I'm a sucker for a good quote, but honestly some of the are so cliché that I want to gag when I hear them. Here are some examples:
"Hustle for that Muscle"
"Be a Badass with a Good Ass"
"I Don't Sweat, I Sparkle"
"No Pain. No Gain."
"Wake Up Beauty. It's Time to Beast."
Oh, and the ultimate...
"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."
You see these quotes plastered all over girl bosses Instagram pages. Usually these quotes are overlaid onto a beautiful picture of landscape or they accompany a perfectly posed gym selfie that doesn't have a drop of sweat in sight. It's manufactured authenticity. I'm not here for it.
Here is a list of quotes that are only semi-cliché that you can turn to when you need a burst of motivation.
Don't Stop Until You're Proud
I'm sure you've heard this quote before, but I'll tell you why I like it so much. It isn't tied to a specific goal. "Proud" is something you feel when you accomplish what you want. This quote doesn't say "Don't stop until you're skinny." What kind of motivation would that be? When you're in the gym, you should leave with a sense of pride. You've challenged yourself and you accomplished the workout. That is something to be proud of.
Remember Why You Started
During Intake Sessions at Maiden Resistance, I always ask the clients what their goals are and why the want to accomplish these goals. Sometimes I get a blank stare and other times I get a clear answer. Whether it be that you want to keep up with the grandkids, or you'd like for yard work to be a little easier, always remember the why. "Get toned," and "lose weight" aren't always goals that get us through the workout. Make them specific and attach them to a value. "I want to become strong so that I can keep up with my grandkids. I'd like to do this so I don't ever need to recover from spending time with my family."
The Hard Days Are What Makes You Stronger
They say that motivation is what gets you started, and habit is what keeps you going. Being consistent is the hard part. Getting up, going to work, hitting the gym, going home. It's the same routine, day in and day out. Some days you won't feel like going. Some days you'll skip, hoping no one notices. But guess what? That usually makes you feel worse. You'll never regret going to the gym. It'll leave you feeling better than before.
Your Health is an Investment. Not an Expense.
Everything you do in this life revolves around your health. You have one body to live in, and if it fails you, that's all you got. Creating a routine that nurtures your body instead of ruins it, is the best way for you to continue living the life you want. Your gym membership, the healthy food, and the regular doctor visits are an investment into your health.
Final Thoughts
I wanted to close by offering two quotes from strong woman who have gone against all odds in order to become the woman they want to be. They realized early on that this isn't about anyone else or their perspective. It is about you and it is for you.
"There is no perfect time. No perfect opportunity. No perfect situation. No perfect moment. You either make it happen, or you don't. You don't wait for it to fall in your lap. You take it."
- Mattie Rogers
"What matters is how you see yourself. Own your shit." - Stefi Cohen
To you, my Maiden Friend!
- Coach CoJo