Past Posts

10/4/11

Motivation Needed



How do the pounds just creep on like this?!

Ever since the end of the summer (when our volunteers left) Jen and I have been trying to get our lives back into a normal routine. 

Before the team came, I had gotten pretty close to what my goal weight was- closer than I've ever been in my life!  Well, besides when I was in the 9th grade!!  And I was very motivated, working out, running, making my own food . . .   all that awesome jazz I had always wanted to be.

But then my world turned crazy busy and I just let it all . . .  well . . . End.  I stopped running, stopped counting/watching calories and stopped paying attention to what I was putting in my mouth (Hello peanut butter and jelly sandwiches everyday!!).

After the summer I was tired.  Emotionally, Spiritually and Physically.  I just wanted to not think so much.  And I got lazy.  Really lazy!

I'm all about resting and having busy seasons and then slow seasons . . .   But it's really difficult for me when I lose that momentum.  And I had lost all my momentum.


Everyday is a battle of the mind saying- workout, no I dont feel like it, well it's not about what you feel- you'll feel better if you do, but I dont want to . . .

And then watching the scale creep up and up each week.  It can be discouraging.


So I'm trying to think outside the box 
How can I motivate myself?  How can a naturally unmotivated person (me) create motivation?

Step one- do something. 
---Walk to the store for some milk.  Take a stroll in the park.  Get outside to think.  Change your scenery. 
This (these) small things can actually make a Big difference!


---Another step: Create a Vision Board

This is a totally new one for me.  It's something I've heard about before, but never wanted to admit I wanted to do one!
This is what I have so far- I'm still cutting and pasting.  But just the act of creating it: I'm seeing these positive images, reading these positive words, and getting to play with glue & scissors which feeds my creative side! 
I'm hoping that having this visual of what I want available for me to see everyday will help me remember why I want to exercise & eat healthy. 
Yes looking great is a motivator, but feeling great is even more motivating!  To know that my body is healthy, inside and out, to know that I have natural energy & that I'm using food as an energy source and as natural medicine- rather than using it for fleeting pleasure or reward.

And finally, for me
---Have a goal
I know that nothing motivates me more than having something I'm aiming for.  Without an end goal in mind, how do I know how to get there?

For me, I've had to learn that "weight" can not be a goal.  Because once I reach it (or in my case, come really close & then settle), then your goal is over and you stop.  And before you know it, you've got 5-10lbs on you again and you have to start that whole goal over again!!  How frustraing is this?!
How many of you have gained and lost the same 5-10lbs year after year?

No, I need a more continual goal.  Or lots of little ones that can follow each other once I've completed one.

*So for my Big Life Goal- I am aiming to just Be Healthy.  Educate myself on health, food, exercise- and incorporate my knowledge into my life.  Be Healthy.


*Monthly small goals for me are races.  Complete a 5k.  Complete a 10k.  Beat my time on my 5k/10k.  Races are great motivators b/c you have a date goal in mind, so you can work backwards from that date to come up with your "plan of attack".

*Weekly small goal for me is how many times I workout in a week.  Though I'd love to say 5, it's more realistically to be 3.  I have also learned the hard lesson of setting realistic goals so as not to be beat down with disappointment in myself when I dont complete a goal that I knew was too ambitious to begin with.

*And finally, my daily goals are the food I eat.  My calorie intake.  I use an online tool to track this and help me be conscious and aware of what I actually put into my mouth.  (It's shocking to me how much mindless eating I do on a daily basis!!  Writing down everything you eat can be one of the most revealing things!) 
The online tools I use are either The Daily Plate or a new one I'm trying out Lose It.  Both of which are totally free!

I think my favorite parts about tracking my calories, is that it has opened up my Caloric Eyes!  Somethings I just had no clue about!!  And I'm learning to make simple easy "swaps" with some of my favorite foods & not sacrifice taste at all!


So that's where I'm at right now with my motivation, or lack there of.  It seems to be a constant battle and struggle and I need to find new ways all the time to keep myself engaged.
Would love to hear how you keep yourself motivated!!  We can all use all the ideas we can get!

Good luck in staying with the goals you have set for yourselves!!

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