Accountability At Its Finest...MY Progress Pics!

Well....Here goes nothing!

I was dreadfully trying on bathing suits yesterday and a light bulb came on! With all of the clients I work with, I require them to send me a "progress pic" and weigh-in every week. This way, they can SEE changes in their bodies and not just focus on the what the scale says. It's well known that muscle weights more than fat, so it's important to see how body composition can change as muscle increases and fat decreases. This concept is especially hard for women to understand, but I am working everyday to change that!

I got to thinking.....I really need to put my money where my mouth is! I preach all the time to my clients about their photos and they always begrudgingly send them and subject them selves to criticism (which is ALWAYS constructive...and nice). They put themselves in a vulnerable position, and I really appreciate the trust they have with me. I am posting today, to let ALL of my clients (in person and remote--present and future) know that I am not a "do as I say and not as I do" kind of coach. I am right there with each and every one of them on this journey and I know how hard it is! I really do work my booty off everyday to continue living a healthy lifestyle.
 
Just like everyone else, I need the accountability as well. I am a normal human being (most of the time) and I need to SEE changes and not worry about what the scale says. I have good days and hard days with eating and although working out is my therapy, sometimes I need a kick-in-the-pants to get there! We are all on the SAME journey!

So...........today I show you MY personal progress picture (eeekk). I want to stress to you that my "before"  and my "now" are the SAME WEIGHT (give or take 1-2lbs depending on the time of day,etc). 

  

The picture on the left (in the middle of summer, hence the tan) was taken 2 years ago before I decided to get serious about my eating and working out. I was a cardio bunny and lifted every once in a while and was very strict about calories. The picture on the right (in a bathing suit I did NOT purchase) was yesterday. I lift 5 days/week, do 1 day of cardio and eat  A LOT! I just eat the right things. I am a work in progress. I am constantly looking to improve myself and absolutely love the journey I am on. I feel stronger, leaner and healthier everyday.

Join me!! Go on this journey with me and find YOUR best self in 2014!! 

Drive and Motivation!

I've written about motivation before and how to STAY motivated…but let’s dive a little deeper.

Where do I find my motivation? Why do I lose my motivation? What REALLY drives me to get out of bed in the AM?

These are some probing questions I hear from clients ALL the time! We (myself included) are all guilty of losing motivation every once in awhile; whether it’s motivation to workout, motivation to eat healthy or just plain ‘ol motivation in our everyday lives. This time of year, especially, the shiny new resolutions have lost their luster and lack of drive starts to set in. It’s not quite Spring yet, definitely not summer…it’s the DEAD OF WINTER. Getting out of bed sometime seems like an accomplishment all on its own when it’s -10 degrees out! This is the PERFECT time of year to re-visit your goals and stay MOTIVATED! Who’s with me??

How do re-motivate ourselves?

For me, it all goes back to my goals. “Why am I doing this in the first place?” is the questions I ask myself constantly. I have to remind myself of why it is that I started a particular goal. I have to force myself back in the place of excitement when I first made the goal AND think about how I will feel after my goal is accomplished. I know how great it will feel…so I must KEEP GOING! Figure out your “Why”!

How do we avoid losing motivation in the first place?

Passion has a lot to do with motivation. If you are passionate about what you are doing (work, life, healthy living, etc) you will avoid “slumps” much more easily. If you are constantly doing what you are truly passionate about, why would you want to stop? You wouldn't!  Find your passion and GO FOR IT!

Switch up your routine every once in awhile! While it’s nice to form habits and get up at the same time everyday and do the exact same thing until it’s Friday and you can finally “let loose” it’s also nice to add a lil’ spice! Maybe you get some gym time in before work or you get up a little earlier to make yourself something great for breakfast…whatever it is, change it up a little! Find little things during your week that make you excited for your day.

What is it that makes motivation go away?

Maybe you’re bored of routine or maybe you are scared to try something new or maybe you really don’t know what the next step is. All of things are totally normal, but only YOU have the power to change them. We are all controllers of our own destiny. You control your happiness and success…CHOOSE to be happy!

Enlist in the help of a friend or your spouse and tell them your very specific goals that you are working towards. This person can play a key role in helping you reach your goals. I have mentioned accountability before but I cannot stress enough how important it is! In every aspect of life, it’s much easier when we are held accountable. Do whatever you need to do to keep your goals in the fore front of your mind!

Once motivation has returned, how do we get it to stay there?

Once you are back in that “ah-ha” moment, STAY THERE! (I know, easier said than done!) Reward yourself for small successes to keep yourself on the right track. Everyone needs that “carrot” in front of them to keep going…find out what yours is. Make smaller, more attainable goals first. Reaching those small goals will in fact add up to your larger goal…so, stick with it, consistency is key!

Lastly, stay POSITIVE! Negativity never ends well, nor will it get you any closer to your goal (plus, no one likes a “Negative Nelly”). There is positive in every situation. Positivity equals power!

As always, I am here for you! I know what it’s like to lose motivation, find it and lose it again! We are all in this together…. I am happy to help!!!