There are several reasons why some women burn fat and lose weight, and others don't:

• They seek out the strength training and cardio routines that they enjoy and they exercise regularly; many times with a buddy.
• They adopt a nutritious meal plan that they enjoy and comply with.
• They never quit trying to improve their bodies.

It's just that simple. Enjoyment and dedication produces “body changing” results, with the right guidance. Don’t underestimate the value of guidance and feedback from a personal trainer. You might need a trainer to get started on the right track.

Your workout program is important to reach your goals. However, if you hate your workout program, you will stop doing it at some point. If you love your workout program but have no perseverance when it comes to changing your body, you will find a reason to quit. You need both perseverance and enjoyment of exercise to reach your goals (and keep working to improve even more).

I find exercises and workouts that I enjoy. Do you hate 60-minute cardio sessions? Stop doing them. Twenty minute interval cardio sessions are more effective for fat burning anyway. Just look at all the types of cardio you can do: running, bodyweight cardio, jumping, power walking, biking, machines, etc. Find some types of cardio that you enjoy and do those. You will be more successful.The same rule applies to weight training exercises. On the days you don’t “feel like exercising,” you are more likely to do exercises you enjoy.

What motivates people to do what they do? I’m not a psychologist so I looked at myself. There’s alot of things that have motivated me to do certain things: fear, peer pressure, not wanting to let others down, searching for answers, enjoyment, determination, etc.

Why did I start exercising at a young age? We knew nothing about childhood obesity. Here is my exercise program growing up: playing games after school every day at the Boys Club or in the neighbouring area until dark and playing sports all the year round (and we pretty much walked or biked everywhere we went)! The common thread? I enjoyed both activities—probably too much! I didn’t think about heart rates, exercise technique, repetitions, cardio or any of that stuff. Just having fun.

When it comes to exercise, research has proven that you are more likely to stay with your exercise program if you enjoy it. But, no matter how much you enjoy exercise, you still need perseverance to “keep it going.” When you have those “bad days,” its determination that will pull you through. Mix in a well-designed exercise and nutrition program and you will succeed.