Lunch today was delicious and extra special because Ryan caught part of it!
Two weeks ago, when I was at my friend Minda’s bachelorette party, Ryan went scalloping with friends. He brought back a bunch of scallops and though we ate some when they were fresh, we froze the rest to use another night.
Last night I cooked up a big batch of the scallops with corn, bacon, red pepper and onion and reheated the leftovers for lunch today.
Served with a sweet potato on the side.
So good! I am thoroughly convinced I could eat seafood for lunch and dinner every day and never get sick of it. It’s the best!
You Never Know Who You’re Motivating
This morning, during my favorite Wednesday boot camp class at my gym, the instructor had us run around the gym for two minutes in between each four-minute circuit. During this two-minute run, I’d run at my normal pace for the first minute, kick it up a notch once we hit the one-minute mark and sprint for the last 30 seconds.
I did this for the first round and felt the presence of someone right behind me. On the second round, I felt their presence again and saw a woman running behind me out of the corner of my eye. When I kicked it up a notch, she did, too. She started to motivate me to maintain my pace throughout the workout, even when I started to get tired.
After the fourth round of this, during a quick water break, the woman toweled off next to me and said, “You’re my running motivation.” I laughed and told her she was my running motivation. Knowing that a woman was running right behind me and counting on me to pick up my pace made me want to run faster. We agreed that we were encouraging each other to push a little harder. Oh the beauty of group exercise!
This random interaction made me realize something: You never know who you’re motivating. By just being you and doing things you do naturally, you may be motivating someone in some way.
Some people (outside of my close friends and family) who probably have absolutely no idea that they motivate me on a daily basis include:
- The 75+ year old couple in our neighborhood who go on a two hour walk together every morning. Whenever Ryan and I take Sadie on her morning walk, we always cross paths with the sweetest older couple. They set their alarm for 5:30 a.m. and walk together every morning from 6 to 8 a.m. Their morning walk makes me want to prioritize my health and my marriage as I grow older.
- Emily, a sweet young woman with a big heart who always has a genuine smile on her face. Whenever I see Emily, she greets me with the biggest smile on her face… even at 5 a.m.! Emily is actively involved with charity: water and is upbeat, driven, caring and giving. I met Emily through her mother who used to work at my gym and their whole family is incredibly kind. Emily motivates me to smile at strangers, practice kindness and exercise patience. Working at the gym has also taught me time and time again that everyone has a story and could use a little grace and Emily has a heart that is overflowing with kindness.
- The woman at my gym training for her first 5K. Two weeks ago, when I first kicked off the beginner’s running group at my gym, I met a woman who is training for her first 5K. She’s nervous, excited and incredibly determined. I remember feeling the same way before I ran my first 5K and every time I walk away from a conversation with her, I feel more motivated to reach my fitness goals and make improvements in my life. And yes, she prompted me to start looking into fall half marathons…
- A classmate from college who started her own successful business. I have so many business ideas running through my mind related to this blog and totally unrelated to this blog, so watching a friend from college start her own business and successfully grow it is inspiring. I tend to live on the conservative side when it comes to taking business or financial risks and admire her tenacity and courage to just go for it!
Question of the Afternoon
- Who is someone in your life who provides you with unexpected motivation?
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My dad motivates me! He’s almost 50 and he runs without complaining. I don’t know how he does it. He always wants to run!
I want to be like that older couple too! So sweet.
I think my mom is the best motivation for me. She is in her early 50’s and people are always shocked when they figure that out (she looks so much younger). She always prioritized her health, so she looks and feels great at her age. At 53, she plays tennis and works out every day as well as eats healthy. I want to be like her!
your experience today = exactly why I love Crossfit (or any group exercise). It’s fun to motivate/be motivated by others!!!
My biggest motivator is my boyfriend. He’s worked at times 3 different jobs: while I was finishing school, he worked a regular 9-5 job, would squeeze in a workout, then work as a bouncer from 9pm-2am. Then, on the weekends, he would do 3-5 moves (he started a moving company). Sometimes a few during the week, too! That kind of work ethic is always inspiring.
Loved this post! You can definitely find motivation anywhere! My Zumba instructor is definitely a big source of motivation. She is not only an awesome motivator while working out, but in general, she just has such a wonderful and happy personality ALL the time. I find this to be very inspiring.
