Lately, I've been realizing that I really need more of the things I LOVE and enjoy in my everyday life. For me, this includes FOOD, FRIENDS, RUNNING, SNUGGLING, MAKING PLANS, and WINE. We often get so swept up in our everyday schedules and commitments that we don't realize how much we're putting aside the stuff we really want to be doing. It could be because there's not enough hours in the day, lack of motivation, no one to do them with, etc. But these things are more important than you may realize.
In the spririt of the new online trend of "Pinterest", I wanted to make my own Vision/Inspiration board. The diet/exercise plan I follow religiously these days had suggested something like this when I joined the program back in January, but I thought it was silly. I mean really...what would I do with a bulletin board or collage filled of clippings and pictures? It would be like college. I always hung stuff like that in my college dorm or apartments. Pictures of friends and dance and parties. I didn't think a 28 year old needed to have something like that hanging around. 
But low and behold, I completed an art project today:-) And it was fun! I haven't been in the city on a Sunday, by myself, in weeks! So I soaked up every second of it! After I did my 4 mile run, grocery shopping, visit to the vitamin shop, and washed all my bedding (and there is something so incredibly great about fresh, clean linens), I sat down and completed my little project. Not only did I want this to be full of things I love and things that inspire me, but I wanted it to be a daily reminder that would remind me to respect myself, love myself, believe in myself, and have FUN!
Ultimately, we all need to grab on to the fact that we are in charge of how we spend our days and weeks. We have to believe that we are in control of our health and happiness. Our bodies need nutricious food, our hearts deserve to beat fast, our skin loves a good sweat, and our muscles crave to push their limits. Isn't that what our bodies were built for? Getting in the mindset not to give up and keep a positive outlook on things can be extremely hard to maintain at times. If willpower is taking a beating, vow to yourself to refocus and trust that you have a unique inner strength.
No matter what may be coming your way and throwing you off, COMMIT to being an incredible version of yourSELF!
