I’m not revealing some new mystery of the universe here, but life isn’t easy! So I think it’s time to embrace that fact and face it head on. Know that while it won’t ever be easy, it will probably be tough most of the time, that you are tougher. Sure you can skate by, and not really challenge yourself too much, and life will still have it’s share of obstacles that you will have to face whether you want to or not. Or you can decide what you really want out of life and go after it. Will life be more challenging this way? Will you encounter more struggle? Yeah, probably. But will it be worth it? Absolutely. Nothing in life worth having comes easy. It just doesn’t. We grow and we get better, we get stronger when we come out the other side of a struggle.

When you’re right in the midst, it’s always the hardest to see at that moment that you will make it out of this okay. But you will. I promise you, you will. So often when we aren’t seeing the result we want and we are just about to give up, DON’T, it’s right there. What you’ve been waiting for, what you’ve been working toward, is right there. Keep going, keep plugging, it’s right there waiting for you to literally NOT GIVE UP.

You can have your typical life, and settle for run of the mill, and if you’re okay with that, than guess what I am too. But I’m not. It’s never going to be. I want more out of life, and I’ve figured out that it’s all there for the taking. But you can’t just want it. You have to go after it, you have to make the difficult choices, you have to be willing to persevere when others would give up.

On Tuesdays I’ve been teaching back to back classes. It’s not that big of a deal, I know lots of instructors that teach 3 or 4 or even 5 classes in a day. Do I know how they do it, no, but I know that they do. But what I will say that on Wednesdays it’s hard to drag my butt out of bed for a workout early in the morning. So when I get home in the afternoon I know I have to get something in. Yesterday was no different except that when I was driving home from work it was sooooo gorgeous out. Really. It was like the fog of winter was finally gone. I hope it’s gone for good, though around here, who knows. But the thought of going to the basement to work out just didn’t seem that appealing. So I decided to make an equally unappealing choice. Run. Probably doesn’t seem that unappealing to most of you. But I have a love hate relationship with running. No that’s not true, it’s really just a hate relationship. I’ve never been good at it, I’ve never made time to do it. My feet plod along on the ground like I’m wearing combat boots. But I just knew in my heart this is something I have to tackle. So on the sneakers went and off I went. I will tell you that I had to walk up a good portion of the hill I face as soon as I leave my house, but then I started running just before the flat and I literally coached myself from there on out. Every light pole, every mail box was another point to just get to. I kept telling myself if I made it there and wanted to walk I could. But each time I got there I knew I could go further. And then at the end well it was all down hill until the driveway. 800 feet and I was home. I had two voices when I got there. “Okay you made it, you can walk now.” and “Okay you’re almost done, time to sprint.” I sprinted. Hard. I probably looked like a fool, and my kids thought I was having a heart attack when I came crashing in the house. But I ran hard, and I was proud of myself. And Lord knows the shin splints are coming, but that’s okay. I’m going to start running at least twice a week and I will keep pushing myself, so I can go faster and longer and who knows maybe eventually it won’t be a struggle and I won’t despise running quite so much.

I just share that little story because it’s a small thing, but we all have our struggles, as small or as big as they are. But whoever said the line about you weren’t promised it would be easy, but that it would be worth it; well they were right. Have faith in you, have faith that you can do whatever you are setting out to do and go do it.

Be well fitties.

XOXO -

T

In a nut shell they are free, online (via facebook) groups, that offer support, accountability, encouragement, camaraderie among peers that are also reaching for a goal.

Maybe you’ve seen my posts about challenge groups, and maybe you’ve thought, she’s just talking to people that need to lose weight or that need significant help with their health and fitness. Maybe you’ve always been in pretty decent shape, and you think this isn’t something that you’d benefit from. Maybe you’re even a pretty serious athlete, a marathon runner, a fitness instructor or personal trainer. Perhaps you’re in a hella lot better shape than I am, so the thought of joining one of my groups seems like a wacky thought, or more likely, just a non-thought. I want to tell you why if that’s you, you are exactly who I want in this next challenge group. And I want those of you that need to lose weight and get healthy, and I want those of you that have done a program or challenge group with me in the past. So basically, I want you all.

