It’s February –
Staying Motivated
When it comes to sticking to that exercise program, eating
plan, or goal to drink 8 glasses of water a day, sometimes we just really have
a hard time doing it. Here are some
things I have learned that help me stay on track and get back on track (yes, I
fall off the bandwagon, too!) when sleeping in begins to sound much better than
hitting the gym before class and pizza tastes better than organic chicken with veggies
and a sweet potato.
1. Take a Day Off…from
Everything!
Yep, I just suggested that you do less instead of more. Use the hours to rest, recharge, and plan to
start again fresh. This is a great time
to figure out your hectic schedule, penning in time for prayer and exercise, go
grocery shopping, have some fun cooking a meal or two for the week, and write
down or upload workouts and music to your phone or iPod. Having a day or even a few hours to catch
your breath and get ready for a new week will help you focus on your
goals. With a goal and the tools to succeed,
you’ll be motivated to keep moving!
2. Pray, Read, Write, and Dream
Motivation can come from a lot of different places. Inviting God into your day and asking for
divine support and inspiration is a great place to start. Reading the Bible, some stories in a fitness
or health magazine, a good book, or checking out a website like ESPN.com with
articles about athletes who live like you dream about are wonderful places to
go for inspiration. Journaling is also
really helpful – writing down what you eat, keeping track of your exercise, and
noting how you feel will give you a sense of accomplishment and will provide
future motivation when you can look back and see your progress. Finally, dream about a reward! Especially if you are working on quantitative,
tangible goals – rewards will motivate you to keep going. Keep them realistic, but make them worthwhile
and special too!
3. Share Your Story
We want to hear the awesome ways in which you’re
living a healthy life…and so do your friends!
Social media, texting, email, and simply picking up the phone are all
great ways to reach out. If you’re
having a great day – share it. You never
know who will hear, read, or see your message and in turn be motivated to go on
that run, save Happy Hour for a special occasion, or learn to cook something
new. If you’re having a challenging day
– ask for support. Personal trainers are
a great professional resource. A good
one will do more than teach you how to lift weights, run faster, swim further,
or do yoga – they’ll encourage you to keep going and hold you accountable to
your goals. Of course, talk to your
friends! Maybe they’d like to go on an
evening walk with the dogs too. And
please email me anytime, I’d love to hear
your story and encourage you as much as I can!
