Am I a better person today than I was a year ago?

Your challenge today:

Reflect on last year and ask yourself  "Am I a better person today than I was a year ago?"

I believe this is more important than asking if you dropped the weight or hit all the goals and resolutions you set a year ago.

Truth is, we often fall short of our goals.  It's not that the goals themselves weren't worth setting.

If in reaching for those goals you are better today than you were a year ago - CONGRATULATIONS! Feel great about the reaching for something better.

Keep setting those goals.  Keep striving for greatness.  It's my belief that life is about becoming a better human step by step.  Perfection isn't real.  But a step toward a better life, better habits, better health - THAT is attainable.

I believe in setting goals.  I believe in reaching for more.

Take some time to reflect on what you did this past year that made you a better version of you.

Then take some time to meditate and pray and ponder on what will take you to the next best place for you this coming year in the following areas:

- Physical

- Mental/ education

- Spiritual

- Social/ community

- family relationships

- Financial 

Set goals in all those areas and live daily to become a better version of you.  Read more Books, Get outside, Take more time to communicate with God, Volunteer, Date your spouse, play with your kids, Save a few more pennies for the future.

We could get into the details of what Goal setting really is... But maybe we will do that another day.

Imagine if you just strive to do one thing today that made your life better, and you did that every day.    My hope is that by this time next year you can look back and say, Yup, I am a better person today than I once was.  I forgave someone.  I feel happier. I have more energy.  I am stronger.  That is my hope for you this coming year in 2018.

Blessings to you - 

 - Michelle

Will this be YOUR YEAR?

Hello 2018!

I love the New Year!  I love hitting a refresh button.  I feel like New Year's day is a giant "do over" button where I get to remake who I want to be.

In truth, the sun sets and rises just like any day.  It's just another day really.  But there is a feeling that comes with the change of the year.

Why in the world do we have this thing called "New Year Resolutions?"  Studies have shown that most people do not make them happen and in fact give up within the first 3 months of the year.

If you go to the gym past March you watch it happen.  Classes and gyms are crowded in January and by the end of March... ehhhh... not so much.  What happened to those New Year's resolution people?

Where do they go?

Where do you fall in?  Are you a New Year Resolution drop out?  Or are you something different?  Are you one of those rare and wonderful beings that takes those resolutions to become better and actually makes it happen?

If you are not the latter, are you ready to become one?

I was in a discussion with a facebook friend of mine regarding this topic. He suggested that if you go into the New Year thinking you will be different and that this coming year will bring you all the success you wanted, that you are wrong.  You are still the same person with the same habits.  He's right.

I told me friend that I had the right to claim 2018 as my own because I set used the year before to set myself up for the success I wanted.  I made difficult changes in behavior.  I let go of things that held me back from success.  I reached further and worked harder and smarter.  So I am claiming 2018 as MY YEAR!

I want to see you get 2018 as well.  Take this year to make those changes, break those old habits and create new ones.

In truth I treat every day like a reset button.  Every Sunrise is MY OPPORTUNITY to get closer to my goals.  Every day I write down my goals.  EVERY DAY!  Seriously!  I don't skip a day to wake up, meditate, read, journal, write my goals and map my life for the day, week, months and year ahead.  Then I fuel my body with a nutrient dense shake and go exercise.  This is why I get to claim this year as mine!

I claim each day as MY day!

Today is my day!

And if I am in the habit of claiming the day, I get to claim the week!  I get to claim the month and the year!  2017 was a tough year in the fact that challenges came up I was not expecting.  But I claimed those challenges.  I met them head on, I sought help where needed.  I prayed, I changed, I grew, I let go and I saw remarkable things happen because of those amazing challenges.  

2017 was my year, 2018 will be too.  Not because life will be easy, but because I have the tools to deal with those challenges, grow and become better.  You have those tools as well.  We all do.  We get to choose whether to take on those challenges or let them defeat us.  It is always a choice - to become better or to become defeated. 

One of my daily affirmations I say every morning is "I cannot fail, only learn, grow and become better than I have ever been!"

This is my mantra this year.

Make this your year by making today your day!

