This month was all about stepping out of my comfort zone and doing things that scare me. And boy did I. August was probably the most hectic month of the year for me but it was so rewarding and I learned a ton, so I can’t complain.
Out of all the things I learned this month, something I heard from Jillian Michaels during her talk at the canfitpro world fitness expo really resonated with me. So I wanted to chat about it today with you…out loud.
I have a document on my phone filled with little nuggets of awesomeness from Jillian’s Q&A session at the expo that I could spend eons discussing. But since I’m trying to write a post and not a novel, I want to focus on just one of them today.
The difference between inspiration and motivation
Contrary to popular belief, when it comes to fitness, inspiration and motivation should be two completely separate things. According to Jillian, inspiration can be external but motivation has to come from within or you’ll never stick with it.
I’ve actually had first hand experience with this and I’m sure a lot of you can relate. When I started working out in my mid-teens, my motivation for doing it was to look like the models I saw in fitness magazines. Every couple of months or so I’ll eat all the salads and work out every day for about a week, but then my zeal for fitness would fade.
I wasn’t turning into one of those fitness models fast enough and it no longer felt worth it to me. So eventually I stopped.
[Tweet “Fitness inspiration can be external but motivation has to come from within #fitfam #fitness #JillianMichaels”]
It wasn’t until 2013 when a health scare made me reevaluate my life choices and I decided to get fit and healthy for me that I really stuck with it. And for a while everything was great because my main focus was me and my own body. I wasn’t worrying about what anyone else thought because I was on that journey for myself.
After years of failing to workout and eat well for even a month, I did it consistently for 2 years. And I attribute it all to having a personal motivation for getting healthy.
Was I still inspired by people like Jillian Michaels and those fitness models on the cover of magazines? Hell yea. They’re great examples of what can happen when you treat your body right.
But they were no longer my reason for doing it. I was my own motivation. And that made all the difference.
[Tweet “Be your own motivation #fitness #fitfam #JillianMichaels”]
Obviously, since I’ve made no secret of my struggles with exercise and weight gain this year so, something went wrong. Spoiler alert: my motivation became external again – though not models this time.
But since hearing Jillian speak I’ve made a conscious effort to reset my mindset and start working out for me again. And – no lie -I’m already seeing a huge difference.
So if you’re constantly falling off the wagon and are ready to give up for good, don’t. Instead, sit down and really think about your motivation for getting fit and healthy. And if the answer has nothing to do with you, change it.
Liked this post? Try this one next:
What about you?
- Do you think there should be a distinction between inspiration and motivation?
- What’s your inspiration and/or motivation for staying healthy?
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This post was written as part of the GoodLife Fitness Blogger Ambassador Program; however all opinions expressed are my own.
Having that motivation of wanting to be healthy in body, soul, mind and spirit drives me more than it used to, but I still struggle with being entirely superficial and external about fitness, because I go so much by the fitness industry that I see. It takes faith to seek something different. Thank you for reminding me of that importance Giselle!
Emily Swanson recently posted…WIAW: How to Find Peace in Chaos
I know Jillian can seem harsh, but seriously I do love her!!! i totally agree without that internal drive it will never stick!
amanda -runtothefinish recently posted…How Your Cycle Makes You a Speed Demon and Natural PMS Remedies to Keep Running!
Even though people hate on her, I love Jillian. I listened to her podcast a few years ago when I was going through rough times mentally and physically. She helped me learn to treat my body right. My motivation comes from the joy I get moving my body and eating things that taste DAMN GOOD and also are good for me. I feel better, I have more energy and I experience life more fully.
Ellie recently posted…Mental toughness, Passion and Off Running
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Really great post! Thumbs up! I am a big fan of Jillian Michaels and I like also how she is motivating with every sentence that comes out of her mouth…even if you sometimes want to curse her when doing these hard workouts 🙂
this is such a great post and great read!thank you so much for sharing this…this opened my eyes….
this indeed inspires me a lot! I really love the clash of it…very well explained.
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Looking forward to more helpful posts.
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Wow! loved reading this! You definitely inspired me as a single mom to get out of my comfort zone and get back to being fit. I am looking at doing the at home workout program at first I was going to do BodyBoss Method but I saw a bad review of it here https://definingweightloss.com/bodyboss-method-review/ saying you don’t get much for what you pay. So I think i’m gonna try BodyShred by Jillian Michaels! Has anybody tried it and had success with it? Thank you so much for your feedback 🙂
Great post. This post will inspire many people. Thanks for sharing your inspiring article.
Good inspiration post! A lot of learning things are available on it. keep it up, dude.
Very good thinking. I agree with your opinion. This post really very helpful and motivational./ Thanksgiving post.
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It was really insightful.
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Its really very good article and inspiration tips, thanks for this good share
Yes, love this! For me, its all about make a Decision.
I love the distinction! Inspiration comes and goes way too quickly – it’s seasonal. This doesn’t mean that inspiration is less. It’s just different. Fashion and trends depend on inspiration instead of motivation.
Motivation is like a compass that constantly tells you what direction to move in. The only thing that you have at all times is yourself – literally and figuratively! I also find that learning to ENJOY positive activities helps them to stick.
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Jillian is the person who introduced me to the world of fitness and who shaped my positive approach to exercise.
I need motivation and I think only it works properly. For me motivation = discipline, that is, what helps me stay on my fitness path.
Going out of the comfort zone and doing what scares me is a kind of challenge to yourself. And having come this way, you can really learn a lot about yourself. I consider it important. But it takes time, I’ll rely on service in case I don’t have time to do something or don’t want to. To find myself in this life is more important than to write an essay. Maybe I’m wrong, but the service for writing an essay is the best I’ve ever found, except for your blog of course!
Both are important and depend on the person.
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Be your own motivation good thought ..fitness