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!

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Snow, snow, stay away!

My Sunday long run? non-existant this week. We got another few inches of snow. Shelley & I bundled up, and headed out. The roads were poorly cleared. We headed out, and Garmin said we were at a 14:00min/mile pace. The roads were filled with ice, snow & slush, and we were nervous. We decided rather than risk an injury by going for our 10 miles, we would go for a short walk, then hit starbucks. We clocked a mile before getting our latte, no breakfast sandwich since we really didn't exert any energy. So disappointing.

On the other hand, I was wicked proud of us! Last year, I would have NEVER attempted to head out with snow on the ground. Any sign of inclement weather kept me inside, probably eating & watching TV. I came home, played the Wii fit for a half hour before getting ready for the rest of my day.

That afternoon I headed to the HUGE bridal show that was being held at the Big E fairgrounds with one of my bridesmaids. Lucky for me, she got married last year and knew exactly what questions to ask. We pretty much were only on the lookout for photographers & limos, since I already have my venu & DJ picked out. We got a bunch of free goodies, entered a ton of raffles, and even won a free cruise to bahamas & key west on Royal Caribbean (our fav)! We only have to pay for cruise port taxes & gratuities! Even though the wedding is about a year & a half away, its exciting to think about the possibilities!

liked this bridesmaid dress too!

Tonight I made a delicious dinner from Self Magazine in Feb 2010

Butternut Squash & Fried Sage Pasta

What you need

8 oz whole wheat penne

1 TBSP olive oil

8-10 sage leaves

1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 medium butternut squash (about 2#), peeled, seeded & cut into 1 inch cubes

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

How you make it

Cook penne as directed on package

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry sage, turning once until crisp on both sides, about 1 min per side. Transfer to a paper towel.

Add onion and garlic to skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft & golden, about 3 minutes. Add squash, 3/4 cup water, salt & pepper. Cover & simmer, stirring occasionally, until squash softens, 5-7 min.

Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup cooking water. Return pasta to pot & add squash mixture. Stir over low heat, adding water if necessary until pasta is coated. Mix in sage & cheese. enjoy!

We're supposed to get another round of snow tomorrow night. I am crossing my fingers that it won't be much, but I'm sure that it will be. I did skip the gym this morning in favor of some extra sleep, but will definitely hit it up for my run tomorrow. 5 weeks until race day!

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