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You Failed, So What? 10 Famous Motivational Quotes To Help You Succeed Today
“If you fell down yesterday, stand up today.” ― H.G. Wells
What you did, or didn’t do, yesterday has nothing to do with today. TODAY, is fresh and new. TODAY, you get to make better decisions. TODAY, you can use what you learned from prior mistakes. You don’t have a disadvantage today. If you really think about it, you have an advantage today.
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” ― Thomas A. Edison
“You must make a decision that you are going to move on. It wont happen automatically. You will have to rise up and say, ‘I don’t care how hard this is, I don’t care how disappointed I am, I’m not going to let this get the best of me. I’m moving on with my life.” ― Joel Osteen,
You Missed Your Mark, So What? Try Again
“You can suffer the pain of change or suffer remaining the way you are.” ― Joyce Meyer
When you aim for a target and miss, you have a chance to try it again. You have a chance to make corrections. If you didn’t hit your target because you were aiming too far to the right, you aim a little left. You don’t just beat yourself up over missing it or give up. You keep trying. You keep practicing. You keep correcting. Even if you completely stink at it, you CAN get better – with practice. The only thing worse that feeling like a failure because you aren’t always hitting your mark, is feeling like a failure because you are not even trying to hit your mark.
“A thinker sees his own actions as experiments and questions–as attempts to find out something. Success and failure are for him answers above all.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche
You know your weaknesses. You know your strengths. You have a chance to correct mistakes. If you ate poorly yesterday, you can eat good today. If you skipped a workout, you get to workout today. You have a chance to leave the past in the past and just do what is right and good today. Today is literally the only thing you have control over.
“I am not concerned that you have fallen — I am concerned that you arise.” ― Abraham Lincoln
If you focus on your past failures, you will let those failures affect today. You will let them cause doubt. You will allow the feeling of defeat ruin your today – to the point you might not even try to arise today. You have the chance to forgive yourself. You have to chance to start over – everyone does. We’ve all failed, we just don’t all keep trying.
“You’re not obligated to win. You’re obligated to keep trying. To the best you can do everyday.” ― Jason Mraz
So, next time you want to have a pity party about how you messed up – get over it! Let that mistake stay with yesterday. Today can be as successful as you want it to be.
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” ― Robert F. Kennedy
Ask ANYONE who has succeeded with diet, fitness, business or marriage if they’ve failed. I’m sure they would all answer that they all did. They just never gave up.
“Success is determined not by whether or not you face obstacles, but by your reaction to them. And if you look at these obstacles as a containing fence, they become your excuse for failure. If you look at them as a hurdle, each one strengthens you for the next.” ― Ben Carson
“It is not as important how we start (our past), but how we finish.” ― Joyce Meyer
The Secret to Reaching Your Goal
While goals are very important, I believe some people are so overwhelmed with the end-goal, that they forget they really only have one task today – and that is to reach TODAY’s goal.
You can’t reach your final goal without reaching today’s goal, so why worry so much about where you are headed and just focus about what you need to do today. Whether that is train, eat right, get motivation or increase education, what you do today greatly determines where you are headed. If you treat every day like this, you WILL reach your goal.
What is your goal today? Are you going to reach today’s goal or not?
Keep Showing Up: Because NEXT Time You Might Just Succeed
Don’t Throw It All Away
I have met so many people, on the successful end of their fitness journey, who once had a story of failure. Time after time, I’ve heard stories of how people didn’t stick to a diet, how fitness didn’t work for them, how they wasted a gym membership, quit a program, lost weight only to gain it right back, gave up, quit or failed. And then, they made that decision to give it another try – and they succeeded!
My mom tried every diet in the book over a 30 year span, resulting in one failure after another. Today, she stands tall and proud, 100lbs lighter – and has KEPT it off for several years. BUT, what if she never kept trying? What if she decided she was doomed for failure? Do you think she, or any of the people around her who knew she had a history of being on a life-long diet, believed THIS would be IT? I don’t even know if she believed she could do it when she started, but she started anyway.
