what you gonna do about it?

Time to talk motivation.

So take a time out, go change into your workout clothes, then come right back.
Go on....

Now that you're all ready to go you can go get your workout on as soon as you're done here.
No excuses.
Cause you's about to get motivated y'all.

First things first.
What are you actually doing to workout?

Now I realize not everyone has access to a gym.

Heck,

I wouldn't even have access to a gym if it wasn't for the boyfriend.

((I'm so very thankful for everything he's done for me so far. He's truly amazing!))

So get creative.

-Run on the treadmill if you have one.

If you don't have one, find someone who does and ask if you could use it occasionally.

-Get some free weights from Wal-Mart or Target to use at home.

-Invest in some workout videos.

((I recommend P90X [for strength], Insanity, and TurboFire))

-Go for walks/runs outside.

((Indiana has had a unseasonably warm winter so there's no excuse there))

-Check out Pinterest for some at-home workout ideas.

Here are just a few samples of what I've found on Pinterest so far:

 ((Amanda and I have a tentative date to do this one together sometime in the near future!!))

 ((I'm actually following this one this month!!))

((Weekend challenge: Lunges! Do 3 sets of 10 before every meal on Saturday and Sunday!!))

 ((Get up just a little bit earlier!!))

((Have some fun!!))

There are sooooo many workouts online.
Take the time to find them!!
The possibilities are endless!!

Next:
Find your motivation.

What makes you want to kick some @&% and be your absolute best self?!?!

Here are some pictures that help keep me motivated:

Here are also 2 blogs of weight-loss journeys that are truly inspiring:

Jen's Journey
I mean look at these results:

Holy Moley!!
She's pretty amazing.

Undressed Skeleton
This girl is absolutely gorgeous.
And she loves to cook.
So check out her recipes!!

---------------
Now don't get me wrong.
I've been trying to find my motivation for years.
After the divorce I started finding myself AND my motivation.
But never enough to actually start the diet and exercise and stick to it.

Last spring/summer I lost 10 lbs when I started working out.
Did I keep it up??
Sadly, no.
I stopped working out completely.

Luckily I kept that 10 lbs off.
I even managed to slowly lose another 5 lbs between August and November.

November comes and I meet Brian.
Before we even started dating he was getting me motivated.
I started doing Insanity again.
We started making dinner together every night which in turn made me start watching what I was eating.
He got me motivated to get started again.

Now here I am almost 3 months in, and down 25 lbs since November.
I'm down 40 lbs total (ok technically 38 lbs but I'm pushing for those last 2 lbs!!).
I work out daily (pretty much).
I'm more aware of the food I'm putting in my body.
And I finally feel like I'm starting to learn what I need to so I can keep going.

Does that mean I'm a pro?
Absolutely not.
Brian's been gone most of the last month on trips and while he's gone, it's been especially hard to stick to the eating guidelines.

I'm still learning and growing.
And there are still days when I completely lose the motivation to keep going.
But I know I can go to Brian and he'll push me to go to the gym again.
He'll even help me make dinner to keep my nutrition on focus.

Which brings me to one of my kinda sorta points.
((Which I actually don't know how I got here... but it's important))
Find someone to hold you accountable and who will push you to be your best self.
Find someone who you can tell "I'm over this!! I just want to curl up and take a nap instead of working out!!" and that someone will step up and push you to take that next step.
They can help you come up with recipe or food ideas.
They can workout with you.
They can remind you of whatever reward you come up with.
Just find that someone who truly makes you want to be your best self!!

Now aren't you ready to get out there and get that sweat rollin'?!?!

Chop, Chop, Lollipop!!


All pictures from here.