When you want to hit something, you focus on your target. You don't swing blindly, do you? This is how you have to view your fitness goals--- as a target. You are either on the path that moves you toward that target, or you are on the wrong path, or perhaps you are just wandering around in the forest.
Get Focused. I know I am.
Everything that I was missing in the past, things that were a part of my fitness journey for a while, those things are back. I've got my calendar on the wall in my office and after every workout, I record what I did, I rate it anywhere from 3-5 stars and then I record my calories burned. This way, I can always see a pattern of crushing it or FAILING. If I see a bunch of "OFF" days, I know it's time to get back on the right path.
Simple things, simple habits make a HUGE difference.
Today's workout for me was Cathe's Butts N Guts, a favorite of mine. Here is a simple little addition to your healthy habits, especially if you workout from a home gym like I do most of the time. Have you ever found yourself quitting early? Like, you think "I don't need to stretch", or your legs are burning and you stop before you finish the last 3 reps? I've certainly done that in the past and guess what? That's like doing a DRIVE BY WORKOUT. If you had a personal trainer, they'd be yelling at you to PUSH IT and DON'T STOP. Do what you have to do, imagine that someone is there yelling at you to PUSH IT. Imagine someone you detest is watching you and they are predicting you will quit. Then you just SHOW THEM A THING OR TWO.
SHOW UP AND DO THE WORK. ALL OF IT.
I did the entire 50 minutes of Butts N Guts. I did not do Core today - and that is my QUESTION OF THE DAY: How often do you "train" core? once a week? twice? every day? Just curious.
This is one of my favorite core moves, the Flutter Kick:
OMG! This can be so killer for your abs. What is your favorite way to work your core?
Also! Bonus! As you know, on Tuesday nights, I work with General Mills as a panelist for the Multi-Grain Cheerios Twitter parties with NBC's The Biggest Loser (#client)! We start gabbing on Twitter at 8pm CST- so join in by following the hashtags #MGCheerios and #BL11 (#client). Tonight, I am able to share a pretty cool fitness prize provided by Multi-Grain Cheerios:
YUM and coolness for taking your MultiGrain Cheerios snack to the gym! BOOYA! Want to enter to win? Simply leave a comment telling me what you usually eat for a pre or post-workout snacky!! And in the mean time, check out the MultiGrain Cheerios Site for all kinds of cool tips, recipes and promotions.
Don't Worry. I'm not writing a blog post about the still (yawn) never-ending talk about Angelina and Jennifer Aniston. The above photos represent a "look" or a "level of thin-ness" that years ago, I would have considered a "win" for me. I would have LOVED to be that skinny. I'm just being honest.
Not anymore.
**Please note before I continue on this point, my post is NOT in any way intended to critique these celebrities, to in any way make fun of their very thin bodies or suggest that they are not healthy. That's not my job. I'm just making some visual comparisons, and all of this is strictly MY opinion, MY point of view.**
The title of my blog post today is "Measure Success DIFFERENTLY." This came to me as I re-read THIS POSTby my friend Kristin, about Warped Beauty Standards and Embracing the Buff. As I read, "Some might call me "bulky" at this point into my fitness journey: I am 16 pounds heavier than I was a year ago. My thighs are too big for a lot of my old pants and I can see muscles in places I never knew muscles existed. Skirts fit me better now because my waist is much smaller. I can haul a tire up a mountain for you if you ever need it, and overhead squat your back-talking seven year old. I am more confident in my abilities and willingness to try new things.", this incredible A-HA moment came over me.
Amy and Sherry will recall several times this past year I'd complained that I wasn't fitting into my OLD JEANS. I was upset that my arms are so muscular now that I couldn't wear my Ann Taylor size XS tops anymore. I was upset by pants that were baggy on me four years ago were now NOT baggy. I remember both Amy and Sherry saying something to me like, "Why are you worrying about fitting into jeans or tops from four years ago?? Just get in your best shape now and buy clothes to fit THAT".
Did I listen? Nope.
I have been obsessed in the past about getting MY BODY "BACK" to where it was before. When I say "before" (for those of you new to my blog) I guess I'm referring to my body as it was before I experienced the hormonal changes that accompanied early onset perimenopause. I gained weight very suddenly in areas where I had NEVER gained before...and this was also accompanied by a HORRID skin condition on my arms, my upper back and chest. This started like in December of 2008- but mostly it was all of 2009- the year I just officially "wrote off" in my fitness journey- that my body became a stranger to me.
I have whined and cried and gotten PISSED off about it, and then, a year ago, I was finally "diagnosed" correctly (it did feel GREAT to just have an answer, instead of some vague idea that my body was changing beyond my control) and got medication to balance the hormones. I thank God for this every single day. 2010 has been my "BACK AT IT" year and I've learned SO MUCH.....
