YMCA of Greater Holyoke: Enjoyment as motivation can be key for long-term health

The Republican Lifestyle Desk By The Republican Lifestyle Desk The Republican
on October 17, 2012 at 11:28 PM, updated November 28, 2012 at 7:58 PM
100512-holyoke-ymca.JPG Choosing the fitness option that gives you the most pleasure will become a reward in itself and keep you motivated. Find the inner drive and begin your path to a healthier, happier you.

HOLYOKE - "I started walking three times a week. I lost a little weight, so I stopped. Now, I've gained it back."

"I was eating healthier for awhile but got tired of the restrictions, so I stopped."

OK, hands up. How many of you can relate to the sentences above?

How many times have you started - and stopped - taking care of yourself?

By now, we should all know that a healthy fat-to-muscle ratio and height-appropriate weight reduce our risks of many diseases. When it's so clearly in our personal interests, why do we lose our focus on making healthy decisions?

Scientific research suggests we're not tapping into our true inner system of motivation.
Many studies indicate focusing on fitting into a dress or impressing someone at the beach might get you to a goal in the short term, but it won't keep you there for the long haul.

The truth is, we really don't change that much as we get older when it comes to what drives us. We're all still kids when it comes to what motivates us.

Science shows that humans are motivated longterm by intangible benefits - such as enjoyment, social connection and a sense of accomplishment or growth - that inherently motivate us from birth.

When it comes to health and wellness, these deeper drivers trump the traditional weight-based motivation every time. External motivators that are body- or appearance- related are way less effective than longer-term internal motivators like competence and enjoyment of an activity, and social interaction. Though you may start a diet or fitness programs to lose weight and look more attractive, this kind of goal will not keep you motivated long term, and it may even minimize your enjoyment.

So what should you do?

Take the most enjoyable route toward your goal by getting back to what you enjoyed when you were a kid: mastering a task, sharing an experience with people you like, and having fun! Which do you enjoy more, playing squash with a friend or running on a treadmill? Choose the option that gives you the most pleasure; it will become a reward in itself and keep you motivated.

We see the truth in this advice every day at the YMCA of Greater Holyoke. Our members truly enjoy the camaraderie and friendships that develop while they're building skills like racquetball, swimming and cycling.

Connect your goals to internal drivers like self-confidence, skill development and relationship building, and you will increase your long-term motivation.

Find the inner drive, and begin your path to a healthier, happier you!

Kathy Viens is executive director at the Greater Holyoke YMCA. Her column appears monthly.

The Greater Holyoke YMCA was founded in 1886. William Morgan, the physical education director at the Holyoke YMCA, first introduced the sport of volleyball at the Y in 1895. In 2007, more than 4,600 people from Holyoke, South Hadley, Granby and surrounding communities participated in Y-operated programs and services. For information on Holyoke YMCA programs, call the Y at (413) 534-5631 or visit