Motivational Workout Pointers

Need to motivation to start working out again? I was recently talking with Vanessa about how entirely unmotivated I become (and stay!) about developing a workout routine. Her words really helped me, and I encourage you to read them and get moving! Vanessa has an awesome blog, Fitfoodiemomlife, and I'm so happy we could have her posting here today!

By Vanessa G.

Exercising is one of those things that I absolutely LOVE! And when I say that I am definitely not over exaggerating. Putting in a good workout is something for this mama and I definitely need an avenue to escape every single day. I’m a fulltime mama (is there any other kind?) and I literally chase little feet, wipe dirty chins, wash peanut buttery fingers, and change poopy diapers all day long. I rarely have a chance to just breathe or sit down and when I do sit down it’s usually playing with my son. In fact, my son is the one who motivates me to workout. That little chubby 15 month old doesn’t even know it but he’s the one who literally kicks me in the butt every single morning. Many times I want to pull the covers over my head, throw the alarm clock out of the room, and go right back to sleep. But then I think, “I want to be a healthy mommy! I want my son to make healthy decisions!” And so I always get up and grab my shoes and kick butt in the garage.

I understand that not everyone grew up with a daily exercise regimen and so I have a few pointers and maybe motivational key points that might help you begin to move that beautiful body of yours!

• ·         “I’m not a morning person!” This is perfectly okay and please, DO NOT beat yourself up for not getting out of bed before 7, or 8 or maybe even 9 (if you can sleep past 9am, please email me because I want to know your mama trick!). You don’t have to workout first thing in the morning, just start out with a walk or after brushing your teeth in the morning and evening time push yourself to do a 15-30 second plank. Those basic moves will kick start your body.

• ·         “It’s too late. I will never be thin again!” MYTH! MYTH! MYTH! You can do absolutely anything you want as long as the mind is up for the change. Just by walking 20-30 minutes a day you will train your body to do some extra moving and you might be amazed to see how good it feels! Not everyone can start off with a high intensity workout. Start slow and gradually increase your activity. Don’t ever tell yourself you can’t because you better darn right believer you can!

• ·         “Cardio is boring and too hard!” I agree. Cardio sucks! Try mixing up your workout routine if the thought of having to do cardio discourages you from even trying. Maybe do a high intense move (burpees, jumping jacks, high knees, lateral jumps, etc.) for 30 seconds and then move to the weights for 10 reps. This up and down heart rate interval training is super beneficial to weight loss.

• “I get bored!” Okay, I can understand that. So maybe think of a friend or another mom who is in the same boat as you. Reach out to her and start a workout routine together. Doing this will force you to stick to your commitment because the other mama has a schedule to follow too!

I listed a few of the excuses most people seem to have (I’ve thought them before too!) but it’s now time to kick yourself in the butt and run after what you want most. If you want those slim legs or if the muffin top bothers you, then stop complaining about it and actually do something about it. You can’t complain about your issues if you never work against them. I know it’s so easy to tell yourself you’ll just do it tomorrow. Because who doesn’t have a baby who wakes up during the night? Or who doesn’t deal with the annoying bladder that screams in your face at 3am—just another one of the changes that occur after birth. I know. I get it all. But not doing anything for you actually discourages you more than you realize and moving your body 20-30 minutes every day will do lots for your mama brain!

Get moving mama. No workout will ever be a regret! 

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Vanessa is a mommy blogger, wife to a Naval Officer, and a mother to her one-year-old son. She loves everything fitness and health related and also enjoys cooking and baking. Motherhood is by far her most favorite and challenging journey and life task she has ever taken upon herself, but she would never trade it for anything in the world. Vanessa loves family, coffee, Jesus, traveling and good conversations.