I've been putting off writing this post for months. It's scary and vulnerable, but I have a nagging certainty that it must be done.
Let me begin by saying that I live and breathe wellness each and every day. This doesn't mean that I eat perfectly or live perfectly, it just means that I do my best to be conscious of doing my best.
When it comes to physical activity (I guess one would call this exercise) well… sometimes I fall short.
It's not easy to be honest about this because I take pride in walking the talk when it comes to wellness, but I want you to know I am not perfect and “healthy” isn't about perfection. This journey will always be wrought with challenges, and, well, I am facing one.
So here is the real truth. I struggle with fear. I have spent a lot of my life working through injuries. Growing up my mom called me clumsy (to the tune of almost one broken bone each summer of my childhood) but as an adult when injuries kept happening I started to settle into the “belief” that I get hurt when I push myself physically.
This is what I would call a limiting belief.
Pushing my body physically = injury,
Over the past year fear has really taken over and I have fallen way short on my weekly exercise goals.
It's quite obvious what happens when a pillar of health importance falls short, health will suffer.
So I have decided to stop the bullshit and face my fear, in a big way. I have spent the past few months seeking inspiration from a ton of different sources, fitness you-tubers (I LOVE Bex Life and The Sweaty Betties) friends and colleagues (Karen of course from Nutritious Yogi, and my sister in law Jaime who kicks butt in the exercise world) What I have learned is that I don't really have physical limitations I have mental limitations. So although my approach to food, wellness and weight loss is always peppered with a large dose of love, this fear needs a swift kick in the ass. A loving swift kick in the ass.
I am ready to step into my physical power. Outrun my limiting belief. Set a new truth in action:
I am strong, I am capable, I am fit.
So I decided I needed a challenge. Something that, to me, felt really really scary.
Have you heard of The Spartan Race?
All it took was one look at this video to know this was what I needed to do. The Spartan Race is a 5K obstacle course race. I don't know exactly what type of obstacles but the website says: “There will be fire, mud, water, barbed wire, and occasionally hell on earth.” So… yeah… that sounds Ok.
The folks over at Spartan Race have been so awesome. They are supporting my journey and giving me not one but TWO free entries for my followers! Who is going to join me on my #Fearless #NoBullshit Fit journey? Check out the Spartan Race schedule here. This month I am giving away one free entry to any race you want. I will be doing the Fenway Park, Boston race in November. (If you want to join me there jump on the team #NoFear Nutritious America)
The team at Spartan have been up to some pretty amazing things, as a matter of fact, Spartan Race has partnered with NBC Sports to bring obstacle racing to television. NBC will be filming 8 professional athletes and 4 everyday Spartans at the Spartan Race World Championships in Killington, Vermont next month on September 21st for a 90 minute TV special.
Who knows, maybe I'll be in the championship next year? (Dream big, right!)
I am off… #SpartanFearless countdown. I will be posting my workouts and training schedule on Instagram, so be sure to follow me there. (@abrapappa)
93 days of facing a big fear. If I can do it all of you can too!
Want a free entry pass (ahem, a $125 value!!) all you have to do is comment below. Tell me why you are ready to face your fear. I'll be announcing the first winner on August 30th, make sure you are signed up for my newsletter (sign up below) so you don't miss the second wave of Spartan Giveaway!
The folks over at Spartan have signed off each email with an AROO!! I had to ask what that meant… apparently it's the sounds spartans make as they run into battle.
I suppose that's appropriate here.
AROO!!!
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Hey Abra,
Been a long time, I’m glad I found you online/FB. I’m so proud of you and your achievements since we met/parted ways at school (85-89) You can do this, I know you can. Soldier on !
Lots of love and luck from Hilary (in Australia)
Oh my gosh, blast from the past! Thanks so much Hilary, I really appreciate the encouragement!! You can join along, I’m pretty sure there are Spartan races in Australia too 🙂
I am so proud of you. Aren’t the mental challenges always the hardest? The folks over at http://www.markfisherfitness.com have been helping me workout even with my knee issues. They focus on functional movement and correcting imbalances to avoid injury and they make it FUN which keeps me motivated. I see you have a support system already but I really suggest giving them a try, if only to have a lil’ wacky fun along your journey to the race. You’re an inspiration.
Thanks Darlene, I will check them out for sure.
xx
Abra…you go girlfriend! That is AWESOME! My trainer, Felicia Bessen, does the spartan races and she loves it! You will get dirty, sweaty … and when you don’t finish a task, they make you do lots of burpees! I definitely am fearful of this….I also have injuries that I protect so I totally understand your …. now “past” fear! You are a true inspiration. I have learned so much from you re: nutrition and I think it is fabulous you are challenging yourself physically! hey…maybe next year I will join you….but I’ll be in the senior category! LOL
Do it this year! You would most likely kick my butt 🙂 Thanks so much for your comment Janet. The encouragement is so wonderful to hear.