Bold Confidence

I have learned many things from social media, like America's obsession with cat videos and tips from 3,000 of my closest friends on which restaurant will "change your life." I have seen or read absolutely anything - AN-Y-THING - on social media! Sometimes, that any thing cannot be unseen, if ya know what I mean! <brain scrub>

One thing I have noticed is, late at night or the wee early hours of the morning, people use social media to upload to offload. Facebook and Twitter accounts are stamped with an emoji reflecting how the person feels or a photo will be uploaded to Instagram or Snapchat expressing their current emotion with a supporting #hashtag. It seems as if the person posting sees himself/herself as posting anonymously for a momentary emotional release or offload.

Loneliness settles around a heart and offloads: I want love or someone to love me.
Loss reflects: It's been a year. I miss my mom.
Depression reaches out for hope through a keyboard: Is there anyone who cares?
Anxiety silently uploads a scream: I can't do this, anymore!

Then --for the focus of today's blog-- there are those uploaders who have experienced something which has caused them to question themselves. "Do I have what it takes?" "What was I thinking?" It may have been a conversation that shook their confidence. It may have been a thoughtless comment posted on a thread. Whether or not that comment had ill intent, a message was downloaded as inadequacy into the human spirit and, later, uploaded as "Am I good enough?" 

Dear Midnight Offloader, You are valuable. That idea is a great one! "Every good and perfect gift comes down from God." That dream you're working hard to see to fruition is going to come about. Keep shooting for the stars! You will eventually find someone who shares that calling and the burden of it and is willing to bear the weight with you. This creativity is part of God's DNA and is meant to be developed. It will take work. It may take many attempts to strengthen it. Be tenacious. You will encounter naysayers. who seek to suck the life out of your work and walk away. Be courageous. You will experience loss...multiple times over and for unexplainable reasons. Do not lose heart.  Be strong in the Lord. A payoff is coming! Someone needs your idea. Someone needs you to be their confidence! Someone needs YOU.

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 15

LOVE RULE CHALLENGE DAY 15: 

DON'T ACCEPT. EMBRACE.

Don't get us wrong, acceptance is a good thing. In fact, it's such a good thing that ‪acceptance‬ is a key concept in the REFIT® community. But our‪#‎LoveRules‬ for today is asking you to go one...step...further...and EMBRACE.

Accepting different values, beliefs or ideas will bring people into the fold, but embracing those differences will KEEP them there. This is instrumental in building community. REALLY, THIS IS ALL ABOUT LOVE...EMBRACE THE PERSON!

Think about these two statements: 

"I accept your quirkiness."
"I embrace your quirkiness." 

Doesn't the latter statement feel much more empowering? Now, here's the hard question: What distinguishes "accepting" from "embracing"? Hoping you can help answer this...leave a comment below and share your thoughts!

Tuesday -June 16- @REFITREV will be LIVE on the ‪Periscope‬ App at 1pm CST discussing our thoughts on the differences between these two concepts. Be sure to follow REFIT® REVOLUTION (on facebook, twitter, periscope, instagram, blog) and join in on the discussion!

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 4

Are you schedule-driven? Type A? Have you ever been accused of being inflexible? Do you value process over people?

LOVE RULE #3: 

BE INTERRUPT-ABLE

While most of us would never publicly admit it, some of us have an unhealthy obsession with our appointment books. One small off-schedule issue and we're melting on the floor or throwing a tantrum. Wisdom: Customers/Clients are never an interruption. #PeopleMatterMore

When we make time for interruptions, we open ourselves up to opportunities to connect with those around us. Simple interruptions might include: 

• midnight snuggles from a child who can't sleep
• an impromptu late night movie well past your bedtime
• meeting co-wokers for coffee or a quick bite
• a last minute weekend getaway
• breakfast for dinner followed by family game night, etc.

How interruptable are you? Don't forget that on the other side of that schedule, people are waiting to connect with you! 

When you FOLLOW @refitrev REFIT® Revolution (on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) and SHARE this post on social media using the ‪#‎LoveRules‬ tag, you could win a huge love bomb in June!  Stay tuned...

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 1

Most know I'm a certified REFIT® Instructor, but did ya know REFIT® is more than just fitness? 

REFIT® is a community in which love rules. That may sound strange coming from a fitness company, but here's the deal:

FITNESS CHANGES BODIES,

 COMMUNITY CHANGES HEARTS.

