How I Finally Recaptured My Lost Motivation
In the last few months, I feel like I’ve finally gotten my formerly motivated self back. I’m excited about workouts again. I’m planning workout off-days instead of planning the one day a week I’ll work out. I’ve been excited about making progress; I’ve been gung-ho about meeting my goals. I feel like I’ve recaptured a piece of myself that had gone missing for a time. For a long time. So what has changed that has brought renewed energy to my workouts and motivation? A lot of things.
I’m getting sleep. I looked back at my TomTom watch stats from February and March: I was clocking an average of 6.5 hours of sleep. In April, it bumped up to 7.5. So far in May? I’m logging an average of 8.15 hours each night. Weaning has, as always, been the best thing for my sleep. The littlest is sleeping through the night like a champ, and most nights I’m getting by with maybe one of the three kiddos needing assistance at some point, once. This is dramatically different than 2/3 kids needing assistance three or four times.
I got techy about it. I reviewed the aforementioned watch earlier this year, and it gave me a huge jump start to my renewed fitness vigor. I was motivated to walk more in my everyday life, but I also wanted to use it track my workouts. It’s so satisfying to see my activities and workouts stack up. It’s like seeing your progress at a glance, and seeing your monthly workout totals is encouraging.
I set a goal. As you know, I set a goal of running a half marathon in October, and I don’t really have a choice but to train for it. I’ve been committed to building up slowly, so I’ve been a total nerd about planning my running workouts and my strength training like a meticulous nutter. It’s been fun for the list-making planner part of me.
The hubby’s back at it. My husband is training for that half marathon too, so it’s been helpful that we’ve both had to prioritize our workouts. Having a partner who’s also making it to the gym makes it easier to get moving on those slacker days.
I have a workout plan. I’m following the Couch 2 10K training app, so that’s giving me specific workouts to do for my running. In addition, I’m following Jeff Horowitz’s Quick Strength for Runners training plan, an 8-week program that strengthens your body for running. I do so much better with a specific plan — tell me exactly what to do and I’ll get it done.
I’m prioritizing. I’m really making it a priority again. I’m putting my workouts on the calendar and getting to the gym even when the kids are whining about going to the gym. But some days they push me to hit the gym, which is a nice change of pace from the panic attacks they once had when I’d drop them off at the gym childcare.
It’s spring. Better weather is the best thing for my mood and activity level!
Time passed. Having three little ones makes it hard to have any time for yourself. But now that the youngest is well over the 18-month mark, I feel like we’ve gotten into a groove. If you’ve got small kids, you know what I mean. Don’t get discouraged; it won’t be this way forever. They’ll gain independence and you’ll be able to take some time for yourself again. I promise!
Has your motivation ever returned after a long absence? What made it come roaring back? —Erin