inspiration and motivation

I think we all need a push to get started on the journey of weight loss and to change our lifestyle to a more healthy one. There's something within us or around us that kicks our butt into high gear and says "YOU CAN DO THIS .. it is time!". Motivation for me always lies in the fact I know for medical reasons I have to be at a healthy weight in order to (eventually) get pregnant. Having children has always been important to me and I think knowing that my weight could impact this is a scary thing! Everybody knows that in this 25 to 35 age range being fit is so important (although it's important all through you life too). I eventually look forward to being able to run after my kids and not be out of breath doing so. As a teacher now I love being able to run quality daily fitness without feeling I can't even keep up with my students ... just last week I was able to ski and keep up with them down the hills. It is an amazing feeling! You might think - well c'mon Emily you're 27 of course you should be able to keep up with these kids. However I know for a fact the 25 year old unfit me struggled with running quality daily fitness and was recovering for days after a ski trip.

So now you know the motivation for me to continue staying fit and losing weight. What's your motivation? Why are you taking the very smart step to take care of yourself and the only body you will ever have?

That being said a lot of these "health" reason are always at the back of everybody's mind. For me there are people that pushed me and inspiried me from the beginning. I really connected with Tosca Reno and the way she transformed her life at age 40. Then there's my trainer Shawna who weighed 250 pounds - just like me and then she changed her life making exercise a part of it and changed her diet to be a healthy one. Finally Shawna showed me that there was somebody who "gets it". She knows what it's like to be overweight and how hard exercise really is. Cathy - a long time friend of my Mom's is also a huge motivator. I knew her before she changed her life and it's been over 10 years since her life has included eating clean and regular exercise. She got me into Tosca and also showed me how much fun working out can really be. The reality is my family, friends and Nick also push and inspire me everyday to be a better and healthier person too.

I'm grateful that these people are a part of my life and inspire me. I was pushed to write this post because of something that really made me feel great - an old friend from university - you know who you are.. messaged me on facebook saying how inspiring my blog was and that she's been inspired and since the beginning of January has lost 22 pounds. I was happy to realize that wow .. people do take the time to read this blog - that's great news! Furthermore the people that read it are inspired?!! -this too is great news! So while people are reading and while I'm on this journey I will keep up the blog to the best of my abilities.

I leave you with this final thought ... what motivates you to be healthy and who inspires you? I reflect on these questions everyday to remember why I chose  over a year ago to change my life. When I'm feeling down I think about the people that inspire me and ask for help.

I hope you too can be motivated and inspired to make the choice to make a change - it starts now!