Ready for Success
What makes someone succeed THIS time? As much as I’d love to believe it’s our awesome training, our BCx Boot Camp or our gym, they cannot be successful until YOU are ready to be successful.
One, I think you have to let go completely of all your selfish desires. You have to decide that the heavy you, and how you were used to living, is dead and gone – and a new improved you requires drastic change. After you let go of what you think your body wants (food, laziness, not to “miss out” on “living”, etc), then you can focus on what you really want – and what that requires. Once you get your head in the game, you have to commit to it. You have decide you are not stopping no matter how rough it is, how slow it is, and how frustrated you get. Sometimes, you have to purposefully be reminded of where that old destructive path led you.
Strip Away the Old You
I believe you have to get SO sick of the old you, that you realize there is no other choice. Something’s gotta change – and the only thing that YOU can change, is YOU. You realize all your old ways brought you to this ugly place. You recognize the destruction. You acknowledged the unhappiness it has caused. Once those things are very real to you, then you embrace change. You welcome the stripping of flesh, lies and comforts. Once covered with excuses, now you are “naked” and exposed for who you really are and what you have really been allowing in your life that needs to go. You confess (admit) that maybe you have been doing things wrong and that it’s nobody else’s fault. Then, and only then, can you start working on you. You will welcome the clothing of everything healthy. You will be excited about your “2nd, 3rd, or 99th chance” to change – and once you put those healthy things into your life, you realize how good it feels do treat your body right and to do what is right. Then, when you start getting results (which you will) you will never want to go back.
Once you have gone through the mental preparation that success requires, you are ready to show up. You will still have doubt. You will still have temptations. You will wonder what is on the other side, and wonder if this time will be different. You will likely fight the old you every day in some way. BUT, if you keep showing up, you WILL win.
As I reflect on my 19th Wedding Anniversary, I think of all the days we didn’t know what was next. We didn’t know if “this time” it would be better. We didn’t know if we could succeed. BUT we decided to keep showing up. We’ll never forget a scene in a TV show where the main character asked his boss, who was celebrating his anniversary, what the secret to his marriage was and he said “I just keep showing up”. This is not just the case in marriage, but it is the case in fitness – and many other areas of our lives. It became our motto.
There will be many days we don’t want to go to the gym. There will be numerous days we don’t want to do the same job, be married to the same man, or even live the same life. We all have days we don’t want to “show up”, BUT you also never know if the next time you show up, it will be the beginning of success.
Like a dieter who failed 100 times, or the gym member that quit too many times to count, the NEXT time may be the BEST time – and you will NEVER know, if you don’t show up.
Thank you Steve for continuing to show up, even when you didn’t feel like it. Thank you for teaching me to never give up – on us, on fitness and on life. Happy Anniversary!
Encouragement for Procrastinators
When you think of starting a diet or workout routine, you should not just think about starting the WORK. You should think about starting the RESULTS.
You immediately start benefiting from fitness as soon as you begin. You don’t have to wait until you’ve reached your goal weight to “cash in”. You will begin to feel more energized, better, healthier, stronger, leaner, more confident, and proud – just after a few days of consistent healthy living. Unfortunately, in our little pea-brains, all we can see is the work. And, that work is SO big to us, it temporarily overshadows the even GREATER rewards waiting for us on the other side.
The next time you even think about putting off a diet or workout, remember: You are not just putting off the work – you are putting off the results. Don’t you want to start enjoying results today?
It’s Not Going To Be Easier Tomorrow
Why do we put off things for tomorrow? It’s not like we will be less busy, less stressed, less tired, less fat… It’s not going to be any easier to do tomorrow. Honestly, if anything, it’s going to get harder each day we procrastinate.
I don’t know why we talk ourselves into putting diet and fitness off. I guess, like with any other responsibility, it’s just another thing we dread doing. But the reality is this: We WANT to be fit. We WANT to lose weight. We WANT to be disciplined. We WANT results. And, if we want any of those things, we are going to eventually HAVE to do what it takes to get there. So, if it’s only going to be harder each day we procrastinate, doesn’t it make sense just to start doing it today? You aren’t just putting off the work, you are putting off the results.
