“I was doing so good, then my kids got sick.”
“I was down 10 pounds, then went on vacation and gained 6 back.”
“I didn’t miss a workout for the longest time, but lately, I just can’t get motivated again.”
“I was getting ready to get a new plan and found out I was pregnant….again!”
Sound familiar?
In talking with women, I find that we are sick of the “start over”. We are tired of doing well, then falling off the wagon, then getting the motivation to get back on, knowing full well, we’ll fall off again.
We think that something must be wrong with us–our drive, our focus, our determination—since we can’t maintain consistency.
We ponder if it’s even worth it even more–after all, our bodies aren’t going with us!
Newsflash.
Welcome to Life.
Welcome to the real world.
Welcome to how 99.9% of people think, act and feel.
You aren’t alone. Stop thinking that you are. Shift your thinking!
Instead of thinking that this is a pain in the butt, think of it just as another start.
Instead of thinking that this is the end of the world think of it just as another fresh day.
Instead of thinking that you are worthless, unmotivated and lazy, think that it’s just been a rough spell.
Instead of hating the failure, expect it and embrace it.
A shift in your mentality will equate to a shift in your success.
♥♥♥
I am the mom to small kids. I expect to be lured in by the goldfish crackers instead of the almonds. I expect to be woken in the middle of the night with puking kids, meaning an exhausted next day. I expect feeling the draw of wanting to go to dinner with my girlfriends instead of attending that kickboxing class.
I EXPECT it because I’m ALIVE.
It’s ok. I promise.
Sometimes I make the right decision and sometimes I don’t. Just get back on it. Life will happen. You will fall off. Get back on.
One foot in front of the other….One step at a time.
Clare, I totally needed this one! Both of my girls have been so sick with croup for the last two weeks & my life has been miserable! I’ve missed workouts & gained two lbs back. I’m getting back on the horse ASAP though! This is one of the reasons I weigh in daily. To stop the weight from creeping back in, so I can say this or that was the wrong choice for my diet. I’m getting back in the game!
Thanks for posting this, Clare! I really needed this as I have just begun a new program…again…after 3 pregnancies. I am saving this article for future reference for sure! Love your blog by the way. It’s very inspiring.
Thank you, thank you , thank you. It doesn’t make it better, but it makes it ok, just knowing that everyone has their struggles. I still need to find a way to stay motivated, but this helps.
Thank you so much for this post. It’s exactly what I need right now. I’m in the “starting over” phase right now. Trying to get into running (doing c25k) and strength training. Yesterday I started feeling the beginnings of a head cold and today I can’t stop sneezing and I feel light headed and it was supposed to be my day to go running. I’m disappointed that I can’t go do that (I literally feel like I might get dizzy and fall off the treadmill) and was really beating myself up over it this morning. Instead I’m going to get on my sationary bike here at home and at least do a half hour of it so I can get something in. I really want to lose this weight from my two pregnancies since 2009 and it just doesn’t want to come off. I’ve wanted to quit so much and throw in the towel thinking it’s just not worth all the effort. This post has given me the kick in the pants I needed! Thanks for the verse! I’m going to write it on a card and put it on my mirror in the bathroom!
Thank you so much for this!
Thank you so much for this! Such an encouragement!
I want to thank you for your weekly posts. They are so encouraging. I look forward to reading them because you are a believer and because you share honestly. I had no idea by signing on the the 30 day program in Jan. that I would still be a ‘follower’. Keep up the good work!
Great post! This is exactly what I needed to read. I have been feeling so unmotivated. It’s nice to know I’m not alone. Time to reset and start living! 🙂
Thank you so much for the encouragement! I needed that. 🙂
This is a great encouragement! I’m trying to keep at it…I just found your blog, and I look forward to looking around more! 🙂
Yet again such encouragement. You must have the gift of encouragement. The Lord has truly blessed you. Reading your posts is like salve to a weary soul. Thank you.
In March, I came across your website and it encouraged me so much that right at that moment, I stopped what I was doing and went for a walk and I never looked back. I’ve been going strong since then, running in 5k’s and getting stronger and stronger. But then just a couple of weeks ago, I don’t know why, my will to keep going started slowing down and just last night I was thinking of giving up. I turned on my computer this morningand went right to your website, for some reason, and the first thing I see is this post! Just the boost I needed at just the right time. Thanks, Clare!
By the way, it’s Chris not Chrs… Hahah!
Thank you again for your encouragement, I was able to pass the encouragement on to some of my friends 🙂 THANKS AGAIN!!
Good encouragement! Thanks! Like many other commenters, I’m back on the bandwagon of making better life choices (including eating less chocolate and exercising more.) I’ve got to remember even if I make bad decisions today, tomorrow is a new day. 🙂
Thank you! I totally needed this kick in the butt.
This year has been rough…. really, really rough for me. I’m not going to recount all the details because while it has been difficult for me I know that there are many ladies out there suffering way more than me.
Long story short: I failed. Miserably. In every way imaginable. I gained back 60 of the 80lbs I had lost pre-pregnancy. I feel like a miserable failure. Every new disaster that befalls us (even this tiny/insignificant/crappy flu that I have today), knocks me to my knees and it seems impossible to get up and take the next step.
My husband tells me that sometimes God knocks you on your … ahem, “behind” … so that you look up. To Him.
I had huge Pride issues. I needed to be humbled. And I am grateful for what these challenges have taught me.
I am also thankful for this reminder, though: that even if I feel desperately/tragically lonely most days, I am not alone. All of us are suffering in one way or another.
And many of you are just plain better than me at fighting the temptation, praying for guidance/wisdom/strength and moving on. I appreciate your candor and honesty in addressing this subject. You challenge me to be better.
Thank you.
Wow, the Bible verse caught my attention, so I clicked the link and this is what I needed today. I am 60 and still starting over. First it was children, then it was work, then it was breast cancer, now it is 36 year old children hooked on pills and parents that are 92 that need full time care. Yes, it is life and you have motivated me to get up one again. Thank you for that slap on the butt…Praise God for his blessings are new every day!
Great blog today! As a beachbody coach, I struggle sometimes too. I make myself do the workouts and feel so much better when I do them. I also like to uplift my challengers too, because we are all human. I am starting a challenge soon called the 21 day fix.
Clare, you’re refreshing. I just started reading your blog and love it. This post was exactly what I needed today! P.s. I’m from the same area you are living, small world. Stay warm up there.