Most people would have crumbled, but based on Armstrong's attitude toward life, his response was absolutely predictable.

Armstrong’s motto… "Knowledge is power and attitude is everything". The rest is history.

After all, it's attitude that determines whether you drag yourself off the couch and out the door for an invigorating walk, or spend the afternoon watching TV.

If you would like a good example of how attitude can overcome a real downer of an experience, consider Kelly Luckett of Decatur, Georgia. She ran 26.2 miles last year, as the third ever female amputee to compete in the Boston Marathon. That's 26.2 miles folks...in six hours, twenty minutes and two seconds.

With the list of things I have to do today, I have a “pretty good reason" to stay hunched over my desk until dinnertime, but I guess I have just motivated myself to haul up the anchor and take my protesting body out for a run.

Most of us understand the reasons for our poor physical fitness and the answer to losing weight. We have read volumes on diet and exercise, but it is our attitude that prevents us from doing what needs to be done.

1. Schedule workouts on your calendar. Making an important appointment with yourself, in writing, carries more weight than just the vague intention to do something. Schedule for first thing in the morning because research shows that people who exercise before the business day begins are most likely to stick with it.

3. Be flexible. A change of plans is not an excuse to do nothing. If you usually exercise in the gym, and you’re out of town, go for a jog. If you forgot your running shoes, go for a brisk walk. Honor your commitment to your exercise appointment.

5. Check out Lance’s autobiography, “It’s Not About the Bike. My Journey Back to Life". Last time I looked, you could get a used copy for fifty cents on . If this book doesn’t motivate you, nothing will!"Be Strong... Be Lean"Howard McGarity"Coach Mac"