Sunday, May 26, 2013

Motivation ... or the lack thereof.


I will gladly admit that I am a very driven and achieving individual.  I have been called an overachiever by a few people as well.  I take great pride in the work I’ve done so far, both personally and professionally.  I may not have accomplished everything I want in life quite yet, but I do consider myself to be quite young still. If all goes to plan, I have many, many great years ahead of me.  I intend to take advantage of every single one.

Most days, I am pretty motivated.  The intensity of the motivation varies from a teensy bit motivated/I got myself out of bed, what more do you want? to I CAN CONQUER THE WHOLE DAMN WORLD.  I say that I typically lie between the two extremes: Let’s get sh-t done!

From TurboFire's FB page.
However, there are days when my motivation is at the low end.  Just barely in the I got myself out of bed category.  These typically happen when I am low on energy or just in a horrendous mood … or both.  I’ve had more of those days than I can count since I started graduate school.  As I’ve previously mentioned, grad school and internship can be so draining, physically and mentally.  I didn’t know my brain could be this tired; however it does make sense.  I am utilizing a lot of mental and physical energy, despite me trying to deny it sometimes.

As with almost everyone out there, I lose motivation to do things sometimes.  Specifically exercising.  My first round of TurboFire, I only missed a total of about 5 days, but I backed up a week and really only skipped one workout.  My second round (the one I am currently in), I’ve missed … quite a few days.  More than five.  I don’t know that it was and is about 2013 thus far, but my energy levels seems to deplete quite quickly.

I find that not being motivated is so discouraging.  I hate feeling unmotivated.  For the most part, I really enjoy working out, especially to TurboFire.  But those days where I just want to sit on my couch and do nothing – well, I just sit on my couch and do nothing.

These unmotivated days do not last long, but I find myself really struggling to be motivated sometimes.  So what works for me?  I’ve found that I need reminders of how far I have come in terms of fitness and life in general.

From TurboFire's FB page.
  • The fact that, at age 16, I weighed 190 lbs., possibly more, and that at age 28, I weigh almost 60 lbs. less.   I look better and am much healthier than I was at 16.
  • The fact that, two years ago, I got serious about losing weight and have managed to keep the weight off since then.
  • The fact that I can complete something like the Fire 60 class for TurboFire and not pass out at the end.
  • The fact that I can complete a workout program while still doing school and internship
  • The fact that I can look at my body in the mirror and not be completely disgusted by it.
  • The fact that I can go up a flight of stairs without wanting to die.
  • The fact that I wanted to do something with my life – thus, master’s in clinical psychology with a specialization in counseling psychology and moving to Chicago to do so. 


Once I start thinking about what I have done so far, the motivation starts creeping back in.  If I need an extra push, I go to Chalene Johnson’s or TurboFire's Facebook page and look at some of the inspirational quotes she posts.  They’re always so positive and sometimes the one last thing I need to read before I scamper off to change into my workout clothes.

What do you do to get yourself motivated – not just for working out, but for work, school, life?

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Sunday Check-in and Chicago Style Fun: May 5, 2013


Current Weight, as of 5/3/13: 132.0 lbs.
Ideal Range: 130-135 lbs.


As you can see, I am sitting at a cool 132.0 lbs.  I was surprised to see that number this morning, as I binged so hard yesterday when out with a good friend of mine.  I mean, we’re talking an “M burger” from M Burger, a chocolate shake, a chocolate hazelnut latte, and a chocolate chip cookie of pretty epic sizes.  Yes, I did walk around and do some light shopping to celebrate the end of the semester, but that did not burn off nearly enough as I needed it to!  I went home full and content but developed a weird stomach ache that lasted the rest of the night.  Punishment for being a glutton, perhaps? ;) 

Hey, it's officially the end of second semester!  I deserve a treat, and boy did I treat myself yesterday!  Not only did I indulge on some delicious treats, but I bought a dress and a striped t-shirt as well.  I'm all about stripes, so this trend of stripey things has made me a very happy girl.  

Though I didn't work out yesterday and might not tonight, I am not fretting about it.  For whatever reason, I've been thinking about my need to work-out.  There are days where I feel like absolute crap if I don’t work out, and this bizarre thought of “I’m going to gain my weight back” creeps into my head.  Luckily, my logic takes over and bats that thought away.  I know I won’t gain it back because I skip one or two days of exercising.  Further, I reached a point where I am okay with my weight, plus or minus a pound or two! 

Working out has gone from a necessity to lose weight to something I really enjoy doing.  I mean, it’s TurboFire.  I get to shake my butt and do a more dancey version of kickboxing.  This program helped me get through grad school AND managed to keep my weight in check AND help me build some muscles at the same time.  It’s fantastic.  And I do it because I love it, not because I have to.  In fact, I get some of the songs/routines stuck in my head, and it takes my all not to jump up and start doing the routine wherever I am.

Anyhow, I’ll leave you with two photos I took yesterday while out in Chicago.  It is finally (FINALLY!) Spring out here and it is showing.  It was nice to walk around without a thick coat on, that’s for sure!

(Oh, I know I need to post a review of TurboFire, too.  Now that I’m doing the advanced DVD’s, I’ll most likely post a review after those.)

John Hancock Center

Tulips on Michigan Avenue

It still trips me out to know that I live in freakin' Chicago.  

Anyway, I hope you all have a great week.