Pure Motivation

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Crystal Light Pure Fitness.

I'll be the first to admit, sometimes it's really hard to get motivated. The couch is so comfy. The tub of ice cream in the freezer beckons. It's too windy outside. Or too hot. Or too cold. Or too late. Or too early. Or too tiring. Or too boring.

Here are three ways that I get motivated--three ways that I am able to get myself off the couch, into a pair of sneakers and onto the jogging path, despite the [insert valid-but-not-good-enough excuse here].

Motivator No. 1: Sign up for an event

Here's the #1 way I get motivated: find a local fitness event, sign up, and, most importantly, PAY THE FEE. What I lack in motivation with regard to fitness, I make up for with regard to money. There's just something about charging $35 for a 5K that makes me guilty about not training.

Even better, sign up for an event with a group of friends, create a team name, choose a theme song, and make matching bedazzled shirts. A couple of girlfriends and I are running a 5K in Camarillo this fall and we're blinging out team t-shirts. Oh yes. There are very few places you can still wear bedazzled clothing these days and one of them is at a race (see also: Vegas, bachelorette parties). Seriously, nobody cares what you are wearing (hundreds of men in spandex bodysuits make this point at races around the country). Bedazzling motivates me.

Motivator No. 2: Post a goal on the Internet

There's nothing quite like telling the world wide web that you are going to do something to get you off the couch and down to the gym. When I made my 30 Before 30 list a year ago, I put on that list an intention to run a 5K. And then, for ten months, I ignored the fact that I wrote down that goal. But, as the deadline grew increasingly close, I realized that I didn't want to be the kind of person who could meet goals requiring the eating of ice cream and drinking of beers, but who could not get it together to run a measly three miles. So I pulled my running shoes out from the farthest corner of my closet and started to train.

On numerous occasions, between gasps for breath at mile three, I announced to my husband that I was only "doing this for the list." Publicizing a goal is a fantastic motivator. And, so, on my 31 Before 31? Run a faster 5K.

Motivator No 3: Make Mini-Goals

I'm definitely an instant gratification kind-of gal. I want to put a sticker on a chart for doing a great job today; I have a much more difficult time sticking to a fitness goal where the reward is six months or a year in the future. So, I break things down into small, easy to manage tasks. Last week, I didn't drink any calorie-laden beverages. This week, I'm sticking to the no calorie-laden beverages (thank goodness for Crystal Light Pure Fitness!) and adding a rule that I can't eat after 8 PM. I've committed to walking for thirty minutes, five times this week. I'm keeping track of my weekly goals at Ze Pahmp You Ahp Challenge, where I check in with weekly reports on my weekly objectives. Remember: weekly mini-goals can add up long-term success, except that you get to give yourself a shiny star sticker this week, rather than waiting for some distant end result.

For a chance to win $100 from Crystal Light Pure Fitness, tell me: how do you stay motivated? Or, alternatively, tell me what my 5K team name should be for this fall's 5K!

Rules:

• No duplicate comments.


• You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.


• You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.


• This giveaway is open to US Residents aged 18 and older


• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.


• You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

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By the way, women who drink Crystal Light drink 20 percent more water! Don't forget to stay hydrated, especially as the weather gets warmer!

Comments

[Kelsey Kim]

I really need alone time each day, so going out for a run is a good excuse. Plus, I pay a lot of money for running shoes, so I better use them(as my husband tells me).

[Leah]

It is definitely hard to stay motivated. I do really well when I don't have a full time job and/or a commute . . . but otherwise?

My boyfriend and my health insurance really keeps me motivated in the winter. We join our local gym -- if we go 12 times, our insurance pays for $20 each of the $30 monthly gym membership. So, money, all the way! Signing up for events also helps.

Would Pink Feet be too weird of a name?

[Nicole]

This is quite silly, but 'Pinky and the Brains.'

That is all. x

[Heidi]

i stay motivated by creating goals - running races, doing a challenge with my coworkers. I feed off competition :)

[Madam Procrastinatia]

I try to figure out what is blocking my from achieving my goals - sometimes it's plain old stinkin' thinkin' - and figure out a way around them. Also, being held accountable on my blog & with friends really gets me to push that extra bit when I feel like giving up. Happy workouts!

[Anne]

I stay motivated by having my daughter as a fitness buddy, we keep each other going.

[Anne]

I tweeted
http://twitter.com/lunaj1456/status/16231026958

[lesli]

I do the sticker motivation except I do it on my calendar--each day I work out I put up a fun Hello Kitty sticker or something - I love seeing the stickers marching across my calendar. And when I flip back through the months I see how good I was!

[Jameil]

I'm down with all of those tips. Run a 5k is on my 30 Before 30 along with work out 3xs a week for a year (again). My blog la familia knows so now it's time for me to do it!!

[Hope]

I want a bedazzled shirt and a theme song! Clearly, I am on the wrong coast.

I stay motivated by always having something to train for.

[kl jasus]

several things motivate me to work out. rain: if it rains i usually hit the gym. coffee: enlivens my sluggish body to get moving. the mirror: one look and i'm hitting the gym, or biking my son to the park.

[Meghan]

On days I am feeling not so motivated, I remind myself after working out I never think, "Damn, I wish I didn't do that!"

[Gail K.]

My motivation to workout is to keep up with my husband. He and I get up at 6:00 every day to go to the gym together. I know that neither of us would be willing to go alone, but because we go together, it makes getting up that early a little more bearable. And, we feel good the rest of the day!

[Karina]

working out with my husband keeps me motivated

[Erin from Long Island]

To stay motivated, I like to crank the music, lose myself in some sport on tv, and focus how much stronger I am getting.

[Erin from Long Island]

tweeted

http://twitter.com/erunuevo/status/16681376098

[mami2jcn]

I try to make exercise fun and listen to good music. Sometimes I'll daydream while I'm exercising...it's fun and I get to escape reality for a while.

[amber]

How about "We Sweat Pink" for your name, or "Pumping Up the Pink" to make it feminine but to also show how much butt you guys will kick! :)

[amber]

I tweeted also:
http://twitter.com/lipstickncandy/status/16768900379

[Brittney]

Music is definitely my motivation. Also, the fact that I want to be healthy and fit if/when my husband and I start trying to start a family.

[Jessica P]

my health and desire to get healthier motivates me

[katey]

I blog my weight loss progress and stay accountable for all my own actions. I keep a food journal (boooooring! I know!) and attend weekly weight watchers meetings.

[June]

I remind myself that I want to wear a bikini when we go to the lake!

[Sunny]

I try to keep my goal in mind, and I have friends with similar goals... we made a private Facebook group to hold each other accountable and check in/whine about how we're feeling about our diet/fitness. It is great motivation!

[b]

I have friends that run, and they help keep me motivated!