What's your motto?

Dieting and exercise clichés are a dime a dozen.  Let’s see if I can give you your 10 cents worth.

1. 1. “Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.”
2. 2. “You are what you eat.”
3. 3. “A moment on the lips a lifetime on the hips.”
4. 4. “No Pain, No gain.”
5. 5. “Eat to live, don’t live to eat.”
6. 6. “Everything in moderation.”
7. 7. “Eat wise, drop a size.”
8. 8. “Slow and steady wins the race.”
9. 9. “Quitting is not an option.”
10. 10. “Pain is just weakness leaving your body.”
11. 11. “If hunger is not the problem, food is not the solution.”
12. 12. “Commit to be fit.”

These are all clever; some of them are inspirational, yet others make me want to barf!  It’s often helpful to have words of inspiration to help you with any goal, especially diet and exercise goals.

Your motto should be as unique to you as your goals.  This will take some soul searching.  Write down on paper what your weaknesses are in regards to your goals, and think about where it is that you need inspiration.  You may find that you need to eat better or exercise longer.

I found that my motivation was lacking.  Trying to lose weight for summer, or for a wedding, or to fit in my old cloths wasn’t working so I searched deeper for a reason that was more long term, and also incorporated my exercise goals.

My motto has changed as needed.   For example when I first started exercising I need a goal that would help me finish my work out.  Hence the motto, “I can do anything for 5 minutes” was born.  This motto would go through my head during the hardest point on my work out, and it helped me get over the hump straight through to completion.

Today the motto still stands during more difficult workouts, but a new one has begun to emerge that is more geared towards my eating habits.  The new motto I have is “Do I really want it, and it is worth it?”  If the answer is yes to both than I have it, in moderation.

Everyone is different, so don’t try to cater your individuality into my or anyone else’s program, you’ll need to find what inspires you and go for it!

I’d like to hear your mottos, so comment and let me know!

Good Luck!

Next post: “Step it up!”

Spinning out of Control!

“We’re coming up on a team from UPENN, check out their matching uniforms. Get ready Team Animal, we’re going to blow past them on the left, in 3-2-1 Go –Go! PUSH, PUSH, PUSH! Faster than that! Faster than that! Yes you can! You can do it! AND… Recover. Bye-bye UPENN”

Nope I’m not on a cycling team. In fact, I’m not actually on the road at all, although I AM going about 100 MPH. This is my Tuesday afternoon Spinning Class at the Drexel University Recreation Center, led by Deb. Deb is a little powerhouse who likes to play 80’s hair metal and tries to make us throw up before the end of class, and I keep going back!

I never took a Spin class before this term, and here is my list of excuses why:

1. “I would feel like I was exerting all of this energy and not getting anywhere.”
2. “I prefer to do my work outs standing up.”
3. “I don’t want to buy special shoes”
4. “My legs would get huge.”
5. “Sitting for an hour, I think my butt would hurt too much.”
6. “It’s not a good time.”

Bullshit, all of it. The truth is I was a little scared. Spin class was an unfamiliar situation, I didn’t know anyone, I didn’t know how to set up my bike, I was afraid my butt was going to look ridiculous on that little seat, all of these things prevented me from stepping into that room of bikes.

What I learned during my fitness assessment is that I needed to add more cardiovascular activity into my workout schedule, so I took the leap. I went and talked to the instructor and she helped me set up my bike and I went at my own pace. At the end of the class, I had fun, I was covered in sweat, my legs were like Jello, and I’m totally hooked.

Moral of the story, be honest with yourself and don’t be afraid to try new things.

Next post: “What’s a motto? Nothing, what’s the motto with you?!”