How do you Measure Your Best?

People always tell you to do your best - your parents said it, your teachers said it, your friends said it. We tell our friends and our children. It's encouraging, right? But how do you know when we are really doing our best?

Here's the thing: We are often our worst enemy. We try our hardest only to measure that effort to our own standard and fall short of the outrageous standard we created for ourselves. That's when we fail or simply give up because trying to reach our bogus ideal isn't feasible. It's why diets often fail. It's why we stop exercising after one week because we just can't work to the point we think we should. 

It's why we don't reach a goal that we think is really important to us. We are, in fact, our worst enemy. 

So, how do we actually measure what our best is? It all starts with goal setting. We have written many posts on it (read

here

,

here

,

here

and

here

), but before you commit to a change in your life, take a moment to walk through the steps you will have to accomplish to make that change. Even if it's taking part in an event - it's a change from your norm. 

Mentally or Physically Map out the Steps to Meeting Your Ultimate Life Change/Task/Goal

Set Small Goals Pertaining to Each Step

Determine a Reward Structure to Reinforce Completion of Each or a Few Steps at a Time

Reach Your Ultimate Goal and Do your Best!

Tiffany

Be Happy in the Skin You Are In... NOW!

Today's post comes out of necessity for me to get something off of my chest. There is so much talk in the media about what it means to be skinny and even a definition of "fat." We are seeing "fat shaming" and now, "skinny shaming" left and right - wherever we turn.  So, when should we be happy with the body we have? Once we are happy, do we stop trying to make it better?

The truth of the matter is, you have to be happy in the skin you are in at the moment to make any improvements in the future. As most of you know, I had a baby 10.5 months ago and my auto-immune disease has spiraled out of control since then. I'm in a good place as far as my body goes (at least I think so), but I'm not that super teeny size I used to be. Guess what - I don't care! I'm happy with the effort that I have been putting in, the way I have been eating. and can honestly say that I am getting stronger each day - physically and mentally. I fit in most of my clothes (with the exception of those super tiny ones) and I have found the balance that I need to ensure I am taking care of my family while also taking care of myself.

(I was that person... I used to laugh at the people that said I didn't understand what it was like to have a kid, when I didn't have one, but now I understand! Especially at this age, there is very little time to yourself and it's a triumph if you actually cook something to eat and GET to eat it!)

So... does that mean that I won't work hard to get myself to the next level? Absolutely not! Life is a constant state of change and why not change for the better? I am a real woman, a real mother, a real wife and a real member of society. My life has to reflect that. Your life should reflect the person you are and the person you want to be - not reflect what you do or don't see in the mirror. That will come.

Understand that YOU are constantly evolving. Love the process. Love each and every step.

Why it's OK to Fail

Over the past few weeks, I have received several phone calls and emails from readers and friends who have either fallen off the wagon or are doubting themselves. I wish that I could tell them and you that there is some magical formula to reach your goals, whether it's fitness goals, work goals or life goals. But, there is NOT.

Let's talk nutrition right now...

The way our bodies respond to different foods and different exercises is trial and error. It is imperative that you try something and stick with it for more than a week! You may see quick changes in your body within a week from a change in diet, but for real change to occur, it takes a little time. If you begin to plateau 2-3 weeks later, no worries. It's OK to fail! Think of yourself as a science experiment - you don't always get the outcome you are expecting on the first try. It takes constant refining to produce the results that you want. As our bodies age and respond to stimuli within nature, stress and family situations, you will need to adapt by changing your diet to suit your altered lifestyle.

Let's talk workout routine right now...

Ok... so it seems right that what we always do, what our bodies are used to, won't work forever, right? Well then why do so many of us fall in a rut of only doing certain exercises, only certain cardio machines? Perhaps, because it is comfortable... we know what we are doing and it doesn't make us sore afterward. If I can't say it enough, CHANGE IT UP!! You will NOT be a failure if you change up your exercises and feel like a fool doing them because they are awkward or you are unsure of proper form. Ask a trainer to help you with proper form - 9 times out of 10, they will help without charging you or pressuring you to sign a contract with them.  (Just don't ask them for a workout plan and expect them to do this for free.) It takes change in your workout routine to "trick" your body and produce positive results. Update: Try one of our workout plans here.

There's my pep talk for today! Don't be afraid to fail! If something doesn't produce the result you want the first time, you can only refine it and try again! This is not failure! It's simply finding a way NOT to do something.

When you just can't get it together read this.

Good luck!