Ya gotta laugh, right? It was insane! I was insane! Then I realized what was happening to me. I was striving for perfection, and things weren't going the way I had “planned.” So instead of seeing the good things around me, I chose to see the bad. I think my internal software had a quick virus and it was ugly... Has anyone ever had one of these days? Well, I'm not big on staying unhappy because I have yet in 37 years found a good purpose for it, so I sat in my car, (windows closed of course!) and so gracefully vented my frustrations to a bunch of dusty windows and a car full of exercise equipment, whom were all EXCELLENT listeners, and luckily, I soon started to laugh about it and carry on with my day..
Aah, women, we just need to be heard! If men could only understand this! But seriously, do you know how I was able to do that? (A) I tried to remember what I learned in my Mindful practice which is, I can’t control the "outside" but I can control what's inside of me. Then I identified with something quickly that makes me feel my best, for me, it's the feeling I get after exercise. (B) So I thought about how I coach my clients when they are having a stressful day. I tell them simply to get up and change their environment or change their “space.” Do something different immediately!
So I took my own advice, found a space and dropped down for a set of pushups. For those who know me, it’s totally in character; Crazy no, determined, yes! And it was just what the doctor ordered. You know why? Because I stuck through them, even when they seemed impossible towards the end, even when my mind was selling me some BS to still stay annoyed and somewhere inside beneath that cranky exterior, I knew that by finishing them, I would feel that sense of accomplishment in which I had been striving for in the first place and it supported my true goals of simply wanting a strong body. Thank GOD for pushups! I felt empowered and no longer a victim! Strong body, Strong mind. And the cool thing was.. all of that energy changed from negative to positive in literally a minute's time and it didn't end there....through that sense of accomplishment, I learned when things are tough, they don't have to get tougher, I can choose to do something good for myself . It's a choice to change how we perceive things.
When things are going crappy for you, what do you do? Do you beat yourself up more or do you do something nice for yourself? I share these tools with you, as it really does make a difference to get up and get moving . When we exercise there is a series of hormones that are released and we get a "rush" of positive endorphins that flow though our body creating a "feel good" sensation, there's no denying it, it's scientific! From there, our life only gets better and with exercise, it's this awesome feeling that you have some control over how your body feels, functions, and looks. It's an experience that I find is very powerful.
A couple of months ago, I interviewed a 76 year old woman who does the Santa Monica stairs 3 times a week for 20 sets and I ask her "what keeps you going all these years" and she replies "It allows a personal freedom that your body is all yours and you can do whatever you want with it!" I love her attitude!
Do you have a plan for when things don't go as "planned?” Change the space, and exercise, I guarantee you will feel better! Let me know how it goes!
About the Author: Christine Lusita , is a Certifed Personal Trainer & Nutritionist in the westside of Los Angeles for more info you can visit her on www.zenpenfitness.com.
