal with it)? Michael: I try to be as positive as I can be so I’m as great a role model to my kids as my parents were to me, but it’s hard sometimes knowing how much negativity is out there. And when you’re in the spotlight, it can sneak its way into your life in ways you maybe didn't expect. In the end, you have to accept you’re only human and laugh it off when you can. It’s important to show my kids that life can be really hard sometimes, but with a great support system and a positive outlook, you really can get through the bad stuff. Also, you have to take the good with the bad and I’ll admit, I’ve had a lot of good. I try to remind my kids that all the bad stuff makes the good stuff that much better. Check out this short video clip to see what else motivates Michael to be healthy every day! How do YOU stay motivated to reach your long-term goals? Share in the comments to help someone else! The "A Minute with Michael" series is brought to you by Meta, a SparkPeople sponsor. |
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