Sometimes during this fitness and wellness journey we find ourselves searching for means of motivation and inspiration, especially on days when we ‘just don’t feel like it’.

Let’s be real, those days come around quite often.

It’s refreshing knowing that through social media we can find many means of motivation and inspiration. It’s also important to understand that we don’t feel motivated to complete our workouts every day nor to eat our healthier lunch option. In truth, it is dedication and commitment that should keep us going, especially on days we feel less motivated.

As I trolled for motivation, however, I came across a few quotes that hit me hard, so much so that I chose to share them with you today and give my insights into each one:

Half efforts do not produce half results. They produce no results

I used to think half efforts produced half results but this quote had me thinking.

How can we honestly believe that putting in anything less than 100 per cent effort will get us the results we so desire?

Should you desire to reach a certain goal by a certain time, shouldn’t your effort reflect that?

During this journey, we question our goals, mission and methods. We assess our successes and failures.

Do we remember to fully assess ourselves? Did I eat according to my goal? Was I honest with my efforts in training? Did I complete all my reps and sets? Was I successful at balancing good eats and yummy treats? Have I been stressing?

All of these factors affect our results. The effort you put into honestly assessing yourself, the effort you put into eating well, training hard, all impact results. Your results are a direct correlation of the effort you put in.

Don’t wait until you’ve reached your goal to be proud of yourself. Be proud of every step you take.

It’s so easy to be goal-oriented and easily forget about the journey we’re on. Many times we keep our eyes so set on the end, which can invite feelings of loss, disappointment or anxiety simply because it seems so far away. Many times we simply forget to take a breather and recognise what we have already achieved.

It gets discouraging when you worry about how far you have to go but forget how far you’ve come. Don’t fall into that!

Remember to be proud of every step you take towards achieving your goals. Remember that success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out. Every step is valuable, every step should be celebrated and every step is important.

It’s not about how bad you want it, it’s about how hard you’re willing to work for it

A goal without a plan is just a wish. This lifestyle can be hard and it can be lonely. It will be challenging and, at times, it will hurt. It will make you think deeply about your decisions, your goals and it will have you asking yourself why.

Why do I do this to myself?

Answer: Because I want it bad. Now that’s an awesome answer and a great mindset to have, but how hard are you willing to work for it?

That is where it all falls into place. Are you willing to push past your comfort zone? Perhaps feel like vomiting, maybe even until your arms give out? Are you willing to prepare your meals for a week? Are you pushing to be strong enough to resist the cake? Are you willing to eat according to your goals? These are important questions that need to be answered and, once you do, you can assess how hard you’re actually willing to work for your goals.

Surely we all have come across a quote or two that makes us think, hits us hard and/or pushes us to be better in fitness, wellness and life in general. Surely we all feel unmotivated at times to keep pushing. After all, we are human. The success still lies in our dedication and commitment to our goal.

These were my favourite quotes. What are some of yours that help you stay true to yourself, your goals and at times help you when you feel unmotivated?

Write them down, put them on display and surround yourself with the positivity needed for your success.

Do you have a topic that you want me to talk about? E-mail me at absbydre@gmail.com. Until next time, stay true to yourself, surround yourself with positivity and enjoy the journey.

• Dre is a retired track and field athlete who is now a personal trainer, aerobic and yoga instructor and fitness “addict”, with more than five years’ experience. She specialises in nutrition, weight and sprint training, operating out of her personal training studio Hindssight Fitness & Wellness at the Berkeley Cultural Centre. Contact her on: absbydre@gmail.com or 599-0412. Find her on both Facebook and Instagram under @Absbydre.