Each January, millions of Americans resolve to get fit and lose weight. And each year, millions fall short of their goals. If, like most folks, you feel stuck in a rut, the key to getting in tip-top shape is to look within.

“So much of what motivates people is outside-in, not inside-out,” says Dr. Victoria Vetere, PhD, H.C., holistic life coach of Enlightened Life Coaching. In other words, rather than being personally motivated to live longer, fuller lives, Americans are deeply influenced by the pressure from society to look thin and young.

To engage from the “inside-out,” and fully understand what makes you happy, use self-reflection, which is the key to knowing what type of lifestyle works for you, and avoid comparing yourself to others’ happiness and health. Being preoccupied with outside factors, like America’s youth culture, is more harmful than helpful to overall mental and physical wellbeing.

According to Vetere, there are seven factors crucial to health and longevity: sleep, food, breath and movement (fun physical activity), daily routine, work, play (not competition) and community. These life principles are significant elements of Ayureveda, an ancient system rooted in maintaining a healthy lifestyle in order to achieve mental, social, spiritual and physical harmony.

“Commit to be conscious,” a phrase coined by Vetere, entails being conscious about how you want to live your life. “We’re all different,” says Vetere, and “we create our lives from our thoughts and feelings.”

If you avidly follow your conscience and balance the Ayureveda health factors, a harmonious lifestyle will lead to a noticeable change in attitude and physical appearance. “When you feel good, your looks take care of themselves,” says Vetere.

Sarah Hrusovsky is a contributing writer for CityScene.