Training Motivation

We all could use a little training motivation. In fact if you train without goals or a training program it's sometimes difficult to have good training sessions.

I have training goals, I'm cutting weight for the next division for women's BJJ, but I need to keep my strength and I need to keep/improve my conditioning. I have a pretty stringent nutrition plan as well as workout plan.

Today I felt like I needed a change so I took one of our group workout sessions at the gym. The entire class was kicking some major ass, so I felt inspired by them to do the same myself. From here everyone's energy piled on top of the next person from lifting heavier weights to keeping a faster pace on the 600m runs. The atmosphere was awesome, and as usual most of the group hung out for an extra 10-15 minutes just because...

This is the type of environment I love to train in, not everyone does, but it motivates me when I need that extra step in my training, and motivating others is fun too!

Say It Isn't So...

Truth be told, I've thought this way for a long time, and although I sometimes need reminders of it and encouragement from my close friends and even closer colleagues, I'm happy to read about it one more time and reflect on it's truth.

Check out this guest blog post by my friend Zach Even-Esh on Chris McComb's Kick Back Life Blog.

Most of you know my story. Almost 3 and 1/2 years ago I left my steady and comfy salary to work for myself. Everyone around me was exicted for me, but you could tell by the look in their eye, or their hesitated response that they had doubts, huge doubts that I was making the right decision.

Now that I've made it work, and I have the steps in place to do a little bit more (or a whole hell of a lot more), I'm getting some of those same blank stares and moments of hesitation, along with comments urging me to take a break and enjoy life.

I am enjoying life! I may have more responsibilities than most people or maybe I even have a slightly higher stress level, but I also can take off in the middle of the week and hit the beach for a day, take a few days for a roadtrip, go to another country, or take a weeks long vacation or more. I still get paid, and I don't have to take any vacation/sick/personal time!

If I had it to do all over again, I might do some things differently, but I'd never not go in the direction I've gone or the one I'm taking now.

It's Places Like This

It's places like this, among the others I plan on vacationing to this year and next, that help me remember why it is I do what I do. There are times, as I know you've all had them, where you've wanted to through your hands in the air and say forget it. In fact I'm sure it happens more then you keep track off, and it's just not related to work, it can be about your workout plan, your nutrition, your friends and family, really just about anything. So then you sit back and wonder, why bother?

Well...I can't answer that for you, but for me, I bother because I care. I bother because I believe I can make a difference. I bother because it's worth it, especially when it comes to my health, this is one I hope you bother with as well.

Which brings me here, I'm in St John, (I'm in St John writing a blog post...but don't worry I'm headed straight to the beach, then to the pool, and then to whatever I want to do) The point is this, to take time for yourself, even if it's only a few minutes a day, take time for yourself and appreciate what it is you've done, the things you've learned, the difference you've made, and how those things effect the now and your future, your plans and your dreams, and how you'll get there.

I never thought vacations were a good idea because of all the work that was required before you left and when you got back (even this one...up until I got here) but sometimes it takes a vacation and places like this (serene, mystical, beautiful) to put it all in perspective.

It's places like this ...

The Future...

The future of women athletes accross the board is growing at a fanatastic rate, or is it? My opinion is quite biased as we have a troup of about 6-8 girls training jiu-jitsu and judo right now. Seriously, these girls are going to grow up to kick some major ass (and no, I'm not going to edit that.)

I almost wish I new about jiu-jitsu when I was a kid, or sports in general for that matter. My parents weren't much about traveling for sports or forcing us to playthem...ever. Which in my opinion is good because I had no expectations, but I happened accross a sport I loved when I was a kid and teenager...swimming. Truly, really loved it. Had practice every day, drove hours to meets, swam my heart out, then had a traumatic experience and never went full force on it again. Too bad now, I was a great backstroker. Anyway, I'll be the first to say that I don't agree with early specialization, I think kids should be kids, but these girls have it together.

I watched their class the other day, they picked up on some skills that I still haven't mastered, and I've been training for over two years. In my opinion they are the future of this sport and probably others, but what matters most is that they have fun and that they want to come to class. They certainly aren't forced, in fact I think they quite have the upper hand on this sport right now, I'm really looking forward to their progress.

Tess and Mia, you two are awesome!

It's Really This Simple

I know what you must be thinking, "What in the world can she be suggesting now?" Truth be told I think a good many things are easy to implement, it might take some effort to succeed, but implement...a piece of cake. (Funny how references like revolve around food, but that's for another day.)

If you know anything about me, you know that I believe strength is a necessity, that eating well is your only practical choice, and that consistant exercise promotes mental and physical fitness. It's not about a diet or an intense sport specific training program, but rather a lifestyle.

Long story short... I got in a great workout today before I started running some of our evening workouts, and one of our clients was in working out while her son was taking the kids Judo class. Her daughter came too but just to watch. Before I knew it this little girl, full of energy and eagerness, was doing everything her mom did during her workout, and she'd do some push ups with me. At the end of her mom's workout, I got a huge hug filled with happiness. It's not new to me, I see it almost everyday, as a child jumps up next to their parent and follows as closely as possible their squats, push ups, etc.

My point...lead by example. Children look up to their parents, they want to do the things they do, so spend time with your kids by playing outside, running around in the park, making a game out of working out, encourage them to be their best. Let them enjoy a healthy life with you, don't park them in front of the TV. And, if you don't do any of these things yourself maybe you should...a then lead by example.

Because I Can...And So Can You

This certainly isn't a new topic for me, or a new belief for that matter, but the simplicity of it came up in a conversation the other day, and it couldn't be more true.

When it comes to strength training, I believe that each person (women in particular) should strive to be the strongest they can be because you can be. It's really an empowering notion in every sense of the word.

Food For Thought

Just the other day I was talking about the way we as a culture eat today compared to how we ate 50, 100, 200 years ago.

Then I recieved this email from a friend stating the same theory, and a movie is being made about it.



It often confuses and scares me that it's easier and far less expensive to eat foods that are bad for you.

It highly irritates and upsets me that marketers are allowed to and consciencously have no objections to making us believe that certain not-so-good foods are good for us.

The first line of this video...

"The way we eat has changed more in the last 50 years than it has in the previous 10,000"

Listen to the rest, think about what is said. I'm interested in your opinions.