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Contest Update

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I am still in the running to WIN Hers Magazine Ms. Health & Fitness 2020!!

This contest is a marathon, not a sprint. There are several rounds where contestants are cut and the groups get smaller and smaller.

At the time of writing we are in the TOP 15 Round. The top 15 in each (arbitrary) group goes on the the TOP 10, followed by TOP 5, then things get shaken up a bit, there’s a wildcard round and some second place prizes, I’ll fill you in WHEN we get that far (September). 🙂

The place (currently 5th) I am in my group carries on from round to round so it’s crucial that I hold steady and even move towards #1 every single day.

Each voter has one free vote within a 24 hour period. So many of you have been voting daily and even asking others to vote for me and my heart bursts every time I see this. Truly, the outpouring of support has filled my cup to the brim and made me grapple with feeling “not worthy” over and over again.

I’m not worthy…(an insight into my self-doubt)

I don’t train people through “workouts” anymore. My approach is more function and less fat loss.

Speaking of fat; I have body fat! Look at the other women in the contest, they are very lean ladies so that must be what this thing is about, low body fat…

I don’t really push myself anymore. No pain, no gain? Ha, any pain and you’ll find me on the porch with a cocktail. I don’t have the “train hardcore” mindset that my insecurity is telling one needs to win this contest.

You, dear ones, have helped remind me that I am worthy of my 5th place standing.

I practice what I preach.

And preach I do, I will jump on my soapbox and wax poetic about posture and alignment and efficiency of movement at the faintest hint that someone wants to listen.

When a friend needs an ear to listen about how she’s gained some weight and is not as comfortable in her skin, I listen and provide a life raft out of that sinking ship rather than jumping in with “oh me too, I ate this, I gained this, blah, blah, blah”. Our body listens to everything we say and feel about it, treat with kid gloves and life will be sweeter, full stop.

I am movement motivator. It may not be marathon training (anymore) but I am the one that gets us out of the house after dinner for a stroll around the block.

I cannot deny the numerous times (a year?) I have heard that I am “the healthiest person” someone knows. Well shit, if that’s not grounds for Ms. Health & Fitness, I don’t know what is.

Thank you in advance for your daily support, in all ways.

CLICK HERE to VOTE

Feel free to follow me on Facebook or Instagram @gracefulfitness for a daily reminder to vote.

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Healthiest

2 Comments
Faith Levine Pilates

What are your barriers for living the healthiest version of you?

Exhaustion?

Lack of knowing what is “healthiest” for you?

Lack of resources, like time or money?

These are real questions (not rhetorical) that I’d love to hear your answers to, either in the comments or a private email if that feels more appropriate.

My biggest barriers are sleep, fear, and apathy.

I’ve never been a “good” sleeper. As a kid I would have insomnia a few times a month. Most of my 20’s were spent in a survival state of little to no sleep. Now at the end of my 30’s, sleep has improved but many of my days are still dictated by my nights.

Fear and apathy. Not quite ready to touch those ones right now.

What would your healthiest self look like?

Be realistic.

If I am being realistic, my healthiest self would meditate somewhat regularly, like a few times a week for even 5 minutes. Meditation is like broccoli; I know it’s an important part of the (mental health) plate but not as much fun as the mac n cheese. (mostly kidding, I genuinely love eating all veggies)

If I am being realistic, my healthiest self would weigh about 5 pounds less because it would be a result of less overindulging. Because if I’m being realistic, I would never expect myself to 100% stop overindulging, I honestly find a beauty and a pleasure in occasional, conscious gluttony.

If I am being realistic, my healthiest self would spend less “screen time”. I love my phone and I love social media, I really do, however I don’t love that I am addicted to it.

If I am being realistic, my healthiest self would spend daily time on “self-care” in the form of mobility work and self massage (myofascial release). This work has often been pushed to the back-burner in favor of work or workouts but, as I approach 40, my awareness is shifting from “more miles, longer runs, faster, burn calories, get stronger” towards “I wanna walk-and dance-when I’m 90!”. I notice a positive difference from as little as 5 minutes a day of mobility and massage work, 5 minutes that I definitely have to spare right now.

If I am being realistic, my healthiest self would dance more.

If you know what’s good for you, do it 😉

On that note, I’m rolling out the #545healthiestme game* starting Monday. Every Monday for 5 weeks I will set a goal of doing something specific for 5 minutes every(week)day. The first is 5 minutes a day of sitting meditation. Join me?

*I wrote challenge several times when deciding what to call this but it didn’t sit right with me. Call me a hippy (‘cus you’d be right, born and raised) but “game” sounds much more approachable, supportive, fun, and community building than “challenge” to me. So, let’s play!

{image by the magnificent Meredith Coe}