Showing posts with label motivation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motivation. Show all posts

What is motivating me.... part 1

I've been leading up to a few things adding to my motivation lately. There are 3 things helping me stay focused, giving me extra reasons to stay on track, besides finishing 70.3.

Reason #1...

Is after my 70.3


It will include a little of this....


And a little of this...


Did you guess yet?


VACATION!!!

We are heading out on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas!
Off to the western caribbean for a week of relaxation after all my 70.3 hard work. We even splurged a little to book a balcony room overlooking the central park section of the ship. With our credit from the last cruise, we figured treating it like a free upgrade was a good use for it.

Central Park on the ship

I want to be in the best shape ever for this vacation. I want to look better than ever to have fabulous pictures and feel comfortable the whole time. 

Each time I want to eat a little extra, or give up on a workout, I remind myself of the cruise and walk away from temptation.

Do vacations help motivate you to stay on track?
Are you excited to see what else is motivating me?
What else motivates you?









>>>READ MORE

I write about my Health Because...


For the month of April, I've committed to 30 days of posting!

Join me, and go HERE for more info.

Day 4
I write about my health because...

I write about my heath for others to read, because at one point, I looked like this...

Disney 2006, the trip I decided to be a runner

I was overweight, and unhealthy. I remember that year at Christmas (just weeks before), I would stuff my face with as many christmas cookies as I could find during breaks at work. I had troubles with binge eating at night, and worked out only on occasion.

I had worked through Weight Watchers several times in the past and always gained the majority of it back. After returning home from this trip, being motivated to start running and seeing myself in the vacation photos, I promised myself that I would go forward to health & not look back.

I rejoined Weight Watchers, and started running. I ran my first 5K, I trained for my first half marathon & finished it in beautiful Hawaii. The weight started coming off, and my confidence grew, along with my ambition to enter more endurance events, including my first Triathlon.

Divas 1/2 Long Island 2011

CT Women's Tri 2011
I write so others can see that its possible to turn yourself around from a lazy, depressed, overweight, self-conscious girl into a empowered, strong, healthy woman.

I also want others to see that even once you've lost some weight, or run some races, that health isn't necessarily easier. For me, it it always a struggle to remain consistent with my health goals. I want women to know that they are not the only ones! Staying healthy requires us to make constant decisions (even ones we don't want to, like skipping a cocktail), that either help or hurt us. Difficult decisions like wanting to sleep in and skip a workout, eat dessert after dinner. Sometimes decisions are made for us, like when work or family prevent us from making the best choices. Its important for us to do the best we can and never give up.

Since starting my weight loss journey in 2006, I have kept off 25 pounds. I have struggled with 15 that I had previously lost over the last few years, and I'm working on the motivation to get that and more off. Since starting my running journey in 2006, I have run many 5ks, a few 10ks, 9 half marathons, 1 marathon, and a few sprint triathlons. This year my focus is on the big 70.3 in September. 

I used to be the girl that couldn't run a lap around the gym at cheerleading practice in high school. I tell everyone who thinks running longer distance is unattainable, that if I can do it, anyone could do it.

I want everyone to stop thinking they can't.
can't eat healthy.
can't lose weight.
can't finish a race.
Start thinking CAN.
You are Stronger than you think.

Don't forget my Raw Threads giveaway ends 4/8... enter HERE




>>>READ MORE

Quotation Inspiration

For the month of April, I've committed to 30 days of posting!

Join me, and go HERE for more info.

Day 2
Quotation Inspiration

I love quotes, so obviously I couldn't pick just one. Here's a few of my favorites...



How many times do we get caught up on a time in the past. A past training run, a failed workout, an argument with a friend, a bad race day, a silly mistake. The great thing is that in life we can constantly redefine ourselves. We can reinvent our presents to be what we want them to be. Sometimes I still think I'm that lazy, scared girl from way back when. But I want my present to include health, fun races, and being fit, so thats what I'll make it.



At the end of my first half marathon, I thought it was a miracle that I made it to the end. Repeat that for my first triathlon and marathon. In all honesty, I would have never gotten to those finish lines without somehow believing in myself enough to sign up for those races, enough to start a training plan, enough to show up at the start line and begin.




l love this quote because so many people want to change their lives, but expect things to be different without changing a thing. I can't possibly expect my waistline to shrink when I keep eating too much, and slacking on my workouts. If I want to be the fit athlete I am in my dreams, then I need to work on things differently.