#LiveWithFire
Exercise Hurts, Quitting Hurts More
Since many of our BCx workouts are timed workouts, with short bursts of intense exercise, one thing I say often is “You can do anything for 60 seconds”. That is because, when I was in boot camp, those were the words I held on to. I knew, no matter how bad it hurt, how winded I was, or how weak I felt, I could do anything for 60 seconds.
Of course, when THAT 60 seconds was done, I had to do another 60 seconds of something just as brutal – but at least it was something different. And, I knew, once again, I could endure THAT for 60 seconds too.
1 Out of 24
The fact of the matter is, if we really think about how little time we actually have to work to get such a great lasting reward, we could truly begin to celebrate the pain.
The pain is evidence of change. If we can look past the immediate discomfort and focus on the other 23 hours of freedom, where we get to bask in the results of our hard work, we can clearly see that the small amount of time in the gym is a small sacrifice for what we get out of it.
Honestly, 1 hour, out of the 24 hours God gave us, is not that much to ask. AND it’s not work without pay. It’s work with BIG pay. THAT’S the reality.
“But It’s Hard”
BUT (Yes, here’s the “but”), we often get too wrapped up in the immediate pain and fatigue. We feel sorry for ourselves, we think about how rough we have it – how hard workouts are, how hard it is to lose weight, how sore we are, how fat we feel, how hard we work, how tired we are, how many responsibilities we have, how everyone else seems to have it easier, and we think of just about everything else besides this one fact: As much as this sucks, quitting sucks more.
The repercussions of quitting hurts. You know that commercial that says “depression hurts“, well so does fat. Fat hurts. Being unhealthy hurts. Feeling weak hurts. Injury due to weak and tight muscles hurts. Aging and muscle deterioration hurts. Losing confidence hurts. Losing mobility hurts. Losing independence due to health hurts. Feeling like a failure because you truly failed and gave up hurts. All the repercussions to quitting on yourself, and your health, hurts way more than the worst workout you have ever had.
Next time you feel like giving up. Whether you are just tired of trying to lose weight and you can’t seem to get it right, or you want to quit your workout program because it’s too hard, NEVER forget that QUITTING will hurt you even more.
75 Fitness Motivational Quotes
People who succeed in weight loss and fitness, don’t have extra energy or super powers. They have as many excuses as anyone else. They wake up feeling tired and lazy. They get frustrated and depressed sometimes. They are tempted to skip their workouts, and are tempted to give up and give in. They may have times they feel weak or defeated. They feel many of the same feelings people feel that cause them to quit. The only difference is, they don’t allow their feelings to get in the way. They don’t quit.
How do they do it? How do they hang in there, keep pressing on and finding the motivation to keep showing up? I think, often times, we have to keep talking ourself into not giving up. We must fight those feelings, fight our negative thoughts and literally argue with our fat, lazy, hungry, self.
I am constantly in an argument with my flesh – but I refuse to let it win. AND, the fit Bonnie is strong and has convincing words to beat the lazy Bonnie.
In this blog, I share some of my own thoughts – AND I share quotes from my facebook and twitter friends – real people fighting the fit fight with real words that really work.
15 things I tell myself to help me get my fat lazy butt in gear:
- You know you’ll feel better if you do it. And you’ll feel horrible if you don’t.
- You really don’t have a choice.
- You need to stop now and do it. You’ll be so glad you did.
- You know what you want, so you know what you need to do to get it.
- If you really want “that”, you really need to do “this”.
- It’s such a small sacrifice for such a great reward.
- Are you really going to let fat win?
- Do you want abs or not?
- You don’t have to be perfect, but you can be better.
- Don’t let your enemies watch you fail.
- I want to be fit and healthy
- Working out makes me feel like a super hero
- You need to just do it because it’s the right thing to do, whether you feel like it or not.
