How to Live With Fire
Recently I’ve given much thought to Reebok’s campaign to #LIVEWITHFIRE. From time to time I get philosophical and sort of lost in abstract thought of the weirdest things. So this blog is me inviting you for a road trip with me and my brain. Turn the music up and take a look around my cerebral cortex as I ponder what it is to “Live With Fire“.
Living With Fire is NOT Complacent
First, I think about what it isn’t. Living with fire is not complacency. I think its important to be fulfilled, and even satisfied, about where you are going – but maybe not be overly satisfied with where you are. Content with your present, but pressing on to be all who you were called to be.
Living with fire is not living with rage, or resentment. That state of mind can drive us to overcome and accomplish a lot of things, but to what cost? In that frame of mind, we are rarely satisfied in accomplishing anything except vengeance, and still are never satisfied. No, friends, that is NOT living with fire.
Tenacity, perseverance, consistency, courage, willpower – THESE are a few defining characteristics of what it means to me to #LIVEWITHFIRE.
1. Living With Fire is: Tenacity
Tenacity is defined as the quality of being determined to do or achieve something. And I love the following definition: firmness of purpose.
2. Living With Fire is: Perseverance
Perseverance is next on my list of defining this Reebok Mantra. Perseverance is definitely a synonym for tenaciousness, but lets further define living with fire by defining perseverance with a definition from Webster: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition. To me, living with fire comes alive in the second part of this definition; to continue DESPITE difficulty! I think I should end the blog now – but I wont.
3. Living With Fire is: Consistency
Consistency brings the “ing” to the phrase. See, to live with fire could be mistaken as a moment in time, but livING with fire gives the idea of continuing to strive for that “pressing forward” . To be consistent in our quest to live with joy and zeal for more in life. Consistency could have a couple of different meanings. Both of which I believe are applicable.
The first, is degree of firmness, density, viscosity, or resistance to movement or separation. Our ideals and level of effort should have a routine firmness. Not hot and cold, not soft and hard, but consistent effort in every attempt. Then, the more traditional thought for the way we describe consistency is the ability to be asserted together without contradiction. This would also be the idea to live beyond contradiction, above reproach. (We all fall short here, but when we get it right what victory we have.)
4. Living With Fire is: Courage
This brings us to courage on my synonym list of living with fire. Webster says courage is: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Interesting that courage is not the absence of fear, but for someone to withstand fear or difficulty.
In other words, to persevere even in the face of fear. OK, I hear! WHOA!
5. Living With Fire Requires: Will Power
Lets finish our thoughts of Living With Fire by defining “WILL POWER”: The strength or will to carry out one’s decisions, wishes, or plans. This definition left no discussion for feeling or emotion. The idea is to DECIDE on what you want and SEE IT THROUGH - not allowing circumstance or excuses to compromise your decision!
What if we all “lived with fire”, in learning more, loving more, living more? I believe the key is in the desire. Decide what it is you really want. Dig deep to find a burning desire to accomplish or acquire it with a relentless, stubbornness that knows no quit. Never never never give up!
I believe this so much, I tattooed it on my body:
SEMPER PERSEVERA – Meaning, Never Give Up.
Here are some pictures of some amazing athletes who clearly Live With Fire and never gave up – even when they had some pretty awesome excuses. If this doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will.
FitFluential LLC compensated me for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Pain Is Temporary
During the burn, the loss of breath, the total fatigue, even muscle failure – it’s all just temporary. It’s just a feeling in that moment. Quitting, on the other hand, hurts even more.
Beginner’s HIIT Workout
Whether you’ve never done a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workout before, or you are a pro, here is a workout I put together for DualFit that is designed for beginners – but can be adjusted in intensity by simply adjusting the intervals.
OTHER INTERVALS TO TRY:
- 30/30: 30 Seconds of Exercise & 30 Seconds of Rest
- 30/30/30: 30 Seconds of the 1st Exercise ( no rest), 30 Seconds of the 2nd Exercise and 30 Seconds rest
- 45/15: 45 Seconds of Exercise & 15 Seconds of Rest
- 50/10: 50 Seconds of Exercise & 10 Seconds of Rest
CLICK HERE to get the written workout, and get more great info at DualFit.com!
Hard Core Abs Workouts
Here is one of the workouts we did this week! I thought you might like to give it a try.
Click on the links below to see video instruction:
- Medicine Ball Slam (We use a soft med ball)
- Decline Roll Up (or Reverse Crunch)
- Toes to Bar
Combine this workout with another ab workout and really blast those abs! Or combine
re·bound verb \ˈrē-ˌbau̇nd, ri-ˈ\
Rebound: Return, bounce back, setback, backfire, move backward.
I recently took 18 competitors from my gym, Max Fitness, to compete in the NPC Southeast Classic. The goal was hitting the stage. Not winning a trophy, but using the stage to make us push harder and be our best.
The goal was made, and the goal was met! What we do now defines what we learned on our journey to accomplish our goal. In the “realm” of goal acquisition, focusing solely on the goal can be a tragedy. What I mean is, the goal is just that: “a goal” – a means to an end. How we develop, the wisdom we gain, and the way we develop along the way is the real reward for meeting our goal. Goals are not the real rewards.
Lets think backwards for a second. By creating a goal to shoot for, you are inviting some level of adversity into your life. How much adversity we will endure is measured by how grandiose the goal. The “Goal” only gives reason to validate and hold accountable our hard work, our long suffering, our perilous effort to make our bodies fitter, our will stronger, our bellies hungrier. I have never seen anyone train harder than when they were stretching themselves to reach a new goal. These guys did just that. Josh Gay‘s 60-day before & after picture shows just how hard they worked. Then, they hit the stage, and celebrated, and then they went home…
Score! Now What?
