Continuous Motivation

Everyone needs motivation to work out. At least, I do. When I started it was a giant SHOVE in the right direction to work out. Now, it's a gentle nudge and a reminder of how truly wonderful it feels to exercise.

This morning, I was laying in bed half awake and debating if I should get up to run. It's Monday and at 5:30am, it was still dark outside. I was warm and totally cozy in my bed, with my husband by my side and our little foster cat niece at my feet. It would have been EASY to hit the snooze button and enjoy that perfect comforting nest. Six months ago, I would have done just that. But now, even though I would never call myself "a runner" by any stretch of the imagination, I kind of love it. I love the solitude. I love listening to personal development books on Audible. I love the feeling of accomplishment just after sunrise.

I say I "kind of" love it, because running isn't easy. The last time I ran consistently, I was about 20 pounds lighter. Running came more easily. Now I feel like I'm back pedaling a little and trying to get on track. It's not easy or fun, but I love it.

After a few months of this, I can more easily motivate myself to exercise and eat healthier. Both are coming more naturally. What's a challenge for me now is motivation DURING a workout. For example, when Shaun T. has me jumping until I think the balls of my feet are actually screaming at me or when I'm at the bottom of a long, gradual hill on one of my runs, I need some encouragement. Here are a few things that sometimes work:

- "Only another 30 seconds of this (insert exercise here). You got this."
- "Just run to that light pole/mailbox/driveway." I set short goals to get to a bigger one.
- Focus on breathing. When I'm getting really winded, it's probably because I need to have a few focused, rhythmic breaths to set me straight. I did yoga for a few years and breathing almost always gets you on the right track.
- I sing. In my head of course, but I just sing a verse of whatever some comes to mind... it could be Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys or it could be Jesus Loves Me. Really, whatever gets me through that particular challenge.
- Clearing my head. This one is difficult because in the heat of the moment, all you can think about is the sweat faucet you have going on down your back or how much your muscles hurt. I try to clear my head and picture myself after I've reached my goals. I visualize what wearing (something super trendy) looking younger than I do and happy with myself. Sometimes I picture myself with Carrie Underwood's legs or Cameron Diaz's arms. I know, I should compare myself to others, but in the heat of the moment, I'm not really comparing myself.... I'm striving towards it. That's different, right? I'm gonna go with that.

What I'm looking for now are other tricks of the mind to set me straight-- strengthen my mind to help strengthen my body. I need to know what works for others. I've learned that I can't mindlessly jump in to something... I need to think on it. I know that weight loss isn't easy. Not only is it not easy, it's downright hard. This girl needs all the motivation I can get so my "during" mindset is just as solid as my "before."