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Motivation Monday

[ 27 ] 01/04/2010 |

Our NEW posting schedule for 2010, just in case you haven’t seen it yet.

The schedule will go like this: Motivation Monday, True Confessions Tuesday, Weigh-in Wednesday, Thursday’s 3’s, Fitness, Friday, The Saturday Review, and Recipe Sunday.

We’re so innovative, aren’t we?!

So yeah. I’m supposed to talk about motivation or something like that.

Motivation is the activation or energization of goal-oriented behavior. Motivation may be intrinsic or extrinsic.

Intrinsic: from within….. I enjoy running.  It makes me feel good, it’s a good stress relief, I like the feel of my legs pumping hard to propel me forward.  I like sweating.  The motivation comes from within.

Extrinsic: from outside of the person…..Dare I admit this?  Oh yes, I dare.  I like going to the gym and staring/checking out/drooling over the hard bodies.  I can’t believe I just typed that. Yep, under the cover of “reading” my magazine, I am really oogling the guy with the lean, muscular body working out a few machines over.  Or the woman with the thin, toned body with just a small trace of body fat doing push-ups over there I bet she didn’t squeeze out three babies in 5 years time.  Tell me I ‘m not alone.

This doesn’t just happen at the gym.  I could be on th trail running and notice these things.  Or shopping at the mall or buying groceries or at the library.  I constantly notice people and how fit they look and wondering how much harder and longer I will have to work to look like that.

Am I crazy in my thinking?

However, I realized something.  I may never look like that man (doh!) or that woman.   However, I will do my very best to lose the extra pounds that cling to my frame, to eat healthy, to be cardiovascular fit.  If that means that I get to have a lean, toned body in the process, then GREAT. AWESOME. COOL.

If not, that’s OK.  I know that what I am doing is GOOD FOR ME, FOR MY LONG TERM HEALTH.  And if I am doing the things I should be doing (eat right/exercise/take care of my soul), then my body will look the way it is supposed to look.

What about you?  What motivates you?  Intrinsically?  Extrinsically?

Do you need ME to motivate YOU?!

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Category: Lisa, Rethink Your Shrink

About lisa: I'm a runner, duathlete and future triathlete. I love to cook, drink margaritas, socialize with friends, and I laugh with my entire body. I'm the mother of three kids (ages 8, 6 and 3.5), I turn 40 years old in 2012, and I'm trying to find a peaceful acceptance with my body. I am slowly coming into my own, finding a true passion with empowering and motivating women to conquer their fear of the unknown when taking up running for the first time. View author profile.

  • http://www.babytealeaves.blogspot.com Christie O.

    good morning, Lisa!!! Yes, watching all those hardbodies makes me a lift a little harder too!! Plus I have a couple secret crushes that make going to the gym not so bad. LOL for me, just the simple act of putting on my workout clothes is half the battle. I'm sure to get out the door if I just put the workout gear on! HAHA!

  • spbray

    Good morning! I think we all secretly enjoy peeking at the gym ;o), I know I do. motivation is an issue as well as follow through. I think I need a sticker chart, just like I have for my kids :)

  • http://runninginagirlsworld.wordpress.com/ Kirsten

    Intrinsically? I love how strong running makes me feel.
    Extrinsically? I love knowing that I look good for having three kids.

  • http://thesassymama.blogspot.com Heather

    Uh yeah, who DOESN'T look at the gym? It is umm, good motivation? ;)
    Intrinsically? I love exercising because I literally feel like my insides are working better. Like today, I woke up and actually felt lighter and tighter because I had a great run yesterday.
    Extrinsically? Ok, I hate to admit I look at glossies – US, ect. And yes, looking at all the famous people could be a bad thing, but I like to look at them and then congratulate myself on attempting to do it without a personal trainer/chef/aesthetician/massuese/makeup artist/stylist/assistant/nanny. Go ME!

  • http://themurchisonfamily.blogspot.com/ lauren

    Reading about others being inspired makes me inspired.

    And the huge motivation right now is that my husband has a work conference in March………in Miami. Yikes. I need to get moving. The holidays tore me up this year.

