Challenge Yourself!!

This is actually an ironic title for me to write about as I usually struggle with being motivated enough on a daily basis to stay challenged.  However, the one thing I know for sure about myself is that I work better in a "team" setting.  It doesn't matter what that "team" looks like.  Once I start a challenge I am very determined to complete it properly.

Of course, when I was playing volleyball there were always many teammates around.  Being competitive in nature as most athletes, I always strove (in my head - remember the article on peak performance I wrote previously) to be my best.  

What keeps me motivated to do my best, is that I never believe I have reached the end!!..  Now as I paint or do my work, I think there is always a better way and that I am still short of it.  I am not negative about my accomplishments, I just know that there is always another rung up. Like doing push-ups..you can always squeeze a few more in AFTER you thought you were completely exhausted.

In this month of May, I have challenged my body to get back to a stronger physical state.  I am doing a 30 day plank challenge (I piggybacked a friend who was sharing it on FB).  The challenge being the time increase every day.  Day 1 was 20 seconds and today, Day 15,  it was 1:50sec.  I did 1:40!!! I have never planked that long (and this is without doing any other type of physical training for months).  So being part of the FB challenge "team" enabled me to be accountable to others to perform..  Being motivated by others, motivated me!!

Couple of questions to think about as you do any activity, every day:
Am I being accountable to myself & others when I perform?
Am I giving my best, or just good enough to get by?

What do I want to challenge myself to improve at?

My other challenge this month was to get back into a healthier state by first losing some extra weight.  I am on Day 8 of a 10 Day Celebrity Transformation Challenge. I am following a program that is ridding my body of excess fat and rebooting my metabolism.  

I am being conscious of what I am putting in my body.

For any young athletes out there, be aware of what you are eating/drinking..this is the "gas"  I am fueling my body with. 

 Are you putting in High Octane gas for maximum performance or the dirty cheap gas to make you less efficient??

Educate yourself on the best foods for your maximum performance.. doritos & coke should not be on that list!!!
Water, vegetables, fruit should be a plenty!!  Sugar is your worst enemy!

If you take care of your body, it will take care of your heart, muscles, and brain to get your to your peak performance!!

Being an athlete is SERIOUS business (the fun is in the playing at your best)..treat it as such!!

For the coaches & parents that read my blog, are you being a positive healthy example for your young athletes??
Take their nutrition seriously for them, and doing it with them will make you feel happier & healthier as well!!  Do a "family" challenge one day/one week at a time... ween yourself off the "bad" stuff.  I watched the Jamie Oliver School Dinners series on YouTube...you may find it as compelling as I did.   I have added his Tedtalks video below for your information.

For information on the 10 day Transformation that I am doing (I am down 6lbs & .4inches in 8 days)  I had lost 4 lbs 2 weeks prior by changing my eating habits.. (I have a wicked sweet tooth..and now the cravings are gone!!), please send me an email on the contact form and I will send you to the website for you to do some research as well and a $50gift card if you find the products interesting.... Challenge Yourself!!!  I know I'm glad I did.

Dream Big!! (or small in this case ;)
diane

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