20th Anniversary Countdown: Guest Post #14

In celebration of my blog's 20th anniversary, I'm having guest posters every week leading up to the big day. 

I feel like San doesn't need an introduction, but for those of you who aren't following her, here goes. She is originally from Germany, but lives in California now with her husband. She is the poster child for having a Peloton, makes delicious food, and has a fascinating job as a geographer who does both fieldwork and data analysis. She blogs over at The In Between Is Mine and she is the organizational guru who has kept a vibrant blogging community alive through continuing NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) and doing an annual Secret SANta Swap. I don't have any favorites in the blogosphere, of course, but San is definitely a favorite.  

Let's welcome her!

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I am so excited to be part of Engie’s blogiversary celebration and thrilled to be featured on her blog (which was ‘born’ the same year as mine). It’s so fantastic to know another blogger who has stuck out the highs and lows of blogging over the years and still finds joy and value in keeping this personal online diary (with the benefit of an amazing blogging community to boot). Happy Blogiversary, Engie!

The first few things that probably come to mind if you know me already and read my blog are “NaBloPoMo, Peloton, and my crazy workout schedule” (which in honesty doesn’t feel so crazy to me, but I can see how it looks crazy to others.) 

I like to joke that I don’t have any other hobbies (which is a complete and utter lie, by the way), so working out takes up a lot of my time because I choose to make it a priority, and because I enjoy it, I’d like to add. I know I am lucky that way. I am also ambitious and always up for a challenge, although not really competitive (other than with myself).  

I am a positive and optimistic person and like to put positive spins on everything. Don’t worry, I am not one of those annoying overly positive people who just throw around glitter and sunshine (although a little glitter can never hurt). I know how to kick, scream, and wallow a good amount, I don’t believe in “everything happens for a reason" (because it doesn’t, don’t @ me), but in the end, my ‘half-glass-full’ mentality usually prevails. 

Mantras and motivational quotes are not everybody’s thing and they can be corny and eye-roll-inducing (believe me, some of them do that to me too), but surprisingly, I’ve also come across quite a few that I “needed to hear” and that I employ and rely on regularly during my workouts. 

I thought I’d share my 20 favorite mantras/motivational quotes that I use or remind myself of during exercise, but I feel that some also apply to everyday life. Many of them, you’ll not be surprised, I’ve heard from Peloton instructors. They might not have originally created them. Some are just phrases that anybody could have come up with, I guess (who can claim ownership of a string of words?) but some are credited to certain people. Either way, I hope you find some nuggets of wisdom here and think of them as inspirational too. 

1) I don’t have to, I get to. (Jess Sims, Peloton Instructor)

This might be my #1 mantra. Whenever I struggle or feel unmotivated, I try to remind myself what a privilege it is to move my body. It's not something I take for granted.

2)  The hardest part is - check ✔-  done, you showed up today. (Jess Sims, Peloton Instructor)

If you have wondered how to get into a workout routine and stick with it, this is it. You just commit to showing up for yourself. (Another favorite mantra that hits the same spot, “Keep showing up”.) Sometimes, it’s only 10 minutes, but just showing up and getting started is half the battle. Usually, after you get started, you follow through with the rest of your workout. Or you don’t, but you will never regret showing up, even for only 10 minutes. [Note from NGS: I have certainly regretted showing up for workouts, but I get it.]

3) Run the mile you’re in. (Ryan Hall, Olympian and American Half Marathon record holder)

Have you ever been out on a run and felt like it was never going to end? Well, here’s a thought: break up your run into small chunks. I always tell myself that I can run “one more mile”. And then, I just reiterate that at the end of every mile until I am done. It seems silly, but it seems to work for me. 

4) I can do hard things. (Jess Sims, Peloton Instructor)

When I struggle through a workout (or I find myself in a tough situation), this is the mantra I repeat in my head: I can do hard things because I've done hard things before.

5) Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. (Arthur Ashe, tennis player)

It's hard to not compare yourself to others (we all do it now and then), but I try to remind myself that everybody is at a different stage on their own journey.

