Motivation Station

I wanted to write today about motivation because lately, I haven't been very motivated. With everything in my life. You know when you feel down, and that just makes you feel heavy? Yeah, that's me the past couple weeks. I know that I don't like feeling this way, and that I only have to set a few things in motion to be content again, but sometimes, its easier just to let things slide.

Except a few months ago, I made a promise to myself that I would let myself feel everything I wanted to feel, but that I would not let myself dwell in the darkness for too long. I know I deserve to be happy, and I know that I'm the only person in control of my happiness. 

So today, I decided to make a choice to get some work done that I had been procrastinating. Once I got to work, I realized that it made me feel so good to get something off my checklist, that I kept going and ended up ahead of where I had planned. Then, because of feeling so accomplished, I made a choice to get a good work out in today for the first time in about a week. Once I started, the motivation compounded on itself and caused me to continue to make better decisions for the rest of the day. That first decision to DO something made a huge difference.

It's not easy. I get it. Most of the time, its easier to sit on the couch, or to eat that extra bite, or to keep things as they have always been. But only when we push ourselves, make ourselves feel uncomfortable, are we able to grow and experience new things. It takes work, and it takes time. But I truly believe that taking small, determined steps, consistently over time, is the key to achieving success.

Ask yourself honestly, who do you want to be, and what are you willing to do to become that person? No one else can do it for you; you are the only person in the world that can change your life. Are you afraid change who you are? Good. Life is not about finding out who you are, it's about creating who you are.

Here are just a few things that have inspired me:

ShayCarl's Inspirational Running Video
Inch by Inch speech set to rowers
Michael Pollen's book, In Defense of Food
The Honeybee blog Health posts
Super Size Me (Documentary, 2004)

What are some things that motivate you? Is it watching Youtube videos? Looking at fitness photos on Pinterest? Reading inspirational success stories? Write your goals in a journal or blog? Let me know what you do to be the best you. And please leave suggestions of articles/documentaries/videos/books that have inspired you! 

xo kristen genevieve 

Today Is The First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life

Even though it was a rainy day here in Vermont, I have promised myself that I will make no excuses to avoid being healthy! Over the past 10 months, I had gained 20lbs. Three months ago, I decided I needed to make a change to feel better about myself, and today I stand just 2lbs short of losing all the weight I had gained. I wasn't happy that I let myself go, but losing nearly 20lbs has inspired me to be healthier than I ever was before.

There is no special sauce to losing weight. Eating well (not too much, mostly plants) and exercising consistently have been the keys to my weight loss success.
Some people love sweets, but personally, I love cheese. If I want to indulge with some cheese, I choose mozzarella or feta (lower fat) rather than brie. I don't eat myself sick, but I don't fret about a few calories here or there. Moreover, I have chosen to eat more healthy overall, including adding a daily homemade smoothie to my routine.
When it comes to exercising, consistency has been so crucial for me. If I take more than one day off, I feel much more sluggish, heavy, and weak, which makes me less motivated to work hard that day. This isn't the case for everyone, but I still believe that consistency is key. If I miss a day, I don't stress, but I don't let myself make more excuses the next day. 

Each day is a new day, and today is the first day of the rest of your life! 

Today's workout was some light running in the sprinkling rain with some squats, push ups and abs. Today's lunch was my usual smoothie plus a simple spinach salad. 

Two cups water, juice from half a lemon, between 1-2 cups spinach, 2 bananas, organic frozen mango & organic frozen blueberries. Yum!

  Spinach with olive oil, fresh ground pepper, cayenne (because everything I eat must have some spice) & topped with a few sesame sticks to add a little bit of crunch and salt (not too much!).

xo kristen genevieve