So after quitting my job with Designtex and moving back to Birmingham, I took a full-time Educator position with Lululemon. It's crazy to me that not many people here in Birmingham have heard of Lululemon. Well, at least not as many as Atlanta. At kickball the other day, I was telling Kendal that every girl in town (crossfitter or not) would be walking around in a pair of speed shorts or wonder under leggings. Instead...I was the chick on the kickball field with the abnormally short shorts. I. LOVE. ME. SOME. SPEED. SHORTS. :) I will (hopefully) break the mold that chicks have here of wearing those Nike running shorts.
So...anyways...Lululemon. One of the best companies to work for. Period.
My job is more than retail, it's a culture. It's a lifestyle. It's a company dedicated to making an average life great. I work with some of the coolest chicks on the planet. They love fitness. They love healthy lifestyles. They are all so relaxed, so calm and so well rounded. They know their own value and how to value others. They see the importance of giving back to others. They remind me that I'm not crazy to have quit my corporate job to do something that I love. They instead think that's the way it should be. When I'm at work, I dont feel like I'm at work. I'm having fun and sharing my passion; their passion. Lululemon is a unique company - they are a company that focuses on finding the inbetween of work/life...making it a cohesive unit. And I get to wear some of the most comfortable workout clothes everyday.
One of the perks of my job is that I get to travel around the community to different fitness communities - crossfit gyms, yoga studios, pure barre locations, even running clubs - and represent Lululemon. I get to use our products and speak authentically about how they function. I had my first experience of Bikram Yoga this morning. THE hottest yoga I have ever experienced. But amazing, none the less.
I use to be one of those persons that made fun of yoga...thought it wasnt really a workout. But after practicing hot yoga for the past few months, I have a new-found understanding for it's importance in my life and the healing nature it has for my body. Yoga has helped clear my mind of unwanted thoughts....helping me become more focused on my body and how it moves. When it's that darn hot in the room, there is nothing else to focus on besides not fainting, not falling over and controlling your breathing. I walk into a yoga class stressed about something, but leave having let go of whatever thoughts were controlling me. It really is an amazing feeling. Almost everyone I've met at yoga speaks softly. They move slowly and deliberately. I find myself trying to mimic these concepts - slow down. Absorb. Enjoy. Live with intention.
Yoga has really helped my crossfit workouts too. I'm am sore less often. I can bend deeper into my squats. Pushups are easier. And I feel less out of breath than I use to. What a concept?! Stretching really works. I just wish I had started this practice many, many years ago.
So...my mantra...that's a good question...
According to Wiklipedia...A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation". BUT as I continue to surround myself with these positive influential Lulu ladies and yogies, I think I'm getting one step closer to finding my phrase.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Pursuit of Happiness?
I keep waiting for the reality of moving to set in. I keep waiting for that moment where I go "OMG...I quit my job, I moved, I left all my friends, I'm not sure what I'm doing!!"
And that hasnt happened.
That makes me think that this was the right decision. :)
I keep telling everyone that I feel calm. Completely calm. I've gone 3 days without my neck cracking. I sleep completely through the night. WITHOUT melatonin. I've cooked EVERY day. I breath with slowly and never feel rushed. It's weird...and awesome...and unfamiliar.
The pursuit of happiness is a constant changing concept for me. What is the happiness that I'm seaking? For SOOOO many years I've been a planner - planning every moment of my day. SUPER stressed out when it doesnt go as planned. I think God is teaching me about taking life as it comes....teaching me patience....and teaching me to relax. TO. BE. CALM. And just be present.
Does happiness = being absolutely present in the moment and being a sponge and just absorbing?
For now? Yes.
And that hasnt happened.
That makes me think that this was the right decision. :)
I keep telling everyone that I feel calm. Completely calm. I've gone 3 days without my neck cracking. I sleep completely through the night. WITHOUT melatonin. I've cooked EVERY day. I breath with slowly and never feel rushed. It's weird...and awesome...and unfamiliar.
The pursuit of happiness is a constant changing concept for me. What is the happiness that I'm seaking? For SOOOO many years I've been a planner - planning every moment of my day. SUPER stressed out when it doesnt go as planned. I think God is teaching me about taking life as it comes....teaching me patience....and teaching me to relax. TO. BE. CALM. And just be present.
Does happiness = being absolutely present in the moment and being a sponge and just absorbing?
For now? Yes.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Goal Setting...
So, recently I attended a goal setting workshop at IronTribe Fitness. Forrest Walden (the owner of ITF) started the lecture off by talking about failure. "The fear of failure is the greatest single obstable for success in an adult's life. We have to understand that failure is part of succeeding."
