What's LOVE Got To Do With Fitness?

Do you love your workouts? Or do you think about them like "Ugh, I gotta go workout. Ugh....". I LOVE my workouts. 

As I've been "figuring my stuff out" and looking at the last two years of my life, a big part of what was fueling my inconsistency was the fact that I'd lost the LOVE I've always had for my workouts. Sure, many of you would see my vlogs and excitement about this workout or that- and that WOULD happen. But it didn't STAY that way. Because, for myriad reasons, I wouldn't see the results I wanted (because I expected it overnight!) and then I'd go into a cycle of being totally bummed out and down on myself and I'd just NOT WORKOUT for days. 

This JUMPED OUT AT ME today on Pinterest. This sums up a LOT of what I'm doing now. I'm looking at my thoughts and my habits- everything that was different during those two years when my life was so chaotic and filled with anxiety and lack of results and underlying unhappiness. I see how I let things upset me WAY TOO MUCH. Amy would often tell me that I was giving my energy to things over which I had no control. I love that phrase-- think about it. Every day has only so many hours. WE CHOOSE how we spend our minutes and hours. We CAN sit around and obsess over our thighs, our boss, our family, our money-- and get upset and worry and cry. Does that change what it is that upsets you? HECK NO! 

Remember how I have talked about my tendency to make a mountain out of a molehill? Sure...I spent WAY too much time in the past giving energy to worry (what will happen tomorrow when he....or she....or I...), to wondering (worst case scenario) to obsessing, to assuming (I'll never lose weight! I'm never gonna reach my goals!) and self-loathing (you are digusting looking! No one will ever want you! How can you be so lame?). 

No More. 

I know I've posted this picture before but it is so perfect. When you put all your energy to the wrong thoughts (usually about things you can't control!) you create a mountain of DOUBT. And doubt can do so much damage. I see DOUBT AND FEAR as the two bitches I'm not gonna let get in my way anymore. my friend once posted on here that there is nothing wrong with FEAR and that you can use it to your advantage to FACE your fears. I agree.

Part of all this "Finding-Myself-Oprah-Mumbo-Jumbo-But-It-Works" stuff is RECOGNIZING THINGS and then changing what you CAN, and what you can't change, CHANGE HOW YOU THINK ABOUT IT. People, this is working wonders for me. You should SEE my strut when I walk around my house now.

That's right. I strut.

Because I'm looking at myself NOW going, "DAYUMMM girl, look at how fine you look now! Imagine how good you are gonna look NEXT WEEK? You just keep getting better!" instead of a year ago where I'd go into the mirror and LOOK FOR WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME. And quite often, I'd let myself get so upset, I'd not workout. And in anger, I'd order a pizza-- and those two actions would make me totally depressed. Then I'd punish myself with an even more strict diet which made me obsess about food even MORE every day--- you see the cycle.

**Also please note, I had earrings like that back in my day. And I rocked a cheezy 80's hairstyle like this too. And, picture this awkward moment. Kelly Olexa standing in front of the mirror in my bathroom lip synching this song with purple lipstick on and big shoulder pads and lace Madonna gloves. I worked that microphone hairbrush. 

Ahhh bliss. 

Anyway, this whole "Love Yourself" movement isn't just a crock. Especially when you are moving away from discouraging yourself and hating yourself for months and years. Where did THAT get you? It did nothing for me except bring me that many steps closer to Botox ok? There are certain times where I am tempted to start that bad attitude-- like when I worked out today and as I'm doing these insane Burpees, I just FEEL the weight around my tummy that wasn't there before. I'm so aware of it...and I found myself wanting to stop working out like a stupid little kid and stomp into my room and pout about it. 

UM, that would be a #FAIL. So I told myself in my mind to focus on doing this workout with correct form. Focus instead Kelly on doing DEEP squats and feeling your glutes burn, imagine how much more bootylicious you are today because of it. You might laugh but this is what I'm doing. And you might laugh at my strut but I'm doing it. I'm not walking around like a paranoid freak anymore and it's lovely! 

That's right. I don't THINK you can handle this. ;-) hehehehohoh

What was my workout today? Oh yea it was the first DVD of Georges St. Pierre RushFit. 

