Guest Blog: Becky Searls- Summer is Coming
I have something very special here on my blog for the end of May! I have a guest Writer! Becky Searls is fellow personal trainer and coach. She has written a “mindful moment” post where she will walk you through a little exercise to switch your mindset, she talks a little about breaking through that all or nothing mindset, and so much more! She will even tell you a little bit more about her credentials, and the programs she offers!
Happy Reading!
Summer is Coming:
Let's take a Mindful Moment before Obsessing over that Summer Body
June 1st is coming - a fresh start, a new month! A month full of vacations, bikinis, and for some, a slight (or severe) touch of anxiety as a side dish! 😅
If you're anything like most humans, during the month of May, you may have gotten a bit caught up with life, forgotten to pause, breathe, take a mindful moment and simply be a human being.
We get so caught up in being humans doing all of the things all day every day that a Monday can easily become a Thursday, which blurs into the weekend, the following week, and before you know it, another month has gone by, amirite? 😏
So here is your invitation to take that mindful moment you probably need
Before starting, quickly check in with your body at this moment - are you holding any tension anywhere? If so, where? (Are your shoulders up by your ears? Are you hunched forward? Are your legs folded under you in such a way that one foot has fallen asleep?)
Now, sit back from your keyboard for a moment. No, really, I'll wait...🤣
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OK, assuming you're playing along with me - game for a little mindfulness exercise? It'll take less than 60 seconds, promise! Let's get curious...How does it feel in your body to:
sit tall in your chair (and take a breath)?
feel your feet on the ground (and take another, maybe slightly deeper breath)?
place your palms on your knees or thighs (and feel your third breath slow down even more)?
close your eyes and feel your shoulders relax away from your ears (and take 2-3 more breaths at your own pace, slowly opening your eyes again, only when you feel ready)?
And now, take a moment to check back in - how does your body feel now? Perhaps you are a bit more relaxed, calm, holding less tension?
We all need mindful moments in our days. Modern life can be a blur of tasks and to-do's, but remember, first and foremost, you are a human being, and you are enough exactly as you are.
You are not Broken, Nor do You Need to be Fixed
Part of my coaching philosophy is just that: none of us are broken, and none of us need fixing. Circumstances are neutral, until we imbue them with meaning and judge them to be positive or negative. While that's a rather stoic philosophy, it's helpful to keep the ups and downs of life in stride and context and ride the wave of life with some level of awareness and equanimity.
Even as a whole, capable human being, another core value for me is autonomy. I firmly believe you have full permission to make any decision for your life, your body, and for your (fitness/mindset) journey.
If you are reading this, you either know me already or you found this article organically and this message resonates with you, or you are curious! Either way, I'm so glad you're here.
Breaking out of Black and White, All or Nothing Thinking
It's all too easy to fall into black and white, all or nothing thinking about our fitness and our bodies, isn't it?
"Missed the first of the month, guess I'll just wait til next month!"
"Didn't have any willpower and had pizza and beers again, time to 'get back on the wagon' again"
"Nothing I do ever seems to work or move the needle, why even try?"
And we know better! We can bring in self-compassion, curiosity, and mindful awareness to ask more questions and add nuance to the equation:
"Missed the first of the month, guess I'll just wait til next month!" -> "This week isn't over yet! What can I do today or this weekend?"
"Didn't have any willpower and had pizza and beers again, time to 'get back on the wagon' again" --> "Food is complicated! It serves as fuel but it also is a social adhesive, a way to mark special occasions, and so much more. I'd like to get more curious and educated about my relationship with food, behavior, and habits and learn what serves me best"
"Nothing I do ever seems to work or move the needle, why even try?" -->"I am feeling stuck and that is frustrating. I know there must be a better way - I wonder what resources or support I need to get started and make change sustainable?"
Want to Make a (Mindful) Change? Here’s your Chance!
If you missed Monday…or even most of May, no worries, it happens! Every week, as long as we are lucky enough to be here, we get SEVEN lucky chances to wake up and start fresh. If you want to get started and stay consistent with strength training, and do it in a sustainable, mindful way, I have something that might be just perfect for you!
Build with Becky, my signature 1 to many program, helps you get started and stay consistent with strength training. I combine evidence-based strength & conditioning programming with mindfulness-based behavior change practices.
Coach @beckyjoy is a National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT), a USA Weightlifting Coach (USAW-1), and a Mindfulness-Based Behavior Change Facilitator. She also has training as a postpartum and corrective exercise specialist and clinical performance coach and has been an educator for over 15 years. She offers personalized, high-quality exercise program design, coaching, and mindset workshops, 1:1, in small groups, and 1:many, in her signature strength training program, Build with Becky.
