Fluffy Friday : Vanity and Visualization
I try not to compare myself to others because…well…I just don’t think it’s a good habit. At best I tell myself I’m not doing that bad, at worst, I get depressed or cocky. Neither is lovely. Not at all. Most of the time if I compare myself to others I start to feel like I’m looking into a funhouse mirror that makes my thighs look 10 times bigger than the rest of my body. Then I end up in bed crying wishing I had a hundred thousand dollars so I could look like Demi Moore in Charlie’s Angels. So whenever I feel myself starting to compare myself to others, I do my best to put redirect my thoughts by making lists of all the things I’m grateful for in my life. That said, I do find some pictures motivating and sometimes use visualization when I want to quit in the middle my workout or eat enough chicken fingers to put Chick-Fil-A out of business.
I don’t know much if anything about Jackie Warner. I’ve never seen her show, Workout, but one day while reading a message board I came across this picture. Her shoulders and abs have motivated me ever since. Sometimes I think of this photo but with my head photoshopped on her body. Instantly I feel motivated me to get through my shoulder workout. Yeah, sort of dorky.
A while back, I mentioned Kelly Ripa as one of my top five favorite fit celebrities. She still is and I love her hamstrings in this picture. I’ve often visualized this photo when I’ve felt like laying down the bleachers instead of running them.
I think visualization can be a great tool when you are actually doing something to move toward your goals. I don’t think it’s a good idea to sit down on the couch with a bag of chips and flip through magazines wishing you looked like someone else. I also don’t think it’s a good idea to pick photos that are totally out of line with your body type. For that reason, I don’t use pictures of Heidi Klum or other fashion models. I’m not built like a super model and will never be no matter how much weight I lose. I prefer to pick pictures of woman who look like they have put some work into their bodies not women who look like they won the genetic lottery. Not that I would have minded winning it just didn’t happen. Jackie Warner and Kelly Ripa both look to be like ordinary women who have put extraordinary effort into building a fit athletic looking bodies. That to me is motivating.
Vanity is not my only motivation. In fact there are many others things I find a hundred times more motivating. I think of my children and my future grandchildren. I think of having the energy to explore the world with my husband when I finally grow up. I think of how horrible it would be to develop some awful disease and wonder “what if” I would have taken care of myself. I think of how I would like to hike and ride horses well into old age. I think of how depressed I use to be when I didn’t take care of myself. I think of how God made me and I want to honor that gift. But I’d be lying if I said I never thought of Jackie Warners amazing abs & shoulders or Kelly Rippa’s gorgeous legs and felt motivated to push a little harder or choose a salad over a cheesy calzone.
Have a great weekend friends!
xoxo
j
This is my (almost) sane quest for insane health. Let's 
Can totally relate to your “visualization helpers”. I think you know this but Monica Carlson is mine. I also love Kelly Ripa!
I’ll tell you a little secret: I had a pic of Monica Carlson from the Athleta catalog posted on my bathroom mirror for months. She looks so strong and fit and it was a reminder from the moment I woke up about my goals and how I wanted to look and feel.
Have a great weekend.
P.S. Going to be at the NPC http://www.npcsacshow.com/ in Sacramento in November with a friend doing Bikini (I am just tagging along). Any chance you want to join us?
Ha! I have a picture of Kelli Ripa inside my cupboard door!
I’d love to go to the saw with you but Sacramento is a reeeaally long drive from down here! Thanks for the invite though! Someday when I’m up in your area we’ll definitely get together for Indian food.
That’s a great idea (the pic in the cupboard). Maybe I need to cut apart an Athleta catalog and tape pics on all the cereal boxes! lol
Definitely on the Indian food
Now Casting: “Thintervention with Jackie Warner” (Bravo)
Have you spent too long struggling with your weight? Have you tried to change your eating habits and stick to a workout routine but have yet to succeed? Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? If so—Jackie Warner, star of BRAVO’s hit series “Workoutâ€â€”wants to help you change your life once and for all in her new BRAVO series, “Thintervention with Jackie Warner†(working title).
Our casting team is looking for people to participate in our new weight loss series that focuses on REAL people with REAL issues.
Thintervention with Jackie Warner gives you access to internationally recognized trainer, Jackie Warner, who will personalize your diet and exercise plan to reach goals that are realistic for you while you continue to live your everyday life.
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If you are ready to transform your life and show the world what you’re made of, please send the following information to [email protected]: (i) your name; (ii) a contact telephone number; (iii) your email address; and (iv) a JPEG formatted photo.
All applicants must meet eligibility requirements, which include, without limitation, being at least 21 years old as of January 1, 2010, a legal resident of the U.S., and living in or within 50 miles of Los Angeles County California, among other requirements as determined by Producers. Please see the Application for more details.