How can you stay motivated?

 "Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going"

 

 W hat if we can't keep up our motivation though? For some people, staying motivated comes easy or naturally, but for others it may not. This is why a lot of people fail at trying to eat healthy, or getting in shape. They have all this motivation to stay on track at first but dont keep up with keeping themselves motivated. Their determined to change their lifestyle and get healthy. But what happens when the motivation runs out? We feel sluggish, lazy, we stop caring about that goal we set for ourself in the beginning.. Well to be honest motivation doesnt come for free, you have to keep yourself encouraged every day! Find out things that keep you going on your diet, and plan things in advance! We have to always make smart choices even when we dont want to! I wanted to share with you all a few things you can do to keep the motivation going! Dont get discouraged readers, you can do anything you set your mind to.


 1)I heard this on Dr. Oz the other day and thought it was a really great idea! Its time to get out an old shoe box! Write down multiple exercises and cut them into squares, put all of the squares of paper in the shoe box, close the lid, and shake it! Every morning when you wake up pull out a square paper, whatever exercise you get do for 10-15 minutes. Example: One could be pushups or jumping jacks, try doing at least 20 of these. You can seperate them into reps if needed.

2) I know I sound like a broken record BUT "Oxygen Magazine" is the bible of fitness! I absolutely love it! Everytime I get my new months issue in the mail, im like a kid getting a toy! I get so excited because to me its motivation.. I get to read about women who are trying to be healthy just like me! Its filled with great recipes, facts, workouts, true weight loss stories, and much more that is so helpful when your trying to stay focussed!

3) Publicly make a promise to your friends, or family that your going to become more healthy and if your wanting to lose some extra pounds, make a statement that you will suceed in doing this and dont forget to pick a date you will meet this goal by! Its a proven fact if we make a public statement we feel more motivated to achieve this goal because to be honest, we dont want people to see us fail.

4) Schedule, schedule, schedule!!!! That way you cant use the excuse of "Oh I didnt have time to go to the gym today" Well if you plan your schedule in advance you will know exactly the things you have to get done! Make sure you add enough time for a good workout at the gym! Call a friend and ask if they would like to join you. Working out with someone can be motivating and helpful! Especially if your one of those people who hates going to the gym by themselves, well no more excuses you have someone there with you and a set schedule!

5) Always keep a gym bag of workout clothes and shoes in your car! That way no matter where your at you can just go to the gym.. Even if its not in your schedule, maybe you had extra time and felt like getting an extra workout in, which is great! It will make things easier and even save you gas!

6) Dont set unrealistic goals for youself. Im all for completely transforming your body but what I mean by this is saying you want to lose 15 pounds in a week. That is unrealistic, and most importantly unhealthy. Eventually when that week is over and you didnt lose those 15 pounds, its going to discourage you! So go ahead and set your goals high, but make sure you give yourself a chance to reach them!  In the end being discouraged soon leads to giving up or quitting, and those two actions lead us no where.

7) Dont down yourself, ever. I was working one day when a girl asked me to get her size in jeans for her in the stock room. She called it the fat girl size.. She repeatedly kept saying to me and her friend how fat she was, her friend just looked at her like she was stupid.. I then told her she was anything but fat and that she shouldnt be so hard on herself. She replied with "well I just think my jean size is too big." The conversation ended with that but at the same time I felt bad for her. Dont ever doubt, discourage, or down yourself in anyway. If you dont like something about yourself, change it! Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start seeing positive results.

8) Dont let anyone tell you cant. For some of us we take opinions strongly, I myself definitely being one of them! Dont let anyones negativity persuade you into not doing, or trying something! I had people call me fat, and that I needed to get on slimfast, and at first I let it get to me, I was very hurt and upset but in the end I actually took the advice and now I am proud of the things I have accomplished for myself and still am in the process of accomplishing. Confidence is the key to sucess!

CARBS:

      Does this word scare you? Dont let it! We needs carbs because every cell in our body uses them for energy! In fact our brain can only use carbs for energy. A lot of people hear the word CARBS and run the other way! When we should really make sure were having enough daily. There are two different types of carbs, simple carbs, and complex carbs. Complex Carbs are foods that are high in fiber, which help with digestion. They help keep our energy levels even, and help us feel satisfied longer after eating our daily meals. While on the other hand Simple Carbs can lead to more cravings, over eating, and even weight gain! Some Examples of complex carbs are spinach, lettuce, celery, cabbage, potatoes, skim milk, strawberries, oat meal, brown rice, apples, and grapefruit! If you read this list and think you can add more of these items in your daily eating schedule I highly recommend it! Some Examples of simple carbs are fruit juice, corn syrup, bread made from white flour, most packaged cereals, table sugar, candy, cake, and sodas!! Add on a new challenge to your diet and eat more complex carbs, and less simple carbs. The closer you get to nature, the closer you get to health.

    I challenge everyone to just take one day at a time, keep up your motivation, and dont overwhelm yourself! Keep looking at the ending results, they are well worth it!


              -xoxo Brittney

btw: If anyone has a bodyspace add me!!! http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/brittdunkin914/