Be VERY afraid! Then get over it!!

Time for a check up!

Remember way back when, when I said the theme for 2014 is FEARLESS?  Well I haven't forgotten.  I've been living this year facing fears, identifying new ones and being (temporarily) defeated by old ones.  We've entered the last quarter of 2014 so it's time to check ourselves (before we wreck ourselves…sorry-can't-help-it).

I don't normally curse, but...

I was recently eye to eye with one of my biggest known fears.  As I was excitedly primping myself for a much needed GNO (girls night out).  I bounced my way down my basement stairs to slip into a pair of non-athletic shoes (a rare and special occasion on it's own) only to discover the most horrific thing imaginable slithering it's way out of my shoe.  It was a %$^#^ SNAKE…IN. MY. SHOE.  Seriously.  This is the first time I've been able to discuss the situation without tearing up.  It was AWFUL!  I do NOT have a picture to share with you.  If you think I'm hanging out with the S word long enough to capture an image on camera, well, then you don't know me at all.  Nevertheless, I did not burn my house to the ground or move into a hotel.  I continue to live there (with caution) and each day I find myself entering rooms with a little more confidence.  I'm no longer scanning the perimeter of the house with a flashlight on an hourly basis and I imagine someday I'll enter my basement without boots on or a hammer in tow.  And that, my friend, is progress.  Let's move on.

GNO was still a success!

And that beauty next to me came to my rescue, stopping by my house to hunt down my slimy intruder! 

Summary thus far...

Thus far I'm happy with the way the year is progressing.  Personally: I've made some big leaps into buying and renovating a fixer-upper (perhaps before and afters to share soon?).   I've watched my incredible kids take on some challenges and grow into even more fabulous beings.  Professionally: I've been developing some new programs for 2015 and have been nurturing some that I've had in place.  My hope is that I'm able to expand my reach and help more people discover how fun fitness can be and how it has a positive impact on all other areas of life.  I've spent the past few years diving into experiments and submerging myself into program development so that I can present the ultimate program that encompasses all that is wonderful about living, experiencing and embracing fitness.

Thank you, Thank you!

 For allowing me to ramble, I present you with this token of appreciation: A sample workout:

I call this my "NO FEAR FRIDAY" workout...

I started by supersetting pull-overs (12 reps) and plate pikes (20 reps) for 3 sets.

Once I finished my 3 sets of those 2 exercises, I did a 2 minute boxing circuit.

I love boxing!  It's total body and it get's my heart rate up.

Then I moved on to a new superset.  Bench press (12 reps) and Close grip pull-ups (8 reps) for 3 sets.

Pull-ups are tough!  If you aren't quite ready for them, I suggest standing on a sturdy box so that you have some assistance (a gentle hop) getting your chin up, then focus on lowering yourself down slowly.  You will be amazed at how quickly you progress after practicing this way (focusing on the negative part of the exercise).  Option 3: You could also a cable to do lat pulldowns.

After the superset, I did another 2 min round of boxing.

Lastly, I realized it was incredibly beautiful outside, so I grabbed some dumbbells and walked around the building (outside) doing bicep curls, shoulder presses, and tricep extensions.  I stopped and did 20 burpees between each set.  Let me know if you need tips on modify or substituting any of these exercises.

THE END

I love weight training, but I am SO glad tomorrow is yoga day!!  I'm going to need it!

ONE MORE THING KBD (kinda big deal)!!

As I put the finishing touches on my projects for 2014 I am wrapping up with an amazing event.  I get to go to a conference in NYC!! I have NEVER been and I am so stoked!!  What's even more exciting??  This conference is so befittingly titled #FunFEARLESSLife!  How perfect is that?  There are going to be speakers there like Eva Longoria, Jillian Michaels, Sara Blakely (founder of Spanx), Dick Costolo (the CEO of Twitter) and lots of other amazing people who deserve a mention but this post is getting so darn long.

I cannot wait to share this experience with you!! I know I am going to learn so much and be challenged in ways I can't even imagine.

Have you been to New York?  Please share your experience or tips in the comments section!