Sunday, March 27, 2011

Be Consistent

In order to get better, we must practice.  Practice forms habits and habits allow us to be consistent. 

You've made up your mind that you're ready to get healthy!  You've got a plan and now you must follow through with that plan.  There is nothing about what you do that needs to be elaborate, unachievable or difficult to overcome.  In order for your plan to work, all you need to do is to show up. 

If you want to run a half marathon, you must train for several weeks.  Day after day, you run.  You might follow a specific training schedule or simply just run on certain days.  You must align your goals with the work that you are willing to do.  Any unbalance and you may waiver.  Killing yourself with one run during week rather than having specific training days will not get you to your goal.  Consistency will.

If you want to be a better writer, you write daily.  If you want to have a better marriage, you express your love often.  If you want your children to form good habits, you show them even better habits....consistently. 

When you write out a plan, your odds for success increase dramatically.  You visually see what needs to be done and you can have the satisfaction of physically checking off what you have accomplished each day.  You'll develop a pattern.  A consistent pattern. 

Day after day, week after you week, you show up.  You do the work, you drop the old bad habits and develop new, healthier habits.  You begin to see a change.  Your results are motivating and you've changed who you are.

Consistency.  Be consistent.  Results are inevitable when you show up.

Yesterday I ran a 10K.  I placed first in my age group division.  I never would have dreamed five years ago I could accomplish that.  There is nothing special about me.  I don't have any advantage over any women in my age group.  I have just been consistent.  I never waiver.  My health is my priority.  Make it yours!


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

In Retrospect

There is nothing more powerful for me than accomplishing a goal.  Something about putting my desires to paper spurs this charge to action for me.  It's about shifting the power of my subconscious thoughts into my conscious mind.

With this tool, I was able to run the race of my life in December, I'm moving towards my goal of celebrating my 10-year anniversary in Hawaii and best of all, I'm getting closer each day to fulfilling my ultimate goal of staying home full-time to be that mom I've always be to be for my son.

My brother is a huge source of motivation and support for me.  We live thousands miles apart, but we talk daily and bounce ideas off of one another mostly through emails throughout the day.  His incredible fitness transformation was the catalyst for getting me started on my own fitness journey this past year.

I love digging up old emails to get a retrospective snapshot of my life.  I want to know that I'm always making strides and progress in the right direction.  I didn't realize my brother had been saving a lot of my thoughts to share with me.

Today he dug up this email I wrote the day I started my blog.  I remember him asking me to write down my goals.  This was not even one year ago, yet this concept seemed so foreign to me.  But I trusted him and I did it.  He convinced me start doing Insanity to begin working towards my new life.  I knew going through the physical process would lead me to the path that I am ultimately meant to travel.


How validating to read this less than one year later and realize that I'm truly fulfilling my life's purpose.  Write those goals down and make a plan to make it happen.  It works!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Over The Hill

I have this hill where I live. It’s my hill. I hate it and I love it. It’s steep and long. The Mt. ‘Kilimanbedford’ if you will. When it’s time for hill repeats or circuits, there is no other option. It stands high above the MidCities with a Wells Fargo ATM and Texas Roadhouse in its immediate horizon.


My neighborhood is full of rolling hills, but she is the queen. I could pick any other hill, but for this training, this is THE hill. I own her. Not even a fresh layer of uneven asphalt will take my focus away from conquering that B*$#&!


It would be easy to choose one of the baby hills of my neighborhood, one that’s less of a challenge for my lungs or that gives a slight reprieve to my quads. But something about MY hill makes me going back for more. When I sprint or bound or crawl my way to the top, I feel a different sense of accomplishment. That confidence carries me forward throughout the day.



Hill circuits or repeats, in the moment, are by far the most physically demanding task of my day. They not only require a lot of physical strength but command even stronger mental will. I know if I make it to the top and complete my workout that day, I’ve completed the hardest part of my day. No demanding bosses, needy children, unforeseen crises will break me.

Find your hill and own it!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Are You Chipper?

I had someone ask me yesterday if I'm always chipper.  In between a snicker and gasp, I asked what prompted him to ask me such a thing.  His response?  "Well, everything I read that you post is always so positive and motivating and uplifting."  My answer?  "Then I'm serving my purpose."

His question did catch me a bit off-guard because I wouldn't ever classify myself as "chipper", but I do make a VERY conscious effort to project positivity in all I say and do.  He sees me when I'm in my element - coaching runners.  I'm happy, I'm passionate, I'm working hard to have them hate me in the moment and love me when we leave.  I care about my runners and I'm trying to make them better.  If I come across as chipper, it's because I love what I do.

Think about what image you project when you post things online via Facebook, Twitter, your blog, etc.  Does your message portray you as a positive person, someone others want to be around?  Are you posting things that provoke intrigue, inspire action and create awareness?  We all know the Debbie Downers.  Does this person encourage you to be better or motivate you to hit the delete button?