• We believe the heart is a muscle and a soul, we focus on both. One way we focus on the heart as a soul is by building community within our fitness classes. We're often asked "HOW do you build community?" and this month we are answering that question by talking about cultivating a community in which #LoveRules.
• Each day, we'll provide practical tips on how to love those around you and go deeper in your connections with people. We think everyone could use a few more #LoveRules in life, right?
• OH AND JUST WAIT! If you SHARE the posts on social media (facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest, etc.) and use the hashtag #LoveRules and tag @refitrev, throughout the month of June, you'll be entered to win a huge love bomb filled with a $50 gift card to the REFIT® shop, an exclusive (not even available online, yet) REFIT water bottle and a "favorites" gift from each REFIT® Founder (Angela, Catherine & Emily = ACE). That's a whole lotta love, y'all!

We can't wait to make this #LoveRules journey with you this month! To get yourself entered into the challenge, GO ---> FOLLOW @refitrev on social media platforms (facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest, etc.) and...
---> SHARE this and other REFIT® posts you see today (and each day on social media) using #LoveRules and @refitrev.

Stay tuned...

Adding Value

While social media tends to pander our self-regard with everything from mundane to once-in-a-lifetime events, let's consider shifting the focus toward others. I am just as indulgent as the next vegetarian in sharing what was on my all-day menu for #MeatlessMonday.

Hey, Jack, what's wrong with posting innumerable pix of cute puppies and baby elephants? Nothing, I say! Absolutely nothing!

I'm issuing a challenge -of sorts- to all you bloggers, Facebookers, Instagramers, Tweeters, Viners, Tumblr-ites and YouTubertarians to add value to your followers. Make it for a day. Make it for a week. Make it your next big milestone post!

What does that look like?

Welpst...it looks like encouraging with words and photos, "likes," asking questions, offering helpful hints and posting about something that benefits the locals or those with similar interests. Avoid cutting remarks or even responding to negativity with negativity where all of social media can see. 

Remember, emotion and voice inflection do not carry through posts, unless you use "!!!" and ALL CAPS!!!! Typically a person will read a response using their own filter. If I have a cynical disposition, chances are I will read a post viewed through my pessimistic filter. 

People struggle on a daily basis with everyday stuff. Let's, You & I, not subtract from our online friends' esteem. Instead, let's be the bright spot elevating them and adding value to their lives. You don't have to be a know-it-all, simply defer to another.

Whether we have 20 or 200,000 followers, we can add value with our platforms.

Here's to #sharingselfies! Join me?

I'm Fit Possible!

After participating in a hashtag conversation on Twitter, an online runner-friend suggested I check into the social media community "I'm Fit Possible." So, I did and liked what I saw!

Addiction is such a strong word for all the fun I have on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and blogging! With my recent pursuit of a healthy lifestyle involving fitness and nutrition, I can't help but talk about it and share on social media about what I'm constantly learning, whether or not people comment, email or retweet. But, when someone does respond, OH MY GOODNESS! I squeal and jump up and down on the inside (sometimes, on the outside, too!).

I'm Fit Possible seemed like a perfect fit for my <ahem> addiction pairing my sharing with a healthy lifestyle as an "Ambassador!" Think of that! Me? 

I completed the online "I'm Fit Possible Ambassador Application," which is more like a simple questionnaire, uploaded a photo, clicked the submit button and that was that. In less than a week I received this response from the founder, Tara Gusmanis...

 I got a sweet, glass thermos!

"...You're in! Yay! Congratulations on becoming an I'm Fit Possible Ambassador! You are JUST the kind of person we need to make our community that much better!"

Much squealing and jumping ensued! 

What I had shared only with my hubby and a dear friend was my desire to become a wellness ambassador, but felt it may be a year before I would realize that goal. You do not have to become an ambassador to enjoy the IFP Community on social media and events. 

Am I a professional? Do I know all the answers? Nah. But, I'm enthusiastic about spreading the word and doing what comes naturally, talking and cheering for others! It IS possible to start as a late bloomer on a quest for a healthier self and be successful! 

We are social, big hearted, creative fitness enthusiasts.

We believe in unplugging and heading outside.

We believe that the best workouts are the ones done with family and friends. 

We try and sweat every day, but if we don't we won't sweat about it.

We love to try new things and if we love something, you'll hear about it. 

Oh and smiles, hugs and high fives are not negotiable.

If this sounds like you, come hang out online with other real people. Who knows? Perhaps you'll become an I'm Fit Possible Ambassador, too!

#ImFitPossible #andSoAreYOU!

"Sam"