Mind over body ...

 

I had a fight with my body today while exercising. It wanted to stop.  It wanted to be done with the workout.  It was telling my mind that it was tired and that we should stop and catch our breath or stop completely.  My  MIND won.  I pushed through my body telling me no.  I invisioned my body changing.  I invisioned the toxins and fat cells leaving my body.  I actually invisioned myself crossing the finish line at my next triathlon feeling fit and fabulous and you know what?  I CAN if I THINK I CAN ...

--what do you do to push through a hard workout?

--what is your favorite way to get your mind to control your body?

Staying committed ...

I finished day #11 on my fitness blender workout plan.  I didn't want to do it.  I kept telling myself I didn't need to, it wasn't going to be worth it, I was too tired.  BUT I did it!  I finished that workout and I felt pretty good after.  I fought myself the whole time saying, I'll just do 2 sets instead of 3.  I'll just do a little less cardio instead of finishing it through.  But I knew I'd be disappointed in myself if I gave up, so I finished it all strong and was happy that I did.

Is it only me or is it super hard to stay committed when you don't see any progress?  Or I guess the progress I want to see?

I haven't seen anything budge on the scale ... not one thing, but I have been able to see progress in my strength and ability to finish my work outs and push my body.  Yes that is wonderful, but I would be lying if I said that was satisfying enough.  I want to SEE changes in my body just not the amount I can lift while working out my body.

Frustration is a hard emotion for me to work through, but I have been working through it this time because while I want the scale to move and I want to look better in my clothes, I also know that I can only control what I can control and I can control how often I work out.  I can control that I don't give up.  I can control that I keep trying to figure out my body and I can control that I will figure out this cycle I am on and figure out how to be the best me I can be ... even if the scale doesn't move.

I have set a goal to not touch the scale until I return home from our travels.  I will continue to work out and eat right and if the scale won't budge hopefully at least I will have more energy and at least look toned. 

I have done a lot of homeopathic work, emotions and otherwise, that hopefully will help my journey along and I am just trying to stay committed to what I hope will help me in the long run!

---How do you work through frustration?

---How do you not focus on the scale and look for other progress?

Can I? ...

Is it selfish to want to be a success story? Is it selfish to see people succeeding and having the body that I've always wanted and say I WANT THAT?  Is it selfish to take the time to obtain those goals and desires?

I've had a lot of thoughts run through my head lately...why can't I succeed when it comes to my body goals?  Why can't I stick with something long enough to see the desired outcome?  I know I want to be healthy.  I know I want to be fit.  I know I want to be an inspiration to others, especially my children.  But I wish I knew I COULD.  I wish I knew I could push my body to where I want it to go.  I wish I knew that I could do the things I once thought were impossible.

The funny thing about these thoughts that are swirling through my mind, is I KNOW THAT I CAN do amazing things.  I got through my teenage years (which were a challenge for me) without dying, I ran a half marathon with so much pain in my feet because of tarsal tunnel, but I still did it.   I learned how to swim and practiced it enough to complete 3 sprint triathlons last summer.  I lost weight when I was extremely focused and committed to a 'diet'.  So I've done things that I should be able to draw strength from, so why do I struggle to REALLY know that I CAN?

The conclusion I've come up with is because I've tried so many times, I've started over so many times, I've failed so many times, I've been rejected so many times and I'm sick of it.

I want to be a success story!  I want to inspire others to live a healthy lifestyle, emotional, spiritual and physical!  I WANT TO KNOW I CAN and BELIEVE IT!

--What are your biggest struggles?
--How do you believe in yourself?

Difficult becomes possible ...

Do you ever see something and think "oh that is just TOO hard to do?"  Do you think it is JUST too difficult for you to try and accomplish?  No?  I think you are lying :).

I know I HAVE.  After 5 years of trying, I never thought I would be able to release 30 pounds. I thought it would be too difficult to change my diet, eat enough vegetables and see my weight actually go down on a scale.  BUT do you know what?  I did it!  It took me 3 months once I found the right key to unlock my weight.  

Releasing weight became Possible!

I also thought doing a triathlon might be too difficult for me.  When Coach J first signed up for his sprint I couldn't believe how awesome it was.  I couldn't believe that he was going to do it.  Then, watching him accomplish it, I though, well maybe that is possible.  Maybe with some good training and with time, I could do that too.  Well, if you have been reading my blog or following me on facebook you know I have completed my goal of my 1st triathlon followed closely by a 2nd one, spur of the moment. 

