#31DaysofSkirtSports Week 1

Why YES, I AM a Skirt Sports Ambassador Captain! Earlier, this year, I was selected to represent this company because I believe in their mission and their products! While Skirt Sports offers shorts and capris for the real women, it's the skirt that drew me in to "Convert to Skirt." I love the compression gear underneath the skirt, which keeps the jiggly from being all wiggly! And, at age 52, I require coverage -- 
cover-age! (I'll leave that one, right there)

Skirt Sports converts, everywhere, are getting in on July's #31DaysofSkirtSports. Let me take you through my first 7 days via my social media accounts...

Day 1. TGIF - Freshly laundered Skirt Sports because #realwomenmove in the Tennessee sunshine!

(Some of my Skirt Sports swag. The grey visor is a BOCO visor for Skirt Sports with a headband at the front to soak up sweat.)

I suggest drip drying your tech gear, but you can always toss it in the dryer on low.

Day 2. Nourish with GOOD FOOD, errday!

(Wearing Happy Girl skirt, colorful Tantrum print)

If you find something you're interested in on the SkirtSports.com website, be sure to enter COP20 at checkout for a 20% discount!

Day 3. A long weekend to run and watch Shark Week shows is like a mini VACATION!

(Skirts Sports Ambassador Trucker Cap - totally free when you become an ambassador! How cool is that?)

Day 4. Feelin' PATRIOTIC, but not skilled at cornhole on Fort Loudon Lake!

Fitness apparel is for any day, not just for fitness activities.

(Wearing Happy Girl, the monochromatic gray Gotham print)

Enter COP20 at checkout for a 20% discount! And, if it's not your thang, the friendly folks in customer service can help you return your purchase.

Day 5. A little TRAILHEAD at Cove Lake State Park of LaFollette, in the Cumberland Mountains of East Tennessee with our little Zuzu the Shihtzu!

Pictured is my wonderful and supportive hubby who says, "I've been chasing your skirt for years!" 

I'm ok with that!

Day 6. After a day of leading REFIT® fitness classes, foam rolling is tonight's hurt-so-good RECOVERY tool on tight calves and sore glutes. 

#stay dry #alldaylong because #realwomenmove 

(Wearing Happy Girl skirt, Tantrum print)

Day 7. Isolate other muscle groups for whole body fitness  = CrossTrain‬‪

Runners tend to focus on strengthening the legs when all over conditioning makes for a stronger runner. I targeted my core, this evening, doing mountain climbers, planks, sit ups, roll ups, crunches, and this modified version of mountain climber.
TIP: My wrists don't have a full range of motion, so I elevate using weights when holding a plank or doing mountain climbers.

(Wearing my Skirt Sports Ambassador swag a.k.a online as the "Don't Sweat It Long Sleeve" which is soft as buttaaaahh!)

Totally authorized to extend to you a 20% discount by entering COP20 at checkout, at least through December 2016!

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 23

Can we ask you to do something?  If you're not okay, SAY SO.

LOVE RULES CHALLENGE

DAY 23: 

STOP PRETENDING YOU'RE FINE.

Whether it's something small like a really funky day or something major like depression -- tell someone. Pretending you're fine is only hurting you. 

We hope each one of you has someone you can confide in, but if you don't we want you to know we're listening.  

Sometimes just getting the issue off your chest can lighten your load tremendously! 

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 22

We hope this #LoveRules is refreshing and filled with freedom.

LOVE RULES CHALLENGE

DAY 22: 

REGARDING MISTAKES 

... IT'S OK TO MAKE & TELL!

It's easy to tell people about successes, good news and goals reached.  It gives every one a chance to applaud with you.

But people also need to hear about your mistakes.

One of the REFIT® #truths that we like to repeat again and again is this: PEOPLE ARE INTRIGUED BY PERFECTION, BUT CHANGED BY AUTHENTICITY. When we let others into the "real" of our lives -- everything changes for the better and many great lessons can be learned.

Our lives are often shared publicly and while we love rejoicing in the good, people need to see our #struggle. 

One of the most common hesitations we hear from our new REFIT® instructors is that they're afraid they're going to mess up.  Guess what?  IT'S TRUE.  Mistakes are bound to happen, and the best response is to laugh and keep on going!

So feel free to makes mistakes and feel free to share your mistakes with others.  It really is a liberating experience! AND, feel free to FOLLOW & SHARE @refitrev + #LoveRules!

