Motivation to Change



Lovely Friend,

   If you are like me, then you have struggled with the motivation to change your health.  Unfortunately, my motivation was often a "reward" of the food that I wasn't allowed to have.  What?!  Admitting that flaw is laughable and ludicrous, but for so long it was my bizarre motivation to get healthy.  If I just lost "x" pounds then I could eat a molten chocolate cake or some other highly craved "off-limits" food.  This strange motivator was not only ridiculous, but it only worked temporarily! With my new motivation to focus primarily on health improvements rather than weight loss, I have also decided to change my motivation.

   Because I know that I already have emotional ties to food, I have nixed using them as a motivation for continuing my health journey.  I also know that I was not motivated by my improved looks and new clothing size.  I am by no means saying that I would not love a much smaller clothing size, but this is motivator is too long-term to keep me going.  I know I  need something short-term, tangible and fun.  With those ideas in mind, I came across an ad for the color run on Facebook.  I clicked on it out of curiosity, and found it was the perfect fun and tangible motivator. With only 3 months to be able to run 3.2 miles, it also is a great short-term goal!

  Since deciding that this goal would be a good fit for me, I have gotten on a regular schedule going to the gym 3-4 times per week.  I am highly motivated by how great I have felt.  In addition to feeling great, I am able to even hit the gym when I don't feel like it because I don't want to lose the progress that I have made.  I know how hard that I work for just a small amount of progress, so I am motivated to keep going to not only maintain the progress, but keep it going.

  This goal has had a positive affect that I did not originally foresee, but I am so excited that it has occurred!  This new motivator has given my husband and I a new activity to do together.  My hubby has become my constant encourager.  He has become the one that matches each step and pushes me in love to reach a little further each time.  This has given our marriage a new depth and I absolutely love it!


  So, dear friend, I encourage you to round up a few friends and sign yourselves up for the next local run!  It can be such a great motivator and including some friends can definitely keep you accountable!

Giving it my all,
Jess