April Thrive Challenge

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Comment by Rebeca Elias on April 29, 2012 at 7:03am

The way I Push myself through training is always looking for ways to make my workouts more challenging while still keeping it at a level I can do, but always striving for more. For example pull ups are still a challenge for me, and it is my goal to do one full pull up, so I practice daily by doing at least 10 reps of a pull up variation so I know I'm that much closer. Sometimes when training I get lazy and read my written workout for the day and get a bit intimidated, but then I think about after I finish this tough morning workout I will be able to be rewarded with a healthy snack and I have my whole day to enjoy now feeling amazing. 
Generally I just need to focus, and remember my goals, and why I made a trip all the way to the gym and that reason was to give nothing less than maximum effort. 

Comment by Amy Davidson on April 27, 2012 at 5:07pm

I push my limits by working out with a personal trainer once a week. Then, I use his voice inside my head when I'm exercising on my own. I'll tell myself: "only one more exercise and you're out the door," and other motivating things that I need to hear :)

Comment by Nicholas Kershaw on April 25, 2012 at 1:43pm

How do I push my limits while training? Remembering why I started to train in the first place; to achieve a certain goal or a certain feeling about myself. When your mind and body feels as if it does not have much more capacity to go anymore just remember the feeling of strain or fatigue will not last that long after and the feeling you receive from your training will last much longer after. And what a great feeling that is. 

Comment by Jim Newell on April 22, 2012 at 6:01am

Today is Earth Day 2012, and I've been thinking and digging into the nether regions of my brain all month trying my best to dig out some cosmic piece of advice and/or personal discovery to share with the community, but I could only draw out the cliché favorite song with just the right tempo to bring me over the last quarter mile or one of my favorite podcasts (Talk Ultra, Zen and the Art of Triathlon, MTB Strength Training) that cover things seemingly impossible for my much more grounded human form. And honestly, this is the best thing about these challenges; they make me overtly address my techniques, which produces great metacognition and growth for my training and overall fitness. But “enough of all of this meandering,” you say.

Ok. Fair enough. But one more thing before I continue to my narrative of discovery. I am not a politician, and I’m not trying to rhetorically avoid the question with vacuous wordiness; I am simply trying to be honest with my thought process and the time it took me to find the elusive “answer” to this month’s challenge.

So, there I was blasting through the end of a two-hour hard-core trail ride; it was like an endless cycle of intervals (without the slow pace in between). It was oxygen-debt cardio and muscle testing loops. And though two hours isn’t that long, this ride came after a three-hour surf of the same level with just a short break for lunch and a heating pad on my lower back.

Picture this: I was nearing the last loop of our ride with the fiery burn of a rare day of pure open-arm-welcomed hedonism (thanks to my wife – though I did take the day off) when I realized the answer on this Friday afternoon was simple and easily represented by the most mouth watering four-letter word in our crazy language: BEER.

Comment by Sarah Carr on April 20, 2012 at 1:03pm

I think of my dream school (National Circus School in Montreal, Canada). It is an instant energy boost.

Comment by John on April 17, 2012 at 2:09am

Whether we are talking about striving to push ourselves further in physical training, optimizing nutrition, or spiritual growth . . . the answer is the same.  We must always keep in the forefront of our mind that we are called to win the race, not just run in it.

see 1 Corinthians 9:24

Comment by Beth Mickens on April 15, 2012 at 8:43am

After playing boxing on Xbox connect I learned the best way for me to push past those last few seconds or few rounds is when I'm being competitive. It was my mode of workout for that day after a week of intense workouts; 1 hour of boxing, and although I was feeling tired and my muscles were sore, I pushed through because I wanted to reach the next level. Every time I got knocked out I became more motivated and I pulled all the energy I had left to push through and win! It's so easy to give up when no one is around watching you, which is the case for me most of the time. I workout at the office gym which is always empty. I give up so easily. But lately I have been trying to psych myself to reach my goals. No more giving up. When the feeling of giving up starts arising I start thinking about my goals, what I want and I think about someone next to me, most of the time my athletic husband, doing better than me. It gets me motivated and I push through that wall. In the end i feel so great for the accomplishments I made and I can feel the results from those last seconds or rounds. It makes such a difference!

Comment by Julie-Ann Strilaiff on April 14, 2012 at 11:12pm

For April I am really going to push myself to get more cardio in!

I do a 7.6k walk up a mountain 3 mornings a week with a friend currently and would like to add a 5k jog 3 more days a week.  I have found someone who regularly does long distance runs who is willing to help me train.

