Motivational Monday

Happy Monday friends! How are you this day? How was your weekend? Did you get out there and do fun things?

This past weekend I ran The Love Run in Philadelphia. It was the second half marathon in eight days for me. Kinda crazy, right? The purpose, other than I really like Shamrock Marathon weekend and the Love Run? I wanted to qualify for Half Fanatics.

1. So, I set a goal last summer to run these two races back-to-back weekends to meet the Neptune requirement of two half marathons in 16 days.

2. I made a plan. I decided on the two races I was going to run to qualify. I chose Shamrock Marathon weekend {3/22} and the Love Run {3/29}. Then I planned out my training schedule.

3. The plan started in late December/early January, when I got to work. I started my training runs and some cross-training.

4. I had three+ months to stick to it. I'll be honest, I wasn't 100% dedicated. I lost three weeks of training to a severe lack of motivation. I didn't run, I didn't train, I ate horribly. It was a bad three weeks, but at the end I picked myself up and went back to it. I adjusted my runs, I started eating better, and I did what I could to make up for lost time.

5. This past Sunday I reached my goal. I ran the Shamrock Half Marathon on Sunday, March 22 and then completed the Love Run on Sunday, March 29. I hit my goal of two half marathons in less than 16 days.

Today's thought for Motivational Monday is we can reach our goals. It may not be pretty, but if we set a goal, figure out how to accomplish it, work the plan, stick to it to the best of our ability, we can reach our goal. Don't let a set back get you down. Decide what you need to get back at it and go! It's still possible!

What goal are going to set? What goal are you working towards today?


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Motivational Monday

It is Shamrock Marathon {Half Marathon for me} week! Shamrock Virginia Beach is one of my favorite races. They do such a fantastic job and give out some sweet swag. How can you not love a race that's:

• Flat
• Fast
• Gives a medal for every race
• Gives a shirt for every race
• Does a challenge and gives a medal for completing it
• Gives a hat for finishing the half and full marathon
• Gives a finisher's gift for the half and full marathon
• Awesome tent party post-race on the beach
• Free beer
• Great expo

In 2012 I PRed this race and the 8k. Maybe that has something to do with why I love this race so much. LOL! I had high hopes about PRing this race in 2015. This race is practically designed for PR's because of how flat it is.

But for some reason in January I stopped training for three weeks. I ran twice in three weeks skipping my long runs. I lost focus. I lost motivation. Sure, I could blame it on the cold and snow. It would be easier than admitting I didn't do what I needed to do to meet my goals.

Sadly, I know it all comes down to me. But, I found this quote by Arthur Ashe and thought how appropriate for this week. While I can't go back and change what I didn't do, I can go forward this week and do all I can to prepare myself. I can do a last training run, I can eat lots of protein and make sure I'm hydrated, I can get in enough sleep each night.

That is where we all are. Maybe we have been great about our goals and following through on what we planned. But, I'll bet there's something you said you would do and haven't. Well, today...now is the time to get back to it. It's not too late. It may not be perfect or how we thought it would be, but if you do something today it will do better than if you hadn't.

That's where I am. I can concentrate on all the things I can control this week and hope for the best. What can you do this week?
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Motivational Monday

This morning Motivational Monday seemed to need a starting over theme. I missed basically all my January goals - some by one book, others by 32 miles.

I realized that with the start of February that I could start over again. I can set up new goals, continue with last months, and just change my attitude about it.

I'm not saying I'm happy with how January went. But, it's over. I'm not going to dwell on it. It's in the past and February is a whole new month. I can attain the goals I set up. They aren't crazy goals, they aren't insane goals - they are attainable.

It's never too late to try again. February will be a good month!

Do you have monthly goals? Are you starting over or continuing on your journey?

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Motivational Monday

I've been thinking on this concept for months now. I have so many things I want/like to do, but I have a hard time focusing on them. I have so many things I would like to do for a living that I have a hard time deciding.

I want to write a book {I've started writing three}. I want to work in pubic history {I do now, but not how I would like to}. I want to be an historian {but they aren't really in-demand and there is a lot of competition}. I want to be an event planner {weddings/galas/etc.}. I want to be a paid photographer {I've done one family session, one wedding reception and have another wedding coming up this August}. I want to be a person who makes history interesting to those who hate it {most people...}. I want to be involved in the weight loss/fitness industry in some way {along the lines of helping those who are overweight see they can workout rather than thinking they can't}. And I'll bet there are a few more things I want to do that are escaping me right now.

I need to work on narrowing down my choices. Or I need to start going forward in several directions to see which sticks. I just feel like all this indecision is making me turn my wheels and get nowhere.

And it's scary - to venture out into the unknown, to leave behind what I know in case I fall on my face. But, working PT as a manual laborer can't be that much worse than falling on my face trying something I would love to do.