Worry is a sustained form of fear caused by indecision. As soon as we make a decision to ACT the fear and tension and stress (should) begin to diminish. Everything we are or ever will become will come as a result of the content of our minds. Fear is something you rarely can see - it's this lingering thought hiding deep in our minds that makes us scared to take that first step and act. Change is constant and it is not going anywhere. We fear it because of the possibility that we might be worse off after the change.
Forrest gave us something to consider before setting our goals:
**What can you be excellent at?** He said, "You can only become excellent doing what you love to do. Our primary responsibility in life is to find what we love to do and then spend the time and energy necessary to become excellent in that area. Opportunity is usually in our own back yard with your OWN talents and passions and often comes disguised in work clothes."
He then reminded us: "Only two things are required to be successful at anyhting: Decide exactly what is it you want to accomplish and Determine the price you will have to pay and resolve to do anything possible to pay it."
Too much was said at the lecture for me to even begin to capture the depth of knowledge I walked away with - but one thing is for certain, I went home THAT night and began thinking about my goals. Short term and long term. We were encouraged to write down our goals - if it is not written down, then it is only just a wish. Writing the goal down is how you program the goal into your subconscious. Well...I spend a few weeks really thinking about my goals and have no, FINALLY written them down. I keep a journal, but figured putting them in writting in two places will really hold me accountable to then. :)
Chelsey's Goals:
1) Dedicate at least 15 minutes of alone time to God daily.
2) Save $100 a month.
3) Write on my blog 2-3x a week.
4) Squat clean 150# by November 1st.
5) Connect multiple muscle-ups by end of year.
6) Cook from my paleo cookbook 2-3x week.
7) Sub 5 min Fran by end of year.
8) Find a mentor.
9) Travel to San Francisco.
10) Read a book every other week.
11) Recycle.
12) Complete all wod's rx HSPU.
13) Go hiking backpacking through Grand Canyon.
14) Do one random act of kindness a week.
15) Practice yoga 2-3x week.
16) Talk to my dad monthly.
17) Go on an overseas Mission Trip.
18) Send snail mail instead of emails whenever possible.
19) Be able to perform free standing handstand by end of year.
20) Let go of always needing to be in control.
21) Make teaching others about fitness lifestyles my career.
Lots of goals...maybe even too many goals for the first goal setting experiement. But I have a lot of things I want to accomplish and/or maintain. I just pray that God gives me the drive to achieve them, then once accomplished, set new ones that are even higher. I pray for Him to take away my fear of failure and to surround me with positive cheerleaders. I pray for guidance and strenght because whenever goals are set - obstacles always have a way of placing themselves directly in your path.
Worry is a sustained form of fear caused by indecision. As soon as we make a decision to ACT the fear and tension and stress (should) begin to diminish. Everything we are or ever will become will come as a result of the content of our minds. Fear is something you rarely can see - it's this lingering thought hiding deep in our minds that makes us scared to take that first step and act. Change is constant and it is not going anywhere. We fear it because of the possibility that we might be worse off after the change.
Forrest gave us something to consider before setting our goals:
**What can you be excellent at?** He said, "You can only become excellent doing what you love to do. Our primary responsibility in life is to find what we love to do and then spend the time and energy necessary to become excellent in that area. Opportunity is usually in our own back yard with your OWN talents and passions and often comes disguised in work clothes."
He then reminded us: "Only two things are required to be successful at anyhting: Decide exactly what is it you want to accomplish and Determine the price you will have to pay and resolve to do anything possible to pay it."
Too much was said at the lecture for me to even begin to capture the depth of knowledge I walked away with - but one thing is for certain, I went home THAT night and began thinking about my goals. Short term and long term. We were encouraged to write down our goals - if it is not written down, then it is only just a wish. Writing the goal down is how you program the goal into your subconscious. Well...I spend a few weeks really thinking about my goals and have no, FINALLY written them down. I keep a journal, but figured putting them in writting in two places will really hold me accountable to then. :)
Chelsey's Goals:
1) Dedicate at least 15 minutes of alone time to God daily.
2) Save $100 a month.
3) Write on my blog 2-3x a week.
4) Squat clean 150# by November 1st.
5) Connect multiple muscle-ups by end of year.
6) Cook from my paleo cookbook 2-3x week.
7) Sub 5 min Fran by end of year.
8) Find a mentor.
9) Travel to San Francisco.
10) Read a book every other week.
11) Recycle.
12) Complete all wod's rx HSPU.