Clearly I'd like to handle THAT. WHAT? Did I type that out loud? This DVD was Strength and Endurance and LOVED IT. 

I'm very impressed with the level of guidance and instruction and demos in these DVDs. HIGHLY recommend it. And of course I'm relatively sure that Georges could be my spring boyfriend next year. He's rather yummy. Who cares that his English isn't optimal? Really. I don't even need him to talk. Much.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: What is your FAVORITE kind of APPLE? I'm digging Jonathon Gold and Pink Lady now. Because, after all I am a pink lady. hohoho

Yes You CAN.

I just saw this on Pinterest today and had to post it. This is such a great summary of what I've learned and what I have to keep re-learning, in order to move forward. There is no "one fit", in fitness. There is no "One Size Fits All" way to eat or "diet" and there isn't only one way to workout to get lean. 

Believe it or not, this simple concept is something that I failed to acknowledge for the better part of my Bracket Years. I kept stopping and starting either my "diet plan" or my workout routine because:

• I would read a book or an article in a fitness magazine or a blog post by someone that contradicted what I was doing. I would immediately interpret my efforts as a failure and as "wasted time" and I'd throw it all away and start a totally new approach.
• Someone- a trainer, a blogger, a nutritionist, whoever- would tell me that the reason I hadn't lost X pounds yet was because of something like, "Oh you are eating sweet potatoes past 4pm! That's why!!" or, "Oh, I didn't know you were doing DELI meat! That has sodium fillers in it so of course you are retaining water!!"-- and then I'd throw all my offensive foods away and go to Borders and buy some NEW book make NEW lists for the grocery and go START OVER AGAIN.

Now-- I do not share this to blame those people or the books I read....not at all. It was ME in my overly-panicked state of mind the past couple of years that CRAVED finding a quick fix. As much as I "preached" here about losing weight the right way and being sensible and healthy, deep down, I wanted simply to know I could do something in X timetable and KNOW without a doubt I'd be in a size 6 again with 2 snaps. 

I just wanted to KNOW. As if I couldn't tell myself!!! WTH!!! I felt that I needed someone to tell me or show me the secret solution that was evading me on how to get back in optimal shape-- because there was no way that I could do that on my own......

I'd given up believing that I could do it. I'd given up believing that I was capable. 

Well thank GOD that my new Kelly brain WOKE UP finally and snapped out it- or started to snap out of it. I'm a perpetual work in progress, but I've come SO SO far -- mentally--- in shedding the inhibiting behaviors of my past. 

Getting fit, or more fit, is pretty simple. It's not a complex scientific solution that only the very wise and studied people can figure out. Sure, we might tweak things along the way, but we need to MOVE MORE and EAT LESS. We need to find a way to eat so that WHAT WE EAT IS NOT THE #1 FOCUS OF OUR BRAIN ALL DAY LONG. We shouldn't be dreaming about cookies all day because we've designed a diet of fish and broccoli ONLY with NOTHING ELSE. And we shouldn't be obsessively worried about not getting our protein FEEDING in by 11am instead of 11:30am. for optimal meal spacing. 

This quote is SO true. When you are ready for success, you will know it more on the inside than you can probably put into words. I certainly feel that way now. Today, I was at the Indy 500. I wore SHORTS. I haven't worn shorts in 2 summers! WTH!! Why? Because I've been caught up in how gross I felt I looked and I didn't want to wear shorts until I wore my size 6 shorts and they were baggy. For me, going out and about in my shorts NOW before I've reached my goal-- that's a big deal. It's a big deal because it means I'm finally really starting to trust myself. To take a deep breath and enjoy the ride along the way.....and to KNOW, to finally KNOW that I will get there, in my own time. 

I have some GREAT new workouts at home that I cannot wait to dive into-- the RushFit ones- OMG peeps-- I will do some detailed reviews of all 6 DVDS but the first one-I previewed and it is VERY VERY thorough on the instruction. And the actual workout looks TOUGH-- totally different moves and  mixes of moves.

I really need him to be my Thursday boyfriend. Maybe even Thursday-Friday. I like boyfriends that can kick the living crap out of anyone. Don't judge me, I like the bada** ok? It works for me. Probably also explains why I have no boyfriend at the moment. 

