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

Today is going to be a good day. A busy one, but a good day. Wait. I take that back. A great day! It’s my baby sister’s 21st birthday, so we have a lunch date to celebrate. Then, this afternoon, the mom’s club has a Halloween party for the kids to dress up and trick-or-treat at some local stores. Finally, I will top the night off with an Atlanta blogger meet-up. I can’t wait!

So, did anyone else watch this week’s Glee? I watched it last night after my Skype interview about my blog with Fit Moms Fit Kids Club (hi Annett!). I liked the costumes and music fine, but the storyline just felt really out of sync. I was kind of disappointed. It entertained me, so that’s all I care.

As you may have noticed from yesterday morning’s post, I have been feeling a bit busy. It hasn’t gotten to the point where I feel overwhelmed and unable to handle everything I juggle right now, but I know some things could use a bit of adjustment. Of course, I say that on one of my busiest days yet. 😉

No matter what, I really thought about ways I could make my schedule and responsibilities work for me a little better. Two things came to mind: my dedication to my time with God and my workout schedule. You all know how important the faith part of the equation is in my life and that it helps me live to my very best.

Lately I have felt almost in a rut. It happens for me too, you know! Not really in a rut in my beliefs, but in a rut with my practice of them. Prayer time, Bible-reading, etc have started to feel more routine and something to cram in, rather than relish as my “recharging” so to speak. So, I’m finding time to get back to the basics there. I love what our old pastor shared a long time ago about living each day with JOY – taking time to love Jesus, Others, and Yourself.

How simple to remember and doing that really does bring joy to a day! I already started on the right foot, even if that does entail needing to set an alarm. Oh, and I have to share this. Only because it literally made me laugh out loud while searching.

Okay, moving on to the workout talk now. My days are always pretty hectic and sometimes fitting in my workout in the morning hours, when our gym’s childcare is open, makes it even more crazy. I’ve been a mid-morning workout person since M was born, but lately have thought it might be best to switch it up and go in the afternoon once Peter gets home from work.

Pros:

• won’t have to pay for childcare anymore
• easier to get to the gym when I don’t have to get myself and a toddler ready
• more time during the day to accomplish necessary things
• I planned on switching to that time after baby B’s birth anyways to keep him out of the daycare during flu time and not leave me lugging 2 kids every day to the gym, hoping they both cooperate long enough for my workout

Cons:

• having to go later in the day, which would still be by 5 pm and isn’t awful, just not what I’m used to right now
• less time as a family when Peter gets home, although lately I’ve been flustered finishing other things after he gets home for an hour+ anyways
• a slight feeling of guilt leaving him to take care of kids after a long day at work…go ahead and say it bec he already has – “that’s ridiculous!”

I plan to give it a try this upcoming week since I feel the pros outweigh the cons. Let’s hope it works well!

• When is your ideal workout time? What factors help you determine when is best for you to get in regular workouts?
• Do you have any little mottos you use to inspire your days?
• Don’t forget to ASK ME ANYTHING for the November Q + A series!