Oh to watch all the incredible homecomings! How I vividly remember my own coming home... walking into my parent's house filled with family, friends, and former students chanting my name. The feeling of love was palpable. What a moment! To know you have such support at home drives you to continue on with renewed strength and focus. If only everyone could experience that moment... Now that's an idea. Let's make this happen in the virtual world... Take a moment and close your eyes... no, really... close your eyes. Picture yourself walking into a gym or home or wherever makes you happy, and see and feel all the people you wish were there cheering your name. Now, take that image with you for the rest of the day. The next time you are struggling to find motivation to get moving, "see" and "feel" your supporters cheering you on.
One of the most common questions I'm asked is, where do you find the motivation? First and foremost, motivation is NOT a feeling. Motivation is a choice. Actions provide feelings, not the other way around. Feelings often impede action. Different things will push and drive you on different days. Some days when I was on the ranch or even when I was back at home, I would re-live that homecoming moment in my mind to finish up a grueling workout. Knowing people were supporting me, mattered. Other days, when I would do a walk/jog at the local walking track in Mabank, I would think of my husband and kids watching me run just a little farther than I had the day before, and it would push me to go just a little farther. My husband was not a fan of sweating... at all. Sometimes I would laugh as I was running picturing him smiling and shaking his head at this whole endeavor, but knowing all the while, he would be so proud. All those thoughts kept me motivated.
I think (as a former teacher I must give the caveat that I know I shouldn't start a sentence with "I think"... I should just start, but it sounded so bossy without it) to stick to any kind of exercise plan, you have to find something that "feeds" you. There must be a payoff of some sort, or the change won't last. Let's face it, exercising and sweating aren't really "fun." It's more about making you like yourself more when you're finished. Maybe that's the answer I should give from now on... I stay motivated because I like me more now. I like me more after I finish a body combat class. I like me more after Marc, my trainer, gives me a beating, and I leave with a smile on my face. I like me more even when I struggle through a body flow class. Choosing to go to the gym, even when I'm tired or having a bad day, becomes easier because I know how I will feel after... regardless of how I was feeling before. Through this entire journey, I've been liking me more and more. And that, is what keeps me motivated.
What motivates YOU?