My Aspire to Inspire BSG challenge this week is to write a blog about MOTIVATION, what helps me find my motivation when I’ve lost it.

I don’t remember losing my motivation although I am sure I have. For me it is more of just not staying focused rather than actually losing my motivation. I sometimes find myself eating something I shouldn’t and then the light bulb turns on and I remember oh, yeah, I shouldn’t have done that. For exercise I seem to have a tendency to overdo all at once and then be sore and not want to do anything at all.

For the last several months I have been doing quite well so I will tell you the things that I am finding works for me.



1. For water – I was told many many years ago to carry a water bottle with me. I started doing that and it works for me. I can only drink water if it is ice water so I have started drinking approximately 24 oz of water in the morning when I first get up, even before breakfast. I fill my thermos with ice and water, fill a baggie with ice, and another bottle with 32 oz of water all of which I take to work with me. I drink water for lunch and dinner. So, basically, I have water with me at all times and water is my drink of preference now. This has become a habit just like brushing my teeth and I pretty much never fail to get in at least 64 oz of water.

2. I am slowly getting exercise to become habit too. I was challenged a few months ago for a certain number of minutes of exercise per month. Well, I have found that I can do that only if I stay focused and keep track of where I am at all times. For example, when it gets to the end of the month and I am a few minutes or hours short, then I really try to achieve the goal by going for extra walks, etc.



3. Food has been much harder for me, and I find that unless I track everything every day I am not able to stay focused with it. I am still working on this one.

So, I guess my advice is to never give up, keep trying to find what works for you. Keeping track and journaling are all-important for me to stay motivated. I also need challenges and the encouragement of many friends. I belong to a fabulous group of people on Facebook that are very close and very much like family. We are all on different levels as far as fitness and our journeys, but they are very supportive and motivating. This has helped me so very much to stay motivated. There is always some sort of challenge going on – go sugar free, or drop and give me 10 pushups; give me a 1 minute plank, 2 minute wall sits, 3 sets of 10 pushups. Or, what is on your menu for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Ways to incorporate healthy items in your diet.

For me, these challenges have really helped me to stay motivated and know that I can achieve my ultimate goal one step at a time. Challenges and knowledge and learning to listen to your body when it needs a rest. Be a friend to yourself.