In June there is a 5k run that I have signed up for, and I really, really want to push myself as hard as possible until them to actually upgrade to the half marathon. 

What pushes me to do this?  Being healthy for my daughter.  I have had dreams since signing up for the run of me coming to the end of the 21k and breastfeeding her in hopes of showing other mom's that it can be done... you can be active with a new baby!

Comment by Dell Wijesundera on April 13, 2012 at 6:10pm

When I have to push myself to new limits I think of the people who will be proud of me in the future, the people who will be inspired, and the excitement that lies ahead.  

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord." Colossians 3:23

Comment by Jaz Boutilier on April 13, 2012 at 9:53am

When I feel like I'm played out I remember my vega sport take a long drink & suddenly I've got not only that extra burst of energy I need to finish my last lap or two, it gives me that reassurance that mentally I'm focused so I won't lose technique while I maintain my mobility. I believe it makes me swim with ease & it does. It always makes a difference. Peace. Jaz

Comment by Kristyne De Mott on April 12, 2012 at 3:27pm

To push that extra 30 seconds or 5 more I focus completely and entirely on my goals. In 14 weeks I am competing as a Tropic Beauty Bikini Model and need to get my body in tip top shape. Keeping my goal in mind and visualizing my ideal dream is the pure octane required to fuel my fire!

Comment by isisemu on April 12, 2012 at 10:51am

I remind myself that it's only going to burn for the next few seconds/minutes, and that the benefits will be well worth the struggle! It's a trick I've learned from the meditation I do, and it helps me every time I train!

Comment by Jennifer Leigh Verbeek on April 12, 2012 at 8:57am

Fully immerse in the intense burn, be present with it breath into it, it is worth it! I will be better for it, stronger, faster, healthier,  more energetic. When I am less motivated, I love to work out with my sister, try something new or pump some jams! 

- " I am fortunate for my capable body, I will enjoy using it fully (and more) go Leigh go! "

Comment by Carmen Carrillo on April 12, 2012 at 8:32am

I talk to myself all the time!

• When I don't want to work out: This workout will help me pass an age grouper in the next race.
• During crossfit training: If it hurts it will only make me stronger.
• Half Marathon: at the 10th mile, what is another 3 miles? Nothing!
• Half Ironman: at the 10th  mile of the run, I have gone 67 miles, I signed up for this, what is another 3 miles. Nothing!
• Ironman: The only thing stopping me is the finish line!

Comment by Ryan Michael Dreier on April 12, 2012 at 7:57am

I'll be 40 in October and have decided to get closer to Vegan again. I'm on Week two of working out regularly and being mindful of what I eat. The Vega Sport Recovery drink is helping get my butt back into the gym. I haven't really lost much weight yet but I definitely feel much better.

Comment by Susan Sanders on April 12, 2012 at 7:29am

What motivates me to exercise everyday?  My age.  I want to keep my body in good physical condintion so I can do activities that I enjoy until the day I die.  I am 58 and soon to retire.  So many things to do and see when I retire. 

 

Comment by Anne de Champlain on April 12, 2012 at 4:58am

Actually I did bootcamp for 7 months (3 X/week) a number of years ago and that was really fun and helpful to push the limits.  But on a daily basis, I record my times and motivate myself by keeping track of what I do and celebrate (usually internally) when I do a personal best time at training, which I'm do quite often these days whether it's running or swimming.  I'm less motivated to increase weights in the gym because I see little benefit in bulking up but I try to motivate myself to do my weight training in less time whenever I'm up to it. 

I find it refreshing everyday to have small goals like that.  It keeps me focussed and I feel rewarded when I achieve something new even if I don't compete.

Comment by Paula on April 11, 2012 at 6:59pm

When I need to push through I remember all the pain and loss of motion and activity that having a hip injury created before I had my hip replaced two months ago.  At no point have I complained at rehab, physical therapy, or getting back to myself, because I am just happy to be doing things again.

Comment by Shannon Lagasse on April 11, 2012 at 4:40pm

I don't really "train" but I do work out quite a bit. The way I trick myself into doing more is by taking classes. Once you're in the class, it's nearly impossible to leave. It would be rude to the instructor to leave in the middle and I would find it embarrassing to be seen leaving early. I've never not made it through the whole class! ;]

Comment by Marc Antoine De Rosa on April 11, 2012 at 4:10pm

i rely on my friends, and think about how they would want me to do my very best and when i do i always find extra energy to give some more. also good nutrition, supplemented with vega means i'm going at my peak and consistently improving. my frinds are my biggest support team because they make life more interesting and help me out in all aspects of my life.

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