What Motivates You?

​There are a lot of different things that inspire and motivate me each day. I am motivated to continue working out and eating healthy not only because I have lost so much weight and am committed to never putting it back on, but even moreso because I feel healthier (rarely get sick and recover quickly when I do), stronger, and have more confidence in myself and my abilities when I know I am taking care of myself. I believe so intensely in how empowering healthy living is that I strive to encourage everyone to try to see even just some of the light it has shown me. This new workout will make you a believer. It's so fun and over so quickly you'll be shocked and left wanting more. Time flies when you're having fun...

This is a 360 rep kettlebell cardio workout with 260 kettlebell swings, and 10 reps of 10 different exercises (100 reps total). This workout takes only 15 minutes (minus the included warm up and cool down.)

10 kettlebell swings, 10 burpees (with pushup)
12 kettlebell swings, 10 v ups
14 kettlebell swings, 10 jump squats
16 kettlebell swings, 10 bicycle crunches
18 kettlebell swings, 10 jump tucks
20 kettlebell swings, 10 butt lifts
18 kettlebell swings, 10 jump lunges
16 kettlebell swings, 10 knee hugs
14 kettlebell swings, 10 wide hip raises
12 kettlebell swings, 10 pushups
10 kettlebell swings

Buy out of 100 kettlebell swings. Do as many as you can consecutively; take breaks after every 10 or 20 if you need to.

​I did all 100 at one time like the crazy overachiever that I am. Don't worry if you need to take breaks, I was really pushing myself; I wanted to take breaks too.

This was not as crazy intense as I thought for sure it was going to be, but it was very energizing and fun. Perfect for mornings when you don't have the strength to really brutalize yourself but still want to move around and get some good cardio and strength in. I really like not repeating any of the exercises except the kettlebell swing, that really keeps it fresh and enjoyable for me. Knowing I only have to do one set of a particular exercise motivates me to really give it my all.

Another thing that motivates me is my desire to keep my depression at bay; exercise has really helped take the edge off of this for me. This is why I rarely allow myself more than 1 day off; consecutive days off sets me up to quickly and easily fall into new, destructive habits, and I don't want to even vaguely entertain that idea. Depression is actually what motivated me to get moving consistently in the first place 6 years ago this month. Usually it has the opposite, hindering effect, and it did for me too, but I was at my wit's end and managed to force myself to try something different, and I've never been the same. I may make a more detailed post about this one day, but for now, suffice it to say, exercise saved my life and changed me for the better. It provided me not just with a coping mechanism, but with a healthy, non-destructive habit, one I intend never to break.

I won't drone on and on, but the last thing I want to talk about is something, or rather someone, that inspires me: my boyfriend. (Lame I know, but bear with me.) He has changed my life for the better just by granting me the privilege of being part of it. But more specifically his work ethic, dedication, patience, and most of all his unending kindness inspire me daily; I attempt to emulate these qualities even if just in some small way each day. He inspires me to never give up and helps me see the best in myself when I lose sight of it. Even all the stupid bad habits I have and am desperate to correct, he helps me feel like it's not just possible, but easy to do so. He (and his unfaltering belief in me) just makes me better and inspires me to keep wanting to try to be better and do more every day. I don't know what I did before I had such an incredibly invaluable source of support in my life, but I hope I never have to remember. 

The point of all this is, find what or whoever it is that inspires you, and let it drive you to strive for the best and achieve all of your goals. Try to understand why you want the things you want, and let that start a fire of inspiration and motivation inside you. Never give up!