Helen ~ Heynen

I just read about the most brillant idea....and I am all over this...

Everyday we are forced to look in the mirror, well some days. Some days I just don't want to look cause it is scary....and I think my big bro can attest!

I am going to try this.

I am going to take a dry erase marker and write a little motivational note to myself....

I have to see it every time I look in the mirror...it shows a symbolic connection between perceived, visialized and realistic self You wake up in the morning feeling a certain way...perhaps you convince yourself of all the reasons why you can't....and then well...you have to look in the mirror and face your temple...

Your body is your temple.....your activity is your foundation....

Lately, I have been walking about in my non-virtual life, I have been finding myself telling more everyone I come into contact this.. I believe in it…wholeheartedly, that transformation does not just happen on the outside…that in order for them to stick - in a healthy way - they must encompass more than the part of us that feeds the "I want to fit in my jeans" or "I want to look better" desire…. ultimately FEELING better and being a MORE COMPLETE person is what will have a lasting effect on our lives….don’t cha think???

It has been 4 years now, since I found a lifestyle of fitness and making better eating choices. And through this journey I have come to realize that this is not just about obsessing over my food choices, or pushing myself through my weights, or even burning more calories as I do my cardio…. No, this is about taking this lifestyle and attempting a precarious balancing act with all other areas of your life… family, faith, friends, work, laundry, home maintenance….THIS is where things I find things to so easily get out of alignment.

Yes, choices….this is about making the right ones. And more importantly as I find my way through all of this, I find I need to pick options for myself that are MAINTAINABLE so no other area of my life suffers….. Why am I writing all of this??

I am glad you asked!!

Because we make choices for ourselves that will bring us to some level of meeting our own personal hierarchy of needs!....I know this may sound a little Maslowish...but it is true! First you need to define what level you want to be at. I know some people have admitted that they just want to lose a few lbs and feel a little lighter....which is great!!!...(and I say this with my tongue in cheek) because mostly those will eventually feel the benefits of their changes they make and strive to continue with it....ahhhhhh do you see the irony????

Other's on the other hand, are Diehards....they climb the mountain every single day, they know their bodies well and they strive to challenge it every single chance they get. Not only for the physical benefits, but also for that inner sense of self, of belonging, of achievement, self-actulization and balance. They see that all this "stuff" feeds into other aspects of their lives and it is a good feeling of fulfillment.

So....first you need to identify: where are you? where do you want to be? how far are you willing to climb? and where do you find yourself feeling satisfied!

Grab your rope! Happy Climbing!