Motivation

I've been having a hard time motivating myself to get moving, what with the not-losing-weight-though-starving thing.  I realize at this point if I want to succeed I have to change my mindset and learn to think outside the box.  Doing what I have always done will guarantee the same results.

So what are my goals?

I want my clothes to fit better.

I want a flat belly.

I want guns.

I want to be in the gym 5 days a week.

New motivating factors::

Want your clothes to fit better?  Choose a pair of pants you want to slide right over your hips and try them on every day.  No matter what you are planning to wear, just try them on.  If you are eating clean and cardio attacking they should get easier and easier to put on everyday.  And I don't mean a pair of pants that are 5 sizes too small.  Maybe just one size too small.  Making goals challenging yet attainable is a very fine balancing act but I think this is a good start.

Want a flat belly?  Abs are born in the kitchen.  Maintaining easy but high-output changes will get you there:

• No eating 3 hours before bed
• ALWAYS eat breakfast
• Quart of water a day:: Keep it by you at all times.  Bedside table, walking the dogs, just running an errand?  Bring a liter!  If you make a habit of keeping it in your hand, you'll find just out of something to do, you'll start drinking more water without even realizing it.  Similarly, if the only thing near you is a soda machine, when you get thirsty guess what you'll be drinking?
• Eat slower, smaller more frequent meals:: DON'T call them "snacks" this trains your brain and belly to think there is another -larger- "meal" coming later; having a boiled egg between breakfast and lunch? That's a meal!
• Eat your rainbow!

I'm on my way!

Guns are so simple to obtain really.  I personally love working my upper body because it really makes me feel stronger.  Bicep curls? I'm all over 'em at the gym.  What I need to work on is sneaking them into my day to day-- is it not easier to find a bunch of 5 extra minutes instead of one whole hour in the day?  I have 10 lb dumbbells sitting right next to my couch.  Why?  Because I don't even need to pay attention to curls while I am watching recorded Chelsea Latelys or Netflix or just chatting with my mom.  As soon as this blog post is done I'm researching other mini exercises like that and I'll keep a reminder booklet on the coffee table.  Stay tuned for a "My Favorite Tv-watching workouts" or "Amazing commercial fat busters" or something like that.

Get in the gym 5 days a week:: This is by far my most exciting and anticipated change in mindset.  The gym is now my job.  At times I won't like it, but I will still have to go.  I will take steps to make it easier on me, like creating a stellar gym bag complete with badass playlists.  I will pack a lunch, because I will be there for a while.  I will anticipate things and create backup plans.  I'll have a checklist, a routine and I will prepare for the next day the night before.  I will do all of these things because my motto is "Be Prepared" and its in my blood and because I hate discomfort.

I have the luxury of being able to do this with my time.  I need to take advantage of it.
With that, I bid you adieu, I am off to do laundry and make my gym bag the best it can be! Cue Cheese