Personal Growth

I have some momentum now that I have completed the 30 day fitness challenge and I want to keep on going. Early on in the fitness challenge I KNEW that the next challenge would be to strengthen my emotional well being. I am thrilled to be challenging myself in this way. Although, I have to admit I do get a surge of adrenaline just thinking about what I know some of the exercises will require. If you feel that this resonates with you and you are inspired, feel free to come along with me. Challenges are more fun when you are going through them with others.

What is emotional fitness?
“It’s an ability to bounce back from the latest challenge. It’s a series of mind habits that you can learn, which make you stronger and more resilient. Like any kind of fitness, the more you practice, the better you get.”

What benefits could be experienced as a result of this challenge?

• a deep sense of fulfillment in life
• the ability to roll with life and turn lemons into lemonade
• falling in love with yourself, your life, and all the experiences that led you to this moment
• a gorgeous and healthy body and willingness to nourish and exercise your body
• let go of sabotaging habits
• wealth
• love
• inspiration
• freedom
• empowerment

How do I know if I am Emotionally Fit?
I found this simple Emotional Fitness Quiz that stays pretty basic, but you may find it helpful.

Who is this challenge for?
People who are experiencing the following on an overall consistent basis:

1. negative programming and are acting out of default mode
2. emotions that swing like a pendulum & demonstrating bi-polar behaviors
3. feeling paralyzed by fear, unable to take action
4. Extended periods of anxiety, overwhelm, stress
5. poor health, lack of physical exercise, abuse drugs, alcohol, food
6. poor wealth, debt, impulsive buying, taking rather than giving, scarcity mindset, complacency, depression
7. poor relationships, gossiping, complaining, cursing, blaming, shouting, fighting, instigating, pushing, forcing, controlling
8. Poor sense of self image, insecurity, lack of self control, self sabotage
9. Victim mentality that the world is out to get them, hurt them, rob them, etc…
10. Inability to relax and enjoy life: regretting the past, fearing the future

Who is this challenge NOT for?
This challenge is NOT for people who are emotionally fit and experience the following on an overall consistent basis:

1. aware of their feelings, thoughts, beliefs, words, and actions
2. identifies fear, recontextualize it into love and move forward courageously to where it appears effortless
3. understands the purpose of emotions and knows how to bring themselves up from negative emotion
4. accepts and embraces 100 % responsibility for their life and what shows up in their life
5. does not act, speak, make decisions while in a state of fear
6. feeling full of love and shine it everywhere they go
7. maintain high and consistent levels of inspiration
8. takes impeccable care of themselves, their health, others, and their environment
9. feeling of abundance, safety, security, well being
10. loving and supportive relationships

This challenge isn’t for you if I just described you! You are already an emotionally fit person and you can just cheer us along on our journey!

“That’s Just YOUR Personality Type and I Don’t have that Trait.”
Recently I was opening up with a friend and telling them about the completion of my last romantic relationship.  I was telling them how at first it was shocking, and I went through some tough times, but then I realized how the breakup was a good thing. I shared how I started seeing how I could make the most of where I was and to be thankful for even having the experience of love, companionship, and all the life experiences we shared together in the first place. I shared that I still cared deeply for and supported my former partner and was cheering him on in his life.

Quickly she responded, “Yeah well, that’s just your personality type and I don’t have that trait. I still cannot see how my last boyfriend actually benefited my life.” She went on to tell me of all the ways that relationship was holding her back in her current life.

I want to be clear, that it is NOT just me and my personality type, but rather a conscious choice that I made to shift my paradigm to see my experience in that way. It is a muscle that you can strengthen and when you do you will truly let go of burdens and feel free in your life.

Disclaimer
I am by no means a psychologist, although I find the topic fascinating. I also admit that I am not the most emotionally fit person I know. I have much room to grow and that is just what this challenge is all about. It is the daily practice and accountability of strengthening the integrity of my character, mindset, beliefs, emotions.  In this challenge I will be sharing with you my intimate journey and the resources that I am using to become emotionally fit.

What Areas are Covered in This Emotional Challenge

• Emotions and Feelings
• Thoughts, Beliefs and Attitudes
• Words and Communication
• Actions and Behaviors

How Do I Join The Challenge?
I will be posting videos and blog posts. Check in with me by commenting below the posts. Do the exercises I am doing, check out the resources that I am using. Share your insights, your results from doing the exercises, your story. I would even be more thrilled if you started your own blog or video journal along with me. I find it really deepens the experience. This is your opportunity baby…. join me! C’mon … you know you want to! 😉

I am happy to have you with me!

In love,

I did it ! I did it!!! Woo hoo I FREAKING DID IT!!!

