The Winter Olympic games ended in an blaze of speed and excitement as the USA played Canada in the Ice Hockey Final Medals game.
By now you know who won the much-anticipated game between the two North American teams. Amazingly, with only 24 seconds in regulation, the USA tied the medal game. It was exhilarating. But IN OVERTIME, the Canadians slipped a puck past the USA goalie to take the gold medal.
In fact, it was just as exhilarating to watch the USA 4-man bobsledding team bring home a gold for the first time in over 60 years as it was to watch any number of athletes win multiple medals or add to their previous Olympic medal count—such as Bode Miller, Apolo Ono, and Chad Hedrick.
Of course there were also stories from these Olympic games that resulted in incredible disappointment for certain athletes.
Did you hear about the alternate speed skater who received a call to compete, but his phone was turned off and didn’t make it to the track in time?
Or did you hear about the Dutch Speed skating coach, Gerard Kempker, who prompted his skater, Sven Kramer to make a split second decision to change lanes near the end of a 10K race? Kramer, like most athletes, was confused by the direction, yet followed his coach’s instruction. Instead of winning his second gold medal of the games, he was disqualified.
Or how about the Canadian figure skater, Joannie Rochette, who was about to take the ice for the “competition of her lifetime” when she got a call that her mother had unexpectedly died of a heart attack? She amazed the watching world with her ability to not only skate with composure, but with enough precision to win the bronze medal for her country. At the request of her nation she was chosen to carry the Canadian flag in the closing ceremonies.
After two weeks of Olympic competition, if you are like me, not a day has not gone by when I haven’t been challenged by the courage and dedication of these world-class athletes. But they have also proven that all the preparation in the world doesn’t guarantee an athlete a gold medal. Injury, uncooperative weather, a bad break, or a life-altering situation unrelated to their competition could cause them not only to miss their goal, but even their race.
This afternoon, as the hockey game came to a close, I was challenged by an NBC Sports analyst who said, “An athlete’s true colors are seen, not when things are great, but when things are tough.”
Perhaps you or someone you love faces an illness, a job loss, or a huge disappointment? A little change in attitude, gratitude, or direction can spur you onto new heights and help you achieve different, if not big results.
How? Take a deep breath and start over. Today is the day to tackle the same obstacle with new resolve and overcome it.
The Olympic games and its cast of competitors remind us all that we will face unexpected setbacks and enjoy occasional victories. Our true colors—who we are—will be most visible to others and ourselves when things are tough, not when things are great.
Be encouraged,
Becky
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
2/3rds of Americans are obese or overweight!
Inspired by the competition of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, I walked into a local gym for the first time in a long time and within minutes signed up for a one-year membership. I’ve already taken 4 classes in 8 days, had my “fitness levels” assessed—BMI, weight, VO2 Max, push-up and stretch tests—and enjoyed a free Pilates class on a reformer. Whew!
I’m not tired. I just can’t sit down very fast or gracefully.
But in just a short amount of time, my posture is better, I sleep more soundly, I have increased energy and more optimism (if that’s even possible) and I can feel my core—abs, hips, and back (which has been pretty flimsy lately)--tightening and firming. In just 8 days.
So what is behind my passion for rejoining a gym?
I want to become a bigger part of the solution to the massive health problem that is negatively impacting 2/3rds of our nation!
New studies show that 190 million Americans are overweight or obese. Despite spending billions of dollars each year on health and wellness products and programs, we’re neither a healthy nor fit nation.
Part of the problem is that Americans eat 500 more calories each day than they did 25 years ago! The other part of the problem is that we—as a nation—have forgotten that exercising regularly is fun and rewarding. Not only does it feel really good to be fit, it relieves stress, burns fat and calories, and can reduce cholesterol levels. And as we age, exercise (especially lifting light weights) increases our bone density, lowers our blood pressure, strengthens our core and improves our balance.
The bottom line? Even a little change in your activity levels will have big results in your overall health in a very short amount time. You’ll enjoy a leaner body, more energy, better sleep, appetite control, as well as the incredible relief that occurs when endorphins naturally release into your body to improve your mood and attitude!
The good news is that you don’t have to join a gym to enjoy a fit and healthy life.
You can begin with walking today—using a pedometer and counting at least 10,000 steps a day. Quickly graduate to a home workout DVD that burns calories & fat AND IS FUN – using resistance bands, light hand weights, or stability balls for variety! Then before the week is over, ask a friend or family member to join you in a regular routine of walking, jogging, biking, surfing, gardening, dancing, playing soccer or softball. And if no one commits to being your accountability partner, join a gym. There are free or inexpensive deals out there right now—especially during this Olympic season! And if you can afford it, get a trainer who MAKES you do this stuff!
