Category / exercise

by susanmcrae75

Roots

We took a recent trip to California and into Sequoia National Forest-an amazing place!  I don’t think anyone is not in awe looking up at these massive trees.  We learned from the guides that redwood roots can extend 100 feet outward, forming a network of underground roots with other trees.  They can also sprout new trees from their roots!

Isn’t that what a team is?  I have tried exercising by myself over the years after graduating-many different programs and activities-and always got bored.  It is so easy to just stop for one reason or another.  But if someone is there to cheer for you, hold you accountable, expect you to do your part, it just helps to keep you going!  If each day there is something new and already scheduled for you-all you have to do is sign on, what a simple fix to that!

This is one reason I am excited about being a health and wellness coach with such a great, inspiring team.  I am so excited to be a part of a fantastic, strong team that welcomes newcomers of all types with open arms!  You have a chance to help yourself achieve your goals, feel better, and improve your life and even the lives of others by also being a coach!

You can look at the redwood (ie your body, health, exercising, etc) and think, there is no way I can do that.  But you can!  Each of those awesome trees started small.  Each of those trees are intertwined.  Want to be part of our challenge group?  Let me know!  ssmcrae75@gmail.com

 

by susanmcrae75

Confessions of a lane line puller

I have  confession.  I pulled on the lane lines in high school (not so much in college-much feared and respected coach!!)  I would be the last one in for warm ups (this did continue through college-I hated cold water).  I sat at the bottom of the pool with my friends where the coach couldn’t see us (he was sitting in the window-couldn’t see what was below the starting blocks and I could hold my breath for 2 minutes).  Why?  Because I did not like practice!  I did not, until college, understand the WHY of my daily training.  Yes, I knew I wanted to get better; I loved to win.  But I never thought of each set, each drill, each lap as getting me closer to my goal.  My goal was to win, to be the best-very vague….so I went through the motions, down and back, down and back, water break, second water break….

As a physical therapists, we are taught to make realistic, measureable goals based on what is important to our patient.  It doesn’t really matter what I want, if I can’t relate it back to what he or she wants.  They won’t work toward it.  Why should they, if they don’t understand what they are working towards?  Everything I instruct them to do, each time I mobilize something with my hands, should be directed at that goal(s).

What is your goal?  Your WHY?  Make it measureable.  Give it a timeline.  See each thing you do, positive or negative, as it will effect that goal.  Do not be upset by minor setbacks, but get back on track.

Today is the day I can begin signing up my team (included in a much larger, fantastic team!!) to commit for 100 days of 30 min a day different workouts (that’s it!).  The morning meltdown program.  We have a goal and are investing in ourselves.  We will help each other stay on track when it gets tough and with nutrition.  We will encourage and hold each other accountable.  We will achieve and believe in each other!  Join us if your goal consists of getting healthy and being proud of yourself for making a goal and committing to it!

 

by susanmcrae75

Welcome! Who I am….

I created this blog to help those like myself who are trying to find that inner fire to create their best selves.  It is in all of us, but sometimes it falls by the wayside.  Injuries, kids, job, schedules, you name it….we put ourselves at the bottom of the list.  I was a former college swimmer, who for 16 years did not have to worry about my health, what I was eating, setting goals….then I graduated.  After that, I was a bit lost.  I tried so many different exercises, diets, logs, you name it.  There was always something missing and my results never stuck with me.  I had some injuries, emotional struggles, a busy schedule and family.  I recently had some revelations:

First, I liked to be coached and have a team with a common goal.  Someone was there to keep me on track and encourage me, and my teammates expected me to show up and encourage them as well.  I struggled with keeping myself motivated.  I didn’t necessarily want to take back up an official sport, but I missed those aspects of it.

Second, I got bored.  The same thing over and over was fine for about 2 weeks.  Then I would miss a day, then another…

Third, I didn’t know how to eat!  I tried keeping track of food in a log, determining points, had no idea of portions, and just did not have the energy or time to keep up with it for the long run.

And lastly, the time aspect.  I work full time in healthcare (coaching and encouraging all day!) and then come home to job #2:  mom.  I needed something to fit into my busy lifestyle, that I didn’t have to totally work my day around.  Nutrition needed to be something I could easily keep up with-I would forget or not want to do it by the time I got home, or I was guessing….  

Then, I found a program that combines nutrition, fitness (30 minute workouts), and a supportive group/community that supports me.  I in turn also support my team!  Yes!  So I decided to become a coach of this program to help myself, help others and enable them to help others as well all improve the life we are living.  This includes mind and body!  

We are all real people, looking for something that works, and continues to work!  Let’s do this!

Susan McRae