13) Go hiking backpacking through Grand Canyon.
14) Do one random act of kindness a week.
15) Practice yoga 2-3x week.
16) Talk to my dad monthly.
17) Go on an overseas Mission Trip.
18) Send snail mail instead of emails whenever possible.
19) Be able to perform free standing handstand by end of year.
20) Let go of always needing to be in control.
21) Make teaching others about fitness lifestyles my career.
Lots of goals...maybe even too many goals for the first goal setting experiement. But I have a lot of things I want to accomplish and/or maintain. I just pray that God gives me the drive to achieve them, then once accomplished, set new ones that are even higher. I pray for Him to take away my fear of failure and to surround me with positive cheerleaders. I pray for guidance and strenght because whenever goals are set - obstacles always have a way of placing themselves directly in your path.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Giddy...
OMG I am in the best freaking mood.
I'm not quite sure what happened in the middle of the night last night, but I woke up on the RIGHT side of the bed today! I think I will attribute my insanely fabulous mood to a HUGE glass of wine right before my melatonin/ibuprofen/fish oil cocktail I take each night before bed.
Even with this foggy, overcast, cold weather I'm excited for my day.
AND...I'm fitting into size 2 pants from HIGH SCHOOL. People...these pants are 10 years old and I make them look amazing. WOO HOO! When I was in middle school and high school, my mom would often tell me I had a "pretty spell" that day. I'm defintiely having one today...
I pray this mood continues the rest of the day...
I'm not quite sure what happened in the middle of the night last night, but I woke up on the RIGHT side of the bed today! I think I will attribute my insanely fabulous mood to a HUGE glass of wine right before my melatonin/ibuprofen/fish oil cocktail I take each night before bed.
Even with this foggy, overcast, cold weather I'm excited for my day.
AND...I'm fitting into size 2 pants from HIGH SCHOOL. People...these pants are 10 years old and I make them look amazing. WOO HOO! When I was in middle school and high school, my mom would often tell me I had a "pretty spell" that day. I'm defintiely having one today...
I pray this mood continues the rest of the day...
Monday, January 31, 2011
The River of Life...
Do you ever feel like you're just floating along...in life...?
I constantly feel like I'm sitting on a raft in the water that doesnt have enough air to float along, slowly sinking as the weight of my body bears down upon it or like I'm on the part of the river where the current is not flowing freely - obstructed by fallen logs or huge rocks that have collected overtime.
I feel like I'm watching others soar past me in sturdy motor boats - breezing through the water and having nothing slowing them down. They smile...not having a doubt in the world; not stressing about making it to the end of the journey.
I on the other hand freat the rapids - small and large. Stress over them. Over analyze my approach. Analyze the drop after I've passed it. Wonder how well I completed that part of the river compared to others...did I struggle more than they did? Will I continue to question how much longer this will take to be over.
What can I not just enjoy the ride?!
I accredit this problem to my controling nature. I am a control freak; I will admit that. I hate to not have control, but I must learn that when it comes to the most important parts of my life - I must relinquish that control and sit back in my raft and just ride. Just enjoy. Just trust. Just know. Know I will make it to the end with a much better peace if I just relax.
I know I can pull a million biblical parallels for this metaphor I've just written. I just pray that God's river for my life continues to make millions of twists and turns, challenges me, pushes me to my limits, but yet I walk away having had the best ride of my life - walking away knowing I just survived the most amazing experiences instead of sitting on the banks watching others live it up.
I constantly feel like I'm sitting on a raft in the water that doesnt have enough air to float along, slowly sinking as the weight of my body bears down upon it or like I'm on the part of the river where the current is not flowing freely - obstructed by fallen logs or huge rocks that have collected overtime.
I feel like I'm watching others soar past me in sturdy motor boats - breezing through the water and having nothing slowing them down. They smile...not having a doubt in the world; not stressing about making it to the end of the journey.
I on the other hand freat the rapids - small and large. Stress over them. Over analyze my approach. Analyze the drop after I've passed it. Wonder how well I completed that part of the river compared to others...did I struggle more than they did? Will I continue to question how much longer this will take to be over.
What can I not just enjoy the ride?!
I accredit this problem to my controling nature. I am a control freak; I will admit that. I hate to not have control, but I must learn that when it comes to the most important parts of my life - I must relinquish that control and sit back in my raft and just ride. Just enjoy. Just trust. Just know. Know I will make it to the end with a much better peace if I just relax.
