Tagged in: Motivation and Personal Fitness Journey, Move Live Learn Blog, Wellness

It’s 2014. Stop Acting like 1974.

A friendly reminder to focus on health and happiness, not looks

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Happy 2014!

I just returned to St. Louis last night from a very white and snowy Christmas in Nova Scotia. I have lots of work to tackle and bags to unpack so this post will be short and sweet.

What is insanity to you?

To me, the messages we are bombarded with daily define insanity. You know the ones I’m talking about. The ones that focus on self-judgement (so they can sell products) and so little on health promotion. I know I have said this before, but I will say it again…

If we focus on intentions around health and happiness, and forget about looks and waist sizes, we will begin to feel better.

Ditching the Insanity

This 2014, I encourage you to ignore those images that are unattainable (simply because they are airbrushed) and set intentions and goals around health promotion. Rather than sharing selfies taken on a slimming angle and choosing a lighting option that enhances our normal, let’s just be proud of what we have accomplished related to health promotion. I will start...

This was me yesterday morning at the airport hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia. MacGyver took the first workout shift (6 a.m.) and I got the second (7 a.m.). I finished 15 minutes after our kids woke up. Here was my first Boston Marathon training post workout glow. Nothing glamorous after 3 X 1600 repeats. But, as I stated on Instagram, glamorous is not the goal. You know what? “Strong is the new sexy” is not the goal either (ugh). So what are my ongoing goals from January to December?

To live life to its fullest potential.

To be a healthy role model for my kids.

To fight off stress, anxiety, and feel empowered.

To surprise myself by surpassing goals that I previously thought impossible.

To eat in a way that nourishes my body, not in a way that promotes inflammation.

To be a positive person and not take things for granted.

My small gift to you…

I’m a small business owner and I like it that way. That being said, I’d love to give you - my readers and twitter followers - something much more extravagant than a MOVE + LIVE + LEARN tote bag. Yet, I like this idea as you can carry your workout gear or your fresh produce in this reusable tote. My art director sister-in-law designed my logo (which I love) and the logo tells a story that I think would serve anyone looking to make healthy choices well.

MoveLiveLearnTote

How can you win this tote?

Simply share in the comment section below some of your health promoting choices and how these choices positively impact yourself, and those around you (family, friends, colleagues). I will put all names in a hat and let one of my kids pick the lucky (?) winner.

2013 has been an incredibly exciting and rewarding year for me and MOVE + LIVE + LEARN. It has been because of you - physical educators, coaches, parents, and individuals looking to make healthy choices. Thank you for allowing me to be the mom I want to be while I continue the work that I know I’m meant to do. You rule. This is a small way to show my thanks. Please ignore what the airbrushed world tells you is healthy. Please cherish this precious time you have on earth - it’s too short to waste feeling down or bad about yourself. You are worth more than that.

Thanks for playing! Can’t wait to read your response...it will surely start my 2014 off on the right foot.

  • Amanda as I entertain the idea of getting highly fit today I look for inspiration from others at times to get me motivated. I feel that eating well(cooking your own meals only), being a role model for my students by exercising with them, and consistently cycling and running no matter what the weather for running really inspires not only me but others. I have work to do again to get highly fit like I was in 2010 but I will be there. It’s the writings that I read and the ones that I produce to give me the impetus to move forward. I thank you for your inspiration and look forward to getting at it. Best to you and family, Happy New Year 2014.

  • Larry

    As 2013 comes to a close, I’m eagerly looking forward a re-dedicated focus to healthier living in 2014. As a parent and head of the household for my family, I feel a responsibility to not only provide healthy opportunities for my children, but to actually model these good choices as well. An even greater challenge is being the father of two young girls. It will only be a matter of time when peer pressure will be a daily factor in my children’s lives. If I can instill in them now what “healthy” means, as well as what it doesn’t mean, then they will be better equipped to face these factors on their own. I want nutrition, exercise, and education to be a part of their identity rather than a goal on the calendar to hit some mythical weight, or appearance. We have a lot of challenges ahead of us, but together as a community, we have the ability and obligation to continue to spread this message whenever the opportunity arises. Thanks to people like yourself, this message is reaching further each day. Here’s to a blessed year ahead and while I hope that 2014 is better than 2013, my hope is that 2015 will be even better. :-)

  • Manda-You have always been an inspiration to me – must be something about your boundless optimism, energy and humor. I’ve started a new blog to help me stay focused on being a happy, healthy human. xoxo

  • Monica Moran

    I love your messages. There is always something that speaks to me or reminds me of how lucky I am. Today it was “to not take things for granted”. Happy and healthy new year to you and your family.