All the best - 

Michelle 

I ain't afraid of no fashion police!

Yes, that is me about to run a 1/2 marathon race in December.  It's COLD!  I hate the cold. It's why I live in the desert.  When it does get cold here, I don't have a ton of cold weather gear, so I get creative to get outside and enjoy it.

One thing you will learn about me as you follow this blog - I am not afraid of the fashion police. I am odd and quirky, but I know how to have fun!

I love Saturdays!  Most of us live a work week Monday - Friday and have weekends off.  There are the exceptions and in the summer, I am one of the exceptions when I am working my other business at Dig Paddlesports.  If your schedule is flipped, find anyday you want that becomes your personal recreation day.  I suggest weekly.  If you can do it more often, you live a wonderful and blessed life.  Enjoy it!  I am lucky that my work affords me that. My work and my recreation are one and the same often.  

On your personal recreation day - whatever day you choose to make it -   Get outside! I know it might be cold being December and all, but sometimes the cold brings a load of fun!  Put on the snow gloves and snow boots and have a snowball fight with the neighborhood.  That kills 2 birds with one stone - social interaction and the need for our bodies to be outside.  As kids we used to play mud football in the rain.  Or do what we called "Mud Whomping" - find a muddy hillside and "sled" down.  I am sure my mom really loved those laundry days.  Out here in Southern Utah, the cold is relatively mild compared to our friends in the North.  Zion canyon is quiet right now. This is a great time to avoid the crowds and enjoy your favorite hikes in Southern Utah without ANYONE around!  It's amazing that we go from millions of visitors to quiet in just a couple of months out here.

   We were not meant to be cramped up inside around the TV and computer screens.  This is the new disease of our age - lack of interaction and outdoor activity.  

  So... What will you do today?  Make it outdoors and find some people to do it with.  

      Have a Blast today!

 - Michelle

You are responsible for your success - no one else is.

The moment you take responsibility for everything in your life is the moment you gain the power to change anything in your life. 

To clarify, no, you are not responsible for crimes committed against you if you have been the victim of a crime or abuses.  That is something else entirely.  However, you are responsible for your actions, behaviors, failures, successes and attitudes following anything that has occurred to you.

"I'm unhappy because my mom used to beat me as a kid."

"I'm overweight because I was molested."

"I can't exercise because my husband won't let me take a break from the kids."

Those thoughts are what must change.

As long as we use our past hurts and other people as reasons for our failings or unhappiness, we will never change our behaviors.

If any of these things sound like you, then it is you I am speaking to: It's my husband's fault I am unhappy.  It's my kids' fault I'm unable to exercise.  I gained weight because of my children. I had feelings of insecurity because of a childhood wound... etc..

Those are attitudes we CAN change. 

The moment you accept the responsibility that your success and happiness is up to YOU and no one else, is the moment that change can begin to happen in your life.

Here's how it works...

I've heard many women over the years say they can't exercise because of  their kids. And yet, I've seen women pushing jogging strollers in races!  I danced with my babies in the living room or have done push-ups to kiss my babies faces, or weighted squats holding a child in my arms.  Many gyms and fitness studios offer child care and sometimes for free or free with trade for babysitting services.  Including my favorite little Studio in Hurricane Utah- Phazes Studio.

BUT, it's not MY job or anyone else's to find your solutions for what to do with your kids so you can get the exercise YOU need.

What about your happiness?  Do you blame your unhappiness on someone else? Can you become happy in the situation you are currently in? Or do you need to change your situation?  When you find out that you CAN change anything and develop the inner strength to do so, it is an amazing self-discovery.  Developing inner strength is the same as creating outer or physical strength, it is something that starts weak and can be exercised to increase in your ability to do the things you need to do for your own happiness, success and health regardless of your living circumstances or past hurts.  

One of my favorite daily affirmations I read every single morning is this "The moment I take responsibility for everything in my life is the moment I gain the power to change anything in my life!"

And I am.  And I feel powerful.

