Living for the moment.

As we approach the end of 2014 I can say that this year, like each year, has disappeared more quickly than the last.  At this time of year we have the opportunity to look back on what was and think about what is to come.  But most importantly, it’s a time when most people have a few minutes to just breathe.  And enjoy NOW.  Life is so busy most of the year, that I urge you to take a step back, and if you have 4 minutes, I beg you, please watch this.  That is all.

Until next time!

M.O.T.I.V.A.T.I.O.N

Can you relate to any of these?

Impatience – you analyse a plan according to how it’s “supposed” to work, and often conclude too soon that it’s not working for you.

Analysis Paralysis – you keep adding additional workouts and customizations to your program, and you end up exhausted, discouraged and perhaps injured.

Extremism – you throw yourself into unsustainable nutritional or supplement schemes that are beyond your budget or just not a good fit with your lifestyle and/or abilities.

Perfectionism – you’re prone to skipping workouts when everything isn’t “just right”.  Maybe you forgot your pre-workout, your music or a piece of gear for instance.  Same for nutrition – if everything isn’t perfect you take it as an excuse to eat junk.

Ambition – you’re unrealistic in your aspirations. You set goals that are too lofty or extreme for your abilities, age or the amount of time you have. Then you beat yourself up when you can’t achieve them.

If you can, then you’re not alone!  These are hurdles which the personality type “the thinker” has to overcome.  [Check out my previous post here]  And these hurdles are often the reason behind our loss of motivation…..

Earlier this week I posed a question on my Facebook page – Was there anything in particular my followers/readers would like to hear about?  It was suggested I write a post about motivation when getting back into fitness after a break.  What a perfect suggestion!  I’m hoping by giving others advise that it will in turn motivate me too 🙂

One Tenth Achieved

This evening I watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.  My 10th movie and a tenth of the way through my 100 Movies.

This would be my favourite so far.

Each movie I have watched has been quite different to the next.  To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have chosen to watch many of them if someone pushed me into a video DVD store and asked me to choose something to watch; but I have certainly enjoyed them all in their own unique ways.

It’s still only early days in my 100 Movies; and in the 30 Project itself; but I’m already finding it a highly worthwhile experience.  One thing I think I’m going to learn during this project is patience.  It’s one thing I’ve not always had much of.  I am excited to see what else I learn and can put to use in my every day life.

Crossing things off the “to do” list!

Yesterday was a great day!  It was a long day, but it was a day in which I went to bed feeling a sense of accomplishment and contentment.  I woke up early at 5:15am (and wasn’t feeling too bad surprisingly), dressed and headed to the gym.  I had decided this week to do GRIT on both Tuesday and Friday morning as this week it is highly unlikely I will be able to train in the evening at all.

GRIT, like last Friday, was release 7 which involved mostly upper body (clean and presses, shoulder press etc) and cardio – squats, burpees, push ups.  I was stoked to be able to do a few of the push ups on my toes – huge achievement for me!  They weren’t very deep but it’s a start!

Work yesterday was one of those days where you manage to cross a few things off the “to-do” list.  Love those days!  I hope today will be similar….

After work I headed off to a cooking class (one of my 30 things) which I was a bit nervous about, but ended up being a lot of fun!  I am looking forward to the second installment next week!  It’s a two-week course which gives you ideas to make meals which can be frozen so that you can have a quick meal if you’re low on time.  We also got a book with recipes, tips and hints and even variations on common meals.  I’ve learnt a few things already 🙂

When I got home yesterday I was pleased to find that my “sponsor pack” had arrived in the mail for the tiger I have adopted.  His name is Hunter.  He is gorgeous!  For more information on sponsoring an animal from Australia Zoo – check out this link!  If you’re not in Australia, I’m sure zoos all around the world have similar programs.  They are such a good idea 🙂

Here’s a picture I put up on instagram last night 🙂

By the time I had read through my pack and had a light dinner, it was almost 10:00pm.  So I read a little bit and then headed to bed.  I went to sleep feeling like I had achieved a lot and it was a great feeling to have.  It also got me thinking about maximising time during the week – days like yesterday are so worth the getting up early for!

It also got me thinking about a conversation I had with Coffee2Words yesterday.  I discussed getting up at the same time each day, no matter what I have on, and using those extra hours to get things done.  Maybe even scheduling in the same day each week to write my blog.  I’m sure I’ve touched on this before; but it’s something I struggle with.  I’ve gotten into a good routine with my exercise, I just need to do the same with other aspects of my life.  I think it will also help down the track when I am studying.  This weekend I plan to prepare in another way – organising a proper routine for myself.  Doing the same thing each week no matter when my shift at work is!

Do you have a routine?  Do you think that it works for you?

Mid Month Update!

Friday the 13th of September.  The final day of the “No Sugar/No Alcohol Challenge”.  It was a day I was looking forward to – the finish line – the light at the end of the tunnel.  It’s funny how when something is “banned” you crave it oh so much more!  And I discovered, over the weekend, when I had a few of the items I had really been missing – they just didn’t satisfy me the way I expected…I guess it doesn’t take long for your body to change…. certain chocolate however, did taste as good as I remember!

Morning vs Night Time Training

Before I begin with this post, I just wanted to make a point of mentioning one of the blog’s that I follow.  Although I haven’t had a lot of time lately to read many (if any) of the blogs I follow there is one in particular that almost always hits home when I do get the chance to scan the posts in my reader.  Pam Boyd’s blog is always full of useful tips and motivational sayings or just simply something that gets you thinking – and the post I read just now is no exception.  I recommend having a look if you get the chance!  Today’s post’s quote of “What You Allow, Is What Will Continue”  is so true – in all aspects of life….I feel sometimes that I don’t concentrate on fixing the little things – I’m always looking at the finishing line, wanting to be there when I still have the whole course to get through.  I try to take the short cut and end up right back where I began…

I guess that’s what we call learning?  You need to make mistakes to learn and if you keep trying the same things and you aren’t getting the results you need – well maybe it’s time to try something new?  Or for me, I think I need to remember that I must crawl before I can walk.  It’s frustrating but it’s true.