Making time to MOVE your body is a challenge that most of us deal with on a daily basis. Most of our jobs are seat-based jobs where we walk from the car, to our desk, to the bathroom, and back to the car – eventually at home in our beds, right?

As a new business owner, I do a lot of phone talking and butt-sitting myself. We are truly building EAT LIFE WHOLE from the ground up. Although I’m in the kitchen and teaching classes with Springer throughout the week, there is a huge part of my day dedicated to the black, pleather chair that we picked up from Craigslist.

So how do I stay motivated to workout?

Before I answer that, let me “re-humanize” myself and reveal all the obstacles that hold me back. I’m sure you will relate to a few. After perusing the list, take a look at all of my MOTIVATIONS. Maybe you’ll be inspired.

OBSTACLES that hold me back:

Lack of commitment
When I don’t commit to a time to workout, it doesn’t happen. There is a ton to do in the day and if “working out” isn’t a top priority, it’ll get skipped.

TIP: When you wake up, create a “to-do” list just for that day. It should include WHAT you are going to do to exercise and the TIME it is going to occur. Remember 15 minutes is more than nothing.

Poor time management
There are days that I schedule time to workout, but it just doesn’t happen. It usually is due to POOR TIME MANAGEMENT and not limiting my other “to-do’s” within a certain time frame.

TIP: An effective and efficient person always sets limits to what they do and when they do it. You can only do so much in a time-block before it affects other areas. If you are still reading this, then you may have suffered from not eating breakfast because you overslept, or maybe you ate something out of the snack drawer instead of eating a proper lunch because your meeting went over. Set limits. That will make room for you to workout.

Thinking too much
When I think too much about all the stuff I have to do OR think about how HARD/CHALLENGING my workout is going to be, I’ll talk myself out of doing it.

TIP: Exercise a muscle in your brain to STOP thinking and JUST do it. You will drive yourself to a DEAD-END when you spend more time THINKING about what you are going to do, rather than just putting yourself into ACTION MODE (this goes for all aspects of your life).

Feeling guilty
This is a big one. I find myself feeling guilty to workout when there are so many other things that need to be done. From growing a business, to spending time with family or friends. The end result is me feeling guilty for doing something that I know is going to help me be sane, happy, healthy, successful, refreshed, and ultimately a better friend, co-worker, sister, and daughter.

TIP: When you finally accept that a few minutes a day doing something to help you feel better IMMEDIATELY and LONG TERM, you’ll understand that the guilt is only associated to your one-way of thinking. Shift your thoughts to truly accept that your journey to be a healthier person, is highly beneficial to you and everyone else around you.

MOTIVATION that keeps me moving:

So now I can answer ALL of things that motivate me to be active.

Great music
I love a good workout mix. It’s essential for my Bootcamp classes I teach AND all of my personal workouts.

> Download an awesome workout mix from a great friend and DJ (DJ Walkoff).

A dad that died too young
For most of you that don’t know me, my father passed when I was 8 months old. He died of a heart attack at 35 years while playing volleyball, leaving 3 young girls, a hardworking wife, a father, and a brother behind. His heart was weak and smoking cigarettes and eating whatever he wanted didn’t help.

My dad pushes me to live a healthier life and to help others do the same. He helps me to remember that TIME is precious. He reminds me to slow down when I want to take on MORE.

> Be motivated by all the people who have passed on in your life. Whether they died of old age or health issues, let them inspire you to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

Feeling good
I feel GREAT when I work out and I bet you do too. Physiologically, exercise has so many benefits, but without even going that deep, the more you incorporate physical activity in your DAILY life, the more you will feel better. You will think clearer, you will have more energy, you will fit better in your clothes, and as a result, you will feel more confident in all you do.

> It’s a win win situation when you give back to your body and workout. Do it because you will feel better.

Seeing results
When you stick with an exercise program that challenges you on a consistent basis, you will see results. Of course there are additional variables (like nutrition) that affects your outcome, but when you COMMIT to creating a healthier lifestyle (via food, exercise, balance, sleep, and more), you will see results. AND the results will keep you motivated to KEEP GOING.

> Be patient and stick with something long enough to see results. Don’t give up before then. It’s well worth the hard work and effort.

Other people’s stories
I love hearing people’s motivational stories. I truly believe that’s how this WORLD goes round. Hearing inspirational stories of people that have leaped over hurdles in their life, keep me moving forward and working hard too.

I keep a binder full of newspaper and magazine clippings of people that inspire me. One of them is Blake Mycoskie, from Tom’s Shoes, whose mission is to supply shoes to people in countries that can’t afford them. It’s not exercise related – it’s LIFE related.

> Find people that inspire you. Listen to their obstacles, their journey, their advice. From their strength, you will find yours.

Be good to yourself my fellow EAT LIFE WHOLE-ists. You have what it takes to be that HEALTHY, HAPPY individual that you HOPE to be. It’s time to transfer the HOPE into ACTION.

Get moving!

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