Motivation

This week in one of the classes that I am in we are talking about motivation. I know for me personally on my weight loss journey at times I severely lack the motivation that I need. So I wanted to share some ideas that may help everyone. The first idea I want to share with you all is making motivational posters. One way to do this is doing a visualization poster with pictures of where your long-term goals will take you. This poster for me I am hanging in my kitchen on the refridgerator. I am putting it there simply because I find when  I am unmotivated to workout I also tend to not watch what I am eating. The second poster that may help is a motivational poster with the goals you have accomplishment no matter how small they are and pictures of yourself as your body changes. I can look in the mirror and not see the changes because I see my self in the mirror a couple times a day, but when I see the pictures I see how far I have come from start to now. These posters will be different for everyone since everyone has different goals of where they want to be. Another idea is to change your workout after so long. If you are like me, I get bored easily when working out with the same routine every day. I try to change mine up throughout the week so that I can stay motivated and have something to look forward too. I also do not like working out inside so as much as I can I do my workouts outside and I am learning to utilize what I have in front of me. I want to bring this to some clients when I start training to show that even when the gym isn't available we can have a good workout and achieve the goals we have set. If you have trouble motivating yourself get some help from family or friends, or join a group that will help keep you on track.

It's been awhile since I posted so here is an update.

Well it's been awhile since I posted life has been hectic. The girls have started softball and it has kept me rather busy with all the other activities we do daily lol. I made it through Nutrition with a 92%. <<<patting self on back>>> I can't say the same for the class I am in now. My class this time is Anatomy and Physiology and I am really struggling with getting everything in and understanding it all. I know the 4 week classes keep me busy and keeps me very reliable for my work, but this class is rather hard trying to get it all in. On a better note it just puts me a step closer to my ultimate goal. I hope to find you all in good health and enjoying your life. I will try to update more often.

Looking back

To start out with I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter. Today ends my first class and I want to look back at my life and how one class has enlightened me so much. When I enrolled in school I was still very reluctant about it and wasn't sure I could do this. My wonderful husband was here to support no matter how I did, which has helped me out so much. Through this first class I have learned so much and came away from this class with the knowledge of how to change myself for the better as well as how to help others. Who really would of thought that Motivational Psychology could change the way I think and feel? I really wouldn't of thought that. I am more motivated than I have ever been and I know that I have found exactly what I was meant to do. I know now that I can do this and have no doubts in my mind about that. I know without the support of my husband, my kids, my mother, my family, and a few very close friends that this wouldn't have been possible. I'm excited for the months to come and what lies ahead.

quotes

A few Positive quotes for you today!

Motivation

This is my final week of Motivational Psychology and I have learned so much about myself throughout this class. After writing a paper, doing my forum entries, and my journal entries this week I thought I would share how much this has changed my thinking, beliefs, and my motivation. PCI and this class has showed me alot about myself and my feelings, it has showed me that I am worth what ever I set my mind to. It has showed me that I am worth greatness in my life and all it took was to change my thinking. I used to not think that I could this and often wondered even after I started my classes if I could really be a personal trainer. Well with some positive self-talk, setting some goals, and changing how I think I know I will do this and I will be that personal trainer. If it wasn't for the book Thought Patterns for a Successful Career I am not sure I would make it through school. Now I know I can and will get through school and have a successful career.
So to share a few of my goals with you all so if I start to slack you get me back on board. My long term goal was to have a successful career as a PT. I knew to reach this goal there had to be some smaller goals. The first goal is to weekly get all my work done and make sure I understand the material we have gone over. The next was to pass each class with the best grades I could possibly do and to know that no matter the grade I receive to know I did my best. The next goal is to do my internship and learn as much as I possibly can hands on. One of my biggest goals is to graduate and have my associates degree. I know with a positive self-image and the support of my husband, my family, friends, and all the help PCI gives me all of this is in my future and I can achieve it.

To Learn more about me and my journey you can find me on Facebook or Twitter.

As I work towards my goals, what attitudes, beliefs, and self-talk do I need when I am faced with a challenge or an obstacle?

There are many different obstacles that may get in the way while I am working towards my goals. I have to remember that when an obstacle or challenge gets in the way that I need to keep a positive attitude and to remind myself of how far I have come. I also need to believe that no matter the challenge I am good enough and do deserve the goal that I am working towards. With this belief, a good attitude, and some positive self talk I will reach each and every goal that I have set for myself. No matter what goal we may be working towards there will almost always be some obstacle or challenge that will get in the way and try to keep me from reaching my goal. I have to remember what I am working towards and that I deserve the ending outcome so that I can stay postive and work past the challenges and obstacles.

Explain what academic success looks and feels like for you.

To me academic success looks like an accomplishment or stepping stone. What I mean by that is my long term goal is to be a successful personal trainer, to get to that point in life there are many smaller goals. To accomplish each of these would be small stepping stones to this long term goal. I believe with each assignment, journal, forum, and quiz that I am successful at it is one step closer to having my degree. Getting my degree is one step closer to the career that I want. I believe academic success would feel like a huge accomplishment and a proud moment that you can relive in your mind over and over.

