Hey tough guy...you know who you are!

What do you do when you’ve been asked by a friend to run a half-marathon; only it’s in less than 3 days?
Here are lists of responses that will do just fine:

1) “Sorry I can’t, I just finished running a full marathon and I’m kind of beat.”
2) “Are you out of your mind?”
3) “I don’t like to plan ahead so can you ask me the morning of?”

Or, you can do what I did and say I’ll get back to you. Now you must think long and hard about what’s more important:

Option a: Proving you are a tough guy and can cross the finish line or Option b: Avoiding a nasty running injury. I chose b and you should too; here’s my why?

It was a warm spring day in Edmonton; just about this time in April of 08. My best friend Andrea and I were preparing for the ‘Guitar Hero’ competition/fundraiser for the PFT grads. We needed to buy shirts to paint guitars on them. We talked it over and decided to run to ‘Army and Navy’ on Whyte Ave instead of driving; since we were considered advocates of healthy living. The distance we would cover would be 14 km aka 8.7 miles. To most runners this wouldn’t be much but to me it was. I didn’t consider myself a runner. The most I had ever ran was 8.5 km but that was a couple years ago. I didn’t question my ability to make it there and back because I was in the gym daily. The next day proved to be a painful but a great reminder of just what I had learned in my program.

In the study of exercise science, there are several universally accepted scientific fitness principles that must be followed in order to get the most from exercise programs and improve your overall fitness. Below is just one of the principles that relates to the issue at hand:

* The Principle of Progression implies that there is an optimal level of overload that should be achieved, and in an optimal amount time frame for this overload to occur. A gradual increase of the workload over a period of time will result in improvements in fitness without risk of injury. When an overload occurs too slowly, you will un-likely improve but if an overload is increased too rapidly you may wake up in the morning with an injury or even muscle damage. The Principle of Progression also states the need for proper rest and recovery.

I had ignored this fine principle of progression and paid the price. My price came in the form of a second degree sprain which meant that I partially tore the ligament(s) in my ankle.  The lateral ligaments are most commonly injured; with the most severe injury being in the front (anterior) and the least severe in the back (posterior).  Andrea and I had come to the conclusion that I had sprained my anterior talofibular ligament; the most commonly damaged ligament. Sprains often happen as a result of the ligaments being stretched more than normal.  For this reason it is important to follow guidelines and take extreme caution when jumpiing into anything new.

I’ve come to the conclusion that if I can walk the next day pain free; picking option b isn’t such a bad idea.  cc

“I still feel like I gotta prove something. There are a lot of people hoping I fail. But I like that. I need to be hated.” -Howard Stern

Beliefs can empower us or limit us

I went out for a run today down in the River Valley located in Edmonton.  There I found a spot to watch the sun go down.  Playing in my ear was the ‘Avatar’ soundtrack; I know what your thinking but I like the song “Pure spirits of the Forest” I was surrounded by nature  and it doesn’t exactly scream Dr.Dre. As time went by I started thinking about my current health, happiness and something I came across today in a reading.  It said, “The natives say when you heal yourself, you also heal four generations before and the four generations after you.”

Our current health and happiness is a result of our belief systems; up until this point.  They say that beliefs come from many things such as our environment-our culture, family, religion, society, the media, and anything else that surrounds us.  They are like little seeds that are planted early on in our minds and hearts that may take us closer to our higher, true self or further away from it.  Belief systems then form thought patterns that can grow healthy and radiant much like the plants in my office or can become giant entangled weeds that feed off the life forces and radiance of others.

If our mind is the force that guides our choices then why do some of us choose to be passengers?  I guess mostly because it’s easier to sit back and do nothing.  We can always turn around and blame the driver if something bad happens; I think I can safely use the term ‘autopilot’ here.  Being on autopilot isn’t much fun because then we become the victim of our circumstances.

It is time to ask yourself if you are the driver or the passenger in your life?  If not then what will take to shake you and awaken you to finally live the kind of life where you can truly feel happy, healthy, and whole.  cc

“Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life.  A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes.  It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.”  –Anon.

Why didn't I think of this?

Funny thing happened today…I was setting up for my Boot Camp located in Castledowns, Edmonton and some ladies just happened to pull in the parking lot at about the sametime. So I thought to myself…okay here a some of my ladies sweet!!!  (As I rub my hands together)  FYI: There are a few clients that have signed up on pay-pal that I have yet to meet so I’m thinking this is them. I headed toward them and I yelled out, “Wicked wind hey???  We will really have to push through it today!”

Meanwhile they have no idea what I am talking about because they just parked their car to go for a walk.  “What’s your names?”  They proceed to tell me their names, lol, too sweet. They don’t want to break my excitement so they say nothing while I stammer on. I get their names and I notice by looks on their faces that maybe just maybe they are not here for me…

Yep! You got it, there not.  They were just heading out for a brisk walk  but I managed to have them come down and watch a bit of the boot camp. I even suggest that if they wanted to try it out for free instead of going for a walk they could. One said yes and the other said no because she was scared. As a compromise they both sat and watched. I did accomodate them nicely as the wind was a bit feirce. I ran to my car and got them both blankets to cover up while they watched the rest of us work through Mother Nature. I do hope to see those lovely ladies again. And, that my friends is called “Networking at its finest!”  cc

“Never take life too seriously.  Nobody gets out alive anyway.” Author Unknown

I am currently sitting at the kitchen table and I just finished watching a Ted talk.  If you are not familiar with Ted it is a small non-profit online website where it brings people together to share their ideas on technology, entertainment, and design.  The topic I listened to tonight was ”Mena Trott on blogs”   It caught my attention because I really wanted to know if there was a specific guideline on how to write a blog.  Yes, I have been just winging it this whole time; this is the story of my life.  I am not much of a planner.  I do like the more relaxed approach as in I let my emotional side make most of my choices in life.  That’s where my elephant comes in.

