Getting Motivated, Staying Motivated!

Like everyone else, my motivation to exercise waxes and wanes. I'm waning right now, for sure. For the last few years, I've tried to pay more attention to how I feel at certain points during the year, and Fall to Christmas is always hard for me. I think it has to do with the change of seasons, the fact that it's dark so much more, not to mention getting colder. In the summer, I have no problem hopping out of bed, walking in the early dawn hours and then coming home and doing some resistance training or heavy duty cardio.

But when it's cold and dark? Not so much.

I do try to think about ski season and conditioning for that, but since we're at about the furthest point in the year from bathing suit season, and right now I could hide any extra LBS under heavy ski clothes, again, not hugely motivated.

So this is when I've got to dig deep and really keep my act together. I came across a really good list of ideas for staying motivated regardless of the time of year. I pulled out some of my faves to share to keep us all thinking about staying on track:

1. Remind yourself how you feel after a workout. Endorphins, baby!

2. You time. This is when you make YOURSELF a priority. Not your husband, not your kids, not your extended family, not your job. It's about you. And trust me, you'll have more to give back if you take this time for youself.

3. Calories burned. If you count calories, which I do most of the time, and let's face it, doing so is really one of the most effective ways to lose weight, you know that the more you exercise, the more calories you burn — and the bigger your calorie deficit. So this is just one step closer to your goals.

4. Having fun. Exercise should be fun (and to me it is, except for running days which I would only define loosely as fun!). If it isn’t, try a different kind of activity that you enjoy. As long as you’re moving, it’s good for you.

5. How you’re going to look. Imagine a slimmer, fitter you. Now let that visualization drive you. My vanity is a BIG motivator!

6. Health/fitness magazines. It motivates me to read fitness magazines. I see what exercise does for others and I find that motivating.

7. Blogs. I enjoy reading blogs about people who are into running, or losing weight. It can show the ups and downs they go through, and you can learn from their experiences. I hope people learn from mine, too :)

8. Success stories. I find the success stories of others incredibly inspirational. If a fitness website or a magazine has success stories, I’ll almost always read them.

9. Forums/support groups. Get with a group of people (message me if you need one!). I have challenge groups on Facebook that help me keep on track, and I have a whole group that I call my Fit Friends who I swap info with all the time. Find a group that works for you, and then make it a point to check in daily. It really helps.

10. Rewards. Set a goal for yourself and when you achieve it, reward yourself in a non-food way. I like to go to my friend's day spa. She really spoils me!

11. New clothes in smaller sizes. I love it. My husband who monitors the budget -- not so much.

13. Feeling strong. When I'm having a really good workout or run (yes, sometimes I have a good run!) I envision myself kicking ass and taking names!

14. Stress relief. Mad about something? Get out and work off that stress. It makes a world of difference. After you're finished, you'll be calmer and possbly not even remember what was annoying you!

15. Time for contemplation. Mostly this is when I walk. I love having time to mull things over or just listen to music I enjoy. When I lift or do HIIT workouts, I do try to concentrate. Science shows concentrating recruits muscle fibers more effectively.

16. Get a workout partner. There is nothing better for accountability than having someone to report in to or to serve as your cheerleader. In grad school, when I first lost a significant amount of weight, my friend Marci and I worked out together every day. As I lost weight, she'd cheer me on and leave me little notes and cards to celebrate my success. That was way cool.

17. An exercise class. Sign up for a class, perhaps with a friend, and you’ll be motivated to get there and work out.

18. A coach or trainer. I can coach you for FREE :) Message me!

19. Keep track. I log my workouts through Beachbody's WOWY.com and it keeps me accountable and motivated. You wouldn't believe what I'll do to make sure I get a scheduled workout done. I take DVDs with me when I travel and make sure I find an empty room to jump around in.

20. Compare. Take photos, measure, weigh. Give yourself several yardsticks by which to track your progress. I've completed programs where I didn't lose a lot of weight, but I lost a lot of inches and I could see results in my pictures (and how my clothes fit).

21. Train for something. Whether it's a 5K race or triathlon, just signing up will keep you motivated. I'm doing this now, and I'm already panicking on how I will keep up with my running in the winter. I don't want to re-learn to run in the spring, so I'm working hard to keep up!

22. Avoiding feeling like Jaba the Hut. That's how I feel when I take more than one day off a week. Obsessive? I don't know, but I do know how great I feel when I DO stay on track. That's what gets me out of bed on those cold, dark mornings. For me, exercise is non-negotiable. It's going to happen, I just need to figure out create ways to do it sometimes.

23. A healthy future. I want to be a good role model for my kids AND be healthy for when I do finally get grandkids (although I probably should have started having kids earlier).

24. The scale. Some people hate it, but to me, it's just another tool to see how I'm doing, even for maintenance. It’s not motivating to weigh yourself every day, as your weight fluctuates. But if you weigh yourself once a week, you’ll be motivated to have it keep going down, instead of up.

25. Achieving my goals. Whether it's weight, running a certan distance/time, completing a workout program -- whatever -- set realistic goals and be specific. Do it. Track. And then celebrate your achievements!

26. Go public. Talk about your goals, programs and progress publicly. Post it on your blog or Facebook page. Tell people you’re going to lose weight or exercise daily, and report to them. You’ll make it happen when people are "watching." AND you'll be surprised how supportive people are. Suddenly, YOU'RE motivating someone else, which is way cool.

27. Motivational quotes. Maybe it's cheesy, but I like to find them on the Internet and post them on my Facebook page. It lets people know what my mindset is and why I do what I do.

28. Compliments. When someone notices the changes in your body, it feels good. And it makes you want to work out more. Again with the vanity!

29. Beach vacation or high school reunion. Eeeeeek! There's a hilarious line on one of my favorite workout DVDs. Chalene Johnson shows a move and for encouragement she says, "Imagine you're walking away from your friends at your high school reunion, IN A BIKINI!" Yes, the thought of that drives ME to the basement to pump some iron!

What motivates YOU?