What are your favorite inspirational quotes? 

Don't forget my Raw Threads giveaway ends 4/8... enter HERE

>>>READ MORE

Inperspire Giveaway!!

Another great Holiday gift idea....


I love Inperspire towels and at less than $11, they make a great secret santa gift, stocking stuffer, or present to yourself. I have a bunch, and love them all...


I did a review last year (HERE) and this year stocked up on another for myself, and a couple for my mom!


I love the new designs!


Having a motivational saying on your sweat towel to block those miles ticking by on the treadmill, works amazingly. A little piece of inspiration to keep you going through those tough moments.

Jimmy at Inperspire has offered a Holiday Giveaway to my readers with 2 winners! Each one will be able to have the towel of their choice!

How to Win
please leave a separate comment for each
1. Be or become a follower of my blog
2. Visit Inperspire HERE and tell me which towel you would choose
3. Share the news! via blog, twitter, facebook (1 for each)

Ends 12/21, good luck!





>>>READ MORE

You get, what you put in....






                                                                                            Source: soon2befit.tumblr.com via Erika on Pinterest


you get what you put in.
Isn't that so true?
Truth is, I haven't put much into it lately. My energy level is low, probably because my eating has been crappy. Its been tough giving it my all in my workouts, because my energy level is low. My head is not in the game, and I need to get it there. That explains my absence from blogging and blog reading as well.
My goal for the week is to get back on track with everything.
eating.
workouts.
positive energy.

What motivates you out of a slump?

Week 8 Marathon Training Recap
Monday- easy 30 minutes on the elliptical and stretching
Tuesday- speedwork run. I managed all the intervals sucessfully, without any cheats.
Wednesday- TRX class
Thursday- only made 2.25 of my 6 mile tempo run. Totally not feeling it.
Friday- Skipped my TRX class. exhausted, but unable to sleep well.
Saturday- 3 mile run/walk with my triathlon friend Barbie and her 3 month old girl. It was nice to catch up and meet the baby!
Sunday- 15 miles at 12:30ish pace. my knee was achy, and my energy just wasn't there. This was a rough run for me. I sent Shelley ahead of me for the last 3ish miles, and met her at the end. 

Send me some good vibes!

>>>READ MORE

Need some Inspiration?

Inspiration.

The will & drive to change.

We all desire it. long for it. And cling to it once it's ours.

We can find inspiration in many places. In ourselves, in our friends & family, on television, blogs, and magazines, and from life experiences we endure. It was something I had been lacking for awhile. I struggled, without the drive to succeed at training, weight loss, and nutrition. Luckily I have gained it through my Bia Fitness Bootcamp, my long run parter Shelley, and weight watchers at work. I have started to be successful in losing weight (2.6 down today!), and am noticing a change in my body (my too small skirt now fits!), and those results inspire me to continue to change. 

Now I need a way to keep that motivation and inspiration high! I found an article in SELF, by Jillian Michaels on gaining and keeping inspiration and thought I would share a few for you. (from the Feb 2011 issue)

Put Your Goals in Writing
"If you know the why, you can tolerate any how. Keep the list in a place where you can see it daily, such as on the bathroom mirror or fridge."
I have my goals mapped out, but I do need to post them someplace more visible

Zip It
"Stop the negative self-talk. No more chatter about perceived body flaws or how you lack the strength and ability to be fit. Self-depreciation serves absolutely no purpose except to make you feel bad. So stop it. Now. Instead, say something nice and complimentary about who you are and what you can do."
With my body shaping up, its been easier to say nice things! Definitely an area for me to work on though!

Have a Healthy Hero
"Pick someone in your life you admire- not necessarily  someone who runs marathons or eats super healthfully. Whenever you're doing something outside your comfort zone or you feel yourself losing steam, visualize this person at your side, telling you how much he or she believes in you."
I need to think about this one some more. Who do I look up to?

