And yes, I know it’s Wednesday… but I had to win friends and influence people with my shark culling post on Monday, and then on Tuesday, well… god only knows where it went. So, I’m taking a leaf out of other bloggers’ books by offering up a Motivation Monday. ‘Cept it’s on a Wednesday.
Firstly don’t think this post will feature vomitous Fitspiration Memes cos they make me throw up in my mouth more than a little bit. When you’re 50kg overweight seeing pics of ridiculously slim or fit peeps with perfect abs telling you to ‘Go Hard or Go Home’ just isn’t gonna cut it. Plus… most people are never gonna look like that. I know (those memes) do it for some people who aspire to perfection, but for the rest of us…. #meh.
I’m trying to find most of my inspiration (to be fitter and healthier) from within. And yes… I know that sounds wanky, but it’s true. I’ve tried the externally-imposed motivation before and it hasn’t worked.
Anyhoo – I’ve felt bad about myself for a very long time and wanted to lose weight for all sorts of weird and wonderful reasons. But… I thought I’d share with you a couple of odd bits and pieces I have saved on my computer which I aspire to be inspired by. If that makes sense.
1. The weekend jeans
2. Freedom of movement
3. A jawline
I know it seems vain to include pictures of me – when I was far FAR from perfect – but it’s a reminder that perfection isn’t necessarily the end goal. Any better version of me is all I’m after.
What inspires you to be fitter and healthier?
Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys and the gang for Wordless Wednesday.
February 5, 2014
Hi Deb, I like your Motivation Monday, err Wednesday post (not wanky at all!)
I find that we, ourselves, personally are terribly hard on ourselves. (But seriously, who would wear jeans at home since the invention of track pants?!)
🙂
February 5, 2014
Oh, Lee-Anne…I’m with you!
February 5, 2014
Oh yes… I live in the most disgusting clothes when at home – which is a problem given I mostly work from home. But… some people do find jeans comfy. Apparently. 🙂
February 5, 2014
They’re the people who can wear them without damage to their internal organs, I suspect.
February 5, 2014
None of those motivational posters or sayings or whatever do it for me either. Vanity is my motivation. My doctor has just thrown the ‘you’ve won the hormonal lottery’ card at me & threatened me with medication & increased breast cancer risk if I don’t get serious. My current loss rate of 500g a week apparently doesn’t cut it. Yes, I’m motivated now.
February 5, 2014
Oh wow! I go to the doctor on Friday and need to admit to some chest pain off and on. She’s pretty good but I guess at least I can tell her I’m finally (again) trying to do something about my health so I don’t think she’ll be too mad at me re the weight thing…
February 5, 2014
I’m naughty- I haven’t been for years- & then it was for rabies shots! Apparently my gut health is chronically bad, & I’m back into oestrogen overload again. The fat produces more oestrogen, which spirals the problem. I’m losing about 500g a week on WW, but I am still drinking & having a treat meal a week. Also, my portion sizes are bad. So, the target is the gut first, portion sizes, & completely grain & dairy free. Then we have to tackle the alcohol. Grrrrrrrr. Hey, it’s reality.
February 5, 2014
Hey Deb
I’m with you. Motivation has got to come from within. In the next 3 years I clock up 25 years of marriage and have the “BIG 50”, the second of which really scares the shit out of me. However, it has given me the motivation to do something about my weight and fitness. It’s amazing, now, 4 months into the regime Mon – Fri I religiously get up and go to the gym. Don’t feel like it at 5am but by the time I hit work at 8am I’m motivated and ready for the day (although this has only come in the last couple of weeks). Its a hard slog but I’ve just resided myself to the fact that I have to do it so I do? I don’t know if that makes sense to anyone else but it works for me!!
February 5, 2014
Oh certainly! Getting into a routine is the most important thing – it becomes a habit. I used to go to the gym at lunch in my former workplace (they only had lunchtime classes). It became a habit and I didn’t think twice when the reminder popped up on my computer. I’d scheduled the time in there everyday so I had no excuses.
