Daily Fitness Motivation – Aug 31
“The only way to create a physical effect is to have an internal cause great enough to institute change. Find that cause within you – once you do, you will see change.” – Maria Kang
Is it rude to leave a group exercise class?
NO!
As a past instructor, I understand and empathize how it feels like when people either:
- don’t like the class
- don’t like you
- can’t coordinate themselves
- or can’t keep up
leave the class. You try not to take things too personally. Right?
For example, yesterday, I decided to take a ‘new’ dance class with an instructor I wasn’t familiar with. RIGHT OFF THE BAT I knew I would not like the class. There were several things that I observed *and I’m very observant* that kinda ticked at me from the beginning:
- It annoys me when instructors TALK too much
- It annoys me when they have a ‘teacher-like’ voice to them (almost like a kindergarten teacher talking to a bunch of little kids)
- I can’t stand instructors who wear really short shorts. I’m sorry, but it’s distracting, annoying and unprofessional.
So after I politely went through the warm up, she asked us to get in a line and start ‘jazz walking’ across the floor. Of course, I consider this class a cardio session, so I was definitely not pleased having to stop moving. I felt terrible because we had to partner up with someone…so I told the person next to me immediately that I was planning on leaving and that I apologize now for leaving her.
It was sad – but good. Bottom line: while we all want to be nice, cordial, and pleasing to everyone…and while it hurts feelings – if something is not going the way you want it, you’ve got to go! I’m sorry. I’ve left classes before…and if I sucked as an instructor, I hope other people leave my class too.
Why?
Because honesty is the best policy. As cliche as it sounds, the fact is, is that you can’t learn unless someone’s honest right?
So if you get stuck in the front row of a class and you absolutely cannot stand being there…LEAVE. And if you see the instructor outside the class, smile and give constructive feedback. If they really care about helping others, they will welcome the feedback.
Good instructors are priceless. Seriously, there is a shortage. If you are interested in becoming an instructor one day, check out:
Gwen Stefani is Fitness mom of the year
Well….at least she is in my book! I like Gwen Stefani for a few reasons:
- I love her music. Especially when she first came out with, “I’m just a girl”
- She hasn’t ‘yo-yo’d’ as most celebrities do. She was a bit chubby growing up (and was still confident) then found fitness and became a fit ambassador!
- She did get really skinny for the Vogue issue – as most people do, she publicly agrees that she took too far and now seems to be at a healthy weight.
- She has a outwardly great relationship with her husband (whom she’s been with for years) and has been publicly seen as a one woman, committed person. (sounds like me!)
- She just had a baby and she looks THIS good. WOW.
Take a peak at her pics and get inspired!!
Wow – look at her abs! This was taken the other day.
I love this shot – they are both a fit couple.
Back in the days…before she discovered weight training!
Her skinniest ever. This was around the time she was featured in Vogue and had a small role in “the Aviator”.
Fitness Magazines target your insecurities.
Do YOU FEEL FAT YET?
Unfortunately, most media outlets are driven by a dangerous energy: THE ENERGY OF INSECURITY. Most often, articles, pictures, interviews, ads and then some…all focus on trying to make you focus less on yourself and more on a ‘need’ to fulfill who you are through ‘buying’ their stuff.
While I definitely read my fair share of fitness magazines, I definitely don’t read it too, too much. Why? Because firstly, it all says the same stuff. Secondly, the models all look the same (I do have to mention that I wish we had more ethnic models) and Lastly, I don’t read it because it makes me lose focus on myself.
When I start ‘coveting’ magazine models and gidgets and gadgets, I start losing reverence for what I already own. We are all born distinctly different. We all have genetic capabilities to allow us to do amazing things. Some of us can run ultra-marathons, some of us can have tons of babies or carry 4 men out of a burning building. Our bodies is something we can enjoy, challenge and revere as long as we KNOW who we are and what we are capable of achieving.
One of my biggest hopes for all of you is to:
- not focus so much on what you don’t have, look at the things you do have
- compare yourself with a positive role model
- revere and respect the body God gave you
- don’t seek happiness outside of yourself. Look within.
Here is an excerpt from my personal website discussing a recent personal battle with insecurity:
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….Life is much simpler when you start realizing all the simple things that bring you happiness.
So Simple.
The best way to live is to live minimally. When you don’t have the urge to need, the desire to want, and the covetousness for objects displaying wealth…then you start to become free. Freedom is not a given, it is a conscious choice.
While on the treadmill the other morning, I borrowed my sister’s fashion magazine, and started desiring expensive and more fashionable clothes. It was a deep rooted desire that I had never felt before. Most media marketing targets people’s insecurities. They are tailored to make you feel uncomfortable, unsatisfied and imperfect. When you start becoming trapped by forces of desire – you start losing your freedom to be conscious of a life chosen by personal will.
It’s difficult to not be tempted when you exist in a world where everyone seems so drawn to the dark energy of pride, ego, insecurity – it is rare when you meet people who don’t live ‘in the flesh’ but instead, they live ‘in the spirit’. Living in the Spirit means true freedom. When you are able to not judge those regardless of physical beauty or belongings, when you are able to discipline earthly desires for objects satisfying the ego….when you are able to be happy when all is sad, be positive when all is negative, be free when all is imprisoned…then you are housing a powerful and eternal spirit.
I came back to my spirit this past week. I silenced a mind that was loud with insecurity.
Quite simply, I don’t need more stuff, I don’t need more clothes…I need more freedom to be me. Being who you are is what brings real happiness.
Each day is a battle to find that solace…but as I put that magazine down and felt beautiful wearing my favorite workout shoes and ten dollar t-shirt, I started feeling like I am starting to win.
Thanks for reading.
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Fitness: What’s happening in your neighborhood?
I receive updates on what’s happening locally by active.com. This site is on my top 3 favorite fitness sites in the whole wide world! And that says A LOT.
Not only do they focus on all things fitness: triathalons, marathons, basketball, tennis, traveling, cycling, etc. But it has an awesome community!
Check it out here!
This is an actual screen shot of what I receive in my inbox for events in my area. Isn’t it cool???
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