Must Motivate

I don't know about you, but I find myself saying this phrase to myself alot. "I must motivate" It doesn't matter if it's doing something simple like the laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, working or exercising. Lets face it, sometimes it's really hard to talk yourself into doing something you don't feel like doing! So I want to know, what motivates you??

I have different things that motivate me. It really depends on my mood, time of the month, alignment of the stars.... Sometimes I just get into a funk and nothing motivates me. Like today, I wasn't motivated at all. But I forced myself to sit down and do my work. Then I forced myself to start the laundry. Then my wonderful husband reminded me how much easier it would be to exercise before my son came home from daycare. So I did my time on the elliptical machine. And you know? I felt so much better afterwards! I had to thank my honey for being stern with me. Sometimes you just have to do something even though its the last thing you want to do because its good for you. And you'll feel better for doing something for yourself.

One thing that really gets me going is a new workout DVD. I love to pop that thing into the DVD player and see what its all about. See if it truly challenges me the way it promises me it will. Sure, sometimes they are complete crap. But every now and then you find one that rocks. My personal fave so far is Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. Its hard. Level 3 is beyond exhausting. But it is wickedly awesome! After completing that I feel like doing a nah nah boo boo dance and shouting to Jillian "Ha! You didn't kill me! I did it and survived!" But mostly I just collapse onto the couch and revel at myself for being able to do that workout. I recently picked up Jillian's Shred It with Weights. I haven't cracked into that one yet, but I'm thinking tomorrow is the day for that one!

A friend of mine who is also working on major weight loss has "goal jeans". She sets a goal for herself, maybe its the next size down for jeans, buys a pair and after working hard at her diet and exercise, tries the pants on periodically then rejoices when they fit. I tried this once. It kind of bombed for me, mainly because when I bought the jeans, I had my two kids with me. And I didn't try the jeans on at the store because the kids were just not cooperating. So, I bought this pair of jeans. I happily brought them home, then tried them on and they freaking fit! Needless to say, I have not taken the time to go back to the store to buy a pair the next size down. But it was exhilarating to try those pants on and have them fit! I must admit, it did give me a burst of motivation to work out some more.

I know another person who has a picture of herself at her thinnest on her refrigerator. She says it helps her to keep her focus on her goal. This doesn't work so well for me because I have this knack for finding flaws in every picture of myself. But if it works for you, that's cool.

So I have to ask. What motivates you? What keeps you going? Is it a special occasion that you want to look hot for? I want to know! Please leave a comment with your motivation secret. :o)