Taking time off from my regular habits is a sure fire way to get me motivated for healthier eats and a sweat session. It’s been since last Tuesday that I have managed to get in a workout, thanks to the holidays and illness. As today went on I felt better than I have in awhile and literally craved movement this afternoon. I still have a bit of a sore throat and some congestion, so I kept it very easy with a light 2 mile walk on the treadmill. While reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

Theresa, it is getting really good! Thank you so much for sending me this series!

Then, I came home and continued healthier habits with a delicious dinner filled with veggies. Many of my recent veggies have come in the form of leftover casserole dishes. Delicious, but not the best choice for days on end. 😉 Besides, a tofu veggie stir fry is still deliciously satisfying!

This all reminds me of one of the first questions I received for the Q + A posts. How do I stay motivated? I didn’t want to answer such a question with a basic answer but it really does boil down to one thing – I stay motivated to eat nutritiously and maintain workouts because I feel so much better when I do. Going a few days without that balance in my life leaves me out of sorts and feeling unlike myself, which I have obviously struggled with more during pregnancy.

Perhaps I didn’t always have the motivation I have now, though? Perhaps it was tougher initially and now it has become second nature that its easy to naturally maintain momentum and motivation? With that in mind I branched out to other things that keep me motivated and focusing on health.

Eat & Do What I Enjoy – I find healthy food choices, recipes, and combos that I actually like eating. I no longer force myself to follow food rules. For workouts, I pick things that are fun to me. I took time to discover what I truly like and try to incorporate those as often as possible. It doesn’t feel like a chore when I make decisions that suit my preferences.

Variety Is The Spice of Life – I consistently mix up my workouts. I make a point to try new recipes regularly. I try very hard to keep myself from falling into a rut. This makes healthy living more fun.

Surround Myself With Like-Minded People – This is where blogs come in to play. I read many blogs and each one inspires me in various ways. Plus, they provide me with the ideas to keep more variety. You can also find friends to work out with or keep in touch with when things are tough. I’m always just an email, tweet, or FB comment away if you need a dose of support, too. 😉

I’m An Example – Little M and Baby B will look up to me when forming their eating habits. My actions and how I spend my time will influence their own as they grow. I want my children to be healthy, but in a natural and non-pressured way. The best way to do that, in my opinion, comes through practicing what I preach. Living for my family is HUGE motivation. It makes me smile that M will ask to “kickbox with Mommy” or that she seems so proud when we go to the gym and she says “Mommy workout”.

Mini Challenges – I have also joined in various challenges or started personal ones of my own to get my butt in gear with certain things. Sometimes making the process a game with some a reward can initiate changes and go a long way.

Move On - When starting out with new & healthier habits, I always give them time to sink in and really become part of my lifestyle. I avoid thinking in terms of “good” or “bad” days. Every decision counts towards a greater picture. Whenever I get caught up in trying to be perfect with eating or workouts, I end up losing all motivation as things inevitably get thrown off course.

Those are just a few of my big ones off the top of my head. I certainly don’t think they are anything new or life-altering, but they help me keep focus on healthier living.

• What helps you stay motivated in your healthy habits? Have your motivating factors changed with time?
• In case you missed it earlier, the blog is now on Facebook. I would be honored to have your support! CLICK HERE

I woke up this morning compelled to say a big thank you! I felt pretty hesitant yesterday morning to post my Q + A on weight. I do not believe a number on a scale shows a complete definition of health, yet know how comforting those numbers can feel as a way to compare, control, measure, etc our level of health/fitness. I too can easily get caught up in them and that serves as a big reason I will not use a scale when getting back in shape post-pregnancy.

In yesterday’s post I wanted to openly share what was asked of me, but I do not plan to explicitly discuss my weight, size, measurements, etc “numbers” (or the little I will even know of them) in the future, as such numbers are so unique to each person. I do thank you all for the respectful and open discussion in the comments yesterday. I appreciate that blogging allows for us to discuss such topics, share our experiences without judgment, possibly learn from each other, and then talk about leaking and hairy legs a few hours later. 😉 Blogging is pretty awesome, huh?

I truly thank the two ladies that originally exposed me to blogging. That would be you two Lisa and Julie! You two may even have something special coming your way as a token of that appreciation. 😉

If not for them, I don’t know if I would ever have come across this crazy, fabulous, and fulfilling world. The 3 of us, along with quite a few other awesome ladies, used to actively participate in a fitness forum. Julie & Lisa both started up blogs around the same time and shared them on the forum. They were the first two blogs I consistently read and I instantaneously fell in love with the blogging atmosphere. It jived so much better with my beliefs on health and fitness. So much so that I could not wait to have a space of my own to share.

It took a bit of time to figure out exactly what I wanted that to be, but eventually Faith Fitness Fun was formed and I will never look back. Thank you Lisa and Julie for bringing me here and your continued support and friendship. And an extra huge thank you to each of you, my readers and friends, who welcome me with open arms each day and make this such a fulfilling place for me to write, reflect, laugh, and vent. I wish I could give you each a hug because it is thanks to YOU that I don’t foresee myself stopping this blogging journey any time in the remote future. Blogging has helped me grow and lit a new fire in my life. I am forever grateful for that…and for you. I cannot even begin to express it all. Thank you.

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And I feel a little cheesy posting this update after all I just wrote, but I wanted to go ahead and let you all know that the Faith Fitness Fun Facebook page is now up and running!

I refuse to call it a “fan page” because that just seems so wrong. You’re friends, not fans! You can click the plugin on my right sidebar to “Like” the page to receive updates, pick up random tidbits I don’t always share here, and/or simply to show your continued support. I’m excited for it and can’t wait to connect with you all through there. 🙂 I’m sure my personal account friends are excited too…blog updates only for those who want them. LOL

• What was the first blog you started reading? Why do you read blogs?
• What motivated you to start your own blog? What motivates you to keep blogging?