  • As I hit the end of 2013 my aim is not to put my physical activity aims ahead of my children. I often have a fast walk planned, am changed, the dogs are harnessed and I am ready to head out of the door and my son or daughter will say “can I come?” Now I know that this will change what I had planned and I have persuaded him or her not to come. I do this because I put my needs first and that needs to change. More frequently I am saying yes but I want yes to be my immediate response. They see me out everyday and want to join in – as a Dad and a phys eder I want my kids to love physical activity. So my aim this year is to beat the 552 miles I walked in 2013, walk faster and do more of it with my kids. It’s been great to read about your ideas this year Amanda and I look forward to sharing more of them in 2014.

  • I have never really taken the time on December 31 to reflect on the past year or focus on the year to come, but during the past two weeks I have noticed myself constantly thinking about how I can do things better…as a wife…as a mom…as a physical educator…as a person.My goals for 2014 are (in no particular order)…

    To run one mile each day this year. I have always said, “I’m not a runner.” This year, I’m choosing to say, “I’m not a runner yet.” This goal is for me, but will help me be a better mother and role model for my middle school students.

    To consistently provide healthy meals for my family.

    To teach my son (who is 16 months old) how to make healthy choices, and allow him to feel empowered enough to sometimes make those choices on his own. Right now that consists of choosing his snack when given two healthy choices and learning to use a spoon with sugar free applesauce or yogurt. :)

    To keep growing as a physical educator. I am more fired up about improving as an educator, teaching my students, and learning than I ever have been.

    Happy New Year!

    Sarah

  • Pam May

    As always I love your message. I’ve had a hard time motivating myself this fall to stay as fit as I’d like so I’ve just set myself a big goal for 2014. I find when I have a big goal to work towards I always work harder than I would have otherwise. My goal is to complete an Olympic distance triathlon (I’ve done a couple sprints). Part of my motivation to do this is for my daughters to see me trying to achieve something new and not staying with “the norm”. I’ve traditionally been a team sports kind of person but triathlon has given me a chance to train and be fit within the busy schedule of work and my daughters’ activity commitments. I am able to get most training in while they are still sleeping in the morning.To me this goal takes in three of the things you talked about, being a positive role model for my girls ( and my students), fight off stress and hopefully surpass a goal I once thought unattainable.

    My other big goal this year is to start blogging about my teaching. Just need to find a little more time in the day… :)

    Pam

  • Naomi V

    Awesome post! I love the picture! This year I am going to make myself a priority. This will model to my intelligent young daughter the action piece as I preach it but struggle with balance!Thank you for all your positive posts on twitter!

  • Cynthia

    Happy New Year my friend! I am so grateful for 2013 for many reasons!! A big one being my reunion with you!! I believe whole-heartedly in living by example. Being the example! Like you, I choose to LIVE! Moving my body daily (whether it is speed work, a long run or a relaxing yoga session) even when I don’t feel it. Eating whole, real foods! Sleeping consistently the same hours and times each night. Setting goals and sharing these with my family, friends and students. Finding time for my personal fitness by sacrificing other things (like staying up late) because we all have the same 24 hours each day. It’s what you do with your’s that counts!My children are growing up in a healthy and active household and that is so important to me! They are quick to learn the value of being active and eating well! Knowledge truly is powerful!Thank you for your blog and your friendship! I’m inspired by you and can’t wait to see you in Boston baby!!

    Cheers and much love!Cynthia

  • I move daily through running and playing. I move because it makes me feel better and more importantly it shows my students and friends that moving is an important part of life. MyMovement has its ups and downs just like life which is something I share with those around me. Without learning to move in different ways, I would not be as comfortable trying to instill that same passion in my elementary age students. Thanks for being a great resource and inspiration.