I know I can pull a million biblical parallels for this metaphor I've just written. I just pray that God's river for my life continues to make millions of twists and turns, challenges me, pushes me to my limits, but yet I walk away having had the best ride of my life - walking away knowing I just survived the most amazing experiences instead of sitting on the banks watching others live it up.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Dear God...Thanks for SUN!
Today was the most beautiful day I've seen in a really long time.
Garrison and I got up and went to crossfit for a wod - lots of running which I actually didnt mind because it felt so darn good outside. I was in shorts and a tshirt at 10am on a Sunday in January. After we left the gym, we went to Dicks and bought a can of tennis balls. After two sets of tennis at my apartment complex we had each won a set: 6-2, 4-6. We sat in the rocking chairs at the pond and tried to get a sun tan. Working out, tennis and sun lounging of course demanded Menchi's yogurt...so we sat outside with 30 screaming kids and their parents and ate $10 worth of yogurt and toppings. YUM!! All of this sun (and a little sugar) has done something to my soul...I'm a firm believer in seasonal depression. Today was the day that I needed to drag myself out of my winter blues rut and remind me that life is too short to sit around waiting for something exciting to happen.
Now...here I sit on my patio - soaking up the last bit of amazing day with a glass of wine. Do I have patio furniture you ask, no. Did I bring my ottoman to my lounge chair onto the patio for some comfortable relaxation, yes. :) A little ghetto, but sitting inside alone tonight just didnt seem appropriate - especially considering Garrision and I checked the weather for next weekend. It's supposed to be 30 degrees and raining. Back to typical January weather...awesome.
Cheers to a taste of summer, a cleansing of the soul with some good ole' fashion warm weather lounging, and wearing shorts in January. Thanks God - I needed today.
Garrison and I got up and went to crossfit for a wod - lots of running which I actually didnt mind because it felt so darn good outside. I was in shorts and a tshirt at 10am on a Sunday in January. After we left the gym, we went to Dicks and bought a can of tennis balls. After two sets of tennis at my apartment complex we had each won a set: 6-2, 4-6. We sat in the rocking chairs at the pond and tried to get a sun tan. Working out, tennis and sun lounging of course demanded Menchi's yogurt...so we sat outside with 30 screaming kids and their parents and ate $10 worth of yogurt and toppings. YUM!! All of this sun (and a little sugar) has done something to my soul...I'm a firm believer in seasonal depression. Today was the day that I needed to drag myself out of my winter blues rut and remind me that life is too short to sit around waiting for something exciting to happen.
Now...here I sit on my patio - soaking up the last bit of amazing day with a glass of wine. Do I have patio furniture you ask, no. Did I bring my ottoman to my lounge chair onto the patio for some comfortable relaxation, yes. :) A little ghetto, but sitting inside alone tonight just didnt seem appropriate - especially considering Garrision and I checked the weather for next weekend. It's supposed to be 30 degrees and raining. Back to typical January weather...awesome.
Cheers to a taste of summer, a cleansing of the soul with some good ole' fashion warm weather lounging, and wearing shorts in January. Thanks God - I needed today.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Is it really 2011?!?!?
Ok...so about a year and a half I had really good intentions of starting this blog, blogging all the time, and really finding an outlet to talk about my life and all the crazy things happening in it. Well...that obviously didnt last. Good Job Chels.
So...it is a new year and I vow to myself that I WILL BE a better blogger in 2011. :) So...to recap 2010: took new job in Atlanta, started crazy workout program - Crossfit, made awesome new girl friends with lots of silly stories, chopped all my hair off, little brother got married, met the most amazing man ever - Garrison, lots of Crossfit competitions, and mom got married.
A few of my 2011 resolutions:
1) Eat less carbs.
2) Drink less coffee.
3) Spend more time learing about God.
4) Be more patient.
5) Visit at least 2 places on my bucket list.
2009 was one of the worst years of my life, 2010 had some pretty significant changes...I have a really good feeling about 2011 being one of my favorite years on record. :) Here's to 2011...
So...it is a new year and I vow to myself that I WILL BE a better blogger in 2011. :) So...to recap 2010: took new job in Atlanta, started crazy workout program - Crossfit, made awesome new girl friends with lots of silly stories, chopped all my hair off, little brother got married, met the most amazing man ever - Garrison, lots of Crossfit competitions, and mom got married.
A few of my 2011 resolutions:
1) Eat less carbs.
2) Drink less coffee.
3) Spend more time learing about God.
4) Be more patient.
5) Visit at least 2 places on my bucket list.
2009 was one of the worst years of my life, 2010 had some pretty significant changes...I have a really good feeling about 2011 being one of my favorite years on record. :) Here's to 2011...
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