What is All This Talk About Mojo?
In the past 48 hours of writing this post I have heard, or seen, someone mention that they lost their mojo. To me, that was a sign from the universe. “What did the universe say?” you ask. It told me to ax the planned post related to eating in favor of helping you get your mojo back. If you never had a mojo, then let’s help you start one.
Share Your Inspiration
I dedicate this post to a new Facebook friend who has been struggling with what life has thrown at her, but who is starting to heal and transform her life. I also dedicate this post to my work colleague who, based on seeing me go through my weight loss journey, reached out to me for help in getting her mojo back.
The stories they each shared with me is between us. What follows, however, are thoughts that came to mind after leaving the office of my colleague. Each of these women inspired me. I hope this inspiration helps you, and them.
Be Flexible and Do Something
In talking with my colleague, she mentioned that she realized when it comes to working out she operates on all or nothing. Are you like that too? I was.
Her saying that reminded me of a time when if I had planned to run in the morning, but it snowed or rained, I would do nothing.
To combat that type of limiting thinking, during this weight loss journey I have been on for a little less than an year, I took a different approach: be flexible and do something. Doing something is a whole lot closer to all than it is to nothing.
Not everything goes as planned. Be prepared for those moments. Here are ways in which I exercise flexibility and make sure I do something:
- Have a back up plan. I am certain to check the weather forecast often, then plan accordingly. An ice storm is in the forecast? Then I do something in the house. In case I am not up to doing an originally planned workout, I make sure to have another in mind to do instead.
- Plan the week. For example, I typically take a break from working out on Sundays, but I will workout on a Sunday if I cannot workout on a day later in the week.
- Be prepared to workout away from home. If going out of town, I have gone to a local gym, worked out via Skype with my personal trainer at the hotel gym, found a local park for a run, gone running in the immediate neighborhood, and done a workout given to me by my personal trainer poolside where I was staying.
- Cut the workout time. I sometimes rotate T25, P90X3, and INSANITY. They range from 25 minutes to an hour. I don’t not do them if I do not have time to do the full workout. If I only have 12 minutes, then I do 12 minutes.
- Be Creative. Exercise while watching TV, take the stairs, perform exercises while watching an event.
Doing something is better than doing nothing. To get going, make it your mission to do something, even if it is only five minutes of something here and there throughout the day.
Talk to Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself
That bag of Oreos or chips you are about to eat, ask yourself why you are about to eat them?
Do you view what you are about to eat as a reward or see it as something that you deserve? Ask yourself if it is really a reward or is it really comfort that you are seeking? You see, and I know this first hand, when you are stressed or tired, you need to feel better. All too often, we seek out unhealthy options to give us that comfort.
Regardless of your answer, reward versus comfort, think of a positive alternative. Here are some possible positive options:
- Drink water or tea
- Have a piece of fruit
- Snack on a water vegetable like celery
- Recall how good you felt after you work out
Lastly, tell yourself you are proud of yourself for making a healthier option for you and those you love.
Cut Yourself a Break and Quickly Get Back on Track
Yes, you went a wee bit overboard when you ate that whole basket of bread at dinner, or when you ate five too many Oreos, or when you ate not one – as if that was not bad enough – but two bags of Riplets when visiting your boo's home town. We fall off track sometimes.
Rather than believe you are hopeless, then succumb to your bad habits again, go back to the section above and have a good talk with yourself about why you chose those options.
And hey, I get it. Maybe what you ate taste so dang good you could not help but to keep eating what you were eating. I have been there, hence the Riplets reference. Guess what? After that little trip (we were in St. Louis when I had the Riplets) I gained about four pounds. Did I quit working out and continue eating poorly? No.
In my case, I reviewed my meals, realized I had taken in way too much junk and salt while on vacation. From there, I devised a plan to help keep it healthy, with treats in moderation, for the next vacation and I went really hard with my workouts that week. Before you know it, I was back on track. No time to work hard? No problem. Do what you can and be patient. The damage will come undone.
Therefore, cut yourself a break and quickly get back on track.
Enlist Someone Who is Where You Want to Be
You have a busy life. You have lots of responsibilities. That means you cannot do and figure out everything on your own. Reach out to someone who is already where you want to be. I bet they will be more than willing to help keep you accountable, give you support, and help you with your mojo.
Start the Discussion: What do you do when you start to notice you are losing your mojo? Share in the post comments, on Facebook or Twitter.