Thanksgiving weekend was just what I needed it to be. I was surrounded by good thoughts, people I love, humor, reflection and...of course...exercise.

I don't know about any of you, but the holidays used to fill me up with as much nervous energy as excitement. The excitement came from enjoying the lights, the smells and the festivities because they're all full of wonder to me. It's a time of year to celebrate being thankful for all we have and get just a little excited for any gifts we receive. The nervous energy however, was because I felt lousy about my body and I was afraid of the food I would overindulge in and all of the overcompensating I would have to endure after the New Year.

I know for me, the best gift I can give myself is year round exercise. It just makes everything else out there taste sweeter. The same goes for all of you as well...but I have a feeling I may know of at least one thing (other than the economy, which I'll discuss some other time Zzzzzzzzzz) that holds you back from making this commitment to yourself.

I'm talking about FEAR. Many people are afraid of fitness. They believe it means long and torturous hours spent doing things they hate while enduring plenty of pain and giving up everything they want to indulge in. They think that unless they convert to a lifestyle full of deprivation and unrealistic goals, they'll never get what they want.

FEAR will lead you to believe that you will suffer and fail. It will keep you in a comfort zone of the familiarity that doesn't seem so bad in comparison to the discomfort of the walking through the FEAR, even though every other waking minute is a constant, yet milder version of the unhappiness people live every day. FEAR can keep you sedentary, unhealthy and downright miserable. FEAR can make you honestly believe you can't (fill in the blank).

With this mind set... then yes, I'll have to agree that it would be unpleasant to attempt to be fit. However, there is a different perspective that I'd like to introduce to you that may make it easier to get you moving. It's called FAITH. Faith means that anything is possible. It means there is a way to get what you want. You want to feel good about your body right? FEAR will inhibit you from even trying. FAITH can actually illicit some excitement about the possibilities of the changes that lie ahead.

FAITH is a belief that there is a way to get what you want. It's a "Yes I Can" way of thinking. If what you want is to feel better about your body, then have FAITH that indeed you CAN do what it takes to get there. Of course you can get the body you want, or at least the best version of the one you already have. You have to remove the negative thoughts from your mind about what you don't like about your appearance and replace them with what makes you feel good. Putting efforts into a fitness routine can make you feel amazing about your body even way before reaching any set goals. It's the act itself along with the FAITH that constant energy applied at levels that are aligned with your likes and desires will get you results.

Remember back when you were a kid and you used to play outside? You probably used to run and skip and play hopscotch. These are things that can be incorporated into your fitness routine. Other than safety, there are no rules or limitations to how you get to exercise. It can be fun. Fitness can be full of laughter, silliness, competition, sports...you name it. The more you enjoy the process, the more likely you'll stick with it. Find ways to have fun and move at the same time. This action will allow FAITH to become the dominating force in your routine because you'll feel good about what you're doing. This leads to more advanced forms of fitness which in turn will lead to better results and more permanent lifestyle changes.

This is where magic happens! I promise it really does work this way.
Let me know what your fears are. Maybe I can quell them. I'd be willing to bet that I can help you change your thoughts about your body and therefore, change the reality of your physique.

Care to challenge me? Or are you afraid to even try?