What happens after we reach our goal? It is good after hard training to back down, enjoy the “win” and celebrate the goal acquisition. For me, it was going on a vacation (cruise). We hit the keys, then Mexico and then headed to Disney shortly after we got home. Yes, there was a lot of food involved. But, at some point, we must get back in the game.
We don’t pay off credit cards just to go on some huge spending spree waisting our money, discipline and hard work. It is ok to go charge a dinner, but then we pay it off immediately to avoid getting in the bad position we were once in. Whether the goal was physical or financial, it’s important to remember what you learned along the way and how you felt while you were working so hard.
The best way to prevent rebound is to give yourself a marked amount of time to enjoy your hard work. But after that time is finished, it’s time get back to work. It’s time to make new goals – both long and short term.
Before you even reached this goal, you should already dream about what is next. Don’t take your eye off of the immediate prize. Don’t focus on your future goals until you accomplished the one set right before you. However; you should already be thinking about what is next. This will prevent your downtime from turning into a complete train wreck and a complete rebound.
Doesn’t matter if we are talking about finance or weight loss, enjoy your success but don’t throw away your investment. Remember what you learned along the way. This is what makes you better, stronger, and more patient. Make some goals, so you can push your limits!
Geared Up & Ready
Even something like a new pair of shoes can get you motivated to get back in the gym and hit it hard again. I got these new Reebok ZigCarbons and love them. It was just what I needed to want to do cardio again.
My next new gym toy is Reebok’s Bose Headphone set. They help get my mind focused, shut out distractions and make the most of my time at the gym. Totally what I needed to tune back into my routine.
FitFluential LLC compensated me for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ball Pass Ab Workout
Have a ball with your ab workout! Instead of doing boring crunches, use a medicine ball to increase the intensity and fun. Here are a few exercises you can try with a small med ball.
Ball Pass Ab Workout
12 Single Under Leg Pass
12 Single Scissor Leg Pass
12 Double Under Leg Pass
12 Double Scissor (Figure 8) Leg Pass
12 Triple Under Leg Pass
For more fun workouts, check out www.DualFit.com
Spring into Spring Workout
I just dug up this old workout – totally killer. totally hard. totally awesome. Tone up, shed fat and burn calories in this plyometric workout!
1ST COUPLET
25 Plyo Jumps on Box
25 Surfers on Box
(3 Times)
2ND COUPLET
25 Double Unders
25 Skaters
(3 Times)
3RD COUPLET
25 Knee Ups
25 Plyo Alligator Push Ups
(3 Times)
My new favorite shoe for this type of training:
Reebok’s CrossFit Nanos
I just got these shoes this month. I customized mine, complete with “BCX TRAINER” on the back heel – and they are awesome. These shoes are great for plyos, quick sprints & heavy lifts. The shoe is light and the sole grips the ground great. You definitely don’t have to do CrossFit to enjoy the CrossFit line of shoes. They are totally versatile – and great for anyone. The only thing they are not really made for is long distance runs.
FitFluential LLC compensated me for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hiit It Hard! 30-Minute HIIT Workout
Ramp up your traditional Strength Program with some plyo moves, using the HIIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) method. I wrote this workout for www.LiveExercise.com. Try it with Scott this week, or do it on your own!
Hiit It Hard Workout
60-Sec Squat Jumps 
30-Sec Barbell or Dumbbell Squats
30-Sec Rest
60-Sec Burpees
30-Sec Dumbbell Shoulder Press
30-Sec Rest
60-Sec Mountain Climbers
30-Sec Band Push Ups
30-Sec Rest
60-Sec Big-Axe Jacks
30-Sec Dumbbell Lateral Raise
30-Sec Rest
60-Sec Tuck Jumps
30-Sec Dumbbell or Barbel Bicep Curls
30-Sec Rest
Do Entire Workout 3 TIMES for a 30-minute workout.
Even if you already hit it hard – HIIT It Harder!
Blood, Sweat & Cheers Brings the FUN to YOU!
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I wish fitness news wasn’t so boring. What if you get just get the fun stuff? The lastest and greatest race events (minus all the boring 5ks) – and the coolest fitness gadgets and toys that make fitness more fun. Well, now we can!!
Blood, Sweat and Cheers is dedicated to finding fun activities to help keep you entertained and happy. Each day readers get one great story about a crazy 5K, the latest workout craze, our favorite beer accessories or awesome piece of gear they need to own now. From local beers and bars to fitness and fun runs, BSC works hard and plays harder. If it’s fun, active and social, BSC is covering it. Super cool concept! Can’t wait to join in the fun myself! Thank BSC!
Sign up today and you could win a GT Performer BMX!
A second lucky winner will receive a $150 Lululemon gift card, so signup now!
FitFluential LLC compensated me for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Abs on Fire
Since spring is just around the corner, I put together a fresh new ab workout for you to try out. Let me know how you like it!
Abs on Fire Workout
15 Med Ball Throw
15 Russian Twist
15 Oblique Crunch L
15 Oblique Crunch R
15 Side Plank Pulses L
15 Side Plank Pulses R
Grab your tools and get ready to follow me through one round. Then repeat for a total of 3 rounds.
If you train hard and desire to live a life on fire for fitness, follow @Reebok on twitter and use the hashtag #livewithfire.
FitFluential LLC compensated me for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
