When I think of expansion in a fitness sense, I think of an expanding waistline, an expanding backside and/or muffin top. I think of an ever expanding buffet of foods I often wish I could devour daily, but know if I did, the scale would creep up and not too slowly, my energy levels would sink and I would start to look and feel my age. Gasp!!!
Last night was the first bootcamp of a new eight week session I am running. The common theme amongst almost all the women in attendance, was how their bodies have expanded in the wrong places, and in many areas, gravity has not been, shall we say kind.
Instead of focusing on what is, I have always found it beneficial to focus on what and where I want to go. Getting caught up with what is, and focusing on what is in front of me, only produces more of what is. This thought pattern can be applied not only to fitness and your overall health, but relationships, business and life in general.
In Canada, we are only a few short weeks away from our first long weekend. Most Canadians see this, as our official start to the summer. Temps are warmer, and clothing is more revealing. It’s a lot tougher to hide the effects of too many beer and pizzas consumed over the winter months. The toll of workouts missed due to couch time with a bottle of wine, nachos and the remote can slap you in the face, once clothing becomes more revealing.
So what to do? Now is the time to expand in a way that will serve you most. Get clear on what you want. Expand your thoughts on why you want a leaner, stronger body. Explore and expand your reasons for wanting better health, to run faster or jump farther. Maybe you desire to run around the yard with your kids or grandchildren and not feel like your heart is going to expire due to the intense pounding in your chest. Maybe you have a race coming up you want to produce a time that allows you to say, “I’m the Bomb!” Maybe you want to put on a bikini or swim trunks and for the first time in several years feel like you are a warrior. Whatever your reason, you are best to discover what it is and hang on to it.
Take a pen to paper and journal, in detail what your experience will be this coming year. Describe how you will look, feel, how others will approach you. Write what others say to you about your energy, health and physical appearance. Be descriptive so it invokes some big time feelings within you. See in your mind’s eye, how awesome you are during your workout. See yourself effortlessly lifting more weight, running farther with greater speed than ever before. Envision yourself having mastered your goal. Expand your view of what you are capable of doing. Dream bigger. It’s the only way to get bigger outcomes in your life. You must see it in your mind, know you possess what is needed to get it done and believe. Don’t concern yourself with the obstacles. Believe you can make the changes required to complete your goal. You will see the outcome , when you believe it. Then all you need to do is take steps to get you there. Work out intensely several times a week, eat single ingredient foods 90% of the time, and don’t eat packaged or processed foods more than 10% of the meals you consume. Drink a litre of water for every 50lbs of body weight.
There is no one like you in the entire galaxy. Expand your vision of how awesome you can be and create the best version possible.
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 the ocean, fire walking, dancing, reading, hiking in the forest, meditation, men in linen shirts with integrity who can make me laugh, sunsets and a full moon.