I am a very occasional gardener.  It is not that I do not like gardening (I do, although I am not that good at it!) and I love it when I can sit in it and enjoy the results of my labours.  So why is it that I do not get out there as often as I would like? I think it is something to do with motivation and having the impulse to just get started, because as soon as I go through that moment or two of doubt or resistance and begin, I really enjoy it.

So what if anything does this have to do with the legacy from the Olympics which finished a few days ago in London?

Well I was thinking about whether the Olympics will inspire the millions of children and adults (me included) in the UK who do not exercise regularly and who do not pay much attention to their diet or general health to ‘move more and eat less’ and how we can motivate ourselves to get started and keep going.

I think it would be fantastic if this could be the true legacy of the Games and that it is at least as important as inspiring the next generation of elite athletes. I hope too that efforts are made to encourage the rest of us to at least think about doing something, anything to grasp that moment of motivation and take more responsibility for our own health and fitness.

And this is why, when I thought about how much work will be needed in my garden when I get back from holiday, I contemplated the moment of motivation that will get me started and the moments of motivation which could spark many many people into moving more and eating less.

I know that the motivators for me are the anticipation of the pleasure I will get from the activity of gardening (or exercise) as well as the outcome. I know as well that the more I get started and notice the positive results so it becomes easier to keep going and do it again.

So what is your moment of motivation that will outweigh the temptation to put off doing something and get you moving?  Perhaps it is time to dust off the tennis racket, use a coat hanger for clothes instead of the bike in the hallway, visit the local pool, go for a walk or even get out in the garden!

And finally what does Hypnotherapy or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy have to do with all this?  Well, sometimes it is useful to have something to help us focus on what is important, gain motivation and replace old unwanted unhealthy habits, emotions and behaviours with something more positive and that is where they can be extremely effective.