Sharing some wisdom

First, thanks so much for the encouragement after the yoga video I posted last night. Even after hitting 82 pounds lost today, it is still very much a struggle to move this body and not get frustrated. I get frustrated – it's normal! So just keep your head up and keep going.

To follow up on some of the comments- yes, there are some modifications in the video- the side plank for example, you can have your legs from your knee down on the ground to give stability. I just wanted to try the “normal” way. You saw what happened 🙂 Is every video made for every body? Absolutely not. It's all trial and error to find something that you enjoy and that you feel your body can handle.

Switching gears: something I've noticed (even more than normal) in comments, emails and tweets the past week or so is people saying:

“you're doing great, if only I could find the motivation.”

I have to say, motivation and action can start the whole “chicken and egg” debate. Some think you have to be motivated to take action. I would completely argue the other way: you can take action without motivation. You can walk around the blog without REALLY wanting to. You just do it. You can skip dessert tonight without WANTING to, you just do it. There are days I want to stay in bed under my blanket and not get up so early for a gym workout. Heck, there are MANY days like this. The difference between success and failure can be determined by action. The motivation will come.

I was talking to my longest bestie Anne today and she shared with me something that her friend Nicole sent her. Anne just started running, and is hoping to run an entire 5k. I have no doubt she'll do it easily. Nicole started off running slowly and is now a marathoner. I, my friends, am not a runner, but this is an awesome summation of how I feel right now:

DLF > DNF > DNS
dead last finish > did not finish > did not start
it's better to finish last than to not finish and it's better to not finish
than to never have started

So when you plop on your ass trying to do a side plank, remind yourself this.

When you're reading this blog and thinking of sending me a message of “that's awesome, but I'm not motivated,” remind yourself this.

When you are faced with an entire bowl of chips and queso and want to drown your sorrows in it, remind yourself this.

Motivation does not always have to be present for you to take action. Take action, and you'll be surprised at how easily the motivation will find you.

Many thanks to Nicole, who blogs at OK, Let's Do This! for letting me share her wisdom today.