What Keeps Me Going

When I started my journey to a healthy lifestyle I would go to the gym and see other females who seemed so small and little. I would say to myself, "why are they at the gym, their so small." Now I am one of those girls that people look at or say, "why are you here?" People do not realize that STAYING and BEING healthy takes maintanence. The journey began as something to loose the fat around my belly, my inner thighs and so forth. But suddenly I became a happier, more dedicated go getter by becoming disciplined with my eating and exercising habbits.

BUT when I wake up and look in the mirror I cant help but feel perfect (at least according to myself). It's like, why do I need to do this anymore? Some people may feel. #1 It's a habbit, I don't know anything else, #2 Health or Weight Loss is not a ONE TIME THING. Its continual, like the seasons or birds flying south.

Anyways...

Heres a list of things that personally keep ME motivated. I hope I inspire you...

1. Before Pictures

When I look at where I came from I think, I remember the feeling of trying on that pair of jeans, bikini, it felt different. There was a lot more searching, looking for one that "fit right". Today I don't have that problem. Feeling "guilty" for eating something I didn't think I would. Today I have a created a personalized system which springs from the old food pyramid. Today I've found a solution that works so why would I want to go back.

2. Pictures of other fit women

Although I feel perfect in my eyes, I'm happy with my accomplishment, there are always other little muscles I may see in other women, that next cut in the upper or lower abdominal, that extra line in the shoulders, that extra dent in the mid latisamus dorsi upper back (or however you spell that lol). You should never stop working toward something. NEVER get comfortable.

3. Shopping for clothes

Its that simple. Shopping for clothes, seeing the new crop tops or low risers that are in style, gives me a sense of motivation to "stay in it".

4. Being around other motivated people

When I hear success stories it motivates me because I don't feel as "strange" or "out of place" for my habbits. It's simply motivating to continue going.

5. Health Benefits

The health benefits of eating and exercising properly are sooo plentiful- happiness, less stress, healthy skin, nails, longer life, less wrinkles, energy, higher metabolism, looking youthful, ect ect ect. the list goes on. YOU CANT GET THOSE TRUE BENEFITS ANYWHERE ELSE!!

6. When other people slack off

FOR SOME ODD REASON, When I overhear someone saying they've been slacking off or been eating the wrong stuff, or missed 3 weeks of exercising, It makes me feel proud that I have continued and haven't broke the vow that I made to myself 1 year ago, to incorporate pure food and exercise into my entire life! It puts things in perspective and brings me to this realization. I feel sooo much better overall.

7. When people are impressed with your habbits

Sometimes I bust out my Kashi granola bar, strawberries or sunflower seeds, I sometimes feel weird or slightly left out, especially if the people next to me look at me strange, or bust out their Taco Bell [omg have they heard of homemade tacos- a very healthy meal actually!] BUT sometimes I'm in a situation where someone will say, "Ooo that looks healthy, I should've packed that as a snack!"

Its almost like an indirect congratulation. REMEMBER YOU MAY FEEL UNUSUAL SOMETIMES FOR DRIVING TO THE GYM IN THE SNOW OR WARMING UP A CUP OF TEA IN THE WORK MICROWAVE, BUT REMEMBER, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO DO WHAT YOU ARE DOING. KEEP THIS IN MIND ALWAYS!!

8. Doing a new activity

I was cycling, swimming, doing core moves on the floor (as always), and body flow during the summer. For this winter I've decided to concentrate on pilates, zumba and body pump (a golds gym 1hr weight lifting class) and It's nice to be taking a new combination of classes (REMEMBER YOUR BODY NEEDS 3 THINGS TO BE FIT AND STRONG STRENGTH CARDIO AND CONDITIONING). I'm going to get into some 5k and 10k races this fall/winter. Meanwhile save up for a bike, and do some trails during the spring/summer. (go to Trailnet.com).

When you give yourself a new activity, you give your body new challenges and you'll be stronger overall. Trust me you want that. Its nice to go to the new cardio class and be able to do every move!