Crystal Light Pure Fitness: How Do You Stay Motivated?

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Crystal Light Pure Fitness.

Um...I'm currently writing this rather than following my normal exercise routine, so it's sort of an ironic topic. How to stay motivated with a fitness routine, not only when it's hard to push yourself to run when you're already exhausted, but carving out the time when too many other things get in the way.

But stay with me on this one.

For the most part, I'm fairly strict with keeping on my fitness routine because I schedule it into my day in the same way I schedule doctor's appointments, phone calls, and work meetings. None of those items are life-and-death in the same way meals and sleep get automatically worked into the day, but all are tasks I'm trying to accomplish and as long as they go into my daily planner, they tend to get done unless other items throw them off course.

Er...such as a blog post.

Which is to say that there has to be a healthy flexibility in a schedule lest you become resentful of fitness. I never want it to be a chore; something that takes me away from other things I love. Instead, I try to make it my "me" time and then it looks a lot more enticing. I use it to think, work out blog posts in my head, unplug for an hour. Sometimes I lose my "me" time in order to take care of more pressing tasks, but I always try to get back to my "me" time.

I also remain motivated by keeping a notebook where I record what I did, how long I worked out, and--because the Wii gives me the information--how many calories I burned. Seeing what I have accomplished often gives me the energy to keep going. There are times when I'm on the fence about heading downstairs to run, and then I start fanning back through the pages that stretch to last winter and I'm so proud of myself for all of the miles I've logged that it gets me off the sofa and back into my sneakers.

Eating well and drinking water follow the same ideology. I give myself flexibility to eat junk from time to time, knowing full well that you need to look at the big picture and not beat yourself up over the individual choices. If I'm at an amusement park, I know that I'm going to end up with the ice cream bar rather than the cut fruit, and I take that in stride. It means that I double my efforts while at home, where it's easier to eat well and drink a lot.

And while I don't record what I eat or how much I drink, I still use visual cues to stay on task. I stock the refrigerator with fruits and vegetables--taking the time to sometimes cut them up beforehand so I have no excuse for not tossing together a salad instead of reaching for yet another bowl of cereal (my go-to meal when I don't feel like cooking). Currently in my refrigerator, in addition to the twins' milk containers, there are pitchers of iced tea, Crystal Light Pure Fitness, and a full Brita. Having those options on hand and ready to go make it more likely that I'll drink it.

How about you? How do you stay motivated? Tell me by leaving a comment below. Each comment is an entry in the sweepstakes I'm holding at the end of this four-part series for a $100 gift card. And I'm not the only one running this contest: by clicking here, you also have 4 other chances to win $100 as well as a $1,000 sweepstakes on the round-up page. You can also read more on the official rules page.