I am one of those people that go with the flow regarding emotions because nothing is constant or remains the same. Lately I've been spending my time doing the things I know I love & it feels AWESOME, so I have been very happy! At the end of January I signed up for a beach body challenge. It was a spontaneous decision. At the end of one of my favorite Hot Fusion Yoga classes the instructor mentioned something about a challenge group. I thought nothing of it and then later that night I was perusing Facebook and saw she posted details of the beach body challenge group and I simply thought… I'll do it. I met Christi (beach body coach) last year when I signed up for a hot yoga for runner's class. I loved the class and I enjoyed Christi as an instructor because she would challenge you to do more and she was fun. When my runner's hot yoga class ended I started going to her hot fusion yoga class once a week. The picture above is Christi so you can see she is hard core! She takes her workouts seriously and I LOVE that! She also owns her own business so I'm a champion for that too!
For me the challenge wasn't about losing weight it was about upping the ante to my current workout schedule and mixing things up & have fun doing it. Over the last month now I've been moving & shaking all my body parts & have doubled up my workouts :)
I went into the challenge with an individual goal and came out with so much more. Twenty two people were in our challenge group and it opened my eyes to how much some people struggle with so many things on so many different levels. I hate to admit it but I live in my own little bubble where I crank out each day what I need to do for Long Lake Lifestyle, myself, and my family. Interacting and hearing all the different stories was so inspirational. This wasn't about your size, weight, age, etc… it was about building relationships, providing support when needed and personal transformation. I loved how open everyone was about their day to day feelings. Everything about it was fun for me even though I felt like I took on a part time job (smile) with trying to keep up with all the interactions.
Do I have a beach body now? Drum roll…. Let's say I'm proud I still have my lake body with only changes I personally notice, but I've grown on so many other levels. I would show before and after photos but I had my husband take the before shots of me and let's just say when I saw the pictures he took I thought… really, did you need that close up picture of my a--! The before pictures did make me laugh at how he took a simple task and let his mind focus on something else. I loved how after he took the pictures he said "Julie, don't go all crazy on this challenge because you look awesome the way you are and there is nothing you have to change about you". I honestly didn't take any after shots because that's not what it was about for me. I know what has changed about my body, spirit and mind & what I will continue to do because it's who I am. It was a great experience, so if you are looking for something different check out the beach body challenge groups and make the commitment to become a better you… because you can!
General Website - Beach Body Challenge
I'm proud to call Christi my friend and If you want a great coach - contact Christi.
I went into the challenge with an individual goal and came out with so much more. Twenty two people were in our challenge group and it opened my eyes to how much some people struggle with so many things on so many different levels. I hate to admit it but I live in my own little bubble where I crank out each day what I need to do for Long Lake Lifestyle, myself, and my family. Interacting and hearing all the different stories was so inspirational. This wasn't about your size, weight, age, etc… it was about building relationships, providing support when needed and personal transformation. I loved how open everyone was about their day to day feelings. Everything about it was fun for me even though I felt like I took on a part time job (smile) with trying to keep up with all the interactions.
Do I have a beach body now? Drum roll…. Let's say I'm proud I still have my lake body with only changes I personally notice, but I've grown on so many other levels. I would show before and after photos but I had my husband take the before shots of me and let's just say when I saw the pictures he took I thought… really, did you need that close up picture of my a--! The before pictures did make me laugh at how he took a simple task and let his mind focus on something else. I loved how after he took the pictures he said "Julie, don't go all crazy on this challenge because you look awesome the way you are and there is nothing you have to change about you". I honestly didn't take any after shots because that's not what it was about for me. I know what has changed about my body, spirit and mind & what I will continue to do because it's who I am. It was a great experience, so if you are looking for something different check out the beach body challenge groups and make the commitment to become a better you… because you can!
General Website - Beach Body Challenge
I'm proud to call Christi my friend and If you want a great coach - contact Christi.
My new challenge that starts tomorrow (March 10) is coaching a boys running team called "Let Me Run". I could talk on and on about this program because I believe everything about it. To me life has always been about building relationships and making sure you are focused on a good cause. Let Me Run is a running program for young boys designed to inspire boys through the power of running to be themselves, to build healthy relationships and to live an active lifestyle. I look forward to running and interacting with each boy. Please check out the links below and know anyone can implement this program at their school. The Let Me Run folks have been awesome to work with too!
Here is a couple of video that will give you the feel of the program if you are interested.
Here is a couple of video that will give you the feel of the program if you are interested.
- What is let me run - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SbzSiAr6-Y
- A year in review - http://youtu.be/wUwQxLe8-cY
- Check out the website http://letmerun.org
I know sometimes I can be a broken record, but remember the secret to life is very simple... you are your thoughts. Make sure you are thinking about things you want in your life. I just spent a wonderful weekend with my high school girlfriends. There is nothing better than just laughing and having a good time without a care in the world, yet being able to be you with the people that know you best. I feel very grateful for ALL my friends in my life.
I also need to say thank you to my husband, Steve. I've been busy with setting up the Let Me Run program for a while on top of my normal schedule and then on top of that I did the beach body challenge etc… so I've been more pre-occupied than normal lately. One of my best friend struck a cord with me yesterday because we were all talking and she said "I remember a long time ago when we came to visit you and Steve. We were all out and you did something crazy. I looked over at Steve to see his reaction. He was just staring at you and smiling. And I thought to myself "he truly loves you and accepts you for you". My friend is so right. He has always loved me & has never tried to change me. He is probably the most loyal and kind person I know. He is not an attention seeker and is a private person. He is successful regardless of what he is focused on. He needs no recognition for his efforts because he is so self motivated and has so much self confidence that he amazes me. I truly hope my sons turn into men like him because I'm so proud of him. He is the first person to tell me to go for a goal & never ever makes me feel guilty for anything I've done or I'm doing. Trust me he is not perfect (smile) and neither am I, but we work well together. Choose happiness and happiness will find you.
Thanks for listening
Simply Julie & her thoughts
Long Lake Lifestyle
www.longlakelifestyle.com
I also need to say thank you to my husband, Steve. I've been busy with setting up the Let Me Run program for a while on top of my normal schedule and then on top of that I did the beach body challenge etc… so I've been more pre-occupied than normal lately. One of my best friend struck a cord with me yesterday because we were all talking and she said "I remember a long time ago when we came to visit you and Steve. We were all out and you did something crazy. I looked over at Steve to see his reaction. He was just staring at you and smiling. And I thought to myself "he truly loves you and accepts you for you". My friend is so right. He has always loved me & has never tried to change me. He is probably the most loyal and kind person I know. He is not an attention seeker and is a private person. He is successful regardless of what he is focused on. He needs no recognition for his efforts because he is so self motivated and has so much self confidence that he amazes me. I truly hope my sons turn into men like him because I'm so proud of him. He is the first person to tell me to go for a goal & never ever makes me feel guilty for anything I've done or I'm doing. Trust me he is not perfect (smile) and neither am I, but we work well together. Choose happiness and happiness will find you.
Thanks for listening
Simply Julie & her thoughts
Long Lake Lifestyle
www.longlakelifestyle.com