What are you having trouble focusing on? Are you going in too many directions too?

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Motivational Monday

Oh how I needed to hear this today. I didn't lose weight last week {stayed the same, will post a Friday catch-up soon. Oops!} and I went a little crazy over the weekend.

My normal routine is eat healthy Sunday through lunch on Friday. I allow myself to indulge Friday dinner, lunch and dinner Saturday. It works for me. Unfortunately, the indulging didn't end Saturday night. I had an odd schedule Sunday and I ate way more than I should have. I snacked and had sweets when I should have been eating healthy. So frustrating.

So, when I saw this quote this morning it hit me. Each day is a chance to start over. I can get up this morning and put yesterday behind me. I may reap it's repercussions on Friday, but I can say yesterday is over and get back on schedule. I can do this today. I can't change yesterday and I can make the best laid plans for tomorrow, but today...now...I can control. I can do this!

Remember that today friends. You can do this! Whatever you set your mind to, you can do!

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Motivational Monday

As it is the week of Christmas for Christians, I wanted to share with you a bit of Christmas motivation. I saw this quote and it struck me quite hard that this is the definition of Christmas or any holiday you celebrate with those you love {insert that day where Christmas is}.

I immediately thought of Christmas Eve. It is the night during the holidays that my hubby and I turn down all invitations from family and friends and celebrate the holidays together. My family is three hours away, so some years we have a six hour commute to celebrate with them. Other years we stay local and celebrate with his family. But Christmas Eve is ours. We go to church, then come home to a candlelit/Christmas tree lit dinner with wine. After dinner we go to the tree with Christmas music playing and cookies to open our presents to and from each other. It is our holiday time.

Then the holiday rush/madness can begin on Christmas. We have found a way to make the holiday enjoyable and meaningful to us while still enjoying time with friends and family.

On this Motivational Monday, this is my wish for you. To carve a little bit of time out over the holidays to make a special tradition for just you and your family - a time without the running around where you can truly appreciate the ones you love making memories you will have for the rest of your life.


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Motivational Monday

The last few weeks I have been focused on one thing - reading. I set a goal at the beginning of the year to read 100 books. Yes, 100 books. Just a few. Recently, I heard a reader will read an average of eight books a year, so to set a goal of 100 is kinda crazy. But I did.

And for the last few weeks I've been reading my bootie off! I am this close to my goal. I reached 96 books last night, which ties me for how many books I read last year {2013}. Four more books to reach my goal.

But, how is this motivational? Well, I suppose the fact that I set a goal in January and I'm almost there is motivational. I had months where I did really well {19 books in January}, but also had months where it didn't go so well {one in April...if I had only read a few more books that month!}. Now we're 12 months into the goal and I am almost there...I kept at it even when I had months that didn't go so well. I made up the lack of April in other months.

What I'm trying to say is this, while I love to read {your goal might be something else}, it is motivational staying the course, finishing a goal. Reading may not seem like a goal to some, but to me being able to say I read 100 books in one year is incredible. I was able to do something I love and feel accomplished. I read some amazing books {and some not so much}, but I followed through. I did what I said I would.

That's what motivation is all about. Setting a goal, following through to the end through the highs and lows of it. Some days you feel like you'll never reach your goal; other days you can't believe how easy it is. But, day after day you slog on in the hopes that at the end, you will accomplish what it was you set out to do.

So, by December 31 I will be able to say I read 100 books. That is my goal and that is what I will accomplish. And by doing so, I prove to myself I can do what I set out to do, no matter what obstacles {internal or external} come my way.

There are 16 days left in 2014, what goal will you accomplish before then?

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Motivational Monday

Let's just say this week I found out someone feels I am a bad person. They intentionally stopped interacting with me a year ago, but recently blocked me from all social media. While I was hurt by their actions before, this just makes me angry. Especially, as I know this is their M.O., but never thought it would happen to me {never say never}.

What does this have to do with Motivational Monday? It is to realize who your true friends are. The people who care about you and want you to succeed. As we get older it is harder to find people who truly have your back. Those who need to be held ever close to our hearts. They are people we need to be our best selves for. They deserve our love and support.

I have quite a few people who I do not deserve to call friends, but love me anyway. To them I say thank you. You make my life better in ways that can't even be explained.


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Motivational Monday

Welcome to December! I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that we have hit the 12th month of the year. It seems like yesterday it was spring and I was prepping for deck dinning, a trip to TX, and pulling out the t-shirts/capri's.

But, it is the last month of the year and while today's image is running related, I think it pertains to anything. Especially since we're in the home stretch before 2015. The first of the month is like a clean slate where we can see our failures/slip-ups from the previous month and find ways to change them. What did you wish to accomplish in November that didn't happen? Well, hey look, it's December and we can set new goals and meet them.