Embrace a "bad" day
"You're not going to have success at every turn, and that's OK. Many people are afraid of failing,a nd they let that fear stop them from trying in the first place. Understand that messing up is an integral part of success. It's an entry point that allows us to grow."
I have gotten MILES better with this one. I was afraid to do a triathlon, but I didn't let a fear of not finishing keep me from it. I sometimes can't believe I signed up for a Marathon because the mileage is so great, but I know that I may have good runs & bad runs, and I won't let them hold me back.

Could one of these help your inspiration?
What are your tips to stay motivated and inspired?

Right now, my tired eyes are inspiring me to get some rest before my speedwork run tomorrow! Good night!

>>>READ MORE

Motivation is coming!

My head is in the game.

Today was weigh in day, and I knew it wouldn't be pretty since I had an indulgent weekend with dinners out, cocktails, and a lack of exercise last week. I was pleasantly surprised to come away with only a .2 gain, and be ready to start my new week with a positive outlook. Stepping on my home scale this morning, I was wicked pumped to see a 2% loss in body fat from a couple weeks ago, SCORE!

California culinary schools may be an option for those of you who are craving warmth and sunshine and learning about cooking and nutritious eating. When healthy food tastes great, it is easy to find the motivation to want to eat healthfully. Anyone looking for a career change?

My favorite trainer! Bia Owner Krystal
Keeping motivation high is difficult for me. I think many of us have a few good days, or weeks, then start to fall apart. I am trying different things to help keep me positive about losing weight, working out, and being healthier. Since I've enjoyed the outdoor bootcamp class so much with Bia Fitness, I was thinking I should keep with another class. I've found that I looove the TRX, and was wanting to start their 5am TRX class. However, there is a bootcamp challenge starting at the end of june with Bia Fitness, and TRX is on hold until fall, so I've decided to join the bootcamp class. Paying the money will force me to show up, and I know it blasts a TON of calories. As long as I can keep solid with my nutrition I should be on the right track for a good weightloss. Krystal was my original trainer, and has been with me since my first half marathon, so I'm really excited to be working out with her again!

What is the extra motivation needed for?
VACATION
of course!
I would LOVE to look at vacation pictures and think "look at that sexy chick!", or maybe even pull off a more daring swimsuit for the beach.

Plus, a fitter body will be easier to drag across a finish line, or through 26.2 miles in January. And, on the fly chance that my wedding actually takes place at some point, it would be awesome to be already in shape for it, and not have to stress over it.

So heres to a solid week of eating healthy, exercising consistently, and managing the many curveballs life throws my way!

>>>READ MORE

What are you preparing for?

Todays quote:

I'll keep running
Because it makes me feel ready.
I'm not exactly sure what I'm ready for.
But whatever comes along, boy do I feel prepared.

For a lot of us, we spend a lot of time training for races. We spend numerous hours logging miles to feel ready for the moments leading up to the big races we commit to. Whether is be a first 5K or a 20th marathon, we run to feel prepared.

What else does running prepare us for? Certainly there are other moments in life that are better handled by our running. We may be able to handle stressors at work or home better, running may make us feel ready to tackle other challenges that we face. 

Sometimes when I finish a long run, or a race, I think to myself, "If I can do that, I can do anything." Running boosts our self esteem, lifts our mood, improves our health & prepares us to be happier, better versions of ourselves.

What does running prepare you for?

>>>READ MORE

Motivation!

Last night I stumbled across a couple small notebooks. In college, and a few years ago, while diving into my weightloss journey, I made collages of motivational clippings from magazines. Everything from quotes, to pictures, and weight loss tips. I read through them last night, and it really brought me back to a time when I was focused on my nutrition and weightloss. I'm going to try and post some of these quotes and advice as I go along for this journey to help keep me more focused.

I'm a guest blogger today @ Diet, Wellness, & Nutrition Journal. I'm talking about body image and endurance sports, so make sure to check it out!

Today's workout? Supposed to be a 28 min run & strength training. My muscles however were screaming from yesterday's strength work (I can barely lift a jug of milk), and I opted instead for a 34 min run (2.9 toward the cupcake Half), and some intense stretching. Did well with my eating today, and even did Abs when I got home from work. sweet!


"Why am I doing this again? Oh yeah, just prove to myself that I can. And hey, everybody's got competitive juices flowing and I'm ready to put mine to work. Even if I really am just competing against myself"






>>>READ MORE