Show Up

 I know it’s Monday. The last thing you want to hear on a frantic start to the week is, “don’t forget about your glowing exterior!” I’m planting the seed now. Every moment, but especially Monday mornings are the perfect time to motivate for the week ahead.

Consistency is absolutely essential to maintain a vibrant, flexible and able body, but we can easily think ourselves out of showing up.

Ask yourself right now what is holding you back in your daily fitness and movement endeavors. When you think about the rest of the morning or afternoon what pops into your head? Watch your mind ramble now…

I find most people fall into the following mindsets either on a regular basis (harder to break) or they come and go through out the day. Are you stuck in any of these negative feedback loops?

The No Pain No Gain: “I have to go to the gym and work off those beers from Sunday’s BBQ” or “My jeans were tight this morning…must kill myself in spin class.”
The Fearful and Self Conscious: “I don’t want people to see me looking like this in class.” or “I don’t know the teacher or class structure so I won’t try.”

The Downright Lazy: “I don’t care what I look like.” and “I’m tired and don’t feel like it.”
My two cents…switch your mindset now.

The No Pain No Gain: Living in extremes is stressful! Stress damages your adrenal glands throwing all of your hormones out of balance, which can cause you to hold onto unwanted pounds. Not to mention you’re probably damaging your joints and ligaments by pushing too hard too fast. Over training is just as abusive as not moving. So you might have six pack abs, but did you have to chug six coffees to make it happen after an already stressful day in the office? This makes no sense. Your nervous system and immunity will break down.

Try vinyasa yoga instead of Crossfit bootcamp buddy. Use your daily movement practice as a way to balance your mind and body.

Switch your thoughts to: “I’ll be more conscious of how many beers I drink next Sunday, and move more this week. When I am balanced I give my body the work and rest it deserves. I am grateful for and will listen to my body from this moment moving forward.”

The Fearful and Self Conscious: No one cares what you look like. Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. Drop your ego at the door. Just because other people showcase their ego, primp themselves in the mirror and compete with you in class doesn’t mean you have to agree to join in. Smile at them and carry on. Part of the lesson is learning to not let others effect you. Focus on the task at hand and leave your emotional fears at the front door.

This is how I have successfully survived countless dance auditions, speaking in public, chatting up hotties and work interviews. Basically any scary new situation.
Showing up and doing the work builds self esteem and habit. The more you flex the willpower muscle and step out of your own fearful way the easier it gets!

Try this thought on for size: “Today is the day I will show up for myself. I will step out of my own way and not let others perceived thoughts and actions dictate my life. I will embrace new things and learn from every experience.”