The FULL-Body Work Out

Great. Now my head hurts.

The Boot Camp Guru is literally working every muscle I've got...including my brain.

Apparently, in addition to the "awesome" physical training we embrace at Fitness Boot Camp, the Boot Camp Guru dishes out cerebral calisthenics as well. These exercises are assigned with the intent to strengthen our self-confidence and tone our self-esteem.

In some ways, this type of exercise is FAR more strenuous and painful than the 450 crunches we did in Day 2's "circuit training" session. (But since I do see the value in both workout styles AND I fear the consequences for lack of participation, I assure you, I have done this week's assignment.)

Monday night we were given the Brain Breaker for Week One:
Create 25 Self-Affirmations.

My first thought was: "Holy crap! Is this woman serious? How can I come up with 25 - TWENTY-FIVE - affirmations before Thursday?"

My second thought was: "What happens if I can't come up with 25 affirmations?"

My third and fourth thoughts were simultaneous: "We can't say can't" and "I don't even want to think about the physical consequences for falling short of the 25 affirmations assigned. Not even by ONE."

I spent the greater part of Tuesday and Wednesday trying to ease the aches and pains in my body, and as I stretched and relaxed a few affirmations popped into my head. I had about 8 affirmations in total, but I figured that if this assignment is due tonight, I had better get serious. As far as I'm concerned, my "pit pain" is just starting to dissipate, so there is no way in Hell that I will get stuck doing whatever torture is designed for the poor souls who didn't take the time to do enough soul-searching to come up with their 25.

So here goes:

1. I am not in competition with anyone but myself.
2. I am grateful for the ability to change.
3. I am stronger and healthier today than the day I began this journey.
4. I am improving my health for myself.
5. I am improving my health for my (future) family.
6. I am willing to work hard.
7. I am willing to change.
8. I am worthy of change.
9. I am motivated to change.
10. I have encouragement from my family and friends every day.
11. Today, I am one day closer to my goal.
12. I accept that change doesn't happen overnight.
13. I will be patient with myself.
14. I will forgive myself when I stumble.
15. I will be proud of myself every day.
16. Today, I choose to be healthy.
17. Today, I choose to be positive.
18. Today, I choose to be active.
19. I am playful.
20. I am energetic.
21. I am creative.
22. I am an inspiration to others.
23. I am just as important as everyone else.
24. I am my own idol. (An inside joke from college that the BandGirl will get!)

and my favorite...

25. I am a work in progress.