This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Crystal Light Pure Fitness.
My inspiration comes from many different sources, depending on exactly what I’m doing. For example, my husband inspires me to keep plugging away at my dream of being a successful–and busy–writer. My kids inspire me to attempt to live in the moment. Who inspires me to reach my fitness goals?
Well, that has changed over time. I was never “into” fitness as a youngster, and didn’t start thinking about it too much until my twenties, when I began taking aerobics classes. I absolutely adored Mary, one of my instructors. (I’ve written about her on Suburban Scrawl.) She gave a great class that was always fun. Her personality was bubbly, she was friendly, and she always took some time before and after class to chat. At that time in my life, Mary inspired me to continue my new workout habits.
When I moved away from that town and came here, I found another favorite group fitness instructor, who eventually became a very close friend. She was as inspiring to me as Mary, and because she was a friend, I always felt like I would miss out on something if I skipped workouts, so I just…didn’t. When we hung out together outside of the club, I always found myself eating a little bit healthier because she had great habits in that area too.
Eventually, I became an instructor myself and felt empowered to attempt to inspire others. I am blessed to have really great people in my classes, and some of them have said things to me that I used to say to my favorite instructors, things about how happy they were to see me, how they didn’t really feel like coming in that day but knew that I’d be there and would make it fun…things like that. I always try to emulate my favorite qualities from instructors I’ve loved in the past, to try to pay it forward a little bit.
Since I became an instructor (okay, and since I run around, totally crazed all the time), I don’t have the time to take classes from others anymore, and I have to look elsewhere for inspiration when it comes to my own goals. It’s been hard; most workouts that are outside of the classes I teach, take place at home. I have used our Bowflex, punching bag, DVDs, and of course I walk my dog. If you follow Suburban Scrawl, you’ll know that I’m doing the Couch to 5K training so I can participate in the Blogher 5K this August. I’ve been inspired heavily by three ladies during this process: Jen (who is always striving to live a healthier, more fit life up in Vancouver), Liz (who just ran her first 5K and did great!), and my virtual workout partner Michelle (who will do the Blogher 5K with me!). Although I think that healthy habits like eating right, exercising, and drinking more water (either plain water or, ahem, water enhanced with Crystal Light Pure Fitness drink mix) require a certain amount of inspiration-from-within, it’s always nice to look up to others who can help take the motivation to a higher level, you know?
So who helps or inspires you in your fitness habits? Here’s how you can tell me about him, her, or them, and win:
I’m giving away a $100 Visa gift card as part of this review program, sponsored by Blogher and Crystal Light Pure Fitness. You’ve got three ways to answer; please note that a separate comment must be left for each of them (include your e-mail address, too!):
1. Leave a comment telling me who helps or inspires YOU to reach YOUR fitness goals.
2. Tweet about this contest and leave a comment with a link to the tweet.
3. Follow this blog publicly with Google Connect, and leave a comment telling me that you just started following. If you already follow, leave me a comment telling me that!
I will be awarding the $100 Visa gift card at the end of this campaign, to a winner chosen using random.org. If I don’t get a response from you within one week of my e-mail to you, I will have to choose another winner.
You also need to get yourself over to the BlogHer.com Crystal Light Pure Fitness exclusive offers page, because there you will find links to the other participating bloggers’ posts (and you can enter THEIR $100 Visa Gift Card giveaways, too!), and you can also enter to win $1000!
Click here for the official rules, and click here to check out Crystal Light Pure Fitness drink mix for yourself!
33 Comments
Mami2jcn
My husband inspires me. When he and I partner up to get fit, it's a lot easier.
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
Mami2jcn
I am already a follower of your blog.
Heather
Not to be corny or anything, but I am inspired by YOU. Especially with the Couch 25k. I know how much you hate(d?) running so the fac that you are doing it shows me that I CAN DO IT. I haven't hit the C25K yet, but I promised myself I had to finish the 30 day shred, and I am almost at level 3. It has been tough, and it has sucked, but my biggest challenge is staying motivated and finding the best time to work out– I don't want to do it first thing in the a.m. and after working all day, sometimes I just wanna get home and veg, so that is my biggest challenge right now. The music playlist you gave me? TOTALLY works on pumping me up.
I am also totally inspired by Jen (Huckdoll). Especially because her and I had the same bad habit (smoking) and now we have both kicked it and are getting healthy. It feels awesome to be doing it for not only me, but for my future kids! 🙂
Heather
Oh, and I'm now following you via Google Connect, unless my work computer blocked it, I can't tell! hahaha.