In psychology, we have been told that the brain has two independent systems at work at all times (I am reading up on this so this is not coming out of the sky my friends).  The first is our emotional side (the elephant).  It’s the part of us that feels pain, pleasure and is instinctive.  The second, is the rational side (the rider).  This side is reflective, analyzes and looks into the future.  We all have a rider who sits on top of our elephant.  Our rider controls the reins and is dubbed the leader.  However, anytime the two don’t agree the elephant will win based on size alone.

Most of us have experienced this when you have overeaten, missed a workout, or tried to quit a bad habit but failed at it miserably.  If you are thinking of making a change, you need to clear about one thing:

“Do I have the strength and will power to keep my elephant on the road long enough to reach my destination?”

The elephant is always looking for a quick fix while the rider has the ability to think beyond the moment.  If change is to happen both must agree.  Allow your rider to do the planning and control the direction while your elephant uses it’s energy for the journey ahead!  cc

“You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind.” Author Unknown

I will go to the gym tomorrow for sure

How do you convince yourself to fit exercise into your already busy schedule?

If you are among the inactive in Edmonton, you don’t. You may say to yourself that you have too many barriers in the way of making exercise a regular habit. If I am right in my assumption, you may need to change the way you think about exercise/activity.

I know this may sound harsh but this is not to be taken personal. You must be more concerned about your well-being then trying to justify why you think you can’t. In order to do this, you may need to reconnect with the reasons for wanting to make a change in the first place. Accept that change is a process and although it takes time, there is every reason to enjoy the process.

Below are some questions to ponder:

1) How would or does exercise make you feel later in the day?
2) How would or do you feel after completing a workout that you originally had planned on skipping?
3) What are some of the positive feelings you would or do get with a good workout?

Think of exercise as your very own ‘mini vacation’ A time to get away from everyone and anything that would otherwise be occupying your valuable time.

If you need support to get started I may just know someone.  cc

“The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others.” ~ Sonya Friedman

Take 3!

April is the official kick off  to “Why Not” Boot Camps in Edmonton.  (Coming soon to St.Albert!)

Have you ever wondered what the entire craze is about boot camps? Don’t let the word scare you; its really not that bad.  If you have ever struggled to get through a workout then this might be for you.  What works for me is using my imagination.  In creating and designing programs this is just what I do.  If you like movies than this might be the first time you might actually enjoy a workout.

If you are curious but don’t want to commit why not bring a friend and try us out for a “Free Session”

Why not make a night of it and bring a friend.  Your first session is on me so you really have nothing to lose besides fat and calories!  Send your request at carol@whynotthrive.ca or call 780-977-8002 to reserve your spot today!  cc

Run with me

It is April Fools and also the first official day of the ‘Run it Off Club’.  If you have never tried running; why not?  Here are 8 ‘solid’ reasons aka excuses you may have said to yourself:

1) I really hate exercise
2) I tried it a few times but I keep quitting
3) I don’t see any changes in my body
4) I don’t know how to run
5) I want to run but I have kids
6) I can’t stay motivated and committed long enough to see results and I have been consistent for almost two weeks
7) I hurt myself in highschool and I haven’t been the same since
Running hurts
9) By the time I get home from work, feeding the kids, etc. I am too tired to do anything

And, the top ten reason aka excuse you may have used over and over again; drum roll please!

10) I don’t have time

I realize that some of you may be saying, “It’s easy for you to say Carol; you don’t have kids!”  I hear that one a lot.  It’s funny because just the other day I was out running and as I was heading down a set of stairs I noticed a lady with her baby in a sling.  She was coming up the stairs by LeMarchand Mansion and it was obvious that she wasn’t out for just a light stroll.  So you see, some make excuses and some find a way out of those excuses.

If running really isn’t your thing then I encourage you to play like a kid and find out!  Until then I’ll be on different running routes in the Edmonton and St.Albert area every Thursday at 8pm sharp along side whoever turns up.  cc

“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed.  Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows that it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re a lion or a gazelle when the sun comes up you’d better be running.”  -Anon

Carol Collin - Personal Trainer

Why Not Thrive Inc. is owned and operated by Carol Collin. To learn more please click on BIO.

“Do what matters most and find time to treasure yourself.”

Goal: My goal is to welcome you to the start of your new beginning.  Everybody has to start somewhere.  If you are new to exercise, start slowly.  If you are beginning a new lifestyle-let me help you get moving as soon and as often as possible.  My commitment to you is personalized individual/group care, gratifying individual/group programs, flexible scheduling, telephone support, encouragement, inspiration and on-going motivation throughout your journey.  My goal is to have you walking away feeling that you deserve greatness.

Thrive also provides other remarkable opportunities of back up support to ensure your journey is a success.

Mission: My mission is to inspire and motivate you to tap into a greater self awareness using exercise as the catalyst; with the intent that it will leak into all areas of your life.  My mission is to shift your perceptions about your past failures and inspire you to believe in yourself.  I do this by using my passion, empathy, and depth by the experiences that I’ve gone through which enable me to motivate and support you.  Allow me to awaken the athlete in you.  This is my journey that I am dedicated to while choosing to say, “Why Not” along the way.

Vision: My vision is to create a support network, which provides women who suffer from depression, low self worth, low self esteem healthier alternatives by empowering them through Personal Training/Education and On-going Coaching Support.   

Motto: Thrive on Purpose

cc