I’ve been pretty active my whole life: volleyball in high school, running and exercise classes in college, running races post-college. All of these activities were done more out a necessity than out of pleasure. I knew that in order to avoid becoming overweight (or losing weight once becoming that way!), I had to remain active. It’s just part of my DNA. A workout routine was just a means to an end that I had to lumber through each day, praying I burned more calories than I consumed that day, so I would like the way I looked in the mirror (or when I compared myself to others).
This past year, however, has totally changed my mindset about exercise. I no longer view a workout as a dreaded hour of my day that I’m required to do. Having the opportunity to join an amazing Beachbody team full of supportive coaches who love helping others has allowed me to now view my daily workouts as a way to inspire others and prove that if I can do it, so can YOU! Part of being a coach is encouraging others, keeping them accountable. If I am encouraging people to do the hard work, then I have to be doing it too! Pressing play in my home or lacing up my sneakers to hit the pavement has now turned into a chance for me to inspire someone else to do the same thing. If I can help one person make the decision to get their workout in today, then I know I’ve made a difference.
Allowing myself to look at my workouts in a more holistic way has not only allowed me to build physical strength, but a tremendous amount of mental strength. There are so many simple lessons I’ve learned from my workouts that have carried over into the personal, professional, and financial parts of my life. Simple lessons like, just take it one step at a time. When training for my marathon, this was the literal mantra I had in my head because it was exactly what I needed to do. Instead of focusing on completing 20 miles, I focused on just getting to the next tree. How powerful is this idea if we let it transpire into other parts of our lives?? Instead of focusing on paying off all our debt, just focus on paying more than the minimum payment on one card. Instead of focusing on cutting out all sugar from our diets, focus on giving up one soda a day. Instead of focusing on writing 18 report cards, focus on getting the first sentence of one done. Taking a giant goal one chunk at a time allows us to feel success so much sooner, motivating us to keep on going! My current goal is waking up earlier each morning. So instead of kicking myself because I didn’t wake up a half hour earlier like I wanted, I am focusing on getting up just one minute earlier than the morning before. A powerful strategy.
Consistency is key. Another simple lesson that I’ve learned from my workouts is that when you stay consistent you will be AMAZED at the results. 6 months ago I couldn’t even imagine myself running 20 miles without falling over on the sidewalk with bleeding feet. But I remained consistent with my training routine, building my endurance and my strength slowly but surely. Now, every time I finish a workout I am amazed at how my body has changed and adapted to each challenge I set forth. This is another lesson that flows into every facet of life. You cannot expect your savings account to grow into a 5 figure number if you are not consistently putting money into it. You cannot expect your relationship with your husband or boyfriend to get stronger if you don’t consistently have date nights or intimate conversations. You cannot expect your career to continue growing if you don’t consistently learn more about your field. Big goals CAN be achieved when you are consistent!
Another beautiful path that this changed mindset has led me down is the idea of using my fitness routines to give back to others. I have been so lucky to have found great charities that allow me to support them through my running goals.
Who I Run 4 is a phenomenal group on Facebook that connects children who cannot run due to a physical disability with runners who will run their miles for them. Although I have not been buddied up with a child yet (there are far more runners than children), I continuously think about this group when I’m ready to give up. I think about how much these children would give ANYTHING to be able to feel the pain in my legs, the fatigue in my feet, and I keep pushing, knowing that my ability to run is a GIFT!
H.E.L.P. Inc. is a charity that a great friend of mine founded over 20 years ago to support disenfranchised AIDS victims. The Miami Marathon that I’m running on January 25th is one of their biggest fundraisers, raising money this year to put children who have been orphaned by the disease into foster homes.
Charity Miles is a fantastic app that tracks your miles while you run and donates money to the charity you choose from their app. I’m currently running for the Wounded Warrior Project.
All of these different avenues allow me to put my mind on a purpose for working out – aside from the health benefits we all know we gain! These past two weeks have truly opened my eyes to the shift I’ve made and have filled my heart with a passion to help others find this same joy. Running is my jam. I know it isn’t for everyone. You have to find your niche, find what works for you, but when you do try to think about it in a different mindset. You don’t have to just be burning calories to work towards a weight loss goal, you can be inspiring others and working for change!
