Encouraged

TODAY'S MOTIVATION

I'd have to say what has kept me going these last few days has been encouragement from others. When I started this blog my intentions were to be able to put into writing what motivates me every day and to keep myself accountable. It was not intended for anyone in particular, however, as time went on, I slowly started sharing it with people in my life.

I have received a lot of encouragement from others and it has made a difference to me. I have realized that everyone needs encouragement once in a while to stay on track. So thanks to those of you who have encouraged me. It is greatly appreciated!

RANT OR RAVE

Speaking of encouraging people, this is a little rave about people who motivate for a living. These are your aerobics instructors, personal trainers, motivational speakers, teachers, mentors. Without them we would not have the same experiences. The people who choose to work in professions that motivate and help others are the people who usually possess a natural ability to build people up.  Even the ones who whistle or give cheesy high fives or look like they have a 24 hour perm-a-smile - they may have bad days but you would never know it because as soon as it's time to get people going they are "on".

There is one particular  trainer at my cardio-kickboxing classes who especially motivates me to keep coming back. She says it how it is, encourages people to challenge themselves, and brings a sense of humour to class. Those are the people who make the world go round. So here's to all those energetic people who motivate others day in and day out. You are making a difference people!

NOTE TO SELF

If You Can Do It, So Can I

TODAY'S MOTIVATION

You know those people who are really overweight and you have only ever known them as overweight, and then one day they lose like a hundred pounds? Well I have known a few people like this. People at work, people in my family, people I see all the time at the grocery store.  Whenever this happens, I can't help but think, "They lost more than I've got to lose, so what's my excuse?".  

Now, all of them have different stories about how they achieved thier weight loss goal. Some did it with the help of medical professionals, some followed weight watchers, some got a personal trainer. Although these people often still struggle with their weight issues, they seem much happier to be their skinny selves, and many of them have stuck with their goal weight for a long period of time. Some of these people are people that I never thought in a million years would be able to change, and yet they did it. So, that is my motivation for today: think of all the others before me who have actually set out to get healthy and did it. If they can do it, so can I!

RANT OR RAVE

Ok so this particular Rant is something that I have complained to others about numerous times...

Large portions while eating out. 

Have you seen the size of food portions that our restaurants and stores are starting to sell?  Fast food chains are the worst. You order a regular size drink and and it seems they give you a freakin' pitcher! It seems now a days if you want a medium size you have to order small, if you want a large size you have to order medium, and so on.  When I worked at one particular fast food place as a teenager, I know that the sizes they sold then were much smaller. And now lots of places have what they call a "snack size", which in reality is what a normal portion should actually be. 

Grocery stores are just as bad.....and don't even get me started on sit down restaurants. I am going to start the habit of cutting my meal in half before I even start and ask the waitress for a take out container. I tell you, it's re-di-cu-lous! I know that we are responsible for our choices, but seriously, it is so incredibly difficult to maintain healthy habits when you are always up against this "bigger is better" mentality of the world around us. 

NOTE TO SELF