"Lately I’ve been realigning with my fitness journey — Baby Phat 2.0 — making sure I carve out at least two solid lifting days alongside the classes I’m back to teaching. To say I’ve been motivated every day would be a lie … but to say I’ve been driven? That’s closer to the truth.

I absolutely want those “No way she has three children!” moments. The double-takes. The side eyes. The whispers after class. Listen … a girl can have goals. But, beneath the vanity — because that’s the surface layer — there’s something deeper pulling the strings.

My body simply functions better when I take care of it. It moves better. It breathes easier. It recovers faster.

I feel stronger in the simplest ways — bending, lifting, twisting, teaching, living. And right now, eight months post-partum with 47 extra pounds, with hip flexors tighter than a jar lid that won’t budge and a back that occasionally reminds me it carried three whole humans … well, that’s not exactly the vibe.

So yes — sis is motivated. But more importantly, ya girl is committed. Here’s the truth most people don’t like to talk about: motivation is flaky. One day it shows up like your biggest cheerleader, the next day it ghosts you completely.

If we relied on motivation alone, half our workouts would be skipped, meal prep would be a suggestion instead of a plan, and movement would only happen when the mood struck.

And moods? They’re unreliable little things. So the real question becomes: What keeps you going when motivation packs up and leaves? What are the things that pull you through a workout when you’d rather scroll your phone?

What pushes you through those final reps when your legs are shaking and your brain says “that’s enough”?

Do you have quotes you repeat to yourself? A lock-screen photo that reminds you why you started? A playlist that flips a switch inside you? For me, this season of Baby Phat 2.0 has been about leaning into small psychological tricks that keep momentum moving forward.

One of my favourites? Counting reps in twos instead of ones. It sounds almost silly, but mentally it shifts everything. Instead of thinking “I’ve got 16 reps left”, my brain hears “eight counts.”

Suddenly the mountain feels smaller. The set feels quicker. The body follows where the mind leads. It’s a tiny shift, but tiny shifts add up.

Another huge piece, something that always worked in the past, is journalling my workouts. Just writing down what I did — but how I felt doing it. The wins. The struggles. The moments where I surprised myself.

The days when I didn’t feel strong, but showed up anyway. That journal becomes proof. Proof that progress is happening even when the mirror is stubborn.

Proof that consistency is building something real behind the scenes. Some days the entry might read like a victory lap: “Beasted that session. Added weight. Felt strong.”

Other days it might be a gentle reality check: “Energy was low. Form needed work. But, I still showed up.”

And honestly? Those entries will matter just as much. This Baby Phat 2.0 journey is not about perfection. It is about showing up enough times that the results have no choice but to follow.

It’s about honouring the body that carried life … while still challenging it to grow stronger. It’s about mobility, strength, confidence, and yes — a little bit of “wait … she has three children?” energy sprinkled on top.

Another even more real motivating factor that really hits, is the idea that my knees will feel more buttery, once I decrease my weight. My inner dialogue mental is like, “do you want your knees still hurting in a few months, inflamed …? Well put down the Haagen Daaz (brownie caramel).

The idea that my joints are rioting right now with this excess weight is motivating enough.

Right now, Baby Phat 2.0 is about showing up enough times that the results have no choice but to follow.

So when motivation dips — and trust me, it will — I lean on the systems. The little tricks. The journal. The counts. The commitment. Because motivation might start the engine. But discipline keeps the wheels turning.

Now I’m curious … what keeps you going when motivation disappears? Is it a quote? A goal? A routine? A little mental trick like mine?

Share it with me — because sometimes the best motivation comes from hearing what keeps someone else pushing forward.

Happy Wednesday fitfam! As usual, remain unapologetic about your entire fitness and wellness journey. Stay true to yourself and always be honest with your efforts.

• Dre Hinds is a personal trainer, aerobic and yoga instructor and fitness “addict” with more than 20 years’ experience. She specialises in nutrition, weight and sprint training, operating out of HindsSight Fitness and Wellness at the Berkeley Cultural Centre. Contact her at absbydre@gmail.com or on 599-6683. Find her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram under @Absbydre