Just a simple yet important reminder for the week ahead of you. Isn’t it lovely when someone pays you a compliment, tells you you’re doing great or encourages you in some way? Why shouldn’t you provide your own encouragement as well? Only you know why you’re headed in the direction you are and that is enough to know it is correct and good. Maybe you are unsure of your path and that’s ok too! Just keep moving and encouraging yourself every step of the way, sooner or later you’ll realize everything you did was for a reason and a good one at that. Remember to encourage others as well. Tell family, friends and even strangers, words that will boost their spirits and empower them to live a happier and healthier life today and every day.
We’re encouraging you to focus on self-love this week. Christian Nestell Bovee said it best, “our first and last love is self love.” So why not start today? Realize when you’re being too hard on yourself and simply let it go, exhale and tell yourself something encouraging. Something you’d say to your sister, partner or coworker to make them feel a bit better about their efforts. Simply realizing when I’m battering myself has helped me have a more positive mindset in many faucets of my life, everything from self-employment to traveling to eating. Hear your worries and woes as if they’re coming from a loved one and respond accordingly. I promise you it will feel great. Happy Monday!
Growing up, I’ve always been involved in some type of activity, whether it was playing tag with my neighbors, going backpacking with my father or running around on the soccer field. Because of this, my legs have always been the biggest part of my body and I admit, I used to feel a little insecure about it. Struggling to squeeze into skirts and skinny jeans that my friends easily slipped on with their cute little bird legs and knobby knees. Now that I’ve grown up a little bit and realized that Barbies and models are far from average, I love my muscular legs. Are they proportionate to the rest of my body? Sometimes no, but it’s cool, thunder thighs are where it’s at. They take me everywhere I need to go, even if it’s twenty miles from point A to B, I know they’ll carry me. Climbing up a volcano? Yep, they were there. Walking three miles home from class carrying a twenty-pound camera lens? No biggie. Taking dozens of photos while frozen in the same pose for an hour during this tutorial? No problem they say! They even requested a yoga class afterwards. They’re that good. So, after years of self-doubt and twirling in the mirror wishing they’d shrink up a bit, I decided it’s time to give my legs some love and some more exercise. Time to cherish those limbs and treat them right. This lower body workout is really basic, but can be easily modified if you’d like it to be a bit tougher. I designed it to be easily remembered and equipment free that way you can add it to the end of a hike or a walk. These moves target your thighs (especially the inner thighs), glutes, calves and even your abdominal muscles. Read through all the exercises so you’re familiar with proper form. You’ll find a concise workout routine at the bottom of the post.