Love this. I am always motivated by my uncle who had ALS. I always think how blessed I am to be able to run, and it pushes me to run even harder!
I absolutely love this post. I love absorbing positive energy from other people to motivate me!
A lot bloggers (including you!) have motivated me when it comes to fitness. My aunt, who is such a faithful, joyful, selfless person motivates me to be a little more patient and caring in my everyday life. My dad, who is also an amazing and dedicated worker motivates me to be the best I can be!
My boyfriend! He followed his dreams and passion to start his own company!
I absolutely love this post! It’s true, you never know who you could be inspiring. My younger sister motivates me with all of her sass and spunk. She is completely confident in herself!
You and my husband! He motivates me because of his determination and passion for surfing, even if it means waking up at 6am after arriving home at 3am if we went out! And you because of your determination to go to the gym or do any exercise even when you are on vacation or on a trip and with lack of good sleep and you eat healthy almost always but do not care to enjoy some treats now and then! But I think it is mostly for your ability to be a peanut butter lover and have the willpower to eat it almost everyday without eating the whole jar each time (like I do) lol
Someone out of my family and circle of friends that motivates me is this man I see walking every night. Three nights out of the week, I get home late around 8:00. Like clock work, I see this man, walking in jeans, a white linen shirt and wide brimmed hat. I have been working later for the past year and I have noticed that he has gotten much slimmer. I just get a smile on my face when I see him “doing his thing” and doing it in such a low maintenance way. Where I live people swear by Lululemon and Under Armour.
I love this post! I’m motivated by a lot of people around me, and also some non-people like my pets. My dog motivates me to not sweat the small stuff! I’m also inspired by other bloggers to change up my workout routine and try new things. Your blog was a big reason why I decided to start my own!
My mother motivates me! She worked independently for everything she has and never let anything get in the way. And she made so many sacrifices for my sister & me
My friend and i have been in the same competitive college program for the past three years. It’s hard to make personal time for yourself, friends, and dates most nights yet somehow she manages to do all this, keep an amazingly positive attitude, and train for last years Olympics in London.
She always reminds me to work hard for what you love and stay chill with your friends 🙂
You inspire me, Julie!
This is a great post! And so very spot on. Something that may seem so routine for us, may be the inspiration for someone else to start up a healthy habit in their lives.
I know I’ve been inspired by so many people throughout my life, including lots of bloggers and that’s why I finally started my own blog. If I ever am lacking workout motivation I just look up your blog or Gina at Fitnessista.
We are so blessed aren’t we, to not be going it alone.
There are so many motivating factors in my life. I truly love reading stories about older people who are still exercising at least twice a week, It makes me heart melt that they truly believe in fitness for living a long and healthy life!
I am inspired by my mom despite working a full time job she makes time for her passion which is writing screenplays, despite being turned down many times she still continues to send them to companies. I am also inspired by many, many bloggers for going for their dreams. I hope I have the courage to go for mine someday.
Such a great post! There are so many people in my life that motivate me: my friend who is moving to Maine to focus on launching her own jewelry company, my parents and their strong marriage, and the my fellow bootcampers who did 20+ burpees in 1 min when I could barely get through 14.
It is so true! You never think about who is motivated by you much, but often think of others who motivate us.
Julie, If you are interested in a half marathon, lulu lemon has one called the Sea Wheeze which just ran last weekend in Vancouver, B.C. My friend is my motivator. She will be 60 in November and she ran in this race as well as having done many triathalons this summer. Check it out, you could visit a beautiful part of Canada and have time to train before next yr.
This is a beautiful post Julie. What a wonderful feeling shared by both of you. I am motivated by too many people to list them all but I’d have to choose my parents: they represent unconditional love and support for each-other that I hope for myself and my prince charming someday. Total cheeseball status?! Eek!
I am motivated these days by the new guy running on my path – Ialways feel the need to speed up and chick him (outrun) him! It certainly gets me to pick up my pace! lol
The way we are inspired and motivated is a such a cool thing. On workdays, just walking into the gym early in the morning and simply seeing so many dedicated people in one place instantly motivates me.
