Motivation Monday: Choose Wisely

Life is all about the choices you make ... choose wisely!

Motivation Monday: Giants Baseball

Sometimes the things you love provide you with the most motivation.

Personally, I find it much easier to get to the gym when I know there is a baseball game to watch!  As it is Opening Day, today's Motivation Monday is dedicated to SF Giants baseball!!

GO GIANTS!!  :)

Motivation Monday: Don't Wish it Away

Recently I have been planning, or trying to plan a lot of fun things in the coming months, in addition to the many exciting things I already have calendared (2 weddings, a bachelorette party, a bridal shower, etc).  I am so excited about what lies in front of me that I am finding myself not living in the present, but rather alway looking to the future.  It is times like these I need the following reminder.

In my own experiences, I have regretted wishing away various times in my life.  I look back and think, if only I could have enjoyed it while it was happening instead of looking forward to the next day, weekend, month.  Don't wish your time away - it is pretty much the only thing you can never get back!

Motivation Monday: Redefine Impossible

Two years ago this weekend I joined the gym, and met Adam, who as you know changed my life.  (Have I told you that enough?  Are you getting sick of hearing it?  Tough!  I will continue to say it, because this relationship has truly shaped who I am as a person.)

 As I look back on the last 2 years I am in shock and awe at some of the things I have accomplished, some things that at one time I had labeled "impossible."  Now those things fall into the category of accomplishments.

In reflection on these "impossible" tasks, this small statement makes so much sense:

What is impossible today will not be impossible tomorrow and nothing, absolutely nothing is truly impossible.

Motivation Monday: Talk About Joy

In November I participated in "30 days of Thanks" on Facebook where everyday I posted something I was grateful for.  It was such a great activity that really made me think about all the blessings I have in my life.  Life is so much better when we focus on the good things as opposed to the bad.  We all have a tendency to complain, but we need to break that habit.

Say yes to talking about your joys!

Motivation Monday: Capable

We are capable of more than we think we are ... of this I am certain.  We doubt ourselves and sell ourselves short.  We think we can't do things when the reality is we won't do them; there is a big difference.  What we need to remember is:

With tomorrow being the 2012 Presidential election, I thought this image and message was quite fitting. 

Change begins with us.  The question is not can we, but will we?

Say yes to doing what you are capable of doing!

Motivation Monday: Sore or Sorry?

What will you choose?

Say yes to sore!!

Motivation Monday: Stronger by Kelly Clarkson

Another song for some motivation ... a little Kelly Clarkson to start you day.  Remember, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

You know the bed feels warmer
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in color
And do the things I want

You think you got the best of me
Think you've had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I'd come running back
Baby you don't know me, cause you're dead wrong

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

You heard that I was starting over with someone new
They told you I was moving on, over you

You didn't think that I'd come back
I'd come back swinging
You try to break me, but you see

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I'm not the broken-hearted
Thanks to you I'm finally thinking about me
You know in the end the day you left was just my beginning
In the end...

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

[2x]
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

(When I'm alone)


Say yes to being stronger ... in every sense of the word! :)

Motivation Monday: Small Steps

Today's Motivation Monday comes courtesy of my amazing health coach Sasha.  (Click Here for her website.)  She did not write the following articles, but she sent them to me since I have been having a hard time over the last few weeks getting back on track. 

August was a lot of fun ... A LOT of fun, but let's just say it was not the best for my weight loss goals.  It was a bit of a set back actually.  I have had a hard time dealing with the setback and being able to get back on track since there are so many other things up in the air in my life right now.  I once again went from thinking I was settled to being a bit of a mess. 

But then I think back, and I remember how far I have come and it is easier to deal with.  Just as the following 2 articles suggest, we need to take small steps, make small changes, take things one day at a time.  We must remember "The years of our life do not arrive all at once; they greet us day by day."

Please read the following for a little motivation this week:

http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2012/34708.html

http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2012/34715.html

Say yes to small steps!!

Motivation Monday: My Miracle Worker

I have written a lot about my trainer and my journey with fitness on this blog.  It is something that is very important to me and as of late has taken up a great deal of time in my life. On this Motivation Monday, I have decided to showcase someone who truly motivates me everyday ...

Before meeting Adam, I really had no clue about fitness.  I generally had a good idea of what was good for me and what was bad for me, but beyond that I was at a loss.  While I cannot say that I am an expert at anything, I can say that I have learned a lot and I have come a long way.

