"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." ~Jim Ryun

Absolutely love this quote, because it is so true!

I'm finally getting a moment to sit down and share some of my tips and tricks for staying motivated in keeping with my healthy lifestyle. *Of course I am not certified, by any means.  Just something I'm passionate about* But, as mentioned in my previous post, I've had a few friends ask me to share such knowledge(Who me? I feel so special! hehe) I was a little scatterbrained with answering the question, which is why I want to write it--err type it out.

So far, I have determined that it all comes down to habits.  I found this awesome quote on Pinterest, of course, and it's brilliant!

It may feel like you are sacrificing and giving up a lot when you decide to go on a diet, lose weight, get in shape, etc.  Really though, perception is everything.  Try to create new habits into your daily routine, and soon enough the bad habits will be dropped like, well, a bad habit!  It doesn't have to be balls to walls, you can start small.  If you skip breakfast (which is common), start eating breakfast!  Maybe it's a banana or maybe it's eggs, turkey bacon and toast.  You make an attainable goal, and promise yourself you will stick to it for a week. That week will turn into a month, and soon enough it will just be a normal part of your day. Another example may be something as simple as weaning yourself off of soda.  If you drink 4 cans a day, go down to 3, and then 2, and yeah...you get the point.

Side note: If you are serious about changing your eating, you need to purge your fridge and pantry.  I know it can be wasteful, but you don't need that temptation.  Trust me!

Here are a few of my personal "habits"

1. Make smaller, attainable goals. When I start a new program, I make short-term goals.  For example: Let's hit the ground running for the 1st week, no excuses, instead of looking at the light at the end of the 3-month-tunnel.  Yes, I do enjoy programs that last 60-90 days.  But, I take it a week at a time.  Sometimes a day at a time, if I'm feeling less motivated.  "It's only 45 minutes out of my day, let's do this!" I sometimes need to trick/remind myself "You will feel better after, just press play/get in the car to go to the gym"

2. Find a buddy. or someone to hold you accountable.  Rob is that person for me, and vice a versa. And my friend Desiree is currently doing the same workout that I'm doing ( I copied her, hehe) and we check in with each other to see how it's goin.  Some people are motivated by having a die-hard work-out partner. This way, you really are held accountable, and don't wanna "bail" on meeting at the gym.  Buy a Groupon with a friend and attend a boot camp or crossfit (if you're a rock star) or some yoga.  There are always great deals, and once you buy it; you wanna get your money's worth.

3. Morning workout.  Yes, I'm "one of those".  Even before Sofie was born, I would wake up at the crack'a'dawn to work out.  Sometimes before the sun had even risen.  It's my favorite way to start the day, and frankly, I get lazier as the day progresses. So i like to get it over with.  Some people like to workout at night, and that's cool too.  Or go on your lunch break, whatev. Do what works for YOU.  Bottom line: create a routine and make it a habit.  Put it in your calendar as an appointment if you have to (or are OCD, Type A personality like yours truly; shameful but true!)

4. Plan/Prep.  Rob and I like to have a "mastermind" meeting to choose what we want for dinner for the week. Makes it easier to grocery shop, and takes the thinking out of it for you.  I don't spend my whole Sunday prepping a week full of meals, but some are religious about it and that's pretty awesome.  We prep a week full of a spinach breakfast casserole, which I shared a month or 2 ago.  Mornings are a little nuts around here, and I won't take 5 minutes to make myself breakfast.  I will, however, take 20 seconds to nuke a piece of this deliciousness in the microwave about 30 min before I hit the gym. You can easily prep lunches.  Like this super awesome Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad that is from Shaun T's new T25 workout. Seriously, so yummy. Oh, and I almost forgot...  I actually prep my workout gear. It's silly, but it's a mental thing. I pick out what I will be wearing the night before: Top, bottoms, sports bra, socks, and shoes.  Put it right on top of my dresser.  I've even heard of people sleeping in their workout gear so there is really no excuse!

5. Daily Juice & Protein Shake.  Part of my daily prep is making our favorite Mean Green Juice that I posted here..  Holy pregnant mama, batman!  Haha anyway, there are a lot of other recipes here.  If you gawk at the fact that you should be eating 5-7 servings of fruits & veggies on the daily, this is a great way to meet that requirement. Another part of my daily routine is to drink a protein shake (currently indulging in Shakeology, mmm chocolate) immediately after my workout.

