52 weeks of bodily bliss... week 5: Say "I DO" to YOU!!!!!

Week 5, stepping into the 2nd month 

Are you still on your plan; exercising and making small efforts, every day, to improve your life?

If so, kudos to you and just keep on doing it.  

If not WHY? 

Time for a check-in [with yourself].

Check in, to check on...and, keep moving forward.

For those of you who are already off track, and have a colorful bouquet of reasons why you 'just can't do it,' it is time to get a little hard on yourself.  Lets start making a list of all the reasons why you cant, why you simply just can't.

I HAVE bee there, I get there at times, not so much in the realms of fitness, but in other, not-yet-mastered areas of my life.  It can be challenging, and takes real strength, effort, and commitment to change to keep on peeling the payers off the reality of our selves, and want to expose the perfection that lies underneath it all.  Regardless of what we find on the way there....

So what separates the hot bodied 40 some mommy of 3, with killer legs, abs etc, from the one who can't seem to stop worrying about her weight long enough to whip up a healthy meal?

Their commitment to doing whatever it takes to achieve and live their goal!!!

Time to get a pen and paper out and begin writing...

Why did you stop on your way, what caused you to lose focus? It's OK, we all get that way, but let's re-track and revise:

Is is a bad day at work? 

Is it a fight with your sweetheart? (What you don't have a sweetheart??? Something is terribly wrong with you ;)  KIDDING!!!!!!!)

Is it you got burnt out?

Is it you got tired?

Is it that you thought your body was going to change over night?

Start listing your reasons, why you may not be following your plan. 

Paint YOUR perfect picture on what is going on - for you. 

It is your life, no matter how foggy the picture at times can seem, at the end of the day, or if you need longer, the next day, or the week after, you will have to make peace with the idea that your life is your friend, it is here for you to do whatever you want with it.  You are born to shine and succeed.  Get the light back in front of you and move towards it.

Remember your goal, remember the reasons you set out the path.  Check your downfalls and weak areas? Find where you need help.  Do you need a nutritionist, a trainer, a training plan, a coach?  You will need something or someone who can see you through your path darling. 

Now get back onto it.  List the reasons you strayed, find the exact help you need, go for it today.  MAke the call, send the email, book the appointment, and follow through. Get back on track!!!!  Commit to you, say your "I DO" to you.  To the best IN you.  

Until next time, check in to keep checking on ....

DailyBliss ...

"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so out of control that you have to transform your life..."

- Elizabeth Gilbert, best-selling author of "Eat, Pray, Love"

A *must read*  or *must listen* for the audio book lovers...

52 weeks of bodily bliss... week 4: shut your eyes...

Week 4, and some of you may be feeling the drill.  There are mornings you are more tempted to slam the snooze button back in it's place, or even to say, 'nah...this fitness and weight loss thing is not for me,' or even, 'I was born to be over weight, I am not one of the lucky ones...'

There are many reasons to feel this way, I sure have my mornings where I am more tempted to sleep in, than to get my arsenals to the fitness club.  What can be the reason we feel this way?  Could it be, that you did not have a good plan?  Could it be that you were convinced, you KNEW what to do, and decided that what a personal trainer CAN and WOULD do for you was just too small of a value, that you decided to set out on the journey on our own, and now you are stuck?  Or could it be that you are over extended yourself, thought it was a 'do or die,' and went out full throttle...just to burn out completely?  Well if this latter is that case, you are not alone, but there is hope.

Contrary to popular beliefs, the time and work spent exercising is just as important, as time dedicated to rest and recovery.   Without proper recovery, the body will not grow or progress, it will eventually break down and create the opposite outcomes, from what was desired.  Let's go back in time. As newborns, most of the days are spent sleeping.  As you age, you usually spend about a third of your life sleeping, and that time decreases as time progresses beyond 50, 70, and so on.

Sleep is essential - for survival.   If sleep is neglected, many issues arise.  Such as, fatigue, depression, burn-out, short-temperedness, headaches, even heart problems.  Not to mention, trying to cut corners on sleep, the basic bodily functions easily get confused and begin to slow down.  All mammals require sleep, or hibernation, in order to recharge and refresh.

So what can you do, set a routine, plan ahead, and stick to it.  Create proper, digressional sleep-ritual activities you engage in, before bed time.

• Go to sleep at the same time every night
• Turn off all phones, computer etc.
• Read, pray,  meditate etc. that helps your mind become at ease
• Strive for good sleep hygiene
• If all else fails take a nap in abt. 8 hrs from waking in the morning
• Avoid exercising, taking decongestants, alcohol or heavy meals late in the day

It may take a few weeks to create a routine and there will always be days the order, just simply will not be there.  Do not get discouraged, but pick yourself back up the next chance you get. 

Train, sleep, live, repeat...

To your health...

Monika