I gotta be honest, sometimes staying active can be tough. We've all had those mornings when motivation is low and we just want to hit the snooze button a few more times. And, I am just getting real here guys, it's been extra hard for me lately to get back into the swing of things. With our IVF schedule, things have gotten a little crazy. One minute I am pregnant and on "bed rest," the next I am recovering from a surgery or I am being pumped so full of so many hormones that they tell me to "take it easy" so I don't twist an ovary (true story). So you can bet your bottom dollar that between all of these, we'll just call them "speed bumps," that sometimes it can be easy to roll over in defeat and think, "well, another day off won't kill me." But I have to remind myself that I don't just workout for the physical aspects... but for the mental ones too. And dog-gone-it (something my Dad says a lot FYI), I need this workout. But in those wee hours of the morning, that can be easy to lose sight of sometimes. We all have these types of moments, but it's important to recognize when you're feeling funky and assess them.

So today, I wanted to share with you a few ways to stay motivated and achieve your fitness goals.

Clear your negative thoughts.
When you feel yourself waning and thinking negative thoughts, kick those thoughts to the curb and replace them with something positive about yourself. For me, I like to remind myself that I am a badass and have endured a lot of crap these past few years, and I am still going strong. So if I can handle that, then I can handle a 40 min run in the brisk, cool fall air. Self-empowerment is an incredibly important exercise I think we could all work on. So go ahead... try it. Remind yourself of your badassy-ness.

Buy yourself a new outfit.
I gotta be honest, nothing motivates me quite like new a new outfit haha. Ever bought a new pair of Lululemon crops and suddenly booking a hiking date with your bestie? I am not saying you should go out and buy yourself a whole new workout wardrobe (or am I haha)... but there is something to be said for feeling confident and cute while expressing your personality through your outfit. Like, I got this (freaking awesome) white vest and I can't wait to pair it with all my running tees. It's perfect for transitioning my summer workout wardrobe to fall and has the bonus of motivating me to get out there and GO!

If you are looking to find ways to transition your workout wardrobe to the colder months by the way, layers are key! We all know how fickle this fall has been here in Arizona - going from 70's in the morning to 90's in the afternoon. But with my cute new bra, long-sleeve top and vest, it's easy to take layers off and on to accommodate.

Make a killer playlist.
Music is everything. And the right music is even better. I have a running playlist that keeps me moving because I have a tendency to run to the beat. You know that 'Don't Stop Dancing Girl' song by Kaskade? Not only is the beat great for staying on pace, but the lyrics help me stay on track because even when I want to stop the song reminds me to just keep on going.

Compete against yourself.
I hate comparing myself to others. There's nothing like going to your favorite spin class and watching the girl next to you power through the songs twice as fast as you and you're like, 'what the heck?' It makes you feel defeated and kills your confidence. But when I challenge myself, I feel empowered. I love wearing my garmin heart rate monitor because I can compete against myself from the days before by tracking my calories or my pace. So when I go for a run and look down at my watch and see that I am running faster than I had been the day before, it makes me want to stick with it.

Remind yourself how good you feel after a hard workout.
When I am having one of those mornings, I like to remind myself that I have never ever regretted a workout. In fact, my days are better when I do get in a sweat session. I feel happier, more accomplished and energized. Make it a point to remember those feelings and don't fight yourself... just get up and do it.

Make it fun.
And last, but not least, make your workouts fun. Find sports and activities that you enjoy. For me, I love being outdoors whenever I can, so whenever I get the chance I love to hit the pavement or go for a hike. If you love getting together with your girlfriends, choose a fun class to do together. Whatever it may be, just try and have fun with it. And if you stop enjoying it or start finding yourself losing motivation to go, try something new. Check out that barre class down the street, head to a spin studio, take that free yoga class on Sunday's from your local Lululemon. Whatever it may be, just go for it. And remember, exercise doesn't have to be boring or feel like a chore. If you're having fun, you'll be more likely to stick with your workouts. So remember to smile, my friends.