Motivational Quotes

Everyone who knows me, or is a client of mine, knows that I am constantly using quotes and sayings to try to motivate (some of my clients think I am crazy :). I don't care what you set out to do in life, you need to keep motivated and goal oriented. It is so easy to become complacent, and get side-tracked.

I have been fortunate enough to have worked with some very successful people. As a trainer, not only do I help me clients, but I try to learn from them as well. It is my opinion that to self actualize you need to constantly keep on challenging yourself, and learning. So as a service to my friends, I am starting a motivational quote section of my website. It is my hope that if you are hitting a plateau and need that extra jolt, that I can help to provide that service.

If you are a client of mine, you may want to stay away from this section (just kidding:) If anyone has a quote they would like to post, feel free to send it to me at eric@everybodyspersonaltrainer.com.

"Some times you have to swim through the mud to get to the prairie."

Okay, what are you talking about Eric? Let me tell you something, there are so many parallels that can be drawn between exercise, and life in general. Unless your Paris Hilton or something, things aren't always going to be easy. It's not like someone's just going to hand you a million dollars and say do what you want. You have got to earn it.

I know, I know, your tired. You have thirty kids, and you work a 100 hour week, I have heard it all. To be honest, I don't care. The will to succeed doesn't have anything to do with the obstacles one faces, it has to do with inner desire and ambition. There will always be hard times and challenging events in life, that's just the way it is. But, "some times you have to swim through the mud to get to the prairie."

Listen, I consider myself to be one of the luckiest people out there. I have a great career, great girl, and great family. I love what I do everyday, and feel so fortunate, you wouldn't believe. However, was it always this way? Well, anyone who knows me will tell you, the answer is certainly NO ! I have had my share of tough times, and even tougher times unfortunately. But I am sure that all of you out there have. So what do you do, fold the cards and bury your head in your hands? No, you keep getting up and putting your anti down in the pot with the hope that things will get better.

Life's a roller coaster, never get to high, and never get too low. You'll experience great times, followed by the humbling times. However, whether it's exercise or the game of life, just be sure to get back up and put the anti in the pot :)

Here is a quote sent in from one of our readers:

"Real power comes when we stop holding others responsible for our pain, and we take responsibility for our feelings."

Melody Beattie

Here is a quote sent in from one of our readers:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail
away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.
Dream. Discover.

Mark Twain

"Don't Fake It, Make It"

Kind of a silly quote of mine, but basically, it's important. To make the body you are looking for, and to achieve your goals, you have to work at it. I hear the same thing from prospective clients all of the time, "Eric, I don't understand, I work out all the time but can not see the results."

Lets face it, anybody can just throw around some dumbells and prance around on a treadmill. The difference is, you have to approach your workouts with a purpose, not just to get it done. So many people just go through the motions, and refuse to reach deep and take it to the next level of intensity.

Don't kid yourself. You made the commitment, now make it happen. Reach down deep for a few extra reps. Run an extra mile on the treadmill. When in the gym "Don't Fake It, Make It." You are their to get something accomplished, so you owe it to yourself to see it through.

"Nobody can want it for you, you have to want it for yourself."

I know what you are thinking, "Okay Eric, what are you talking about here?" In my experience with exercise, and we are talking over 15 years of personal and professional experience, results are heavily dependent on one thing. You can have the greatest personal trainer in the world, a nutritionist, a massage therapist, a pilates instructor, or even Jayne Fonda :) and basically it all comes down to one thing, YOU!!!

Nobody can grant you great results. You have got to want it for yourself. I am a firm believer that everybody has underlying motives that drives them (call me Freud) and motivates them. To be successful in fitness, or anything else for that matter, you have got to want it for yourself. You have got to have that desire to change and better yourself. The most successful clients I have worked with in my career are the clients who have a burning desire to change from within. Outside motives such as "my husband says I need to lose weight" or "my doctor told me to exercise" won't cut it. You have got to want it for yourself.

What's my advice? Figure out what drives you, what motivates you. Use that motivation as fuel to work hard and accomplish. Everyone has a best body, and can achieve it. However, not everyone will have the will power. Don't be part of the ladder.

"The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work."

I don't care what you are attempting to do in life, you have got to work hard. Whether it is in your profession, or trying to lose a pound or two, you have got to be willing to work hard to achieve that goal. I am a firm believer in hard work, and trust me, nothing comes easy.

Life isn't always going to be a piece of cake. There will be inevitable road blocks, and situations that will tire you and test your will. However, the successful individuals refuse to let these road blocks cloud their vision. They keep pushing, they keep working.

I have trained tons of clients in my life as a personal trainer. I'll take a worker over a "genetically gifted" client any day. Show up early, stay late, and work your butt off. You can't go wrong with this formula. Don't be afraid of being tired, it's just part of the game. Keep working and soon that fatigue will fade and you'll be ready to set new goals...

Most importantly, believe in yourself. Even when everyone else does not, keep that hope alive. We all have the strength and work ethic to accomplish, we just have to find it.

"You only get out what you put in."

I love this quote and feel that when it comes to exercise, it relates so well. Anyone can throw a few weights around, or walk on a treadmill (most likely holding onto the sides, please don't do that :) However, those who work out more intensely and with purpose will undoubtedly get much better results. If you have made the decision to change, put everything you have into it. Whether you are working with or without a trainer, give it everything you have. All of your heart, all of your mind, everything. Be honest with yourself and take responsibility.

I don't expect that every time your workout it's going to be the greatest workout in the world. Trust me, I have definitely had my share of workouts where I find myself yawning half the time. Nonetheless, give your program everything you have. You only get out, what you put in.

"The mind will always give up before the body."

Boy I am sure my clients are sick of this quote. The truth to the matter is that when performing an exercise, the mind will always give up before the body will. So often during an exercise we just want to give in thinking we can't go anymore when the body can really go above and beyond. Those extra few reps or laps make such a difference.

Don't be afraid to take it to that next level. Your trainer will be watching your face, form, etc. to make sure that you don't overdue it. Remember, intensity is key!!!

"Life is a roller coaster, you just have to be able to stomach the ride."

I like this quote because, as we all know, things aren't always good. Conversely, things aren't always bad either. Life is full of ups and downs, however, it is so important to be able to endure and move on. Everyone experiences tough times and challenging events, but true warriors fight to live another day.

The same could be said for exercise. Not every workout is going to be your best, but you have to keep on working.

"It's better to regret something that you did do, than something that you didn't."

Basically I like this quote for a few reasons. So often we are afraid of challenges and risks. How many times have you thought to yourself, "boy, I wish I did that." In my mind, change can be intimidating, however, I would much rather regret something I tried but failed, than to have never tried before. Then again, maybe that's just me :)

"Anything worth having is worth busting your butt for."

Basically, in my opinion, the sweetest things in life (success, a goal, etc.) is always worth the hard work. For example, my dream was always to own my own business and work in the fitness industry. Starting my business was certainly not easy, but due to hard work, and dedication, I am now fortunate enough to have my own business and work in my favorite industry :)

"When ever you don't feel like working hard, someone, somewhere else is, and when you meet them, they will have the edge."

Hard work will always be the key to success. What separates people who are successful is that they are always working hard, even behind closed doors. To compete, you have to be just as vigilant.

"The difference between someone who is in shape, and someone who is not in shape, is the individual who is in shape works out even when they do not want to."

It is very easy to work out when you FEEL like it. It is so important, however, to have consistency in your workouts. It should be like brushing your teeth. Just get it done....