Ok, so I'm a little too tired this morning to be excited about anything at all. However, if I DID have the energy I would be thrilled to tell you about my workout yesterday!!!!!!Much of exercise (and life!) - the pain, endurance, motivation etc. seem to be a mental challenge rather than physical. I've been focusing on overcoming the mental aspects of my workouts! Here is what I've been implementing to accomplish this goal:
1. The most challenging part of my workout is with Chad. I keep reminding myself that it's only 30 MINUTES!!! Anyone can endure anything for 30 minutes...or, nearly anything. Therefore I mentally prepare myself for that specific period of time.
2. I visualize myself having a strong workout! I take a few quiet and still moments in my car or during my warm-up on the treadmill and I try to picture myself giving everything I have with each exercise, finishing all my reps of each exercise without stopping and mentally minimizing the pain from exerting myself with the exercises. If for some reason there is a complete, unanticipated change in my workout (like going outside to do stairs!! ahem....Chad!), then I'm all thrown off! :)
3. I wear something that I believe will give me strength. It can anything from a special t-shirt, a
bracelet or ring and even a necklace. I wear an old Catholic pendant necklace that was my Dad's when he was in the Air Force. It's about as old as I am! (and that's wicked old! lol) It looks like this...(see image). It helps because I know when I'm struggling all alone he's there to encourage me in his own way at that very moment. He's always had more confidence in me than I could ever have in myself. (ok..no crying in this blog!!) Plus it's a useful reminder to all that if I pass out or nearly die from a workout then someone at Shaping Concepts can call a priest for me as noted on the back of the pendant. (lol....just kidding!!!!!)It works for me! And I'm quite sure any variation of this could benefit you as well! Give it a try!!
Additionally, I was so proud of myself last night! After a wicked weekend of eating (my worst in 3 months!) I really wanted to push myself at Shaping Concepts yesterday. Chad and I had a great workout together (I'm one step closer to doing push-ups on the ground which is exciting!). I put in 30 minutes doing cardio on the treadmill after my regular workout to "make up" for my bad eating weekend. When Chad and his wife left the building, I ran on the treadmill and completely soaked myself with sweat! It was awesome! (thus why I'm rather tired this morning) It was the best feeling - not only because I worked hard with cardio but I didn't need anyone else to coach or encourage me. (Gosh! Not that I don't need Chad! I'll probably always need him! lol But what I realized is that I CAN do it myself!) I exercised that hard because I wanted to do it!!!! That is so cool to me!!! When I was done my hair was so soaked underneath it was like someone took a glass of water and threw it at the back of my head! (ew...I know...but it's awesome, too!! lol)
I'd love to hear how you motivate yourself in life! What mental "tools" do you use to keep yourself focused, motivated, encouraged, etc.? How has that helped you reach your goals? Do you have any other recommendations that might help me reach my goals?
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Congrats on the great workout! It's not fun getting that soaked but at the same time, it's kind of a proud testament to how hard you worked. I'm not a great person to talk about motivation but competition motivates me...and when the going gets tough, if I focus on the physical aspect of what I'm doing, it drives away the pain/nervousness/fear of failure of whatever it is I'm doing. It is a great feeling though when you are finished with a good workout. You not only get a nice physical feeling but a mental feeling of accomplishment too!
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