Motivation....

Guys, I really need some motivation to start working out and eating healthier. I decided last November that I really needed to get back in shape and start eating healthier and man was I doing AWESOME! I was working out every day, counting calories, I went gluten free for awhile, was eating clean and boy was I seeing results. I was really starting to love the way I looked and felt. And then BAM... I don't know what happened, but I just completely fell off the healthier living wagon! 
I think this is something that many women struggle with. We are programmed to believe that we should look a certain way. The question is, how do we deal with it? How do we overcome these struggles? I think one of the main things is we need to learn to love our bodies and stop comparing ourselves to others (I know that's A LOT easier said than done). It's so easy to look at someone and think, "Ugh... I would love to have her legs" or "I would love to be as skinny as she is". What we don't realize is that person is probably looking at you or someone else and thinking the exact same thing. Having a workout buddy, someone that holds you accountable and really pushes you, is a great way to stay motivated. Another thing is meal planning, plan out your weekly meals every Sunday and really try to stick with the menu. Also, get new workout gear. There's something about having a new tank top, sports bra, pair of yoga pants, running shoes, etc that really seems to motivate us (at least for awhile).  
I just got the Polar FT4 heart rate monitor/calorie burner counter from amazon and am really hoping that actually seeing how many calories I've burned helps keep me motivated. I'm really excited to hit the gym and try it out. Brian and I are also going to go through some healthy/clean eating recipes this weekend and make a menu for next week. Now, I just need a motivational buddy or buddies. Who wants to take on this challenge? 

What are some of your favorite healthy recipes? How do you stay motivated? 
Happy Thursday!!! 

WIWW and Pinteresting

Happy Hump Day Friends!!! 

I know some people don't care about seeing what other people wore, but I see it as a way of finding new outfit inspiration. I love getting new ideas for outfits and seeing things paired together that I might not have thought of. I have said before that I am by far no fashion blogger, but I do occasionally enjoy taking "outfit" pictures and posting them. So there ya go, what I wore last Friday to dinner and a movie. 

 

Oh, How Pinteresting "Sexy and I know it" Edition

About a week and a half ago, I got a new pair of jeans. So, I decided to go through my old jeans and get rid of the ones that I didn't wear anymore or no longer fit. Boy was this good motivation to start working out and watching what I eat more. To keep me motivated, I spent quite some time pinning motivational quotes, pictures and healthy recipes. 

Source: fit fab cities via: Jen on: pinterest

Source: the skinny confidential via: Niki on: pinterest

Source: reasons to be fit via: Kimberly on: pinterest

Source: reasons to be fit via: Kasey on: pinterest

Source: Sprint 2 the Table via: Missy on: pinterest

What do you guys use for workout motivation? How do you stay on track?

Work it out

I have been trying and trying to get back into working out, but I've been having such a hard time. For about a month, I was doing the Zumba almost every day. I was motivated by a photo shoot I was doing for Jeremy's birthday. I was losing inches, sleeping better, feeling more energized and really starting to like the way I looked. However, as soon as the photo shoot was over, I stopped. Now, I am constantly making excuses to not work out: I don't want to drive to the gym, parking sucks, I have a headache, etc. Last week, I did go to the gym and I was pretty proud of myself for spending an hour/4.5 miles on the treadmill alternating walking and running. But... the next day I was kicking myself for pushing myself so hard on the very first day. I should have just eased into it. So, it's been almost a week and I have not been back to the gym. I don't know why I'm lacking the motivation, I just am! 

Yesterday, I was on facebook and saw a before and after picture of a friend who had just completed a 30 day challenge. She looked great to begin with, but after this 30 day challenge she looked AMAZING, a little thinner and a lot more toned. I had to know what she had done to look so great after only 30 days. She said diet wise that she just cut back on soda (limited herself to 2 per day) and stopped eating so much chocolate. Just those simple things helped her shed a few pounds. For exercise, she did a quick 20 minute workout she found on Pinterest at least 5 times per week.

found here

After I saw this, I thought how hard can this be? Sounds super easy right?! And only 20 minutes! So... I decided that I would start this 30 day challenge. I'm only allowing myself one diet soda per day and only having dessert 3 times per week. I'm also going to try (keyword try) to drink 100 oz of water per day. After setting my goals, I started the mini workout. First set, super simple. Second set, a little harder. Third set, I could barely hold myself up on that last wall sit. I pushed myself and made it through! I finished feeling like I had hit all the key muscles I want to tone. Today, I am super sore! I did not expect to be so sore from what seemed to be a simple 20 minute workout. The soreness combined with my friends results actually really motivates me and excites me to see how my body will change from these simple changes.

Anyone want to take this 30 day challenge with me?! Come on... we can help keep each other motivated!