A couple days ago I read a post by Three Boys and a Mom called “Fit Mom Friday“. In it she shared her journey of fitness and completely inspired me to refocus my goal on health, not just a great body. It seems I continually need to be reminded of this.
Since reading her post, I have started exercising more, because I’ve realized I don’t have to be an all-star athlete to do something beneficial for my body. I may look crazy and pathetic as I exercise, but it’s a whole lot better than quitting before I even start.
Yesterday, I tried PiYo for the second time. It is a workout series by Beach Body slightly similar to pilates and yoga. We (me and the four insanely fit people on my TV–are they even real??) did “Hardcore on the Floor.” As we were nearing the end of the workout in yet another precarious position, the fitness instructor said something that made me think.
If you feel like you’re always about to fall over,
You’re doing it right.
You are in the sweet spot of working the hardest,
because you are working against gravity–
Fight against the gravity!
Isn’t that true for life? Just as a muscle can’t get stronger until it has resistance; just as our muscles have to tear before they can be stronger–so it is with us. Many times the good things we crave to do or the person we know we have the potential to become are preceded by doing downright, hard things–we sweat, we try again, we fall over, we give up momentarily, we try again. We give it our best and in the end, we’re stronger than when we started.
It is in the hard times that our soul gains strength.
So today I’m going to fight against gravity. I’m going to recommit to the good habits I want in my life, because I want the results of a better me.
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”- English Proverb
How do you stay motivated to reach your goals? What are some of the goals that you are working toward in life right now? OR do you have an exercise program that you love? I would love to hear your thoughts!
A Pendulum World 
‘Fight against the gravity’ sounds like a great life motto! (And I’ll tell you from this side of 40 that it becomes more true every single year!) 🙂 You really seem quite impressive in both your resolve for a better you and how you constantly seem able to tie together random ideas with real-life scenarios. I know I’m impressed!
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Thank you so much, Torrie! I think this recent move has brought out parts of me that were interesting (how worried I got, emotional eating, less sleep, less active) and so I’ve been really trying to improve because I want to handle the situation better. I don’t want to feel in the dumps–I want to feel happy and alive. Thank you for your compliments though, I so appreciate your support. And yes, sometimes my brain makes random connections! 🙂
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“Many times the good things we crave to do or the person we know we have the potential to become are preceded by doing downright, hard things–we sweat, we try again, we fall over, we give up momentarily, we try again. We give it our best and in the end, we’re stronger than when we started.” I love this.
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Thank you so much, I’m glad you liked it 🙂
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Marla, I am so honored by this. Truly, so cool to be able to inspire someone else in their quest toward a better life. Thank you for this. Were in it together 😘
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It is amazing how blogs give us the opportunity to touch lives all over! It is awesome to know there are others, like you, working towards healthy goals. It makes it easier when I don’t feel like exercising! 🙂
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I love running & yoga. Equally. I’m a yoga teacher, but sometimes it’s nice to take a class–especially at home (during nap time!) yogaglo is an awesome resource!
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That is awesome that you are a yoga teacher! I’m so glad you posted this, because just recently I have been drawn to yoga. I feel interested, but also overwhelmed by the sheer amount of yoga dvds out there. I will definitely check out yogaglo, though. Yoga in general seems like it would be a great way to collect my thoughts, get a workout, as well as work on flexibility. Thank you, Keri! 🙂
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Yogaglo is great–it’s like having a teacher on demand at all times. It’s monthly price is about the cost of a drop in at most studios in Denver, and there are tons of options and levels for classes. Hope you love it-and learn self love in the process–which is the best motivation for anything, right?! We deserve to be loved & honored–starting with ourselves. Preaching to myself right now too–ha ha! Cheers 😘
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I just checked out Yogaglo and I am so impressed! Such a cheap price for so many available workouts. Thank you for mentioning it to me. And really, you are so right. Self-love is something I really struggle with and am slowly trying to get better at. I so badly want to love me for me, with no prerequisites. Thank you for encouraging me. We’re in this together! 🙂
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I loooove running & yoga! It’s hard for me to do yoga alone tho. I need someone telling me what to do haha & watching me!
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Haha I can totally relate to you on this, Natalie!! I think I need to practice doing Yoga more before I feel more confident in myself. 🙂
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First, I am so proud of you … second, I agree whole heartedly about resistance snd strength, not just for muscles but for our very souls. You inspire me to try to get moving too! I really appreciate this post!
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Thank you, thank you, Kim! I’m glad you enjoyed this post. Isn’t it great that we have a community that inspires us and helps us reach our goals? I know it is nice for me to know that people like you are also working towards greater overall health! Way to go! 🙂
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Fight against gravity–I like that! A cousin of mine going through a difficult trial right now recently quoted the saying, “you never know how strong you really are until you have no other choice.” I hope I would be that strong when thrown a doozy, spiritually and physically. But it certainly is something I should be actively pursuing, like you are! Here’s to better resolve, better health, and recommitting to our goals! Thanks for this!
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Oh I am sorry for your cousin. It is so unfortunate when difficult things happen in our lives. I love what your cousin said–she is so right. My sister in the last couple years has gone through trials I hope with all my heart I never go through, and it has been amazing to see how strong she is. She has said things similar to your cousin–that we often are stronger than we think, and we find out when it is a necessity. Thank you for your comment and I truly hope that things start looking up for your cousin. 🙂
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This reminds me of a video that really spoke to me, have you heard of Al Fox? She has a video called “Stay Strong: a Parable” on youtube, and I watch it every once in a while. I love reading your posts Marla, and I love YOU 🙂
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I have heard of Al Fox, but I hadn’t seen the video. Thanks for sharing it with me–it is inspirational! I can see why you watch it every once in a while. Thank you for sharing what helps you, Elsie! And thank you for stopping by my blog! I love you, too! 🙂
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Gah this is so true! All of it. Every time we grow it hurts – like growing pains in your knees as a kid! Or when you lift weights and the muscles burn from growing, and when you’re soul is stretching from weight lifting… But seriously. Feeling that this week!
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Yes, exactly, Natalie!! It is amazing how we can really feel the growing pains when our soul and our faith is being stretched. But, the feeling after getting through the trial is amazing–like endorphins! 🙂
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