I’ve been feeling a little lacking in motivation lately, kind of. It’s a little hard to explain. It’s more that I feel like on the whole, I’m not as “hard core” on certain things as I used to be. I can’t decide if I actually care or not.
Around ~2015 or so when I got super into strength training, I was just SO dedicated. I mean, I never missed a workout, I went all in…I remember hitting a cardio class at 5:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve, making time even if I had family in town, etc. I MADE IT HAPPEN. Now, I feel sort of like any excuse is a good excuse to say “pass”. Hahaha.
This probably isn’t totally true- I have been consistently exercising and I’m sure I’m more active than the average American. I just feel like many days my effort level is probably down around a 5 or 6/10 instead of the 8-10/10 I used to put forth. My workouts have been shorter many days, or I will “cut” part of it if I just don’t feel like it or don’t have enough time.
In terms of results, I suppose I’m getting out about what I’m putting in. This is one thing I have realized- there is definitely no such thing as a free lunch. I think many people like to complain about their lacking results (in whatever it may be), but if they are really honest with themselves, they are getting a result proportional to the true effort they are putting forth.
Can I complain that I’m not “shredded” or “super lean” right now? My abs aren’t popping? No, I really can’t. I have not been counting macros or calories, following a strict training program or anything of the sort. My efforts have been modest at best, and my results are modest. Fair enough.
I’ve learned over the years that people who get exceptional results usually are putting in some exceptional, highly concerted effort in some way or another, day after day. The bikini models don’t just wake up like that magically one morning. Same for highly successful businesspeople, or whoever.
We can’t sit back drinking beer and eating Doritos every night and then say, “Gee….why don’t I have six pack abs? This so unfair! ;)” But overall I guess I currently enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle (including nachos and a more laid back training plan) more than I would enjoy having six pack abs. Maybe there’s a time and a season for it all, and this is my “good enough” season. 🙂
Enchiladas
Speaking of non-diet foods, we had enchiladas last night, Mexican style (or at least how Ivan grew up eating them).
To cook the chicken, you make basically a chicken soup with carrots, potatoes, etc, then pull the chicken out and shred it. (shown on the left- you then serve the caldo separately).
Then you make salsa verde (on right above) and simmer it in a pan; set aside.
You then take corn tortillas and lightly fry them very briefly in hot oil, then dip them/ coat them in the salsa verde and fold on a plate.
Finally, you top them with the shredded chicken, cheese and cilantro. I “ruined” mine (per Ivan) by putting regular shredded cheese on them, but normally you would sprinkle crumbling cotija Mexican cheese on top.
It’s like the enchiladas from the restaurants, but inverted with everything on the outside! Serve with a side of the remaining vegetable soup.
Delicious. Only downside is that we made a big mess making them. 🙂
Thought of the Day:
If you fail, never give up, because F.A.I.L. means First Attempt In Learning.
Daily Gratitude:
I am grateful for my blender. REALLY makes making salsa a million times easier (and I have never even attempted it by hand before).
GRATEFUL KAE 
I like your approach to this a good enough season. Many things in life, either fitness, work, relationships, 90% of the time is effort in result out, and fitness is probably the most evident one, maybe that’s why i like it a lot because it’s kind of I’m the only one responsible for the results. recently I noticed my running pace has been slower than before, and I had a reassessment of the issue. I made few changes and I’m getting better already. Why do I care? because as you say, if I consistently slowdown, then what’s the point of running anyway. The feeling of a good run when I push myself just a bit is so much better than a lame run, thus I push myself and make changes to get those feelings!
your dinner looks so yummy and elaborate. great job!
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Recently found your blog and really enjoying your posts. You’re so real and candid and very relatable. I’m a new mom of a 6 seeker and following your life happenings with your children and just day to day life. I have learned to give myself some grace in this new phase of life and am learning to embrace this more relaxed approach like you. Thank you! I look forward to continuing to read
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Thank you so much!! I really appreciate the comment- that made my day. It’s still a relatively new and small blog, but I really love writing here most days. Knowing that people can relate or engage with it makes it so much more fun, too! 🙂
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I think some periods of life almost require ourselves to give ourselves a break. I also used to train so hard for things – like marathons. But now that level of dedication is just not possible if I want to be the kind of parent I want to be! I do want to show my kids it’s important to make time for things like exercise but we are more so in the ‘family walks together’ mode for exercise. I will do some strength training around the boys so the see me working out. I still think of you as very dedicated and you appear to be very healthy and in great shape!
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Those enchiladas look so good!
About being consistent with exercise, I always thtink these actors who work out like crazy for a specific role. They also don’t keep it up right? (I remember reading an article about JLo on how she prepared for the Superbowl performance.) I think it ebbs and flows like a lot of things in our lives.
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