How to find your Motivation

I have posted a lot about trying to get motivated.  After I had my 2^nd daughter I had a very tough time finding any motivation at all.  The past year was a tough one.  I joined weight watchers and lost 10 pounds then promptly put it back on.  I would start to work out and then find myself back on the couch watching TV and snacking.

Well I finally feel great and actually want to work out again.  How did this happen?  It started with my decision to go Vegan.  I know it is a major change and I for one never thought I would ever make it, but I needed a drastic change to get my booty in gear.  The change in diet really got me feeling good.  My body felt great, there is a bit of a learning curve to going Vegan but it can be done and really once you find a few great recipes it is not that hard at all.  I truly feel this is the healthiest way to eat.

The next step was to make and I mean force myself kicking and screaming to the gym 4 days a week for 2 weeks.  Well truth be told the second week I did not kick and scream but it was still hard to go.  Now in the third week I finally want to go, and have really started to push myself in my workouts and see my old self returning.

Here is my plan for finding your motivation!

Step 1 change your diet, you don’t have to go Vegan but cut out a lot of the processed foods.  Those are the foods that make you feel bad.  You love chips? Buy the baked chips or even better make your own.  Want a healthier alternative roast some Chickpeas in the oven at 350 for 45 min (season any way you want).  The key is to get rid of the processed crap that makes you feel bad.

Step 2 get moving, make yourself workout even if you don’t want to for 2 weeks.  I promise after the 2 weeks you will want to do it.  Join a gym, or if you don’t have the money go for a walk or run.  Get on a bike, go kayaking, hiking, roller blading, play tennis, basketball, anything.  The point is to get in some cardio or weight training; the exercise will help you feel good. 

I promise if you do these 2 things you will find your motivation again.  I did and for the first time in a VERY long time I am feeling like my old self again.  And the extra weight I have been carrying is just slipping off.

 On a side note, I am going to run the Diva Dash tomorrow with my friend Kari and both our daughters are running the Little Diva Dash.  I am super excited and can’t wait till tomorrow.  I have run a couple 5ks this week to see how I stand and actually ran the whole thing yesterday without walking.  I don’t plan to run tomorrow for time it is just a fun race with a friend, but I am glad that my running is getting back to where I want it.  I will be sure to post some pictures and let you all know how the race goes tomorrow, I can’t wait to put my tiara back on and go for a run!

 How do you find motivation when times get tough?