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eathe<br />
clarity<br />
nutrition<br />
flexibility<br />
both strong and experience weak moments.<br />
I feel weak when I experience something new or when<br />
I’m in a situation where I feel unqualified. When I’m not<br />
practicing positive self-talk (which requires a great deal<br />
of strength), I am quick to stop myself or give myself a<br />
bailout plan before I even try. I know I have the strength<br />
to do hard things and yet, the reality that I could fail<br />
cripples me from starting. Ever been there?<br />
I feel weak on days at the gym when I can’t lift as much<br />
weight as I would like or even on the days when getting<br />
to the gym seems impossible. I am not always in control<br />
of my food choices and slip into old, bad habits. I<br />
experience times where meeting the expectations of<br />
others leads me into areas that are not good for me. I<br />
feel incredibly weak when I do not keep the promises I<br />
made to myself.<br />
One area that I know feels weak at the moment but<br />
requires a great deal of strength is vulnerability. It is<br />
challenging to show the world my imperfections and<br />
insecurities. However, I know it is in our vulnerability<br />
that we connect with others and prove our authenticity.<br />
With vulnerability comes true connection and with true<br />
connection, growth is possible.<br />
Strength is grown and it is grown on a lifelong journey.<br />
How do I grow stronger?<br />
Physically<br />
Make a commitment to yourself to move your body and<br />
elevate your heart rate for at least 30 minutes, every<br />
single day. You don’t need to run a marathon or climb<br />
a mountain every day, but you do need to move. Your<br />
body was designed for healthy movement.<br />
Set yourself up with a workout plan that will help<br />
you achieve your goals. This could mean seeking<br />
support from someone to design a lifting plan for<br />
you, downloading an app, or purchasing a gym<br />
membership, or fitness equipment for home use.<br />
Plan a schedule and block out the appointments<br />
in your calendar for when you will exercise. Set a<br />
realistic commitment for yourself and show up for your<br />
appointments. You wouldn’t cancel on a good friend –<br />
don’t cancel on yourself.<br />
Eat food that nourishes your body with key vitamins<br />
and minerals. Remember, food is fuel for you – it’s gas<br />
in the tank. You wouldn’t put cheap, inefficient gasoline<br />
in your vehicle so choose to replenish your body with<br />
rich nutrients that bless your body.<br />
Physical Strength.<br />
Mentally, Emotionally & Spiritually<br />
Spend time with people who are good for your soul. We<br />
greatly underestimate the weight of which our surroundings<br />
play into our emotional and mental well-being. You need to<br />
find people that want to climb the mountain with you!<br />
This might mean using the Unfollow button on social<br />
media, stopping outings with a crowd of people that<br />
leaves you feeling run down or unhealthy, or connecting<br />
with positive groups both in-person and online that share<br />
common interests. Establish these connections to occur<br />
regularly in your routine. Showing up for these events is just<br />
as important for your growth as showing up to the gym.<br />
Learn from encouraging, growth-minded mentors. There are<br />
countless influencers providing information about how they<br />
achieved what you’re dying to do. Utilize podcasts, YouTube<br />
videos, books, and other resources like this to lead yourself<br />
in the direction of your goals. By empowering yourself, you<br />
give yourself the necessary tools to be successful. As your<br />
confidence in these areas grows, your mind and emotional<br />
endurance will grow stronger.<br />
Remember this: You are strong. You are stronger than you<br />
realize and you have everything in you that you need to be<br />
successful. Embrace the journey and you will grow stronger<br />
every day.<br />
Erin Bahrenfuss, Owner STRIVE Health + Wellness &<br />
Independent Certified OPTAVIA Coach<br />
Photos Contributed by Erin Bahrenfuss.