Being pregnant for the last 9 months and having pretty much no control over my body has given me a new appreciation for my body and what I am capable of when I am not pregnant. Recently I found myself looking through old Facebook photos and thinking I actually looked pretty good in some of these photos (says my 9 month pregnant self), I was envious of what my body used to look like! Thinking back to when these photos were taken, I remember my internal dialogue and it was not, "I look pretty good," it was more like:
"I wish I had arms like her," or "I wish my stomach would look like that." "I am really going to dial in my nutrition this week so I can look like that." Even as trainers, we struggle with comparison and trying to keep up with appearances. In our world of instantaneous photos and images, it is so easy to compare our life to someone else's Facebook life. (The life we let everyone see) Often we can see images and think, "I am not good enough or I could never look like that." Keep in mind, you are just seeing an image not the 6 hours a day that person puts in at the gym or the boiled chicken and veggies they eat to look that way. When we start to compare ourselves to others, we typically only compare one aspect of our life, not our whole life. Comparison steals our joy and doesn't allow us to fully enjoy the moment because we are constantly focused on what we don't have instead of on what we do have. When we start focusing on the blessing of what we do have, it shifts our mindset and we are able to find joy in the moment. For me, while I was pregnant, I found myself getting frustrated on how my body was changing. Although when I switched the focus and focused on the fact that my body is creating another human, I was able to find joy in the moment. So what do you need to focus on to find joy in the moment? Is it that you are capable of doing something you could never do before? Or that you finally fit into your size 8 jeans that didn't fit a year ago? My challenge this week, is to give yourself a compliment and the grace to love the body you have because you only get one. -Kim Kloster When asked about your days "off" or recovery days, what comes to mind?
For many, laying on the couch and not moving a muscle is the image of what makes a good day off. And while your body needs the rest after rigorous strength training workouts, mild or moderate activity can take your recovery to the next level and have quite a few benefits to your workouts. Active recovery is an easier workout compared to your normal training. Typically this workout would be done on off day from training. Having a recovery day is not only to recover physically, but many times mentally. Try to make it a point to pick an activity that is particularly enjoyable. There are at least 3 benefits of having active recovery days:
Below is the list of activities done and recommended by Shine Staff on recovery days: Kim: - Walking or hiking with friends Jason: - Walking or Hiking with friends - Stretching using benches, steps and walls - Walking while at work Jen: - Dynamic warm-ups - Walking - Low-intensity cardio Dean: - Walking the dog Mikayla: - Short runs - Hiking Erzhena: - Yoga - Zumba - Walking Other great ideas to focus on and enjoy: - Playing sports (baseball, cricket, basketball) - Foam-Rolling/Stretching/Yoga By: Erzhena Soktova The question this week is "what is your why?" Why do you make the decision to come to Shine Fitness every week to complete your strength training sessions? Or more importantly, why have you decided to take part in living a healthy lifestyle?
The Shine team looked into this scenario in order to find the reason as to why people do what they do. A great resource helped us understand; this resource being a Ted Talk by Simon Sinek on "How Great Leaders Inspire Action." Simon covered an interesting topic during his discussion stating that great leaders think, act, and communicate all in the same way. But how do they do this? Why is their thought process the same and why does it lead to great success? Any thoughts? Well, the secret is by understanding and incorporating the "Golden Circle" into their thought processes. The "Golden Circle" covers the "what," "how," and "why" people do what they do. An interesting fact is that the majority of individuals know "what" they're doing and "how" they do it, but cannot begin to explain as to why they do it. The goal this week is to begin to think from the inside of the circle out; starting with the "why" and ending with the "what." For example; "I am taking part in an exercise program in order to feel confident in my favorite outfit." How am I going to do this? "I am going to complete three strength training workouts per week and start managing my diet." What am I going to do? "I am going to come to Shine." Now, your "why" may be something you believe is obvious; but dig deep and really explore why you have made the decision to begin your health and fitness journey. Remember, your "why" is driven by a cause...a belief! Have a great week Shine family! -Mikayla Waymire |
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