6) Beat yesterday. (Garmin).

You might be surprised that I am not a very competitive person. I mainly compete with myself and my goal always is to "beat yesterday".

7) If you can’t get out of it, get into it. (Denis Morton, Peloton Instructor)

A simple shift in your mindset and attitude can make a huge difference and help you get through a hard situation. If you can't get out of it, commit mentally to getting through it. It usually helps me.

8) Allow yourself to be uncomfortable. (Alex Toussaint, Peloton Instructor)

We’re so used to seeking out comfort and instant gratification in modern society that we forget that achieving things sometimes takes time and perseverance and that it might be uncomfortable for a little while. (But just remember how glorious you’ll feel afterward!)

9) Drink as you pour. (Chelsea Jackson Roberts, Peloton Yoga Instructor)

This sounds like straight out of a self-care book (or the flight manual where they tell you to put on your oxygen mask first before helping others), right? It's good advice though. Self-care and rest are just as important as doing things for others. [Note from NGS: I have no idea what this means. Please explain it to me like I'm five.]

10) If you need to take an emotional lap, take an emotional lap. (Adrian Williams, Peloton Instructor)

Adrian often calls this out after a hard workout block, but isn’t it so true for life though? If you need a moment to breathe, just step away and do just that (and literally take an emotional lap around the living room, if it helps. I know that walking around helps me sometimes.) 

11) Athletes don’t exercise and diet. They train and fuel. (Matt Wilpers, Peloton Instructor)

I love, love, love that statement. For me it completely takes away the negative associations of “exercise and diet culture” and emphasizes a positive relationship with our bodies, the fact that we’re working with our bodies and conditioning them to be and do what we want them to do. [Note from NGS: Clearly I am not an athlete. LOL. I definitely exercise.]

12) Remember when you wished for what you have right now? (Robin Arzon, Peloton Instructor)

How is that for a little bit of perspective? We often are so goal-focused on things in the future that we forget to look at the progress that we have already made and celebrate those little milestones along the way.

13) What you’re not changing, you’re choosing. (Denis Morton, Peloton Instructor)

I am guilty of being a bit “indecisive” sometimes and this is a good reminder that not making a decision is a decision in itself. Think about if the consequences of a non-decision are the outcome that you want. 

14) Use your whole ass. (Jess King, Peloton Instructor)

Ok, this one is funny, right? I might have snorted the first time I heard it. You know how we say that people “half-ass” things? Well, if you decide to do something, do it right. Use your whole ass. And I couldn’t agree more. 

15) Being ready is a decision, not a feeling. (Jess Sims, Peloton Instructor)

If you wait around to be ready, some things are never going to happen. Decide to be ready for whatever is in front of you and tackle it with intention. 

16)  Shut up legs [or insert other words of choice here], you’re fine. (Unknown)

Sometimes we just have to give ourselves a little pep talk and get over ourselves. (I usually use this when things get tough during a run.) [Note from NGS: As someone whose spouse just had rhabdo, I don't know about this one...please pay attention and listen to your body!]

17) Someday you won’t be able to do this. Today is not that day. (Unknown)

This is a good reminder, friends, that everything is finite. Embrace what you have (or can do) while you have it. It won't always be so easy to get around. 

18) I run this body. (Dorothy Beal, run coach) 

This is another favorite mantra during runs. I am in charge of my body and my mind is stronger than my body. If you don’t believe you can do it, you probably don’t but if your mind game is strong, the body will usually follow.

19) Tough times don't last, tough people do. (Becs Gentry, Peloton Run Instructor)

When I am struggling through a workout, I like to remind myself that the pain and struggle are only temporary, but that it makes me a tougher person in the end.

20) Just breathe. (Pearl Jam)

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands, and one of my favorite mantras. If in doubt, just breathe (through it). [Note from NGS: Meanwhile, I am singing a Faith Hill song. I think that this post definitely shows that San and I are very different people!]

Which mantra is your favorite? Which one can you see using in your life?