Good morning!
It’s Day 2 of the Oakville Organic Farmer’s Market!
This morning, I had something that lured me out from underneath the covers at 5:30am…
I mixed up the VOO last night and then threw a frozen banana in the processor for a minute or two this AM.
But it wasn’t just any frozen banana…
It was a frozen banana stuffed with peanut butter!
Last night I spread a layer of peanut butter in between the banana before putting it in the freezer. So in the morning all I did was toss the banana into the processor and go!
Instant Peanut Butter Banana Soft Serve.
If you are a Banana soft serve fan, you must try it with peanut butter! I have tried it with peanut and cashew butter, and I think I prefer peanut. Has anyone tried it with almond butter? I need to buy some almond butter as I have been out for ages now.
With one of the last cherries!
I need to pick up more cherries today. I heard that the market is expected to have a lot more farmer’s and produce this week, so that is very exciting! Last week the pickings were a bit slim. I had a couple readers come up to me last Saturday and tell me that they bought out all the garlic scapes! :lol:
It’s supposed to rain today, so I am hoping that it doesn’t scare everyone off. :ermm:
Simple Tricks To Inspire A Workout
Last night, I managed to get outside for a speedy workout. I was going to skip my workout and do it today after the market, but I visualized how nice it would be to come home from the market today and not have a workout looming over my head.
This simple visualization trick was all it took to motivate me to get out there. I told myself I could have a fun reward of relaxing on the couch with a movie after the market today. That sounded really nice to me!
I was supposed to do a brick workout, but I compromised and just decided on a quick run because I didn’t have much time on my hands.
The run:
- Distance: 3 miles
- Time: 25:37 mins
- Avg pace: 8:32 min/mile
- Max pace: 6:20 min/mile (sprinting last 400 metres)
- Avg heart rate: 157 bpm
- Max heart rate: 183 bpm
Mile splits:
- Mile 1: 8:39
- Mile 2: 8:48
- Mile 3: 8:10
It was an awesome finish to the run…I am loving the strong finishes lately. It really makes the run seem much more satisfying when I go out with a bang like in a race.
My experience last night made me think about other tricks I have used to get myself motivated to workout.
Here are some of the tricks/strategies I have used in the past:
1) Visualize yourself working out and enjoying it, having the time of your life, smiling, rocking out to music. Now picture how amazing you feel afterwards!
2) Lay your clothing out. If working out early in the morning, lay out your workout clothes directly beside your bed. Or better yet, sleep in your workout clothes! I used to do this for really early workouts when I was commuting 2 hours into work.
3) Reward your hard work! Pick an activity that you could enjoy after your workout. Maybe it is a night out at the movies, lying on the couch for a couple hours just reading a good book, or trying out a new restaurant that just opened up.
4) Wear workout clothes that you love. If you feel good in what you are wearing you won’t have any excuses like, ‘Oh I don’t want to be seen in this at the gym’. Dress for success.
5) Make a workout piggy bank. For every workout you do, add a specified amount of money into the bank (e.g., $1, $5, etc). You can make certain workouts worth more money, so for example if you have a challenging long run or 90 minute hot yoga class you can make it worth $10. Pop the money in the piggy bank or jar after each workout and at the end of the month take the money and paint the town red!
6) Find a workout buddy. Make a date with your buddy and mark it in the calendar. It’s never a good feeling bailing on a friend so you will be more likely to stick to your workout dates than if you were flying solo. I have experienced this with Eric…when we plan to go for a swim on a certain day, it is really hard to back out once we have made the plan!
7) Use the 5 minute rule. If all else fails, tell yourself that all you have to do today is 5 mins of whatever exercise you had planned. 5 mins of running, swimming, biking, yoga, walking, etc. Whenever I tell myself this, I always end up doing more because the endorphins kick in and it just feels good to be sweating and moving.
8) Compromise. As I did last night, I compromised with myself. I knew I didn’t have time for a brick workout so I said I could just do a shorter run instead.
9) Keep a journal and write down how you feel after each workout. Re-read the entries when you are feeling unmotivated for a quick pick me up.
What about you? Do you use any of the above tricks? Do you have any tricks of your own to add to the list?
I love the idea of a workout piggy bank! I’ve never thought of that before. Or I guess I could do the inverse, and PAY my husband five dollars when I skip a workout, ha!