If you are interested in learning more about any of the charities above or how you can inspire others through coaching, please contact me at [email protected]. I’d love to help you find your passion through fitness!
This past year, however, has totally changed my mindset about exercise. I no longer view a workout as a dreaded hour of my day that I’m required to do. Having the opportunity to join an amazing Beachbody team full of supportive coaches who love helping others has allowed me to now view my daily workouts as a way to inspire others and prove that if I can do it, so can YOU! Part of being a coach is encouraging others, keeping them accountable. If I am encouraging people to do the hard work, then I have to be doing it too! Pressing play in my home or lacing up my sneakers to hit the pavement has now turned into a chance for me to inspire someone else to do the same thing. If I can help one person make the decision to get their workout in today, then I know I’ve made a difference.
Allowing myself to look at my workouts in a more holistic way has not only allowed me to build physical strength, but a tremendous amount of mental strength. There are so many simple lessons I’ve learned from my workouts that have carried over into the personal, professional, and financial parts of my life. Simple lessons like, just take it one step at a time. When training for my marathon, this was the literal mantra I had in my head because it was exactly what I needed to do. Instead of focusing on completing 20 miles, I focused on just getting to the next tree. How powerful is this idea if we let it transpire into other parts of our lives?? Instead of focusing on paying off all our debt, just focus on paying more than the minimum payment on one card. Instead of focusing on cutting out all sugar from our diets, focus on giving up one soda a day. Instead of focusing on writing 18 report cards, focus on getting the first sentence of one done. Taking a giant goal one chunk at a time allows us to feel success so much sooner, motivating us to keep on going! My current goal is waking up earlier each morning. So instead of kicking myself because I didn’t wake up a half hour earlier like I wanted, I am focusing on getting up just one minute earlier than the morning before. A powerful strategy.
Consistency is key. Another simple lesson that I’ve learned from my workouts is that when you stay consistent you will be AMAZED at the results. 6 months ago I couldn’t even imagine myself running 20 miles without falling over on the sidewalk with bleeding feet. But I remained consistent with my training routine, building my endurance and my strength slowly but surely. Now, every time I finish a workout I am amazed at how my body has changed and adapted to each challenge I set forth. This is another lesson that flows into every facet of life. You cannot expect your savings account to grow into a 5 figure number if you are not consistently putting money into it. You cannot expect your relationship with your husband or boyfriend to get stronger if you don’t consistently have date nights or intimate conversations. You cannot expect your career to continue growing if you don’t consistently learn more about your field. Big goals CAN be achieved when you are consistent!
Another beautiful path that this changed mindset has led me down is the idea of using my fitness routines to give back to others. I have been so lucky to have found great charities that allow me to support them through my running goals.
Who I Run 4 is a phenomenal group on Facebook that connects children who cannot run due to a physical disability with runners who will run their miles for them. Although I have not been buddied up with a child yet (there are far more runners than children), I continuously think about this group when I’m ready to give up. I think about how much these children would give ANYTHING to be able to feel the pain in my legs, the fatigue in my feet, and I keep pushing, knowing that my ability to run is a GIFT!
H.E.L.P. Inc. is a charity that a great friend of mine founded over 20 years ago to support disenfranchised AIDS victims. The Miami Marathon that I’m running on January 25th is one of their biggest fundraisers, raising money this year to put children who have been orphaned by the disease into foster homes.
Charity Miles is a fantastic app that tracks your miles while you run and donates money to the charity you choose from their app. I’m currently running for the Wounded Warrior Project.
All of these different avenues allow me to put my mind on a purpose for working out – aside from the health benefits we all know we gain! These past two weeks have truly opened my eyes to the shift I’ve made and have filled my heart with a passion to help others find this same joy. Running is my jam. I know it isn’t for everyone. You have to find your niche, find what works for you, but when you do try to think about it in a different mindset. You don’t have to just be burning calories to work towards a weight loss goal, you can be inspiring others and working for change!
If you are interested in learning more about any of the charities above or how you can inspire others through coaching, please contact me at [email protected]. I’d love to help you find your passion through fitness!