Motivation: The Salmon Shorts Edition

These shorts.  The reason my fitness revolution began...in that moment at least.  I just wanted those salmon colored shorts to fit me again!  I have nothing to wear with them, they are not really that cute, but I just needed them to fit without bulging over the top!

Not even really a color...but they used to fit, and I wanted them to fit again, darn it!

Well, this was back in May of 2011.  I was exercising, kind of running, without rhyme or reason.  Basically, I would use exercise as an excuse to eat like a pig once the summer came.  BBQ's and salty foods were the name of the game.  If I ran, then I could eat more delicious summer food!

Nothing budged.  I still looked like a stuffed sausage in the salmon, khaki shorts.  

I had Insanity by Beachbody sitting in the DVD drawer for a while, basically untouched.  That was going to be way too hard and way too much of a commitment.  But it was summer...I thought long and hard...and Bit The Bullet.

My first DAY of Insanity was BRUTAL!  Oh my gosh it was so hard.  I barely got through the Fit Test...the one  before you actually start the workouts to see where you are...and I was at the bottom.

Week 1 was no good.  No good at all.  But, I could feel results.  And that is what kept me going.

Week 2, 3, 4 and I was still feeling results.  Seeing them was a different story.  No 6 pack, no guns; still a sweet muffin top over my stupid shorts.

The half way mark was a turning point.  On to MAX Insanity.  And it's just that.  Insane To The MAX.

Workouts are twice as long and twice as intense.  When you see the hard bodies in the video dropping out for a drink and to compose themselves, you know you've hit the MAX Insanity Level!

Well, I got through the cycle.  It was definitely a feat.  But my shorts were still not fitting the way I wanted them too.  Not like they used to back in...ahem...pre-childbearing years.  But that's no excuse, I told myself!  Get those things to fit!

So, I decided to go through the Insanity routine again.  This time it was...not easier, that's not what I'm trying to say.  I had way more control over my body.  I could feel that I'd developed the muscle strength and some core strength to do a much better job this time around.

Once school started back up, and time was an essence again, I had to start supplementing with running and...I could totally feel a huge difference there too!  My runs were more fluid, and I could feel my core and legs doing so much more of the work.  Less struggle with my upper body.  Way more muscle control.

This brings me to the present day.

Today I popped in Insanity MAX Interval Circuit.  59 minutes of circuit training Insanity.  3 Circuits, 3X each, 45 seconds per exercise.  

Meet Shaun T.  My in-home personal trainer.  He will kick your butt up and down your own living room, or basement, or where ever you decide to let him in.  He won't let you stop until you've gone just a little bit further than you thought you were up for that day.  And then you'll go some more.  Love this guy!  


And, combine running with Insanity and most of all dropping off the excuses at the door.  I can fit into my beloved shorts.  I realize it's the middle of February, and I won't be wearing them for months (and since they're not really that cute in the first place, probably not ever again) but the satisfaction of buttoning them up is good enough for me.


I still have a long way to go.  But, little by little, seeing and feeling changes is the coolest thing.  I was so excited to finish the Circuit today, and that makes me want to do it again!  It's a cycle...one of the healthy kinds!  And that's a good thing!


Seriously, about the shorts, that's just a visual motivator.  You know, a silly goal, that helps you get to a point where you feel like you've gotten back some control...and that's what it's all about!  You ARE  in control.  Every time you make a healthy choice, you've taken one more step toward to your goal, whatever it may be. 


More than all of that...I Feel Better.  I Feel So Much Better.  Days of complete exhaustion and fatigue are Few and Far Between.  I Like Feeling Better!  I know that if I continue on this path, I will keep feeling this way, and that's one of the big factors that keep me motivated.


What motivates you?  

Sticking To It

How are you coming along with your 2012 Resolutions?

I've got to say, I'm inspired by my husband, Kent's determination.  He sparked up his 2012 this past week and is on a mission!

He's been working out, and he's been eating right...way more fruits and veggies, lean meats and salads, less snacking, and keeping track of what he's eating.

Making a Resolution is easy.  Anyone can SAY what they want to happen.  "I want to be healthier", "I want to be stronger", "I want to exercise every day".  Those are all very admirable things to want to do!

I want all of those things too!  The plan to stick to is what will get us all there!

Some tips on sticking to your plan, whatever it may be:

• Say it out loud!  Put it out there!  Tell someone your plan.  They are bound to ask you about it, and you'd hate to have to say that you haven't gotten started yet, or that you tried it for a day, but gave up!
• Write it down...and put it up somewhere!  Kent's meal plan is taped to the kitchen cabinet!  Not the most tasteful decor, but if you ever came over you'd see how un-savvy I am with that anyway!
• Try not to look ahead.  What?  Really, take it ONE DAY AT A TIME!  
• Reward little achievements.  Maybe you'll put $1 (any amound) in a jar for every pound you loose.  OR, you'll do the same for a week of clean eating...whatever motivates you...promise yourself a new pair of kicks for 21 days of sticking to it!
• Focus on how you're feeling.  It feels so good to stick to it...the guilt of letting yourself down is totally not worth the donuts in the break room, or the bag of chips after everyone has gone to sleep!
• Target times for working out.  Whether it's by yourself or with a group.  Kent works out with his football team after school.  He's the coach, and there's nothing more motivating than to see your own coach doing what you're doing!  It's a double whammy!  He's leading by example!  The best way to do it!
• Be realistic!  Losing 50 lbs. in 1 month is unrealistic and unhealthy.  Slow and steady wins the race.  Never eating another brownie in your entire life is not going to happen either.  You almost have to allow yourself a slip up every now and again or you'll go crazy!  Just keep it in perspective and don't let a minor lapse get you off course.  Jump back on the wagon and keep going!
• Don't Give Up!  You might not be physically seeing the results of your healthier lifestyle right away.  The lbs. may not be melting away.  Give yourself time.  It's a process.  Enjoy it!
• Don't call it a Diet!  That word has such a stigma!  What you're doing is changing a lifestyle.  Making your health a priority is much more than a dumb diet!  This is a change for life!

You can always draw inspiration from your biggest fans!

He's rooting for you!

What are some other tips you have for helping us stick to your resolutions and reach our health and fitness goals?