I am the same way about seafood! Those scallops look delish. If it were up to me, I think I could live off of scallops, shrimp, crab, etc.
My grandfather motivates me! He is 86 and he still goes to the gym, golfs, and plays racquetball most days of the week. He goes out with his friends all the time, frequently enjoys a good beer, and he had a job that he loved until he was 82. Now that he’s retired, listening to NPR has pretty much become his full time job (he’s very well informed about pretty much everything). When I meet people who know him, they always say how amazing he is and I have to agree!
I’m a regular runner at my gym and people kind of know that I’m the small blonde girl who runs all the time. Every so often someone will purposely get on the treadmill right next to me and try to match my pace and I always get a kick out of it. I’ve even had people tell me that’s what they’re doing (“I hope you don’t mind, I’m going to see if I can do your workout”)! I’m always really flattered when that happens, I hope that I inspire people to run!
Your grandfather sounds like such a neat man!
My dad — one of the hardest working people I know. My grandma — she’s 82 and works out SEVEN days a week. So inspiring!
Great post!
I just got back from yoga teacher training and I met a woman there who motivates me. She’s 80 years old- she use to be a Math professor and when she retired, she decided she would do all the things she never had time to do. She’s 80 and when she does a forward fold- her body touches her legs. I can’t even do that now!
There is an older lady (I think probably about 75) who I see walking every morning on my way to work. Based on various times I’ve driven past her and different locations, I’m thinking she must do about a 5 mile loop. She is so awesome and she is booking!
There is also a woman who I’ve seen walking around my town for at least the last 13 years (when I moved back to the town I live in). I see her walking ALL over, at all times of the day. I’m pretty sure she walks everywhere she goes; sometimes I see her with a backpack, sometimes with grocery bags, and sometimes just her. I admire her physique so much. She looks so strong and muscular and I’m sure walks faster than I run! I’ve actually sometimes wished the local paper would interview her about all of her walking. I want to be like her.
And, my dad. He’s 58 years old (not old by any means) and motivates me/inspires me every day. He’s been running marathons for as long as I can remember and he just never stops.
I love ALL of these sources of motivation!! Awesome. 🙂
The soccer league I play with has every skill levels – people who have never played before to university level players. Since this is only my second year playing, I get a lot of motivation from the players who are better than me (just about everyone else there!).
My sister called me pig or rhino or hippo or elephant my entire xhildhood….now that diabetes has made her as “chubby” as me i am losing weight so she can be the FAT one. Revenge is sweet.
This is such a heart warming post and very true. One time this beautiful girl came up to me at the gym and told me I was her gym motivation. She was so stunning and seemed to have it all together. I couldn’t believe she could get motivation from a disheveled awkward person like me!! Made me feel special 🙂
After my kickboxing class at the gym, there is an exercise class for elderly people and just watching each one motivates me and makes me hope I can be so fit and healthy at that age.
I don’t know who unexpectedly motivates me, but I did find that I was unexpectedly motivating a couple of friends to get out there and pick up some miles. That was cool. But it means I gotta keep up with my game. ha.
I love this post! It is so true that you never know who you is watching you, and who you are either positively or negatively impacting.
Honestly my husband gives me the most motivation. He has done amazing this with his running and personal career. He works so hard every day and every day I see him working hard gives me motivation to work just as hard and put my marriage first.
In my gym there are quite a number of retired men who train early in the morning. They are such an inspiration..some can barely walk, quite literally yet they get in a do their thing every day!
There was a lady at the camp I worked at this summer who volunteered her entire summer to do laundry for the camp. She would do laundry for anyone who brought it to her for no pay. Only room and board. I hope I can have that much selflessness one day.
I have also been motivated by just getting into the blogging world. The motivation of others to do something motivates me as well! Your blog is one of my favorites. Always brings me a smile. Thanks!
Great post. My dearly departed aunt was/is my motivation. She passed from complications of multiple sclerosis a few years ago and was wheelchair bound for many, many years prior. I really learned to cherish the fact that I could ride my bike, take my dog for a walk, or simply walk around my house unassisted by a walker or clunky wheelchair. She is my motivation to not be a total slacker and keep moving as long as my body will allow.
I’m so sorry for your loss but I am so glad you’ve turned it into such a strong source of motivation and inspiration in your life. Your aunt would be proud!
