motivation is up to you

"I'll be your cycling instructor today. Sorry to disappoint everyone," the instructor said in a monotone voice. She was the sub for everyone's favorite, high-energetic cycling instructor.

And if that intro wasn't a motivating way to start off a class, I don't know what is.

The class continued on, and I thought twice about getting off my bike and leaving. The instructor had no emotions, no high energy, and no screaming commands to keep you going at your highest potential.

The music was louder than she was, and I felt that her hum-bug attitude was bringing me down in my own workout.

Before I let my frustration get the best of me, I decided to take things into my own hands. Although a cycling class is led by an instructor who usually carries the most motivation and inspiration, I decided to hold my own and sprint ahead toward my own goal.

Instead of listening to her mousy voice, I listened to the voice inside my head telling me to push harder, faster and stronger. I began to pick up the pace and make this about me and my own workout.

In the end, it's about if you want to finish the race or not. You can easily quit and have an excuse to cop-out of a great workout because of a bad instructor. You can make it as good or as bad of a workout based on your own motivation. You can decide to take the reigns and make the best of it, which is what I learned to do.

Here's a link from Women's Health Magazine with tips on how to stay motivated.


Also, check out how readers at Women's Health Magazine stay motivated during their own workout. You might just be able to take some ideas away by reading this.

A little about me, from a health and fitness point of view

I am hardworking when I'm focused and motivated when I'm pushed. I am dedicated when I have a vision and also when there is no salty potato chips tempting my taste buds. I can't work out at home, because I will use napping as an excuse to not work out. I can't work out at the gym on campus, because I don't have the patience to go to the gym 45 minutes early before a class starts  just to get a number for the class. Thus, I joined a gym, which gets me out of the house and into a routine. But it's sticking to that routine, and staying focused which usually gets me and halts my progress. For me, I have to get past two straight weeks of working out for it to be a habit for me, for it to be routine, and for me to be addicted. After that, it's smooth sailing, and I feel bad when I don't work out. Cycling has become my gym drug of choice. I like the intensity and motivation that comes with the class and instructors. My goals are to get more involved with weight training and to continue eating healthy. Eat your veggies, kids!