YOU'RE ONLY ONE WORKOUT AWAY FROM A GOOD MOOD.
I have always made working out a priority. Not just for looks but for my mental health. Being someone who has battled severe depression since I was 19 I have learned that moving my body is going to have to be a non-negotiable for me. The past 4 months I have not made that hour for myself a priority. I had my breast augmentation, putting restrictions on how high I could get my heart rate, running and movements. After I was starting to heal, my husband went through a hand full of health complications leaving our schedule quite out of wack. 2 months in, I feel the excuses of not working out getting louder. Oh, and Iz has softball late tonight? We'll grab Wendy's.
I begged my husband for over a year for us to get a Peleton. Getting a Peleton is for sure going to give me the motivation + I'll be just like the other women taking post sweaty selfies 7 days a week. Wrong. You still have to force yourself to actually get on the bike. Damnit.
I am now 4 months into not taking those 20, 30 or 45 minutes for myself and damn, I can feel it. I want to lay in bed longer, I am pushing work to the side + I am getting winded cleaning the house. I have this fucked up mindset that we are already halfway through summer so "why start now" mindset.
No. No, no, no. I need those 30-60 minutes. I need that time to feel alive, to feel confident, to be the momma + wife I know I can be, to keep my health, to keep my fucking sanity. Working out is my therapy.
As I have gotten older and taken responsibility for my own health and well-being, I have learned so much about the value of good health and how crucial it is to workout. In the big picture, good health is everything. We only have one body to take us through this life so it’s our job to keep it alive and well. A healthy lifestyle is very different for everyone. Some people tend to do well with heavy cardio/weight training and some people tend to do better with taking long walks and eating well. Some of us have thicker body type and some of us are actually trying to put on more weight to achieve a ‘healthier’ body. I am definitely no fitness or nutrition expert, but I have tried a lot of things and have a genuine interest in leading a healthy life.
If you are starting or re-starting a journey to a healthier life, here are some tips on how I personally help myself stay motivated over the years.
1. Invest in your fitness apparel. This might sound funny but if you aren’t confident in your clothes, you probably aren’t going to be comfortable in your exercises. When you look in the mirror, you want to feel confident, you want to be able to envision a healthier and happier you and you want to be physically comfortable as well. Get clothes that fit, even if it’s a bit of an investment.
2. Set goals and write them down. A goal in your head is one thing, but if it’s written down you are more likely to do it.
3. Routine, routine, routine! I can’t stress this one enough. Pick a time that works for you and stick to it. Whether it be 5-6 pm every day or waking up an hour earlier, stick to it! For a while, I work out first thing in the morning, so I do not make excuses throughout the day.
4. Do it with a friend. Accountability is probably the most useful tool to keep you motivated. If you have somebody on the other end who is expecting something from you, you are more likely to show up. Having a friend with you will also give you someone to ask questions to, vent to, relate to and support you.
5. Track your progress. Get a planner! My planner is my life. I write everything and everything down in it. It will help you stay on track, log results and keep inspiring you to move forward.
Staying motivated is different for everyone and it changes over time. I used to be motivated to look good and now I am more motivated so that I maintain good health. What works for you may not work for someone else, so I encourage you to find what works best for you and stick to it.
Remember to give yourself some grace but get back up and kick some ass for you. Write down your note to yourself and tag me <3
xx, Ky