Triathlons became Possible!!

It is amazing to me what becomes POSSIBLE when you put your mind to it.  When I first started training I wasn't even sure I would make it...heck when I first started in the water of my first triathlon I was still doubting if I could make it.  It was difficult, all my goals have been, but they are Possible!  I know they are possible and have become a part of who I am.  I am a triathlete.  I am at a healthy weight for my body.  

I am Possible! 

---what have you done that you thought was difficult?

---Are you doing something right now that you thought was Impossible?

Discouraged ...

Why is it so easy to get discouraged?  Why is it when you let one doubtful thought creep in, all the positive and happy ones LEAVE so quickly and more mean ones come rushing in?

 

I couldn't sleep last night my mind was so full of crap and what ifs and why can't's that I was feeling very bogged down this morning already.  That isn't a great way to start the day.  Then I happened upon this quote...one of my favorites!  

I have to believe in my abilities, to not doubt, to be happy with where I am even though I am striving for more, I need to not let the discouraging thoughts creep in and KNOW that things will work out and I will succeed in the things I want to.  It may not be a smooth ride, but it will be worth it.  There will be bumps to get out of, hills to climb over, but the feeling of success will be very worth it after conquering all of those obstacles.  Now to change my outlook and have a GREAT day!

--What helps get you out of a funk?

--How to you keep the discouragement at bay?

Do not doubt yourself ...

The week before my first triathlon was kind of a hard week mentally.  I was nervous for my triathlon, but I let the doubt creep in.  I let the "I can't" dwell in my mind for a little bit too long....until I read this post from a motivating friend.

"Mentally and emotionally you begin to steel yourself to the challenge ahead. Doubts may begin to arise, but the belief you have in yourself will crush them. Fear may rear its ugly head, but you focus on the strength you possess and it is forced to flee before you. Uncertainty may creep in, but you will have none of that because you not only can do this. . . but YOU WILL DO THIS!"

 

I cried when I read this and pushed those "I Can't" thoughts out of my  head right that minute.  I knew I had put in the time, I knew I had sacrificed a lot to get to the fitness level I was at, I KNEW I would finish the goal I had set out to achieve...Finish the triathlon!   

We need to not doubt our abilities. We need to trust that we CAN succeed if we want to.  Trust your abilities, trust your training and trust that you can do HARD things.  Let's not doubt what we CAN do, instead prove that YOU WILL DO THIS!

--How do you get doubt out of your life?

--What keeps you motivated to Never give up?

With a little time ...

Oh how your PERSPECTIVE changes...

Two weeks ago, I completed my first sprint triathlon and I thought I would not do another one this year.  The very following week, Coach J did the Echo Triathlon (watch for a race report from him) and I found myself to be extremely jealous! I wanted to have another attempt at doing something so challenging and rewarding!

To be completely honest, it only took about a day to help my perspective change.  While I was going through the swim, I wanted to quit.  I wanted so badly to call over the kayak and have him take me in.  But I didn't!  I kept going and then enjoyed every minute of the rest of the triathlon. Same thing in life, while we are going through trials or hard times it sometimes feels like we just want to quit.  We want to throw in the towel, claim a Did Not Finish, but once we have gone through those challenges/trial/hardships, we are better because of it.  We are a different person and stronger and more able to take on the next challenge.  

Now that I have had time to think about my triathlon experience, I KNOW I want to do more. I know I need to work on my swim to be quicker and more efficient and my run to become faster, but there is always something you can work on to get better, right? If we wait until we are 'perfect' to go after something we desire will we ever be ready?  Will we ever do something that causes us to be fearful if we don't just Go for It and enjoy the journey?

Bring on the next TRI!!

--What has changed your perspective in life?

--Have you ever said you won't do something and then do it anyway?

Hit a chord...

I LOVE this post from Heather K. Jones.

If you repeat this over and over in your mind, you WILL change.  You will feel like its time.  You will feel like you are worth it.  So many times I have struggled with these exact thoughts, just opposite.  Now is the time to change your mind set.  Now is the time to make the changes in your life that will make it AMAZING!

I am willing to change.

I create my healthy and abundant life.

I prioritize of my health and well-being.

I deserve to be healthy and happy.

I love my body and honor it with a healthy lifestyle.

Opportunities to improve my health are everywhere.

I deserve to be healthy and I am worthy of a wonderful life.

Have a very happy Monday and an even better week!!