Skip to main content

Is it Just Me - Motivation Overkill


I might have mentioned a few times that I love Pinterest. I love the motivational quotes, inspiration for new recipes, ideas for home decor or new outfits. The same holds true on Facebook too. I have also done a post touching on the topic of over motivation

But, it seems that it's just inundating social media. What I don't love is the constant barrage of images of too-thin women, or unrealistic images of women appearing to be cut, rock solid day in and day out. Even worse is when they're coupled with quotes that could be motivating. They really could be. But they can also be shaming and even detrimental to our own motivation. 

I see quotes like, "Do it every damn day." No. Absolutely not. Try for healthy eating, yes. But working out every single day is not ideal. As a fitness trainer, I do want my clients to feel motivated. At the same time, I don't want them to feel ashamed for missing a workout or for not looking like these images splashed all over the place.

What about those "motivational" posters saying something along the lines of when you're tired, do 10 more. Or not quitting when you're tired, but when you're done. Yes, we need to learn to push ourselves sometimes. But not every time. There's a time and place or a set workout just for that. But doing extra reps, adding extra weights, or running more miles can be very harmful. 

So these images, these motivational quotes coupled with these images … They aren't realistic. Period. In terms of the images - Even figure comp ladies will tell you that they don't look that way 365 days out of the year. Shoot, from morning to night the body can change. How many of you have noticed hints of abs in the morning only for them to be gone by noon? 

And in terms of the quotes - They can backfire completely. What if you can't run that extra mile or do that extra rep? And sometimes you don't need to. 

What if you're working your ass off and you still don't see those abs? Oh those abs with a blurb about follow this quick 10 minute workout <--- even more annoying and a totally different topic. Are you a failure then? Not a chance. But if you're looking for inspiration and that's what you're seeing … well … Again, is it just me?

Another one I keep seeing is … 

Um, yes to an extent. But don't make your life a constant competition with yourself. Talk about harmful. Is it just me? But do we want to look at ourselves in the mirror and think, "You're my competition?" Gosh, I sure don't!

So where and how do we find positive, healthy motivation and inspiration? How do we stop comparing ourselves to others but also not constantly compete with ourselves? Again, is it just me? Perhaps I over think these things.

I do sort of see the inspiration and motivation. But I think that some take it way too far. When will we start seeing realistic images of women with motivational quotes that aren't like a drill sergeant in your face? 

Seriously, go to Pinterest and type in "Motivation." Then come back and let's talk through this. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Love in Photos

In honor of Valentine's Day - Love in Photos Husband Family and Furbabies Friends Even if you're not a fan of Valentine's Day - I hope you have a wonderful day and remember the loves in your life.

Mid-Week Mix-Up - Disconnecting to Reconnect

Another Double Workout This morning I got up when Jason got up to go to swim. The plan was to do Cathe's MMA Kickboxing DVD then do back and triceps at lunch or after work. I really needed a day off from running - I had run 5 days straight. And wouldn't you know it that my cross-training day also happens to be the first morning in months that it was in the low 60's. Really? Talk about bad timing. I almost feel like I let the universe down by not taking advantage of the crazy cool temps. And of course they go right back up the rest of the week. Humph.... But, I listened to my body, my feet, my piriformis...all telling me to not run. So, I didn't. I did my kickboxing workout (sulking just a bit I won't lie). But it was a good way to "kick" off the morning. During lunch, I ran home to get in my back and triceps weights done. I went with my same back and triceps workout as last week. No gym means no assisted pullups or barbell rows. So, I do worry a bit

Workout Wednesday - Body Blaster Tabata

Happy Hump Day! I wanted to thank everyone for their comments on yesterday's post: Be Kinder to Your Body. Calories are Not the Enemy . It sounds like it resonated with many of you. Today I wanted to share a new workout with you. I've been working on interval workouts for some of my clients. I try to give them the most bang for their buck (time). I know that in an ideal world, we would all have time to do longer workouts. There would never be scheduling conflicts, sick husbands or kids, or sick us. In reality, workouts need to be effective and efficient. And they don't have to be lengthy to be effective and efficient either. There's no need to spend hours in a gym to get in a good workout. Interval workouts like HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) or tabata, or even interval running are great ways to get in a fantastic workout in a short amount of time and have many benefits. You can read more about Tabata workouts  here . The benefits of this type of work