Another mantastic DVD set is the RKS Kettlebell program-- another VERY VERY THOROUGH instructional portion which is pretty awesome. Doesn't hurt that the manjoyment factor is high. 

ALSO PEEPS== many of you have been asking when TRX will go on sale again--- it is on sale this weekend for $30 off...!! CLICK HERE TO ORDER! 

So, clearly, with TRX, my UGIFit Ball and workouts, my RKS Kettlebell DVDs, Rush Fit, Jillian DVDs, new CATHE DVDS, the future looks pretty FUN!! I'm excited!! OMG hello and Brazil Butt Lift and Insanity Asylum!! Good Heavens!

And wow-- it has been an exciting week at FitFluential!!! DANG-- some of you, well heck, all of you are WOWING us with your FitFluential Ambassador applications and blog posts and videos!! We are still watching them and -- wow, it's just reminding me why I founded this company--to highlight amazing inspiring people with amazing motivating fitness stories. WOOT!! And-- yes, there is still time to get in your Ambassador application--- we are closing up Phase One on June 1st-- so start by CLICKING HERE.

Not sure about being an "Ambassador" but still want to be a part of FitFluential, and be IN on all the exclusive deals, discounts, giveaways, conference announcements and regional events in your area? Want to read other bloggers and LEARN about the latest and greatest in fitness plus get recipes and all kinds of ideas on how to lead a fit and fun lifestyle? Then you MUST join the FitFluential FAMILY-- VERY SIMPLE-- start by CLICKING HERE.

If you have any questions about FitFluential-- you can always email me at kelly at FitFluential.com. ;-) 

QUESTION OF THE DAY: What is your favorite cookout food? Mine is by far, potato salad!!

Monday Manjoyment!!!

Happy Monday Kittens. How was your weekend?? Mine was good, and my Monday is KICKING BUTT! BOOYA! I did my Insanity workout (Plyometric Cardio Circuit) this morning and torched 377 calories. OMG I was a sweaty mess and I PUSHED MYSELF. Did you? Are you starting off your week with progress or excuses? COME ON! 

Haven't featured our friend Matthew on Manjoyment in a while. He's such a beach bum boy isn't he? And then there is that whole disturbing issue of the idea that he likes to live in a tent or something on the beach and not wear deoderant, but heck-- this is just Monday Manjoyment where we only LOOK. And maybe toss around a few naughty colorful thoughts in our heads. 

Clearly the boy works out, and I really like how he just does his THANG and he isn't looking for your approval. He's all in touch with his yoga-ness too:

And is wrong that I'm upset at these photos where he is clearly way more flexible than I am in the second pose:

DAYUM. Boy is jacked up and just OWNING IT. Go for it soldier, You OWN IT. I'll just sit here and have my Cabana boy bring me another mojito while I watch you. 

Speaking of BadAss Monday Manjoyment, look what I discovered today:

Yes. I ordered it. And I ordered one of him too. I need him to be my bodyguard. There's a few people I'd like him to rough up talk to as well. 

Is it wrong for a woman of substance like me to like a man-airhead that looks badass? I don't see the problem there. 

Anyway--- Question of the Day: who is going to Fitbloggin this weekend? Will I see you?? Can't wait!! WOOT! 

Run Matthew, Run. And please pick me up a DRANK and then come back. I need some more Hawaian Tropic Oil on my back. Kthanksbye.

And here is today's ramble-on-a-thon from my hotel room. Gimme a high-five for KICKING BUTT- DID YOU KICK BUTT TODAY? DAY ISN'T OVER YET!!

And...have you joined our FitFluential Family? What in the WORLD are you waiting for? We are getting some kick butt Ambassador applications and videos coming in - you can see some popping up on our Facebook page.  OMG!! Seriously, we have some big brands, some fabulous fitness brands that are gonna be working with us - and YOU if you join us- and providing Perkaliciousness and deals and fun live events that will be the talk of the country, I can guarantee you that. Do you doubt me? And yes, we need writers too-- been getting a lot of inquiries about writing for us, about the Ambassador program, about our first event in Chicago later this summer--- JOIN IN y'all and stay tuned because it's getting bigger every day!! And if you are scared, email me kelly at fitfluential dot com. Mkay?