We all get into a little bit of a funk sometimes—or maybe a bit ol’ rut—where it’s really hard to muster the motivation to do the things we need to do (like, ahem, lose a few pounds). This is when it’s especially helpful to have some go-to tricks to inspire us and give us a little extra push in the right direction. We all have our own unique motivators, but I’ve been thinking lately about mine. Here’s a list of ways I motivate myself to get on track:
Follow Inspiring Instagrammers/ Snapchatters/ Vloggers
The people I draw inspiration from don’t need to have achieved their goals yet…in fact, I find a lot of inspiration from those at the start or in the middle of their journeys—those who are simply working toward a goal. The only real requirement I have for an inspiring account is, you must be able to admit to a bad day.
Watch Nutrition/Health-Centric Documentaries
Fed Up
Food, Inc.
Hungry for Change
Fat Sick and Nearly Dead
Read Inspiring Books
The Omnivore’s Dilemma
In Defense of Food
Food Rules
Intuitive Eating
Brain Over Binge
Women Food and God
Breaking Free from Emotional Eating
Feeding the Hungry Heart
When Food Is Love
The Gifts of Imperfection
Daring Greatly
Rising Strong
The Power of Now
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
10% Happier
The Happiness Project
Better than Before
Big Girl: How I Gave Up Dieting and Got a Life
It Was Me All Along
Eating in the Middle
Look at the Calendar
Nothing motivates me more than planning out my goals, and I do that best by pulling out my calendar. I plan the week ahead, set small goals, big goals (milestones), and use it as a progress tracker, too.
Make a Pinterest Board
A vision board of things that inspire you: people, clothing, healthy food, places you’d like to visit, quotes…
Buy Some Gear that’ll Make You Feel Good
This doesn’t have to cost much—I’ve been so happy with things from TJ Maxx and Marshalls—but I always feel more motivated to work out when I have something that fits well and makes me feel cute and confident. Another perk of liking those clothes is, I’m more likely to wear them, and once I put them on, I’m instantly eliminating one excuse not to exercise.
How do you motivate yourself?
Ahh thank you for this :) Habits! Gratitude/reflecting on progress. Journal until I am able to see what I can do today to feel productive. Definitely other people as well. I needed to hear this today thank you :) xoxo
I think that even looking at transformation pictures of me helps to motivate, too! Looking at where I started vs how far I’ve come gets me out of my funk and back to a healthy lifestyle.
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Thanks for that list of documentaries! Adding some of those to my to-do list!
Thank you for reminding me it’s never too late. Now that the snow has melted I’m faced with the reality that I didn’t stick with my plan this winter. I’ve had a very depressing week so far. Time to get out the calendar and make some small, achievable goals.
I still have 7 pounds to drop to reach my Fit at Fifty goal I set for myself awhile back. I did not meet the timeline due to getting sick and then an njury. I did not let it discourage me. Instead I am using a trip to Peru to motivate me to lose those extra pounds and to keep going. I still cannot exercise as hard as I was but I am at least moving my body with stationary biking, and keeping up with yoga and Pilates’s. I also find the portion control helps more than deprivating myself of good wholesome food. Also a cute gym outfit also helps me too! Target actually has some fun ones, that fit nicely and last.
When all else fails, OPRAH.
I just love how you make these tips very differently Andie! Aside from being a full time Mom, I also do some social media stuff in my blog and I never did I imagine the power of Pinterest in getting your goals straight and keep you on track in achieving your goals. Having that crystal clear picture of what you want to happen in the next few days is really beneficial especially if you are checking those pictures and boards in Pinterest everyday.
As when it comes to diet, I conquered the biggest weight loss I had after college at which what really motivates me are also pictures that are related to fitness and some good books that keeps me grounded on what a healthy lifestyle can bring to you.
Thank you for sharing this!
Which good books keep you grounded?