I feel powerful when I decide to make changes regardless of life circumstances.  Life is busy.  My family is demanding.  I have a crazy schedule with my 2 businesses.  All those things could get in the way of me reaching my physical goals or taking time doing what matters most.  Today my husband and I went to a 30 minute HIIT class together. Usually we don't do that.  But today I asked for what I wanted.  I wanted to spend time with him.  I want to be healthy. And I needed a quick workout that pushed my limits.  Asking my husband to join me because I love him and want to spend time with him is just one way of being assertive in asking for what you need. 

Don't use excuses anymore.  Make choices and take responsibility for everything in your life.  What choices will you make today?

Try looking at life through the eyes of a person that takes responsibility for everything and see what changes you can make.

 - Michelle

Are your passions coming to life?

I have a passion for health and fitness.

I have a passion for day planners and checklists and goal setting.

I have a passion for writing.

I am so excited to see all the things I love to do coming together in a huge way.

In 2018 I will be releasing a project I am working on to be available to all of you in a HUGE way! 

Let me explain my passions a bit...

Writing -

I was the A+ English student in school.  I was the kid who has read all the books and loved to write long reports.  While other kids whined about multiple page essays as assignments, I was silently cheering.  I had one teacher write on my 13 page report that was only supposed to be 2 pages, "This is great, but I don't have time to read it all.  Try to shorten the next one. You get an A- because it's a little too long.  It would have been an A+."  In high school my dream was, I was going to be a writer.  I knew it.  I went to college and chose English as my major.  My dream was crushed when one of my English professors didn't see my writing as awesome as my high school teachers had.  I hated the red pen all over my papers criticizing everything.  I apparently wasn't good with criticism.   So I gave up on my writing career and switched to psychology, and then dance/ Kinesiology.   But I still love to write.

Day planners and checklists -

I am a HUGE fan of Franklin planner systems.  I grew up on them.  When I didn't have the budget to buy a cool planner, I would make my own.  Every day was mapped out with timelines and to-do lists.  I found that I functioned better when I sat down and looked at the day and mapped everything out.  I have been in that habit for many many many years.  I can't even remember when I started doing it. I know that the times I took breaks and didn't do this that I was unfit and depressed with no focus for my life.  My husband doesn't function quite like I do.  He rarely looks at a calendar or schedule.  I live by them.  So we have to try and get used to each others methods for success.  I have found that he will often hijack my planning pages and write things like "Kiss Bill" on my to-do lists. It's his hilarious way of trying to make sure I plan some time for him in my busy life.  And he is right.  Sometimes I plan so much, I forget to take time for those important relationships.  So I have learned to plan all that in as well.

Fitness -

If you've been following me at all, you know I love exercise and living an active lifestyle.  I can't sit still for too long.  I love dancing, hiking, Stand up Paddling and everything that moves the body and gets the blood flowing. But most importantly, I love seeing other people be able to do all those things.  I created the Phazes 40/20 circuit as a way to create healthier bodies that could move and do all those amazing things that gives life some fire.  I love being able to help anyone of any fitness level, no matter how challenging, to do things they have never done before.  I love seeing physical changes that bring mental changes and vice versa. I have been blessed to be able to do this for the past decade and more.

 I love calendar blocking, timelines, vision boards and all of that.  My upcoming fitness project will incorporate all my passions here into your fitness routine.  It's fascinating and super awesome to realize that my crazy passions can actually bless other people's lives. 

Take some time to write down all the things you love to do and are passionate about.  Is your work involving any of those?  Are you living a life that brings your gifts, talents and passions to light?  You were given abilities and talents.  Write them down.  Do things every day that shines a light on those talents.

Keep following me...  I am stoked to bring some really exciting things later next year.  I am working on those dreams daily for you to enjoy.

God Bless

 - Michelle

Are your shoes laced up?

Hey you amazing people!

Are you in the habit of daily exercise yet?  I have something that I believe will change everything for you if you will commit to 30 days of trying it out...

First thing in the morning - Get dressed in your workout clothes and get ready to get sweaty!

At night, before I go to bed, I write down my workout plan for tomorrow in my calendar and then I pick out 2 sets of clothes to set out for the morning.

1 - my workout clothes for the first part of the day

2 - my "real" clothes and accessories for after I shower post-workout.

