9 Fitness and Motivation Tips
In this post, I want to continue to motivate myself and others to get the body they want, need and deserve!
For me, achieving the body type that I have always wanted is well on the way to becoming a reality! As many of you know, I’m a pretty health conscious person and along with working hard to avoid “dangerous foods,” I also try to keep active. However, I’ve realized that though my past routine was working better than doing nothing at all, it was not enough. I have ALWAYS battled with weight and my innate desire to always consume absolutely fabulous and delicious foods. For this reason, I, like many women I know, was on this diet & exercise roller-coaster ride that had no end in sight. Meaning, I’d go super hard and make progress (usually in spring and summer) and then self-sabotage myself by feeling & looking “good enough” to indulge in the “good-life” … a little. Well, the period of indulgent seemed to always last a little too long and reflected in the way I looked & felt, again! So I then went from cute and content to sad, overwhelmed, defeated, and unmotivated. This state of mind led to the “f*ck it” period, where I just lived a simple and unrestricted life. But then, that lifestyle wouldn’t satisfy me any longer and I’d push myself back into dieting and exercising, aka “progress mode,” again! Do you know what I’m talking about?? Well, this cycle controlled the last 13years of my life and it stops now, damn it!
WHO’S COMING WITH ME!?
The steps I took to develop a new & totally improved fitness routine:
#1. This first step was the most important and after taking it, I literally leaped into my fitness-success journey! What I did helped me gain & keep the motivation that I carry on this time intensive challenge of a life time. First, I clearly establish (IN WRITING) what I know I will gain from embarking on, following through, and fulfilling this course of transformation. I dug deep.
#2. I then reflected on, realized, made a record of all the things in my past that I felt like I lost out on, missed, was unhappy with, felt pain from, created pain for others as a result of and simply hated because of the way I felt & looked.
#3. I Create fixed health objectives:
1. Fitness- Becoming a runner
2. Weight- Lose 13 kilo
* If you're interested in really getting detailed results, something that I am building up to, use a body fat calculator to measure goals.
#4. I commit to a set number of exercise sessions each week
I workout no less than 5 times a week. I joined a gym that is very close to my apt. Though my gym could be called crap, due to the old and broken machinery, it’s literally a 3 min walk from my front door and fully functional. Until I am firmly planted into my daily workout routine, I need something that is as easy to get to & that I constantly see in daily passing to keep me motivated in times of weakness!
#5. I Found a role-model and learned about her habits and routines
You may grin,but Beyonce has that thick, yet super fit physique that I aspire to have!
#6. I create schedules & hang them up- weekly Life & workouts
http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/class-schedule-template.html
http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/workout-chart.html
#7. I posted motivational photographs, quotes & images around spaces I’m frequently in
I printed out women with my ideal figure and wrote encouraging messages to myself underneath, like “If you want a sweet ass body like her, you need to stick religiously to an exercise routine- and stick with it no matter what! DON’T GIVE UP! DON’T LET YOURSELF FAIL! THIS IS YOUR DESTINY…OWN IT!”
#8. I keep a food dairy
It was really difficult for me to commit to doing this in the past, but when I found the perfect size notebook, one that fits into any pocket, purse, or bag that I normally carry…I had no reason to not! In the log, I rate how well I ate on a given day (1-10; 1 meaning I ate like a fat girl and 10 being I ate really well). Through this system, I have become aware of habits that I have (self-sabotaging & self-empowering) and now know in what areas I want to improve. There are also online calorie counters that calculate your daily consumption, if that interests you more. It’s a personal field study.
#9. Lastly, I have taken the feeling of shame out of my body transformation process
Telling others about what I creatively call my “Beyonce Booty” goal makes me more eager to achieve it. This blog was one of my first steps. It’s funny because, even if no one ever read this or if those who did read it didn’t give a damn, this is about my mental & literal commitment to a source outside of myself. This medium will, because of my prideful nature, promote me to be fully accountable and motivated to prove my strength, self-discipline, determination and above all capability. “Cause Imma Boss!”
With all this being said, I hope that all those who are in the same or a similar boat as me can find some inspiration from this post. I chose to highlight my body transformation process, because I know this relates to tons of folks, but I know that some of these same steps can be applied to any area of life that one wants to overcome a challenge in. Its all about joy and pain- what will give you joy and what pain will come from not achieving it?
I want to give credit to an audio program I following by the author and motivational speaker Anthony Robbins.
