Finding Home

Any young lady who grew up dancing has seen the movie "Center Stage," starring Peter Gallagher, Zoe Saldana, and many others. I have seen the movie several times myself and a special scene never ceases to tug at my good ole' heart strings.

This scene shows one of the dance students, Eva, practicing late in the evening and working on perfecting her technique. No one else is around until Juliette, one of the dance school's instructors who Eva bumps heads with from the beginning, walks by the practice studio and sees Eva rehearsing after hours. Eva has been known to be the tough girl from the inner-city who appears to have a really bad attitude, but actually has some of the best technique and passion for dance.

After watching Eva practice Juliette tells her, "No matter what happened in class... in performance, last week, five minutes ago... if you come back here, you'll be home."

The here Juliette was referring to, was the ballet barre. It has been many years since I have been in a ballet studio, but I remember it always being a place of comfort, a place of peace, and a place that I could pour out my emotions. As young dancers, we were always told to "leave your soul on the dance floor." Never hold back and have no regret. 

I no longer dance, but I train my body, and the gym has been my place of solace, relief, and joy. I can walk in with the weight for the world on my shoulders, and leave knowing that I left it all on the gym floor.

Every time I return to the weight rack and pick up the iron, I am home.

In Fitness + Love,

~ Q. Olivia

Workout Wednesday: The Burpee Challenge

Happy New Year Fit Friends!!

As always, I am constantly looking for new fitness models, personal trainers and other fitness icons to follow on social media and learn from about different exercises and nutrition options. Just a few weeks ago I discovered personal trainer, Yvette Salva who has a great blog and Facebook page. She came up with a challenge that is perfect to kick off our new year right called The Burpee Challenge.

Now, I know we have seen tons of those challenges on Pinterest regarding 30 days to a toned tummy, amazing arms, and cute quads. Some of them are silly, but a lot of them are quite challenging; and you can easily go through the challenge together.

Now, I know many of you have seen or heard of the burpee. It is a wonderful exercise that has been deemed a ruler over all others. It is intense as it combines push-ups and squat thrusts and works the entire body. These little boogers are great for conditioning the body, burning mad calories, and it requires absolutely no equipment.

Some people perform an actual push-up and some people just get in the push-up position. The "how to" photo incorporates the push-up which will work your arms and core even more, but usually, I skip the push-up and simply return to the squat position before jumping up. With the challenge I may try out the push-up from time to time as I do want to strengthen my arms. You do it however you want.

With all that being said... today is the first day of January which means the Burpee Challenge starts right now! Join me in the challenge. Keep me posted on your progress!

We've got 5 burpees on the calendar. Do them full out. Ready... set... go!

In Fitness + Health,

~ Q. Olivia

Welcome 2014

Happy New Years Friends!!

I just wanted to take some time to wish you all a marvelous New Year.

May 2014 be filled with prosperity, love, laughter, joy, peace and purpose.

A new year means new possibilities, new adventures, new travels, new memories, new life moments, and new resolutions. Most people know I prefer the word goals over resolutions because of the low rate of success in achieving resolutions (8%). Still it is one of our biggest traditions and I too participate every year.

As I did last year, I have organized my 2014 goals in eleven basic categories (because I can be OCD). Many of them are continuations or repeats (if I fell short of the goal) from last year. So here we go...

Reading
1. Read 10 Entrepreneur Books
2. Read 5 Pleasure Books "For Fun"

Financial
1. Complete the 52-Week Savings Challenge
2. Continue following a monthly budget and using the envelope system

Cooking
1. Cook through an entire cook book
2. Complete a raw or clean recipe challenge every month

Fitness/Exercise
1.Complete in a bikini/fitness competition (REPEAT)
2. Continue with weekly meal prep
3. Exercise 5x/week
4. Run a 5K every quarter
5. Drop 10% body fat
6. Continue with this awesome fitness blog :)



Marriage
1. Pray together daily
2. Weekly date nights
3. Affirm my husband

Home Life
1. Create a cleaning schedule for the week
2. Quarterly Super Clean Day to discard junk and clutter

