Motivational Pep Talk
It’s January 7th, one week into 2010. How are you doing with your New Year’s goals? Maybe you are realizing your goals were a bit overambitious… going from not working out at all to working out an hour every single day is a HUGE change. Just remember, you can always make adjustments to your goals to make them more attainable and realistic. Instead of a goal of working out an hour every single day, try for twenty minutes three times a week for a month. After a month of achievement, increase the time and frequency of your goal.
Will you succeed at meeting your goals 100% of the time? Absolutely not! We gain skills by trial and error and learn through our mistakes. The key is to staying focused and getting back on the right track!
Will the change be easy? You would have already changed if it were easy. Change comes with self reflection, preparation, visualization, patience, repetition, persistence, and time. Setbacks are normal and part of the process of change; the key is being adaptable and bouncing back. Have faith in yourself that you can do it!
“Whether you believe you can or believe you can’t either way you are right.” Henry Ford
A good friend of mine emailed me the other day and asked if I had any words of wisdom or tips for staying motivated. If I could bottle up motivation and sell it I would but motivation is going to be different for everyone. I think with serious self reflection you can identify your motivation. I gave my friend examples of other people’s motivation… such as my sister (who recently lost a significant amount of weight) is motivated to lead a healthier lifestyle for her two boys; she wants to be a healthy example for her family. I also told my friend that “you control your willpower, not the other way around”.
Have you found your motivation? What motivates you?
How are you doing with your New Year’s goal one week in?
Kasey
10 comments 
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January 7th, 2010 at 10:13 am
I was just thinking about this when I woke up! The only goal I’ve found hard to maintain is eating raw 3 days out of the week. It’s hard to plan ahead and have that much fresh veg around the house and traveling while trying to go raw has proven difficult as well. How about you?
January 7th, 2010 at 10:46 am
I love the quote!
Being an older mom the second time around motivates me to stay as healthy as possible so that I can be just as fun and active with the toddler as I was when the teenager was little.
January 7th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
great post! yes goals are tough and actually making that change can be an ongoing battle. I’m still working on many of mine, which may take the whole new year to accomplish! I think it’s about being persistent, sticking with it and forming new habits gradually
January 7th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Jenna,
I’m doing well with my yoga (3x/week) and saving money (increase saving by 25%)… learning Spanish will definitely take time and persistence!
January 7th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
i love your pep talk!!
January 7th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Great movtivational talk! Thanks for using me as example, I hope my motivation could help out others. For a long time I made excuses, but you have to make time I have found it is” possible!!!” I feel better and I will continue to work hard, I just signed a two year contract at the gym and I think this will keep the motivation going cause I don’t like to waste away money!
January 7th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
This good friend is so thankful for you! Thanks for this blog, I can tell it will be a great resource for me.
January 7th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
I was doing so well, but today I finally slipped a bit. however, like you said, it’s ok to make adjustments, AND it’s ok to slip! SO many people slip up and then just completely give up. That’s not smart, because you should allow yourself to slip up at times, it’s only fair. Not everyone is perfect, and making changes that are life long are going to be difficult. I slipped up, but I’m right back on the wagon! I’m ok with my slip up, and no harm done.
Love the motivational post.
January 7th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Thanks y’all
January 7th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
That quote is SO TRUE. If I tell myself I don’t have the energy to do something, then I don’t do it. What motivates me though is the way I feel after working out versus the way I feel if I don’t. And yes I AM doing well week one of 2010. My life feels back on track and my head is in the right place. It’s gonna be an awesome year!