Blog Archives
Failure Might Just Make You Mad Enough to Succeed
How do you handle failure? Do you fall apart? Do you quit? Or, do you get so mad you do something to change it – to change you?
I CAN Get Better
I can’t change my circumstance, but I sure as heck can change me. I CAN become better. I CAN learn from each and every mistake. I CAN continue pressing on no matter how much I’ve failed, no matter how others view me, and no matter what odds are against me.
I CAN Get One Step Closer
Will I become everything I want I hoped to? Will I achieve every goal or dream? I don’t know but, if I try, I can definitely become BETTER. I can get closer to my goals and dreams if I keep pressing on. But if I quit, I don’t just stay the same – I actually become worse, weaker, and further from my goal every single day I neglect to chase it.
I CAN Let Failure Fuel Me
One thing I know is I will use every ill word, every lame opinion, every frustrating obstacle and every negative comment to FUEL ME to become stronger and better. I will not let it destroy me, or my spirit.
I CAN Face Our Fears
I will not let my own doubt, insecurities, failures or fears paralyze me. I will face my fears head on and trust that God will give me the strength to handle everything that comes my way so that I can become everything He has designed me to be.
I CAN Press On
Today I decide, once again, to “keep showing up”.
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Never Easy, Always Worth It!
I don’t know why we even waste our time looking for the easy way. I mean, when has anything easy really paid off? Honestly, for me? Never.
Push!!!!!!!!
Think of it like childbirth. The birthing process, from what I understand, is not fun. However, it is very rewarding. When we are training, it’s like carrying a baby. We are growing a new physique, creating a new you. Like pregnancy, it also takes time and patience – and it can be a very long, uncomfortable journey.
There’s another similarity, and that’s how we feel the closer we get to the “due date”. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a pregnant mom, in her 8th month of pregnancy, say she hoped she went full term. Moms are normally very ready to get that baby out of there.
Hang in there!
In the same way, as you get closer to your goal weight, it’s easy to get impatient. Besides, you’ve been working toward this for months now – it’s time! No matter how read you are, no matter how tired you are, or no matter how discouraged you are, it’s super important you see it through.
It may be hard, it may be scary, you may fear failing, and you may wonder if you have what it takes – but whatever you do, don’t abort your goals. Take it all the way! Why? Because great things rarely ever easy, but they are ALWAYS worth it!
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Bonnie: A Misty Moment Photography
Woman in Labor: Crazy Pregnancy
Baby in Belly: Free Picture Prompts
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Breaking a Plateau May Take New Start
Have you ever just experienced something you almost didn’t go through with and thought “I’m so glad I did that”. This happens to me all the time. It’s not always about fitness either. It happens in all areas of our life. My laziness tempts me to stay at home, instead of doing something as silly as going bowling – and then I think “Wow! That was fun! I’m SO glad I did that”.
This not only happens when you are contemplating doing something, but it also happens when you are in the middle of something – like a diet or fitness program. We reach a physical and/or mental plateau. We begin to doubt if we are on the right path, or if it will be worth it – and we’re tempted to quit. Ironically, these times are often the valley right before an amazing mountain top experience.
Too Much Time at the Rest Area
Picture a guy on a journey, who gets tired, and decides to rest for a while. Does he rest forever? He could if he wanted to, if he’s satisfied with where he is. However, if he wants to get where he was headed, he’s going to eventually have to pick up where he left off and start moving again.
In this picture of Steve, only he knows what he’s doing. He could be putting the weight down, or he could also be picking it up. This is where many of us are in life. We are at a place where we can call it quits or we can claim a new start – the decision is all yours.
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The Success in Failing
People often fear failure so much they don’t even try. Maybe it’s the fear of wasting time. Some people are afraid of wasting hard work and energy with no results. Others simply let pride get in the way and just avoid trying so they don’t have to publicly fail or be embarrassed. However, maybe you’d think differently if you were to focus on what trying does – even if you don’t succeed like you’d hoped.
