May is Physical Fitness Month and I want to know why you work out? Have you ever asked yourself why you get up early and hit the gym, or get off late and still go pound the pavement for an evening jog? What is your motivation?

For me, it is a few different things: health, stress relief, athleticism, pushing my limits, and food. I lift and exercise to stay in tip top shape and to feel good. Working out and sweating is great for releasing feel-good endorphins and to sweat out the toxins and negativity from the day. I love working out because I enjoy being competitive in sports and getting better. Lastly, but most definitely not least, l am a foodie and love eating delicious food.

Looking at my reasoning and motivation now, I am so proud because I am doing stuff that is good for me because I enjoy it. But it wasn’t always like that. I used to workout because I was uncomfortable with myself and didn’t like the way I looked or felt. I wanted my body to look different. I struggled with sticking to a consistent workout plan and had an unhealthy relationship with food. I had the desire and ability to make it happen, but there was a disconnect somewhere along the line.

Now hindsight makes it clear. It was because the rest of me was unhealthy too. I wasn’t in a good place emotionally or mentally. I was stuck and that translated into my overall health. It wasn’t until I started working on every part of myself- spiritually, mentally, and emotionally- that I started noticing physical changes too.

Although May is Physical Fitness Month, physical fitness is only one piece of the health puzzle. Everything is interconnected and it all begins in the mind. If you are having trouble staying motivated, sticking to a plan, or just struggling with fitness in general, here are a few questions to help break down the whole process:

Why do you workout?
Evaluating our intentions for anything we do is a great way to jump start motivation and to stay consistent. If your intentions are negative, then try to find a positive in the situation. Instead of “because I hate the way I look”, try “because I love myself and want to be healthier” or even “because I want to fit into my favorite dress again.” Try changing the conversation.

Are you encouraging yourself?
Do you beat yourself up after skipping a workout or eating that donut in the morning? Do you truly believe you can do it? Work on stopping the negative self-talk. It is really hard to make positive change in life when someone, especially that voice in our head, is breaking us down and telling us we can’t do it. We are all human and we all skip workouts sometimes and eat cookies occasionally. That doesn’t mean you’re a bad person or incompetent. You are in the same boat with us. Just shake it off and jump back on it. You got this!

What types of workouts do you enjoy? What foods do you like?
Find some recipes that make your mouth water and workouts that keep you engaged. We are way more likely to stick to something if we enjoy it. If you absolutely hate jumping rope, then don’t do it. Try dance, CrossFit, or yoga. If you can’t stand tilapia, don’t eat it. Getting fit is a journey. You have to figure out what works for you. Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t found it yet. It’s out there.

Do you have balance?
Fitness is mind, body and soul. Practice spending time developing different areas of your life: spend time with loved ones, travel, read, write, learn, try new things, pray, workout, eat well and love yourself. It isn’t just about having abs or huge biceps. Fitness is about being healthy in every facet of your life, feeling great and enjoying life to the fullest!