Be encouraged to get fit!
Becky
I’m not tired. I just can’t sit down very fast or gracefully.
But in just a short amount of time, my posture is better, I sleep more soundly, I have increased energy and more optimism (if that’s even possible) and I can feel my core—abs, hips, and back (which has been pretty flimsy lately)--tightening and firming. In just 8 days.
So what is behind my passion for rejoining a gym?
I want to become a bigger part of the solution to the massive health problem that is negatively impacting 2/3rds of our nation!
New studies show that 190 million Americans are overweight or obese. Despite spending billions of dollars each year on health and wellness products and programs, we’re neither a healthy nor fit nation.
Part of the problem is that Americans eat 500 more calories each day than they did 25 years ago! The other part of the problem is that we—as a nation—have forgotten that exercising regularly is fun and rewarding. Not only does it feel really good to be fit, it relieves stress, burns fat and calories, and can reduce cholesterol levels. And as we age, exercise (especially lifting light weights) increases our bone density, lowers our blood pressure, strengthens our core and improves our balance.
The bottom line? Even a little change in your activity levels will have big results in your overall health in a very short amount time. You’ll enjoy a leaner body, more energy, better sleep, appetite control, as well as the incredible relief that occurs when endorphins naturally release into your body to improve your mood and attitude!
The good news is that you don’t have to join a gym to enjoy a fit and healthy life.
You can begin with walking today—using a pedometer and counting at least 10,000 steps a day. Quickly graduate to a home workout DVD that burns calories & fat AND IS FUN – using resistance bands, light hand weights, or stability balls for variety! Then before the week is over, ask a friend or family member to join you in a regular routine of walking, jogging, biking, surfing, gardening, dancing, playing soccer or softball. And if no one commits to being your accountability partner, join a gym. There are free or inexpensive deals out there right now—especially during this Olympic season! And if you can afford it, get a trainer who MAKES you do this stuff!
Be encouraged to get fit!
Becky
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Apolo Ohno's Olympic Mantra
Whether you are a speed skating fan or not, there are plenty of lessons to learn from Olympic athletes such as Apolo Anton Ohno.
Apolo’s legacy as the most decorated male Winter Olympics medalist stems from what some might consider his extreme work ethic. But after listening to his “up close” interview after winning a 6th Olympic medal, it was apparent that Ohno’s mantra is not focused on the physical, but on the mental. It is focused not on the future, but on today.
Each day, Apolo submits himself to a rigorous, 2-hour extreme workout then takes a short lunch break before resuming his exhaustive physical regimen for another two hours. His admitted goal with each activity is to maximally challenge himself physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Ohno’s three-Olympic game success is not found in his physical routine, but in a question that he asks himself daily: “Did I do the BEST I could do today?” At the end of every exercise, sprint, workout, time trial, run, or challenge, he asks himself this very question. He doesn’t review his routine after a week or after each race and hope that he achieved his goals. No. He consistently and introspectively assesses his efforts, asking, “Did I give this my best? Did I give my all to everything I attempted to achieve right now?”
I was personally encouraged by Ohno’s Olympic mantra because it is relatable and transferable to anyone. You don’t have to be an athlete to live by this motto—you just have to be unwilling to SETTLE for mediocrity or moderation in all aspects of your life on a daily basis.
In other words, giving your very best in little things gives you the best chance for receiving big results when the pressure is on or when it matters most!
For example, people with years of sobriety achieve it one day at a time—year after year is only attained one day at a time. Or those with sustained weight loss achieve it by paying attention to what they eat at every meal, day after day. Those who have been successfully and faithfully married make choices everyday to remain true to their spouse. And people who reduce their debt, make consistent choices to save, rather than spend.
What little changes might you have to make to give your best today and get big results? Do you have to "change" your pattern and weigh in daily until you lose weight and maintain it? Or is it time to cut up a credit card until you reduce your debt? Perhaps this is the last day you will be late and instead arrive 10 minutes early for every meeting until you are never late again?
With each relationship, appointment, activity, or challenge, you can make a choice to push yourself and give your best…or settle.
How might your life change for the better if you took on Ohno’s Olympic mantra?
Be encouraged to change,
Becky
Apolo’s legacy as the most decorated male Winter Olympics medalist stems from what some might consider his extreme work ethic. But after listening to his “up close” interview after winning a 6th Olympic medal, it was apparent that Ohno’s mantra is not focused on the physical, but on the mental. It is focused not on the future, but on today.
