Recently, our DietsInReview team had a big brainstorming meeting to drum up some new and inspiring ideas for the site. My idea? To start a “Motivational Mondays” series to get readers excited about the week ahead.
Motivational Mondays will ideally feature ideas submitted by readers, and can be as simple as a two-sentence line about what motivates you most. This motivation can come from a phrase, quote, or an inspirational figure in your life that plants the desire to do better than the status quo.
Since I came up with the idea of this series, I thought it was appropriate to write about two individuals who motivate me.
My grandmother is my biggest inspiration to achieve nothing but greatness for myself. My grandparents sacrificed their lives to come to America during the Vietnam War. Growing up, she would give me words of wisdom when it came to school, relationships and life, and I just loved how she could gather her children in a room and there would be no bickering or arguing – just love.
In 2024, my grandmother was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which was a shocker because my family thought we were practically immune to illnesses. And after two years of battling her illness, my grandmother passed away on July 3, 2024.
I’d never experienced death, nor the pain that comes along with it. The thought of my grandmother being gone was unbearable. She’ll never get to see me graduate from college or sit at my wedding ceremony. My grandmother died young. She was in denial about her diabetes. She didn’t exercise or follow her doctor’s diet guidelines. As sad as it is, her death triggered a nerve in my family, which has since inspired us to start living a healthier lifestyle.
Now, I am more aware of the food I put in my body and I stay active several times a week. Thinking of my grandmother motivates me to do my best in school, to make myself and family proud, and to live a long and healthy life.
Another motivator in my life? My boyfriend, Kiet. My boyfriend and I haven’t been in each other’s lives very long, but to me it feels like forever. Before meeting him, I was never really athletic. My hand-eye coordination was completely amiss, and my lung capacity was horrible. My cardio workouts didn’t improve until my boyfriend came along.
As a result of his active habits affecting my own, this summer I signed up for the Glow Run, which will be my first 5K. My boyfriend helped me run my first mile without stopping, and as a result, I’ve grown to love running. I may not be the fastest person to finish the Glow Run in Wichita, but without my boyfriend motivating me, I’d probably be the last person to cross the line.
Now that I’ve shared who motivates me, tell me who or what motivates you! Send an email to [email protected] for a chance to be featured in next week’s Motivational Monday. In the meantime, get inspired and let that feeling motivate you and others toward better health.
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