For me, achieving the body type that I have always wanted is well on the way to becoming a reality! As many of you know, I’m a pretty health conscious person and along with working hard to avoid “dangerous foods,” I also try to keep active. However, I’ve realized that though my past routine was working better than doing nothing at all, it was not enough. I have ALWAYS battled with weight and my innate desire to always consume absolutely fabulous and delicious foods. For this reason, I, like many women I know, was on this diet & exercise roller-coaster ride that had no end in sight. Meaning, I’d go super hard and make progress (usually in spring and summer) and then self-sabotage myself by feeling & looking “good enough” to indulge in the “good-life” … a little. Well, the period of indulgent seemed to always last a little too long and reflected in the way I looked & felt, again! So I then went from cute and content to sad, overwhelmed, defeated, and unmotivated. This state of mind led to the “f*ck it” period, where I just lived a simple and unrestricted life. But then, that lifestyle wouldn’t satisfy me any longer and I’d push myself back into dieting and exercising, aka “progress mode,” again! Do you know what I’m talking about?? Well, this cycle controlled the last 13years of my life and it stops now, damn it!
WHO’S COMING WITH ME!?
The steps I took to develop a new & totally improved fitness routine:
#1. This first step was the most important and after taking it, I literally leaped into my fitness-success journey! What I did helped me gain & keep the motivation that I carry on this time intensive challenge of a life time. First, I clearly establish (IN WRITING) what I know I will gain from embarking on, following through, and fulfilling this course of transformation. I dug deep.
#2. I then reflected on, realized, made a record of all the things in my past that I felt like I lost out on, missed, was unhappy with, felt pain from, created pain for others as a result of and simply hated because of the way I felt & looked.
#3. I Create fixed health objectives:
1. Fitness- Becoming a runner
2. Weight- Lose 13 kilo
* If you're interested in really getting detailed results, something that I am building up to, use a body fat calculator to measure goals.
#4. I commit to a set number of exercise sessions each week
I workout no less than 5 times a week. I joined a gym that is very close to my apt. Though my gym could be called crap, due to the old and broken machinery, it’s literally a 3 min walk from my front door and fully functional. Until I am firmly planted into my daily workout routine, I need something that is as easy to get to & that I constantly see in daily passing to keep me motivated in times of weakness!
#5. I Found a role-model and learned about her habits and routines
You may grin,but Beyonce has that thick, yet super fit physique that I aspire to have!
#6. I create schedules & hang them up- weekly Life & workouts
http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/class-schedule-template.html
http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/workout-chart.html
#7. I posted motivational photographs, quotes & images around spaces I’m frequently in
I printed out women with my ideal figure and wrote encouraging messages to myself underneath, like “If you want a sweet ass body like her, you need to stick religiously to an exercise routine- and stick with it no matter what! DON’T GIVE UP! DON’T LET YOURSELF FAIL! THIS IS YOUR DESTINY…OWN IT!”
#8. I keep a food dairy
It was really difficult for me to commit to doing this in the past, but when I found the perfect size notebook, one that fits into any pocket, purse, or bag that I normally carry…I had no reason to not! In the log, I rate how well I ate on a given day (1-10; 1 meaning I ate like a fat girl and 10 being I ate really well). Through this system, I have become aware of habits that I have (self-sabotaging & self-empowering) and now know in what areas I want to improve. There are also online calorie counters that calculate your daily consumption, if that interests you more. It’s a personal field study.
#9. Lastly, I have taken the feeling of shame out of my body transformation process
Telling others about what I creatively call my “Beyonce Booty” goal makes me more eager to achieve it. This blog was one of my first steps. It’s funny because, even if no one ever read this or if those who did read it didn’t give a damn, this is about my mental & literal commitment to a source outside of myself. This medium will, because of my prideful nature, promote me to be fully accountable and motivated to prove my strength, self-discipline, determination and above all capability. “Cause Imma Boss!”
With all this being said, I hope that all those who are in the same or a similar boat as me can find some inspiration from this post. I chose to highlight my body transformation process, because I know this relates to tons of folks, but I know that some of these same steps can be applied to any area of life that one wants to overcome a challenge in. Its all about joy and pain- what will give you joy and what pain will come from not achieving it?
I want to give credit to an audio program I following by the author and motivational speaker Anthony Robbins.
Good for you babe! Rock on...I am searching for a routine that will motivate me. I dont like gyms, wouldnt pay for a gym, I am looking for things I can do without equipment, but will also enjoy during the dreary season of winter in Chicago!! Ideas?
ReplyDeleteHow about Yoga?? :) You could start with the Morning Salutation
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yoga-age.com/asanas/suria.html
Raina,
ReplyDeleteThis is so wonderful! We must write the vision so that we can hold ourselves accountable! If you need to talk about this, you can holla at me cuz I could talk about my fitness goals 24 hours per day and not tire. I, too, have been keeping a food journal, and it's very sobering. Let's motivate each other to keep our routines fresh. I'm gonna email you with more details. Love ya, Girl, and stay motivated! I'm in your corner fighting with you :0)
I thought you might dig this site http://www.floatingsheep.org
ReplyDelete