The only motivation that works...in my opinion

Today I asked for motivation via Facebook. While I appreciate the few attempts made, in the end, the only person who could get my butt off the couch was . . . me.

I think we all do this from time to time, maybe even more often than not. We rely on others to get us going. Without positive affirmations from our family and friends, we feel helpless and alone. Our excuse for not achieving goals, big or small, is that we "just don't feel motivated."

I'm not saying it's bad to lean on encouragement from others every once in a while; sometimes you really do just need a nudge or even a violent shove. But just like drugs, a person can learn to depend on external motivation, blaming his/her failures on a lack of support from those he/she thinks should be giving it.

My eyes were opened today. I had several excuses for not working out, but I really wanted to; I also really didn't want to. I was so lazy that I asked for motivation . . . on Facebook!! And even though some tried to encourage me (and some added a haha at the end of theirs--thanks), I still resisted. At about 4:30 this afternoon, I sat down on my couch, still kind of full from a late lunch, still sleepy from working odd hours, and still feeling a little blah. I had given up on the idea of working out, running, doing anything physical, when I began to think about my goals: build speed, construct abs, stay in shape, tone arms and legs, redeem myself for slacking in the Insanity program, and just run because I love it. That was it. I tore myself from the couch , laced up (not really, I wore my Vibrams, or 5-finger shoes), grabbed my iPod, invited a friend, then uninvited her for fear that if I waited too long I would change my mind, and left the apartment.

After my workout, as I sit here, typing, I'm thinking about how much I'm going to love and hate myself tomorrow when my calves are tight, quads and butt are screaming, arms are like Jello, and abs are tender.

However, if the weathermen are correct, I will be blessed with a run in the rain tomorrow. And I can't wait.

But back to the lesson--

I chose to rely on other people today, as I have before. And I had hoped that someone would offer some words of wisdom or inspiration that would motivate me to do what I already wanted to do. The fact is, though, that there was nothing anyone could have said to me that would motivate me enough to actually start moving. That kind of motivation lies within the heart and takes the form of desire. Words of encouragement just lift our hearts--which is great!--so don't stop encouraging each other. Just remember that you are the only one who can make you do anything.


Thanks for all the encouragement. Keep it coming, and I'll try to return the favor.