Never write someone off just because of their past!

My pastor has said the phrase many times that, "We judge others by their actions and ourselves by our intentions."  We should never write someone off just because they make a mistake. The grace and mercy that we hope to receive is the same that we should extend. Thankfully, God NEVER forgets His perfect plan and purpose for each of us!

Balancing Priorities

Sometimes it's hard to figure out how to balance all of the things that are important in our lives. Just like in this picture, it feels like all of our priorities are on different paths, moving in their own direction. How do you balance this?  My first recommendation is to prioritize your priorities.  It doesn't mean that you are saying something isn't important. It just means that you may have to sacrifice one thing today because something else has become more important. Also remember, those "top priorities" could change from day to day. Once you learn how to prioritize your priorities, you'll notice something else start to change. Instead of your priorities pulling you in different directions, you'll see them start to align and actually support each other!   So, here's your challenge. Take a look at your priorities. If you feel like they are pulling you in different directions, decide which ones need to be most important at certain times of the day/week. Then, focus on those priorities. Come back to the others when the time is right!

Get Jacked Up!

One of my team members posted this quote the other day and I loved it!  Too often, we focus on the negative!  It's time for us to focus on the things that motivate us to be our very best in all aspects of our lives!  Let's get ALL JACKED UP on motivation!!

P90X3 Review - Day 3

Today's workout was Yoga-X!  Yoga is definitely not a strong suit of mine.  I really don't enjoy it and I'm not good at it.  I haven't figured out if I'm not good at it because I don't enjoy it or vise versa.  Regardless, I will say that I DID enjoy this session much better than the 92 minute session that is part of the original P90X.  There are still enough of the moves from that video to let you know that it is an X yoga routine but some new ones for you to try too. 

Fitness isn't always about doing what you are "good" at.  Sometimes moving outside your comfort zone and learning different things can improve your fitness too.  It is obvious to me that my balance and inner core strength is something that still needs some work.  After doing this once a week for 13 weeks, I should be in much better shape. 

I can't say I was excited about it, but I finished it.  I'm sure this one will be a love-hate relationship for a while, but I'll get there!

Feel free to contact me at teambeachbodycoachdarren@gmail.com with any questions.

P90X3 Review - Day 2

Today was Day 2 - Agility X.  The workout is built around targets, speed and balance--of course, strength-building comes into play as well.  The video suggests using tape to create your "planes" (or lines) that you are working in, on and around.  I used six coins instead and it worked fine.  The workout varies speeds, direction and several different moves to keep moving your heart rate up.  There were a few moves that really challenged me, especially with Tony's quick changes.  For example, in a move called 3.4, I decided to do my own sequence.  With this being my first attempt and dealing with the learning curve of executing the moves (which I'll still need to work on), I just couldn't keep track of what Tony was calling out for me to do.  The workout wraps ups with plyo (or jump) push-ups.  This was a great finish that required you to dig deep and give it your all.  

Overall, a great workout but definitely one that will take a while to master.  I found myself frustrated a couple of times, but that's expected anytime you are learning something new.  Excited for day 3--yoga. 

Questions or need support?  Email me at teambeachbodycoachdarren@gmail.com.  Can't wait to hear from you1

P90X3 Review - Day1

I'm going to do a quick review each day (that I can) of P90X3.  I started the program today.  I have only one word--WOW!  For a 30 minute session, it was great.  I really enjoyed it.  The name of workout is Total Synergistics.  It works nearly every part of your body from your shoulders to your calves.  My suggestion, if you are going to do this workout, is to have several different sizes of weights available.  Some of the moves require you to hold one dumbbell with two hands.  You'll want heavier weights for those moves.  Others require one in each hand.  Those will require less weight.  Also, if you haven't quite mastered pull-ups (which I haven't) you'll want to have something to assist with that or use bands with a door attachment (the video shows you how to do that).  

Overall, it was an awesome 30 minute workout.  I went "all in" and give it 110% for the whole 30 minutes.  Several moves require quite a bit of balance, which was quite challenging but that's part of the fun.  There is always a learning curve when you start a new program.  

If you are interested in this program, send me an email at teambeachbodycoachdarren@gmail.com.  I'll help you get a great deal and make sure you get the support you need to stay on track.  Stay tuned for the next review!

Use your friends and family!

Before you say, "What?!?  That's an awful thing to say!"  Give me just a second to explain.  Your friends and family play a huge role in your life.  The things that they say motivate you to act in a certain way--whether good or bad.  Do their words lift you up?  Make you feel good?  Make you angry (sometimes)?  Make you decide to do something differently than what you had originally planned?  Well, that's proof that what they say can influence you.  Learn to use that for your motivation. 

Have you found that getting a small word of encouragement or even a compliment from someone makes you want to repeat the behavior that created that experience?  For example, you have been watching what you are eating and exercising for two weeks.  Suddenly, your BFF who hasn't seen you in a couple of weeks says something like, "Hey, you look like you are losing weight!  Are you doing something differently?"  Doesn't that give you motivation to keep that behavior going for another two, four, six weeks--maybe even longer?  OF COURSE IT DOES!  What about that time that you are giving a presentation at your job.  You prepare, have all of your visual aides ready, have all of your key topics memorized and you nail the presentation.  Your boss says, "I can tell you really prepared for that presentation.  You had examined it from every side and anticipated each question that was asked.  Great job!"  Doesn't that make you want to prepare at that same level, maybe even give a little more, the next time you are given that opportunity?  SURE!  I believe that, in most situations, we all want to do well and want others to believe that we do well.  We need to use that to our advantage when it comes to getting healthy.

If you have a circle of friends and family that you know will encourage you, share your experience with them.  Let them know that you are trying to get healthier, you appreciate all of their encouragement and kind words.  This does two things.  First, it will create a source of constant encouragement for you.  Let's be honest.  There are days that we won't feel like making the "healthiest" decisions.  We won't feel like working out, taking an order of fresh veggies over the greasy potato chips or saying no to the huge piece of chocolate birthday cake.  (We are human and, to some of us, those things taste great!  I'll admit that I still enjoy the "bad" foods from time-to-time.  That's not what this about though.  Stay tuned for a future post about that.)  It's those days that you look to the encouragement that the group can provide you.  A compliment or a boost can be the very thing to help keep you on track.  The second thing that this will do is build accountability.  If you know you have told someone that you are making some changes to get healthy, you've made yourself accountable to that person.  Whether they ever say anything to you or not, you know that they are watching and looking for results.  That can also be a HUGE motivator to make your decisions stay in-line.

Another thing that you should be aware of is that there are support groups available to provide this motivation and accountability.  I have a team called Team Restored for Purpose (thus, the name of this blog) that does just that.  I allow only positive feedback to be given.  It's a safe environment where you can express your thoughts, frustrations, concerns, goals, achievements and questions about health and fitness.  We help keep each other accountable and moving in the right direction.  Although I'm considered to be the coach, I'll say that people on the team probably motivate me more than I motivate them.  That's the beauty--we all work together to help each person achieve their goals.

Do you need that extra motivation and accountability?  Would you like a "safe place" to talk about your fitness goals, frustrations and successes?  If so, email me at darren.r.cline@gmail.com and tell me that you would like to be a part of the team.  It's all completely free and the team would love to meet you.  Use your family, use your friends and use the resources available.  Meet your goals and become the healthier you that you have always wanted to be!