Good morning #fifam! It’s actually Monday morning and with the day off I have some time to write blog posts for the next few weeks.
More importantly I’m sitting here freaking out! My heart is literally racing.
Want to know why? Good. Because I need to talk to someone and who better than the fitfam! I know you guys will understand.
Today marks Day 1 of a training cycle for my goal race in May. As soon as I looked at the training plan my heart started pounding. Along with the racing heart rate came a feeling of vulnerability which is prime time for feelings of fear and doubt to creep in. And, all at the same time, a feeling of excitement for this journey to begin.
Yes, full on freaking out mode!
Back to the The Fit Dish topic for this week:
Top 5 All Time Best
Health and Fitness Decisions
Do you ever think about the person you are today compared to who you were a year ago? 5 years ago? How did it happen? Was it intentional? Was it fate?
A series of actions and journey’s taken that culminated into living my best life and finding clarity, meaning and purpose of who I am meant to be.
Clean Eating
In May of 2011 I challenged myself to eat clean for 30 days. My husband always says I never really ate “bad” but making this one change did something for me that doctor’s and medications could not.
Clean eating stopped my migraines. I’m talking headaches so bad Chad had to take me to the emergency room. MRI after MRI. Gone. I have not been back to the ER or taken a single medication for migraines since May of 2011.
June 4, 2011 “at the age of 43 I am more fit, stronger, healthier and happier than ever before. I owe that, in part, to clean eating.” –Jill Conyers
Becoming A Runner
In 2006 I signed up for my first race, a half marathon in southern California. That decision irrevocably changed my life forever. That was the beginning of becoming the person I was meant to be.
October 30, 2006 “From the stretching to the finish line it was the hardest and most amazing thing I’ve ever accomplished!” -Jill Conyers
Home Gym
In 2010 I made the decision to cancel my Lifetime membership and set up a home gym. I loved Lifetime but the travel time became an excuse not to workout and an obstacle to consistently working out. Eliminate the excuse along with the unbeatable convenience and workouts became more consistent than ever.
Move Nourish Believe
Embracing the Lorna Jane Active philosophy has made all that I believe to be true doable. It gives me the much needed clarity to be the best version of me.
August 28, 2014 “Those 3 words embody a sustainable lifestyle. A simple perspective that has helped me get rid of all the extraneous “stuff” that I don’t need. I’ve actually lived an active lifestyle for many years but MOVE, NOURISH, BELIEVE breaks it down to simple concepts that remind me living my best, most beautiful life doesn’t have to be complicated. With busy lives it’s not always easy, but the concept is actually quite simple.” -Jill Conyers
Unconditional Self-Acceptance
Giving myself the gift of unconditional acceptance is the most treasured of all. This was one decision that evolved from a series of actions, thoughts and changes.
August 8, 2014 “A happiness that doesn’t come from stuff and things. A happiness that isn’t contingent on success and accomplishments. It’s a happiness that is gained from looking within and seeing and accepting who you are. It’s a happiness that is unconditional and is not subject to the all too familiar comparison trap.” -Jill Conyers
What are your all time best health and fitness decisions? Do you prefer to workout at home or a gym?
be the best version of YOU
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great choices! My best choice was running a marathon in 2003, it started me on a path I never dreamed!
Hi Jen. Running has been life changing for so many! I wonder how many of us knew that would be the case when we decided to go for our first run?
I love this, Jill! It’s so inspiring to read about how health and fitness decisions changed someone’s life.
Thank you Carly. It’s kind of amazing to look back and see what decisions turned out to be life changing when we didn’t expect it to be.
Jill these are all so great! From the foundations like clean eating and exercising consistently to the more profound, self acceptance I love these all! Thank you for sharing your journey!
