Why Should You Not Be Motivated?

Lately, people have said to me "You are so positive." "You are so motivated." "How do you do everything you do?" Most of the time my response is, "No I'm not. I just know how to time manage my time." When really I should just say, "Yeah, I guess I am." Without motivation from people in my life I would not make it through some of my days.

I like to stay busy. I like having numerous things to do and challenging myself to get all those things done in one day. But without someone saying to me "You can do it." every once in a while I would be really down sometimes. It's a nice reminder to know that there are people around me that want to support me and want to help me through life.

But you have to have a drive within you as well. I feel very blessed in my life. I'm healthy, have great friends and family, I have a part time job, and I could not ask for anything more. I think about the people in this world who aren't as blessed as me. That motivates me to be the best I can be. How could I be miserable when I don't have anything to complain about?

Yes, I have problems. But dwelling on them isn't going to help me. And those extra pushes from those special people in my life that just tell me that one sentence "You can do it." make the world of difference in those situations. I hope you all can find those special people in your life so you are able to make the most out of your life.

God bless,

Kayla

Fears

Everyone has fears and most of the time no one can understand why someone would have that fear unless they both share the same fear.  But how do we get fear in our lives? From past experiences, from reading/watching books/movies, or is it because of the unknown? Whatever it may be, we all have a fear of something.

Today on my short run, I began to think about fears that people have.  Heights, being alone, spiders, love, etc.  Then I began to think of all the fears I have when I run.  What if I get hit by a car? What if I get hurt on my run and no one stops to help me? What if I run by someone else and they hurt me? What if my house is broken into while I'm running? What if I get bitten by a dog? What happens? I realize most of these fears are a little childish but then the quote "Everything happens for a reason" ran through my head.  Does everything happen for a reason? I began to ponder this.

I believe most things happen for a reason.  Every situation that is put in front of you has some impact on your life.  Whether it be breaking a bone, being hurt by someone else, or losing someone.  The troublesome part is why it happens.  Most of the time we will never know why something so wrong could happen to us, someone that doesn't deserve these types of pains.  I guess we just have to live with what we have.  This task is simple for me because I haven't discovered much pain in my life but for others this could easily break them down.  Right now, in my life, without experiencing my hurt, I can say stay strong.  Know that there is someone out there, even if it is just one person, that will love you until your last day.

Facing my fears,

Kayla

September 11th, 2001

Today marks the 10 year reunion of the biggest tragedy I've ever experienced in my life.  I was in the 6th grade when the world trade center towers fell to the ground.  It was a unusual Tuesday because by lunch time no one was in school.  There was enough to keep all the teachers and faculty there but it seemed so empty.  In eighth period, the last period of the day, Mr. Berry told the four out of twenty-five kids left what was going on.  The middle school decided it would be better if we did not know what was going on so the teachers weren't allowed to say anything about the matter.  But with five minutes left of school Mr. Berry, my history teacher, told us what had happened that morning.

I began to walk home right after this thinking, what is the world trade center? What is a terrorist attack? Why did everyone check out because of that? When I got home, my mom was sitting on her bed watching the news.  For an hour I sat there and watched the news trying to figure out what this problem was all about.  Mom tried to explain it to me but a little 6th grader who has no idea what a terrorist attack is doesn't listen very well.

On the one year anniversary, I was in Mr. Ward's government and civics class when an announcement came over the intercom to stand for a moment of silence in remembrance of all the people we lost on that day.  I remember standing there praying and hoping that everything in the world would go back to normal.  Since that day, in 2001, things have never been the same.  Walking home after school isn't an option.  Playing in the neighborhood until 8 or 9 at night is not an option anymore.  Watching your Dad fly off to a conference at the gate is not an option.  Being carefree is not an option.

I am forever grateful for the service men and women who lost their lives on that day.  I look up to those families who have spent the last 10 years trying to explain to their children what happened and make it through this crazy world alone.  I am inspired by the strength those people had who worked in the world trade centers.  It can't be easy to be in a building knowing you are going to die and there is nothing you can do about it.  This day will forever be embedded in my heart.  September 11th changed this nation but we will always be united because of that day.  Tragedy makes faith grow stronger and that's exactly what this country needs every single day.


*This blog is written in remembrance of the September 11, 2001 victims and their families.*

Family Matters

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family." -Anthony Brandt

Family. They are the people that know you the best.  They are the ones who will always be there no matter what.  They are always going to love you no matter how stupid your choices may be.  Yes, you having falling outs with family members and may not speak for years at a time.  Sometimes you may never speak again and other times the distance made your relationship stronger. 

Sometimes your family drives you crazy.  Sometimes you don't want to be anything like them.  Sometimes you wish you could be as far away from them as possible.  But without family, what would you be?  

Family isn't just your mom, dad, brother, and sister.  Family is the people that raised you and the people that cared for you when no one else would.  Everyone's family is a little different.  Rather it be in the people or the characteristics of their family.

Don't take your family for granted.  You never know when the last time to see them might be.  Even if you are trying to be selfish and do your own thing, make time for your family.  They make you a priority, so you should too.

What happens when you add people to your family? How does the puzzle fit? I'm sure it's a complicated situation and not everyone ends up happy.  Compromise seems like the best option but I have no experience in this situation.  Thinking further in the future, I think about combining holiday's, not having favorites, balancing my time, and making sure everyone's happy.  I have plenty of time to think about these things but I just had these thoughts rolling through my head.

