31 Days of Motivation: Time to Get Defined

When we talk about definition in the gym, we talk about leaning out so you can see more muscle definition. Today, I’m going to talk about another type of definition. It’s not about defining your physique, but defining your self – which greatly determines your success in and out of the gym. Be ready to be inspired (and maybe even cry).

I came across this awesome story about a girl, Lizzie Velasquez, who was once labeled “The Ugliest Girl In The World” and just HAD to share! You are about to see just how wrong those people were. Lizzie was born with an extremely rare syndrome that doesn’t allow her to gain weight, (Yes, she can eat all the Oreos she wants. Don’t get jealous dieters!! lol). That luxury came with quite a price. Lizzie has had a very difficult life. Did she let that stop her from pursuing her dreams? No! Check it out…

Now a very powerful motivational speaker, Lizzie describes her feelings after reading ugly comments about her on online from complete strangers. One comment that stuck with me was someone telling her “Lizzie, please do the world a favor and put a gun to your head and kill yourself”.

Can you imagine someone saying that to you? Can you comprehend knowing people think so little of you that they would suggest it would be better for the world if you die? I honestly can’t fathom that. Sure, it hurt. I bet there were SO many tears shed over such mean words. However, she decided to wipe her tears and use those words to fuel her to prove them all wrong and show the world just how beautiful she really was. And she succeeded.

Time to Get Defined!

One of the key points she made in her speech is about deciding what defines you. This is something EVERYONE can relate to. In her situation, it would be easy for her to allow her appearance or other people’s opinions to define her. Instead, she decided she wanted to define herself. How often do we let circumstances and other people define us? Too often I’d say.

What defines you? Is it your weight, your health, your past failures, your financial bracket, your spouse, your job, your insecurities, (fill in the blank)? Or have you taken the time to decide for yourself what you want to define you. How I look at is this: How would you want Webster to define you?

Think it’s too late? My mom redefined her life in her late fifties, losing 80lbs and making fitness a permanent part of her healthier life. Think you have failed too many times? Harland David Sanders, the famous KFC “Colonel,” was rejected by 1,000 restaurants before his chicken became a success. Think you don’t have what it takes? Marilyn Monroe was told she was not pretty or talented enough to be an actress, but that didn’t stop her.

You can’t be something you haven’t ever first decided to be. You must decide ahead of time before you can begin to work toward that. This is a crucial part of your fitness journey. I encourage you to complete the following homework and use today to begin working on your own definition of you.

Homework:

Define your body

• 10 In and Out Squat (narrow stance squat & jump to wide squat for “1 Rep”)
• 10 Plank Up/Down (up, up, down, down)
• 10 Push Ups

X 3

• 10 Ski Squat left & Right/Heisman Left and Right for “1 Rep”
• 10 Pull Downs
• 10 Tricep Extension

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36geLOuZWCs]

X 3

• 10 2 Jacks/2 Mary Catherines (scissors) L/R
• 10 Wall Ups
• 10 Sit Ups

X 3

Watch this Chiseled Cardio workout online at LiveExercise.com

Define your self

1. Think about what defines you now.

2. Decide what you want to define you.

3. Believe, with all your heart, you can be that person with practice. Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Walt Disney, and many others believed in themselves before anyone else did.

4. Practice, practice, practice. You don’t just become talented overnight, so you can’t expect to become fit overnight, become successful overnight or live your dream overnight. It will take continual practice. It will require continual surrender – as you lay down the things that hold you back, and purposefully work on the things that get you closer to your goal.

Watch Lizzie:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c62Aqdlzvqk#t=536]