How to Stay Motivated during the Winter Blah’s

Yes, we are almost to the month of March 2011 people.The New Year’s parties are over. The Valentine’s candy is gone, but what happened to that little pad of paper  or picture by the fridge that had those resolutions on it. Let’s go back to that list and take a look. Humm….

1) I will lose 20lbs
2) I will cut back on the chips
3) I will actually use my gym membership
4) I will start walking for 45 minutes
OK, enough of the list and let’s take a look at the daily pressures and stressors of your environment. It takes 3 solid weeks to get on track and break the habits of old.

Here are 5 tips for someone looking to make their own transformation?

1. Decide that this is something YOU want to do for YOURSELF.  There isn’t another person out there who should “talk you into it.”  Other people can be your motivation (i.e. your children, spouse, etc) but they cannot and should not force you to do something your not willing to want to do for yourself.  It starts with YOU!
2. Look in the mirror and visualize your ultimate goal for yourself.  Don’t look in the mirror and say “I want to look like Serena Williams or L.L. Cool J.”  Look in the mirror and say “I want to be the best ME!”  Think about if you were able to reach that goal, how you will feel.  Then decide to commit to it – what an empowering feeling that no one else can give you but you can give to yourself!
3. Ignore the negativity.  I remember going through my transformation and my family and friends telling me how “crazy” I was for not indulging myself in good foods and drinking.  “You only live once,” they would say.  Yes, I only live once, and I want to be healthy and look amazing…thank you very much.
4. Invest in an IPod Nano or MP3, load it up with your favorite music, zone out and tune into your workout, walk or run.
5. Find a local charity event that represents something you believe in supporting. This can be the American Cancer Society  Making Strides, or the LiveStrong Run and/or Cycling weekend. Register for a Tour de Cure cycling event near you.  Once you found a date, get your physical from your Doctor, and get your training plan together to prepare for the BIG EVENT. The most important part of this process is to notify your friends and family that you are making the committment and you will need their support to keep you on track. 

In 2007, I said enough is enough. That one step has led me to complete a 500 mile bike tour from Pittsburgh, PA to South Jersey in a week with great friends. It led me to numerous body building competitions, duathlons, 5Ks and a few LiveStrong Cycling Centuries.