Thank you Amber 🙂
I love these… and I am so glad you mentioned the migraine thing. I have never had migraines before until one day just 2 weeks ago. It was horrible! It made me nervous that I would start getting them regularly, but I had been on a junk food kick for ~2 weeks before so I bet that had something to do with it. I am back to my regular routine so haven’t had one since. Hope it stays away b/c that was hell!
Oh Bri! I hope you never experience another migraine. What we eat plays such a big part in so many things and yet not a single doc asked me about my diet. Here, take this prescription was all I ever heard. Ugh!
These are all fantastic! Especially the self acceptance. I think that is the absolute KEY to bringing the whole health and fitness concept together, it truly is so important!
Yep! That was the key that made me feel whole.
I love this post! You have made some awesome changes/accomplishments and that is great! Mine are definitely clean eat and running. Those have helped me in SO many ways!
Thank you AJ. Clean eating and running are awesome changes! Life changing for sure.
Could you imagine what your life would have been like if these decisions were never made.
I know for me I’d be overweight, miserable and properly still in an unhappy marriage.
And I’m with you on the “best version of me”.
Hi Matilda. Good point. I can easily imagine what it would be like. That’s probably why my decisions have been life long changes. I have no desire to feel THAT way again.
accepting yourself is one of the most important things you can do. I loved reading this, Jill!!
Thank you Courtney!
My game changers have been getting out of the gym and into training for triathlon and running. I’m working on the Clean Eating thing….still struggle with that a little. An the unconditional self-love one….boy, you hit that nail on the head! That is HUGE!
Self acceptance + unconditional…the hugest and the toughest!
Great post! It really is many decisions over time that make us who we are in our fitness routines. Being thankful and giving are always two HUGE pluses in my book! Unconditional acceptance…..umm I need some work in that department. What a great idea for a post I love it!
Thank you Renee. I loved writing it 🙂
Unconditional acceptance definitely is a hard one for me. And clean eating! While I’ve cleaned up my diet I know that there is still a lot that I could do. Excited for you to start your training!
Thank you Christine! I keep meaning to email you with a few yoga questions 🙂
Love this…so much good stuff in this post and thank you for sharing your decisions! Mine are very similar to yours. It is amazing what a difference they have made in my life and my career. I absolutely love it and do not take it for granted. So grateful for my health and strong body to allow me to do what I do on a daily basis! XOXO
We’re blessed my friend 🙂 Now I’m working on the career decisions.
I love your list of positive changes 🙂 I think for me, running has been the most positive for my mental health and getting my IBS under control through diet has been the biggest change of all for both mental and physical health. It’s amazing how the two are intertwined.
It all works best as a package deal Michele. A culmination of successful baby steps and changes lead to a best life!
I’m so glad we have “met” over recent months. You inspire me!
So very much agreed with you on clean eating and unconditional self-acceptance! <3 I hope when I'm finally done moving all over the place that I'll be able to set up my own gym at home as well! I want a dance studio for one of the rooms in my hypothetical future house! :]
Thank you Farrah. A home gym will be worth the wait.
Self Love and acceptance eludes so many women, yet it is the biggest gift we can give ourselves!!
I hear ya on the fear of a new training cycle, remember positive thinking leads to positive results. chances are that if your goal scares you a little its right for you! I believe in you 🙂
Thank you so much for your supportive words Jennifer 🙂
I also have home gym and love it! I can’t imagine driving like I used to. It is such a blessing.
So blessed Julie 🙂
Love this! For me, it was deciding (and believing that I could) to run my first marathon way back when and then deciding to try it again last year. Working out from home – though I find it a struggle at times is definitely a plus as far as maximizing a busy day!
Running is one of those things that is life changing for many! Just like believing 🙂
I’m with you – all about working out at home and trying to be the very best version of me that I can be.
I’m excited for you and your start to training – I have a feeling that this is going to be a great training cycle/race for you because of all that you have learned over the past year!!!
Hi Kim. We owe it to ourselves to be the best we can be!