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 19

We're not talking about the dating scene or your future spouse...we're talking about you.  

LOVE RULES CHALLENGE

DAY 19:

KNOW YOUR

PERSONALITY TYPE. 

This #LoveRules may seem a little out of the box, but knowing your personality type is an important tool in loving others.  Why?

For starters, being self-aware will help you interact with other people.  When a "thinker" and a "feeler" interact, things can be really swell or really BAD. 

Identifying your personality and anticipating how it intersects with others is a great offensive tactic -- especially in potential conflict.

Some of our favorite personality assessments are: Myers-Briggs personality assessment (There's a general version that's free online) and Strengths Finder by Tom Rath. There are many more, but start with these two and dig into yourself a little so you can learn how to love deeper.

If you've taken either of these tests, what were your findings? 

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 18

Every single person on this planet has a gift ... a ‪superpower‬. 

Not one of us was created without that "special something" that blesses another individual.

But here the thing about a gift: it's only a gift if it's SHARED. Otherwise, it's just a possession.

LOVE RULES CHALLENGE DAY 18:

SHARE YOUR GIFT!

So whatever your talent, skill or attribute is, SHARE IT & share the joy with those around you! Someone is waiting...more opportunities for community!

FOLLOW & SHARE posts from REFIT Revolution (on all social media) adding ‪#‎LoveRules‬ to be entered into the June ‪‎Love Bomb‬ drawing!

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 17

LOVE RULES CHALLENGE

DAY 17: 

IT'S OKAY

TO DISAGREE

Life often has it’s share of disagreements and conflicts, so let’s talk about how to handle conflict and how conflict is actually a great way to love others.  

Watch the video below and don’t forget to answer the discussion questions! - 

Discussion Questions:

1.  What part of this video resonated with you and why?

2.  How do you typically respond to conflict and what, if anything, would you like to change about your response?

3.  How was conflict modeled in your family growing up and how is it handled in your current life?

See more at: http://refitrev.com/uncategorized/love-rules-its-okay-to-disagree/#sthash.JaEVUYxi.dpuf -AND- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irxzWNGcmL0

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 16

When ‪#‎LoveRules‬ your life, your light is used not only to draw people, but to LEAD people.

LOVE RULES CHALLENGE DAY 16: 

LIGHT (Lead) THE WAY.

We believe everyone has a superpower and that superpower can be used to light the way for someone else. Today, we're urging you to identify your superpower and begin using it to help people around you.

Unsure what your superpower is? Ask yourself these questions:

*What am I good at?
*How do I add value to my family, work or committee?
*What comes naturally to me?
*What compliment do I most often receive?
*When do I feel most confident?
*When I feel joy or happiness, what am I usually doing?

Look for overlap or patterns in your answers...that will help you identify your superpower and allow you to light the way out of your natural gifting!

Will you share one of your answers in the comments below? It'd be great to know what "superpowers" are going on out there!

TODAY -- REFIT® is LIVE on the Periscope App! Join in on the "Accept vs Embrace" discussion OR tap the screen OR sit quietly listening!

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 13

Today is all about the love touch. Sounds creepy...but it's not. 

#LoveRules Challenge Day 13: REJECT HANDSHAKES & SIDE HUGS.

Somewhere along the way, we let #FEAR get in the way of our daily #connections. We over-thought our intentions and the intentions of others. We worried about being too soft or misunderstood or too raw.

We decided that hugs needed to be "side hugs" only. Because (gasp!) "What if s/he thinks I'm attracted to him/her?!" 

We decided that #handshakes were more appropriate. "It's more professional" we told ourselves, "I don't want to appear too soft." Pride told us:  No #hugs allowed.

**As a result of this over-thinking, we find ourselves in this strange tension of wanting to offer a #lovetouch -- a physical expression of care, concern or closeness-- but fearful of what that touch might mean or more importantly, what it might make us FEEL.**

Today, express your love (friendship, human-ness) through physical touch. (Don't be dirty, people.) Just saying a hug has massive healing power and hyper-connection abilities. 

We live in a faux-connected world... technology makes us feel super close to one another, but our souls are hollow because screens are a barrier to the closeness we all desire.

So grab someone, today, and hug them.  Big ol' giant bear hug OR GROUP HUG!!!!! Or, at least do the 2-handed handshake ...the one where ya grab their hand with both of yours and squeeze, which says "Yes, I'm hugging your hand!"

SHARE & FOLLOW @refitrev + #loverules! 

