I know that normally there is a lot to fit into a regular day. Work, cleaning, cooking, spending time with family and then to add on the meal prep and gym time I have to do you can imagine that every moment I can set my self up to be successful will keep me consistent. Consistency= changes. If I change something just once it's not going to make a difference. This journey is for the long haul so I have to make the same changes for the long haul. It's really a lot to balance and being almost 9 weeks into this journey I wanted to share what is inspiring me and keeping me motivated during the "tough" times right now. I'm sure that some motivations will change but these have been pretty consistent and I'll also talk about some tips I've been doing in order to keep me ready for everything from gym to work to food!
MOTIVATION:
- Um, that bikini I'm going to be in! Have you seen what competitors wear on stage? The point is for judges to be able to see and judge the body so let's just say that they keep it classy, but it's going to show if you didn't put in ALL the effort! Who wants to get to the finish line but not really have the body to show for it? Not this girl! I'm willing to follow whatever my coach says to get to my goal (and she only gives me healthy changes or advice, I'm not willing to go back on my morals or endanger my body for anything) but I'm also not willing to give in and have a cupcake just because!
- The support of friends and family. Because I'll be competing in my home state I have a lot of friends and family that are all willing to come out and support me that day!!! I get excited just thinking that people who are the foundation to who I am and such influences in my life and would want to be there to hold posters and cheer me on! What a moment it will be when I'm on stage and my name is announced and I hear them in the crowd! That moment really does get me through that last set and that last rep!
- My husband. I know it's a trend on post for me to thank my husband but there's a reason. He's seen me through a lot of stages in my life. I've known my husband since 8th grade and we've dated since our sophomore year of high school. I've been lots of sizes and had lots of things change in my life and through it all he's been right there loving me. But I've also made a lot of silly fitness choices before this journey started. Just like we've all done, I've thrown away money and had gym memberships and didn't go, gone back and forth on what I eat. So I understood why at the beginning of this journey my husband was encouraging but still a little cautious. It took a while for him to believe my dedication, but now that he does it's amazing. He's 100% on board and wants to help and support me in any way he can. What more can I ask of my partner in life?
- My coach. All week I put in the hard work and eat the right things and measure everything out because when I meet with with my trainer nothing makes me happier than for her to be impressed with my changes. I show her my progress pics, we talk about life, work, how I feel, my meal plans, any challenges I'm having and I trust her feed back and the path we are on. I've never gotten to this point on my own and I couldn't do it without her! Even when I think I can't get 1 more rep out somehow she pushes me to get 5 more! That's someone I trust with my progress and I'm happy to have on my team!
- Following fit people. I follow people I admire on instagram and facebook. I like to read the info that they give out and I soak in all the information they have about prep, planning, workouts and nutrition. Some are well known and others are also doing their first competition or their first few. I see them sporting the body I want to have and I like knowing that I'm following the same steps they are to have that body one day! I like to see them be "real" and show when they don't feel like going to the gym but they go anyways or that they enjoy normal food every now and again. Seeing them have that success physically and still fight the same cravings or moods that I do is refreshing. When I need a "pick me up" it's nice to see what fitness gems they've posted for me to find! Here are some favorites: Kelsey Byers, Erin David Davis, Nicole Wilkins, Erin Stern, Jamie Eason, Courtney Prather, Cecille Canary, Ashley Horner, and Rachel Nicole just to name a few! :)
- Feedback. It takes a lot to make these changes in my life and it made me nervous at first to talk about or share them. But through sharing this journey I've gotten some positive feedback from family, friends, co-workers and even strangers and it is all really motivating. It's amazing the things we do in life and never really know who's paying attention to our actions until they remind us. So for anyone that said I inspire them, first off- that's just awesome! secondly- thank you for your encouragement to keep this journey up! I always get a really cheesy grin when I read a positive feedback :D
- Love and life. I've lost some important people in my life, most recently my father in November, and I think about them daily. I think about what I'm giving myself that they can't have anymore, life. I'm taking care of my body, I'm testing my limits and pushing through them and I'm doing it with their memory in mind. From my grandparents I never met, to my grandfather and grandmother, my step father, and my mom's late husband, and my father they are all with me. They all give me strength and I picture what they would be telling me right now if they could see me. They always keep me going through anything and really living this life and giving it all I have for them is my goal.
TIPS
- Prep! It takes a lot of effort (and tupperware ;) to make sure my days off are spent in the kitchen and that I've done grocery shopping and weighed/measured all my food out. But it keeps me on time to work and ready to go and stress free! I can pack my lunch box each morning in less than 1 minute!
- Organization! I lay out my workout clothes for the next day ahead of time, I pack my evening workout bag and put it downstairs by the door so I don't forget it. I keep an organization box in my car to keep my workout stuff (cardio plans, iphone band, headphones, locker lock and chargers) and my work badges all together. If I move that stuff around too much I will end up with a lot of days I don't have my daily things I need to be set up for a good work day and gym day. It's important that each item I use everyday have a "home" where I can find it. On days I have to be at work by 8am I'm up by 4:30am and at the gym doing cardio by 5am. I have to fit it all in and to fit it in consistently I enjoy getting up early to do my cardio. I've done more by the time I get to work than most people do by lunch! If I don't have to be to work till 11am or 1pm then I do both my cardio and lifting in the morning before breakfast. My week is mapped out for me so I know what muscle group I'm working on what day and what days include cardio. Failing to plan is planning to fail.
- Sleep. Now that I'm on a more routine (even with retail hours) I sleep so much better and I try to get between 6-8 hours of sleep each night. It's important for my body to rest and I wake up more eager to start my day when my body has had enough time to be at rest.
- Find a way to cook food the way you like! I could very easily use frozen packaged fish for my meals but I don't like it and in the long run it might cost a little more to go to Whole Foods butcher counter for my fish and ground bison but I like the freshness of the food and I'll keep up this plan long term if the quality of the meat is good! I found my favorite Mrs. Dash seasonings I like, and marinades for my fish. I go to other grocery stores to get my in bulk vegetables, egg whites, and spinach because the quality is good for these foods and the price is right too! I'd rather save a little on my veggies and use my resources towards fresh meat. But to each their own! Once you find what you like stick withit until you need to mix it up again! Now I have almost a rhythm to my prep cooking! But find spices or seasonings that fit in with your goals (low sodium, carb or sugars...whatever your perimeters are) to add something new to your food! Food doesn't have to be boring to be good!
I find it good to pin point what keeps you going because when those tough moments happen or when you are questioning yourself, having those true North motivations will keep you on your path. Whether it's people, a memory, or a future goal we all have something/someone driving us forward to move on. I hope that maybe some of my tips/motivation helps and that you find your clear path and go fearlessly into it!
Cheers,
Ash
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