This is how ME do it.

Let's talk about mental toughness. It isn't "one weird trick", particular exercises, or particular food combinations that are going get you to your goals. Getting off your butt when you don't want to - which may be every day - and moving instead of moping is going to get you there.

How do you develop this toughness? How to mentally shake yourself out of a couch coma and into a pair of running shoes? Just freaking do it. And then do it again and again and again until it is routine. That's it. Not easy to be sure, but I will give you a peek into my twisted mind and you can see how I do it.

I power through the crap days on purpose. I do this to build mental toughness and self efficacy, which is kind of like a mental scrapbook full of positive memories. The days you pulled through even when the going was tough. You draw upon those memories to build up your next ones. You simply start by working out on a day you don't feel like it (hey, how about TODAY?!), or choosing a particularly vigorous workout when you are a little tired. Me? I pull memories from marching band, swim coaching, track, rock climbing, past workouts, and childbirth to fuel me. I have a pretty hefty scrapbook, so it is easy to open a page and get motivated, or at least to mentally dash myself with cold water and internally mutter, "get going, you pansy good-for-nothing!".

Today, I went hill running (ok, every run in Memphis is gonna be a hill run and I am resigning myself to this) pushing a 53lb kid and a 30lb kid in our awesome jogger stroller. I was running on 4 hours of sleep and just started my period. I am allergic to ibuprofen, so the first couple of days are rough. It was 90 degrees, 1,000% humidity, and 60% chance of rain.

Everyone had eaten breakfast, so before I could talk myself out of it, "wait and see" about the weather, or think of all the chores I had to do around the house, I just grabbed everyone's shoes and we were out the door. OK, I also packed cheese sticks and bottles of water to keep my little ravening wolves from fussing during their stroller captivity. But then - badaboom! - we were off and down the road.

Once you are committed, it is easier to just keep going. Not that pushing 100lbs up and over rolling hills is a picnic, but it would have been ridiculous to stop once I had everything in motion. The next key is my running route; I simply can't do a logical loop in my neighborhood, so I have to go in a line and then turn around to come back. I can get 15-20 minutes away from home before I start thinking about coming back. The beauty of it is I can't get a cab back home - I MUST run or at least walk back. I have no choice but to see it through.

But what about working out at home? It is so easy to get distracted and quit, even after you have committed. Because the kids have neeeeeeeeds. So many needs. And the laundry. And bills. But you know what? Mama needs this time or she is going to throttle you all. No, no, not really - but SERIOUSLY LET ME WORK OUT OR EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING WILL SUFFER.

I won't lie to you - I pop my 4yo in front of some kind of screen or in a pile of books, and my 18mo old in a high chair or other kid-friendly restraining device with snacks or toys and I do my thang. I don't address needs that aren't at emergency level or above. I barely tolerate talking. I have been known to ignore certain kinds of crying. I may actually turn up the volume of my music when I hear whining. My kids know I love them and they are used to my daily indulgence (we are talking 20-40 mins at most here) so they really don't get upset. I am so much happier and better able to handle the demands of the day after I do this. I am also a nicer wife if I am able to work out before my husband gets home. If I don't, I still get my escape, but it is usually after dinner and I am way more sluggish (I did Yoga after sliders and beer the other night.....burp!), plus most kids are a little wacko at bed time, and daddy doesn't need to face that alone every night!

Most days, I consider changing my workout to make it easier, putting it off to a later time, or skipping it altogether. Yes, ME. I am only human, and as humans we seek to avoid discomfort. Working out is uncomfortable, sweaty work, but it must be done if you wish to achieve anything. I don't care that you don't want to. You tell your kids to eat the food that is on their plate, behave politely in public, buckle their seatbelts, brush their teeth, etc. These are non-negotiables that must happen, regardless of whether they feel up to it that day. Likewise we must hold ourselves accountable and do what must be done.

The dishes, the need for attention by your littles, the laundry - they will be with you always. But the window to workout this day - THIS ONE DAY that you will never get back - that is all you have. Stop letting those days slip by because of excuses and mental laxity. As one of my TRX instructor trainers so eloquently put it: "It's exercise. HTFU (harden the....well, you get it)".