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 11

LOVE RULES CHALLENGE DAY #11: VALUE THE OFFERING. 

Even if it's not much.

Even if it's not needed.

Even if it's not enough.

Even if it doesn't make sense.

Even if it doesn't meet your expectations.

Even if you don't want it.

People show love in different ways, and what they bring is often all they have to give. And it's not just monetary. Maybe it's the insecure friend who over-compliments.  Maybe it's the over-helper who really just gets in the way. Maybe it's the client who has an opinion about everything.

At the root of their behavior is the desire to love and give. And sometimes it's awkward. 💁 Today.  Value the offering...as messy as it is. You'll be changed by it. 

FOLLOW~SHARE~TAG @refitrev + #LoveRules for more great posts!

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 10

LOVE CHALLENGE #10: TURN OFF THE "ME SHOW"

We're discussing an "OUCHIE" #loverules today on our blog!  Join the discussion! (click link below or paste http://refitrev.com/uncategorized/love-rules-turn-off-the-me-show/)

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 8

“Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: What! You too? I thought that I was the only one." 
--C. S. Lewis


LOVE CHALLENGE #8: 
CONNECT PEOPLE!

#Connection is powerful. It has the potential to demolish loneliness & create intimacy. For today's ‪#‎LoveRules‬, we want to challenge you guys to connect people to each other. If you see someone struggling with fear of________, hopelessness in a situation or drowning in the pool of mommy guilt...connect them with someone a little further along in the journey.

Connect people with similar interests, journeys, and stories. Comfort is the fruit of connection. People want to know that they are not the only ones out dealing with that particular issue or struggling with that exact form of fear.

Look for ways you can connect people to each other and be a catalyst for change!

LADIES, WANNA CONNECT? Maybe we can find our "Me, too!" moment! 

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 7

LOVE CHALLENGE #6: 
BE VULNERABLE. 
NOT VOMIT. 


Why is this part of ‪#‎LoveRules‬? Because even the best things need some guardrails.

Being vulnerable in itself is good and necessary, but sometimes we need to think about HOW to be vulnerable in order to share what we need to share while blessing the people around us. 

A huge factor is the size of the group. If you're surrounded by a large group of people, it's best to keep what you're saying CLEAR and concise, because other people probably want to share and participate, too.

Another thing to note is that your community WANTS to be with you and really understand what's going on, but if you share your entire life's woes in front of the whole group, you're not leaving people room to ask questions and continue the conversation in a way that's helpful to you.

The best thing you can do is to process what you feel with God, your best friend, mom, etc. before sharing with anyone else. When we process with a close one first, we're then free to share just for the joy of being supported and known by #community! The best part about all of this is that you won't regret your vulnerability, and you have a whole family of ‪#‎revolutionaries‬ ready to rally around you! Give it a try!

SHARE this post on social media (instagram, twitter, facebook, pinterest, etc.) adding @refitrev + #LoveRules and you could get love-bombed!

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 6

Today's #LoveRules has two parts to it, but you can handle it! 

LOVE CHALLENGE #5: ASK A QUESTION. THEN LISTEN.

It's one thing to ask someone how someone is doing, but it's a whole other ballgame to ask an intentional question about someone's life. In getting to know people, it's easy to keep asking "How are you?" and get the weekly surface update, but never get any deeper. What a game changer it could be if we asked people REAL questions, like:

**What's something you're excited about? 

**How did you feel when ______ happened? 

**What do you need most from other people this week? 

When we ask real questions, we'll build real #community. 

The second and KEY aspect is to listen, and #listen WELL. Listening is NOT -thinking through what you're going to say next -zooming in on something on their face -mentally writing your to-do list -trying to come up with advice to give them before they're even done talking.

That last one is sneaky because it definitely feels like listening. Listening is giving your full, selfless attention to try to understand what someone else is saying. Listening is remembering. 

Think about what your specific community could look like if everyone involved asked REAL questions and became REAL listeners. 

What kind of questions are you asking? How are you responding to others? 

SHARE on social media adding @refitrev + #LoveRules. You could get a great big ole Love Bomb valued at $100 dropped on ya!

Wanna know more about REFIT? Just ASK!

REFIT LoveRules Challenge Day 5

This might be the most obvious #LoveRules in our series, but it's worth mentioning.

LOVE RULE #4: COMMUNICATE

If we're being honest, many people are flat out bad at communicating. When lines of communication are broken, you know what else is broken? Relationships.