My present thoughts determine my future. What am I thinking about today that will have a positive impact on my future?

I have spent a lot of time today as well as most this week thinking about my grades, graduating, and my future career. With thinking about my grades I know that good grades will get me to my graduation date much easier. Graduation will get me on the path to a career that I can put my heart, time, and sweat into. My career has been on my mind alot with being given the opportunity for an internship. With the chance to intern it will get me familiar in the gym and with working with others. So by thinking about all this it will help me be more successful when I get my degrees and start the career that I believe I will love.

To Learn more about me and my journey you can find me on Facebook or Twitter

A question not exactly from school but found this interesting....

So today I was asked to explain why I chose to go to school to be a personal trainer and I thought I would share this with everyone. The way I was asked really got me thinking and I thought it needed to be answered so others who have known could understand where I am coming from and my passion. This person pointed out the fact that I have never been the athletic type or one who was into a lot of exercising, so that is probably out of the normal for most personal trainers. I have to say that it is not completely true when I was younger I did gymnastics, played softball, basketball, and even volleyball one year. No I never liked to run and never cared to lift weights. Once I got in my teenage years I quit them all I thought socializing was more important and all that took time away from my friends. I was never the skinny girl even when I did these activities. With that being explained now in the last year a lot in me has changed. Three years ago now I started having a lot of pain which lead to some health complications. In a two year period the doctors tried a lot of different medicines to help control the pain. I know at one point I was taking twelve pills a day and I hated it, I didn't want to live the rest of my life on pills. I had reached the heaviest weight I have ever been in March of 2011. I knew for my family something had to change, because I was missing out on so much. Starting on April 1st of 2011 I started down a journey that has brought me here. I started with as simple as a walk at the local park, and that first day I cried when I was done. I couldn't believe that I could only walk a half a mile. I know we all have to start somewhere, but that was a huge pill to swallow for me. I continued to walk twice a day everyday with the push of a few good friends and family members. In a few months I went from the girl who couldn't walk a half a mile to walking anywhere from 3 to 6 miles in one day. In July I did my first 5k in my fathers memory, not knowing we were going to go do a walk that was all up and down hills the whole way. We walked this walk in about an hours time. In September I ran my first 5k, and finished in 42 minutes. I decided then I wanted to help others who were where I was when I started. I am still working on losing weight and I am a long ways from my goal weight but I have done and I am proof with work and determination it can be done. I decided then I wanted to help others that are where I was, but I didn't know how. I soon figured it out with some sole searching and research. I knew to help others I needed the knowledge and education that I would get from going to school. I know that there are many people out there like me that either can not afford a gym membership or can not bring themselves to workout in gym and I want to be able to help those people. I also know there are many people with limitations who do to various reasons they can not go to a gym and I want to be to offer them an opportunity to have help. This is why I chose to go back to school as a personal trainer.

I also would like to thank my husband, my children , my mother, my best friends Melissa, Heather, Chrissy, Kim and the others who have supported me for all there support and help through my weight loss journey and their support through school.

Where have I already achieved a goal and need to set a new one?

The most recent goal I can think of was when I started walking last April I had set a goal to walk a 5k daily. By the end of summer I was doing this and usually twice a day. I never actually set a new goal and I'm not to sure why. Once I met that goal I guess I thought it was enough to meet it. I now see I need to push myself a little harder and to do that I need to set a new goal. With everyone's support I am going to set that goal here for all to see and so that my friends and family can help me push towards that goal. By July 28th of 2012 I want to be running at least half of that 5k. I know to do this it is going to be some running and some walking to finish the 5k mark but I would like to be running at least half of it. I picked that date as this is the day of the suicide prevention 5k I do in honor of my dad. 

Thanks for reading.
To Learn more about me and my journey you can find me on Facebook or Twitter

Discuss three things that have gone well in my life of which I am proud.

Is it bad when this question actually made me stop and think along while about what to write about. I guess the first thing would be graduating high school. Up till high school I was a good student pretty much got straight A's, but once I started my freshman year my friends and my social life became more important. I barely passed all four years of high school and basically gave but I still think graduating is one of my greatest accomplishments. I think something else I have done well is having my family. Marriage is never easy and we have been handed our fair share of problems in the last ten years. We have had three wonderful kids that I couldn't think of a bigger accomplishment. My middle child as a baby was very ill and spent a lot of time in the hospital, but with the love and support from family friends we got her through it and to look at her today you would never know it. When I look at my husband and kids they are what I am the proudest that I have ever been.

To Learn more about me and my journey you can find me on Facebook or Twitter

What activities am I currently avoiding because they are out of my comfort zone?

There are a few activities that come to mind that I avoid because they are out of my comfort zone. The first one I am going to discuss is going to the gym. As funny as that sounds when I am going to school for a personal trainer that is one of the most uncomfortable things for me. I am very self conscious about my weight and feel very out of place and uncomfortable in the gym. I never realized till this winter how this affected me, but when it was to cold for me to walk or jog outside I struggled with the aspect of being in a gym around people who were fit and in shape. This is partly why I have chosen to go into this field. I know that I can not be the only person who is overweight that hates the gym. I want to be able to help these people who can't or are not comfortable in the gym. I also get uncomfortable in the gym not knowing the machines and having to ask someone for help. I always feel out of place and like I am asking stupid questions when I do ask for help. I know the trainers are more than happy to help but it still makes me uncomfortable not knowing what to do.