1. It gives you experience. There are very few people I’ve met who lose weight the very first attempt. Probably because they don’t go about it the correct way at first, but it’s that experience that teaches them along the way. Sure, people can tell you what you should or shouldn’t do until their blue in the face, but many people won’t listen until they experience it for themselves. With each attempt, you learn what you like and don’t like. You learn what got you results and what set you back. You also learn patience, and that is definitely something someone has to have when it comes to working on the physique. Either way, all my valuable experience and knowledge has not come from success, it’s come from failures too.
2. It exposes your flaws. I’m not talking about physical flaws, I’m talking about personality flaws. When you attempt a challenge, you learn yourself. It doesn’t take long to discover the areas that need improvement in your life. Trying something new grows you, changes you, and improves you – if you let it.
3. It shows you your strengths. I can’t tell you how many people come to me and say “I never thought I could do this”. How could they if they never tried it before. Whether it’s doing a push-up or running a 5K, there are so many people who are blown away by their own strengths simply because they never even tried.
4. It teaches you. Once you’ve failed, you know what not to do – and honestly, that is a very valuable lesson. Like a scientist experiments with trial and error, you are your own scientist working to reinvent your body. Through various trial and errors, you learn what works and what doesn’t work. Just like Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Although teachers said Thomas Edison was not bright, frustrating them so much his mom took him out of school, he ended up holding the world record of 1093 US patents for inventions such as the 1st commercial light bulb, phonogragh and the motion picture camera (Hollywood thanks you!).
If you have been resisting exercise, diet or a fitness challenge, like doing a race, have no more fear. Instead, go for it – knowing no matter what, you will end up a better person with a lot of really cool lessons learned along the way.
Photo Credits:
Fear Pic: swimupstreamlife.com
Plank photo: AmmaTherapy
Girl Flexing: historicalstockphotos.com
Thomas Edison: CNN
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What To Do Before Victory Comes
How many great things would you have missed if you didn’t show up?
Photo by Cherie Wren
How many times have you worked hard and done all the right things, for what seems like a lifetime, with little to no results? We may admit to making some improvements – but no matter how far we have come, it is so incredibly easy to get discouraged. It’s so easy to focus on how far we have to go, instead of far we’ve come.
I know I’ve talked about this before, but some topics just need to be addressed over and over again – and this is one of them. Whether we’re talking about the last 5lbs of fat or losing 100lbs – the end goal can seem like eternity when you are focused on a goal. Sometimes, quite frankly, I’m often tempted to just give up – and yesterday was one of those days for me.
Then it hit me. Have I become obsessed with my goal or am I just determined to get there? And what is the difference? I concluded that when you are determined, you are focused on a goal without losing focus of the rest of your life. However, obsession is focusing on a goal to the point you lose focus of everything else. If you are determined, you should become more disciplined and in control – not lose control.
Even though I feel it’s important to keep your goals within site, the main focus should be what you are able to do now. I believe you can get so overwhelmed with what needs to be done, it can paralyze you. This happens in marriage, work, fitness, relationships and in life in general.
The answer? Just Keep Showing Up! That was the answer a guy gave his coworker when asked how he’s stayed married so long – and honestly, it is so true. Sometimes the answer to success isn’t some majorly complicated philosophical response – sometimes it’s “just show up”.
If you are tired of being stuck at a plateau in your weight, or maybe you feel your job or marriage is not meeting your expectations, let me encourage you to keep showing up. You can’t win a race unless you show up – and you surely can’t experience victories in life if you don’t show up. There are so many wonderful things that happen to those who show up.
Just Keep Showing Up Photo: by A Misty Moment.
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WILLPOWER: The Big Fit Secret
When I think of willpower, I think of a supernatural superpower deep within someone’s soul that gives someone a unique mysterious ability to resist all temptation and wrong doing. A super inner strength to do the extraordinary.
I can stick my Face in the Hole of a super hero all I want, but I’m telling you right now – I don’t possess this wonder I speak of. When you are married to a “Steve”, who seems to have Superman Willpower, it’s easy to get discouraged as you watch those around you seemingly do the supernatural day after day. Then it hit me. Willpower is not something you HAVE, it’s something DO.
WILL - Let’s divide the words up a bit. First, look at the definition of will. As you read it, notice all the action words.
will 1 
(w
l)
n.
