Motivation

Everyone tells us to stay motivated. Our friends, our co-workers, our relatives say to keep going, don't quit. Sometimes, though, you ask, "Why? Why try my hardest when it ends in disappointment? Why go through something when it's going to hurt? Why?"

Because it's going to be different this time! Because you can't accomplish anything that you give up on. Disappointments and failures happen to everyone. The difference between those who reach their goals and those who don't is staying motivated. If you're motivated, you'll keep going. If you keep going, eventually you'll reach your goal.

Need more reasons? Here are 10 of our ‘hidden' reasons to stay motivated. Use one or all of them to keep the fire burning inside you.

1. Confidence

How did it feel after that first jog around the block? Or when you finally walked the stairs at work without losing your breath? The more you accomplish, the more you'll believe in yourself.

2. Fit into that dress

It's been hanging up in your closet for two years now, just waiting to be thrown on for a night on the town. All it takes is for you to go that extra mile and stay on track. Before you know it, those two years will be ancient history.

3. Make the week easier

Ever felt like a week was taking forever? It feels like Friday, but it's only Tuesday? This happens when you're not working towards anything. When you have a goal in mind, you'll want to cook that healthy dinner or go to the gym. The week will not only go faster, but be more enjoyable.

4. Gives you purpose

Every once in a while, we need a good reason to get out of bed. Here it is, right in front of you. Eat the healthy breakfast that's going to jump start your day, go for your morning jog, or walk to the driveway and grab the newspaper. When you're motivated, you have a reason to do what you do.

5. For your kids

And your grandkids. And their kids, too. The healthier you are, the longer you'll be around to watch your kids grow and to spoil your grandchildren. They'll want you to be around as long as possible; consider this just another present.

6. Power of momentum

It's a scientific fact - something in motion tends to stay in motion. Momentum builds quickly and can lead to great results. Suddenly, you're not only working for the goal, but also to keep your streak alive. Even more reason to reach your goals.

7. The ‘wow' effect

Picture this: Walking into a restaurant, you run into someone from high school, and their eyes light up. They gasp, "Wow, you look great!" By sticking with your goals, this can happen. Watch the "wows" add up.

8. Spread the spark

When friends and family see how hard you're working, they'll wonder how they can reach their own goals. Guess who they're going to look to for help? By staying motivated, you'll not only help yourself, but others too.

9. Keep gaining experience

The more you do, the more you will learn and understand. You'll discover which tactics work best for you and which ones don't. It's like weeding out the garden - not the most enjoyable job in the world, but when you're done, all that's left are beautiful flowers. Keeping sticking with it and soon it will be all flowers for you.

Starting once again

Weight:  170 pounds

BMI:  27.44 (overweight)

Goal Weight:  135 lbs

Goal BMI:  21.8

Today was the first day of Work Out West's (WOW) Biggest Loser Challenge (BLC).

I actually got out of bed early and hit the gym, attending 3 classes today.

0715-0730:  5 laps around the track, 3 walking and 2 running, alternating to warm up slightly.

0730-0800:  The first class was "Sole Training."
This class was not what I expected.  We spent 30 minutes massaging and stretching our feet.  Although it felt very good, I did expect a little more exercise.

0800-0900:  Will Power and Grace
Described as a "sweaty, dynamic fussion of the most popular and effective group exercise workout.  All you need is your body weight and your bare feet.  A fussion of calisthenics, dance and functional training drills.  You will walk away sweaty, sculpted and stretched." --  I definetly walked away sweaty and stretched, with burning thighs and calves.  I think I did over 100 squats and lunges.  This leads me to believe that I need to work on stretching more and endurance.

0900-0945:  Treadmill
I walked the treadmill at a speed of 3 mph, at an incline of 4.

0945-1000:  Rest period

1000-1100: WOW BLC with Patti - Resistance Band workout
Resistance bands are an inexpensive, lightweight and portable way to perform strength training workouts in the gym, at home or on the road. They work by providing resistance and tension during both parts of an exercise: starting with the first exertion movement and then again while slowly, gently releasing the pose. The more the band is stretched, the more control that's needed to maintain the resistance level without snapping the bands. -- This is a great set of exercises that can be done anywhere, and easily while traveling.   I think this is something I might want to learn more about.  It was an interesting class, and I walkked away afterwards with a tinge in my arms and legs both.  From this I realize that I need to work on stretching exercises for my neck.

Nutrition:
probalby not as good as it should have been, but it takes time to adjust and create real change.  I did track which is benificial but tomorrow I need to make an actual change in diet.  Besdies increasing water intake, I need to increase my fruit and veggie intake, and my protein intake.

Mood: 
Listless, restless, tired.   Took a couple of ibuprofen to help with the soreness in the muscles.  But could not settle into any projects today.

Support: 
I think this will be the hardest part, as my husband likes to cook comfort foods and desserts.  And will have to slowly readjust to helathy desserts and snacks.  And encouraging him not to make so much food that there are tempting leftovers and to decrease the amount of sweets available. 

Helping Tools: 
I prepackaged servings into ziplock bags or plastic containers after shopping today.  Hopefully this will assist me with eating a portion and not a couple of handfuls, at a time.

Tomorrow's Goals:
WOW Classes:  at least two - women's conditioning, turbo kick, WOW BLC with James
Drink at least 100 ounces of water
5 servings of fruit and vegetables
100 gms of protein

Here we go again!!

I began WW in January of 2008 at 220 lbs, with a goal of 155. Which would put me at a BMI of 25%. Just sitting on the fence of being healthy vs over wieght, but my Doc thought that was a good goal to start with.

I continued with the program until I reach 180 pounds, and then I just fizzled out. No interest, no energy. Working alot of hours, and trying to take care of everyone but myself. I looked better but was still overweight and not really happy with how I looked, but didn't really care enough to continue to make the changes needed.

On April 9, 2009: I got on the scale at the Doc's office, I was at 180.5 pounds, in 7 months, I had only gained 0.5 pounds. But I looked like I weighed alot more. I also felt older and dragged out. So I made a promise to myself, to dedicate at least an hour a day to myself. Though I have to work hard at learning to say "no", I am a much happier person.

In May of 2010, I met and surpassed my goal, reaching 145 pounds.   It felt good, getting on the plane to Germany to see Stephan, knowing the success i had achieved.

Upon my return from Germany, I just couldn't get back into the swing of things.   And over the 16 months have gained 30 pounds back.  

Once again, it is time to dedicate myself to getting back into shape,  Into recomitting to those life changes. 

These next few months are going to be rough, as I will be switching  back to healthy life changes, and I know that that has been a trouble area for me in the past.

So I want to thank everyone in advance for your support and patience with me. And if I whine to much, please reach through your computer and slap me.

It's really hard to explain.  You think there's some big drama, or some big secret or something.  But it is all much more subtle then that.  You have spent the majority of your adult life looking after others, your husband, your children, your parents. 

 

 

And part of what you feel is that there is nothing else to do now that it is done, or almost completed.  Apart from waiting around for someone to ask for something to be done.  You love them all so much, but find yourself on the other side, the outside. 

 

 

You know you could have been more, so much more.  there is frustration, resentment, thwarted and maybe anger. There is guilt and you feel stupid about it, as you take it out on others, without anyone understanding why.

 

 

 Part of you feels that there is no appreciation of the person you were, or are, or the one one you might have been. 

 

 

You feel one dimensional, and you suddenly realize that it might not have been, or will ever be, enough.

 

 

You think of the life you have lived, what could have been, and cope with the feeling that you didn't live it the way you truely wanted to.

Cards: Football Fan