Favorite Fitness Quotes

It's important to be motivated in whatever you do. I do find that some need more motivation than others, especially when it comes to fitness. 

Here are some of my favorite motivational quotes, geared towards being a fitness princess - of course!

Be Strong.

Be Healthy.

Put Forth The Effort.

I Can.

No Regrets. Ever.

One hour a day dedicated to working out - is only 4% of your day.

I hope you enjoyed some of my favorite fitness quotes. However you try to achieve your fitness hoals - remember: "Don't wish for it - work for it".

...xox...

Liz

Flat Ab Series

I'm a huge fan of all ab exercises. When you are exercising it's very important to target all areas - which is why I love running. It tones your arms, legs, abs & butt. But, it's always important to add other exercises in the mix - to give your muscles definition. 

So, today I want to share with you the ab series from Mat Pilates. Pilates targets core strength in all its exercises - but the ab series is where you really feel the burn.

There are a total of five exercises in the series:

1. Single Leg Stretch

• Lie on your back with your knees tucked to your chest. Draw your belly in & flatten your spine against the mat. Place both hands on your right knee and press your left leg out to a 45 degree angle. Then, switch your legs back and forth until you reach about 10 kicks on each leg. 

2. Double Leg Stretch

• Lie on your back with your knees tucked against your chest. Place both hands on your shins. Inhale as you raise your arms back by your ears. Simultaneously extend your legs at a 45-degree angle. Exhale as you tuck your knees in and sweep your arms out to the sides and in to your knees. Repeat 5-10 times.

3. Scissors

• Lie on your back with your knees tucked against your chest. Extend one leg toward the ceiling, and grab as close to your ankle as possible. Extend your other leg forward, about 12 inches above the floor. Pull the higher leg toward you in two tiny pulses, and then switch your legs. Repeat this exercise 10 times on each leg. 

4. Lower-Lift

• Begin on your back with your legs pressed together and extended toward the ceiling. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows wide. Flatten your spine to the floor. Lower both legs about 12 inches. Do not allow your back to arch off the floor. Exhale as you pull your belly in and raise both legs to upright. Repeat 10 times. I think this one is the hardest! 

 

5. Cross-Cross 

• Lie on your back with your knees tucked against your chest. Bring your hands behind your head with your elbows wide. Flatten your spine against the floor and draw your belly in. Extend your right leg out at a 45-degree angle. Twist your torso to the left, slowly peeling your shoulder blade off the floor. Inhale and then exhale as you switch your legs and your torso twists. Repeat 10 times on each side. This one is great for those love handles! 

After you finish your cardio at the gym OR if you are at home - these are FABULOUS ab exercises you can do anywhere. 

...xox...

Liz

The Seed

My Boss forwarded me an excerpt from the book called The Seed - and I want to share it with you. Read what he sent me below - it will shed some light on those who are struggling in their current career OR who are just getting started.

 

For me - I find it that I want everything in my career RIGHT NOW. I want to already be the "Top Dog". I know it doesn't happen overnight - and reading this helped validate that I am on the right track.

 

Read below:

 

"

1. You are here for a reason and the most important thing you can do in life is to find, live and share your purpose. It’s the one thing in life that truly matters and if you don’t pursue it, everything else is meaningless.

 

2. Follow your passion. It so often leads you to your purpose. You may not know what your passion is right now. That’s ok. The important thing is to make it your life mission to find it, live it and share it. To help find your passion, seek out jobs and experiences that allow you to use your strengths and gifts. Do what energizes you.

 

3. Beware of hobbies. Just because you love spending time on Facebook doesn't mean you would enjoy working for the company. And just because you love to cook doesn't mean you would enjoy owning a restaurant. For example, I owned restaurants but I realized I didn't love the food business. I loved the service and marketing aspect of the business.

 

4. Quit for the right reasons. Don't quit because work is hard or you're experiencing challenges. Quit because in your heart you know there is something else for you to do. Quit because you are not benefitting yourself or the organization you work for. Quit because you are absolutely certain you are no longer supposed to be there.

 

5. Learn from every job and experience. Every job, good or bad, prepares you for the work you were ultimately born to do.

 

6.Your current job may not be your ultimate purpose but it can serve as a vehicle to live and share your purpose.

 

7. Whatever job(s) you take after graduation simply decide to serve. When you serve in small ways you'll get more opportunities to serve in bigger ways.

 

8. Your dream job is likely not the one you dreamed about. So often we end up in amazing careers that have nothing to do with our college degree or childhood dreams.

 

9. The quest for your purpose is not a straight line. It is filled with mystery, signs, obstacles, victories, dead ends, delays and detours. Your job is to stay optimistic and faithful on your quest.

 

10. Don't rush the future. There is a process that seeds must go through in order to become all they are destined to become, and you must go through this same process to become the person you are meant to be and do the work you are meant to do. You may want things to happen NOW but more than likely if you got what you wanted NOW you wouldn't be ready for it. The purpose process prepares you, strengthens you, shapes you and grows you to be successful, not in your time, but in the right time.

 

11. Be the Seed. Seeds surrender themselves to the ground so they can be used for a greater purpose. Wherever you work, decide to plant yourself where you are and allow yourself to be used for a greater purpose. When you plant yourself and make a difference you grow into the person you were born to be and produce a harvest that will benefit others and change the world.

"

 

I hope you got as much out of this as I did! :)

 

...xox...

 

Liz

Power of the Mind

Aside from the fashion, fitness & everything princess - I have something different I would like to share with you in this post.

I forgot where I heard this or even where it came from - but - have you heard about the power of the mind? And believing in something so much... that it actually comes true? I've seen this work miraculously throughout my life. I'm going to share with you two specific instances where this type of thinking has been influential. 

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*Many, many years ago - I believe I was 9 or 10 years old. I remember sitting in the golf cart at a horse show up in Wellington. I was holding onto the reins of my sweet white pony, Mikey, with one hand and a magazine, Sidelines, in the other. I flipped to a picture of a young woman (between the ages of 17-20) who was being recognized in an article for her performance at the North American Junior & Young Rider Championships - which is an International Junior Olympic Competition for young riders.  It's the most prestigious event a Junior Rider can be invited to compete in. I remember specifically telling my trainer, Jane, that I would be competing in that one day. 

Sure enough - it was something I worked hard for, for 8 years. (Not only did I work hard... I obsessed about it.) I did have some luck - to where I was able to sell one horse - to afford another - which then led me to the horse I competed on in Young Riders at 17. Later, I did several Grand Prixs on this horse - before I went off to college. Anyways - the point of this short story is - I believed in something SO MUCH and thought about it whenever I was riding horses - and somehow - with a lot of work - I got there. 

Chester & I

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*Now, this short story may not have a happy ending - but it does show you how you think (whether it's positive or negative) can really affect your life. Recently through this blog, I have shared with you my family's story with my Dad. Well - for as long as I can remember - my Mom has always told me that when I "grow-up" to have a "specific". What she meant by this is - for me to be an independent woman - and to always have my own source of income, so I will never be entirely dependent on a man. My Mom always told me that if "something ever happened to my Dad" that our family/financial situation would be devastated because she didn't have a career. I promise you - that I heard my Mom tell me this 1000x. It was almost as if she was predicting something was going to happen - and sure enough - it did.

In no way am I blaming my Mom for anything! However, I thought it was interesting how she said something so many times for so many years - and it actually came true.  

No real reason for this photo - hehe - but it's Tyler & I!

So, what I am trying to say is - if you believe in something so much - and will do anything to have it. You will achieve it. The power of the mind is incredible.

...xox...

Liz