Yes you, the instructor that’s taught 7 Zumba classes a day for the last decade. Yes, you the personal trainer that’s been helping clients get in tip top shape for a millennium, you that did Brazil Butt Lift a few months ago and saw great results. It’s time to challenge yourself. It’s time to challenge myself. It’s time for Insanity. Seriously, I don’t care how good of shape you’re in, this program will kick your butt and if you haven’t gone there yet, I think it’s time you went there. And let’s just be honest with each other here. If you’re in the fitness profession at all, you’ve probably experienced a pretty significant plateau at some point and experienced the frustration that teaching those same classes or doing that same routine is no longer getting you the results you want. You’ve just been in the same place physically for a while. Insanity will bust you through that plateau. Guaranteed. If you’re a runner, you’re going to find running takes on a whole new ease. You’re going to get faster. Your stamina is going to increase. If you’ve never been a runner after Insanity you just may find running isn’t as challenging as it used to be. If you’re a gym person and you’ve always been a gym person. Great! That’s awesome! Now do me a favor and try the hardest workout program ever put on DVD and tell me if you get results in less time than it took you to pack your gym bag and drive to and from the gym.

It’s 60 days (63 to be exact) and I’m looking for anyone that is seeking to take their game to the next level. Or to just get in the game at all. Insanity is no joke. And maybe it’s not for everyone. But I would go out on a limb and say that more people than not can do this program if they would step out on a limb, take a leap of faith and go for it. Seriously, what have you really got to lose? Not money because Beachbody backs up all their products with a money back guarantee less shipping. And I’ll tell you what, if you do send it back, I’ll even reimburse you the shipping out of my own pocket. I believe in it that much.

I could go on and on and on about Insanity. I’m not going to get into how it works, the science behind it, the different exercises. What I’m going to tell you is it literally changed my life. It gave me a confidence I never knew I could possess. It gave me a love of fitness and a love for helping others. It gave my life a whole new passion. Yup, a DVD workout program with a crazy trainer named Shaun T, did all that for me. I want to see what it can do for you.

I don’t do this often. Most of the time my challenge groups are completely open to anyone doing any program, Beachbody or not. But on April 25th it’s Insanity only. Beginner to elite athlete I want anyone that is willing to accept the challenge to get in on the action. And if you are an athlete, you better believe I can use your help coaching some of the participants that may need a little more encouragement. If you have it sitting at home collecting dust there is no purchase necessary, if your cousin Tony burned you a copy, don’t tell me, I don’t want to know, just get it out and let’s get started. But if you do need it, now’s the time. The challenge pack is on sale. Save over $90 with the challenge pack than by buying the items separately and get a free tub of Energy & Endurance (E&E) formula as a gift from me. (An additional $29 value).

So what do you say? Are you ready to get insane with me? Insanity will change your life for the better even if you don’t know it needs changing.

XOXO -

T

Here’s a few pics of some of my friends.

(After just 5 weeks)

What are you waiting for? Message me! Let’s get you started. Now!

I will say that I for one am very glad this work week is over! The week went fast as they all do, running into each other week after week, month into month. Umm, hello, the first quarter of the “new” year is almost over already! We’ve just had the first day of Spring, though of course it doesn’t feel like it at all here in NY.

But it was a tough week. I think, I still haven’t really come to a firm conclusion, but I think, I might be sick. I’m not exactly sure when, maybe it was Sunday or Monday my neck really started to hurt. I chalked it up to having not had an adjustment in literally months. Bad Teresa, bad, bad, bad. So anyway, I got into the chiropractor on Tuesday and got all crack-a-lacked up. That was great. And unfortunately didn’t do the trick. I was able to skip out on classes Tuesday evening and go home and rest. On Wednesday and Thursday still wasn’t feeling a whole lot better. On Thursday I thought, okay, let’s try a massage. And again, blessed that I was able to get in right away. I will say that my neck felt better right away. But my head started to pound and I became increasingly nauseous throughout the day. Weird right? Well anyway made it through PiYo, went home to do a whole lot of nothing, and didn’t sleep great. Today my neck is definitely a lot better than its been, but guess what I have, sinus pressure! Like what the junk man! I.DON’T.GET.SICK!! I don’t. For real, I don’t. And when I do, I swear it takes me so long to recognize it for what it is because it happens so rarely. I like seriously get like confused and indignant. Like, me? Sick? Are you for real right now? I don’t get sick! That’s seriously how I feel.

And you know what it is, just another opportunity to realize how blessed and fortunate I am. Yup. Cuz I don’t get sick. So when I’m not feeling my best, I can say that. I can say, wow, well, I don’t get sick so I guess I can be thankful that this is as bad as it gets. For real. That’s how I feel. I don’t feel great right now. In fact, I’d kind of love to go lay down, but I feel really, really grateful that this is as bad as it gets for me. A lot of people I know have had the full blown flu this year. And colds, and bronchitis! Oy vey. I don’t know how you all deal with that crap. But anyway, not feeling my best, definitely does make me feel super thankful and also helps me to be able to know what you’re going through when you’re sick. It’s not easy to carry on with what needs doing when you don’t feel well. Even when it’s just kinda sick.

