Be your own Inspiration and April's CHALLENGE!

Some people just don't exercise. They just don't want to. Or, don't see the need in it.
But for many...they just fear it.

They fear the idea of changing what they're used too. They also fear the possibility of failure. The number one procrastinator, the number one reason why some people are not exercising is the horrible
"what if I can't" syndrome.

This is the time of the year we see bikini's hit storefronts, advertisements in higher frequency for quick fix weight loss aids and for some of us, we see shame. Media and society are quick to show us the ideal figure. The size 2, curvy yet slim, strong yet sleek. While it's nice to think we've moved away from that, this figure is still pushed. There are sites devoted to fitspiration, some thankfully boast 'strong is the new sexy' but most are picture after picture of itty, bitty bodies. If you logged a journal of your eating habits and exercises would you like one page for your notes and the other page to view a sexy chic? Do you think that you'd find encouragement day after day by looking at a new "sexy" girl as you logged your accomplishments? For some of this, this would work, perfectly. For others this would cause damage. I lean towards the idea that daily pictures of what the media uses to influence us would actually cause an incredible amount of self doubt. We have one person to impress and that is ourselves. We have one person to challenge, again that is our self. We have just one person to answer to, ourselves. Be your own inspiration.


There's also some smack talk against those that do exercise regularly. Some may say we're obsessed. Some may think we're bragging. And some are simply being rude. When a person commits to working out, taking on daily exercise, they create habits. Each of their days include a routine, part of that routine is spent to better themselves and focus on their health. Not only does accomplishing this make a person happy but exercise is known to release the happy hormone. Ever want to turn a deaf ear to someone who is always talking negative? Ever want to point and shout Debby Downer? We all have those friends and at times they're real turn offs. But how often do you find yourself turning away from a friend who is genuinely happy? It doesn't happen. People who exercise are happy, they are thrilled with their accomplishments and want to share it. We're not all of sudden cocky athletes or know it alls. I guess some really do become the latter but most of us are just happy and reaching out for accountability.


It's proven that fitness and healthy living are easier done when surrounded by like minds. This is a huge reason why group fitness classes are maxed out each day and races are paced in waves to handle such large numbers. There's power in numbers. There's strength in teams.

I'm one of those numbers. I'm part of that team. I believe in daily exercise and conscious eating, I believe in group fitness classes and solo mind freeing runs. I'm also one of those that talk about it. I try to inspire and motivate others to jump on the exercise party train. It's a fun place to be.

Our team is growing daily. There's no official sign up. No waiver or try out. There are no guidelines to fit inside or judgement to curtail. There's just an open space to share, cheer, and do.


Surrounding yourself with motivated people will help you see ahead. There shouldn't be a feeling of competition but a feeling of support. Accountability should never be viewed as descending but uplifting. Together we are much stronger than any of our fears.

So here's my new challenge for the month of April. It's quite simple and of no new news...

Be more active than yesterday. We can do a little bit more of anything, it's not going to kill us. 

When your body burns and yells quitting time, tell it to wait just a few more seconds, a few more minutes.

The benefits of pushing yourself to be better than the day before are unmeasurable. Each day you will be improving your endurance and adding to your strength. By months end you'll look back and smile at the growth mentally, emotionally and physically by just dedicating "a little bit more" each day. 

The list of ways to be better than yesterday is endless and totally up to you!!!
A few ideas...

-sprint hills in your daily run//walk, incline the treadmill a notch higher. Go a bit further.

-another push-up, another crunch, another curl.

-add 5 pounds to the weight you normally lift (try it for just one set, see how you do)

-find a new exercise and commit to it for a week (wall balls, box jumps, jump rope, inchworms, wall squats)

-park further away, like the last parking space further away.

-fruit for sweets, say no to candy.

-pickles instead of chips

I'm sad to take down March's challenge, it brought together strong and beautiful ladies, one of whom kicked that challenge in the butt and today took it a step further. Tyah set out to accomplish her 30 miles in 30 days, we caught up with each other via Instagram and today she introduced AprilFoolish50. She's using the hashtag and blogged about it in this post here, a perfect example of being more active than yesterday.

Quick recap on the ALL the March Madness goals set for myself and inspired by the awesomely beautiful Janna! Her linky challenge helped many of us stay accountable and organized with our goals....

1// FAIL. I didn't take//make//find the time to try a Barre Class, keeping it on the list for April.
2// SUCCESS. Completed 30 miles in 30 days.
3// SUCCESS. I think I've finally found the perfect 6.1 mile trail and am recording my pace, still sitting at last years pace of just over an hour but that's ok!
4// SUCCESS. Was totally at the gym 2-3 times per week.
5// SUCCESS. hello, this girl found the hook up to my instructor cert. I'll have much more to report on this over the next month, but lets just say I'm beyond excited about June.
6// SUCCESS. My personal FB page has lit up with race events, we're sending out an SOS for babysitters and adding up the fees. There are so many races we'd love to be a part of this spring/summer!

Remember, BE YOUR OWN INSPIRATION :)

And if you want to join in the #BeMoreActive challenge grab the button, pin it, IG it, tweet it, drop a line...or keep it private. 

I don't care how you do it, just give it a try! 

Linking with Operation Summer Shape Up and.....
Monthly Measures, Yolo Mondays, Monday Morning Gossip, and JUST Because!