Each day, Apolo submits himself to a rigorous, 2-hour extreme workout then takes a short lunch break before resuming his exhaustive physical regimen for another two hours. His admitted goal with each activity is to maximally challenge himself physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Ohno’s three-Olympic game success is not found in his physical routine, but in a question that he asks himself daily: “Did I do the BEST I could do today?” At the end of every exercise, sprint, workout, time trial, run, or challenge, he asks himself this very question. He doesn’t review his routine after a week or after each race and hope that he achieved his goals. No. He consistently and introspectively assesses his efforts, asking, “Did I give this my best? Did I give my all to everything I attempted to achieve right now?”
I was personally encouraged by Ohno’s Olympic mantra because it is relatable and transferable to anyone. You don’t have to be an athlete to live by this motto—you just have to be unwilling to SETTLE for mediocrity or moderation in all aspects of your life on a daily basis.
In other words, giving your very best in little things gives you the best chance for receiving big results when the pressure is on or when it matters most!
For example, people with years of sobriety achieve it one day at a time—year after year is only attained one day at a time. Or those with sustained weight loss achieve it by paying attention to what they eat at every meal, day after day. Those who have been successfully and faithfully married make choices everyday to remain true to their spouse. And people who reduce their debt, make consistent choices to save, rather than spend.
What little changes might you have to make to give your best today and get big results? Do you have to "change" your pattern and weigh in daily until you lose weight and maintain it? Or is it time to cut up a credit card until you reduce your debt? Perhaps this is the last day you will be late and instead arrive 10 minutes early for every meeting until you are never late again?
With each relationship, appointment, activity, or challenge, you can make a choice to push yourself and give your best…or settle.
How might your life change for the better if you took on Ohno’s Olympic mantra?
Be encouraged to change,
Becky
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Undercover Boss -- You Don't Want to Miss it...
Tears are in my eyes as I write this…and it wasn’t because the Colts lost the Super Bowl!
If you didn’t happen to stay on the same channel after the Super Bowl and watch a new “reality” show called Undercover Boss, I hope you'll watch it next week!
It is inspirational.
It is empowering.
It is emotional.
It is eye opening.
In fact, it was even more exciting than the Super Bowl because it was more than a game; it was a compelling tale about the real lives of average men and women!
This week’s episode featured the COO of Waste Management (WM), a national company that recycles waste. He went undercover and pretended to be an entry-level employee in a number of the WM facilities.
Each vignette revealed the dynamics of how upper and middle management interact with their employees including:
(1) how some managers unfairly overwork or poorly treat their employees,
(2) what it feels like to get fired,
(3) the level of personality that each person brings into their job, and
(4) the “back story”—including health issues—that each person brings to the workplace.
Besides being extremely motivational and touching, Undercover Boss positively focused on how little changes in the workplace can have big results!
Especially because it was the COO who uncovered how many of the demands of management and how the pressure to be productive negatively impacted employee morale, he immediately implemented new procedures. And though they were little changes, such as ending the way hourly employees were docked for being a few minutes late or starting a task force to determine how WM can become a more “female friendly” company, it immediately increased company morale. (If you missed the first episode, click here to catch some of Waste Management segments.)
How might Undercover Boss change your life?
First, if you willingly put yourself in someone else’s shoes, even for just one day, you will experience life differently—and probably be better for it. Second, implementing little changes to make another person’s life better when it is in your power to do so will have big, far-reaching results!
Be encouraged,
Becky
If you didn’t happen to stay on the same channel after the Super Bowl and watch a new “reality” show called Undercover Boss, I hope you'll watch it next week!
It is inspirational.
It is empowering.
It is emotional.
It is eye opening.
In fact, it was even more exciting than the Super Bowl because it was more than a game; it was a compelling tale about the real lives of average men and women!
This week’s episode featured the COO of Waste Management (WM), a national company that recycles waste. He went undercover and pretended to be an entry-level employee in a number of the WM facilities.
Each vignette revealed the dynamics of how upper and middle management interact with their employees including:
(1) how some managers unfairly overwork or poorly treat their employees,
(2) what it feels like to get fired,
(3) the level of personality that each person brings into their job, and
(4) the “back story”—including health issues—that each person brings to the workplace.
Besides being extremely motivational and touching, Undercover Boss positively focused on how little changes in the workplace can have big results!
Especially because it was the COO who uncovered how many of the demands of management and how the pressure to be productive negatively impacted employee morale, he immediately implemented new procedures. And though they were little changes, such as ending the way hourly employees were docked for being a few minutes late or starting a task force to determine how WM can become a more “female friendly” company, it immediately increased company morale. (If you missed the first episode, click here to catch some of Waste Management segments.)
How might Undercover Boss change your life?
First, if you willingly put yourself in someone else’s shoes, even for just one day, you will experience life differently—and probably be better for it. Second, implementing little changes to make another person’s life better when it is in your power to do so will have big, far-reaching results!
Be encouraged,
Becky
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)