Motivation

A friend posted this amazing quote on facebook and I can't help but steal it to share with everyone... "The good Lord gave you a body that can stand most anything, it's your MIND you have to convince." -Vince Lombardi

The hardest part about getting in shape is staying motivated. It is so easy to get off track and forget about your fitness goals. We get caught up in our busy lives and sadly we often put our health on the back burner. Here are a few tricks that I use to help me stay motivated and focused on my health:

1)Write your goals down. Set a long-term goal and a short-term goal. Be specific and make sure that they are measurable. Also, come up with a reward for yourself when you reach each goal.
2)Keep a food journal. If you don't count calories, at least write down what you eat and hold yourself accountable for your nutrition. I highly recommend the app "myfitnesspal". I use it daily and find it to be a very motivational tool.
3)Find a workout buddy. Ask a friend or relative to workout with you or go on a diet with you, that way you can hold each other accountable.
4)Post your inspiration on your refrigerator. The picture that I posted above is a trainer, Zuzana, that has a blog called bodyrock.tv! She is a beast! Her workouts and her amazing attitude inspires me...not to mention she has the most incredible body I've ever seen. So, I have her picture on my refrigerator and as the background on my phone. That may sound obsessive...but it works for me! You could even post a picture of yourself when you looked and felt your best or your favorite motivational quote. Whatever works for YOU.
5)Get moving! We all have those days when we feel like we are moving through syrup. If you find yourself sitting on the couch after work and too tired to workout...GET UP! Do some jumping jacks, push-ups, or run in place. After you get up and move around for about 10-15 minutes you may find the energy to put on your tennis shoes and head to the gym! You know you won't regret it! :)
6)Get a hold of mindless snacking. If you start thinking about heading to the fridge for an unhealthy snack, you are probably just eating out of boredom. Instead of heading to the fridge or pantry, pick up a book or get up and do something productive. I usually choose to do the laundry or get started on a home project that I have been putting off. If you truly feel hungry, drink a glass of water. If you are still hungry after you drink water, then by all means EAT..but please make it a healthy snack.
7)Plan ahead. If your friend asks you to go to dinner on a Saturday night and you are worried about over-indulging, go ahead and set a game plan. Figure out where y'all are going to eat and then search online for the restaurant's menu. Look over the options and go ahead and choose what HEALTHY dish you are going to order.
8)Hire a trainer. If you are overwhelmed with the thought of working out by yourself or just can't find motivation no matter what you try, hire a personal trainer to keep you accountable.

Yours in Health,
Brittany Thigpen