Will It Work (This diet and exercise plan I'm about to begin)?

You’re standing on the ledge of a two-story building façade on a Hollywood movie set, about to leap onto the inflated landing pad as part of a demonstration of movie stunt work in which you somehow got yourself involved. What’s the first question that pops into your mind (after: “Am I insane?”)?

It’s probably “Will this work?”

Any endeavor that requires substantial commitment, especially if there’s an element of fear attached to it, requires emotional investment, or, buy-in. Three questions that, when answered affirmatively help determine readiness for fundamental change were described in the first article in this series. The first question was addressed in the most recent piece. Today we examine the issue of confidence in the plan.

If you know a plan is going to work, you want to accomplish that goal the plan is designed to tackle, and you believe that you, personally, can follow the guidelines the plan lays out, you’re almost ready to begin. The final question (Do you believe it’s worth it?) will be covered in the last article in this series.

So what does it take for you to believe a given plan or approach will, in fact, deliver the results you want? Here are some questions to ask yourself about it. Satisfactory answers will get you much closer to the level of confidence you need to move forward with it or choose another:

· Is the premise sound based on what I know about this subject and does it correspond with the consensus expert opinion and established research?

· Have others enjoyed long-term success using these methods?

· Are the behaviors required reasonable to manage?

· Is there sufficient support to fine-tune and adapt the program to my needs and obligations?

· Is the objective to make me ultimately independent of the program?

It’s tragic how many people haphazardly throw themselves into this or that diet or exercise fad without looking at the three questions of motivation with any depth. And for exercise and eating programs, that means money out of your pocket without inches off your waistline. Good for the economy; not so good for your health and happiness.

There are literally countless options to get fit and to get lean (not always or necessarily the same thing), so having the tools to evaluate the prospective effectiveness of the options you’re considering is a major step toward not only choosing what’s best for you, but to elevate the probability that you’ll give it all you’ve got, and make it successful.

Dan Taylor, ACE, NASM-CPT, is owner and head trainer at Pleasanton-based Tri Valley Trainer. They offer personal training and small group fitness solutions and an innovative, medically endorsed web-based group healthy eating coaching program.