4. Choose Variety! Don't let popular dieting trends fool you: Carbs are good for you too! In fact, carbohydrates are what your brain run on and are very important for proper body functions. Following a high-protein diet over a long period of time can not only cause headaches, but also places considerable stress on kidney. The important thing is to eat a variety of foods. This includes fruits, vegetables and even carbs. Just remember to be smart about types of carbs you eat:: whole wheat instead of white.

5. Eat Slowly! We all get in a hurry from time to time, but it is important to take time to listen to our bodies. Eating quickly doesn't give our bodies time to tell our brains that we have eaten enough. Consequently, we continue eating and are left filling stuffed and bloated. Eating more slowly allows us to recognize when we actually have eaten enough and stop—it also helps us savour and enjoy food we do eat.

Essential to loosing weight is giving our bodies what they need. This means drinking plenty of water, eating timely and proper meals, staying active, and giving our body time to tell us when it is full. Our bodies will reward us for our attention.

Your goals should be on your index card, as described in a previous article. You can read it here - Your 'HAVE' Goals

As you are about to perform your training routine, go through this little scenario...

1. Read your goals aloud.

2. As you do, visualize that goal having already been achieved.

3. Feel that goal, as if you have already achieved it.

4. Then ask yourself:

* How good do I look? - I look GOOD!
* How great do I feel? - I feel GREAT!

Now say to yourself...

I feel Great - I look Great - I am successful!
I feel Great - I look Great - I am successful!
I feel Great - I look Great - I am successful!
Ok... Lets Do It!!!

Do this daily...

* In morning, upon rising.
* Just before you begin your workout.
* Just before going to sleep.

When you repeat this each time, feel it with conviction and say it with conviction. Feel your blood boil with excitement. Feel your heart beat hard. Get right into it. Stir up that passion and throw yourself right slam into middle of it.

Don't give in. Persist and be consistent with your efforts... no matter whether you feel like it or not.

I have often found that thoughts of having to do something are horrible at times. But, once I throw myself into it I feel absolutely fantastic and so happy that I didn't give in.

Have you ever found that?

If you have, remember that feeling. Feel it every time you are about to begin your training. Stir it up. Love that feeling and then get stuck in. BEcome what you need to become so that you can DO whatever it takes to achieve goals that you said you want to HAVE.

That is final key to successfully achieving your Muscle and Fitness goals.