Motivation

*Photo credit to Moodeus

Like most people, I have struggled with my weight and fitness throughout my life. However, after 28 years I think I'm starting to get the hang of what works for me. I HAVE to sign up for some kind of event to keep me motivated. There's something about the sense of accountability that committing to an event helps keep me motivated.

The trick for me is that it has to be something that pushes me beyond my level of comfort. After I graduated from college I first started with a 5k. I had never done anything like it before so it was a new challenge for me. It was the Turkey Trot Thanksgiving of '04. I started training on the 10k track then realized it wasn't going to happen so became more realistic and did the 5k. That summer I did my first sprint triathlon. Woodlake '05. I've always loved to swim, did it for exercise in college, was a lifeguard in the summers, and my boyfriend was a huge cyclist, so for college graduation he bought me a road bike. After riding with him, I felt comfortable on a bike. That's why I decided to sign up for a triathlon. It gave me a plan to work out that was varied too. It wasn't the same thing everyday.

I ended up going the same sprint triathlon 3 years in a row with a few 5ks salt and peppered inbetween. Then 3 years ago, I decided to push it, and signed up for a 10k. It was at the Turkey Trot '07, the same event where I did my first 5k at. About a year and a half later, I did my first half marathon. (Scotland Memorial Fun'd Run 2009)

This year I completed my 2nd half marathon (13.1 Chicago) and this Sunday I have my first triathlon that is beyond a sprint distance. I will be swimming 1k, biking 30k, and running 8k. For me, it's the 8k run (5mi) that's most difficult. But I've been working on it, and excited to see how everything comes together on Sunday.

Why am I talking about my fitness? Well, I've been motivated.

A friend of my brother's just motivated one of his buddies to get his butt in gear and begin his path to a healthier lifestyle. Both have struggled with their health and fitness, and are using their struggles to motivate each other. They're on day 3 of their P90X journey, and it's very motivating. I think it's awesome when people decide to make a positive change in their life. And I think it's our duty as friends or people who can empathize with their struggle, to encourage and motivate them. They're calling it the David Hoffman Improvement Project (DHIP).

Aaron's Blog

David's Blog

I know I'm motivated. Have I been pushing myself as hard as I can? No. Could I get more fit? Of course. After Sunday, it's game on again, and time to up the ante.

So, if you're looking for some motivation to get YOUR butt in gear, stop by these guys blog, and give them a thumb's up.

What are YOU doing to make a change?