Last year I joined a gym for the first time since I was 18.  I started working with a personal trainer but it was actually just once a month to check in and update my routine.  I was surprised to find that this was all I needed to lose weight.  I lost 20 pounds in 5 months.  That is 1 pound a week.  My original goal was to lose 25 lbs but I lost steam around the holidays.  I stopped meeting regularly with the trainer and just sort of did my own thing.  I am now up about 4 lbs and realize I need to do something before I gain any more weight back.  But I just DON’T want to work out.  I admit, I am being lazy.  Very very lazy. 

Last night I forced myself to get on a treadmill and once I was there I felt great.  That’s one of the most important lessons I learned last year.  When you don’t feel like working out FORCE yourself to get there and you will be happy once you arrive.  While I was walking I had a lot of time to think and I hope I came up with a solution to getting back on track.

This is my formula for getting my motivation back.

What worked last time?

Last time I told myself that I would give the workout and diet 2 months.  I HAD to do it for 2 months and if I wasn’t happy with the results then I could quit.  Well, of course I was happy because I had lost 8 lbs so I continued doing it.

What is my motivation now?

After I lost the 20 lbs I pulled down my box of skinny clothes from my closet.  There were a bunch of cute clothes in there I didn’t even know I had.  They were 2 and 3 sizes smaller than what I had been wearing before and they actually fit me!  I was so excited it was like going on a shopping spree.  Now that I’ve gained a few back the jeans are a little tight on me and there are a couple of things I can’t wear at all.  I can physically get them on but they are just a little too tight to be comfortable in them.  I really want to fit in these clothes again because I can’t afford to buy new ones.

Okay but how am I going to make sure I stay motivated?

I work really well with lists, because I love to cross things out once they are done.  Last time the trainer would make a calendar for me and what I was supposed to do on every day.  She would change up my routine every week to keep my body guessing.  So, last night I came home and made up a calendar.  I listed two months worth of exercise so that every day I can feel great about myself when I get to cross one off.

• Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I have 45 minutes of cardio.  Stepping up the intensity each week.
• Tuesday’s I will do strength training in my very own home.  Things like push ups, dips, sit ups, squats, lunges, and step ups.
• Thursday’s I do yoga which will also work my muscles.
• Saturday and Sunday I rest but hopefully still stay active on those days.

As far as my diet goes I already try to eat healthy most of the time.  I am just going to step it up a little.  Go back to not buying any unhealthy foods at the grocery store.  Focus on eating a small healthy meal 5 times a day and no more late night snacking.  It’s important for me to remember to take it one day at a time.  It helps to know that it’s not like I will NEVER be able to eat ice cream again.   Just not today.

What do you do to stay motivated?

Photo Credit: Flickr

tags: Diet, exercise, motivation