Commitment to Your Health Means Not Faking It
By Mark H. Anshel, MTSU Professor
None of us ever wants to be called or thought of as “insincere” or, worse, a “phony” or “dishonest.” We
want respect from others, and to be thought of as someone with high integrity and good character. So when we
attempt something new or try to attain a certain goal, usually others trust us to do what we say we’ll do; not just
talk about it. We expect others to commit the energy necessary to reach their goals. While most of us feel
compassion toward others who have tried and failed at something, we are less tolerant and forgiving when the
cause of that failure is due to the lack of energy, motivation, and perseverance – a reflection of the person’s
integrity. Our decision to develop and maintain healthy habits requires something called commitment. A person
who is committed to developing new, healthier habits will almost certainly succeed.
Drs. Emda Orr and Mina Westman, who have written extensively on the components of a “strong”
personality, claim that “commitment captures the authentic positive state of caring.” The authors concluded that
commitment is highly related to a personality trait called “hardiness.” Hardy people are those who are focused
on health instead of illness, optimism instead of pessimism, and reflect a person who is active and motivated by
challenge. People who score low on hardiness view themselves as victims, feel they have little self-control,
focus on the negative, and are threatened rather then motivated by a challenge. Commitment, therefore, is an
important part of hardiness – and the center of health behavior change.
Whatever you care about in life - your family, the Lord, friends, job colleagues, others in need – is
supported by your commitment to improving your health. Without good health we have no energy, and without
energy, we cannot commit to making a difference in the lives of others. Instead of being resourceful and giving,
we are helpless and dependent on others.
Why is it so important to make a difference – to be relevant? Researchers from Harvard University and
the University of British Columbia (Vancouver) have found that individuals who give of themselves to others,
whether it’s money, time, love, or anything else, are much happier than those to focus only on their own needs.
As reported in the journal, Science (March 2008), the researchers asked people to rate their happiness on a scale
to 1 (not happy) to 5 (very happy) and found that those who donated money to charity or bought gifts for others
were significantly more happy then people who reported spending their money primarily for paying bills and
buying gifts for themselves. It appears, then, we are happier if we feel we are making a difference – that the
time we have on earth mattered - especially to the people and causes we care about.
How do you improve your sense of commitment? According to well-known author, Stephen Covey, in
his book, The Speed of Trust, you increase your integrity. He defines integrity as honesty – “not only telling the
truth, but also leaving the right impression” (p. 62). To Covey, “There is absolutely nothing you can do that will
increase integrity faster than learning how to make and keep commitments to yourself” (p. 66). So, do you make
and keep commitments to yourself? When you promise you will start a program or develop a new routine that
will improve your health or energy do you keep it? In his book, In Pursuit of Excellence, Dr. Terry Orlick
asserts, “Personal excellence is largely a question in believing in your own capabilities and fully committing
yourself to their development” (p. 18).
No one can “force” commitment on you. No one can dictate what you consider important - improved
fitness, proper nutrition, controlling your weight, having the energy to enjoy your life and family, perform
optimally what everything you do, both at work and play. That is your responsibility. Commitment is about
taking responsibility for the quality of life you want to live; to be emotionally connected to what really matters;
to be energized, not victimized, by life’s challenges; to be optimistic about taking risks; and to be spiritually
aligned with your values. Life is a journey. Enjoy the ride!
A favorite quote: “The height of your accomplishments will equal the depth of your convictions”
(Philosopher William F. Scolavino).
Take the Exercise Commitment Survey
(developed by Dr. Mark Anshel, MTSU Professor)
Rate yourself on each statement indicating the extent to which you feel committed to improve your health and
fitness. Use this survey as an educational and a motivational tool. Try to improve your total score every month.
Level of Commitment to Improving My Fitness
1
Very Low
2
Somewhat Low
3
Moderate
4
Somewhat High
5
Very High
___ 1. I am committed to improving my overall health and energy.
___ 2. I am willing to take the time to improve my fitness.
___ 3. Some of my deepest values include remaining healthy and having energy for my family and friends.
___ 4. I am 100% committed to developing an exercise routine.
___ 5. I have a scheduled exercise plan (or routine) for the week.
___ 6. I know and attempt to improve my fitness scores such as the amount of weight lifted, number of
repetitions performed, jogging speed or endurance)
___ 7. I can make the effort to maintain an exercise program, even when I am tired.
___ 8. I am determined to reach my exercise goals.
___ 9. I receive or have received instruction or educational materials on improving my exercise technique.
___ 10. I exercise aerobically (increasing my heart rate) at least 3 times per week.
___ 11. I must do more than casual walking to gain cardiovascular health benefits.
___ 12. I am determined to improving both aerobic and strength fitness.
___ 13. I am motivated to change my eating habits to improve my energy and/or reducing my weight.
___ 14. I go beyond my comfort zone when I lift weights.
___ 15. Before and during my exercise session, I make positive self-statements to improve my incentive.
67-75 (89-100%) = very committed
53-66 (70-88%) = somewhat committed (be careful - moving toward dropping out)
Below 52 (under 70%) = not very committed): Red Zone: A likely exercise quitter