The "A-HA" moments and lessons I've learned in the last quarter of 2010 are the best ones ever. This "A-HA!!!" moment referenced above is a BIG ONE.
I no longer aspire to achieve a physique that is just "skinny". The visual representation of success FOR ME, for MY BODY is totally different NOW than it was 4 years ago. So- KELLY- why are you obsessing about measuring your success NOW using measuring tools (i.e. jeans from 4 years ago or a top from 4 years ago) from BACK THEN??
As of today, that is OVER.
This is the kind of healthy and insanely fit that appeals to me now. I don't look at this picture and think, "Oh she must be a size 0, I have to be a size 0". I DON'T CARE WHAT SIZE I AM ANYMORE. I REALLY DON'T. I DON'T CARE WHAT I WEIGH. I REALLY DON'T. I will tell you all this NOW- if I end up with my HAPPY NAKED BODY and I weigh 160lbs and wear a size 8, I WILL NOT BE EMBARRASSED. I won't start freaking out when I read that Angelina Jolie weighs 100lbs and wears a size -5.
I used to do that. I'd read that Jennifer Aniston was a size 0, and that is how I measured MY body. I'd read that Kendra had a 24 inch waist and then I'd measure mine and FREAK OUT. Guess what kids?? My waist HAS NEVER EVER EVER been a 25 inch waist, and I highly doubt it ever will be.
I'm fine with that. For Realz.
When your abs look like this and your waist measures 28 inches instead of 24, who gives a crap? If that means I wear jeans that measure 31 instead of 27 (I really don't know what those jean measurements go by...is it waist size or just random?? European sizes I guess) who cares? I know I'll probably wear a bigger size anyway BECAUSE THIS BABY'S GOT BACK.
And I don't intend to make it smaller. Wow- 5 years ago I would NOT have said that. I would have wanted to have the flattest smallest butt available. Now, I embrace this bootie and I want only to make it HARDER, TIGHTER AND TOUGHER.
I love this Nike ad. Nike just GETS it.
So, I've come a LONG way. I've learned much this year, and as I've said a lot recently- I am more READY and mentally equipped to kick serious ass in 2011. I'm going to be measuring success differently.
One more important note on this topic. When you measure success- OWN WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU. Don't let others sway you, and don't try to sway others to try to accomplish the same things that YOU want to accomplish. Your goals are YOURS. If you find like minds, that is AWESOME. But, I have learned (FINALLY) that each of our bodies are totally unique. My metabolism isn't like Amy's or my sister's or Madonna's metabolism. What I think is HOT is not necessarily what Amy will want to shoot for or what my sister would like to work toward or what Sherry thinks is ideal.
Sherry's blog is titled, "I Define Me" and I love that. STICK TO THAT.
Just because I am claiming what I want and what I love, that doesn't mean I DON'T APPRECIATE or respect others that go a different way.
HEALTH AND FITNESS IS HEALTH AND FITNESS.
If you want to run and do yoga, and you aren't big on weights....that's your thing. Just because I like to crush it in the gym doesn't make me better than you or vice versa. If you like Kettlebells and triathlons, that's awesome, but don't poo-poo the efforts of someone who does only Yoga 6x a week. If you don't want to shoot for a ripped physique, that doesn't mean you can't learn some insights from a figure competitor. And figure competitors- don't think you can't run (*Ahem Jennifer Nicole Lee*) or that you can't throw in an intermittent fast or two.
Keep an open mind. Learn from others. Decide what YOU WANT and define your success by that. Don't be swayed by others. OWN what you love. Support others in what they love.
As for me, thank you to Kristin (who you will see on next Wednesday's WOOT! Factor!) for opening my eyes. It's time to buy some new jeans.
Really. Think about this. I've heard in conversations - and I'm sure at several points in the past few years I may have said it once or twice - "I'm just not gonna give X up in order to lose a few pounds", or "There is no way I'm getting up that early just to get some cardio in!" or, "I have a busy day. The last thing I wanna do when I get home is workout.", or "Do you know how much extra time it will take for me to cook meals in advance?"
I will reference this post again. If you have those thoughts, while still hoping to get in your optimal state of fitness and health, it's time to GET REAL.
If you don't fit in your favorite jeans, or you haven't lost that baby weight, or you have a nagging muffin top, or you don't feel comfortable being seen in a bikini- and you want to CHANGE THIS, then Get Real. Something has to change.
If you are working out and watching what you eat, and your results aren't where you are ready to have your picture taken in a bikini (or boys, for you please let's say boxer shorts not Speedos), then you aren't doing SOMETHING right. Period.
