I wish I could tell you that you needed to do 100 squats a day to be in perfect shape.

I wish I could tell you that all you needed to do was eat healthy foods or just smile most of the day and you'd reach your ultimate health and fitness goals.

Unfortunately, it's not that easy. These are only some of the pieces.

Don't listen to those who tell you exercise, nutrition and a good attitude is the magic pill. It isn't. Just doing these things won't cut it.

Why?

You'll end up back where you started again. It is not a coincidence that dieters gain the weight back. It is not by chance that strict workout routines fade into once a month routines. The people with even the best intentions fail when they haven't included one essential aspect in your fitness plan.

Before I mention what that is, I want to make one thing clear... when you fail at your fitness, it's not because you are a loser or can't cut it or any other self defeating thing you may think. Though you'd be surprised at how many people think this is the case. The reason you fail is because you were never given the right formula for success.

I'm going to give it to you right now.

Successful people see the outcome. They visualize themselves achieving their goals. Successful people picture themselves at the finish line, 20 pounds lighter, with great skin, flexible, and in great health.

Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong, Arnold Palmer... all the great athletes that you can think of separate themselves because they visualize their success.

And more so than just seeing the future, they can feel it.

Think about something that you really wanted. I mean REALLY wanted.

I remember when I was about 7 or 8 I wanted the G.I. JOE aircraft carrier. This thing was the motherload of all toys at the time. I can remember seeing the commercials on the TV and imagining how the flight deck felt as I landed my planes and moved the figurines around it. I would spend nights thinking about the thing. I put it on my birthday list, I put it on my Christmas list. Everywhere. I knew I was going to get it because I could close my eyes and see it right in front of me.

But on Christmas day, it wasn't there under the tree. I was devastated, disappointed, I couldn't believe it wasn't there. It was all I wanted.

I persisted. I asked my mother, "Are you sure you didn't get it for me?" She responded with a solid, "Nope." I didn't believe her. I looked in the closets. I looked in the garage.

Then I went in the basement.

And there is was. Fully assembled. With a fleet ready and waiting for the next attack.

How does a G.I. JOE aircraft carrier apply to you and your fitness?

It's simple. You have to see yourself in good health.

When you're lying in bed, imagine yourself feeling good, working out and smiling. Imagine the things you'll say when you are in great shape. Imagine how people will respond to you when you're 2 sizes smaller. Imagine the type of clothes you'll wear. Schedule your days. Make appointments with people you've been too afraid to speak to because you were too self conscious.

I mean do everything possible to make this dream of yours a reality.

Shame on your sixth grade teacher who said to stop daydreaming and looking out the window during class. They've unknowingly squashed your ability to picture yourself being a success.

Look out the window and imagine yourself breathing in that air after a walk in the woods or at a park.

Daydream and focus on your goal of great health. Then you can start to exercise. Then you can start to eat right. Then you can and will start to smile every time you think about how great it feels to be in phenomenal shape!