So this is a pretty common FAQ. Should I still work out while sick or injured? The short answer… probably not.

First of all, remember this is just my opinion and I’m not a doctor. And that’s who you should always consult when in doubt. But here’s what I think and why I think it.

If you’re injured – If you can work out without exacerbating the injury and you’re not in pain while doing so, than you should be good to go. But let’s be honest, how often does that happen? The main thing you obviously want to avoid is causing more damage and prolonging how long you’re out of commission for. Dealing with an injury, especially when we’re working toward a goal is extremely frustrating, but making it worse will only make it, well…worse. The thing that you have to focus on the most during that time is eating clean! Don’t wallow in self pity that you can’t work out the way you want to and allow yourself to start making bad choices because you think to yourself, “well what’s it matter now.” It does matter! You can still make progress even if you’re feeling sidelined. And at very least you don’t want to go backwards! When you are better you’re just going to be mad at yourself at the ground you have to make up!

If you’re ill, well sometimes you just won’t be able to do it whether you want to or not! And you probably shouldn’t anyway. If you’re sick, your body needs rest to recover. Don’t overdo and make your body fight harder than it already is to get better! And of course, what am I going to tell you again. Nutrition! The best you can get in you! Liquids, vitamins, nutrients, clean whole, unprocessed foods! Of course when we’re sick, and depending on what kind of sick we are, we don’t always want to eat. Resist the temptation to load up on junk food.

Of course easier said than done, and if you do slip, resist the urge to feel guilty and come down on yourself. Every set back is just that a set back, a bump in the road. Take them as they come, for they will come and move on. Get right back on the horse and get going again. No looking back. Just remember the road to success is so rarely a straight and direct route. But you’ll get there, and I’ll get there if you we’ll just continue to persevere. Hope this helps, and may you never need this advice.

Be well fitties.

XOXO -

T

But you know what is cool? This is cool.

“Hey Teresa Mormile, 10 days in to the program and I am down 4lbs! My jeans are not staying where they should and each morning I wake up feeling ready to get up and get the day started! I cant wait to see what its like in 80 more days!!!! Last week I didn’t have any alcohol but 1 day and not that much. That’s as impressive as the missing pounds to me!!!”

Made my day. Totally made my day. I’ve known this particular person for years, and honestly he’s not someone that I ever really imagined would want to do one of our challenge groups, but I was excited when he did want to participate, and I’m even more excited that not only has he lost a few pounds so far but he’s feeling GREAT! That really is why we do what we do.  It makes it worth all the time we spend to see those posts. My challengers truly do become a part of my life, my extended family. I’m invested in them. I feel success when they do.

You know what else is cool? What else is cool is that I’m making money at this business! And in June I can afford to take my husband to Vegas.  Yes, I am taking him to Vegas. I am paying. On me. I know, shocker right, that this crazy, internet, fitness thing would be a viable business! Well turns out it is. And it may not seem like such a big deal to other people, but to me it is. I’ve never been able to do something like this before, to be able to say, “Hey, I got this.”

Just to make this perfectly clear- I have maintained from the beginning that I didn’t set out to do this for the money, but if they were going to pay me for helping people, well than even better. I’d do it for free anyway, I really would.  But you know what I realized the other day? I realized that while I don’t do it for the money, the money legitimizes it. Yup, it validates what I’m doing. It says, you aren’t just playing fitness coach, you are changing people’s and making a difference and helping end the trend of obesity. I can’t be a fitness professional and pay my mortgage and my grocery bill on the good feelings helping people gives me. If I want to work in fitness, if I want this to be my career, if I want the support of my husband and family whose time this occasionally takes me away from, I have to get paid for it. So yes, thank you Beachbody for paying me, for saying what I do is worthwhile, worthwhile enough to make a living doing it.

I don’t talk about this stuff all that often, nor will I start to do so, but I’m not ashamed of the fact that I’m doing well. Trust me,  there are days I wake up on Beachbody payday Thursdays and I am still shocked that they deposited cash money in my bank account just for helping people become better versions of themselves and for teaching other people how to help people. My fitness bestie used this quote from Zig Ziglar the other day and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since then, “You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” 

So thanks Zig, and thanks E, and thanks Beachbody for showing that it’s true, that if you give of yourselves with sincerity and authenticity, not really expecting anything back that you will get back what you gave and more.