The patients and clients with whom I work always inspire me. To have experienced the hand that life dealt them- horrific traumas and so forth- and still be alive, trying to change and make their lives better…you can’t not be inspired. To see families, once broken, reunite and reconnect- there’s nothing better.
This is so true! there are so many times I do this and don’t even realize it. When I’m running, I usually find someone with a similar pace and try to keep up with them too 🙂
i love this post because it is so positive – and motivating! i think for me, it can be very easy to see a motivating person and instantly turn it into a negative, becoming jealous instead of inspired. great post, very thought-provoking!
All my beautiful, healthy friends motivate me to get up and go to the gym on a regular basis…here’s lookin at you kid!
I MISS YOU!!!!
2 people at my gym who have both lost over 100 lbs each motivate me. I have 30 to lose & am having such a hard time but seeing both of them reminds me that it’s possible, I just have to work a little harder.
I made scallops the other night for dinner, I could eat them every day! Love them.
I was doing one of your walking incline treadmill workouts at the gym last week in the women’s locker room. This older woman (probably in her 50s) was on a bike behind me most of the time, then we happened to be doing abs work near each other afterwards. As I was finishing up my workout, she stoped me and said “were you doing that treadmill on 12 at 4mph?!” and I said yes. She told me I made that look effortless! It was so nice of her to say because it was not effortless AT ALL, but I’m glad I looked like a fitness pro to atleast one person. 🙂 Haha! Love your blog, it’s one of my favorite daily reads!
Way to kick butt on the treadmill!! Rockstar!
This is 100% why I’m a group exercise junkie! (In fact training for a race makes me sad because I have to cut down on the amount of classes I go to.) I always push harder and am motivated to improve when I’m surrounded by other equally motivated people.
I love this post….I’m reminded of this once in a while when a blog reader comments that I motivated them to try a healthier meal, exercise, etc. It always reminds me that just by living our day-to-day lives we can be huge inspirations for the people around us!
I really admire my aunt. She’s actually one of my best friends. She is the most amazing wife and mother to her family, going above and beyond what she needs to do, she always works hard, and through it all continues to make time for her personal passion of running. Love her!
YOU!! Thank you so very much! Oh there are so many others, my husband, mother in law, mom, friends the list goes on and on BUT its YOU! Everyday I so look forward to getting my “Peanut Butter Fingers” Blog!! Thank you for your time and energy you put into doing this everyday for us! You are my “Unexpected Motivation Person” ;0)
This was such a thoughtful comment. Thank you, Helen!
My poppop who passed away still motivates me to never stop moving in life. He had heart problems and still would come up to our house to walk on the treadmill. It was very inspiring and just heart warming. And of course, all of my wonderful blog friends 😀
I love this! And it’s SO true.
I esp see it a lot in group fitness classes that I teach—and everyone’s out there helping each other achieve more. I have many fitness inspirations but also people who are just good people. All my siblings & parents inspire me, actually! As does my husband–he is so kind to everyone & never stressed out. It’s amaze!
I love this post! I saw an older married couple sitting together at Starbucks one day before I got married. The woman got the snacks and set the table with napkins, while the man brought over their drinks. They held hands, prayed together, then began eating/drinking while each reading their separate books. I thought that was such a special moment to witness, and it motivated me to still be doing things like that with my fiance (we’ve since been married for over a year!).
Also, if you’re looking for fall half marathons, there’s one in Port Orange, FL (just south of Daytona) called the Lighthouse Loop Half Marathon. You run down to the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and back. It sounds like a beautiful run! Just a suggestion 🙂
Oh I love this post! My Dad, at the age of 58 did his first triathlon sprint in July. A year ago, he couldn’t have run to his own mailbox but he totally transformed his life.
I am also inspired by every day strangers who I see working out outside. It makes me want to get out there and do the same.
Two and a half months ago, I made my weight loss journey public on my blog and started sharing updates there and on histogram. Since then, I have received over a dozen communications letting me know I inspired people to do the same! That in turn, inspires me!
Blogging and reading other blogs keeps me inspired and motivated. I love diving into new projects and taking risks it makes life fun! Thanks for sharing all of your motivation 🙂 love + shine Courtstar