Tag Archives: realistic expectations

The Key to New Year’s Resolution Success

Persistence

“Pace yourself. Your best moments will be those you live in, not rush through.”

Point to Ponder:
Are you going after one of your new year’s resolutions or goals full-throttle?

Action Item:
Re-think how you might pace yourself more realistically so that you can have sustainable, long-term success.

by Neissa Brown Springmann

Once upon a time I ran a marathon, and once upon a time I could run a half marathon with ease, and the three-mile loop at Lady Bird Lake was simply a warm-up. Now, 2 children and at least five years later, the three-mile loop is a struggle. Because I love the serenity of a jog (especially around Lady Bird Lake), one of my 2014 goals is to run the loop without stopping. So, last Monday I set out on a mission to regain my running endurance. I knew going into it I would likely be winded and want to stop, but the moment I stepped onto the trail I felt like “the old Neissa” again. I was strong, athletic and invincible, so I took off! As you might expect, within five minutes I began to walk, and I wasn’t feeling the confidence I experienced just a few minutes earlier. Long story short, I did complete the loop but it was a humbling run/walk combination.

Then, on Saturday morning I got up early to try again, but this time I was much more strategic and realistic. Rather than let my ego push me beyond my cardiovascular limits I recognized and accepted my stamina state and paced myself. Surprisingly, and with the exception of intentionally walking across the Pfluger Bridge to enjoy the view, I completed the loop without stopping. My time wasn’t great, but I really didn’t care. It’s a marathon and not a sprint, right?!

Throughout my jog, I thought a lot about the concept of pacing myself and how relevant it is in life, and for this time of year in particular. Too often, the vast majority of my goals, resolutions and expectations are motivated by past successes: what I once was or what I once could do. And, because one of my Achilles heels is living in the past or future, I have trouble accepting my present reality and don’t pace myself, which of course results in not having long-term success with my goals.

Like anything worth having or accomplishing, it takes time — even if it is something that was once easy! So in this new year, I challenge you to pace yourself and embrace what is sustainable, which is nothing that can be achieved overnight or within a few weeks or months time. This includes building or repairing healthy relationships, adopting healthy habits, acquiring healthy thoughts, creating a healthy body and everything else that is on your 2014 to-do’s, goals and resolutions list. So, go ahead and pace yourself, and let’s make 2014 the best year of our lives!

Conquer May Mayhem!

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Celebrating an awesome workout at Pease Park after Molly’s 6PM Cross Training class

You won’t change until changing becomes one of your priorities instead of one of your options.
-Sonya Parker

by Catherine Hearn

For so many of us, May seems to have become ‘the December of spring:’ a month of hectic schedules replete with weddings, graduations, end-of-year performances, and on and on. Here, iGnite’s founder Neissa Springmann shares the three steps that have helped her stay sane in May.

Step 1: Create Realistic Expectations

It is important to get in the right mindset — to have the right expectations before the mayhem of May begins. When we acknowledge that it is what it is – a hectic and busy month – instead of fighting against it, then things often run much more smoothly for us. Tell yourself, “ok, this month is going to be very busy, a little stressful and hectic– but that’s just May!” Instead of being frustrated when things get overwhelming, you will have anticipated and accepted it. It is much easier to see a light at the end of the tunnel when you have already prepared yourself. After all, summer vacation is right around the corner!

Step 2: Get Organized

At the beginning of the month, get out your calendar and take a look at the month as a whole. Getting a complete, visual picture of the month’s obligations takes away the feeling of ‘the unknown’ that often adds to stress.

Step 3: Prioritize

What are your top priorities for the month? Sit down and identify them. Then, make decisions on what is a “must-attend” event and what is an “okay to pass up” event based on those priorities. Often we get in “say yes to everything” -mode instead of taking a step back and realizing that it’s ok to say no. Stay true to yourself and your priorities with your time, especially during hectic months like May.

One final tip: try your hardest to fit in some “me” time! While scheduling your kids’ camps, activities, performances, etcetera, be sure to schedule something for yourself that provides you with a mental escape. Plug in a yoga class, coffee with a close friend or a manicure during one of your “slower” weeks and stick to it. Your mind will thank you!