Sure, I know it's December and the holidays. It isn't always easy to read that book, practice the piano, get that run in, eat the salad. December is the month that we can make excuses for. They say you gain about 5 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's. It's an easy time of year to let the tide of the holidays sway you, but do you want to be out to sea when January hits?

So, let's start making some goals for the month. They don't have to be insane or too challenging, but having them in place means you are thinking about staying on track. Maybe just keeping your goals in the forefront may help you accomplish them in this crazy month.

What goals will you set this month? What do you want to accomplish before the end of the year?

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Motivational Monday

Because sometimes motivation comes from a good laugh at our own expense.

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Motivational Monday

I've been thinking a lot about this lately. I wish to lose weight. I wish I followed my training plan better. I wish I had the will power to not eat crap. I wish I had wishes to let me lose the weight without any effort.

So far, this hasn't worked so well. I wish and I wish and I wish, but I am still where I was before I started all the wishing. I think I can do it, then I sabotage my efforts. I just can't stay on track. I know I can do it. I've done it before, then fell back into bad habits.

And this is the result

This was taken Sat. at a wedding I attended. Sure, I'm leaning forward so not the most flattering angle, but that doesn't explain my face. In the last 2.5 years I went from being about 10 pounds from my goal weight to being 50 pounds from my goal weight.

So, I need to start standing up for myself more often {meaning standing up to me from me}. I have to tell myself the candy isn't going to get me to my goals. I have to tell myself skipping workouts isn't going to get me to my goals. I have to tell myself waiting to eat dinner will not get me to my goals {I snack uncontrollably unless I eat dinner at a normal hour}. I have to tell myself allowing others desires to eat/go out/etc. come before what I need won't get me to my goals. I need to stand up for myself. I need to ask for help. And I need to take advantage {not in a bad way} of those who are willing to help me.

Do you have a wishbone rather than a backbone?

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Motivational Monday

It is. Trust me. I had a career in fundraising for nine years and honestly, hated it. I only got into it because I was four months out of college and had no luck with getting a job. I have a B.A. in Communications, focusing on public relations and that's what I wanted to get into. I had three interviews in the non-profit fundraising field in a week, all were for entry-level. One  of the interviewers asked me in because I interned at a place he loved to go (told me flat out I wasn't qualified for the job and wouldn't be offered it), one the position wasn't entry-level and I didn't have the experience for, the third I got the job.

After five years there, we moved 100 miles away. I got another job as a fundraiser in my new town, but it was awful. I then changed jobs to a third place, again doing fundraising. While at the third job, I started getting a M.A. in American Studies because I wanted to change careers. I wanted to do something in public history.

For the past three years I have been volunteering/working in the public history field, but not how I would like to be. Today, I have an interview for a temporary job at the place I currently work for in a position I want to do for a living. While I will be out of a job in about 12-14 months, I will have 12-14 months of experience in my field that I do not have now...if I get the job.

I'll be honest. I have no confidence I will get the job. There were 80+ people who sent in a resume and I am estimating they are interviewing at least 10 people for it. While I have worked with the interviewers for 3 years, I doubt they see me with the skills to do the job. But, if I didn't apply I would have regretted it. At least I am trying to move towards my goals, even if I don't accomplish it today.

So, go out there and do something you would regret not doing! No one says you're going to be successful, but if you live with no regrets you will have a happier life for it.

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Motivational Monday

There are all sorts of quotes that say the same thing. This one struck me because when I sign a wedding card I write, "May today pale in comparison of all your tomorrows." It struck a chord with me.

It's funny. I'm always trying to find the key to losing weight, being happy, having a good job. There's gotta be something, right?

I overwhelm myself by trying to  change all sorts of things and in reality, it might just be some small thing daily or just making one better choice today than I would have made. Life is full of choices, some big some small. I'm starting to think those small daily choices have more power than we imagine.

So, here's to making better smaller choices each day that add up to all the things we want from life.

What small, smart choice will you make today?


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Motivational Monday

This is so true. There are approximately 7 billion people on planet Earth and 319+ million in the United States. What are the chances that you or I will be the best? I'm not putting me or you down, but statistically the numbers are stacked against us.

But, can we be better than we were yesterday? Last week? Last month? Last year? Hell ya! That's doable. We can learn more, give more, be healthier, run faster, lift more, be happier than ever before. Those are within our control.

So today, figure out what you did today that was better than yesterday - did you start a new book? Volunteer some time? Pay it forward in line at Starbucks? Run half a mile longer than you ever have? Picked carrots over potato chips? Made your bed before being told to? That's being a better you than yesterday and that's what makes us our best.

What can you do today to make you better tomorrow?


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Motivational Monday

For this precise moment in time, this is exactly where I am. I am not happy where I am and I do not want to stay here.

