What motivates YOU?

If anybody had an opportunity to be inside my head for a day I am quite confident they would not be the wiser. I think the same can be said about many. We have several thoughts reaching in different directions at all times. When we act on our thoughts it is because we were motivated to do so.

So what motivates you?

Is it intrinsic or extrinsic? Do you long for the warm fuzzy feeling inside or the warm fuzzy new hat? Maybe both? 

Recognizing what will inspire action is a step to successfully reaching your goals. Often people are concerned that what influences them will not be favourably received by others. It is this trepidation that hijacks their goal. 

To avoid having others dictate your action:

First, identify your motivators.  Write them down. When you have your list you will be able to establish if what moves you to action is the action itself (intrinsic) or if what you seek is an outcome (extrinsic). 

Second, write down your thoughts. With so many thoughts bumping around in your head at one time, putting them to paper will help you to identify commonalities. When a pattern is evident (similar themes/ideas) then you know what is taking up your grey matter and what you need to address. 

Third, marry the motivators with the thoughts. This is when you put your thoughts into action. Having a hard copy of both in front of you will govern you in the same way as the people impacting you. The written motivators and ideas are an external influence on the action you should take to accomplish your aim/purpose. 

Lastly, go get em.  Chase your dreams.  Reach your goals.  Reward yourself. 

Stay happy & healthy

www.jomoma.ca

Hey Fitness Industry...!

I have several passions: health, fitness, redefining the word beautiful and bolstering women's self esteem. Due to my passion, I pay particular attention to the communities that support and oppose the aforementioned. 

This past week I read a number of articles/blogs from folks in the fitness industry and I was offended.  Perhaps, offended is not the correct word...upset, confused, disillusioned. Here is why: the articles took stands on the best 'workouts'. They threw mud and took to slandering the other forms of fitness. The weight lifters spoke ill of the P90x crew...The yogis turned their noses up at the long distance runners, and the personal trainers slammed the Crossfitters, who in turn minimalized all the other exercise forums. ARE YOU SERIOUS?!? Come on people! Shame on you. 

All fitness activities have merit. They all engage your muscles, your heart, your lungs and your mind in some form. AND THAT IS FITNESS. Having preferences is natural and it will keep you engaged. We do not need to like the same activities to appreciate the benefits and acknowledge the effort it takes to start/maintain/grow a fitness routine. Differences should be embraced not ridiculed. 

So to the Yogis, the Personal Trainers, the Crossfitters, the Weight Trainers, the Runners, the Rowers, the Dancers, the Walkers, the Home video workout Crews... BRAVO! You are awesome.  You can do it. Keep it up.  

Stay Happy & Healthy

www.jomoma.ca

Eff you media!

Perhaps you can tell by the title, I am far from a fan of media when it comes to the portrayal of beautiful women. Don't get me wrong, the women who are advertising these products marketed to us are simply flawless, gorgeous, unattainable women. Read: 'unattainable'. Not even these women look like their commercialized/advertised self. After all of the make-up, photoshopping and fancy camera work is removed, they are just like the rest of us. Flawed...beautifully. 

It is the crooked smile, the freckles, the love handles, and laugh lines that make us unique and beautiful. It is these very same things that are removed from the bodies and faces of the women marketing products. 

When we continually get bombarded with these images of 'gorgeous' (on the television, billboards, and magazine covers), we become critical of the reflection in the mirror. We spend far too much energy examining our pores, squeezing the skin on our stomaches and rear-ends. We see what makes us human as, dare I say it.... Ugly. WAIT A SECOND. All of that programming we have been receiving is so that we feel terrible about ourselves. We are taught by media to only see the 'flaws'. This results in our ridiculous NEED to purchase the 'snake oil' that will make our flaws disappear. When we continue to see the flaws, we buy more. 

Here are some facts: 

Cellulite is normal fat beneath the skin...visible on both thin and heavy women, it appears bumpy because it pushes against connective tissue.  

Crows feet, also known as laugh lines, are proof of emotion. 

Fat, we need it.  Without it we cease to have menstrual periods...and our brains will shut down. If you have an abundance of it, there is not a magic pill. I am sorry.  It takes a change in diet and level of physical activity. Period. 

There is no ideal size. Size zero and size 22 can both be beautiful in so much as the person who is that size is happy and healthy. This is measured by heart health, blood pressure, strength, endurance, flexibility, and size of smile. 

We can change what is presented to us.  We are the market.  We decide what we want to purchase and what we accept as advertisement. The product has a price tag, but it should not cost us our self esteem as well. 

You are beautiful. 

Stay happy & healthy

www.jomoma.ca 

Putting YOU first

I get it.  Really. Finding time to workout is tough considering the schedules of your kids, partner, work, etc.  And because your energy is pulled in a multitude of directions it seems selfish to schedule time for yourself...but you need to. By scheduling time to workout you are aiding your body to be healthy. Health is what you need to continue to care for all your people and activities. It is not selfish, it is responsible and it is necessary. 

If you need a car to transport people to and from work, back and forth to sporting events, practices, lessons, etc, then it would make sense that the car is running on "all four cylinders". You would ensure the car has gas, it has four functioning tires and that the engine is in working order. You take it to service stations, garages and more. If you don't, your car won't last. Well... You are that car (high end of course). You need to make sure you are fuelled properly and that YOUR parts are in working order. Exercise is more than ensuring your jeans fit (albeit a nice side effect), it is a time to re-energize. As strange as it may sound, burning energy during exercise, will give you more energy when you are busy doing the other stuff. 

You do not necessarily need to belong to a gym. You can turn your tv room into a gym, or move your dresser in your bedroom to give you space for your yoga mat. Maybe it means walking on your lunch break. Jogging in the spot during commercials while you watch your favorite show.  Climbing the bleachers or running the track at a kid's practice. It will take some reconfiguring, but you would do it if it was for somebody else. .... Turns out it is for everybody else. You being healthier will make you better for all those that count on you. 

Being healthy is more than a lean body, it is a state of mind and an attitude. It will directly and indirectly influence your activities (the lake in your bikini), and your ability to be involved (class skating trips, tennis with clients...). 

You give to everybody and you would give more if you could. Well you can...by giving to yourself. You deserve to be your healthiest, so make sure it includes time to be active. 

Stay happy and healthy.

www.jomoma.ca