What do you do when your motivation ups and leaves you? This is the situation that I have recently found myself in and am finding it to be unknown territory! I am usually quite good at motivating myself to exercise, to eat healthy and get stuff done. But recently, my treadmill has been collecting dust (it’s a good thing I keep it in our garage and not our bedroom, or it would probably be buried in clothes), my yoga membership has not been swiped in AGES and healthy food? If it isn’t deep fried or covered in chocolate I’m not interested! I thought this was a phase and would soon pass but unfortunately not.
What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting the same result! I love that! When I think about things that is exactly what I have been doing! My mind and body have clearly gotten bored with the sad little routine that I have mindlessly been going through each day. The body really is an amazing thing and is so smart with the messages that it sends you. I wrote a list of the areas that I want to improve in my life and thought about how I could improve them.
Running: I started running in 2005 and my love for it back then was so apparent. It was new and I found it so exciting. But in the past few years my relationship with running has kind of fizzled out a bit. That makes me sad. But when I think about it, I haven’t set myself any goals to achieve. I haven’t pushed myself in ages. No wonder I am BORED! We will be spending some time in Florida in November and I have my eye on two half marathons that I want to set a new PR for myself. I feel excited!
Running Coach: If I want to achieve my new running goals I thought it might be a good idea to work with an online running coach. Now, don’t get me wrong! I do not think of myself as an elite runner! However, if Brooks or Nike want to hit this girl up with a few pairs of free running shoes to try out I would be totally cool with that! Anyways…in the past I have prepared my own running schedule and then I would start looking forward a few weeks and have full on melt downs at how the mileage would start creeping up! What? Yep, true story! My running coach updates my schedule a week ahead of time and I only look at what I need to know for the next few days. He also gives me leg and core exercises to complete after each run and then provides me with feedback regarding my progress. The dude totally knows what he is doing and I am happy to put my faith in him. It seems to be working too as I feel like I am getting faster – which is exactly what I want!
Expired Bus Pass: At the end of May my bus pass expired. With the beautiful weather that we are having I really like to take advantage of it and either walk or bike into work each day. Each way is three miles which does not sound a lot but trust me it is! We live in the mountains and nothing here is flat! Even our driveway has quite the wicked little incline on it! I get winded going up that each day! I feel good when I get to work knowing that I have already done a bit of exercise. It just starts my day off on the right foot!
Reading: I enjoy watching TV every now and then but am not truly a big lover of it. I just never seem to be able to find a show or a series that I connect with. Now, books are another thing! I joined a monthly book club at our local library and I am really enjoying it. First of all, the books that are assigned each month are never books that I would choose to read, but at the same time I am really enjoying it. Second, when we meet it is always interesting to hear everyone’s take on the book. Sometimes I wonder if we even read the same book?!! Third, there is nothing like a good book to pass the time with. To me the sign of a good book is when I can’t stop reading it but am sad when I finish it because it is done! Books are friends 🙂
New Hair! Now I am talking about my own personal journey here, if ever in doubt, cut it and dye it! I did the rose gold hair for a hot while and am now obsessed with my new do!
So there you have it, these are the new things that I am trying to keep my mind & body busy and get myself out of the slump that I found myself in. It seems to be working too!
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOUR MOTIVATION UPS AND LEAVES YOU?