I tell them this is the only time I want them to feel bad, but I really want them to get those feelings. Next, I want them to get out of that bad emotional state and write an entire page of what they will gain in those same areas if they make the healthy changes they should. This is often referred to as “the carrot and stick.”

Remember, everything we do in life, we do for only one of two reasons. To either gain pleasure or avoid pain. Here’s the thing though. Most people will do much more to avoid pain, than to gain pleasure. In other words, when someone smokes, for example, they choose to focus on the pleasure they get from the cigarette. If they focused on the pain that would come later, they would probably never smoke, so by writing these two pages, you not only get it clear in your mind, what you need to do, but why you need to do it. Always remember, the “why” is even more important than the “how.”

In this column I’ve described the importance of having clear strategies for getting fit, losing fat and making the changes you’ve really wanted and needed in your body. In my next column I’m going to show you how to make those changes.

Diet or fitness question? Email me at dwcrocker77@gmail.com or visit fitness4yourlife.org. David Crocker of Landrum has been a nutritionist and master personal trainer for 26 years. He served as strength director of the Spartanburg Y.M.C.A., head strength coach for USC-Spartanburg baseball team, S.C. state champion girls gymnastic team, and Converse college equestrian team. He serves as a water safety consultant to the United States Marine corps, lead trainer to L.H. Fields modeling agency, and taught four semesters at USC-Union. David was also a regular guest of the Pam Stone radio show.