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!
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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).
Posted by: Kelsey Kim | June 14, 2010 at 04:05 PM
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?
Posted by: Leah | June 15, 2010 at 05:00 AM
This is quite silly, but 'Pinky and the Brains.'
That is all. x
Posted by: Nicole | June 15, 2010 at 05:49 AM
i stay motivated by creating goals - running races, doing a challenge with my coworkers. I feed off competition :)
Posted by: Heidi | June 15, 2010 at 06:08 AM
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!
Posted by: Madam Procrastinatia | June 15, 2010 at 07:44 AM
I stay motivated by having my daughter as a fitness buddy, we keep each other going.
Posted by: Anne | June 15, 2010 at 08:06 AM
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/lunaj1456/status/16231026958
Posted by: Anne | June 15, 2010 at 08:08 AM
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!
Posted by: lesli | June 15, 2010 at 08:21 AM
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!!
Posted by: Jameil | June 15, 2010 at 09:42 AM
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.
Posted by: Hope | June 15, 2010 at 12:49 PM
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.
Posted by: kl jasus | June 15, 2010 at 07:06 PM
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!"
Posted by: Meghan | June 16, 2010 at 08:29 AM
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!
Posted by: Gail K. | June 18, 2010 at 06:19 AM
working out with my husband keeps me motivated
Posted by: Karina | June 18, 2010 at 11:11 PM
To stay motivated, I like to crank the music, lose myself in some sport on tv, and focus how much stronger I am getting.
Posted by: Erin from Long Island | June 21, 2010 at 02:21 AM
tweeted
http://twitter.com/erunuevo/status/16681376098
Posted by: Erin from Long Island | June 21, 2010 at 02:46 AM
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.
Posted by: mami2jcn | June 21, 2010 at 11:27 AM
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! :)
Posted by: amber | June 22, 2010 at 05:40 AM
I tweeted also:
http://twitter.com/lipstickncandy/status/16768900379
Posted by: amber | June 22, 2010 at 05:41 AM
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.
Posted by: Brittney | June 27, 2010 at 07:50 AM
my health and desire to get healthier motivates me
Posted by: Jessica P | June 28, 2010 at 11:26 PM
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.
Posted by: katey | June 30, 2010 at 08:54 AM
I remind myself that I want to wear a bikini when we go to the lake!
Posted by: June | June 30, 2010 at 09:17 AM
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!
Posted by: Sunny | July 04, 2010 at 07:10 PM
I have friends that run, and they help keep me motivated!
Posted by: b | July 07, 2010 at 04:58 PM