Motivation at home - goal setting and accomplishing

It's so hard to get motivated to do anything, much less, workout when we're in the comfort of our homes. We have television, laundry to do, meals to make, places to take our kids, cleaning, playing with our kids!  And let's not forget about relaxing.  How do we get motivated to workout when so many things are pulling for our attention???

I know what works for me and I will gladly share that, however, you will need to find your WHY.  Why is health important enough to prioritize it above other things?  Why is getting in a workout a must for you?  What's in it for you?  What do you have to gain or lose?  

Here are some tools to help you in determining your 'why'.  Through these steps, you should be able to pinpoint why health and fitness need to be a priority in your life, set a goal (or several!) and achieve it!  

Step 1: Make a list of your top 10 roles - are you a mother/father, house keeper for your family, what's your occupation, sister, choir singer?  What are the demands placed on you?

Step 2: Pick the 5 that are most important. Which ones do you want to invest in becoming better at?  A better mom?  A better cook?  A better athlete?  Star the 5 that you want/can invest time in.

Step 3: Out of those 5, which role, if you become better at it, will take care of the other ones?  For example, if I wanted to be a better mom and a better cook, by spending time planning my meals ahead of time and prepping food, I free up time for my kids and thus, become a better mom!  All by working on 1 area!

Step 4: Set a goal associated with that role.  Example: To make 5 meals ahead of time for the week.  

Step 5: Surround yourself with self motivation in accomplishing that goal!  For example, recipe books, Pin 5 ingredient meals, work with your kids in planning a menu.  

What works for me is: writing out and posting my goals, having an area in my house where I can visually see these goals (posters, pictures), and proper planning.

My current goal: To complete my 20th half marathon in the next 2 years.  I have an area of my office where my medals hang, an inspirational sign, and an email from my dad before my 1st marathon about running the race set out for me by Jesus.  I also make a running schedule, I set out my running clothes the night before my runs.  I plan and prepare.  I focus and visualize.  

But none of this is my 'why.'  My why is my son.  I want to be around for his life, to show him how to live an active lifestyle.  So through my goals of running a fitness business, being a better cook/chef, keeping a clean house, HE is my why.  By running, planning healthy meals, and taking care of our home, I doing it so he can have a life surround by positive influences and mom who worked, worked hard for her goals.  Yours may be your kids as well, but you have to make that link to your health.  If you don't, you will always be sidelined to the relaxing couch, watching Project Runway and folding laundry for the billionth time.  


Sometimes our biggest problem in achieving our goals is we haven't physically written them down on paper (not on your phone!) and put the right inspiration in our way.  Get out of your own way, stay focused and stay driven.  It matters to you.  You can achieve it and you should.  Try these 5 steps and work towards your goal today!

Here's some of my inspiration: