Day 4 Update! And, What's your inspiration?

Only 4 days until the photo shoot!

Exercise:
Sweatbox w/ Jump Rope Circuit (50 minutes)
Pilates (25 minutes)
Zumba! Express (25 minutes)

Eating:
5:30am Strawberry Protein Smoothie
8:00am Egg White Omelet w/Tri-Color Peppers
10:30am Greek Yogurt and Strawberries
2:00om Turkey Meatloaf with 50/50 Spring Mix and Grape Tomatoes
4:30pm Strawberry Protein Smoothie
7:00pm Egg White Omelet w/Tri-Color Peppers

Drinking:
128 oz h20
2 cups almond milk

Usually, people ask, "what's your motivation?" or "what motivates you?" Today, I want to pose the question, "what's your inspiration?" What inspires you to keep going?

When I look back over the last almost 30 days, I ask myself what inspired me to do this challenge?

So many have told me, "you're an inspiration," or even more personal, "you're my inspiration." Sometimes when people tell me this, my heart skips a beat. I am fearful because I know I am just a human being. Being someone's inspiration is a tall task and I don't want to fail. However, when I think about "inspiration" and where my inspiration lies, my fear dissipates.

A year and a half ago, I came across this poem. It so perfectly captures my sentiments about "motivation" vs. "inspiration."

I love the entire poem, but the lines that speaks to me most now are:

Motivation creates the discipline and interest to change temporarily;
Inspiration creates the obedience to change permanently.

Motivation is driven by a love of self;
Inspiration is driven by a love of God.

For so long I prayed to God to give me discipline to start a lifestyle change. I prayed for discipline but I lacked the ability to listen to and actually follow the nutritional advice that I knew would lead to a transformation of my body. I was being disobedient. At my lowest moment, I could hear God and God distinctly told me, "you know what to do. I will make the way and you just follow my lead." I have been following God's lead ever since--OBEDIENCE.

Also, my desire to continue to transform my body is not a result of me wanting the ultimate beach body or wanting to be skinny. What I desire is for my body and my health to be in a place of life and vitality. I want to be able to do EVERYTHING God designed my body to do. All of the physical limitations that I have placed on my body because of the toxins I have knowingly ingested, I want gone.

So, when I am asked, "what is your inspiration?" I simply say, "To be all that God destined me to be." This journey that I am currently on is simply a part of my destiny. Thank you for joining me.

Enjoy the poem. :-)

Motivation Vs. Inspiration

Motivation is driven by earthly desire and a need to gain self-satisfaction;
Inspiration is driven by heavenly success and a desire to please God.

Motivation is like showering or brushing your teeth--you need to do it every day;
Inspiration happens once and is there forever.

Motivation can be broken;
Inspiration can be blocked but never truly goes away.

Motivation ends during tough or inconvenient times;
Inspiration endures hardship and failure.

Motivation yields to excuses;
Inspiration will not stop until it see results.

Motivation is like tiptoeing into a cold pool;
Inspiration gives you the courage to dive right in, take the leap, and go for it.

Motivation changes with changing emotions;
Inspiration is stronger than a particular feeling at a particular moment.

Motivation takes no effort of focus;
Inspiration takes the effort of focusing on God and the responsibilities we all have.

Motivation creates the discipline and interest to change temporarily;
Inspiration creates the obedience to change permanently.

Motivation is driven by a love of self;
Inspiration is driven by a love of God.

By Ben Lerner