- Your husband is hot. Don’t be the fat wife.
- You you’re gonna preach it, you better live it.
The People Speak
I know I’m not the only one who has to talk to herself to get her butt going, so I yesterday I asked my facebook and twitter friends to complete this sentence below. I got SO many fantastic responses, I decided to share them. SEE, you are not alone! We all talk to ourselves! ha 
And some of you guys are saying some really great stuff!! Check it out…
“Today, I woke up tired & unmotivated – but then I remembered these words_________________”
Alexie Elizabeth Messer True happiness is being able to smile at yourself in the mirror…when you are butt naked!
Nadine Armstrong Just show up!
Christopher Borders I made a bet with Alfonso AngryTrainer Moretti to beat his time on a 500m Row. I didn’t beat his time but I got a new PR.
Joann Rosalia I’m worth it!!!
Ashley Brock Gibson Starbucks is in walking distance (Ashley, I’d definitely run for Starbucks!)
Carolyn Caruso ”that mile isn’t going to run itself”
Dan Pedley You vs you
Bart Mazzarella Stay the course! Only losers quit!
Laurie Duncan I’m gonna get sexy! lol Not quite as inspiring as all the above.
Sig Wynne-Evans Your cancer is most likely because you are overweight. (said by my dr last year when I had uterine cancer). Gets me to the gym EVERY TIME-
Brian Loff ”It doesn’t have to be pretty, it just has to get done.” 
Tracy Piko U can do anything if u want it bad enough. My dad rest his soul always told me that
Tavia Collins Smith If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results. – Jack Dixon
Kellee Murphy Get up!!!! make the bed so you don’t lay back down, get work out clothes on. I made it to the gym today and even met a new friend and she and I plan on meeting there again! Great day!!!
Jennifer Rataj Fat people make excuses. Fit people make time.
Nicole Hamilton Gonzalez This isn’t a choice. This is who you are and this is what you do.
Joy Cook Bouget Just do it. You’re lapping everyone on the couch!!
Becky Puckett Shealy No one’s going to do it for you
Mia Hann …I don’t get paid unless I show up?!!
Gayle Winrow ”Quitting is NOT an Option”!!!
Kylie Cole Just f…… Do it!!!!!
Khari Espinoza ^^ And that’s why I sign up for races all the time- Khari Espinoza I have a race in less than a month!!
Natalia Balandina Giving up is not an option!
Karen Robinson Why am I so tired and unmotivated… lol! Then I perked up! Lol
Kimberley Nash You must work for what you want.
Keala Keahi Vasconcellos My why my children
Kanoelani Patterson I got this!! Nothing worth having is ever done easily so get up & let’s do this thing!
Michael Petrosky . . . Own it Brother, own it !!
Lizzie Flintoff Then I remembered that I had boot camp at 6am and then pole class straight after! Gym done and dusted! YEAH!
Cindy Walter Rhoads Nobody is going to do it for me!! Today i will be the best i can be
Sean Jaftha What would Bonnie do?!
Lori Emm I always feel so much better after I workout
Gary Whitaker Embrace the pain. Finish the drill.
Kionna McNeal-Rowe Get’er dunn!!
Danielle Streich If you think you can or you think you can’t…you are right!
Amy Frazier Goleski Too damn bad!! : )
Melody Cordero Summer’s coming!
Rick Crosby There’s no quit in this boy
Andrea Uribe Unmotivated is a feeling. Feelings are just feeling and if you ignore hem they will catch up.
Ashlie Wynne ”How bad do you want it?”
Trish Tague Burnett I am responsible for me. I get to choose the best option for me and that is choosing my health!
Marcela Rhodus Dreams don’t work unless you do.
Sabrina Reitmeyer ”mom you’re the best”
Nell Lovorn Rela Just do it!!
Amanda Theresa Caravello More sweat now, less jiggle later
Friné Velilla Why don’t you burn more calories?
Meghan Boeckman make it count..
Linda Mcleod Every day above ground is worthwhile, so get to it!
