Creatively FIT
Written By Katie OldhamHere at MissFIT, we talk about being Convenient, Customized and COMPLETE in our approach. But as I was thinking about it I considered that perhaps we need to encourage another ‘C’ word in our repertoire: CREATIVE. Whoever said that we have to follow some specific, narrowly defined program in order to meet our personal fitness and wellness goals? I have been known, in my presentations and consultations, to say that ‘there is not only one means to an end’. And I believe that! Despite the claims that new books and trends relate to the public of a ‘perfect plan to your perfect body’ or promises to ‘make you look and feel 10 years younger in 3 months’, truthfully, health and fitness should be defined by each individual’s own specific formula that works for her.
I could go on and on about false, exaggerated and even ridiculous claims within the fitness and specifically the weight loss industry. But, instead I would like to focus on how you can create your own claims that actually DO work for you. Create your own ‘fitness phenomenon’! While I am not saying you should completely disregard information in books, articles, blogs (like this one!), and websites. But I am saying that YOU get to pick and choose. You get to decide what works for you. Allow yourself to think creatively and to think for yourself when it comes to your own body:
- Instead of taking one source as your ‘bible’, truly educate yourself and determine what fits for your body and your lifestyle to incorporate into your program. For those of you who simply do not have the time to explore different sources and decide what is reputable try the following:
- Choose an educated and unbiased professional to help you design your own program. And so, okay, I am a little biased in this regard because I feel that WE offer a fabulous arsenal of information and I KNOW that we have a team of MissFIT Trainers that are passionately dedicated to creating great programs for their clients….each program individually designed. But in all honesty, a well educated fitness professional can go a long way in helping you to meet your goals in a way that suites YOU.
- Be open to trying new things. When I started in the fitness industry as a group instructor teaching classes like step and kickboxing, I never thought of myself as a yoga girl. But I expanded my horizons as fitness evolved in my life and became a yoga instructor and now when I practice it on my own time just for me, I feel inspired. That feeling urges me on to the next workout. Trying something new made a world of difference in my fitness experience. So, get out of the box you have created for yourself. Try yoga, Pilates, a boot camp, running, biking,……a Personal Trainer! See what feels good and see what inspires you to continue down the road of physical fitness. It feels GOOD!
Trying something new opened up a whole new dimension of loving fitness for me.
- Get Creative. Moving, even outside of a planned and organized fitness regiment feels good and it is what our bodies are built for. We are not made to sit at desks all day, lay on the couch after a long day at work or drive long distances. We are made to move. So even if your life requires long commutes to work or you earn your living from behind a computer screen, try incorporating movement into your day between the sedentary moments. I remember when I had my first child and I thought that I had NO time to do anything….until I had my second baby…and then a sick husband…..and now I am a single mom and I am certain that I have no time to exercise! Yet, because I am utterly convinced that fitness is my mental health prescription, I have, through all my stages of life change, used fitness however I could creatively get it to ‘fit’ in. I play vigorously with my girls. I get on the floor with them, I dance with them, and I twirl them around (although they are getting a little big for that!). And I don’t sell myself short on cleaning or yard work days…that is movement! So get out there and do what LIFE offers beyond your fitness regimen.
- Love your body enough. This may be a topic for an entirely different blog entry, but I have to mention it because I think that it makes all the difference in allowing yourself to do what it takes to reach your goals. Sometimes getting fit means getting a little uncomfortable once and a while, challenging your limits and crossing bridges you thought never existed. But, if you love and value that body of yours enough…you can and you will do it. You may have some barriers to overcome. You may resist change and you may even resist success. But, if you love your body (the only one God will ever bless you with, by the way…), you have to at least consider the ramifications of NOT moving. So, not only in WHAT you do for your fitness, consider HOW you do it, what you think about it and WHY you are doing it.
- Lastly, create on your canvas by recognizing that how you look is peripheral. We all want to look a certain way….well get over it! I am 5 feet tall and will never be a tall, lanky, thin type. What are you? What is YOUR body? And are you trying to get fit in YOUR body or are you trying to create someone else’s body to get fit in? Being creative in your fitness regiment includes knowing your canvas. Create YOUR personal masterpiece. Take the pressure off a little and be free in your creation….have fun and be inspired by who you are and by what suites you. MOVE, be active and love your body in a way that fits your life and the appearance of health and vibrance will appear as a symptom of your healthy perspective and lifestyle!
