When Mojo and Motivation Combine

Finally, I feel like my mojo is back; my attitude and my ass are in tune with the world of healthy habits.  As an FYI, I looked up the word "mojo" and while many of the definitions really do not fit this context (casting magic spells, amulet) there is one definition (personal power and influence) that works perfectly!  Good or bad, I am one of those people who must exert personal power over myself.  I like being fired up; adding fuel to the fire is one of my gifts.  Let me explain further.  Although I am thankful for the encouragement and prodding of others, my own mind must be in check for change to truly occur.  I need buy-in.  As a friend recently described me, I am stubborn.  If I buy-in to something, fully, I will draw from my bullheadedness to make it happen.  Thus, this Taurus needed to remind herself why she started this "Fitter Before Forty" journey in the first place: to be healthier.

I'm not about dieting for the sake of dieting.  I do not care about being skinny like so and so.  Personally, as I've said before, I'm not driven by image.  Health on the other hand is a strong motivating factor for me.  This is where personal power and influence over myself comes into play.  I need to remind myself, in detail, why I want to be healthier.  I need to use my imagination to feel, picture and hear what healthy really means to me.  For example, I do not want to worry about high blood pressure or taking blood pressure medicine.  I imagine that conversation with my doctor.  I do not want to worry about becoming diabetic (it runs in my family).  I want to be able to move freely without the extra aches and pains that are probably in my future.  As someone with anxiety, I worry about having a heart attack (my Dad had quadruple bypass surgery).  To me, this is NOT all about weight.  This is about researching healthier food options and incorporating those, being in tune with my body and listening to what it needs, exercising and moving several times a week, and checking in with myself mentally to make sure I'm in a good place. Let me add, having friends in my corner, working with me, being on this journey as well, is, for me, a necessary blessing.  While I am stubborn, I am also a sharer.  When I'm really into something, I like sharing ideas with others.  Having people in my life that listen, try and share with me too only adds good fuel to my fire.


So let me talk in concretes for a minute.  I have added some "skinny chick treats" to my faves and I have also updated the list of healthy links.  Feel free to check these out and feel free to share any ideas!  I am back to writing down everything I eat each day; for me, this is crucial for accountability.  Right now, I have chosen to use the Weight Watchers method of totaling points.  However, my main focus is getting healthier so I do not think this is a must for everyone.  I am also exercising again.  Not only have I been spending time in my home gym (boxing, lifting weights, using the swiss ball, doing the videos), I have been taking little spins on my cruiser.  This is hilarious.  For some of us, riding a bike is not so natural.  For now, I've been riding up and down my street practicing my turns and stops until I feel comfortable enough to branch out.  This is still a workout!  Again, exercise, is not about getting skinny but rather about what it can do for my heart, lungs, and mind.  Moving in ways that are fun and challenging is important for me to continue.  Walking on a treadmill is not going to keep me engaged.  Personally, I need change, options, and fun in my workout.  Knowing myself is key in all of this.

Because I love quotes and I've been writing about personal attitude and discovery, let me share a few cool words:

You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition.  What you'll discover will be wonderful.  What you'll discover is yourself.  ~Alan Alda

Never mind searching for who you are.  Search for the person you aspire to be.  ~Robert Brault

I do not try to dance better than anyone else.  I only try to dance better than myself.

Mikhail Baryshnikov

May we aspire to be and do more than we have before!  May we challenge ourselves to grow!  May we never be afraid of change and changing ourselves!