I have decided that the whole eat crap/don't workout/gain weight/wear clothes I'm not happy with-don't fit right is not where I want to be anymore. I will say, it never was where I wanted to be, but...

So, I am deciding to move on. Get back to doing my workouts, changing my meals for the healthy, lose weight, and start fitting back into the clothes I look good in. It won't be easy, but not everything worth doing is.

What are you going?


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Motivational Monday

There are things in life we do not like to do. We tells ourselves we hate this or that so we avoid it. We make up excuses as to why we don't do it - too hard, not hard enough, hurts, I can't do it, I'm not this person, people will laugh at me, people expect it of me, people don't expect it of me. I'm sure you can think of many, many more.

But, you know what? We can do them. I'm almost the queen of procrastination. I have read recently it is a characteristic of Libras, which is nice to know I'm not alone. LOL! But, I put off things I should do until the very.last.minute. Or I don't do things because they might hurt, I'm not good at them {only child syndrome - don't want to do something until I can do it perfectly}, or I'll look stupid. Those are my top reasons.

But this weekend I ran a 5k race that involved the one thing I hate doing in races - hills {I didn't realize how hilly it was going to be when I signed up}. The race was more than half hills. The first half of the race was uphill, then the last half mile was uphill as well. It was rough. It was not pleasant, but I found something out about myself - I did not die.

Yup, I ran this race to the best of my ability. I ran the hills {minus two, because I'm just not in good enough shape right now} and the last hill before the finish. I'm particularly proud of that. I earned that medal. I may have finished in the last 10, but I ran a great race for me.

Apparently, I can do the things that I tell myself I can't. Running hills is right up there with things I hate doing, but believe it or not I did it. So, next time you tell yourself you can't do something, maybe you just can.

Have you done something you didn't think you could or just don't like doing and found it wasn't so bad?

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Motivational Monday

This past weekend, hubby and I went to Philly to see the Philadelphia Phillies play the last two games of their season. I have all sorts of Phillies gear to chose from to wear. I tried on multiple items and was upset when nothing looked good because I have gained too much weight.

I decided then and there that this would be the last time this would happen. I'm tired of doing this...finding a way to make clothes look ok on me. I need to change. I need to make myself a priority. I need to say what I've been doing hasn't worked. I need to make changes if I want to be happy with myself...which I am not currently.

Oh sure, I'm happy with the way I've gotten back to my workouts - due in no small part to the running coach I hired. But, while I thought my eating habits would fall into line because I was working out, they haven't. So, I am making a concentrated effort to focus on my food intake and what it should be rather than what it is.

This is my Motivational Monday. I felt so bad about how I looked over the weekend that it has motivated me to get my shit together. I have done it before, so I know it's possible.

What are you needing to focus on? Is it time to start making and implementing plans to make changes in your life?


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Motivational Monday

This is all. Better as a person, better as a wife, better as a kitty mommy, better as a friend, better as a co-worker, better as a family member, better as an athlete, better as a writer, better as a photographer, better as a blogger. I want to know when I wake up that I learned something from the previous day and will be a better person for it.

I know I won't be better in all of those in one day, but one a day, maybe two, that's doable.

What about you? Do you strive to be better than you were yesterday? last week? last month? last year?


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Motivational Monday

It's amazing how many things we dream of doing, want to do, imagine doing but somehow never do. If you're like me, it's because you don't think you can. You lack the faith in your abilities to accomplish the things you want. Why? I don't know. I'm sure a psychologist could answer that question better than I.

But, I decided in August that I have goals and things I want to accomplish with my running. I'm no Usain Bolt or Meb, but I know I can be better than I am. So, I made some decisions:

1. I investigated a running coach and on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 I signed up with one. I started my training with my new coach yesterday.

2. I'm going back to personal training at the Y.M.C.A. I had fantastic results {hello 5k, 8k, and half marathon PRs}.

3. I am going to do boot camp once a week.

4. According to my running coach I will be back at TRX. I am actually happy about this because I've wanted to do it, but I always found an excuse. Since I have to report on my workouts, I need to get my butt there!

5. Since I'm working hard on my training, I'm thinking this will lead me to eat healthier. I was told earlier in the year that when you concentrate on your training, your eating habits will start to shape up so you don't lose the effects of your training.

So, I am trying. My goals right now are simple...I've been trying to reach these goals for a couple of years now.

Sub-35 minute 5k

Sub-60 minute 8k/5 mile

Sub-2:50:00 Half Marathon

My coach believes it's doable. I believe it's doable. I just need the accountability and the support to reach these goals. 

What goals do you have? What are you doing to reach them?

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Motivational Monday

It's taken me way longer than I thought it would...and I'm still on the road. One day I will get there...will you?
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