Staying motivated can be tough

But you CAN do it!  The weather this spring (at least that is what the calendar says) has been working against people getting outside and active.  We should be thinking about working outside in the yard, training for a 5K, or playing ball with the kids.  However the chilly temps and regular rain has put a damper on that, so how can we get motivated??

About 400 women signed up for the free Freihofer's Training Challenge.  The Challenge is a couch to 5K program to get women ready for the June 4th 5K.  So many women wrote on their registration forms that they have trouble sticking with a program and now our numbers have dwindled.  Fewer women are showing up for the workouts.  We need to get back on track.  How - motivation.

Hislop take on Motivation
M - make it doable - give yourself a goal you can make.  Do 3 workouts this week with no excuses
O - overcome your fears - we are always tentative starting something new - as Nike says 'just do it'
T - try - you never know what you can do until you try.  Get that workout in and push a little harder
I - inspire - you are inspiring those around you.  When you decide not to do a workout choose to inspire instead
V - victory - remember how you will feel when you have achieved your targets and goals
A - achieve - think how great you will feel when you achieve your goal
T - tough - life is tough you need to be tougher
I - internal - it is all about you, you take the steps and make the changes = positive attitude
O - opportunity - this is your chance to make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you
N - new -"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." Albert Einstein

Regular exercise can become a way of life, so much so that when people don't exercise they feel tired, crabby, sluggish, etc.  In the same way starting an exercise program can make you tired, achy, and doubting your ability.  The challenge is to push through and stick with it.  After just a few weeks you will sleep better, feel stronger, have more energy and even miss your workouts!  Changing behavior is NOT easy.  I wrote about change in an examiner article related to dieting.  It really is not all that different when starting an exercise program.  Many people hover in the contemplation stage - thinking about start to work out or thinking about tackling a 5K.  Preparation can be the biggest hurdle - that is taking the first step.  By making a commitment you can move to action.  Almost 400 women made it to the action phase by signing up for the Training Challenge and then attending the first workout.  Sad to say many people don't always succeed on the first try.  If you took action, but have fallen back to the preparation stage where you still have intention to act then here is your chance.  Give it another go.

The name of this blog is Do. Believe. Achieve.  Taking that first step to actually do is incredibly hard.  And then on top of that you have to believe you can do it; that you can stick with it.  For some of you you must believe that you are worth it.  Do and Believe and the Achieve gets much easier!

Yes the weather has been working against us, but don't use that as an excuse.  Get out there and do for you.  If you already workout on a regular basis take your next workout to a new level - feel the pure power of your own body.  Marvel at what you are able to do, not what you think you should be able to do.  Look at yourself as probably others already do - a strong and competent athlete!  Now get out there and tackle spring.