I know exercises that work for me – what I like and what I don’t like.  I know how and when to challenge myself.  I can read my body and know when it is time to rest or take a break.  I have learned to be creative in my exercise regimen and to constantly switch things up. 

I have experienced the endorphins that come with an amazing workout.  I have experienced the ecstasy that comes with continually hitting weight-loss goals.  But I have also experienced the frustration of plateaus and anxiety that comes with change. 

Through it all, there has been one constant – my trainer.  He has pushed me and challenged me, supported me and encouraged me.  He continually gives me extra time in order to get through more sets, make sure I am stretched out, and go over new routines with me. 

Recently I was faced with the possibility of having to leave my trainer (because of a possible long distance move).  For one reason or another, this did not happen.  While I am disappointed at what transpired with the moving opportunity, I am beyond thrilled that I get to keep Adam as a permanent fixture in my life. 

If you have ever considered getting a trainer, I highly encourage it.  I have said it before and I will say it again, Adam changed my life and continues to do so every day.  Say yes to changing your life!

This is Adam ... now you can finally put a face with a name! 

Motivation Monday: Cannot

People will tell you a lot of things.

Some people will encourage you, lift you up, support you.  They will be there to tell you that you can do it, that you will do it.

Then there are the people who want to knock you down.  They make light of your goals, they diminish your achievements.  But worst of all they tell you that "you can't."  While this could be defeating, it should be motivating because:

Say yes to doing what other people say you can't!!

Motivation Monday: Come Alive

I recently had a conversation with my health coach about what I should be doing with my life.  It was a pretty emotional discussion.  One thing she said to me that really hit home was that I needed to stop doing what made sense or what was "right" and start looking for what makes me come alive.  What lights the fire?  What causes the spark?  What makes you happy? 

Say yes to coming alive, the world needs it, but more importantly, you need it!

Motivation Monday: Oh Wells or What Ifs

It is sometimes difficult to take a chance, do something out of your comfort zone, expand your horizons ... but if you don't, you are left with "what ifs".  What ifs are a terrible thing to be left with, they are the representation of missed opportunities and botched chances.  They are the difference between what you are and what you could have been.  But, in order to live a life without "what ifs," sometimes we have to collect a couple of "oh wells."

In the choice between "what if" and "oh well," it is time to say yes to "oh well" in order to say no to "what if"!

Motivation Monday: Reflection

So many times we forget how far we come and focus only on how far we have to go.  This can be quite the challenge in staying motivated.  It is important to take the time to reflect on everything you have achieved and how it has changed you.

I know I use a year as a benchmark a lot, but it is an easy amount of time to track things by.  A lot can happen in a year, and yet it is a reasonable amount of time.  Anything can change in a year and you can do anything for just one year.  In a year you can change your life - I know I have.  In taking time to reflect, last year at this time, I had no job, practically no social life (as a result of moving 400 miles away from my friends) and was more than 60lbs heavier than I am now.  I was a totally different person. 

May 2011

 May 2012

 
I am proud of how far I have come and I know how far I can go.  Say yes to reflection!

Motivation Monday: Here's to Us!

Sometimes you want to quit.  Sometimes you don't want to get up at 5:30 in the morning.  Sometimes you are sick of "making the smart choice."  But you still do it, you still say yes, and THAT is what matters.  So here's to us.  Here's to saying yes!

Just say yes to doing it all again!

Motivation Monday: Love Like Crazy

Another motivation Monday!  Today’s post is one I was planning on making a few weeks ago, but then got side tracked my an article I saw.  But I did not want to let this post go, so I just delayed it.  I have lately been into country music (and my lately I mean the last couple of years).  My favorite country songs have positive messages and leave me with a good feeling; “Love Like Crazy” is one of those songs.  The chorus of the song includes some very wise words.

Click the play button to listen or review the lyrics below!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

"Love Like Crazy"

They called them crazy when they started out

Said, "Seventeen's too young to know what loves about"

They've been together fifty-eight years now

That's crazy

He brought home sixty-seven bucks a week

Bought a little 2 bedroom house on Maple Street

Where she blessed him with six more mouths to feed

Now that's crazy

Just ask him how he did it

He'll say, "Pull up a seat

It'll only take a minute

To tell you everything"

Be a best friend, tell the truth

And overuse "I love you"

Go to work, do your best

Don't outsmart your common sense

Never let your prayin' knees get lazy

And love like crazy

They called him crazy when he quit his job

Said them home computers, boy, they'll never take off

Well, he sold his one man shop to Microsoft

And they paid like crazy

Just ask him how he made it

He'll tell you faith and sweat

And the heart of a faithful woman

Who never let him forget

Be a best friend, tell the truth

And overuse "I love you"

Go to work, do your best

Don't outsmart your common sense

Never let your prayin' knees get lazy

And love like crazy

Always treat your woman like a lady

Never get to old to call her baby

Never let your prayin' knees get lazy

And love like crazy

They called him crazy when they started out

They've been together fifty-eight years now

Ain't that crazy?

