FITNESS… Did you immediately think solely about your body when you read that word? If your answer is yes, clear your mind and begin with a clean slate.

Fitness is  defined as “the quality or state of being fit.”

We generally associate that with being physically fit, but while fitness certainly includes our bodies, it goes far beyond them.

Fitness appears to me as a relative word, much like the word success. What makes a person “successful” is individual to each of us depending on our own life experiences and values, and this individuality is no different when it comes to fitness (or anything else in life, but we each discover that in our own time, and it will require, as Yoda advised, “unlearning what you have learned.”

And then we RELEARN in a more effective manner, but we’ll get to that another day… for now, let’s move back to solid earth ground and touch on 4 areas that affect your fitness:

1. Physical Movement- Your body is designed to move and there are limitless ways to do so. The best workout is without fail, the one that you will do. We’ve heard it a million times because we may require the reminder!

If you still associate “exercise” with slogging out 45 minutes on a treadmill or an equally spirit-deadening “routine” that you have to force yourself to do, then it’s time to wake up and take a fresh look around you at all the enjoyable methods and means available to move your body, get your heart rate up, build muscle, and most importantly treat your body to what it needs to do what you want it to do.

Do some research- reading, watching, trying, listening, etc… and find out what’s out there that sparks your interest. Jump on in and figure out how to make play out of it. What works for you?

2. Eating- This appears so basic that I hate to say it, but I must because I’ve learned that it’s anything but: 

YOU NEED TO EAT.

The question is, what will you eat and when? How much will you eat and how will you prepare it? Do you go raw food, paleo, high-protein, vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, low-carb or yadayadayada? Are you a disordered eater, a comfort eater, a grazer, a disinterested nibbler, or this-that-and-the-other?

Again, this is for you to jump in and figure out. How? Research and become your own guinea pig. Gain an understanding of macronutrients upon which you’ll have a solid foundation to build your diet. Try things! How can anybody know what will work better for you than you?

3. Addressing your dragons- This may be the one that has you rolling your eyes, but hear me out. If you’re not where you want to be in your life and body, it is not because you are lazy, stupid, weak, or lacking willpower.

Consider instead the issues that may be holding you back, regardless of how minor they may appear to you. As Crosby, Stills and Nash sang in Southern Cross: “Cuz the truth you might be running from is so small. But it’s as big as the promise, the promise of a coming day.”

Our “dragons” stem from any unresolved, unhealed wounds we carry within us yet attempt to run from. Some we are aware of, others we have yet to uncover and acknowledge but we sense them lurking there. Waiting. So we instinctively run, rather than facing them.

Our dragons must be faced. Only in facing them are we afforded the realization that they are actually here to serve us and impart individualized wisdom that will aid each of us on our life’s journey. Life’s challenges and difficulties provide the soul workouts necessary to build the stamina of soul required to face and utilize our dragons.

4. Have a plan- Find your jam It might seem a contradiction for me to tell you to have a plan when I will also tell you that the most empowering thing you can do for yourself is to be adaptable (like water). But while adaptation is the goal, formulating a plan is a method of guiding your steps toward that intention.

A plan simply gets you out of the gate. It’s meant to be “organic” in the sense that it changes and recalibrates in regard to what’s going on around and within it. A plan is not meant to imprison you with “has to be” but rather to inspire you with “this could be”.

Write it down. See it. Work on it. Change it up. Let it engage you.

Plans are meant for every area of your life because they help open your eyes to new possibilities, leading you to find your jam more readily.

What do I mean by jam?

Your “jam” isn’t solely meant in the musical sense, although music certainly can be involved. It’s not one thing, but anything that makes you feel ALIVE. 

You will know it when you feel it. It’s that thing you do, or see, or hear, or participate in that makes your heart beat a little faster and makes you F L O W. In the more predominant areas of life, finding your jam might involve what you do to make your living, run your household, plan for your future, entertain yourself, educate yourself, etc… or it may only be that split second when you are absolutely aware that you are in your element. You feel no fear, you have your answers and feel completely at peace. In the words of ‘Limitless’ Eddie Morra:

“I knew what I needed to do. And how to do it.”

I love that movie, that line, and those moments in flow where you feel limitless.

Find your jam and those moments will multiply. 

In each of these areas you will notice a common theme: get to know yourself by becoming an active participant in your life. Get excited about yourself and your life because you are on a journey.

I can’t tell you where your journey will take you or what you hope to experience, but I can tell you that it pays to be prepared. For anything you’re led to become prepared for. 

If you can dream it up and think it, you can make it happen, so start preparing now. You will get the chance you’re preparing for.

Because it’ll be you that’s giving it to yourself. Be ready for it.