Inspiration comes in many Forms

I missed my last weeks update, so you have two weeks rolled into one.  The days just seem to blend into the next at this time of year, and my life seems to revolve around eating and training.  I actually don't mind it at all as I can be a creature of habit, when I have a goal/focus in mind.  I had another epiphany at the end of this past week however ~

Inspiration comes in many packages, many forms -

It can be a person, a place, an inanimate object ~ inspiration can be different than motivation and yet the same.  I had a visit this week from a customer who has become a friend over the years she has been coming into our store.  I hadn't seen her in a while so I sent her a message telling her I had missed her smile, and wondered what she was up to.  She had crossed my mind and I was curious on where her life had taken her lately.  Funny thing, two days later she sent me a message telling me she was coming to see me for a visit!

I'm sure this has happened to many people - but I think we forget about how a kind word, or genuine encouragement can inspire people.  We talked about life in general, family, and what she had been up to.  We got into why she actually wasn't training at the moment and how she missed it.  She missed the *sweaty feeling*, the *strong feeling* and how those *endorphins* made her feel.

At the beginning of my week I had received a note of thanks for the encouragement, help and motivation I had given our four young Shodans on their way to Black Belt.  I didn't think anything of it at the time of helping them.  I just wanted to give back what had once been given to me and I enjoy doing it.  I didn't even think how this would genuinely effect these young people on their quest for their Black Belt.

How does this make one feel?  I received a nice note from my friend who said that I had inspired her, and motivated her to embark on her return to her fitness regime and possibly do another show.  I suggested to her a New Year, New Beginnings!

I have realized inspiring and motivating others, motivates me.  I like to be able to see people succeed, push pass their comfort zone and challenge themselves. I gain inspiration from their successes.  Here unbeknown to me, I had inspired these people yet at the same time they were also giving back to me without knowing it and me realizing it at the time.

Small moments like this encourage me and motivate me to work harder towards my goal.  My cousin is a prime example.  He signed up for a full marathon, he had never run a marathon before, so instead of signing for a half marathon the crazy guy signs for a full marathon. That's just nuts!! That was one of the motivating factors when I signed up for a half marathon for February 2013, I might as well - what do I have to lose.  Not to mention, the pressure I had from my wonderful trainer who was *strongly* encouraging me as he may look at it.  Me?  I think he was just being a *bully*.  (In actual fact - I obviously needed the slight push)

On another note, this week is the *bikini shot* ~ Yikes!  I actually have had a slight issue.  Nothing fits - in a good way!  I have lost weight, but I do not weigh myself at home, so I do not know how much until Wednesday - I let Blake take care of that.  He has told me that we are doing measurements again too.  I will have one final weigh in at the end of the year.  I still have not bought any new clothes as I don't know how much more I will lose.  Pants are becoming a problem as well as clothing when I am not working.  Leggings are becoming the garment of choice - not my favorite - but they will have to do for the time being - no time to shop.

I have had a few days that I am super hungry over other days - but I still have been diligent in sticking to my diet.  This week I did actually have a dark chocolate piece as a treat - which is allowable on my diet sheet.  My body seems to know when it is eating time (I get a super hot flush), and I have still been religiously consistent in my cardio.  I have tried to up the length that I am running - some days I get bored faster than others.  My music helps - the gym still has not re-opened and seems it will probably not do so until the beginning of the year.  My body seems to be holding up well. Definitely tight in the calves and this week my mid back feels tighter.  But in relation to everything else, I think I am feeling pretty good so far.

The New Year will bring new beginnings and new challenges with my workout routine.  I don't find it hard knowing that there will be challenges, the hardest part is "not knowing" what those challenges will be, how much cardio I will have to do, etc..  It is not black or white - everything is a depending factor on how my body responds.  Total Body Development has a 120 Day Challenge starting in January ~ that will be another goal that I will work towards - anything to keep the mind and body active!  And why not, it will be a New Year, New Challenges, New Beginnings!!