Strength in Weakness

"Perhaps I am stronger than I think" - Thomas Merton

              By Dana R. Arevalo

Find strength in weakness.  As I sit here I wholeheartedly admit there are times I feel weak. Words and feelings associated with weakness: flawed, broken, failing, impaired, or fragile.  We are taught, to hide our weakness.  Being weak, however, doesn't make one useless.  It is my goal today to get us to change this negative mindset. It is time we embrace weakness and find strength in weakness.  

Learn from mistakes and failures...no matter how many times it takes. There is no perfect way to do anything.  Do what works for you, even if it means trying over and over one million different ways. Speaking for myself, if I am faced with a difficult challenge, or any task for that matter, I find a system that works for me, myself, and I. What works for one doesn't work for all and vice versa. Failing makes us stronger and mistakes should make us try harder and differently, until WE feel comfortable and at ease. 

Find peace in difference. Being different makes us unique. Learn to be comfortable with who you are; embrace your difference.  Being different is what makes us beautiful people (inside and out). The world could be very cruel and judgemental, it doesn't mean you have to be. Turn your cheek to those who judge. There is no need to change in fear of being different.  Never change for anyone. Be your different beautiful self.

Purge negativity. Negative thoughts actions, and people cause uneasiness, anxiety, worry, and pessimism.  One foolproof way to get rid of a negative idea, practice, or person from your life would be to write out why or how it/they affect your life. If it is a person, you can write a letter to that person all of the reasons why they cause negativity and why you can no longer be a part of their life. You do not neccessarily have to send the letter, it is a positive exercise to let everything out. 

Finally, it is ok to say "NO". Don't compromise yourself for anyone. Don't feel bad when you cannot or do not have the time to help someone or do something extra at work. Many people take advantage of weakness, once you start something it becomes an expectation or a new duty that you do not need.  Remember, find strength in weakness.

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A Special Motivational Monday: Dana's Secret

Written by Dana R. Arevalo 

"Impossible is Nothing" ~ Nike

Ugh! Gasp! Sigh... I am so frustrated with myself.  Last year around this time I was in the best shape of my life and I sit here now and sulk because I allowed myself to fall off of my fitness path.  Lose sight of my direction.  From March until now I gained a significant amount of weight.  How? By not watching my diet and even worse....not exercising.   

When it's time to jump back into the game I give myself a million and one excuses. Over thinking freezes me in my tracks. In my mind words and thoughts leak out:  I will do it later! I will start Monday! One more bite won't kill me! You only live once!  Well all of these thoughts and excuses have built up and have caused me to "build up" fat. Where my stomach was almost flat I now have a "tummy".  I can't walk up a hill without stopping to catch my breath.   

I can go on forever but instead I rather focus on what to do to begin to change.  First and foremost I refuse to purchase any new clothes because that will only allow me the comfort to grow into them.  I don't want to be to tough on myself either because I know I will relapse from being to strict.  So how will I change?

1) Slow and steady wins the RACE.  Change things little by little.  For example, stop purchasing snacks that I tend to devour in one day.  

2) Remind myself CHANGE doesn't happen overnight.  I didn't gain weight overnight.  So results will come if one puts in the effort and has patience.   

3) Chose an activity that doesn't feel like work. I swear by this.  I've also said it before, do something you love and it will become an amazing fitness routine.  

4) Just Do It! No thinking and over thinking.  Wake up wash your face and get your a$$ outside.  I again, am going to start by walking.  Once one allows thyself to over think  results never happen.  

Who is with me?  

"I am determined to achieve lasting results", this my friends is going to be my MANTRA.  What's your MANTRA?

Thanks for stopping by Stay Tuned!

We're Back

Welcome Back! 

 

I ask that you kindly bare with us for a couple weeks.  After numerous attempts, that is numerous unsuccessful attempts, for now 365daysofhealthandfitness.com will be utilizing 365daysofhealthandfitnes.blogspot.com for the time being. Please be sure to leave off one S in fitness when searching for us :).  We are making every effort to fix the old site as it contains a wealth of information on fitness, health, exercise motivation and much more.  The site took over two years to build and maintain and we will not let it go! 

Over the next couple of days we will be adding design etc.  But we still have all of our wonderful contributors and support! 

With that said -  let's discuss procrastination - what's keeping you from moving forward with you health and fitness goals? 

I have a big list... The only way to cure it is to start small and think small.  My biggest mistake is over thinking. What is yours?  Let's work together to push procrastination away.

 

 

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As always, thanks for visiting and come back for Motivational MONDAY!
 
Dana and 365 days of health and fitness contributors!

xo