Work
1. Improve on leadership skills
2. Run the best department in my agency

Volunteer
1. Continue working with BBBS
2. Youth Group volunteer

Spiritual
1. Individual Bible Study
2. Join Women's Guild

Personal
1. Write more letters to family and friends
2. Continue sending cards for special occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
3. Take a few dance classes
4. Spoil my future niece/nephew
5. Get a passport and travel abroad

Business
1. New Business Cards
2. Attend 3 Vendor Markets
3. New Monthly Customers & IBOs
4. Platinum Level

In this last year, I enjoyed myself and working towards many of my goals. Though I fell short, there was much that I was able to accomplish. I learned so much and feel I have grown, though I have much further to go. One big thing I learned about goals this year was that "We first make our habits, and then our habits make us." It takes 21 days for a action to become a habit, and then the habit makes us. Our business team has complete the 21 day challenge four times this year to assist us in becoming more committed and consistent with our goals. It has been awesome having an accountability system and I highly recommend that for 2014. Find someone who also is serious about making life improvements and ask them to be your accountability partner. Every resolution or goal may require a different accountability partner, but it will make a world of difference as you move forward.

2013 Life Lessons

• Remember that this is your life to live. No one else can live it for you.
• Do what you love, and do it often.
• Life is short, so live your dreams.
• See yourself living in abundance and you will attract it.
• Set a goal to achieve that is so big and so exhilarating that it excites you and scares you at the same time. The goals must be so much in line with your spiritual core that you cannot get it out of your mind.
• Everything you are seeking is seeking you in return; therefore, everything you want is already yours. It is simply a matter of becoming more aware of what you already possess.
• Be thankful. Not just in November, but every day of every month.
• Explore. Go explore a new city, try out a new habit, and discover a new talent.

You are worthy of every dream and goal that you set for yourself. Make 2014 the year of victory and success. I believe in you!

Dream Big,

~ Q. Olivia

Merry Christmas + Merry Fitness

Merry Christmas + Happy Holidays

May your Christmas Season be filled with love, joy, laughter, prosperity, and health.

Enjoy the day with family and friends. Remember our servicemen and women who cannot be with their families today. Say a special prayer of thanks for them.

Finally, have a great day of relaxation and hit it hard in the gym tomorrow.

Lee and I are planning on doing our Annual Rivers Christmas Light Run through River Oaks. Nothing intense, just a light jog while enjoying some Christmas lights!!

Wishing you all the best this beautiful Christmas Day. Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

In Health, Fitness + the Christmas Spirit,

~ Q. Olivia 

Motivation Monday: Never Settle

I am sad to report that we live in society that settles. In the last two years since I have been in Houston (and even in my return visits back home to Missouri), I have spoken to so many people who seem content in complacency. Raised by my independent, strong-minded mother, settling was never an option. Not in our words or actions.

Obviously, I do not believe that I am alone in the fact that I had parents who encouraged me to live life, push myself, and never settle; but I am more aware that as we get older and leave our childhood behind, we settle deeper and deeper.

Remember when you were a kid and you thought anything in this world was possible, simply because you believed? We had the wildest dreams of being astronauts, doctors, and ballerinas; even a princess seemed like a rational career for some of my girlfriends at the age of 5. Young boys in my class wanted to be superheroes, police officers, or pilots. And when someone shared what they wanted to be, in a unified chorus we would all say, "Cool, I want to do that too!"

When did we stop wanting those things? When did we stop dreaming and start settling? When did we stop living?

Not soon after we are encouraged to be imaginative and dream big, we then learn as we grow up that imagination is not for adults and that dreaming is not productive. Sometimes we even get in trouble for day dreaming or having "foolish and outlandish" ideas. We are told that we need to be rational and realistic. The very same people who told us to dream big dreams, years later tell us to stop. So, we do.

And now I pose a question: Who told you that you had to settle?