So today was just one of those days that sucked. Not for any particular reason, but just because. I think I’m probably tired. Or maybe I have a touch of a cold, but since I never really get sick I don’t recognize it for what it is. But anyway, just wasn’t feeling today. But I knew I couldn’t stay like that so I thought of one of my fave quotes ever.

And that helped. Really it did. I mean I could just wallow. No one would really even know if I did. Like no big deal, right? Nope, not right. Cuz I know, and I don’t live my life that way. And you shouldn’t either. WE. ALL. HAVE. A. CHOICE. End of story. You have the ability to CHOOSE to be happy, to be positive, to be productive, to make a difference in your own life and in the lives around you.

Sometimes we all just have a rotten day. But don’t listen, don’t let it become a habit. K? Good. Or I’ll cut you.

Now I am off to teach PiYo. And then I am off to strangle my son, because he forgot that he was going to my parents house today and rode the bus home. Not a big deal, if you know, someone was actually at home. Le sigh. I guess I can’t get mad, my mother still likes to remind me of the time I forgot to pick her up at work when her car was in the shop. I’m sorry mom!!

XOXO -

T

But first a workout. I’m going to practice some R.I.P.P.E.D. . If you are wondering what R.I.P.P.E.D. is, well it’s been entirely too long since we’ve talked. First off, I was in Costa Rica. It was an insanely wonderful time with family, both mine and the family that is there permanently.

My favorite pic from the trip. <3

 (Follow me on instagram @teresamormile to see more pics),

But then we were home from Costa Rica and I had the R.I.P.P.E.D. certification, and then well, it’s me, and you know how I get a little frazzled sometimes, just trying to stay caught up with all excitement that is my life and all that. And then I think, oh well I don’t have anything deep and meaningful to say. But I’m back now, and that’s all that matters, you’ll just have to read my nonsense.

Back to R.I.P.P.E.D.. R.I.P.P.E.D. (Resistance, intervals, power, plyometrics, endurance and diet)  is insanely fun, and intense, and I’ve only known the format for what, two weeks now, but I already feel like I’ve loved this workout for forever. Dare I say it may replace Turbo as my favorite. Gasp! (Please don’t tell Chalene I don’t want to hurt her feelings.) I don’t know what it is, it’s different, yet it’s familiar, it like takes every format I love and mashes it all together. And the training day with Master Trainer, Billy Kirby was a blast. If you’re a group-ex instructor, I highly encourage you to look into this format. LOVE!

Group ex instructors have the most fun.

I mean seriously how can you not love that he took the time to remember and write that down?

Umm, yeah, pretty well done at this point.

If you thought I was kidding when I said all the excitement that is my life, well I totally wasn’t. Because this also happened last week.

That probably doesn’t even make sense to most of you. Like what the frick is a one star diamond princess coach? Well the princess was just added in there for fun. We can’t help ourselves. We’re princesses. At least we pretend to be. And I kind of think pretending to be is more fun than being a real princess. If I was a real princess I wouldn’t be allowed to use all the inappropriate language that I do. That’s for sure. Well anyway, fitness bestie and I both rank advanced in our Beachbody business, on the exact same day. It was so nice. So proud of our teams, because it’s really all because of them. They inspire me daily with what I am watching them accomplish.

But anyway, my mind is trailing back to wine, which means I have to get my butt in gear and go do that workout! Sorry it’s been so long peeps, I promise not to stay away so long again. And I promise that the next time I’ll actually write about something. You know, like an actual topic.

Love you peeps! XOXO -

T

Speaking of beverages, I did have one, yes, only one, glass of wine while I soaked in the tub last night. So that means I’ve already had wine two nights this week. I really shouldn’t have more, but you know I probably will. Which brings up the importance of having a plan. Yup, a plan. It’s okay to indulge a little over the weekend, if it’s in the plan. So right now, you may be thinking, “T just said I can eat and drink whatever I want this weekend as long I plan it.” Nope. Not what I said  meant. What I meant was that everyone deserves a treat or a cheat or whatever you want to call it. And if it’s in the plan, than it’s a.okay. The husband asked me earlier today what I thought about sweet chili wings and pizza tonight. What I think is that that sounds frickin phenomenal, but what I reminded him was that tomorrow when the Mormile clan is at the water park we are celebrating two of our nephews’ birthdays and having pizza. So pizza is already in the plan for tomorrow and tonight we can have a more boring  sensible dinner tonight.  And tomorrow the plan also includes doing a workout before we leave for the waterpark, and packing some healthy snacks, and having my shake, and yeah, probably lots of following kids and climbing stairs to rides on which I will get wet and shiver on and pretend to have fun. But the point is, the pizza is okay. It’s part of the overall picture. What’s not part of the overall picture, is saying, “Aww eff it, it’s the weekend, I worked hard all week.” and putting whatever I want into my mouf. Been there, done that. It’s really annoying when you lost three pounds throughout the week and put on four over the weekend. Not that I know from experience. (Totally know from experience.) But anyways, you know the old adage, “Fail to plan and plan to fail.” Hate to be annoying and clichey, and you know, practical {Shudder} but someone’s got to be right?

