The patterns that you repeat on a daily basis will eventually form the identity that you believe in and the actions that you take. You can transform your identity and become the type of person who doesn't need motivation to perform well.

The biggest lesson I learned from JV cross-country is that motivation comes from within. It's helpful to have a team, a coach, family and friends, or cheerleaders to show support, but ultimately, the only cheerleader that matters is you.

Why do we make bad decisions? Why do we eat that extra cookie or choose a cheeseburger instead of a salad with grilled chicken? It turns out there is nothing wrong with you when you give into fatigue or temptation. Your brain has simply run out of gas.

Start with a reality check and then prioritize. You do have time. You are the captain of your ship, the driver of the bus. You make your schedule and can find the time to devote 45 minutes to one hour to you

I know it is hard to stay committed to any behavior change like exercising daily. I also know how much better you'll feel if you exercise, stay fit, and eat right. Try to think of exercise as movement rather than a strict regimen.

Having recently gained 35 pounds when pregnant with my second daughter, I was left with 20 to lose upon returning home from the hospital and a closet full of non-maternity clothing that didn't fit. It wasn't easy, but I lost it all in about two months -- no starving and no gimmicks.

By Jessica Smith You see them popping up all the time on Pinterest and Facebook -- inspirational workout slogans meant to get you motivated to ex...

Within two years, Rich Roll had become one of the fittest ultra athletes on the planet, gone vegan, and, in the process, was beginning to find out who he was and what he was capable of -- as an athlete, as man, as a father.

Here at HuffPost Healthy Living, we make a big effort to stay in good shape. But just because you write about fitness for a living, doesn't make it an...

When I am training alone (especially when it's cold out) I find riding with music helps me to stay motivated and positive. I also use this playlist when I am warming up for my races. Enjoy!

Despite everything we know about the benefits of exercise, it's still easy to make excuses to skip a workout. You've probably heard them all, and trie...

Sixteen days after this year's London Marathon ended, a final entrant crossed the finish line. Claire Lomas, who is paralyzed from the chest down, finished the marathon with a little help from her "robotic" legs -- along with a very healthy dose of willpower and sheer determination.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to look good, but how you look is just part of the bigger picture of your overall wellbeing.

In the upcoming January issue of Shape, (on newstands December 26) Molly Sims shares some fool-proof tips for staying motivated to work out. (New Year...

I don't know about you, but I always struggle with sticking to my regular workout routine this time of year. The warm summer sun is long gone, but...

If I can just start to choose to laugh when something unexpected happens instead of getting flustered, I'd be a happier athlete -- and a happier athlete is a more fit athlete in my workout world.

This list of "things that go well together," led to a list of "things that do not go well together" which then led to a list of "things that are unlikely good combos" and then finally a list of "trios of things that go well together."

Last week, the Los Angeles Times published a column about the benefits of vanity in exercising, and it left a bad taste in my mouth. Bad enough that I couldn't stop myself from writing up a response.

Researchers have, instead, just come out with even more evidence that we need to be doing plenty of exercise -- and we need to be doing it often.

Today, June 1, 2011, is National Running Day -- are you planning to go out for a run? No matter why you enjoy it (the exercise, the camaraderie, the c...