Taking a ‘Me’ Day to Visualize.

Ugh. I’ve had a headache for 2 days now and the left side of my neck aches. This happens monthly. I experience different degrees of pain and sometimes I can nip it in the bud but for some reason today is a bit of a doozy. After a full night of waking to self massage my neck and shoulders, take something to ease the pain, drink water, do self healing and so on, I decided that after I drop the kids off at school, I’d drive straight back home, create a cozy space and roost there.  That is, until 1:30 pm when I have to pick up the kids from school early today- 2 pm.  Don’t get me started.  

When I arrived home I filled my favourite water bottle and plugged in the heating pad.  I chose a warm blanket from the closet and plopped it on my beloved and much treasured lazy boy recliner.  This chair and I go way back to the nursing days of my first child.  I spent a vast amount of time in this chair and I believe it ‘knows’ me.  On a table beside it, I placed my iPhone (tut, of course), Fitness Rx and Oxygen mags (latest issues), a book I’m 3/4 of the way through, my Second Cup coffee brewed at home-Caramello-my absolute favourite, my pen and journal for ideas/notes and visualizations and my mid morning meal.  Finally, I planted my butt into the chair and moved into recline position.  Sigggghhhh.

Here I am.  I could not be happier.  The heating pad is doing unbelievable wonders and re-directing the pounding of blood from my head to my shoulders.

I checked my emails and touched base one last time with those that participated in the 3 day challenge!

I browsed Facebook and happy birthday’d a few peeps.

I searched Wonder Woman bikini’s on the internet.

I…Gotcha!

I love her.  Always have.  She’s dreamy. I have a vintage Wonder Woman trash can in my office, a WW tanktop set (think Underoos!  And if you don’t know what those are-have a quick gander on the net….I can still hear the commercial in my head, “underoos are fun to wear, yeah…”) and you know it, a Wonder Woman costume that is alas a bit big on me now thanks to another Superhero…The Shapeshifter.

Why? Why out of thin air did I search the net today for the bikini?  I happen to see a fitness model wearing a Supergirl bandeau bikini and bam-did a quick search.  A WW bikini does exist  but it didn’t really leap out and me and say, “Purchase me now!”

Next.

I started to do visualizations of what it will be like when I begin lifting weights again. I envisioned, slow methodical lift and lowering, concentrating on the muscle at work. At the same time, expressing gratitude that I am in the place where I am able to give this gift to my body followed by a soothing and rewarding stretch. Oh yes. This technique has been extremely valuable to me in the past and I continue to use it even while I abstain from weight training.

You’ve all probably heard how athletes see themselves winning the race. But they go further than that. They visualize everything about race day from tying their shoes, to being at the event where the race will occur. Many will tell you it is a vital part of their preparation.

And vision boards. These are used by many people that want to draw or attract certain outcomes into their lives. By placing photos or quips from magazines etc. on any type of cork board or poster and focusing on it several times a day, people inundate their brain telling it, “this is our reality”. I made one when I started reading fitness magazines and was contemplating the idea of working with a trainer. I’d cut out phrases or quotes that really resonated with me at the time of who I wanted to be and people that inspired me. Soon after that, I hired my first trainer.  During one of our first sessions he said, “You know what you should do?  Create a vision board. Ever heard of that?”  Good sign I was in the right place!

I haven’t made an updated board as of yet but maybe I should. However,  I am still visualizing often so the habit is there. For example , as I walk gently on the treadmill which is one of the few exercise options I have, or go to Zumba class and do everything without a single bounce or leap (booooo!) I have a whole party going on in my head. When I’m playing certain songs on the iPhone, and walking at zero incline so I don’t activate my tight muscles too much-I pump up the speed. Then, I picture myself performing on stage, giving a concert, walking the catwalk, you name it!!!!!  I have a band, back up singers, an enthusiastic audience, the whole 9 yards. I am such a superstar! Why not? I see myself back at the weights, working towards chiseling my physique further and looking vibrant and youthful. It’s a blast I tell you! I look smokin’ hot and am having the time of my life.

Fingers tapping on keys now. That means I’m done blogging for the moment. I suppose I wanted to share that the daydreaming and visualizing are key players in my ongoing motivation in my ongoing evolution of me.

Hey! My head is starting to feel a bit better. Think I’ll close my eyes for a bit, enjoy the heat a bit more and drink some glorious water to replenish and revive this wondrous body of mine.

Oh.Oh. Wait. I must share something. In Yoga there is an asana called Dancer’s Pose. No, that’s not me. When I first began, my hamstring muscles would spasm as I tried to reach for the inside of my foot, hold it and kick it back, while maintaining balance on the other leg and keep an open chest, with other arm raised high. Initially, I’d reach into the pose and quickly put my leg down and massage the back of my upper leg and try again. Now, I tell myself to soften up before I even extend my hand to my foot. It seems to find my inside of the foot a little easier. The hamstring attempts to spasm but instead of immediately releasing it I wait and see what happens. It pulses and then lets go allowing me to flow into the move. I inwardly smile. breathe deeply and feel like a Yogi Master.

Do you know how miraculous and awesome this feels? I can do that thing up there in that photo!  It can only come from the the repetition and continued trying even when one thinks nothing is ‘happening’. You see? No matter whether you are in the midst of training with weights and are a total newbie, in the first few weeks of a clean meal plan, the changes are bubbling and brewing. You are processing, riding the waves, self doubting, wondering why you are there and…

It is because we are so programmed to want insta-results. Immediate this, faster that, want it yesterday dammit!!!

But the most gorgeous, luxurious fulfilling and gratifying moments come from this phase where seemingly nothing is happening. Only everything is happening. The challenge is to ask yourself if you are going to do something different this time and just stick around to wait and watch it unfold or leave like most people do (the all or nothing crowd).

I am in no way saying I have this perfected. I slip into the mentality of wanting things yesterday and wishing it could go faster. But truthfully, not as often as I used to. I think the wisdom I am honoured to have truly internalized is the beauty of everything unfolding while you are actively doing your part day in and day out to take yourselves there.

Ok. Now I’m going to enjoy this heating pad. Hello Me Day:)  We have 2 hours left together. Let’s enjoy it.

Love,

Arlene

Comments