Creating Motivation

Ok, so this week, my main goal was to find motivation for this journey.  I noticed that last week, the most difficult challenge was pushing myself to do the work each day…to eat healthy, get my workouts in and to resist the urge to sweep my concerns about health under the rug.

I watch a documentary this week, recommended by a friend, called “Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead“.  It’s basically about a man who goes on a fruit and veggie juice fast for 60 days, trying to detox and regain control over his poor eating habits.  Throughout the film, he travels across the U.S., speaking to everyday Americans about what prevents them from focusing on health and letting go of their killer food habits.

For me, it was pretty inspiring to watch his journey.  As someone who used to fast regularly (probably one weekend a month) and lived a much more healthy and active lifestyle, watching the film was such a great reminder of what really matters. I remember when I first started gaining weight, I would tell myself and my family what the individuals in this film are saying, “Life isn’t worth living if you’re not enjoying yourself,”  ”It’s worth gaining a little weight to eat what I like,”  etc.  The problem with this though, is that it provides a way for us to avoid and explain away the problem.  I’m at the point now where I don’t feel that avoidance is an option anymore.  I’m not going to disregard my poor choices…instead I’m going to focus on facing them and making small changes that can lead to better long-term habits.

Creating Change

This week, I focused more on finding factors that can motivate me to stick with the changes.  So what are my motivators?  I want to:

1. become more physically active with my daughter during playtime
2. do activities with hubby like we used to (horseback riding, kayaking, sports, etc.)
3. go out shopping and find what I’m looking for in my size
4. sleep better with less discomfort and aches in the morning
5. have lower stress level with better memory and mood
6. have more energy and self-confidence

Listing and recalling these motivators daily is already helping me to stay on track.  Since I’m a visual person, I’ve created a mini mural on my wall, with photos of my previous self and the activities I want to do.  Anything that could motivate me is up there on the wall.  This way, I have a constant, unavoidable reminder throughout my day.  A small photo collage on your desk at work could also be a reminder for you.

Getting Started

So, we’ve decided to start juicing.  We’ll do a short-term fast at first and then slip into a more permanent arrangement later, having some sort of juice at least once a day, as a supplement to meals.  Even if a long-term fast isn’t what you’re looking for, juicing is a great way to add nutrients to your diet and replace less healthy habits.  Here are some links to a few recipes I’ve found online.  Hope you enjoy them!  :)

• Mogul Mom’s Green Smoothies
• Advice from the Juice King
• Mean Green Juice Recipes
• Dr. Oz’s Green Drink Recipe
• Martha Stewart’s Green Juice Recipe
• Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead Juice Recipe

Over the counter juice smoothies you can try… Odwalla, Blueprint and Naked Juice. {recommended by Mogul Mom}

Join in – Add your LINK!

So, that’s my little web journal for this week and if you’d like to join in, we’d be happy to have your support or give some back to you!  Update us on your progress in the comments or add the url to your post on your own blog!  

© 2012, Chantilly Patiño. All rights reserved.