Jessica Miller
My health ,my future,family and boyfriend inspire me.
I want to be healthy,and my family and boyfriend are a great reason to be healthy and enjoy the future with them:)
driven873@hotmail.com
driven83(AT)hotmail(DOT)com
Huckdoll
Oh man, you and Heather make me feel the warm fuzzies inside! Always. I'm so proud of you both and so happy to have a group of people to reach out to, laugh will and push each other with.
And I've met some pretty wonderful people through you gals lately as well.
Not sure if I am eligible *booo* but I'm also too lazy to go over and read the official rules and off to bed right now, so if I am eligible let me know, if not, it's all good sista!
Good luck to all of the contestants!
Dawn
Scott inspires me a bit when he says, "we're going for a LONG walk!" I don't have any excuses and know I have to get off my tush to go with him.
Dawn
I'm a follower! (as opposed to leader…I crack myself up!)
Sharon
Hi Melisa: Never commented or followed before, but I take your class on Tues. My former employer of 15 years inspired me to really take a closer look at my health needs. After being downsized and seemingly cast away from what I had thought was a very supportive group who worked in a very stressful field, I began to focus on what inspired me, how I can best serve others, and to let go of judgement about myself, and other peoples motivations. I began to take several varied classes in many different areas, and any instructor who makes a person feel valued and aware, is a treasure. This led to a self imposed addiction recovery, and a new career, while still getting it off the ground, is very fulfilling. Always try to look on the bright side!
Anne J
My children inspire me to stay fit, since I want to be able to be healthy when they are older.
ajolly1456 at gmail dot com
Anne J
I follow on google friend connect
ajolly1456 at gmail dot com
Anne J
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/lunaj1456/status/18517781749
Just call me b
My kids inspire me. I want to stay healthy for them as long as I can!
scottorbsmith at gmail dot com
Linda
The personal trainers on my NextFit call out to me even when I'd rather just sit! I really do feel as if they speak just to me (after all, they do call me by name!!), and I feel accountable to them to show up. Crazy! but that's just the way it works! (www.getnfit123.com)
anonymous
Older people inspire me to get fit. Seeing older people I know with health problems and all the medicines with side effects and doctor visits makes me try harder to take better care of myself. LPoser1 (at) gmail (dot) com
lighttraveler
My community inspires me to stay fit.
Where I live it is alot of disabled, elderly people and people with many health problems.
lighttraveler
I am following you via Google Friend Connect. http://quicktattletails.blogspot.com/
Just call me b
I follow you via google!
MH
I am inspired by my 80 year old mother who does Aqua Aerobics everyday at the pool. She makes time to exercise everyday and stay fit.
Your post is also inspiring , reading about your Couch to 5K training ! WOW.
I will be tweeting on your contest from @Recessionista and am connecting via Google.
Here is my Tweet: @melisalw Entered the #CrystalLight Visa Card giveaway from The Suburban Scrawl Reviews http://tinyurl.com/29p7pbj @CrystalLight
Thanks for the opportunity. I drink a lot of Crystal Light Raspberry Lemonade all summer to stay hydrated and accelerate my metabolism!
Mary, therecessionista at yahoo dot
nape
My daughter just got a dog. I'd say the #1 inspiration for me right now is the dog, begging me to take her for a walk. We both end up having fun.
Thanks for a great giveaway!
nape
Tweet-a-tweet-tweet!
http://twitter.com/Ida_Sessions/status/18938022783
jdelehantAT coxDOTnet
nape
I follow you with Google Friend Connect.
jdelehantAT coxDOTnet
nycgirl0501
YOU!
you are one of my biggest inspirations and I can't wait to give you a big hug in 16 days!
nycgirl0501
I follow you with Google Friend Connect & you know how to find me 🙂
JC
My parents inspire me to reach my fitness goals.
JC
http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/19230158534
JC
Google Connect follower
Deb ~ tnshadylady
My sister. She is a dynamo. And she's only 2 years younger than me. While I feel like a slug, she's dancing the night away. She wants to travel, and you gotta be in shape to travel! So I have to say that she is my inspiration, otherwise I'm afraid I'd just give up…
Deb ~ tnshadylady
tweeted http://twitter.com/tnshadylady/status/19777317698
tnshadylady at gmail.com
Deb ~ tnshadylady
GFC follower
Eve
My mother is my inspiration! She loves to exercise! and that makes me want to too.
shopgurl101 at gmail dot com
Eve
I follow by gfc (Eve)
shopgurl101@gmail.com
Eve
tweet http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/19978548538
shopgurl101@gmail.com