1. The mental faculty by which one deliberately chooses or decides upon a course of action
2. a. Diligent purposefulness; determination
b. Self-control; self-discipline
v.tr.
1. To decide on; choose.
2. To yearn for; desire
3. To decree, dictate, or order.
4. To resolve with a forceful will; determine.
5. To induce or try to induce by sheer force of will
POWER - Let’s look at the word POWER. Again, more action words.
pow·er (pou
r)
n.
1. The ability or capacity to perform or act effectively.
2. Strength or force exerted or capable of being exerted; might. See Synonyms at strength.
3. The ability or official capacity to exercise control; authority.
4. Forcefulness; effectiveness
I think once we accept that willpower is not some unexplained inner strength that you are either born with or you’re not, you can then begin to make serious changes in your life. Willpower is nothing more than choosing to control one’s actions. It’s not a phenomenon. It’s not a gift. It’s a choice – and the choice is yours.
Claim today: I will CHOOSE to have POWER over my body starting today!
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Motivation Mantra
I’ve started creating Motivational Mantra banners, so I thought I’d start posting them here, instead of just facebook, so you can pin them, steal them, share them and enjoy them. Hope you likey!
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FITNESS MOTIVATION: Just Keep Showing Up
After reflecting on people’s excuses and their misconceptions, I came up with this:
EXCUSES are words we use to fill the gap between wanting something and achieving something.
EXCEPTIONS are the excuses we make to explain why other people succeed.
EXCELLENCE is what is achieved, no matter the result – just because you tried.
If you think succeeding is just losing weight, winning a medal, being the fastest, becoming the strongest, looking the best or anything else even similar – you’re wrong. Succeeding is just showing up. Showing up, even if you fail. Showing up, even if you don’t feel like it. Showing up, even if you don’t know it will pay off. Showing up, without excuse.
Anyone can “show up” when they are strong, fit and successful – but showing up when you are weak, out of shape and doubtful is what will make you truly victorious.
Showing up grows you. Showing up molds you. Showing up IS success. Quit making excuses. Quit thinking that fitness is about the end result: Success or Failure. It’s not. It’s about the journey.
MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION: Super short injection of “Just Do It”
EXCUSES are words we use to fill the gap between wanting something and achieving something.
EXCEPTIONS are the excuses we make to explain why other people succeed.
EXCELLENCE is what is achieved, no matter the result – just because you tried.
I just made this for anyone who wants to use it. this is Steve, leading boot camp…giving it all his heart.
I’m going to keep up at Max Fitness Club.
I’m going to keep showing up running the streets of Vero Beach.
I’m going to keep showing up doing BCx Boot Camp at FitStudio.
Where are YOU going to keep showing up?
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I Got Fat For Christmas
It’s the day after Christmas and today I share my own blunders – and what I feel is the key to success after you blow your diet. Whether “fat” for you is 5lbs or 50lbs – weighing more than you should is an awful feeling. We all know where we should be, how our pants should fit, and how we can (and should) look. At this point a clothing size means nothing. Honestly, even weight means nothing. At this point the only thing that matters is how we feel – and right now I feel like the crap I ate – HEAVY!
You also can’t argue with someone when they feel fat and try to convince them they should feel skinny because you think they look skinny. Believe me, I’ve tried. I’ve tried to convince Steve that he still looks amazing when he is feeling his worse. Even though I can’t see the extra pounds he knows is there, HE can FEEL it – and how we feel is the only thing that really matters. He also tries to encourage my fat butt, but there’s no encouraging me after I’ve stuffed my face. So, what’s next? Enjoy my vlog!
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We WILL Fall – But about the getting up part…
As some of you know I write for Sears Fitness (the #1 Fitness Retailer in the Nation) and FitStudio (powered by Sears). I wanted to share my most recent Blog with you as it really is something I’m super passionate about - the art of getting back up. As we strive to stay fit, one thing I’ve learned is that I WILL backslide. The more important issue is how fast will I get back up? Will it be a day, a month, a year? I hope this REALLY encourages you!! Read the rest of this entry