My favorite protein shake:
1/2 C of frozen fruit
1 tsp ground flaxseed
1 scoop of Shakeology (or 1/2 of that with half of reg whey protein...trying to budget!)
1/2 banana (i share with Sofie!)
Water/Almond Milk-1-2 cups? not sure the exact amount, I add as I go to thin it out
Pinch of Cinnamon (optional)

6. Progress Pictures. Trust me, this has been horrifying for me. And maybe one day, when I reach my ultimate MILF status goal,  I may be ballsy enough to share.  But for now, they are for my eyes only (and Rob, because he takes them for me...and loves me regardless!)  Do not obsess over the scale (though, I succumb to that from time to time) because you should be building muscle along with trimming fat.  Plus, you lose inches before pounds.  Good rule of thumb.  Anyway, I take pictures to compare and see how my workout and eating habits have changed my body.  It's hard to notice from day to day.   But if you compare on weekly, or monthly basis, it is astonishing! I have gotten more compliments since doing my new workout routine, Jaimie Eason's 12 week Trainer and I have only lost 2-3 lbs.  I can see in pictures that my body is getting stronger & leaner.  No # on the scale can match that.

7. Cheat Meal! Saved the best for last, hehe. Throughout the week, we stick to 5 small meals a day that are balanced with healthy fats, simple carbs (yes, you need simple carbs for energy.) & protein. No booze (maybe an occasional glass of wine or happy hour margy) So, we look at this as a reward for sticking to our plan.  Mostly, I truly believe it keeps me sane.  I look forward to our cheat meal (yes meal, not day!) and it motivates me to eat better on all my other meals.  Maybe a Five Guys cheeseburger loaded up with goodies with some fries.  Don't forget about dessert (my fave!) Last weekend, we went on a date night to Grimaldi's for some delicious pizza and a few glasses of wine (or beer for Rob). We earned it!
 
It can take some time to transition into a healthier lifestyle and definitely won't happen overnight. It's easy to give up, so challenge yourself to make a goal and stick to it.  I promise, after a few weeks of eating healthier, you will feel better and will hardly miss 90% of the junk you used to eat.









 As far as what I consume, these are non-negotiable in my life:

1. Stay hydrated.  Water is your new best friend, drink up my friends! I try and drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day (1 glass=8 oz).  I absolutely love my Camelbak water bottle!  I make sure to fill this puppy up at least 3 times (it holds 20 oz) Oh, and Sofie likes it too.

2. No Limit soda!  I gave up soda in HS and really haven't looked back.  Though, I do indulge in some Coke Zero from time to time. Or in a cocktail.  But, very rarely. And honestly, I only have 1, maybe 2 cups of coffee a day (love my Keurig!) You won't miss the extra caffeine once you feel the extra energy from regular exercise and a balanced diet.

3. No Limit booze! So important. I didn't realize how easy it was for Rob and I to drink often.  Out with friends, at home with dinner, at the baseball game, on vacation, while playing softball, celebrating {insert holiday, bday, whatever}, the list goes on.

4. No Limit fast food/processed food!  It's hard to resist getting a full-fledged meal in a matter of minutes and even harder to completely cut out processed food.  If you prepare and plan ahead; you don't need to make any rash decisions and go to Taco Bell.  Though I do go to Sprouts on a weekly basis for our fresh produce versus one big grocery trip, it is worth the 20 minute trip to avoid the nasty bloat feeling I get after eating nasty food.  

Ok, so I guess the above list isn't 100% non-negotioable since there is wiggle room. I really believe you can have everything, in moderation. IN MODERATION.  We live in a society that tends to over-indulge.  Don't let that be you.


Welp, I think I'm done droning on and on.  I hope this was helpful, at the very least it has been a reminder of what works for me.  Next time I'm feeling blah...I can now read this post.  Yay!

Tomorrow I start phase 2 of my workout and I'm a little intimidated, but stoked!  Kicking it up a notch and finally adding some cardio.  I have missed having a good cardio sesh, I crave that feeling I get after sweating it out and burning some major calories.  Why am I such a freak? haha

Of course I must end this post with my ultimate motivation.  To be the best version of myself and inspire my beautiful baby girl to want the same for herself.

Until we meet again,

Lex