I hate to see Thanksgiving pass because it's my favorite holiday.
Thanksgiving week helps me reflect on what I have and don't have in my life. There was a time I only yearned for what I did not have...for a future full of amazing things that would make my life better. I've since learned, the future is now and the only thing that makes my life better is filling it with love. Take a look at the moments for which I'm eternally thankful and my tips for maintaining a grateful vibe post-thanksgiving.
Don't forget!
After viewing my thankful moments, please take a second to tell me about one of yours in the comments section at the way bottom. I'll pick a winner for a very nice winter fitness prize. More than anything, I like to hear your stories of gratitude because YOU (my readers) are my inspiration.
The Moments For Which There Aren't Enough Thank You's
So thankful for: My good friend Megan Hutt who rushed to my side to help me set up for a Thanksgiving-Fitness TV segment in my hometown.
MizzFIT Tip: Ask your friends for help/support by inviting them to be a part of your journey. Turn a favor into quality time that inspires their life as much as yours. In this way you're helping each other and making memories together. I can't think of a better way to hang out that makes you appreciate and adore your friends.
So thankful for: The opportunity to share my life's passion with the world and laugh on the job (because laughing burns calories).
MizzFIT Tip: If your line of work doesn't make you feel good, engaged or bring a smile to your face every day, then it's time to take inventory of your true desires and interests. Sometimes quitting is the 1st step to success. I had to do it to find career bliss...and I've never once looked back.
So thankful for: The internet and all the amazingly talented people who post their creations on it. Like the Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Candied Pecans recipe I found on Mizz Rikki Snyder's food photography blog for Thanksgiving. As you can see from the pic above, they were a hit within seconds of being served! Confession: these are the same yams I was doing Yam Flys with in the video above! To be honest, I'm not sure if they were yams or sweet potatoes but they tasted delicious and made great weights, and that's all that matters to me!
MizzFIT Tip: When you find information online that's especially useful to you or makes your life better somehow, give the person or website you got it from a shout out. Tell them how great your Whipped Sweet Potatoes turned out or how much you loved their fitness video that helped you shed pounds. There's a lot a free info online that we take and use without giving thanks for. By saying thank you, you're giving back, making someone feel good about their contribution and maybe even making a new friend online.
So thankful for: An entire day and night of cooking with my family and eating together without a single argument.
MizzFIT Tip: Every family has its own issues. Even seemingly perfect families have problems and periods of discord. Sometimes you just have to make the best of it, bite your tongue and forgetaboutit. My advice is to see the bigger picture. Let the small annoying things go. They're meaningless and can disrupt the bigger, more victorious moments The table you see above was made with lots of love and no one complained about each other's contributions or lack of. It was perfect.
So thankful for: The stylish and ever-so-comfy sportswear that got me through a full day of cooking and even a 1-hour bike ride (my little fitness break while my mom watched the oven). In case you're wondering, I proudly laid out all my clothes at the end of the day just to take this pic. Thank you's to Nike, Splits59, Oakley, and Lorna Jane
MizzFIT Tip: Stylish fitness apparel will motivate you to workout and lead a healthy, active lifestyle. Sloppy shapeless sweats and ragged old clothes might get you through a workout but you won't feel like a million bucks. You don't have to look like a beauty queen to run your errands and work out but you will find extra motivation when you like what you see in the mirror. Invest in fitness fashion that makes you feel good about yourself and the body you were given.
So thankful for: Things that scare me and challenge me. Over Thanksgiving week, I decided to swallow my fear of heights and go up (yes, all the way up) to the top of the Arch in Saint Louis, Missouri. I have vertigo, so I decided not to look downward from the Arch windows and simply enjoy the fact that I had conquered my fears.
MizzFIT Tip: When you're feeling crappy about yourself or life in general, you're basically throwing yourself a pity party. My advice is to go do something that scares the hell out of you to show yourself how strong you can be...and prove to yourself that anything is possible. Invite your friends to come along. You better believe I didn't go up 630 feet in a swaying arch all by myself. I walked away grateful for the experience and so will you!
So thankful for: The happiness of my friends. For me, 2012 was full of weddings and celebrations for friends who had launched new businesses and career paths. I love seeing the people I care about begin their own families and realize their dreams.
MizzFIT Tip: Sometimes your friends will get there first...before you do. And you might feel left out, behind or less lucky. But that's not the case. It's just not your time yet. Think of your friends as a piece of you, not your competition. Let their happiness and celebration rub off on you. The more you support and applaud your friends' successes, the more good karma will find its way into your life.
So thankful for: Having animals in my life. My 2 puggles have taught me that pets are not just pets. They're loving creatures with feelings. They bring me so much joy and I wouldn't be the same person without them.
MizzFIT Tip: If you're looking to bring a furball into your home and life, consider rescuing one. One of my puggles is a rescue dog. There are tons of pets in rescue shelters that need a home and frankly, the puppy stage ain't all it's cracked up to be. Sometimes rescue animals are much easier to train and once they see how well you treat them, they're incredibly grateful. I have a special bond with Shorty--we protect each other. Rescue your new best friend and you'll feel like you're the one who got rescued!
What are YOU thankful for?
Share a moment/tip of your own to win a pair of pink Multi-Mitts from Sprigs, one of my favorite companies for smart fitness accessories. I'll pick a winner on Dec 14th, 2012.