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Over the years I have used social media, namely Facebook, as a place to express my feelings and share with others. I have always enjoyed writing and hope that my words touch someone, just when they might need it. As I seek to find my inspiration for writing once again, I have decided to go through and share some of those posts to save here in my blog. This one in particular seemed to touch a lot of people based on the response it originally received. Enjoy! xoRobin  Originally written and published on December 28, 2021:
Good morning friends. I don't know why I felt compelled to write this, but if you've been friends with me for more than 5 minutes you know that I've constantly been on a health/weight loss journey over the years. Really it started when I was 15 and lived in KS for a short time and got involved in sports. That triggered hunger in me and I began drinking more milk and eating more all-together to keep up with the hunger that the workouts and athletic exertion were creating. I remember moving back to Arizona and I was pleasantly plump for a quick minute, but I managed to easily lose that weight...I was a teen with a great metabolism. Then came babies and now dare I say it "pre-menopause"...regardless the reason, over the years I have fluctuated up and down. I have been involved in weightlifting and bodybuilding, I had a very active health blog committed to a Paleo/Primal way of life and I was even a fitness champion at one time for a well-known bodybuilding guru (many of you know who that is, because that's how we met). I have been on pretty much every program out there...not because I wanted to be on a "program", but it was constant evolving of learning more about health and fitness over the years for the most part. At one point I went from being that "champion" to restarting a career that was a balance of desk job or living out of hotel rooms and not eating properly when on the road. Through all of this the biggest thing I gained was self-doubt and disappointment when I'm not at my physical best. The past 6 months or so I had somewhat of a mindset change. My grandmother lived to be a month shy of her 101st birthday and for the 42 years that I knew her she was trying to get rid of that last 10 pounds. Literally until her final year of life she talked about that 10 pounds. She didn't drink, she didn't smoke, she drank green tea and took her supplements, she ate home cooked meals and she exercised daily to whatever capacity for her age that was. When she was young it was playing basketball, when she got older it was swimming and when she got in the last decade of her life she still did some swimming and would do daily "laps" around the home in her walker or stand at the counter to do leg exercises. She enjoyed a small glass of red wine most evenings. When she made her journey to heaven...do you know that not one single person cared that she was 10lbs overweight? Do you know what we see when we look at her pictures? We see a beautiful, spry, intelligent, caring, loving woman. We don't see 10lbs. January 1st is coming and you are about to be inundated with lots of ads for products and programs. Don't get me wrong, if you are unhappy, unhealthy, or simply uninspired at this time in your life and you are seeking something...that too is perfectly fine. Just don't let an ad or any one person tell you how you should be feeling. Many of you, my dear friends are very active in the health and fitness community and I appreciate when you want to help others. Do your thing, please know this post in no way is directed towards you and the work you are doing. This post is for my friends who are just on a mission to be self accepting and love who they are each day. Keep trying to stay healthy, get some fresh air each day, do something that makes you happy, eat a few more veggies and a little less sugar...move that body. Maybe you like to ride bikes or go for walks or do yoga...do more of that and less of what you "think" you have to do. Don't obsess about numbers or about how that picture makes you look "fat" so you don't like it. Look at the picture again and look to see that it's full of your family and friends who you love with your entire being. Look at the smiles on your faces or the heads thrown back in laughter. Stop looking for the muffin top or the double chin. Focus on what the picture is really about. Life has been anything but easy the past couple of years. Give yourself a break and love yourself a little more. One day many people are going to miss you and what you leave behind goes way beyond any physical insecurities you have. Get rid of things that are holding you back and just keep livin'! You are important, beautiful and special just as you are. Love you and stay well!
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 If you follow me on Facebook you might see some of my posts talking about slowing down, taking time for yourself and not saving things for a special occasion...being alive is a special occasion. This year I didn't set limits for myself, or extreme expectations. I'm going to try something new this year. Instead of committing to a 90 day get in shape program or 30 day clean eating regime, I'm simplifying everything in my life and I plan to just take it week by week. This week my two intentions for the week were simple: 1) Do yoga each morning and 2) Only eat from my own kitchen. By focusing on two things each week, it will allow me to pay attention to what I truly want and need as the year progresses. The morning yoga isn't necessarily about getting in shape, but more about taking that time for me each and every morning. The time I spend cooking in my own kitchen isn't about food prepping chicken and veggies, it's about enjoying my love of cooking and taking the time to slow down and enjoy it. Not just doing it out of necessity to have dinner on the table. You may have also read my post about completing 2024 miles in 2024. I realize now that inspiration came about from old habits of making lofty goals for myself and not about what my mantra for the year is "Less is more in 2024". I'm still taking on the challenge with a twist. I'm working on walking more and sitting less. I'm tracking all of my steps for the year and I'm excited to see how close to 2024 that I can get. I want to walk more and listen to more books while I'm walking, I don't want it to be a chore. This morning I completed two simple yoga videos on YouTube and really enjoyed it. It was so nice to take that time just for me in the silent and still hours of the morning with the lights still dim. I found a lady named Mady Morrison to follow for Yoga and my heart and soul are at peace today. I'll share the two routines I followed which are truly very much for a beginner, but I think anyone could find joy and peace from them. Maybe you're still not sure what the new year holds for you or what exactly it is that you desire in your life. Maybe you would like to join me on this 2024 journey of "Less is More" and setting two new intentions for yourself each week. No matter what it is you wish for, I wish you peace, joy, health and love in this year and always. xo ~Robin To follow me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifewithrobinberseth My two yoga sessions with Mady Morrison from this morning:
 Always take the time needed to refuel your tank. We can't run on empty and it's vital to care for ourselves as we would anything we care about. Your health inside and out is your biggest investment.
We are reminded daily at what the stress is doing to us, yet we continue with our day to day of packed schedules and aren't heeding the warnings right before our eyes. While not all health related issues are within our control, we can certainly better prepare our bodies and minds for the unexpected. We need to stop running on fumes and take the time to disconnect and rest. This is your reminder to take some time for yourself. Get some fresh air, take a walk, drink some water and rest that body and mind. You matter and there are others who want you to take care of YOU.  Living a healthy lifestyle means so much more to me than just eating healthy and exercise. Healthy living comes in many forms including self-care, being kind, showing gratitude and sharing with an open heart. Life is short and we don't have time to let all of the bad stuff clutter our hearts, souls, minds and bodies.
Together we make a difference, let's get busy, just living! |
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