So what’s the plan? Whatever your plan is, I hope you have fun and enjoy. Be well fitties.

XOXO -

T

Happy Thursday everyone.

I think Thursday’s really are my fave day of the week. I’m teaching two classes tonight. PiYo Strength (probably my fave class) and I’m filling in for Abs & Buns. I just got asked about 5 minutes ago and have no routine as of yet, so this should be interesting. I’m sure we’ll figure out a way to work those heineys though.

The firefighter hangs out with the other firefighters on Thursday evenings so I get a quiet night with the kids after that. Usually I try to get caught up on schtuff. Sometimes I take a nice soak. I think I might try for that tonight. I would say with a glass of wine, but I had three last night. Whoops. I would say it couldn’t be helped, but we all know it could. The first just sounded so nice, which led to the second. And for some reason once I had two, well one more didn’t seem like a big deal. These things happen.

But I was pleasantly surprised to see that the scale had moved down a few pounds finally. Who knows it may move back up tomorrow when it hears the three glasses of wine rumor, but today… down. I’ll take it.

No drastic changes in the abs department yet, but I thought I’d keep you updated on the tummy progress. Don’t really know why I look crooked in the bottom right. Who knows. It’s a photographic mystery.

Til next time, be well fifties.

XOXO -

T

But anyway, we made it. And I’m really excited to go home after work today and not do a whole lot. The two hour series, yes series, finale of Fringe is on my To-Do List. With popcorn. I’ve loved this show since the beginning, though it has gotten increasingly strange, and I’ve wanted them to figure this shiz out, I am sad to see it end.

But enough about my TV plans, thought I’d let you know how Project Abs by Summit has been going. So far so good! Despite my challenging week and occasionally wanting to plunge head first into a gallon of Rocky Road, I am proud of my consistency. No wine. Clean eating, let’s say 85% of the time. There was a brownie at midnight on Wednesday and a handful of croutons yesterday afternoon. Other than that, pretty darn good. Sticking to the plan, and me and my workout partner have been getting it done. Today is rest day and I’m really happy about that, but I do think I may squeeze in a good stretch routine later.

It’s way too early to compare abs pictures, but I’m proud of this week, and I’m not going to blow it all on the weekend. I’m still going to work hard, make good choices, plan my treats, and remember that it’s all about Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

Hope you all enjoy your weekend. Be well fitties.

XOXO -

T

]]> http://fitness2at.com/2013/01/18/happy-friday/feed/ 0 http://fitness2at.com/2013/01/16/inspiration-comes-when-you-least-expect-it/ http://fitness2at.com/2013/01/16/inspiration-comes-when-you-least-expect-it/#comments Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:53:28 +0000 Teresa Mormile http://fitness2at.com/?p=2025 So it’s Day 3 of Project Abs by Summit. And my buns are sore as hell. Doesn’t make much sense does it? Yeah, well, occupational hazard. The goal was to just stay committed to getting in an amazing workout everyday. (Except Friday morning. That’s Rest day.) So after Insanity: Plyometric Cardio Circuit and Les Mills Combat: Shock Plyo my glutes are redic sore. Seriously, like someone just rabbit punched my rear end for hours.

Really, really, did not want to get up this morning. But I’m so glad my workout buddy applied some pressure and I forced myself up. (Thanks babe. Sorry for being a lil bitch.) I’ll be honest, I may have even shed a tear on the walk down the basement stairs. #nojudging

The workout did not start out great. Legs of lead, sore buns, and overall fatigue, I was not pushing the way I’d like. But gradually I did loosen up a bit and started to do a little better. And then the real inspiration came.

Someone came down the basement stairs and decided to join in.

Gabe doing Hit The Floor with Shaun T

Seriously if that doesn’t inspire you to give it all you got, well I don’t know what will. Love that kid.

Ignore the hot mess that is my hair. We are talking 5am here people.

So, Day 3 and going strong. Reminded that we are doing this for a lot more than hot abs. Have a great day peeps.

XOXO – T