Motivation is a curious thing. Every waking day, I get up and assess my own level of motivation. How eager am I to get my morning cardio session done? How tempting would it be to just have a cinnamon bun for breakfast, plop down in front the T.V. and skip the workout altogether? Questions run through my mind each morning, but I always end up giving in to the workout as the thoughts of pastries fade from mind.
Mota-mota, got a lot of motivation!
Of all things in the world, inspiration and motivation fascinate me the most because of their ebb and flow. Who can honestly be motivated all day every day? I would like to meet them. Yet, you see books written and seminars given by motivational speakers such as Zig Ziglar and Tony Robbins and you realize that these people are truly motivated a large part of their day- they do it for a living they love it so much!

While I'm no Ziglar, I do consider myself pretty lucky with the cards I've been dealt in terms of consistent internal motivation. Sometimes it can be annoying, as wild ideas flash through my mind at odd hours of the day and night. Fantasies of grandeur seep into my head while I'm driving, attempting to fall asleep, or reading a book. My subconscious mind is seemingly spilling over with ideas that I've shoved back there over time, dying to get their turn to resonate. These persistent ideas push, no, force me to do better every day. It's a rule I made up a few years ago for the way I want my life to go.

I must be evolved in some positive way upon reflection every New Year. Some years that means I have more experience running my business, taking classes at UAA or traveling somewhere I've always dreamed about going. This must happen, there's no other way I know how to live.

When it comes to exercise, people have a hard time staying the course for different reasons. They are too busy, exercise is boring and painful, and they want a quick fix. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix anywhere in life ...trust me I have looked. Hard work and sacrifice pay huge to those willing to work smart, and this goes for all aspects of life. Those who have gone down in the record books of history for something amazing didn't have success fall into their laps while they sat on the couch and watched Grey's Anatomy.

For fear of sounding like my Grandparents, people these days are lazy. Pure and simple. I have an old fashioned approach to hard work and discipline that I've never seen in any other person my age, ever. That would explain why I've always connected with those who are 10+ years my senior, and find solace when I stumble upon someone who shares my love for delaying instant gratification.

I don't care about television shows, I would rather create my own fearless adventure. I love the pain of a good, focused workout- it balances me out and reminds me that I'm very much alive and I'm thankful for that. I have no problem depriving myself of the sweet taste of junk food, because it will always be there when I want it and it would do no good if I consumed it.

Living a healthy lifestyle is not a fad or something to do to impress your friends, it is a complete behavior and perspective overhaul. It entails venturing outside of your comfort zone on a regular basis, creating and attaining small goals that lead to larger ones, and giving up things that bring instant gratification but no lasting results. When you are frustrated because you have gained weight, direct that anger to motivate yourself, hit the gym and stay away from the cinnamon rolls.