To Learn more about me and my journey you can find me on Facebook or Twitter

What are the elements about my self-image that are negative and are keeping me from reaching my full potential? What do I need to change so that I have a positive self-image

The elements of my self-image that may keep me from reaching my full potential is that I mess up everything I do. I have always been told that I can't do anything right and sometime along the way I have began to believe it. I need to build some self confidence and trust in myself to get over the fear that I can't do things right. I know this may be hard but with each success that I have will come a little more self confidence and belief that I can and do deserve what ever I set my mind too.


To Learn more about me and my journey you can find me on Facebook or Twitter

What habits or attitudes do I have that have prevented me from being as successful as I know I could be? Where in my life did I believe in myself and it helped me to succeed?

The attitude that I would say that has prevented me from being successful in the past would be that I am not good enough and that I can't do anything right. I have believed this for many years and I believe it has kept me from doing many things. The time in my life that I believed in myself and that helped me succeed is when I was in gymnastics as a child. Many years in a row I made it to state and nationals which was only for the best of each group. Without believing in myyself then I would have never made it as far as I did and to this day I can remember how proud I was standing on the podeum recieving the ribbons and trophies.

To Learn more about me and my journey you can find me on Facebook or Twitter

How can changing my beliefs about myself and my abilities actually change my performance or my success at school? In what way?

Changing my beliefs about myself and my abilities can change my success and performance in a few different ways. The first way is that it can make me a better student. If I use self-talk I can change the beliefs I have that I can't succeed at anything to I can do anything I set my mind too. I can also believe that I am a great student and can get good grades. By believing I can be an a student I will study harder and do whatever it takes to succeed. I can also believe that I am worth this and deserve this which will make me a better student.

To Learn more about me and my journey you can find me on Facebook or Twitter

How do my thoughts impact my beliefs and behavior?

The way I can see my thoughts impacting my beliefs and behaviors is that usually if i think something enough I begin to believe it. Once I start to believe something it will affect how I behave in the matter. An example of how I do this is, I thought a lot about running a 5k last summer. I have never been a runner so I was scared and didn't believe I could do this to begin with. After some time I began to believe I could do it. Once I believed I could do it my behavior changed and I started jogging instead of walking. Three months later I ran my first 5k. I have also went through this same scenario when it came to going back to school. I would like to also add that if you think positive it makes it so much easier to get where you wanna to be in life. To Learn more about me and my journey you can find me on Facebook or Twitter

What positive beliefs have I “locked on” to about myself that will help me achieve success in school?

Being positive in the past has at times been difficult for me, but I am learning that if I believe in myself that I can accomplish anything. In the last year I have learned that if I set my mind to something that I can accomplish it and that failure isn't an option. I believe with this mind set that I not only can have great success in school, but I will have great success in school. I have set in my mind what I want to come away with this from and I am determined to do whatever it takes to achieve it.  To Learn more about me and my journey you can find me on Facebook or Twitter

Discuss your primary motivation for going to school.

I have a few different things motivating to go to school. The main thing is my family. We have been a one income family every since my children were born and I want to be able to do more for my kids. know by going to school and furthering my education I could offer my children things that we haven't been able to before. Another motivation for me personally is to help others start the journey that I started almost a year ago. I know when I started my journey and life style changes I tried seeking out affordable help in my area and I could not afford the gyms nor the personal trainers offered through the gyms. Since i have changed my life style and lost eighty-five pounds in less than a year I have had people ask me how I did it and if I could help them. As much as I want to help these people and others now I knew I did not have the knowledge to do so. These people will all be my motivation to succeed and learn all that I can. To Learn more about me and my journey you can find me on Facebook or Twitter

A little about me and this blog

Hi my name is Jen Kay. I am a mother to three wonderful that I home school. I am married to a wonderful man that I have known most of my life. My first Journey began in April of 2011. I went to the Dr and weighed in at 310 pounds. This was the highest weight I have ever been. Since April I have lost 85 pounds. With this weight loss and the confidence I have found in losing the weight I decided I wanted to help others do what I have done. In March I started online classes to get my degree as a personal trainer. I know personally for me I couldn't go to a gym and I couldn't afford a personal trainer through the gyms. I have a passion for wanting to help those not able to afford other alternatives, or who can't workout in the gym do to disabilities, low self-esteem, etc. This was where I was a year ago and still hate to go to a gym because of these reasons. I also want to be able to know how to help children with weight issues as this is more common now. I know as much as I want to help these people I knew I needed an education to do so now that is where I am enrolled in school. I hope you all follow my journey through school and into a new life for me. Attached is a picture of my weight loss so far. Keep in mind I still have a lot of work to do a way to go.

To Learn more about me and my journey you can find me on Facebook or Twitter