I received my first two donations today!!
Thank you so much to my new sponsors, I will ride with my heart in every pedal stroke this May, what an amazing motivator this is!
Sometimes, when I feel like I’m working out all the time it becomes difficult to keep in mind where my purpose really is. In the past I’ve forced motivation through self critique and guilt and a sense of obligation. In the end these factors never really pay off.
If I tell myself I’m cycling to make eating a big dinner ok or to make up for the snacks I had at work I never really feel good about exercising. It’s only when I get out there for the sheer love of it that I feel great, inside and out. I don’t think there is any coincidence at all that my workouts based on love yeild much better results overall.
It can be really difficult for me in the colder and darker months to find this passion. I think yoga and working out with friends helps some but in the end we have to find those positive forces within us.
Duty and obligation are two words that I find less and less space for in my life as I get older. I don’t work hard because of duty. I do it because I love my work. I don’t write because of obligation, I write because I am inspired to do so and because it makes me feel more whole when I create.
Why should excersise be any different? I don’t want to be held to a standard that makes me feel like I have to work out. I want to love it, and to have those around me love it too.
I’m getting out there to ride and run and play, and I am doing it all for a very simple reason.
Because I love to.
How do you find motivation?
Good for you, Jill! Congratulations on your donations and staying motivated during the colder months, it’s definitely not easy to do!
Thanks Tina!
It IS hard to stay motivated through the winter, though I have to say I found your dedicated to be incredibly helpful to me. It’s always great to know your friends are out there working hard for great purpose.
I stay motivated by loving those endorphins that kick in after having a really good bike ride or run or whatever it happens to be! Brings some confidence and some new perspective every day.
It’s so true. If it weren’t for endorphins I don’t know how I’d ever get myself to the gym on those cold dark rainy evenings. After an hour on the bike suddenly all that crappy weather seems completely doable and I’m ready to face the world.