You probably already know from previous Motivation Monday posts, the images and quotes I share on Facebook, and my overflowing inspirational Pinterest boards that I love motivational quotes. They inspire me to take a look at myself, my attitude, my goals, and my life … and try to make them better. For me, it’s not about looking at the model depicted in these images and wishing I could be exactly like her, or beating myself up over things I haven’t yet accomplished, but it’s really about focusing on how I can make myself better. 
My motivations aside, motivational images and quotes are really hotly debated in the blog world right now – some people just aren’t motivated by seeing words and pictures on a screen, so it doesn’t work for them. Some find various “fitspo” posts to be too judgmental, triggering, or too demanding (as in, “if you ever in a million years sleep through your alarm or take a rest day, you are a complete failure at life!”). I completely respect this, and I definitely avoid those that I consider “too intense” … but I find myself constantly coming back to motivational quotes and images for my personal motivation. They really help me get my day or my week off to a great start, make the best of my situation, and push myself to accomplish my goals.
Last night when I was thinking about what motivation to include for today’s Motivation Monday post, this image really popped out at me. I think it describes my attitude towards exercise and healthy eating perfectly! It’s one of the reasons I love learning about and practicing a healthy lifestyle: I can ALWAYS keep improving myself! In the end, it’s not really about how many minutes I worked out or if I ate a better dinner than the person living next door to me, but rather it’s about taking little steps towards making myself healthier. It’s a life-long journey, and no one is EVER the “perfect” exemplar of healthy living, so there’s always room to keep improving, which is a fun challenge. Even if I’m far from perfect, I know that everything I do to treat my body as well as possible is a little step towards becoming a healthier ME.
(picture source)
Foodie Penpals
On a completely unrelated note, I participated in “Foodie Penpals” for the first time this month. Hosted by Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean, this is a fun project each month where bloggers (and readers!) are randomly matched up, and send each other boxes of goodies to sample. I love trying new foods, so I figured why not jump on the bandwagon? I was lucky enough to be matched with Melissa from Red, White, and Blueberries, and she sent me a wonderful package full of goodies from Austin (where she lives) and Italy (where she recently visited). The tea was the first thing I tried, and it was lemony and delicious. I put out some Longhorn popcorn for the boys yesterday while watching football (and I think I ate more of it than they did!). I’ve heard so much about Advocare’s Spark product and have really been wanting to try it, and I adore Kinder chocolates – I look for them any time I’m abroad. I can’t WAIT to put the pumpkin pudding, sweet potato soup mix, and all the other treats to good use! All in all, a wonderful surprise box of goodies. Thank you, Melissa!
If you want to join Foodie Penpals, you can check it out by clicking the button below.
what a great package you got! that pumpkin jello pudding sounds amazing (you know i love my jello pudding) and the sweet potato soup would be perfect for fall. i like that motivational image you picked out because it is ambiguous and can be applied in so many different ways. it could mean a literal step in a run, or it could mean taking a big mental step and taking a rest day. that’s the best – when you can take a motivational quote and apply it to yourself, whatever your journey/goals.
If you and I were matched up as Foodie Pen Pals, I would send you a spaghetti squash, nori sheets, carnival ride soup* lol, and some….. Grass-fed beef jerky. LOL! Such a delicious box, no?
Haha Gigi, you crack me up! I would LOVE the spaghetti squash, nori, and carnival ride soup (might look even nastier once it arrives, but it sounds delicious!). But jerky just doesn’t do it for me, even though I think grass-fed beef jerky can be a healthy snack!
Great post Megan! I find there are alot of great inspirational quotes out there which do motivate me- however there are also many duds and some which others could find triggering! Its about looking past those and utilising the meaningful ones! For myself, its to let go of negative thoughts and be happy with what I can currently do and appreciate what I have in the now!
I think that’s a huge one – just being happy with what you have now. Good for you for reminding yourself often!
Those are awesome goodies!! I love motivational quotes, but to be honest I had never heard of Fitspo until recently. I still don’t really get it, apparently, because I thought it had to do with pictures of really fit (or maybe even unhealthy, but skinny) people…so it had to do with comparing yourself to an unhealthy ideal. But maybe I’ve just read all of the negative posts about it and none of the positive ones.
Amy, your clarification is exactly what I am trying to get at. There has been so much bashing of “fitspo” (which – as I understand it – includes anything that is meant to motivate people to live a fitter/ healthier lifestyle). For me personally, if I just ignore those that are too intense/ trying to get us all to be rail thin or look a certain way, then I LOVE the motivational part of it, just like I love the image I posted today. But I’m not sure if people are JUST bashing the “intense” portion of the motivational images, or if many people really don’t like this stuff at all. It seems like people have been OK with the type of motivation I’ve been providing, so I’m going to keep on giving it (and keep on ignoring the unrealistic/ intense portions of it).
While I love motivational quotes, I am not sure if they actually motivate me. They just make me happy.
The foodie pen pal program seems awesome! It looks like you got a lot of yummy sweets!
Well hey, making you happy is a step in the right direction! The penpal program is really fun!
I love motivational quotes too! On days when I’m down I like to listen to motivational podcasts to keep me from punching a window lol…promise I won’t! I’m thinking it’s time I sign up for foodie pen pals. I think I’d have more fun shopping for my partner than actually getting mine. I’d probably end up buying double for myself…I can’t control myself when it comes to new food products!
Good, I’m glad you like them, Davida! Haha, NO punching windows allowed! You should totally do Foodie penpals – I had fun this first time, and you’re right, I had just as much fun BUYING the stuff for my partner!
I LOVE motivational quotes! People on my facebook and pinterest probably get annoyed because I post them 3-4 times a week. I say if it helps you stay focused and on track – then GO FOR IT! I think they are really great on Monday’s too – no better way to start the week off than motivation!!
I think I may have to take part in this blogger pen pal thing!
Have a great Monday!
Well, if people are annoyed by you, then they’re probably annoyed by me, too. But hopefully they help some people out as well! I know I always feel SO much better after looking at some great quotes. I hope you do join Foodie penpals – it was tons of fun for me this first time! Happy Monday to you too!