Clinton Fuller Gotta get at it cause I won’t see the changes I want to see sitting on my ass!
Susan Brenner-Stutsman I fight on, I fight to win! Margaret Thatcher
Patti Ambrosia McLean ’STEVE WILL MAKE YOU DO BURPEEEEESSSS!!!!!”
Emme Green ”It starts & ends with me”
Andre Owens This is a day God has given me. I will rejoice and be glad in it
Judy Whitehead My goal is to keep going and get fit!
Brian Stolze Don’t Give up!! Don’t Ever Give Up! Just DO It……- Debbie Tosti @debbietosti15h today is a new day!
- Geraint Roberts @Gezzyroberts15h man up!
- TNCOWBOY7 @JasonSkelton715h I have not one pair of pants (out of probably 50) that I can get on. More important,my son is 9 so I need to b around awhile
- Damian Hunt @damian_hunt16h …winners never quit, quitters never win!
THANKS AMANDA FOR SHARING THIS!
It was so good, I made a fitness mantra pic out of it! More to come my peeps!
Why Do You Train?
Reality Check
Why do you train? Sometimes that is a question we have to not only ask ourselves when we start a workout program, but we have to ask ourselves that over and over again on our journey. Why? Because we get off track. We often start with a clear and specific goal in mind. It’s normally very simple. We want to be better. We want to be a better version of our old self.
Then, as we pursue that goal, we tend to get off track. We begin to compare ourselves to others. We can easily begin to see what we are not, instead of what we’ve become. Sometimes this can make us push harder. For many, it can do the opposite. We can become discouraged or overwhelmed. Sometimes we can become obsessed.
I encourage you to step back. Look at why you started this. Look at how far you’ve come. Look at the big picture. You are not a better woman, mom, worker, friend, spouse or neighbor if you hold a trophy. No trophy, prize or title makes you better. Being better than someone else doesn’t make you better. Being better than the old you makes you better. That’s what makes you a success. Your greatest accomplishment is beating your own records and accomplishing new goals. THAT makes you a winner.
There is no greater reward than a healthier you. There is nothing better than feeling stronger than you did a few weeks ago, leaner than you’ve been in a long time, healthier than you ever thought possible.
YOU are your reward.
YOU are your prize.
Fitness Motivation: Refuse To Be Weak!
Albert Einstein once said “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” Isn’t that how all rewards work? Greatness doesn’t happen overnight – and the person that reaches greatness is the last man standing.
People like Albert Einstein succeed, not because they try, but because they don’t give up on continuing to try. They try, try, and try again – no matter what the result is. That means you have to be ready for failure, because you know good and well you won’t succeed the first time around – and probably not the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th time either.
A person, like Einstein, has to embrace failures, obstacles, roadblocks and problems. They have to be OK to be “in the middle of it”, even when they don’t see how they’ll get through it – yet. Much like solving an equation, training and dieting takes a certain level of problem solving. It requires troubleshooting, tweaking, analyzing, redoing, trying it one way, trying it another way…until you get the results you want.
You can’t get mad when one formula doesn’t work. You just have to try another one, until you find what works for you. And, no matter how frustrated you get, you can celebrate that you are getting stronger, wiser and smarter in the process.
Note, Einstein refers to his work as “problems”. He had physics problems, we may have weight problems. Either way, we can learn from his statement. We can all be like Albert Einstein, and be smarter, stronger, better – simply because we refuse to give up.
Read more Einstein Quotes at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/albert_einstein.html#PXK739ZJZCz1p85M.99
Love It or Hate It, Just Do It
If you want to spend more money, you work harder to afford that kind of lifestyle. If you are lazy and don’t want to work harder, then you have to be more strict with your spending. The same goes with working out and diet. If you want to eat more, you need to work more. If you want to train less, you need to eat less – but most people have to practice some level of discipline, whether it’s exercise or diet, if they want results. Either way, results require work. AND, if you want fast results, it will require amping up your game in both departments. But, like I say in this mantra, no matter how much you hate the process, you’ll LOVE the results.