ONLY you can truly analyze your life, your diet, your workouts and figure out the missing link. Regardless of what you find, SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE. And, it won't be easy. Understand that. It will not be easy, and it probably won't EVER be "easy". Getting to a level of OPTIMAL FITNESS is a lot of hard work, focus and determination.
It's hard work. But it's SIMPLE. You gotta MOVE and you gotta FUEL. Period. If your results aren't where you want them to be, you likely have to tweak the MOVEMENT and the FUEL. Period.
To reference the first paragraph of this post, you have to GET REAL. As Billy Blanks used to say in his early Taebo videos, "You've got to give some to get some." That means if you want MORE out of your efforts, you have to give more effort.
That means making more time. Stop whining that you're busy. Guess what? We ALL are busy. MAKE TIME. If I hear one more person saying that they just don't have time because they have 1) a job 2) kids or 3) both, I will punch myself. If you can't cut out an hour a day for yourself, there is something wrong in your life.
The question becomes, HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?
Do you want to accomplish something that takes effort and focus and diligence, that will change your body and your mind forever, for the better?? Or do you want to be lame and lazy and lumpy?? Will you be proud to say, when someone asks you what you did in 2010, "Well, I watched a lot of TV, sat on my a**, gained 15 pounds and can't fit in any of my clothes anymore. But....I got to see 500 football games and I'm really addicted to The Bachelor!!". For real?? Or, would you be psyched to say something like, "I kicked BUTT this year. I lost 15 pounds, I ran my first 1/2 marathon, I look and feel better than I have in my whole life and next year, I'm planning a marathon and maybe a triathlon!"
Yea.
Life is too short for wimpy goals. Stop underestimating yourself. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO DO.
I'm living proof, and you ain't seen NOTHING yet. I'm IN IT TO WIN IT, and you can be dang sure that end of 2010 rolls around and I'll be PROUD of what I've done and ready to kick MORE butt in 2011~ I'm going to reach my 42nd birthday ON APRIL 2ND WHAT DID I SAY THAT OUT LOUD and be OWNING IT.
Don't make excuses. Get inspired. Decide to go for it and stop being scared about WHAT IF. Get rid of that phrase "I CAN'T" because YOU CAN.
COMMIT TO MAKING YOURSELF PROUD EVERY DAY. Inspire yourself by facing your fears and CRUSHING THEM. Inspire others to do the same.
I commit to:
Value myself and this life and this body as a GIFT.
Starting every day with my quiet time and meditation to get my mind and my heart in the right place. God comes first. Period.
Fueling my body with the best food that will complement my training.
Giving 200% in my workouts, 6 days a week and resting on Sundays.
NOT FEARING ANYTHING.
Never giving up.
Getting better every single day in every single way.
Being unstoppable.
Getting the rest I need.
Being thankful every day that I can do all of the above.
Here is my QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you think you've been aiming for the HIGHEST goal? Or are you just "doing ok"?? What do you REALLY WANT TO DO?? Now. Do It.
Well, please. Just Break. Me. Off. A. Piece. Of. THAT.
I'm sorry, I have unclean thoughts right now. *Ahem*
How's your day kids? Enjoying your holiday weekend? I am locking myself in my office all day today to FINISH MY BOOK!! I'm all over it, but I tell you, what is UP with me procrastinating?? I'm horrible about that, when I absolutely HAVE to do something, I put it off until the last day. And then my brain will fight me on it. OY. I guess that means I don't like being told what to do. Go figure.
Anyway, per my vlog yesterday- I am NOT running today because of my 55 minute session giving me (awww blushing!!!) my FIRST CHAFING AND BLISTER INCIDENT. Sniff, sniff. I'm all misty just thinking about it. Oh wait, that was just me crying that Dwayne Johnson doesn't live next door to me. ;-0
I digress. As usual.
So- my Question of the Day: is mainly for runners again, but could be for everyone in a way- WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE OF CLOTHING for running? I'm favoring Nike and Under Armour in a big way. I have to be honest, I'm really starting to like what I'm seeing from Under Armour, and I know I've heard in the past great stuff about their lines to wear outdoors in the cold. DO YOU MIX AND MATCH BRANDS?
Let me know, as I'm realizing that especially with running, the right gear- socks, shoes, (bras), and tops/bottoms are KEY to performance. Me-no-likey-the-chafey. OK?
On that note, I must leave you kittens so I can drink some Spiced Wine and watch House re-runs finish my book. Enjoy some more Manoliciousness below as Dwayne kicks some serious ass in the gym:
And here I am below Dwayne. Kelly, be a good girl.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 07:59PM