Main point: don't let your family go without letting them know how much you appreciate them and how much they do for your life.  You wouldn't be where you are today if it wasn't for your mom giving birth to you, your dad helping make you, and your family members raising you, you wouldn't have gotten very far without those precious people.  Every person you come in contact with has an effect on your life but family makes a huge dent in the whole picture.

Kayla

Lifting Weights

I am debating with myself about strength training.  Most magazines I read say that strength training is necessary to keep your muscles strong and growing.  After a certain age though, muscle density begins to lessen every year.  A lot of trainers say you cannot lose weight unless you add strength training into your cardio workouts.

I have lifted weights since the eighth grade.  Every summer my high school required student athletes to attend 30 workouts throughout the summer.  These workouts consisted of an hour of cardio (ex: sprints, stadiums, long distance, intervals, etc) and one hour of lifting weights.  I loved lifting when I was in high school.  Max day was my favorite.  I was so competitive with myself that I would push my body to limits it probably shouldn't have been going as a 15 year old.  My squat max as a 15 year old girl, 125 lbs, 5'4" was 185 lbs! I must say that is a little ridiculous for a 15 year old to be lifting.

I would never consider myself fat in high school.  Yes, I had baby fat but most of all I had muscle mass.  So after high school, I banned weights from my workouts completely.  I ran occasionally, ate what I wanted to, and went to the student act once or twice a month.  So my workout routine went from working out everyday for 2 hours with cardio and weights to once a week just doing cardio.  Freshman year I lost 15 pounds of baby fat and mostly muscle mass.  I had no big arms anymore (my biceps actually fit in a fitted t-shirt), my tights finally fit in jeans without leaving lines on them when I took them off, and I was happy with the way I looked.

Until last year,  I was still eating whatever I wanted and doing the rare workout.  I decided I wanted to be toned again.  So I began training for a half-marathon.  My legs (I must say) were to die for! My calves were finally sitting up high instead of 2 baby calves looking for their momma cow! But I still didn't have the definition I wanted.

So I go back to my first paragraph where all of my fitness magazines tell me that weight lifting needs to be apart of your usual workout.  At least two times a week.  I tried P90X last summer hoping that would change things and I got huge (muscle wise).  I think some women gain muscle differently than other women.  There is nothing wrong with that but how do you determine what is good enough for your body?

Today I attended a BodyPump class by Les Mills at my gym (Gold's Gym).  I'm always afraid this class is just going to make me bulk.  I think I've decided to incorporate it into my weekly workout routine once a week.  I just want to see what it does for me and if it will truly help me tone all the places I want toned.  Give me your feedback on how you feel about lifting weights.  Does it help you, does it make you bulk, just tell me what you think.

Hope you enjoyed the blog,

Kayla

Understanding Health & Fitness Articles

Do you become overwhelmed by all the health information that is out there to read and implement in your life?  I know I do.  I read a lot of fitness/health magazines and Yahoo! articles that tell me to eat this and not that.  Don't drink that but drink this and every article says something different to substitute. How can you make sure you are doing all the right things for your body with so much information?

I take it one article/step at a time. Exercise is easy for me to follow.  If an article says try these new exercises to flatten your tummy or lift your butt and tone your legs, I try them at least once or twice.  Nutrition is where I fall short.  I have a mega sweet tooth and a fascination with drinking wine.  All the magazines say that you should do these things in moderation.  Then other articles say but only dark chocolate and only red wine.  Limiting myself to what I can eat and can't eat makes me fall of course even more.  So I do take in moderation but not to the specifics.... to anything I feel like having.  

Another article I read says to treat yourself nicely when you fall of track.  It makes it easier to get back on track.  I tend to be pretty hard on myself and tend to push it 100% harder in my next workout.  Or I lay on the floor and do crunches while I spoon feed myself ice-cream.  Another great article says to limit yourself 100-calorie intake of sweets a day.  A few years ago, I never ever could have done that.  But now with all the 100-calorie pack treats and super sweet yogurt that says it has 33% of your daily fiber but tastes like the fattening smoothies you use to drink as a kid, it makes it easier to do those sorts of tricks.

But instead of becoming overwhelmed with everything the magazines/TV/articles tell you about health and nutrition, implement one article at a time.  Soon they become habits and the rules are a little easier to follow.  Think of each article as a goal, reach it, and you will feel so accomplished.

Taking it step by step,

Kayla 

Schedules

There is something about having a schedule that makes life so much better.  It may be the structure it provides to your life, the accomplishment of doing something that day, or just knowing you won't be lying around doing nothing with your life.  Some people (free spirits) may not like having schedules and set agendas because it inhibits them to explore life.  My schedule allows me to explore life even more because I know what I need to get done and at what time it needs to get done.  I just hope after college my job (if applicable) provides me the same satisfaction of crossing things off my "To Do List".

Another great thing about schedules is it keeps you accountable.  Don't feel like working out today or feel like doing it later? Setting a time to workout or attending a fitness class makes you workout.  Even if you don't feel like going and putting in the effort, go anyway because it's on your schedule of course and I promise you won't regret it afterwards.

I don't understand the art of procrastination like most people do.  If I have something on my schedule, no matter what it is, it will be accomplished way in advance of the due date.  Post-poning activities is not an option for me.  Flexibility in schedules is a good thing and I might move a few things around to make it flow better.  But waiting until the last minute to get things done has never been my style.  Some people call this "being a nerd".  I call it "productivity".

So get a planner or a calendar or a bright stack of Post-Its or all of them and start making schedules.  Your life will have so much more joy.  At least if your a planner (like me).  You free spirits... I have no idea how you make it through your days.  I commend you on making it this far in life!

Blog written... Check.

-Kayla