Although I am only in my twenties, I have learned quite a bit through my life experiences. One great lesson that I learned was that the minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get less than you settled for. One you drop the standards of what you want in your career, in romance, in your fitness goals, and your success, it is easier to drop the bar a little lower... and a little lower.
You promise yourself that you will not ever go below a certain level, but then you find yourself lowering the bar once again.

As I continue on pursuing my goals for fitness and health, I have had to be conscious not to settle for mediocrity. Sure, it might be easier to eat this quick unhealthy option over preparing healthy meals, but what is the outcome? It may be easier to cut myself short a few reps with the barbell, but what do I gain? It may be easier to finish my cardio a few minutes early, but what is the point? Why not just give it my all? Why not just commit and do it right?

So I asked myself the other day, "Who told me that I could not compete in my first figure competition?" Not Lee. He is 100% in my corner and has even changed a few of his eating habits to support me. Obviously not my trainer Wes, he believes that I can do it, and offers great advice and coaching. Not anyone in the gym. Not anyone in my family.

No one told me that I could not do. Except one person. Myself. Because when I fail to push myself and settle for less than the best, I am the only one telling me that I cannot. Today that changes.

Never settle for less than you deserve. Demand the best and accept nothing less.

In Fitness + Health,
~ Q. Olivia

Motivation Monday: Interest vs Commitment

As a small business owner, I love quotes related to mentorship, leadership, and business management; and Kenneth Blanchard is an expert in those areas. The above quote showcases the difference between interest and commitment, and the results of those differences.

Someone can have an interest in a variety of topics, hobbies, and subjects, but a person who is committed in those areas treats it differently. I have an interest in fitness and health; but I am committed to competing in a figure competition and helping others with their goals.

Interest is reactive. Commitment is proactive.
When you are interested in something you sample it, try it out and play around with it. When you are committed to something, you take solid action steps to move toward the desired outcome. When you commit to something, you have an expectation of results, not just a wish.

The day you choose to draw a line in the sand, set your priorities, and refuse to allow anything stand in your way, you are on your way from interest to commitment. If you desire to achieve excellence, you must be committed totally and completely.

Commitment stems from discipline and passion.
Both are required to succeed. Discipline pushes you over the difficulties on your journey towards your goal, and passion drives your actions from the heart. Once you connect your goal to your heart, your life changes, your attitude towards the situation takes a 180* turn, and your feel complete in your daily actions towards the goal. For me, there is nothing better than working out, eating clean, and sacrificing my guilty pleasures, because my heart knows what I want and I get pleasure when I move forward.

I challenge you to ask yourself how committed you are to your goals, your dreams, and your success. Whether in business, fitness, or personal growth, asking that question will help you determine your next steps. As we move into the "Resolution Season," I encourage you to buckle down and decide what you want for your health, your life, and your family.

Interest or Commitment. What team are you on?

In Fitness + Health,
~ Q. Olivia

December

Welcome December. Hello to chilly air, frosted windows, seeing your breath, early sunsets and gorgeous starry skies. Hello to gloves, sweaters, pea coats, hats, scarves and boots.

Hello to snowflakes, snow angels, sledding, and skiing. Ice skating, snowball fights, icicles, and building snowmen. Hello to the first snow fall of the year, so pure and perfect.

Hello to thick socks, warm blankets, cuddling, pajamas, hot chocolate, and sitting in front of the fireplace.

Hello to twinkling lights, Christmas music, snow globes, carolers, watching a Charlie Brown Christmas, decorating the tree, and wrapping the perfect present.

Hello to wreaths, tinsel, untangling lights,  pinecones, garland, glitter, candles, ornaments, and paper snowflakes. Hello to candy canes, secret Santa, holiday parties and tacky Christmas sweaters.

Hello to driving around looking at lights, holiday parades, everyone dressed as Santa, stockings, holiday crafts, and the twinkle in a child's eye.

Hello to holly and mistletoe, holiday traditions, baked goods, eggnog, and the sweet aroma of gingerbread, cinnamon, peppermint and vanilla.

Hello to the Christmas Spirit, joy, love, peace... and magic for those who still believe ;)

Hello December.