Original Intention
Establish the healthy habit of daily exercise

Goal
30 min a day X 30 days= 15 hours

Actual Hours Completed
52 1/2 hours

Commitments

1. Make Your Workouts Fun- DONE!
2. Incorporate  Variety- DONE!
3. Incorporate Your Relationships (kids, lovers, friends, family, co-workers, etc..)- WANT TO DO MORE OF THIS!
4. Work up a Sweat- DONE!
5. Honor Your Intuition and Your Limitations (know the perfect balance of too much and not enough)- DONE! I feel stronger and am pain/injury free
6. Get Good Rest (this will really help your workouts)- DONE! My typical sleep pattern is to rest between 10-6
7. Breathe while working out. (try to keep it in a nice rhythm, even if it’s faster)- DONE!
8. Hydrate (how else do you expect all the junk in your body to get washed out?)- NEEDS IMPROVEMENT, somedays I was inconsistent
9. Exercise 30 mins Daily & post it as a comment on my blog- DONE!
10. Leave Your Workout Spot in Better Condition than When You Showed Up- DONE! My house is spiffy too! 🙂

I am here for you and I’ve got your back! 😉
 

Today’s Workout
60 min Zumba
60 min Yoga- all seated poses

Tip: Have exercises in your fitness program that eliminate pain and discomfort rather than workouts that make you look good. Note: you can do exercises that allow you to FEEL AMAZING and look amazing too! No need to compromise! 🙂

Today’s Workout
4+ Hours of House Cleaning

Fitness Challengers,

Do you find yourself criticizing people who are healthy and in fantastic shape? If so, you may be sabotaging your own results in your fitness challenge.

Here’s the scoop. If you are criticizing someone else you are sub-consciously rejecting that result for yourself. You are keeping yourself from all the health and beauty that you deserve by hating on someone else who has what you secretly or openly wish you had for yourself. Why?

Because when you are finding fault in someone else you are in a state of resistance and as long as you are resisting you are NOT in alignment to receive those gifts for yourself.

A really simple way to turn things around is to make a list of all the people who have that sexy lean gorgeous body that you want and to bless them. Thank them silently! What you are doing sub-consciously is allowing yourself to have those same things for yourself.

So, when you are out and about and quick to judge someone who is in phenomenal shape, take a moment to look at them and appreciate them for the great reminder that they are for you. You will see that in short time you will effortlessly see your own body becoming more and more beautiful. Which leads me to the next part of this.

If you are not able to see what is going right with your own body and only focus on what is going wrong you will only see where you lack. Seeing that blocks you from improving. As soon as you start to acknowledge the improvements and what is going right you will see more and more results start to show.

Bless that which has yet to show up  as it already has and soon it will be yours! Take time to do a rampage of appreciation for your own beautiful body and for others as well! 🙂

Until tomorrow,

Lori

P.S. Here is my workout for today

Today’s Workout
60 min Pilates Class

Problem: Getting bored with your fitness plan?

Solution: Create Goals

The original goal of this 30 day fitness challenge was to build the daily healthy habit of physical exercise. However, as we come to the close of this challenge one can start to feel bored with that goal. It is because we are designed to grow! Once we get the hang of something we want to step it up! We want to see what we can accomplish. We thrive on growth!  I find the best way to stay engaged in my workouts so that I am not bored is to create mini goals. I need something to work for! Here is a simple way to become engaged mentally in your workout plan.

1. Start by imagining the END RESULT. What do you want? 

Wouldn’t it be nice if…. (fill in the blank)

• My body had full range of motion
• My body was supple and strong
• My body was lean and firm
• My measurements were 34-25-35
• I could surf well
• I could snowboard and hit the jumps with ease
• I could dance with beauty and grace, rhythm and style

 
3. Break it down into bite sized 30 day milestones/goals

At the end of 30 days I would like to be able to accomplish the following:

• Suppleness & range of motion: do the splits,bind my hands behind my back,and perform front and back walkovers with ease
• Strength: perform 50 man push ups, hold a 5 min plank with ease, improve my pole tricks, perform power yoga class with ease
• Lean & Firm: go lighter on the meals & keep up the daily workouts
• Surf & Snowboard: work on balance
• Dance: learn or choreograph one dance routine: perhaps burlesque, cabaret, strip tease, hip hop, ballroom, or zumba

4. Create a daily/ weekly action plan

Daily/Weekly

• Spend 15 min AM/PM stretching doing the splits, binds, and back bends
• Spend 15 min doing strength training
• Keep a food log to bring more awareness to my diet
• Play on a wobble board
• Dance to one song a day

Weekly:

• Attend yoga, pilates, and dance classes
• Perform my body balance workout

Tips:

•  Make sure your goals turn you on! If you don’t get turned on by your goals then performing the daily workouts are going to seem boring.
• Get creative and playful! Brainstorm one new way you can workout this week and have fun.
• Train for an event! For example, training for a marathon can keep you focused on fitness because you are looking forward to running in the race and you have a date that keeps you on point!

If you are feeling like you are doing the lame old workout without any end result in mind and you are not fully engaged give these exercises a shot and see what you come up with! I know that this is going up on my bathroom mirror to keep me reminded of what I want, why I want it and how I plan on getting there! 🙂

Cheers to our able bodies!!!

BTW, did you workout today? I did…. 😉

Today’s Workout
60 min yoga
60 min Zumba
20 min easy walk
60 min pole fitness class