Mmmmm…frozen banana + pb is a good idea :-)
I just spent 252.00 on new workout clothes..and I couldn’t believe how AWESOME I felt in them. I have sports bra that are FIVE years old..yikes!
I love keeping a journal and having a piggy bank.
Thanks Ange. Have Fun today!
I definitly use some of these. On days where I’m struggling to workout I use the 5 minute rule and almost always I feel good after 5 minutes of working out and want to keep going. I also imagine how good I will feel after. I need to get myself some new workout clothes because I haven’t in ages, good suggestion! Have a fun time at the farmer’s market I wish it was in NYC so i could go!
Just yesterday I had been putting off running for DAYS. I really really didn’t want to, didn’t feel like it, but the weather was so nice and I felt really guilty. So I told myself I would put on my running clothes and just wear them around the house for awhile….and before I knew it I had also taken my inhaler and put on my shoes! And then I went for my run! It really worked just to go through the motions and trick my brain into getting motivated.
Wow I love this trick!
Great workout tips! It’s 7:30 a.m. and brutally hot and all I need is a quick 3 mile jog today to loosen up for tomorrow’s half-marathon. Was thinking of reasons NOT to run and you’ve inspired me TO run. Thanks for that.
I have almond butter and I’m going to stuff a banana tonight and whip it up tomorrow pre-race! Thanks!
I always lay my clothes out! Every night I have to since I get up so early. I also just always remind myself of how great I’ll feel after.
I use strategies 2 & 9…I always lay out my clothes the night before a morning workout, that way it’s the first thing I grab when I wake up. I also use a workout log after every workout to write down how I felt throughout, because usually the reason why I’m unmotivated will show up there (ex. not enough sleep, stress from work…etc)!
Sometimes all I have to do when I don’t feel like working out, is just convince myself that it’s much more convenient to get it out of the way now, then trying to make it up later! :)
Good thing it’s not too rainy yet, I’m leaving for St Lawrence Market right now . . . if I had a car I would come visit you instead!
These are GREAT tips! Thank you for them. Sometimes it is so hard to get motivated! I usually do try and visualize myself during and after the workout and how good I feel – this one works for sure!
I love peanut butter banana soft serve! I had some last night!
I visualize my workouts…well, really I visualize being done my workout before it even starts! LOL! I know that getting it done is better than lamenting all day that I didn’t do it! Git ‘r done, right?!
Hope you have a great Farmers Market Day :)
I definitely think that the five minutes thing is very effective. I mean, you can do anything for five minutes, and during those five minutes… you never know, you might change your mind! ;)
I think PB + Bananas are a great great combo. I think PB is good with a LOT of things, actually. :D
Wei-Wei
Love the tips. I think when I just schedule a workout into my schedule I’m much more likely to do it!
Good tips! I always picture how I’ll feel after the workout – that always does the trick :)
I always have in mind that after a workout, I’ll feel much much better and energetic. That usually is enough motivation :)
Those are good tips! I practice most of them, especially #1! Everytime I’m not feeling pumped up for a workout, I imagine myself running around the gym “playing” with all the weights. It works!
I like to treat myself to a magazine to read while I’m on the elliptical or treadmill. That always gets me wanting to workout!
Good luck at the market today. I hope the rain holds off! :)
Yes magazines are KEY on exercise equipment! I used to buy a new one each week just for the gym! haha
These are great tips that came just a wee bit too late for me this morning as I rolled out of bed and immediately felt the book/coffee/couch allure. ;) Ah well, tomorrow is another day!
Angela, you are getting so FAST!! 3 miles in 25 minutes is fantastic!!
I use all those tips! Often I motivate myself by putting my workout clothes on and having a snack. When those two things happen, I feel like I can’t back out! Also, putting new tunes on my iPod always motivates me. I see it as an opportunity to relax and listen to some new music!
You have just reminded me to add new workout songs! Mine are sooooo over-played, I want to hurl. lol. Ok I need to stop saying that word today.
That might be your best idea for VOO yet. Thanks for the workout motivation tips. I hope your second day at the market is better then the first. :)
I love the 5-minute rule, but after that it’s all about the music for me!
I would never admit to the horrible pop music I listen to when running, but it works!