by Erica McClurkinin Exercise, Self-Care0 commentstags: applied knowledge, consistency, identity, strength training, stress management
In a normal year, July 4th always seems to arrive too quickly, and then the rest of the summer is suddenly over. I’m not sure I’ll feel that way about this summer in a few months…but who knows? 2020 feels a bit (okay, more than a bit) surreal, and, as we move forward, we are still adapting to the many changes occurring around us. Regardless of our ability to impact these changes, we each have the opportunity to engage in activities that improve our health and reduce our stress.
by Erica McClurkinin Exercise, Self-Care0 commentstags: energy management, stress management
Exercising can serve as a way to center yourself and take a break from the ongoing stressors of the world. Whether you are experiencing stress from personal factors (such as your job or family situation) or you are experiencing stress from things outside of your immediate radius of control (e.g., the pandemic, politics, human rights injustices, environmental concerns, animal abuse, etc.), exercise can serve as a healthy and effective tool to care for yourself and manage your stress level.
by Erica McClurkinin Exercise, Self-Care0 commentstags: gratitude, mind-body connection, ownership, patience, stress management, well-being
One’s life and physical fitness are intertwined. Though I believe everything is connected and touch on the theme of the mind-body connection regularly, I keep trying to separate my own fitness from the rest of my life, and two of my trusted coaches have reminded me in the past week that each ties into the other. They aren’t truly separate. Separating the variables isn’t possible.
by Erica McClurkinin Exercise, Goals, Self-Care0 commentstags: change, execution, habits, ownership, taking action
Though there are similarities between keeping your body fit and keeping your teeth healthy, there are differences during your regularly scheduled appointments. Whether it’s a few times a week or once every six months, it may seem like all you have to do is show up…but the truth is you have to work a lot harder when you show up to see your personal trainer than you do at the dentist. Sounds kind of ominous, doesn’t it? It makes you wonder why anyone would want to work with a trainer, right?
by Erica McClurkinin Exercise, Goals, Nutrition, Self-Care0 commentstags: change, habits, weight loss
What are your non-negotiables? What are the things you must do for yourself and what are the lines that you just won’t cross? What would cause you to hit a limit and change your behavior? I am 5’4″ and a 1/2″ (every half inch counts!) and there was a time in my life when I weighed 165 lbs. Most people said I carried it well (perhaps they were being kind), but I wasn’t happy and I didn’t have any energy.
by Erica McClurkinin Goals, Nutrition, Self-Care0 commentstags: goal setting, habits, hydration
I’m working on my water consumption. I’ve been working on it for a while, and it’s the one thing that I consistently struggle with in terms of my nutrition habits. This may sound odd coming from a person who has drastically changed her eating habits over the past 10 years, but the food changes I’ve made – for whatever reason – have not been as much of a challenge for me as regularly getting enough liquid into my system. This is a little embarrassing to admit, given that proper hydration is crucial to a distance runner.
by Erica McClurkinin Exercise, Feelings, Self-Care0 commentstags: being human, imperfection, patience, stress management
The word gracious means “courteous, kind, and pleasant.” I’ve been struggling with being gracious this week. I’ve been struggling with being patient, too. It’s been one of those weeks where you just wish you were an irresponsible jane, and, instead, you’re gal wonder – making the magic happen and losing your sh*t in the process. This is not my favorite place to be. So I’m owning it and thinking about what I can learn from it.
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