I have to totally with self acceptance was something i struggled for a long time. For me – walking and clean eating are among the best fitness decisions I have ever made !
The decision to move and nourish is big! Nothing feels better 🙂
Top 5…
1. Giving up soda
2. Giving up artificial sweetener
3. Started running
4. Started rowing
5. Monitor portion size
Absolutely CANNOT workout at home. That’s why I run and row outside or in the horrible weather hit a Erg Class at the gym or use a gym treadmill.
Great life changing decisions! Yay for giving up soda and artificial sweetener!
These are all great, inspiring & motivating!! Running was a big one for me along with my first hike up a mountain.
Hi Sharon. Running is a big one for many!
Great decisions indeed. Still working on the unconditional self acceptance myself.
Hi Deborah. The unconditional self acceptance is the toughest but so so worth it.
So inspiring, good for you on making some positive changes in your life! 😉 XOXOX
Thank you Jamie! My journey continues 🙂
Those are some pretty good all time decisions if I must say so myself. Congrats to you and your journey and consistency with it.
Thank you Diatta. The journey continues.
Jill, so thought provoking as always! Loved this glimpse in your head, and some of your quotes, Whew! PROFOUND. The self-love quote really hit home. What a great perspective, and something I need to work on. Congrats on starting your training. One day at a time. That freak out will turn to excitement soon! #fitfamlove
Hi Jess! My energy and enthusiasm is fueled by the initial freakout! You have so so many reasons for self love my friend.
This may be sorta predictable but my all time best health and fitness decision was doing my first triathlon. It truly changed my life! I actually would rather go to a gym most days!
No surprise Hayley but none the less amazing! You never know when a simple decision can turn out to be life changing! You inspire me 🙂
I love this post! One day soon, I will be able to write a post like this! I am on my journey to making some really great health decisions 🙂
Don’t wait Sandy. See the progress and celebrate your journey now! Even if you think your progress is small it’s still progress 🙂
Like you, I need to eliminate as many excuses as possible so I love my home gym and workout dvd collection! Running my first half was huge for me…I had a lot of personal stuff going on that I couldn’t control and running was truly a kind of therapy for me.
Good morning Kate. Running is the best therapy! And I love love my DVD collection 🙂
I totally get the freakout. It’s so exciting to be going for your goal race. In June I’ll attempt my first tri and I’m still learning to swim. I’m doing my best not to wig out and just taking each day, each swim session, no matter how intimidating, as it comes. I’ll get there. And if not, at least I tried.
You’ve made some great, life changing decisions!
Thank you Marcia. How’s the swimming coming along? The swim is the only thing that has stopped me from trying a tri.
I’d love to have a home gym it would definitely stop those days when I use the drive to the gym as an excuse not to go. Totally agree with the self acceptance, that is absolutely the best decision I ever made.
Good morning Jen. The self acceptance is a biggie and once you get there is feels amazing!
Great decisions – thanks for sharing! I need a gym atmosphere or set up but I also need a really short driving distance. I quite Lifetime for the same reason. It was simply to far away and if there was traffic it was a disaster. Have a great day!
Hi Lauren. My fit life got even better without the drive time!
Best fitness decision was to rekindle my love of running 3 years ago. I had taken a hiatus after having kids and I’m go glad that I came back to it and have been able to be involved in this awesome community!! I prefer to workout at home but don’t have all the equipment I need, but on the same note I have too many distractions so it’s better for me to go to the gym!
The running community is like no other! I’m sure everyone says that about their community of choice. haha!
i prefer a gym, but these days it’s at home – which is better than nothing!
I am still working on unconditional self-acceptance. I have been striving to become a “better” runner for quite some time, and I’m still working on it! I just want to be the best, healthiest version I can be. I will say one of my best decisions was regularly seeing a dietitian and changing my eating habits.
Hi Janelle. Mind if I ask what was involved with working regularly with a dietician? So curious. Keep working on the self acceptance. It will come and it feels so freeing.