February 5, 2014
This is the way that all Motivation Mondays should be. I winced when I looked at the photo of the flexible girl. Running and flexibility doesn’t generally co-exist in one body. I would love to be able to do that without fear of tearing something.
February 5, 2014
Hee hee. I feel that way about running Char.
February 5, 2014
I weighed 90 kg at one point. It may not seem like much but when I’m only 162 cm (5ft 4in) it’s a LOT. I had chronic fatigue then, so there was no way I could exercise.
Today I generally waver between 60 to 65 kg. Some months I’m bigger than others and I’ve learnt to be fine with that. Because honestly, going from a size 10 to a size 12 is peanuts compared to the day when a size 16 was tight like lycra.
When I do feel myself put on weight though, I consciously choose not to get stressed or worried or feel ugly. None of those help. And I find that when I’m unhappy about my weight, I just tend to bloat up even more. When I don’t stress about it, my body just finds its equilibrium again and I just slim down naturally again a kg or two without even trying.
For me it’s about understanding and loving my body cycles. I know what triggers weight gain (periods, work stress, lack of sleep, lack of exercise) and so instead of focusing on “weight loss” I focus on bringing my life back to equilibrium again the way I like it to be. To be the way I like to live.
February 5, 2014
Oh yes… I love the sound of the equilibrium! I’m doing Weight Watchers, but trying to make it less about my weight and more about comfort, my health and so forth.
PS. The cycles thing is interesting though. My hormones are a lot more wayward than they once were.
February 5, 2014
Focusing on comfort and wellbeing is the best way to go! 🙂 I don’t think about my health that consciously. I go with the “feel” and function of my body. It lets me know if something needs changing ie. more water today! more fruits today! etc. 🙂
I tried WW back then too. I did lose weight initially but I gained it right back. There were many factors that made WW unsustaniable for me then. When taking a shower is too much to take, cooking healthy is impossible.
I’ve come to the personal conclusion that womens bodies have very pronounced cycles that impact us physiologically and psychologically in ways that we don’t seem to talk about. Especially when the impacts are “bad” like mood dips, weight gain, energy dips etc. When really it’s all natural and we should learn to honour and respect and work with our natural cycles.
I’m only in my 30s but already I am aware that my hormonal cycles have changed too, from my 20s, not in comfortable ways either but I see the discomfort as adjustment to a new yet natural change. We’re always changing.
February 5, 2014
Whatever it takes to get you motivated. For me it was seeing photos of myself at my daughter’s 4th birthday party and looking at how sad my eyes looked. Just keep swimming xxx
February 6, 2014
Thanks Emily.
February 5, 2014
I am motivated when my pants get tight, it’s straight into healthy food and not as much of it, and walking more 🙂 Bit like a yo-yo, sigh……
February 6, 2014
Sadly in the past I’ve just shelved those tight pants and re-donned the comfy tracky dacks!
February 6, 2014
They are great motivators. I too use old photographs of me to motivate…it works, I remember what weight I was in some photos and strive to go back…but it isn’t always easy 🙂 Good luck! Cheers, Tanya
February 6, 2014
Thanks Tanya!
February 6, 2014
I love the first photo. It just symbolises feeling comfortable in one’s own skin and something I continue to work on x
February 6, 2014
Yes, true.
February 7, 2014
Thank you for an honest post by a real woman. I am fed up to the back teeth with memes of “perfect” women and “beginner” workouts that are impossible for me.
February 7, 2014
Yes…. me too!
February 10, 2014
Oh, I love this post and share the sentiment(s) except perhaps the jeans thing – no way I’m going to wear jeans indoors and feel comfy!
I also would like to have a jawline – I’m one of those people who are prone facial fat / double chins. I envy people who gain fat in other areas of their body, not their faces. Any extra weight goes straight to my jawline. 🙂
I guess my major motivators are looks – I’d like to have that jawline plus my waist back and be able to buy nice clothes – but also my future health.
Those fitspiration memes don’t do it for me either. I think they’re for younger women who are still relatively unrealistic…
February 10, 2014
Very true Satu – I think I’m mature enough to know that I’m never gonna look like those women – plus I don’t think I want to. I can’t imagine what I’d have to give up or how much I’d have to train!