I CAN and I WILL!

Joey and Tofu motivated and ready to get some vitamin D! 

Are you?

 

When the days get grey and it's cold and dark your workout can be the last thing you want to accomplish on the to-do list.   But with the holidays right around the corner and stress in the workplace growing it becomes more of a MUST do then a SHOULD do.  How do you stay motivated to stick with your routine?

How do I stay motivated?

• Develop a mantra - you may be tired and not wanting to attack those intervals, but find something that you can repeat to yourself to keep you going "This workout is going to be great", "Keep the arms pumping" or even sometimes it's a simple as "Come on Aubrey, push girl, push."
• Incentivize - stay away from the food incentives, but give yourself a treat for doing a job well done.  Whether that's one week of hard work in the gym or hitting cardio 6-7x/week, you deserve that pat on the back or an enjoyable long bubble bath
• Create a challenge - sometime it helps to have someone to push against or a deadline to meet.  Get with a trainer, create a challenge for yourself (I good circuit workout or timed row) to get yourselft to push a little harder.  For most competitive people, this will drive them to do the action whether they'd like to or not and work harder to complete.
• Demand Improvement - tell your body how it is.  The only way to improve is to stay consistent and push beyond the boundaries of the "uncomfortable" action.  Don't let you mind tell you it's tired, stay focused and don't let yourself off easy just because you lack the motivation.  There is someone else out there that is trying to outwork you...make them work for it, don't just give it to them.

What are some of your good motivational/inspirational moments? 



Getting Prepared for the Holidays

As I was going for my coffee fix at my favorite Peet's Coffee & Tea, I just happened to coincide with there "tasting series" where I was invited to taste all of their holiday blends - tea, coffee, holiday muffins, and more. With all of the business of my career change, trying to get back in the training groove and all around just enjoying life - I completely had forgotten that the holidays were more than just around the corner, we're in full force! 

The holidays are a time to enjoy family, enjoy good laughs and memories, but for most people a time to eat freely, leave their scheduled lives behind and all around just "enjoy".  The end of the year for most climates also brings colder weather, generally making people less likely to go outside and make it hard to get out of bed in the mornings chilly air.  But does that mean that the only way we can truely "enjoy the holidays" is to forget all the hard work we've done the rest of the year, and give in to all temptations and neglect our routine that we've worked so hard to achieve?

Of course not.  Yes, it will take some extra willpower to get through all of those long and carb fueled comfort meals - but why reverse all of your hard work throughout rest of the years for the last month and a half of the year?  All it takes is a little planning! 

Plan for these holiday get togethers to be centered around food and drinks.  It's okay to enjoy some of the festivities, but everything comes with moderation and the ability to make smarter choices.  Be the one to add something new to the holiday menu!  Why not bring a new dish, something you and everyone else can enjoy. 

Do a slight twist to your holiday favorites and create no sugar added fruit tarts instead of a large pie - one tart satisfies just fine.  Instead of the traditional green bean casserole dish that Aunt Sue always likes to bring, offer to bring a new twist on the holiday favorite: Green beans, brussel sprouts, shreaded carrots, and sweet sauted yellow onions tossed in light EVOO and topped with some panko breadcrumbs for a little familiar crunch!

Not a big cook in the kitchen?  Many health food stores and restaurants are now offering pre-cooked meals that you can bring with you to the party - check your local Whole Foods Market or Native Foods Restaurant which have already started to display there takeaway items that meet your nutritional needs and the star of the party!