Inspiration

There are so many levels of inspiration out there...Personally, I am inspred every single day by someone or something, well every single moment really.  My family inspires me, my husband inspires me, my friends, my boss and even fellow bloggers.  Inspiration is technically defined as stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity and when you pick apart each word of the definition it is easier to realize how often you are inspired.  You don't have to accomplish life goals or create something life changing to put inspiration to use; think about it - what stimulates your mind to a high level of feeling? Or what stimulates your emotions enough to result in activity? Almost everything, right? Here are my biggest inspirations in life and what they directly inspire me to do or feel...

My Son, Justin.  

This little booger right here is the epicenter of my inspiration.  Just looking at him each and every morning inspires me to be a better woman all together.  He drives me to succeed in life and pursue each and every dream I've ever had.  He inspires me to have better morals and to be a role model.  I inspire to be not only a better mother, but a better person all together - there's nothing like making your own children proud of who you are and when he gets older I want him to think that way of me.  Basically every success that I've had over the last 4 years is due to him...and he doesn't even know it yet!

My Husband, Justin.

There's definitely something to be said for a man who chooses to put up with me (for life).  I am not an easy person and this man right here does the best job possible! He is the greatest husband and he would do anything in this world at a drop of a dime for me.  He has the kindest heart and he inspires me greatly to be a kinder, gentler person, his ways of dealing with issues so gracefully and not making a mountain out of a mole hill are truly inspirational, I hope that over time I can be as generous and loving as he is.  

My best friend Jess. 

She inspires me for reasons that I find hard to put to words.  There has always been a very special bond between her and I and we've always seemed to be so freakishly similar in every single way shape and form that its funny how she inspires me considering we're practically 2 of a kind.  She has a personality practically identical to mine although she carries this level of class that is a force to be reckoned with...the thing is, I don't think she even tries - at all.  Its just second nature to her.  She's very outgoing and does what only she wants.  I inspire to obtain not only her classiness but her abundance of confidence that she carries with ease.  Not to mention she's as fit as can be, so she is definitely inspirational on the fitness level. 

While I have sentimental inspirations I, of course, have superficial ones as well.  I am inspired by celebrities, designers and even store window displays.  Here is a snapshot of some of my superficial inspirations:

Inspirational by justinsmami featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

I am a big analyzer of everything, I try to see the best of each and every person and every event to derive what may work for me or again, inspire me to do or feel something. I'm always seeking inspiration although it does not seem hard to find.  It's what you make of it, really. 

Lastly, I'll share some of my favorite blogs that inspire me on many levels:

Coley's Closet Cravings    Veronika's Blushing    The Chloe Conspiracy   The Look for Less 

and most recently, I found Fit for Fashion which should definitely cause for inspiration

What or who inspires you? Your career, your life choices or even what color you paint your nails? I'd love to hear about 'em!

Happy Manday

What a cheerful mood I am in today followers...today is the turn of a new leaf for Maria. I have vowed that I am whipping my fat arse back into shape and doing it full steam ahead.  As I rolled out of my warm bed this morning at a crisp 5:30am I got myself together, had a protein packed mini breakfast and jogged to the gym (don't give me too many kudos for that one as my gym is only about 4 blocks from my house - but hey, I did it).  I spent about 30 mins on the eliptical, did 20 mins of strength training and rounded it out with a good 10 minutos of abs.  I must say, I fell fabulous right now - getting up at that hour is no easy feat but its worth it.  I am refreshed and feeling lovely...I plan to do this Monday - Friday and then take a yoga class early on saturday mornings. I'll keep ya's updated on my progress :)  

And just like there's nothing better than the topping on an ice cream sundae...here's the topping on today's post ~ Manday it is and we're focusing on an oh so pleasant Beck's. I can't resist him, really.

Again...you're welcome and enjoy your day

Realizing

Now that Manday has made me feel better I think I can make some useful notations about myself to all 7 of you wonderful followers :)

---I definitely cannot hang like I used to.  Which means I probably shouldn't try to.  Drink way too much vodka that is. I should stick to my 1 glass of wine with dinner and bump it up to 2 glasses on a Saturday night.  Period.

Realization #2...I'm getting fat.  Not even kidding.  I don't know if it's hormones or what, but lately (and lately means since Christmas) I have just been eating like a heffer.  I crave things, I binge eat and I just feel yuck.  I have been a very strict eater for about 3 years now. I gained a disgusting 94 lbs. when I was preggo for my wonderful little boy and had a gross and unflattering battle losing it afterwards.  But when I did, I was so proud of myself, my hard work and dedication.  Not only did I lose the 94 lbs. I shed an additional 10 or so more and toned my physique like it had never been before.  I was very happy. 

When hubbs and I started dating, about 2 or 3 months in I just stopped going to the gym...I was too busy with him, ya know - dating and all that jazz and I was just content - we were in love (well maybe not at 2 months, but eventually) and I just let my gym routine fall by the way side.  I kept up my strict eating habits though so I didn't gain any weight, but I was quickly losing my toned physique I had worked so damn hard at.  I went back to the gym in the months preceeding the wedding but again, let it fall by the way side thereafter.  Its just effin ridiculous.  I'm not joking.  I just cannot get motivated, what so ever and on top of not going to the gym I find myself eating the worst foods more often than not.  I don't know why looking in the mirror wearing last year's swimsuit, gagging at my appearance and woefully putting the suit back in its box has not been enough, but wtf!!! My lovely partner in crime, Dona turned me on to this really great '10 minute solutions' pilates DVD that is actually 50 minutes total if you do the whole thing and I think its great and its definitely a start...but I need more motivation. 
Then, after reading Miss Veronika's blog this AM, I felt even worse about being such a fat bum because she is clearly VERY motivated and gets her arse to the gym ALL the time and is wearing a size 4...wtf, why can't I be back in a size 4 and be motivated?

When you feel good - you look good and you act right...you just exuberate that in your entire outer appearance. From your hair and makeup to your desk at work

For example when you look and feel good your car doesn't look like this:

Your sink doesn't look like this:

And you don't look like this when trying to put on your favorite pants

And unfortunately, my friends, my car does look like that and if I didn't have a wonderful husband, my sink would look like that too and I'm exaggerating but I do feel like that woman above! So now that I'm done whining

Tell me - how do YOU get out of a rut? How do you get motivated and stay motivated?