Relationships are crucial to community, which means communication -- healthy communication -- must happen. A whole series on this topic alone, so we'll offer this very broad umbrella statement about communication: SEEK TO UNDERSTAND.

Talk things through? Great. Defend your position? Great. Agree to disagree? Great. But more than any of these things -- seek to understand. Understanding is how #LoveRules a community.

Whatcha think?

Feel free to FOLLOW @refitrev (on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and, now, Periscope) & REPOST/SHARE using #loverules! You could win a Love Bomb valued at $100!

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 3

This is a hard one, y'all. No one said that ‪#‎LoveRules‬ were easy, and today's rule is most definitely not. All month long we're discussing ways to BUILD COMMUNITY and intentionally love others, and this rule might not seem like a Love Rule, but it is.

LOVE RULE #2: 
BE WILLING TO 
BE CHALLENGED

Whether you're in a **leadership position, an **online influencer, a **fitness instructor, a **mom/dad, an **employee, or **a teacher...you must willing to be challenged. Why? Because in that place of challenge you GROW...and so do others! 

Look, it's hard to admit you're wrong. >:(  It's hard to receive negative feedback. It's difficult to watch your competition soar. It's uncomfortable to disagree with a co-worker. But in each of these situations, a deeper understanding and wisdom takes root and allows you to grow in the right direction.

Your willingness to be challenged will produce growth, courage and, quite possibly, forgiveness. There's something endearing when others witness you yield instead of demand rights due to your position. 

Read more of this REFIT® #LoveRules on their blog: refitrev.com/uncat…/love-rule-2-be-willing-to-be-challenged/

Join me and other ladies at Life Assembly in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, on Mondays - 6p & Fridays - 9a for an hour of building community & muscle!

REFIT Love Rules Challenge Day 2

REFIT® is a fitness program that builds community. One way we build community is by loving people. 
Sounds simple, right? WRONG.

Loving people can often be messy, and that's why this month we're sharing some of the ‪#‎LoveRules‬ that power our community.

Love Rule #1: MAKE EYE CONTACT.

Eye contact is hard to get these day, and often harder to give. But eye contact can be one of the most meaningful displays of love you can demonstrate. Be intentional with your eye contact this month in the following ways:

--The next time you're on an elevator with a stranger, look at them and say hello. 
--When you're at dinner with the family, put the phone away and look at the person talking. 
--If you owe someone an apology or appreciation, look them in the eye and give it. 
--When checking out at the grocery store, look your cashier in the eye and tell him thank you.

Eye contact can be powerful and meaningful, so don't let this form of communication become obsolete. Give the look of love to someone who needs it today!

**Don't forget that by sharing this post, you could win a really cool Love Bomb valued at $100! Here's how to enter:
➡ Follow & mention @REFITREV
➡ Share this post on social media
➡ Use the hashtag #LoveRules

See? Sharing the love is super easy--so go do it!

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...

MayBaes Challenge

Because May rhymes with "Bae" (a nod to hip hop), we're going with #MayBaes Challenge! I'm dedicating the month to all strong baes, especially to the strongest of them all...MOM! 

This strengthening challenge involves wall sits and planks and their variations as an addition to your brand of fitness! Let's pursue Wall Sits on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and Planks on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, which leaves Sunday as either a day of rest or your challenge choice.

(click picture to see enlarged version)

How to Wall Sit:

Wall Sits strengthen the quad muscle groups and can aid in reducing knee issues due to muscle imbalance. Stand with feet hip or shoulder width apart and back against a wall or other surface. Walk feet away from wall and slide body down until knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. Knees should be over ankles (not toes). Always brace abs/core. Hold up to 60 seconds = 1 set. If you desire more intensity, perform 3 wall sits with a 30 second rest in between each set. Each week, increase the length of time holding the wall sit. Variations target different muscle groups. 

On "2nd Week of May," when using an *Object (such as a medicine ball, weights, rolled up towel or exercise mat), hold between knees or between hands with arms extended and twist.

How to Plank:

Planks strengthen all frontal muscles such as all your abs, as well as the stabilizing muscles (obliques). Even feet benefit! Position elbows under shoulders and raise hips to form a straight line from ankles to shoulders. Always brace abs/core, as if being punched. Breathe deeply. Hold up to 60 seconds = 1 set. If you desire more intensity, perform 3 planks with a 30 second rest in between each set. Each week, increase the length of time holding the wall sit. Variations target different muscle groups.