The guilt factor!
My goal is to help you work around these legitimate reasons for skipping your self care until we figure out a way to work through it! Let’s keep it reasonable and guilt free!
I joined an all Women’s gym and I’m obsessed!
If you had asked me 6 months ago if I ever saw leaving my Co-ed, hardcore gym I’m pretty sure I would have laughed like a banshee. I was in a commited, professional relationship with my personal trainer and was able to monopolize machines and cardio equipment mostly without interruption.
When I found myself at an all Women’s Gym I was amazed for all the right reasons! For starters it’s as you’d imagine, clean, spacious and spa-like. There’s tons of cardio equipment with my all time favorite stair climber. All of the equipment is new and well oiled so there’s no need to throw your back out adjusting a seat or machine to fit your height. The machines appear to be smaller in size to accomodate smaller proportioned women and there’s no one ever in the squat rack. Kidding! I’m sure someone uses it besides me!
All dolled up and headed to the gym!
Pretty regularly I’ll run across a bit of social media lambasting the type of woman that would dare wear makeup to the gym. It’ll usually play out with the tweeter/facebooker/poster making a comment like, “I only come here to sweat…blah, blah, blah!” Here’s why they couldn’t be more wrong!
First off, those floor to ceiling mirrors in the gym, contrary to popular belief, are NOT for daily selfies. Those big, gorgeous mirrors are provided to ensure proper form and execution of an exercise. If you are a novice you need to see yourself in the mirror. Mirrors also provide an aid to making the mind-body connection when doing an exercise. It sounds lofty but it really works. Don’t phone in your workouts. Concentrate even if for no other reason it gets your mind off of the challenges of your day!
Women need Men. The gym is filled with them. A revelation, I know. Seriously though if you work 9 to 5 and you aren’t making the time to do online dating or getting regularly set up by your friends with eligible bachelors then this is a normal place to look. The bonus being that you two already have one thing in common.
Lastly, and one of the most important reasons to get “dolled up” for the gym is the idea that when you look good you feel good. As a long time fitness enthusiast and personal trainer the way you see yourself is tied to your performance in a given task. It is my experience that when women don’t like what they see in the mirror they tend to avoid the mirror. Some clients have gone so far as to tell me that they hate the way they look. It’s no surprise to me that their hair isn’t done, maybe their outfit doesn’t match, they didn’t sleep well etc.
Trus me when I tell you that I look like this in the morning and the only way you will see me looking like this is if you snap my picture at 5am on the days I do fasted cardio.
My point is this, I know it’s a battle just to get to the gym on a regular basis. So once there give it all you’ve got, make it count and don’t let it be a wasted effort. Over time the positive changes will come. I’m no makeup expert but curled lashes, a rosy cheek and a nice gloss go a long way in making you ready to crush your next workout in the gym!
My Life Is Crap! Now What?
If you read that headline and thought, “that’s me please give me some tips!” You might want to head back to Yahoo’s Shine for 1001 tips on how to make over your life. I’ve got one tip and it works in every area of your life. Okay, I have two but let’s start with just one. Commit. Commit. Commit. It’s not sexy, glamorous or mind blowing. It’s the simplest thing you can do right now. Today. This minute.
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Your excuses of not having enough time don’t stand up to commit.
Your choices don’t stand up to commit.
Your spouse doesn’t stand up to commit.
Your job doesn’t stand up to commit.
Your children, your cat, your education, your parents don’t stand up to commit.
You get the idea.
If you commit, you win. If you commit, you succeed. If you commit you will know resolve. If you commit you will win friends. If you commit you will lose friends. If you commit you will learn more about yourself and others.
If you commit you will no longer need another tip to living your best life. Commit! And once you do commit prepare to have that commitment tested. When you commit leave a comment below!
Living Clean
In my blog I hope to compel you to lead Your Vibrant Life! It will be my version of what I know so far about health, fitness, and nutrition. There might be an occasional off topic rant…. I’m human after all. We only have this one life so I will try to separate fact from fiction, hype from truth, and what’s reasonable as you navigate your health and fitness life!
Motivation vs. Inspiration
Good morning! I may be nitpicking but I think the difference between motivation and inspiration is where or with whom the responsibility lies. If I say, “I’m motivated” that means I’m responsible. If I say, “that inspired me” that means that whoever or whatever inspired me, is responsible. A big truth to your overall health and fitness is consistency! Inspiration is fickle. Motivation is life lasting!
Have a fit and fun day!
“Clean” Life Basics
The Clean Life Includes:
- *Drink plenty of water each day. Unsweetened Coffee and Tea count as water too.
- *Get some shut eye. Don’t try to “catch up” on the weekend. TiVo-DVR your favorite shows and watch them on the weekend!
- *Eat regularly and plan ahead. Don’t get caught without some “clean snacks” like nuts, dried or fresh fruit, string cheese etc. Staying fueled up is key to avoiding the unhealthiest of snacks!
- *Move around every day. You don’t have to be a gym rat but you do have to do something. Your skinny jeans are waiting
- *Smile and Laugh at least a few times a day. A positive person sees themselves achieving and living a vibrant life. Youtube cute cat videos! Need we say more!
- *Surround yourself with like minded individuals. It matters!
- *Be your own best friend and cheerleader. We all have tough days but they don’t need to turn into tough weeks or months.
- *Set a goal with a pal and stick to it. Reward yourself once in awhile with a spa day or a new gadget.
- *Remind yourself about the gains you’re making in your health and life. It’s the one time when we agree you should look back and say, “heck yeah!”
- *Visit your doctor for a checkup and see if your numbers for cholesterol, blood pressure and weight have changed. This should be good news to share!
- *Above all else….Don’t Quit!
Let’s Talk Fat vs. Muscle (Video)
The truth is, the more muscle you have means the more fat you burn at rest! In order to build muscle you are going to need to move around, pick heavy things up and put them back down again. Get moving!
Healthcare vs. Sick Care
What you eat contributes to your health. When you view food as a life force, which it is, you take ownership of what you are putting into your body. Foods with a good amount of vitamins and minerals are considered health care. Foods void of any nutritional content or value contribute to sick care. Make health care food choices most of the time and keep sickness at bay!
Food for thought!
Your body, mind and soul are connected. When you exercise a lot of issues come to the surface including anxiety, depression, and fear. Every trainer has some painful secrets shared by their clients during a session. So when I hear people say they don’t like working out I often wonder if they don’t want to uncover what may be hidden both literally and figuratively. Lord knows I’ve shared some painful moments with my trainers. Just some food for thought!