Motivation.  Sometimes you have it and other times you just…don’t!  I knew in order for me to make some significant lifestyle changes, I needed to think about what I wanted and why.  As I mentioned I was feeling so crummy and just making it through each day instead of living each day fully and enjoying the moments in it.  So I was motivated to make changes.  But I also know that I like to see progress and I needed something to help me STAY focused and motivated so I created a vision board of sorts.

First off I knew I wanted to make some goals.  So I got a cheapo journal from the Dollar Tree and wrote a list of my top goals.  I tried to avoid just having a particular weight in mind so I branched out some.  My very first goal was to give keto six months.  I wanted to really stick with it long enough to see changes but also to create some strong habits. I wanted to fit back in to my favorite pair of jeans.  I wanted to get down to a size medium shirt.  I wanted to start and complete an 8 week weight training program.  I wrote them down with a box next to it so I could check them off when I accomplished them.

The next step for me was to take pictures.  I took before pictures and printed them out.  I added these next in my journal so I could really see where I was starting from.  It’s not the most enjoyable experience, but I figured I would want to see the progress.  For me taking pics every other week is what I settled on.  I print out the pictures each time and add them to the journal.  I took front, side and back shots every two weeks.

I also have a mental problem with the darn scale and weighing in each day was really hard for me.  If I had a higher weight, it would make me grumpy for the day!  That is ridiculously embarrassing to say, but that’s truth!  I played around with different time frames, and having a weekly weigh in worked the best for me.

I got a big desk calendar from Target and hung it on the back of a closet door in our basement.  I recorded my starting weight on there, anytime I did an exercise program, and weekly weigh ins.

I also decided to keep track of the weight loss by using little teeny clothespins.  I added one for each lb I lost so I could see the string growing.

Then came the fun part!  I went to pinterest to find quotes.  Things that inspired me and spoke to me.  I printed off a bunch of those and put them up randomly around the calendar and in my journal.  I wanted to be able to read things that encouraged me and kept me going.  I liked this weight loss one too as I could see exactly what I was losing!

So, whether you are motivated to make a change now or are not quite there yet, maybe some of these ideas will work for you too!  Today is a good day to make a change!

Some other food for thought……you will not find a single picture of another person on my board.  When I first looked up vision boards on pinterest, a lot of people use pictures of models or other people to find motivation to look like that.  For me, I need to step away from the comparison and find a way to be the fittest, strongest, healthiest version of myself. My body is it’s own unique creation and I won’t be able to look like anyone else.  I simply want to be the best version of me I can be!