Fitness Fling: 90 day challenge

It's Spring... I just can't help but feel inspired!  My skin tingles with anticipation, I feel like my wings are bursting forth out of a winter cocoon.  How about you? 



youthful exuberence... spread YOUR wings!

 In the midst of seasonal change, there are these moments of illumination when I yearn to be the mom I always envisioned and quite honestly I could launch head first or feet forward in about a gazillion directions and then get flustered, exhausted, overwhelmed or totally off course... BUT after a season of REST this last Winter and a bit of heartfelt reflection during the Lenten season... there is one goal that truly merges my personal spiritual, physical, emotional and mental goals AND aligns with getting my life priorities in order (God, Marriage, Children, Home, Self & Others): FITNESS!  Not exercise... cause that makes me feel inadequate, but fitness...

fit·ness/ˈfitnis/

Noun:	The condition of being physically fit and healthy. The quality of being suitable to fulfill a particular role or task.
Synonyms:	suitability - aptitude - convenience - pertinence

simple yet profound fresh air from a family hike

The truth is since having kids not only has my body changed, but so have my habits along the way; many of which are NOT suitable for my kids and not healthy for my home.  Here is a picture I cherish... the "active" life in a "moment" I envisioned for my family.  We took a local walk and everyone enjoyed the fresh air... but it doesn't happen often enough.  There are many reasons I don't keep fitness a priority... and I will share more as we go along, but I hope you will too...so we can be better equipped and encouraged in our life choices.  What is your "snapshot" of the life you envision? 

In recent months I have been asking other mamas what they do that works for them; especially those that have a knack for staying fit and seem more consistent at good choices and remain joyful about it!!

Although we are all different in what works for us, especially depending on the ages of our kids; but the common desire is usually the same... I should do something!  And then time passes, seasons change, we adjust our lives based on the urgent, we fight fatigue, we dream about "someday", we adapt our wardrobes to hide 10 pounds, we are out of breath before we know it and who knows what extra strain we are placing on our body and it's mode of operation!  But like good ol Nike says...

                                                  
... we should do something... no matter how small.   In recent months I've pondered the simple to the outrageous in terms of fitness.  It's really no wonder we as a society struggle more than any other nation because we make it complicated and there are TOO many choices.  Let our kids remind us how simple it can be when they go outside to PLAY!

So... here's what we are going to do: keep it simple... more activity... some every day: 20 minutes at least, sure I hope I will have more energy, I hope I will eat better, my clothes may fit better, I want to sleep better, enjoy activities and life more... but rather than getting distracted with where to start... I'm going to FOCUS... and call it 90 days of Fitness Fling... April 15...May 15... June 15... July 15.  

Join the event page here via Facebook: Fitness Fling: 90 day challenge
So whether you swear by kid chasing at the park,  Stroller Strides, Biking, Boot Camp, Barre Classes, Hiking, Kickboxing, Spinning, Zumba, Swimming, Walking OR Yoga ... let's explore what it's taken to kick start YOUR motivation, to energize YOUR post baby body and help "nurturemama" on a consistent basis?  Share with us what works for YOU?

And if we want to be HONEST... think about what REALLY holds you back?  What's your excuse?  Energy?  Time?  Money?  Age?  Injury? Accountability?  We all have them. 

Now I'm not just talking diet or weight loss... often the "quick fix" our society tries to sell us to do it fast. 
Are you like me at all?  Have you bought gear for your kids and then watched them use it?  Have you invested in new shoes, videos, memberships somewhere or grabbed great deals from Groupon, but not a whole lot has changed?  Are you trying to motivate your husband or friends to do it; but they aren't following through?

I'm gonna do whatever I can to CHOOSE a more active lifestyle and strong inner core... my baby turns 10 months this month she'll be walking any day (it just makes me feel tired thinking about it!) and my boys, ages 6 and 3 are as energetic as ever.  My hubby LOVES the great outdoors and we miss being immersed in nature.  Although it's been a tough few years and I'm recovering from foot injury (and I've used that as my reason for awhile), I'm in physical therapy and there are a lot of things I shouldn't do- like Boot Camp, Running, even Yoga cause my balance is off... but there are things I can do and should do to help expedite my recovery and align me on the right path.  90 days seems long enough to inspire SOME progress and new awareness of building back up my "inner strength". 

I'm going to ponder a reward too... maybe it'll be one of those cool outfits in the Athleta catalog... or a Spa retreat to Ojai... I KNOW feeling energetic and healthy is reward in itself for me and my family... but why not celebrate meeting the challenge right?  Overcoming challenges... day by day.

Let me know IF and WHEN you choose to join along... whether you are stagnant or just needing to mix up your fitness routine...I hope you are encouraged... for it always takes profoundly simple steps toward big transformation... no matter where you are in life and the daily demands that "entrap" you, you can choose. 

April 15, 2012