[Day 9] Can This Become A Habit”

We’ve laid a good solid foundation, now let’s start burning it in to your brain and make it a habit.
Motivation is key to attaining your goals. That is why i asked about why you wanted to partake in this challenge I wanted to make sure you were motivated for the right reasons and you had your head on straight. If you are someone who cannot get excited about your goals, then achieving them can become drudgery. And that just SUCKS!!! Here are 9 tips that will help you over the hump.

1. Rewards If you’ve ever worked with children, you know that bribes work. “Eat your vegetables and you can have more mashed potatoes.” “Get an A on your homework and you get a sticker.” “Clean your room and we’ll go to the park.” As an adult, we tend to drop this habit. We just do the work because we’re supposed to, or maybe we don’t do the work at all because it’s just not fun. Why not add back in some fun! Reward yourself – notice I didn’t call it a bribe’ Reward yourself for your success. For example, if your goal is to pack your lunch 3 times during the week, then buy yourself your favorite coffee and every morning, after a successful day that you bring your lunch.
2. Friends Friends can make goal setting and achieving fun! Whenever you’re tempted to eat something off plan or not head to the gym, why not call or IM a friend! Tell them what’s going on and ask for the kick in the pants to motivate you to stay on plan or just make you laugh. That’s what friends are for. Friends can also join you in your goal. If you’re looking to add exercise to your routine, you can join a gym with friends, or just meet each morning for a brisk walk. Now you’re both getting healthy, and on the days when you’re not feeling like working out, knowing your friend is waiting for you and depending on you will get you out of bed.
3. Record your successes Journaling is a great tool to track how you’re feeling. It can be even more motivating if you journal your successes. By recording your successes, when you’re having a difficult day, you can open your journal and read your success entries. Remembering what it felt like to succeed will help to motivate you through the tough days.
4. Be positive A positive attitude is a wonderful motivator. When you’re feeling positive and have a happy outlook, it feels like anything is possible. A good way to stay positive, is planning for those tough times, and knowing how you can turn around your frame of mind, is a useful tool. So what makes you happy’  I have a stash of positive quotes, videos, songs and images that help me when I have my wall kicking moments.
5. Being grateful What do you have to be grateful for’ Remembering what is good and right in our lives tends to put everything else into perspective. When you’re dealing with a particularly difficult day and working out sounds less fun than cleaning the toilet, or you’re thinking a burger and soda at the local drive-thru will solve all of your problems, then it’s time to get out a pen and paper. Why not write down 5-10 things you’re grateful for’ This could help snap you out of your funk quickly. Once you remember what is good and right in your world, the gym will maybe not feel so bad, and that takeout food will no longer feel like a life preserver.
6. Use Triggers Lay out your clothes the night before or pack your gym bag and put it by the door so you don’t forget it.
7. Get it over with Bite the bullet and head to the gym early. This may mean setting a bed time.
8. Be prepared We talked the other day about prepping food on Sundays. Also make sure you have the right sneakers.
9. X marks the spot I love this one. Grab a calendar and mark a red x each time you are successful with one of your goals mark a red x on the your calendar. This will give you visual motivation to keep going.

Your challenge today.

1. Of the 9 tips which three will you find to be the most helpful and how you can use it.
2. Find a motivational quote and post somewhere that you can see it

Don’t forget Leave a comment below. Write a facebook post on the Fabulous Fit Squad. If you have a personal blog, write a blog post. Make sure you link back to the site so we can cheer you on and hold you accountable.

Just joining now” Don’t worry you can catch up.
Day 1 — Intro the challenge
Day 2 — Getting your mind straight 
Day 3 — Goal setting 
Day 4 — What’s on your plate
Day 5 — Lift
Day 6 — Cardio
Day 7 — Living on your own terms
Day 8 — Rest day