With the power of social media, it is absolutely imperative that you project yourself in the most positive light.   Am I happy 24/7?  Absolutely not!   I am however genuine.  It's not about creating a false image by only writing what you think others should read, but about sharing your life with others in a manner that creates curiosity and interest.  I'm much more interested in reading about someone who may be struggling, but writes in a manner to help others who may relate to that situation, rather than someone who just thinks life sucks.

Positive attitudes are contagious.  You should always ask yourself how you would react to the messages your send.  Are you the person someone would want to hire or fire?  Are you someone who others would want to be around or the type that has a dark cloud looming over your head.  Think about that.

If you can't always be positive, be funny, be sarcastic, be witty.  Most of all, be you.  Be genuine and write with honesty.  Write from your heart and write about what you love.

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity;
an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
” - Winston Churchill

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Commit Me to the Asylum

"Trust that circumstances in life will align to support you on your path. 
When you make a commitment, life will make a commitment back."

In May 2010, I began this crazy journey when I started Insanity.  I knew it would get me in shape.  I never doubted that.  I had no idea that it would be the start of such a tremendous transformation for my body, my confidence and my life.

A Rut.  This is what I looked like just ten months ago.  It wasn't horrible.  I was in pretty good shape.  I was running consistently, doing yoga avidly and going to the gym often.  The difference?  I wasn't inspired and quite honestly, I wasn't happy with where my life was going.


Dedication.  In just 60 days, I did change my body...dramatically.  I lost 12 pounds and two inches off my waist.  I felt fitter than I ever had in my life.


Commitment.  I saw no reason to quit, so I kept going. I modified my second round to be able to train for my fourth marathon, but I still continued to Dig Deeper at least three days a week. 


Happiness.  I proved not only to myself how hard works pays off, but I know I touched and inspired so many other people during my journey. I maintained my weight loss AND qualified for the Boston Marathon.  I got stronger, happier and more motivated than ever to always honor the commitment to myself to work very hard for the things I want to achieve in my life.


Ready.  Here I am today, ten months later.  I've finished three rounds of Insanity and I am so ready for the next challenge.  There's a new DVD coming out.  It's rumored to be even harder than Insanity.  I didn't think it was possible until I heard it's called...The Asylum. I get a chill just thinking about it, but I'm ready to commit myself. 

Think of where you want to be in ten months.  What direction do you want your life to go?  You control your path and destiny.  When you commit to yourself, forget the excuses and look beyond the obstacles.  Focus on your dream and life will reward you.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Kristal's Journey - Part 1

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Kristal.  She has the sweetest spirit, the kindest soul and the coolest hair I could only dream to have!  She originally met me by becoming a member of my online fit club and told me about her desire to get back into shape.  I believed so much in her that we decided to blog about her progress and her journey to get back to her desired weight.

I'll post about her monthly and let you know how she is doing!  I'm rooting for her and I hope she'll inspire you as well.

What is your goal size or weight?
My goal size is a 10. I want to get there and see how happy I'll really be. I was there before and I wanted to be smaller, but now...if only!

A goal weight would be around 144. I was stable there before. But if I work out and start building muscle or something that causes my weight to be higher than that and still achieve the overall look I want, that's perfectly fine with me.

What is your workout plan?
At this time, I work out three days per week minimum. My scheduled planned workout currently is Beachbody's Yoga Booty Ballet. I have the DVDs and I loosely follow the calendar that is included with the workouts.

I get a workout as a daycare provider.  Carrying around infants all day to replace weights is great strength training.  Taking extra time to 'squat' to pick them up or to clean up can be a great workout.   I also enjoy walking/running with my husband.

What makes you feel good?
I love it when you feel your body changing and when you can feel your muscles tightening when you do normal daily activities.

When are you most comfortable?
When I feel good!

How will you create accountability for yourself and who will hold you accountable to your goals?
Well first of all, I have to thank Rhonda for allowing me to be accountable to her! (I told you she is so sweet!)

I have to have a big, consistently visual calendar to mark off when I actually work out. I realize that just saying I'll work out three days a week could change.  For instance, Sunday could be the beginning of a week or the catch up day of another week.

How will you reward yourself for small achievements?
I really don't know. I think that I'll get more things that I feel I need in order to work out. For example, I don't have an MP3 player. So if I work out consistently for two months, then I'll get one because I know I'll use it.  BUT, I'll have to have do a workout that will need music, so running here I come!

I'm also telling a few family and friends and they are going to be looking at me up and down. I really want to be a good role model though, and let them know that they can do it without drugs and starvation!

What is your first goal?
To work out three times a week for two months!

What is your nutrition plan?
I really believe that I can eat and still lose weight by eating completely organic and healthy. I'm trying to stay away from serious calorie counting, fat free foods and diet pills. I want my body to do the work. If I do the work, I'll appreciate it more.

I couldn't agree with you more Kristal!
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