Something that has helped me really figure out what fitness means to me – how it fits into my life and integrates with everything else “I” am – is having fitness role models. I’m lucky to have both “real life” women to look up to, as well as celebrities who I’ll never meet.
My “end game” fitness goal is to feel confident enough to step into the cage and have a few amateur MMA fights. Meaning, right now, my fitness role models are the women at my gym who are already fighting MMA and Muay Thai. Every time I see them/work with them I get a little motivation boost, and I’m so grateful.
So you’re a runner? Next time you have a crazy speed-demon pass you (or even easier, running next to you on the treadmill), try to strike up a conversation (granted, if you only run outside it might be tough to talk while sprinting to match their pace for a quartermile, but YOU CAN DO IT!). Sure, you can be inspired without actually knowing who s/he is, but trust me – you’ll benefit from getting to know them and they’re probably fabulously nice.
Weight-lifter? Offer up a protein shake and become buddies with the the guy / gal who looks like they’re gearing up for an incredible hulk audition. You get the idea.
Basically, please don’t limit your visual motivation to random photoshopped chicks / dudes off Tumblr (I like some fitspo enough as the next dieter, but it’s kind of like the carrot sticks of the motivation world… good in limited doses but without anything else in your diet you’ll turn orange).
My celebrity role models are the women of UFC/Strikeforce. My favorites are Ronda Rousey (I couldn’t resist after she cut 17 lbs in one day to inspire her team and STILL won the TUF coaches challenge!) and Roxy Modafferi (amazing attitude!).
Are you lucky enough to have both “real” life and celebrity fitness role models? Tell me about them! Maybe I’ll be inspired :).
Quote of the day from Ronda Rousey:
The Daily Better 