I can’t imagine migranes as bad as yours, but my sister did suffer from them when she was younger. My best decision was to become a runner in September of 2010. I did it reluctantly, but am passionate about it now. It has made me a stronger person in all aspects of my life. My eating has improved too, although I am not close to being a “clean eater”. Baby steps are okay with me though!
Baby steps will get you there Pam! Deciding to go for a run or sign up for a race is a life changing decision for many.
Totally agree with each decision. I found after I started eating even healthier (though not totally clean), my colitis got significantly better and I have less flares, which is huge! I’ve never had a migraine but from what I’ve heard, they are nasty so to get those under control is amazing, Jill! I work out at home, and am so lucky I have that chance to do that. I know I would use the driving excuse too often. Actually, I have a free membership at the gym I teach at but I never go because I have to drive!
Hi Heather. I cried the day I realized I went a few months without a migraine. You know what drivdes me crazy? All the doc appts and trips to the ER and not a single time did anyone suggest looking at what I eat. Just look at the pain and suffering they could have spared me. Craziness!
Hugely motivating as usual, Jill!
Thank you Wendy 🙂
100% agree with each of these. I think that accepting yourself and respecting your body goes such along way towards personal health and happiness!
Self acceptance is the best lesson of all!
Allowing myself to rest and heal has been mine especially after being injured one year now. I’m learning to listen to my body better.
Hi Megan. We owe it to our bodies to listen. If we don’t out body is going to get our attention one way or another.
These are so great, Jill! I also love to workout at home because of the convenience. I really only workout at the gym when I’m already there for a class or client.
The “unconditional self acceptance” you practice is truly amazing. You should talk more about this because so many others struggle with it (including yours truly!)
This week’s topic was great! Thanks to you and Jessica for keeping our #Fitfam discussing what matters most to our success!
Good morning Erin! I have so so much to say about my journey to self acceptance. Maybe another post in the future 🙂
Love love the #fitfam!
great changes and proof that it’s a lifestyle!
Hi Jennifer. I lifestyle I wouldn’t change for anything! It feels too good.
I think that “unconditional self acceptance” is probably the hardest for me, although I agree that it’s absolutely essential!! As athletes, we can sometimes lose sight of ‘acceptance’ after a bad race or a PR that was just out of reach. I try to focus more on the journey now and it’s made all the difference!
Hi Allie. Unconditional is the hard part, but I’m getting better at it. I’m a work in progress 🙂
I started running in 2010 because I gained weight the Christmas before (haha!). That became the start of my fitness journey.
I think it’s awesome that you feel happier and healthier than you’ve ever been at the age of 43. 🙂 Good luck on your goal race in May!
Thanks Patricia! Who knows when a simple decision can end up being life changing. Running does that to people 🙂
I have to totally agree- running and starting my home gym are among the best fitness decisions I have ever made as well! It has seriously empowered me to become the best me with #noexcuses!
Empowered! Exactly Annmarie! Love that feeling.
Amazing!! Thank you for sharing! I definitely feel like health and fitness has changed me life. It has connected to my body and mind in new ways and more fulfilling ways! I actually love both the gym and at home workouts….I just love it all! 😉
Hi Elsie. Finding that mind body connection feels amazing doesn’t it 🙂
I love the assignment this week and you are an inspiration! Quitting the gym was a definite game changer for me- the world looked a lot different when I stepped outside! Glad you enjoyed your day off!
Me too Mary Beth. I loved the gym but working out rocks for convenience and consistency!
I love this! You have definitely made some huge, positive changes in your life! I will always remember the day I decided to stat working out 10 yeas ago and it was such an important decision. My eating has been much more of a work in progress because my habits changed as what I was learning about “healthy eating” changed. I am really happy with where my health is at this point but there is always room for improvement:)
Hi Lisa. Who knows when what seems like a simple decision at the time will end up being life changing!