Remind Me To Stay Motiviated

Okay so I’m going about my day and then BAMM! Something hits me so hard I have to pause and stop and celebrate. Here’s what it is:

WOO HOO! So excited for this movie. So I had to share this old post on such an occasion.  The occasion being finally the redemption of Sarah Connor (I think that should be its subtitle!!). If I didn’t mention it, I’m a movie freak.. in particular Sci-fi.  This series is one of my all time favorites.. and Arnold is back, again!! Its a dream come true for this little geek blogger… thanks for your patronization, I’ll take it!

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(Original postdate 8/11/2012.  Not much has changed and a lot has changed.  Enjoy!)

This woman, Sarah Connor (the character) from Terminator II was what inspired me to get in shape years ago after I had my kids.

She was one tough chick.  Just look at her arms!  I wanted those arms, I wanted to be in that shape one day.  Until yesterday, I had forgotten about that motivation, even though this picture is pinned on my bulletin board in my room.  Its been there so long, it had started to blend into the wall.

I can be going along, fighting discouragement every day without any real validation of my efforts, and then all of a sudden out of the clear blue something comes along that hits me right in the face and says “keep going, you’re on the right track.”

Motivation.  We all know the word, especially when we are trying to live a healthy lifestyle.  Its a vision, moment, phrase, experience, idea or dream that we continually play in our heads that keeps us getting up at 5 am to work out every day and away from that piece of cake.  It is fleeting and undependable, you have to work hard to keep it in the forfront of your mind at all times.  It is especially harder to stay motivated the older you get, I’m coming to realize, because my body does not want to give up the weight as easily as it did 10 years ago, when I got myself in shape in my early 30’s (I was also a smoker and I didn’t run, so was I really in shape?).

“Your metabolism slows by about 5% each decade, which means that at age 35 you’re burning about 75 fewer calories a day than you did at age 25,”  -Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD, director of the Weight Management Center at the University of Pittsburgh

Now a days for me and these last 15 lbs., getting on that scale can be cumbersome and tiring, seeing the same numbers fluctuate day after day when I know I’m burning those calories. That little piece of chocolate I snuck in is right there, on the scale, adding instead of subtracting the weight.  Then I’m hungry, hungry hungry!! Its not fair or right but it is what it is.

It doesn’t mean I’m giving up or I’m not gonna do it– I’ve seen women older than me do it, so I know I can, it just means I have to work harder and stay freshly motivated, because it  will pay off.  Reminding myself of why I’m doing this.  Yesterday was the day I realized my efforts have started to come to fruition.

Lately, when I’ve been running, there’s really been no motivation, I’ve been on overdrive… i.e. just doing it cause I’ve been doing it and I’m going to be in this half marathon.  The only thing that plays around in my head is this saying:

It helps keep me going when I want to quit, I’ll say that.  But its not about who I want to be and where I’m going.

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Yesterday,

out of nowhere

I got a surprise that not only told me I’m doing a good job, but reminded me of where I started out and what me true motivation and goal was.  So you want to see what this was?? Okay, here it is:

Yes, this is me.  When I saw it I couldn’t believe it.  This was taken by the photographers at our Rugged Maniac thing and my very good friend Jenna surprised me with this and other photos she bought from the event (thank you Jenna, more than I can ever say!!)  Notice those arms, huh??  Seen them anywhere before?  Hee….now walking around normally my arms do not look that cut, I’m not there yet,   but whatever I’ll take that for a dollar and a half!  Also, please  note I am NOT photogenic at all, it is my curse, so this is about as good as I could ever ask.  In any case,  it was a beautiful and shocking reminder that I can’t give up, I am progressing, and if I keep trying AND STAY MOTIVATED I will reach my goals.  I’m going to put this on my forthcoming “motivation wall” so I won’t ever forget again.

I would love to hear about your motivations or lack thereof?  Have you ever been hit with a “keep going you’re on the right track” moment? What was it?  If not, you’re probably due so look for it.

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Did you know drinking cold water burns calories??  Yes indeedy, it does, because your body has to work to warm it up!  So keep it cool for a little bonus.

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On the menu tonight:  Tilapia Tacos from Whole Foods (in the fresh seafood section, but I have no idea the calorie count, xxxfingers) with some Ezkekial Sprouted Grain tortillas (80 calories each).. I’ve been dying to try the sprouted grain products so here goes!

The weekend Plan is:

Housecleaning

Dog walking

Bike Riding

Getting out my Aunt’s camera I inherited and trying to figure out how to use it to take better pictures for my blog (its a 35mm one, no digital)

Retro on Roscoe

Have a great weekend everyone!!