Sunday FitSpiration: How badly you want something dictates how hard you'll work at it. "I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success as perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature." (John D. Rockefeller)

Work hard and persevere. Never give up...great things take time.

Thought of the Day: Success is connected to action. Action is the foundational key to all success. Successful people keep moving...they may face challenges, obstacles and setbacks, but they never quit. "The most effective way to do it is to do it." (Amelia Earhart)

Never give up. I just don't believe in giving up. I don't believe in saying success is for someone else. I believe success is for everyone. If you want it badly enough, whatever it is, then go get it. And if you don't get it on the first try, then try again, and again until you succeed. Dreams don't come true and goals aren't achieved by giving up. Each day we get is a new chance to make it happen. Never give up.

Friday FitSpiration: Develop a successful mindset...remove the #1 stumbling block to success...excuses. No one ever excused their way to success. When we're challenged and the going gets tough, we are often tempted to excuse ourselves away from challenges and actions we must take to an easier path. Face the challenges head on. Reset your mind. When you find your mind conjuring up excuses, recognize it and then refocus your mind...don't make excuses for why you can't get it done, but rather, focus on all the reasons why you must make it happen.

"Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses."— George Washington Carver

Realize that there are no excuses...there are only choices. Make choices that will grow you and move you closer towards your goals. Every choice we make either moves us a step closer or a step further from our goals. Be mindful of your choices and choose wisely. "Everything is something you decide to do, and there is nothing you have to do." -Denis Waitley

Imagine how life would be if you decided to launch and take action towards your greatest dreams, goals, and aspirations?

Motivational Moments: Change your focus to a focus on change. "If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results." -(Jack Dixon)

It only takes one person to change your life...YOU! Embrace challenges--The things that challenge us change us. Remember the 3 C's for change: challenges, choices and commitment.

New FitNick Exercise: Boost the intensity of the traditional crunch by trying the ANTI-ROTATION CABLE CRUNCH as shown in this video.

Your core will have to work harder to prevent rotation (which engages your obliques).

Option 1: on the floor as shown on bottom left

Option 2: on a Swiss Ball as shown on the bottom right