Posts Tagged ‘motivation’

Where The Change Happens

It’s kind of funny. I become a certified personal trainer and the first workouts I turn to this week come from someone else.

The book came in for me at the library last week and, after flipping through it, I couldn’t wait to give the circuits a go.

Making The Cut includes a lot of information about eating styles and other general fitness methodologies and how they help improve fitness. It has some useful facts in there, but the workouts mainly captured my attention. They looked INTENSE!

The workouts are broken down into a push-pull format, each with five circuits consisting of 3-4 moves each. In other words, tough stuff!

The pull circuits focus on the chest, triceps, and shoulders; the push focuses on back and biceps. Both workouts include legs and abs work. The original circuits include extra cardio, like sprints and plyometrics, but I cut those out since I had other cardio on plan. I didn’t even need the extra cardio. My heart rate soared!

Here’s a brief overview of the two circuits I did:

Making The Cut Circuit One (Push Focus)

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Making The Cut Circuit Two (Pull Focus)

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I highly suggest looking into this book if you want details of the different moves, the layout of the workout, and additional workouts. I can’t wait to try them all!

And I want you all to know, I only rave about these workouts because they are so challenging. I had to take numerous breaks to catch my breath and make sure my arms didn’t fall off. I found my arms shaking by the third circuit in both. Heck, Monday’s even felt intense enough to make me slightly nauseous. Not that that’s necessary to have a challenging workout.

I wanted to cut it short and call three circuits good. Then, I remembered a super inspiring quote.

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Fitting that the quote comes from level three of Jillian’s 30 Day Shred workouts. I must have a girl crush. Flirt male

But, seriously. How TRUE is that quote? If we want to improve in our fitness, we have to push outside the comfort zone. We have to test our limits and go a little beyond what we think we can handle. We have to get uncomfortable.

I wanted to stop, but I kept going. I left the gym shaking after both workouts, but feeling more accomplished for it. I know I improved my fitness just a smidge with those workouts. Sometimes I love a leisurely workout purely for fun. But the workouts that get uncomfortable…well, they bring a new level of fitness. Little by little. Every time.

Uncomfortable. It’s where the change happens.

  • How often do you get uncomfortable with workouts?
  • What celebrity do you crush on?

Posted by on November 16th, 2011 79 Comments

The End

Today marks a sad milestone. I have to say good-bye.

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Adios.

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Ciao.

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The end.

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To our weekly family lunches!

Sorry for the dramatic effect. Did I have you a little worried there? No? Okay, then. I see how you feel. Kidding! Winking smile 

Anyways, today marked the last of our family lunch dates on Thursdays. We did it up just as we normally do with some playtime at the mini park and a standard sandwich/wrap + chip lunch combo.

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I picked the two turkey wraps and some original Sunchips for my lunch.

I've had better, but nothing could beat the gorgeous fall day.

Or the fun of time together as a family!

I’m so sad to see this little tradition go, but it marks a good change. The change? Peter got a new job!

He loved where he was working, but a new opportunity came along that he felt compelled to take. A bunch of things just fell into place for this chance, so he rolled with it.  You know how sometimes things just seem to align and you can’t ignore them? That’s kind of how this went.

I’m a little bummed he will be working further from home now, but I trust this change as a good one for him and for our family. His hours will still have him home by 5 pm so we have family time and he won’t have to be “on call” anymore. We’ll just have to figure something else out for our little lunch tradition! Winking smile

Things may not be drastically changing but it’s still a little unnerving. Change always is, in my opinion! I believe the unexpected always poses challenges. I also believe change is necessary for growth in life. And that we have to be open to new opportunities.

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Speaking of opportunities, I found Caitlin’s post from this morning really eye-opening. We can all too easily compare our opportunities in life to others. That does no good! We have to keep our eyes on our own personal ventures and view our current situations as the stepping stones to our futures.

Just like in the success versus achievement mindset I posted about before – we simply must strive to do our best and build up our gifts/talents any way we can with where we are NOW and let things happen naturally. Be open to new possibilities in our own lives instead of dwelling on the circumstances of others’ lives. Easier said than done, I know!

I guess a lot of things have had me reflecting lately on the paths I hope my life takes. Then, I remember that all I can do is be the best version of myself, develop my strengths, and keep an open mind and loving heart. It will all work out..and we each have that option in life. Smile 

  • What’s the last change you had in your life?
  • For fun - What is your dream job?

Posted by on October 27th, 2011 35 Comments

 

 
Catch Up With Recent Posts

Announcement Time

Posted: November 23, 2011 at 7:47 am

Well, I have had a whirlwind of a few weeks over here. I missed all of you so much! I can’t express enough gratitude for your patience while I got some important things sorted out. Some scary things. Are you ready for the announcement? Here goes! I will no longer be blogging at Faith Fitness […]

88 CommentsRead more →

Self-Love Reflection: The Road Not Taken

Posted: November 20, 2011 at 11:47 am

Hello FFF readers! Nice to meet ya! My name is Carissa and my husband and I blog at Fit2Flex.  Well, I blog…he consults! We are both certified personal trainers with a passion for healthy, active living and clean eating.  I am also studying to become a registered dietitian, a race announcer, and a runner.  Stop […]

24 CommentsRead more →

Healthier Eating For Kids

Posted: November 19, 2011 at 10:56 am

Thanks to Plum Organics for sponsoring my post about tips for baby feeding magic. What if you let baby choose what’s for dinner? Check out their cute "Quest for Yum!" video and see what happens! As parents, we want the best for our children. We help them to feel loved. We strive to teach them […]

14 CommentsRead more →
 

Announcement

Posted: November 17, 2011 at 3:36 pm

Hey, everyone! I wanted to pop in and say I am working on some new and exciting changes.  As a result,I may not be posting as much during the coming week.  Please stay tuned for the big announcement! Love you all! And still feel free to find me on Twitter and Facebook for the time […]

21 CommentsRead more →

Where The Change Happens

Posted: November 16, 2011 at 7:54 am

It’s kind of funny. I become a certified personal trainer and the first workouts I turn to this week come from someone else. The book came in for me at the library last week and, after flipping through it, I couldn’t wait to give the circuits a go. Making The Cut includes a lot of […]

79 CommentsRead more →

From Beginning To End

Posted: November 15, 2011 at 11:53 am

Good morning! First off, thanks for the many congrats yesterday. Love you all bunches for the tons of support you have given me in so many things this year. I hope I can return a little bit of that love through this here blog as well. So yesterday I had my first parent-teacher “conference” for […]

55 CommentsRead more →