Starting something new: motivation
Have you ever started something and been super enthusiastic about all the things, goals and wins you were going to experience in the days ahead? You start off so strong and ready to tackle the things that stand between you and the thing you’re pushing towards. You have an excitement and optimism at this beginning stage as everything is still fresh and new. This motivation you feel is very important at this stage. It gets you going. Without it, you wouldn’t have much gumption to get the ball rolling. But then, the motivation begins to wane as the newness wears off.
You begin to see how certain things have changed, things you’ve had to give up. Some sacrifices you see as good while others you just start to feel worn out trying to keep letting go.
Sacrifices for fitness
Time – the time you once got to sleep in, sit down and browse social media, play video games, or read a book is now used for your workouts
Comfort – as you workout more, you’re most likely feeling the soreness of working muscles you haven’t worked out before or at the level you’re working them out. There’s a tiredness that comes with this and often times a lack of motivation to keep pushing forward
Social pressure – everyone else is eating whatever they desire and is making it hard to stick to the diet plan you have in place
Sacrifices for faith
Time – carving out time in your day to spend time praying and reading your Bible
Control – trusting that God will provide in situations that you would normally try to rely on yourself in
Earthly desires – not partaking in certain habits, entertainment, or conversations you once used to enjoy
The lists can go on… But you didn’t come here to hear what you already know and have already experienced. You want to know how to keep pushing forward when the sacrifices start to seem heavy and seem to be asking too much from you.
This is when you have to ask “why?” Why did you start this journey? Why are you wanting to become healthier? Why are you pursuing a relationship with Christ?
It’s not giving up, it’s leveling up
We’re going to read two passages of Scripture that can apply to both our spiritual and fitness journeys. And honestly….any other journey you find yourself on.
“My brother, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith, works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
“For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have trained by it.”
When you’re feeling tired and worn down, it’s your moment to prove to yourself what you’re made. It’s time to prove what you’re truly doing this for.
You want to see your kids grow up and have their own kids. You want to grow older without feeling older. You want to have the faith that Abraham did when God called him to move- without giving him any direction where that even was (Genesis 12:1-4). You want to have the relationship with Christ that would help others strive to have that same peace and joy only He can give.
It’s commitment that shows that you’re no longer living for yourself. It’s commitment you made toward a goal and purpose, not a feeling.
And real change begins when we implement the idea that sacrifice doesn’t have to be viewed in a negative way. Change the thought from “I don’t get to eat or do this” to “I’m choosing not to eat something that makes me feel poorly”. Instead of viewing what’s being taken away, view what’s being given to you.
“They thief comes only to steal and to destroy, but I come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”
God wants to add to your life. You just have to push through when you want to give up. You have to remember what’s on the other side of the pain and tiredness.
Seeing the gain in the giving
To reframe your view of the sacrifices you have to make, I want you to ask yourself the following questions:
-What am I gaining if I keeping pushing through?
-How can this be an opportunity rather than a “sacrifice”?
-How is what I choose right now going to affect me tomorrow?
Find healthy versions of the recipes you love. Find workouts that go along with some of your favorite activities. Remind yourself that workouts don’t have to break you or burn you out. There are simple and easy ways to add to your life, to make it more fun and fulfilling.
Please reach out and share some areas you’re needing to reframe from viewing as loss but as investment!
If you need help keeping focused in your journey, please go check out my other blog post “How to keep focused when you’re being pulled in all directions”
Cassondra