Being a best friend, telling the truth, over overusing I love you, doing your best at work, not outsmarting your common sense, no letting your praying knees get lazy, and loving like crazy all take gumption!

Motivation Monday: Just Try

I think this pretty much speaks for itself.  Most of the time getting started on anything is half the battle ... so just try!  Trying takes gumption!

No Regrets

I was all set to post some song lyrics this beautiful Monday morning, but then I came across an article that a friend of mine posted to her facebook and decided it needed to be posted today instead.

The article is entitled "The Top 5 Regrets in Life By Those About to Die".  Yes, it is a very morbid title and death is not something that any of us like to think about, but the article is very inspirational - urging us to change the way we live our lives.

Here is the full article for those interested (I encourage you to read the entire thing - it's not very long):  http://addicted2success.com/success-advice/the-top-5-regrets-in-life-by-those-about-to-die/

But for those of you who want the quick run down, here are the 5 regrets, without the more detailed explanations:

1.   I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2.   I wish I didn’t work so hard.
3.   I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4.   I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5.   I wish that I had let myself be happier.

They say hindsight is 20-20, so why not listen to people who have this perfect vision?  Living a life without regrets takes gumption!

Motivation Monday: One Day at a Time

I looked long and hard for something presidential to put up this week.  I read through probably hundreds of quotes.  I found some pretty good ones, but nothing was quite right.  Don't get me wrong, there were lots of inspiring, motivating, encouraging quotes, but they just weren't doing it for me if you know what I mean.

Then I came across this one:

"The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time." - Abraham Lincoln

So short, so simple, so seemingly ordinary and yet ... it really caught my attention.

I admittedly hate change ... despise it ... loathe it.  I could (and have) eaten practically the same thing everyday for months.  I generally like spending my time with the same people.  I can't stand the thought of moving even though I have done it several times.  I get semi-depressed and cry before, during, or after every graduation (grade school, high school, college, and yes, even law school).  I would love it if it was 75 degrees and sunny every single day and I would practically kill for it to be the longest day of the year (think sunlight) every day.  If I find a shirt I like, I buy it in all different colors.  I like consistency, stability, NOT change.

But, unfortunately change is inevitable.  It is ironically the only constant in life.

Over the last year or so I have found there is some change that is tolerable, and some that is even enjoyable.  I can accept when my trainer changed up my fitness schedule.  It is ok when I have to work odd hours.  I enjoy the change I am seeing in my body.  I love planning trips to other places.  So change I suppose is not all bad.

I know there will be a lot of change in my future because there has been a lot of change in my past.  I will grow, meet new people, experience new things, go to new places, try new foods.  Change is a guarantee, but thankfully, my future and the change that comes with it comes one day at a time.

One day at a time allows me to accept and adjust to the new of course, but it also allows me to reflect on and in a sense mourn the old.  One day at a time is how we are presented our future, so maybe it is also how we should live our lives.  Not worrying about the change to come, but enjoying what is currently happening ... one day at a time.

Accepting change and living your life one day at a time takes gumption!

Motivation Monday: Resolutions Can Change Your Life

Most people’s new year’s resolutions (including my own) include a vow to go to the gym in the new year.  This is a great and an awful resolution.  It is great because more people need to actually do this (or if not go to the gym, at least stay active in some other way).  It is terrible because it means that the gym is now super crowded and it makes me want to go less. 

I failed to make resolutions last year until March (better late than never?).  But on March 15, 2011, when I walked into the gym, signed a membership, and scheduled a body fitness test, I promised myself that I would lose weight and keep it off.  This is one resolution I have kept and intend to continue keeping.

If your resolutions included getting healthier, losing weight, becoming more active, or the like, I applaud you and I want to give you a little motivation from my own experience, in the form of pictures.  The pictures below are 9 months apart and show how keeping to your resolutions can really change your life.  Use mine as motivation to start with, but in a few months, you will be able to use your own!!

 Me and my best friend at the end of March 2011.

Me and my best friend with her sister and her cousin on New Years Eve 2011.

Making and keeping weightloss and/or fitness resolutions takes gumption!