Well, looks like my blogging mojo is back in full swing…but that workout mojo is still alluding me. Sigh. I had my clothes on and a plan to hit up spin class, but then this happened.

Makenzie and I both got back into our pajamas to snuggle with some books instead.

A lot of you mentioned last night that when you face the workout blahs it’s usually because you need some rest, so you choose to ride it out. I think that is what is going on here. I know this isn’t typical for me, so I’m giving in and laying low for the time being. I trust I’ll be ready and raring to go again soon. I know myself and I know I won’t “fall of the wagon” too long.

Even though I don’t have the motivation to get to the gym…I do feel off without it. In order to keep from feeling that exercise guilt I experienced last week, I am choosing to focus on the positives. I choose to think about how far I have come and that, while I lack motivation for a few days, I still go after and achieve my goals on the whole.

I had a reminder of that this weekend, so I will focus on that instead. The jeans.

As I mentioned in my last Body After Baby progress update, I have reached my happy weight and no longer plan to track my progress as meticulously. I still plan to do one last set of “progress pictures” at the year mark and perhaps one other set, but that was the last of Body After Baby I planned on sharing.

I feel a little silly posting about these jeans, but they were honestly a benchmark in my progress I wondered if I would ever reach. I have owned those jeans for almost two years. This weekend I got to take the tags off and wear them for the first time ever.

It kind of rocked. So I’m sharing.

I got those jeans, along with another pair, about a week after my fitness competition two years ago. I was at my “happy weight”, but thanks to the stresses of the show on my body, I had to gain weight in order to get pregnant. I couldn’t return the jeans, so they retired to the back of my closet and I wondered if I would ever get to wear them.

I refused to do anything crazy to get into them, so I figured they would never fit. I told myself if they didn’t fit one year after B was born, I would sell both pairs on ebay. I didn’t allow fitting in the jeans to consume me.

I would only occasionally try them on to see, but each time they would either barely button or fit too uncomfortably. Until this weekend.

I gave them a try. They fit just right. I didn’t kill myself to wear them again. I just did my thing and let my body go where it would.. I can remember how far I have come…and know nothing will stop me from keeping on my healthy path.

I know that fitting into a pair of jeans isn’t the be all of a fit lifestyle, but it still feels good to have that tangible sign of my progress. It’s a form of motivation that doesn’t play mind games with me like a scale could. It’s a suitable way for me to gauge my habits without obsession.

And they help me know that a short lull won’t overtake my habits because I am determined to care for my body and work hard in the gym. That reminder will stay with me, as I plan on wearing these jeans, along with the more casual pair I got at the same time, for a long time to come.

• What's a tangible way you like to track your progress? Are you a go by how the clothes fit gal?

Yet another week greets us, which means another need to play catch up with our blog friends after a busy weekend away from the computer, right?  

How it should be. If you’re wanting to get all up to date with FFF happenings, here ya go!

• Running Etiquette – Potty Breaks?
• No Double Digits
• I Don’t Know What To Say (includes FFF Features) 
• He Knows Me So Well – Birthday Recap Part 1
• Self-Love Reflection: Don’t Listen to the Little Voice
• Don’t forget the Luna Protein giveaway (FIVE winners!) – ends Friday

Whew! That’s a link roundup right there! Now, why don’t we dive right into this morning’s post. I realized at the end of last week I never gave you part two of my Numbers Game panel recap. I figured Monday morning made the perfect time to make up for it. I’m sure we all have some goals we would like to tackle this upcoming week – so let’s do that in a healthy, balanced way!  

The awesome panel: Lisa, Janetha, and Beth

In Part One of the Numbers Game I focused on the positive and negative ways we can use goals. Well, that’s all fine and dandy to look at but what matters is how we apply that information. In today’s post, I want to discuss how we make sure we use numbers to motivate our goals in a balanced way that helps us achieve healthy progress.

We each had different experiences to share and key points to take away. Some of my other members have each done a great job giving their points of view on their own blogs:

• Beth’s Post – being flexible and doing things for yourself
• Lisa’s Post – it’s okay to not have specific goals

Now, it’s time for another one of mine. (with some fun outtakes again along the way)

3 WAYS TO KEEP A HEALTHY APPROACH TO GOALS AND TRACKING PROGRESS

Step One: Break It Down. Think about your goal. What does the big picture of your goal look like? Running a half marathon? Writing a book? Doing ten push-ups on your toes? Holding a challenging yoga position a full minute? Developing your blog? Achieving a healthy weight? Saving money? Reading more books? Picking your nose less? (checking you’re paying attention) What IS your goal?

Now…list out everything you can actively do to work towards that goal. Be specific. List out the many actions you can take that can help you achieve your goals.

Step Two: Focus On What You CAN Control. If you have a weight loss goal, you may find yourself frustrated when the scale doesn’t reflect your efforts. If you have a blogging related you goal, you may get discouraged should the growth you anticipated not happen. However, those numbers relate to outside sources (hormones and water weight or people clicking your site). You can’t fully control them.

Go back to that list of things you can do to work towards your goals. Those are where your focus should lie. You want to PR in a race? Make your focus getting in adequate training runs and speed work. Want to achieve a healthy weight? Focus on the number of nutritious meals you eat in a day/week/month and the number of workouts you accomplish? Want to increase blog readership? Focus on producing quality content, getting involved in the community, seeking guest post opportunities, etc.

Checking off what you CAN control and putting effort into those practices regularly WILL lead to results with time. Consider every small act you take towards achieving your goals an accomplishment and don’t forget them along the way. Setbacks will undoubtedly happen at times – boy do I know that from my overcoming binge eating goals – but you have to stay focused on the positive and believe in yourself to continue moving forward.

Step Three: Re-evaluate Often. Step back and look at your progress and ask yourself tons of questions to make sure you are still on a healthy path.

1. Have your goals changed? How do you need to adapt your actions for them?
2. Have you achieved your original goal but it doesn’t feel good enough? Why do you feel the need to do more?
3. Have you tried everything but aren’t seeing results? What ways can you alter your current choices to kick start things again? Seek advice if necessary.
4. Are you feeling unmotivated suddenly? Remember why you originally pursued the goal and determine if you still feel as strongly. If you do, focus on the why of your goal. If you don’t, consider adjusting your goal or finding new inspirational tools.
5. Are you going crazy? Do you feel overwhelmed or stressed? Take a close look at what triggers those emotions and resolve those issues. Perhaps you will need to give up counting calories or reading particular blogs or using certain tracking tools.

Stay aware of your needs and your happiness. It will make achieving your goals that much more possible.

There’s the gist of my main points for this topic. I do have about ten million more things I could delve into and talk about. Obviously I feel quite strongly about this topic. I want people to achieve their goals. I want people to dream BIG. I want everyone out there to do exactly the things they hope to do and achieve their wildest hopes and dreams. I think we all have the potential to do so…and to do so in a healthy and happy way. Go get ‘em tiger.

• Do any numbers “set you off” in a bad way with blogging or health/fitness?What things motivate you in a positive way?
• Which of the points above stick out to you the most or do you try to focus on in your own personal progress?