GIna shows how weight training is possible even when in late stages of pregnancy. What a hero she is!
You Can Lift Weights While Pregnant!
Tag motivation
My favorite quotes
“Fall down seven times, get up eight.” – Buddhist Proverb
“Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love.” – David McCullough
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – MLK Jr.
The first quote is one by which I live. I have been pummeled by the twists and turns that my life has thrown me so this keeps me going. The second quote also resonates within me, especially during a particularly pivotal time. Only in the past few years have I truly understood the difference between doing something because of obligation and doing something because there is unwavering passion. I absolutely love the world of fitness and wellness, and am thrilled and honored to be in a position to motivate and inspire others. I also realize that my goals have become immense, so the third quote is one which I need to be acutely aware of as I start the new year with the attitude of a lioness released from captivity back into the wild. We ALL have the capacity to reach beyond our fears and perceived limitations. So let’s all get to it!
Why I Love Competing
A lot of people have asked me why I compete. After all, it’s costly, it requires extreme discipline, and when I keep missing those IFBB Pro Card slots, I admit that I get despondent. Truth be told, I had no inkling when I stepped onstage in July 2009 for my first competition that I would become afflicted with the mad desire to continue competing.
First of all, it pushes me to improve myself, not just physically but mentally and spiritually. It gives me a specific goal to attain every few months. It also enables me to be in an environment in which I am surrounded by like-minded individuals who are driven, more than a little obsessive-compulsive, and passionate about inspiring others to pursue optimal fitness. What’s more, these individuals are beautiful to look at!
The thrill of stepping onstage wearing a well-cut bikini, blingy jewelry, and having my makeup done and my hair coiffed is unbeatable. I get to do a reveal, an unveiling of all the hard work I had put in during the weeks leading up to a competition in hopes that it will be rewarded. I don’t necessarily need the reward or the approval of the judges, but I want it.
So say what you will about the sacrifice and the expense of competing. Until you have stepped on that bodybuilding stage and gotten bitten by the bug, you will not fully understand the exhilaration that comes with being a competitor. There isn’t anything I have done in my life that quite approaches that high, and I have done a lot in my life, including performing and competing in a beauty pageant and obtaining a medical degree.
Hope that clears up the confusion surrounding why I continue to compete.
Excusitis
A few years ago I came up with a term to describe a behavior pattern which is rampant in the United States. Excusitis is a condition which manifests in many forms. It is seen in the woman who states that since she has had children her body will never be in shape again. It is seen in the man who has always been overweight but who has also always had a weakness for fast food. I have heard so many reasons (rationalizations really, and based on crooked logic) why people can’t or won’t get into shape.
Truth be told, making a decision to be fit can be challenging since it requires a person to be held accountable for unhealthy patterns and behaviors. But it also empowers a person and makes him or her aware of the true potential within. I know that sounds corny, but it’s true. The first decision to be made is to be serious about getting fit. Then, as with any goal, it is important to be specific, outlining specific fitness goals and putting a timeline in place. Next, finding experts and resources to help along in the journey are critical. Be wary of fad diets which promise rapid weight loss, programs which have a minimal amount of exercise, and those which consist of severe calorie restriction followed by returning to a client’s previous method of eating.
To be truly fit, there must be a mental shift which directs someone towards making lifestyle changes which will reprogram the individual and obliterate old patterns. Over time, cravings for unhealthy foods will dissipate, and a transformation will occur in the mind as well as the body. It’s a magical thing.
Welcome to my Blog!
It took two years for me to launch this, but at least it has finally come to fruition. Please check in regularly as I will post on a myriad of topics, such as exercise, contest prep, skincare, injectable fillers, nutrition and recipes, supplementation, suit design, modeling and whatever other topics my fans suggest. I am very receptive to feedback and welcome suggestions!
dr. stacey naito's blog 