I find that setting it out at night makes it easier to make those healthy decisions in the morning.

The alarm goes off, I get dressed to workout and am in workout mode down to lacing up my Zumba shoes that I love. I wear those shoes for circuit and for running too. Then I fill up my water bottle and start rolling with my day.  I might not workout for a couple of hours, but I am ready to go and it is on my mind so I don't skip it because I just don't want to change 3 times in a day.  

The best scenario is to workout before you do ANYTHING else in the day.  5:30am Bootcamp or an early morning run before the kids are up is perfect!  

But, I teach mid-morning classes and It's easier and better for ME to hit a 9 or 9:30am class.  So, I get in my workout clothes in the wee hours of the morning and am ready to roll out the door with NO EXCUSES!

After I come home is when I shower and put on "real clothes" so I don't stink all day.

If you are struggling with getting in the habit of daily exercise, try this tip for 30 days and see if this changes your resolve to get up and get moving!

Cheers!

 - Michelle

Glady's has still got it!

Friday - Family relationship health is our focus today...

Last night my family enjoyed a Glady's Knight concert together.  We took my Mother-in-Law and my kids (except my oldest that had work conflict - sad story).

When we told our kids we were going to this event, they said "Who?"

WHAT??  WHAT?? You mean, you don't know who this is???

So we began an education into the background of R&B and Soul music in America and forced them to watch every Youtube video we could find with Glady's Knight and the Pips.

But it didn't do the live performance justice.  DUDE, That lady has still got it at age 73!
Yes girl!

She was sexy and vibrant and could belt it out!  Plus funny and witty and so much fun to listen to her stories.

Glady's began rattling off her musical mentors from her early years in, those that helped her and taught her the ropes of showmanship and the entertainment industry.  Just a few of the names  I remember her mentioning: Sammy Davis Jr.,  Frank Sinatra, BB King, etc... etc...  The list went on and on of amazing musicians in a time my kids don't even know.  I was in awe of the pieces of American music History this woman was carrying with her.

My favorite highlight of the night was seeing the look on my 18 year old son's face at his first concert when the music came on, the energy was high and she started to sing it loud and proud.  My kid squealed like a teenage girl just met her teen idol.  It was adorable!  But it was a Teenage Boy watching a powerful 70+ year old woman that is now a great grandmother and still rocked that stage like the star she has always been.  Krazy Kool.

Then there was the romantic songs.  I loved being next to the love of my life and holding each other through songs like "Your the best thing that's ever happened to me." and "Neither one of us, wants to be the first to say goodbye."

   Such amazing times last night.  Such great memories.  It was the first concert of it's kind that we have taken our kids to.    And I am going to put this out there... I want more.

Connection doing things together that build relationships.  That's what today's focus is in this blog.  Our family has been super strict on where we choose to spend our money.  Concerts for a family our size is not a thing that we choose to spend our money on.  We like food.

Last night for us, it was a concert from a music legend.  But family connections can happen anywhere, doing anything.  If  you still have kids at home, let them be a part of the decision making process of how to spend time together.  Or at least throw out a few suggestions and let them choose between a few choices you approve of.

You could do anything really.  Free stuff, like hiking or making a picnic to take to the park.  or even sitting next to your teenage son and playing that stupid video game alongside him.  Tell him you will play that game with him today, if he goes to Yoga with you tomorrow.  I don't know, maybe not.  Teach your family that time together is valuable.  I have decided that QUALITY  concerts are now a thing I will make sure we invest in.  I had way too much fun not to do that again with our kids.

Tomorrow my kids and I are going to go volunteer at a race aid station.  We love doing that kind of thing.  They get to be inspired by amazing athletes and give back with their time and service.  Plus, it's another free way to get out of the house, do something fun and meaningful together and enjoy an active lifestyle, even if they are not running the race.  The truth is, every time we do one of those aid stations, I have a kid that says they want to run a race.  So, it's a win-win-win situation for all of us.

No kids at home?  Contact a family member.  If they live close, meet up and do something.  If not, at least a phone call or better yet, video chat and connect face to face. 

Today your challenge is to find one way to build those family relationships.