Why Fit_NOT_Skinny?

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are.”  I really like this quote from Bernice Johnson Reagon.  I've thought a lot about it since my recent move.  It applies to every aspect in my life because nothing has come easy for me.  I've always had to go above a beyond just to meet the standard and at times, I've found myself easily frustrated.  I become frustrated when I see others around me with gifts, talents, money, attractive qualities, and traits I desire.  The word envious comes to mind.  I'm envious of other because I don't have this or that.  Envious I don't look like that.  Envious I can't do what he or she is doing.  Jealous of what he/she has compared to me.  And I fall into the trap of "I want things, and I want them now" mentality.I think back to a conversation I had with my friend Francisco Flores a couple days ago... He lives in California & trains very similar to myself.  He wanted to know why I chose to get fit.  Why did I stick with it?  What changed or clicked in my head?  I thought about it & embarrassingly, I had to answer that my ultimate goal was to look hot.  I admitted that my first thoughts taken toward fitness was: "I have to lose weight or I'll never get married".  As my fitness levels increased and the weight came off, I admitted to Francisco, I gained a whole new respect for myself.  I didn't just desire to look good for the opposite sex, but to better myself.  This is what I think is important.  Overall health.  Working out isn't just something to do.  Eating clean isn't just a fad to get the results you want and go back to your old eating habits. 
Fitness, health, working out, and eating clean are a change in lifestyle-> not a temporary diet.  It's not always fun and glamorous.  Sometimes you have to sweat.  That is why I love the quote : 
"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are.” 

It's true. When I first started working out, I was terrified!  I didn't desire to do group classes because I didn't want to look stupid.  However, I swallowed my pride.  I've had the chance to work with a variety of trainers and experience various training styles.  I continue to try new workouts because I don't want to allow myself to get TOO comfortable.  When I get comfortable in a workout, I tend to slack and lose form.  It's through the "chase-the-burn" workouts like Serg. Eva Shurts & I would power & and laugh through because the burn was so bad.  BUT, It's when the workouts are complete, that you can look back and say- wow! I just did that.
This weeks SUCCESS: I tried yoga.  I'm trying to take my training to another level- it definely challenges me like I've never been challenged before!

Your Challenge: CHALLENGE yourself! Sweat, turn down the sweets, add an extra workout, run the another mile, try a new class-->> whatever you do, the key is to challenge yourself.  Don't tell yourself you can't-->> Know you can!
Food for thought: What if I were to get everything YOU wanted without working for it? What if you had the perfect body and it required no work- would you want it? What if you could achieve the fitness goals by only a supplement?  Would it be worth it?  Would you want it?  Think about the character built every time your sweat hits the floor & chase the burn this next week.#BeBless
-A