Holiday Motivation

Has the steady slew of holiday events started to take it's toll on your workouts or eating yet? 

While it's easy to believe that falling off the wagon is just par for the course this time of year and that you'll pick things back up in January- this doesn't have to be your story.

Benjamin Franklin must have had this in mind when he said, "Don't put off until tomorrow what you you can do today".  

You have the ability to decide you will do with the moments you are given, and you are constantly making choices that either take effort to make happen, or that you allow to happen so that you don't have to make as much of an effort.

I became a dedicated exerciser when I was 13 years old and joined the cross country team.  By that following summer I was hooked and was running consistently on my own...for fun.

Since that time I have had my ups and downs with my connection to consistency and workouts, so I have become a student of what makes my own ability (and that of others) to stick to their regimen remain a constant, even when life gets chaotic.

The number one thing I know for sure about what keeps me going back to working out even when I don't feel like it is that I appreciate workouts more for what they do to my heart and soul than what they do for my physical body. For this reason I pick workouts that challenge me, connect me to my heart, and that lift up my spirits.  Tai chi has been a new thing for me and I absolutely love it!

Second, to ensure I get my time in to move I have to stay organized and intentional about scheduling time to do it.  If I wait until I want to or until I might have time, the moment is never right or something always gets in the way.  The additional benefit is that when you commit to a specific routine you know exactly what to do when, where, and with whomever you can find to hold you accountable.

Third, successful worker-outers follow a prescribed and specific routine.  There's no guessing or wondering what might feel good that day.  Here's an example of a great workout week: Monday is running and core, Tuesday is yoga, Wednesday is running and lower body body, Thursday is Yoga, and Saturday is a long run plus upper body.

Fourth, people who workout consistently identify with being an athlete or at least athletic. Movement is simply a part of who they are in the world, not just something they do. This is about their mindset or belief in themselves.  They don't need other people to justify it, but they do love to be acknowledged for their dedication to move. 

So what's the point twiddling your thumbs and waiting for one of the best parts of your day to begin? 

Movement is more than exercise, it is a way to take care of your needs so you can share your love and overflow to create a ripple effect of generosity.  (This is on the Restoration Fitness Manifesto you can access here or see below).

I challenge you to do some sort of movement every day for the next 5 days.  Send me a pic of your activity on Facebook and I'll send you a workout video to do at home over the holidays!!

I'm with you every step of the way!

XO, Nicole

P.S. I am putting the final touches on my Holiday Gift to you.  I promise you this one is going to a game changer!!  Be on the look out next week for how you can get yours.

Mothering is an understatement

If someone had told me how hard being a mom was before I was one, I wouldn’t have believed it. As the youngest of three children, I never really had too much of a chance to mother others. My needs were always cared for and I learned from a young age to thrive with independence. Now that I am a mother of three, I have found even my kids are needy, inconvenient, and always demanding- and yet I show up (nearly) every moment as a mom with joy and pride to nurture and play with my kids (who are super-kids by the way). I have often said that mothering ourselves isn’t really all that different than mothering others. It can feel pretty demanding and needy to take time away from work, family, or friends to do something like workout, seek solitude, or simply take a nap. And yet self-care has an incredibly overlooked importance in all of our lives.

Without self-care we don’t have the energy or patience to give to others authentically.

And self-care doesn’t have to take much time, energy, or money.

Here’s a few ideas to get you started, whether you are an altruistic mother, aunt, sister, or friend. It doesn’t matter what your motherly status. Take today and honor yourself for the gifts you generously give to others.

• Take a walk
• Listen to your favorite music
• Journal
• Read a juicy book or blog
• Call a friend
• Sip some yummy tea
• Take a bath
• Eat some chocolate
• Take a nap
• Drink some infused water
• Look through some old photos with your family
• Visit a local art museum or botanical garden
• Meditate
• Go for a road trip
• Book a mini-retreat
• Try a new class (art, yoga, fitness, French, kick-boxing, belly dancing, etc.)

Whatever you choose, choose it for you. As a mom (no matter whether you have birthed or reared kids of your own or not), you are a nurturer and giver who deserves to take a few moments each day to focus on feeling great in your own skin. Sort of like giving yourself a little hug each day.

“Of all the roles I’ve played, none has been as fulfilling as being a mother.” -Annette Funicello

For all of the "mom's" out there who have loved me, nurtured me, believed in me, and supported me.  This post is for you.  I sincerely hope that you can take a few moments today and give yourself a mommy hug that lingers.  I love you all.