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 always think of how good I’ll feel after a work out and it usually motivates me enough. I also sleep in my sports bra, which for some reason motivates me to do my yoga routine every morning. :D
What a great summer idea, a frozen banana with pb and some jam would would top it off.
Oh I sooo need to try peanut butter with the soft serve banana.. why have I never done that?!
I use almond butter in my banana soft serve – it is delicious!
I am so going to start a workout piggy bank!! :)
That peanut butter banana looks good!
I’ve been trying to use a workout piggy bank, but haven’t really been keeping up with it.
Good luck at the market. :)
Excellent workout tips! I always have trouble with the first one: enjoying it! And I agree completely that it is a mental thing and you have to imagine yourself having fun and then, poof! you actually do =)
I love these tricks! I think I’m going to talk my husband into starting a workout piggy bank. Then we can use the money to have a little extra fun on vacation!
The one I use most often is the 5-10 minute rule. It never fails! I also tell myself that I can just “go for a walk” or do an “easy” workout video on-demand, but as soon as I get into it, it makes me want to run or do another video until before I know it I have completed a pretty amazing workout! Endorphins are crazy motivators ;)
Yes endorphins are ADDICTING aren’t they?
PB and banana is one of my favorite combos, so I have to try that out.
I usually use something like the 5 minute rule, but usually it is while I’m working out. So if I’m on a run, I’d say okay in 5 more minutes, or one more mile and you can walk. Usually once I get to that point I decide to keep pushing it out!
I love laying out my workout gear the night before, so I am ready to go in the morning. If I’m still struggling in the morning, I always remind myself that I asked The Boy to wake me up for a workout, so why waste a beautiful morning?
However, if I find that I’m dragging my feet because I am DREADING my workout, I take that as a sign that I need a rest day and take one, and never regret it!
yes I agree…sometimes we really dont need a workout!
Peanut butter banana soft serve? Totally drooling….
I definitely use some of those tricks! Visualizing how I’ll feel afterwards and rewarding myself with some couch time and a good book or movie usually gets me up and out there!
I love the piggy bank idea. I am SO going to find a piggy bank today!
I’m an afternoon/evening workout person. I’ve also tried laying out the clothes or putting them in the car. I feel like if they’re waiting for me in the car, then I have to go to the gym or to karate after work. My other big thing is to not let myself go home after work. If I go home, I’ll want to stay there, and I know that about myself. I’ve also tried finding a buddy, but I have a hard time finding a buddy who is committed. I’ve kind of learned that I do best in a group (class) setting anyway, though.
I agree about not going home…I used to say that on occasion or that I’d workout ;after dinner’ and it rarely happened!
I tried almond butter in my soft serve and it was delish! But honestly I don’t think you could ever go wrong with a nut butter + banana combo. However, I do find that it is better to add your nut butter after you make the soft serve because otherwise you don’t really taste it unless you add A LOT. By barely mixing it in afterwards you get nice big chunks of nut butter. Yum.
That is a great tip! I will have to compare..
I’ve used most of those tips. Unfortunately though, I’ve rarely had a workout buddy. I would really love to have someone to workout with, and help motivate me. DH works out, but his activities are much different than mine. I definitely subscribe to the theory that looking good will get you going! I love my gym clothes :)
When I’m feeling lazy, I get dressed in my workout clothes anyway, even if I’m protesting inside. Then once I’m dressed I also use the 5 minute rule.
I’ve always got a goal in mind, and when I’m feeling like being lazy I just keep my eyes on the prize and that usually keeps me going.
Also, I tell myself this:
I’ve regretted not working out, but I’ve never once regretted working out.
I hope the market goes well for you today and that the rain holds off. Great workout tips – I’ve never heard of #5. Have a HAPPY day!
I love the idea of a workout piggy bank. I can just hear my new mantra now “Must keep running for new Lululemon clothes”.
hahahah yessssssssssssss me too
I hope the rain didn’t keep the Glo Bar (and Dough!) lovers away! My fingers are crossed for you :)
Oh my gosh, making softserve with a pb-stuffed banana is genius! I’ve always loved adding peanut butter to my soft-serve, but that’s a totally new way to do it.
Thanks for the workout motivation tips. I definitely could use them… sometimes I just don’t want to go! lol. :P
thanks for the motivation, angela!
i just finished the work out i was going to skip :)
have a great farmer’s market day! i hope the rain stays away!!!
Good work!
I remind myself of my goals (nowadays its a race I have signed up for) or I tell people I am going to do this workout or that class. I know if I fail to hold myself accountable they will. This month I am also on a team with 3 other people who work out often and we are challnged to get as many workouts in as possible (as compared to the other people in the challenge) If we get the most we win! So by not working out I not only let myself down but I let my team down too.