I have been involved in some sort of physical fitness my entire life. Basketball, track and field, and dance were my go-to activities when I was much younger. As time passed and life got busier, having kids and a spouse, fitness took a back seat. After four years and popping out three kids, I had enough mentally and physically of not having fitness play a significant role in my life. For several years, five days a week I would pack up the kids in the van and we would head off to the YMCA. The daycare was a lifesaver for me. It gave me an opportunity to fiercely Kickbox, Aquafit and Step myself into a new way of being mentally, as well as physically.
Without my daily morning workout, the rest of the day just did not flow so well. I was irritable with the kids and I just plain felt ripped off not having the opportunity to sweat out my junk and start anew! Each and every opportunity I had to work out in a class or on my own, became a journey of joy, of determination. A journey towards releasing the fat, and purging my stress. I ignored the exhaustion from lack of sleep and pushed through knowing that each rep, each beat of the music brought me towards a leaner, stronger and healthier body. I was on a mission and nothing was going to get in my way. I had laser focus and saw nothing else. I dramatically changed my eating, and my kids also benefitted from this new way of looking at food and its role. It no longer was consumed to fill a grumbling in one’s belly. Food was a pathway to clearer skin, more energy, and vitality. Not eating processed, sugary junk meant my belly was flatter, and my kids had better moods overall, since they were not crashing from a sugar high. Yes, there were heated conversations with Grandparents about how I was not open to bringing home the jars of jelly beans for the kids to “snack” on daily. It was just not an option I was willing to explore in my home. It did not support my mission of ideal health, and was not happening on my watch.
Knowing your desired outcome is key. Become very clear on how you want the look and feel of your body and energy levels to be. Then take action steps daily to get there. Live in the energy of it already being done. Eat as if you already have your ideal body. You love the look and feel of it so much you would never consume anything that did not support its existence. Bring the same fierceness and conviction to your mission that a mother lion brings when feeling her cubs are in danger.
Drink in the richness of all You are. Celebrate each breath you take. Know what you stand for. Allow nothing to shake you from it. You are Love. You are Joy. You are Beauty. You are worthy and deserving of having it all. Make it so.
Sandra O’Brien is mother to the world’s three most fabulous children. She is also a Law of Attraction Life Coach, Personal Trainer, yoga instructor, published author and Reiki healer. Her work has been featured on CityLine Television, and The Toronto Star. She is owner of Muskoka Hot Yoga, and Muskoka Goddess, offering hot yoga, tabata bootcamps, personal training and coaching. She created the Goddess Creation system, a female fitness program to blowtorch body fat, sculpt sexy lean muscle and empower women everywhere to be the best version of themselves, inside and out. She enjoys dancing, reading, hiking in the forest, meditation.
For more information on Sandra, please visit www.muskokahotyoga.com.