  • BrookeF

    i'm motivated by my mental health. i'm a much happier person when i'm active and eating good quality foods. none of this laying around whining “i'm bor-ed” “i'm fat” “i'm ugly”.

    and yes, my husband did have to listen to that practically every Sunday night. now i'm moving too much to get bored, have worked off some of the fat, and starting to see the beauty inside me :)

  • http://www.icommit2befit.blogspot.com Meg @ I commit 2 be fit

    My Motivation? Hmm…something silly but I just want to look HAWT in my swimsuit this summer! I'm a younger Mommy (Mid 20's) and I want to look like all the friends that I hang out with…you know…the skinny ones who have ZERO baby fat and ZERO stretch marks – ya them! But I also want to feel good in my own skin & feel sexy and just love me for me! OH Also the fact that my family thinks I'm going to wuss out & quit – so there's a bit of competition as well! :)

  • footdr69

    I LOVE this post!!! Intrinsically….Its just the essence of “Me” ….I am my Own Sucess video in the making!!! ;-) Extrinsically…..I am a people watcher as well!!!! I look, admire, and imitate…(highest form of flattery, right?) Also….Music Motivates me…The Words…the Beats….ALL OF IT!!!! I take my Ipod EVERYWHERE!!! Ok…Time for my noon cardio stroll!
    Love ya Lots
    Monique

  • http://www.littleladybugthatcould.blogspot.com ladybugs714

    Although my motivation has been buried lately, it's making a reappearance!

    Inner motivation-Wanting to live a long and healthy life. (My mother was only 56 when she passed away-I want to do everything I can to make the most of what I have)

    Outer motivation-being able to look in a mirror sideways and not suck it in!

  • anng

    My motivation comes from reading about the successes of my friends here at the Sisterhood!
    I love that when I need an extra boost I can get it over here!
    The other thing that motivate me is knowing that I have a 6 year old who “needs” to have a healthy mom (he's so active that it makes me feel like a slacker when I'm not moving) ….so that's what I'm aiming for!

  • http://www.whooosthatgirl.com Lissa_ShrinkingJeans

    My intrinsic motivation… I like how I feel when I exercise and am thin(ner).

    My extrinsic motivation… Totally want to be a hot mama, wear cute clothes (and look good in them!). I totally check out men and women at the gym, too.

  • http://www.babytealeaves.blogspot.com Christie O.

    YES!!!!

  • http://www.babytealeaves.blogspot.com Christie O.

    I LOVE reading your comments, you are seriously one of the most positive people in the world! I love it!!

  • Lisa_ShrinkingJeans

    Christie, I put on my workout clothes as soon as I wake up. If I don't, then there is a good chance that I won't exercise. And um yeah, there is one Hottie at the gym that I secretly lust after : ).

  • Lisa_ShrinkingJeans

    Visual motivation is a good thing, right?

    Can you make me a sticker chart, too?

  • Lisa_ShrinkingJeans

    Girl, you DO look good! In fact, I would venture to say that you are H-A-W-T.

  • Lisa_ShrinkingJeans

    What's wrong with looking at glossies? And hell yeah, you did it all on your own baby! Although I do wish that I could have a personal masseuse (wink wink).

  • Lisa_ShrinkingJeans

    MIAMI!!!!! Wahoo, get moving. Pull that bikini out for motivation : ).

  • Lisa_ShrinkingJeans

    Oh Brooke, you are SO beautiful- inside and outside. I have to agree with you, I FEEL so much better when I exercise, regardless of the eye candy.

  • Lisa_ShrinkingJeans

    I totally get this and you WILL show your family that you will NOT quit. Bring it on baby!

  • Lisa_ShrinkingJeans

    Me too!!!! I lov my iPod. It is a necessary must when exercising.

  • Lisa_ShrinkingJeans

    I love your motivations, the mirror one is so SO me and I so suck it in, but don't tell anyone.

  • Lisa_ShrinkingJeans

    Ann, your weight loss thus far motivates me. Good job!

  • Lisa_ShrinkingJeans

    We're gonna be a bunch of hot moms by the time we are done. SIZZLE!

  • nadinea

    intrinsic: the feel (after) a good workout, initially the sweat, knowing I burned some calories, and then (after) (after) — a good sore that reminds you that your muscles work hard!

    extrinsic: when other people say they find my success (diet, exercise, or results) motivating.

  • allysonlyon

    This post cracks me up.

    my intrinsic motivation – I love the feeling I have when I complete a hard workout. The rest of the day I feel so accomplished even if I don't do anything the rest of the day.

    extrinsic- when people look at me and are in awe that I've had 5 kids and look so good. :)

  • allysonlyon

    This post cracks me up.

    my intrinsic motivation – I love the feeling I have when I complete a hard workout. The rest of the day I feel so accomplished even if I don't do anything the rest of the day.

    extrinsic- when people look at me and are in awe that I've had 5 kids and look so good. :)