First off, I hope you all enjoy a wonderful day with your family, friends, sweetie, and everyone special in your life. While we might be tempted to think physical activity is crucial today before enjoying a Thanksgiving feast, I think an exercise in being thankful would serve as an excellent mental and spiritual workout! (Yes, there is still a cardio workout posted below 😉 )
What to do: Write down five things you are thankful for & more importantly WHY you are thankful for those things.
5 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR:
(1) MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND BOYFRIEND
Why: My family, close friends, and boyfriend are what keeps me going in life. There is no material possession, no amount of money, no one thing that can bring you greater joy than having good people in your life. I am so incredibly blessed to have parents who have ensure me a wonderful life, who provide me with unconditional love, and who support me in everything I do. My sister is the one person who knows me better than anyone and has become my greatest confidant. When it comes to my friends, I choose quality over quantity; my friends can make me smile through anything and make life more enjoyable. My boyfriend is my greatest support system; I am so blessed to have a boyfriend who is truly my best friend and who makes me feel like the most loved, most beautiful, and luckiest girl in the world. Surrounding yourself only with people who lift you higher has a powerful impact in leading a positive and happy life!
(2) MY CONFIDENCE AND SELF LOVE
You won’t see me writing down that I am thankful for a great body, nice hair, or a pretty face. That type of beauty can’t ensure you self love and confidence. Rather, I am thankful for my inner beauty – my love of the little things in life, of helping other, and of spreading happiness, which enables me to love myself and feel confident about who I am. When you know who you are and what you want out of life, you can enjoy the ride. Yes, fitness and feeling confident about how you look can contribute to confidence and self love, but it requires more than that. Love yourself for who you are; never compare yourself to others. Be thankful for who YOU are and YOUR life!
(3) POSSESSING PASSIONS
I am so thankful for being a passionate person and putting my all into everything I do. It is far too easy to stay in your comfort zone and take the easy route through life, but I would argue that wont bring you true happiness. I have two main passions in life: being the best student I can be and health/fitness. I have no idea why school motivates me so much or why I enjoy working so hard, but I think I am addicted to the pay off: good grades, gaining education, and eventually, a successful career. My greatest passion is health and fitness. I love motivating and inspiring others to be all they can be and to achieve their own goals. I am very thankful I am a passionate person for it has provided me with a very fulfilling life.
(4) MY JOB/BLOG/FOLLOWERS
If someone would have told me a year ago where I would be today – having traveled the country with a company whose products I believe in, having a successful blog with followers who are so kind and receptive, and having been in a product ad – I never would have believed it. I am so incredibly thankful for the opportunities I have been given with ALRI; I love every minute of my work for them. My blog initially motivated me to kick my workouts/diet into high gear, but I never could have imagined the amount of others I have touched, inspired, and motivated. I am so thankful for that, and I am so thankful for how kind you followers all are; it’s been amazing connecting with others who share my same passion. YOU ALL inspire and motivate me!
(5) MY HEALTH
It is just me or does it seem like everyone you meet lately is fighting a serious health battle?! When your health is at jeopardy, it puts everything in life in perspective and shows you what really matters. Good physical health is something that has always been a priority to me, which is a strong reason why I exercise regularly and eat healthy. Mental health is something is am very grateful for as well. I worked in a pharmacy where anti-depressants were going like candy; I am so thankful my mental health is strong and that I have a clear view of myself and the world. Health is something we can’t ever take for granted and if it teaches one lesson it is – life is short; live everyday to the fullest!
One last thank you to you all for allowing me to live out my passion! Happy Thanksgiving; be thankful; be grateful! What a wonderful life 🙂
“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” -Cynthia Ozick
I wouldn’t leave you without what I knew you were really looking for! This is a timed workout – get out a stop watch and do each of the 4 movements for 60-90 seconds depending on your desired intensity level then rest 1 minute after completing the sequence and repeat; if needed, you can rest in between movements! Repeat circuit 3-6 times.
1. JUMPING JACK SQUATS
(Do a typical jumping jack but when you get into the “X” position bend down into a squat before returning arms and feet together)
2. SQUAT JUMP/RUNNING IN PLACE
(Preform a squat jump and then run in place for a few seconds before preforming another squat jump followed by a few seconds running in place)
3. MOUNTAIN CLIMBER/PUSH UPS
(On every 8-10 mountain climbers do a push up; continue for the timed 60-90 seconds going as quick as you can)
4. CRAB KICKS/CRUNCHES
(Begin in a crab position; sit on your butt and lift yourself up onto your feet and palms. Kick out your right leg and return it back quickly, then kick out your left leg and return it back quickly. For every 8-10 crab kicks you do, do 3 quick crunches and move back into crab kicks.
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