Other resources we think you will like:

Check out Neissa’s article in Austin Fit, Making “Me” Time With Exercise

Oct. 2013 Austin Fit Magazine featuring Neissa’s Making ‘Me’ Time For Exercise

Related iGnited Posts:

Spit Up Is Normal

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week13

Why compare yourself with others? No one in the entire world can do a better job of being you than you. (Anonymous)

Action Item:
As you continue to spring clean, throw away the negative habit of comparing and placing judgement labels on yourself, your family, your children and your life.

by Neissa Springmann

Seriously, motherhood is the most difficult job I’ve ever had. From waiting tables, getting whacked in the head by flying hands and feet when coaching gymnastics, to consistently getting up at 4:45 a.m. to start a day of personal training or iGniting, hands-down being a mom takes the cake. While it’s obviously wonderful and very special, it’s an immense amount of responsibility which has rocked my once-controlled and organized world, that was perfectly packaged with a big fluffy bow on top.

Since becoming a mom three months ago, I’ve been trying to put my finger on when I’ve felt the feelings and emotions that I am currently experiencing. While possibly lame, I’ve figured out that being a mom reminds me of the feelings I had when taking tests in high school and college. Unfortunately, I was never a good test-taker and even if I knew the material I was constantly questioning my decisions. And now, for the first time in my adult life I’ve found myself again questioning my abilities and wondering if I’m any good. After all, I’m a huge people-pleaser and thrive on positive feedback and results, so before my son Durant starting smiling, I was convinced that I was the worst ever!

Additionally, like test taking, motherhood is overwhelming and a huge responsibility that is physically, mentally and emotionally stressed-mom-yoga-bed exhausting. However, unlike taking a test, which ends the second you answer the last question, once you step into motherhood there is not a last question or even a grade. Instead, the perplexing and confidence-rattling questions keep coming, only to become humbled and confused all over again.

About a month and a half ago, Durant had consecutive cranky days that led me to believe that he was not a happy baby, which in my mind meant that I was a bad mom. So, in a raw and desperate moment I called my personal cheerleader, my mom, to lift my spirits. In the midst of complaining and seeking solace, she confided that even today she questions whether or not she is a good mom. Her truthful moment blew my mind because I think she is THE BEST MOM IN THE WORLD! Where does doubt creep in to your life? Take a few minutes to look at the Weekly Intention Guide to help you brainstorm…

What my mom feels and I am currently experiencing is doubt, which is a very evil five letter word. I believe doubt appears when we compare ourselves to others and put labels on ourselves and things like “good” or “bad.” This is exactly what I was doing when thinking Durant wasn’t happy, in turn making me believe I was a bad mom. In my mind, I assumed that it was impossible that another baby spit up or cried as much as he did. After all, every baby I had seen always looked perfectly cute, content and clean. Furthermore, I must be a horrible mom because I wasn’t able to breast-feed for more than one month, unlike so many other of my friends who had success for months and even years.

At iGnite we keep strong, faithful and smart women around us to remind us of what’s really true those times doubt or fear trickle in…

So, here I was (and still am)….WAY out of my comfort zone, in uncharted territory and torturing myself because I was comparing myself and Durant to everyone else. And the conclusions I made from those comparisons were not actual, but perceived. Of course plenty of babies cry and spit up as much or more than Durant does, and the more I talk to friends, the more I find out that they didn’t breast-feed as long as I assumed they had, and I think they are GREAT moms and their kids are equally as awesome!

The truth is that when you and I try our best, there is no right, wrong, good or bad. And, the second I let doubt creep into my heart is the second I convince myself that God hasn’t equipped me with exactly what I need, when He undoubtedly has and always will. I just have to trust, keep trying my best and continue to get other mothers to share their crying and spit up horror stories (ha!) to keep a realistic picture. Motherhood, like everything else in life, is not perfectly controlled and wrapped up with a big fluffy bow on top, unlike what I had persuaded myself I had to make it.

Finally, we have all been uniquely blessed with talents, treasures, and gifts. Of course, we can’t be great at everything or be as good at the same skills as our neighbor. However, instead of comparing, doubting and thinking you’re not good enough, praise your friends and neighbors for their skills, acknowledge and be proud of yours, and keep doing your best. Remember… just because someone else is good doesn’t mean you are bad; and as you continue to spring clean, go ahead and throw away the negative habit of comparing and placing judgement labels on yourself, your family, your children and your life. Guaranteed, no one is perfectly packaged with a big fluffy bow on top, and they’ve experienced “spit up” (of some sort!) a time or two. After all, spit up is normal.

While I do believe I’ll be able to teach Durant some dance moves, I’m ok with the fact that I probably won’t be successful at teaching him how to shake it like the baby in this weeks video. However, I sure do commend the person that did. Be sure and turn your volume up because you’re going to LOVE what you’re about to see… and we’ll plan to practice his dance moves during Cardio Dance this week!!