Warning: This post contains some serious self-love and motivation. Hopefully, you yourself will be inspired to do some self butt kicking in the near future. 
This past weekend I got some serious workouts in. The weather was nice (well, as nice as January can be in New Hampshire!), I got a lot of sleep, I had no major plans, and I was just feeling the urge to workout as much as possible. Plus, after picking up these new kicks at the New Balance outlet earlier in the week, I knew I had some running to do.
There will be no slipping with these treads this Winter! Why did I never think of purchasing trail running shoes for the Winter before?!
I have been working out on the treadmill a two or three mornings each week, and although it helps keep me in shape over the Winter, there is nothing like running in the fresh air. I’m happy to say that I got two runs in this weekend – one each on Saturday and Sunday afternoon – just under three miles a piece, and at a decent pace. I was pleased, especially since this was not my first workout on either day.
Treadmill workouts are fine for cold, snowy days, but I much prefer working out outside in the fresh air!
Both mornings started off with a yoga class at a nearby studio I love, The Yoga Tree. The first morning was a slower-paced class I attended with my soul-sister Ellen. It may have been slower, but it was still an excellent workout for both of us! Sunday morning I went solo to the Vinyasa class. When class was over, I turned to the gentlemen behind me and said, “WHOA. That was an awesome class! I’m so glad I got out of bed early for this!” to which he smiled and agreed.
Each day I logged two hours of physical fitness. Each day I felt great, strong, happy, satisfied, and proud of myself. I could have never accomplished this double-workout, two days in a row until a few years ago. Most of my life was spent being non-active, moody, and non-physically ambitious. Since 2010, I have ran quite a few 5k races, a half marathon, have done Bikram yoga multiple times a week for an entire Winter season, have walked probably thousands of miles, and have incorporated a Vinyasa style yoga practice into my weekly fitness routine for nearly a year now. Each activity, run, walk, yoga class is a stepping stone – each one of them makes me stronger not only physically, but mentally as well.
I’m writing this blog post to let you know that it is never too late to start. If you have never been physically fit before, it doesn’t mean you can’t be in the future. The body is a powerful machine and when it is fueled properly and treated with love, it can accomplish even the most daunting tasks. It can help you reach fitness goals that you never thought were possible. It can help you reach a level of peace and happiness that you never knew existed.
Best of all, fitness can help you love and appreciate your body, even if you’ve had pretty crappy self-esteem up until this point (like I did most of my life.) I found myself saying the following mantra in my head during one of my runs and both of my yoga classes.
This mantra made me realize one very important thing…
I am not only thankful for my body, but I’m incredibly grateful for the Institute of Integrative Nutrition for teaching me this important trait – it is okay to love myself. This past year has been an eye opening experience for me, as I have learned not only how to properly fuel my body (and how to teach others how to properly fuel theirs!) but possibly more importantly, how strong the mind-body connection truly is. Although I may have been able to accomplish difficult physical activity without the help of IIN, I know I definitely would not be as appreciative of my body without their program.
Lastly, I have the New Balance bag my shoes came in to thank! It must have inspired me to get moving this past weekend – both my body and mind thank you, New Balance bag
Now it is time for you to go out there and not only make excellent happen, but love yourself too! What fitness activities do you enjoy most and help make you your best you?
