Use Your Core.

I swear to whatever universal power there is in existence, if I hear Shaun T tell me one more time to "use my core" my fist is gonna go through that cheap ass, Wal-Mart, flat screen special!

When I say that out loud it sounds pretty loser-y. I'm on my fourth week of T25 and I've been wondering: "Why on earth do I need to use my core if I'm just squatting, lunging or doing jumping jacks?" And let's be honest here, does anyone really think about tightening their core in mid jump or even think about your core, like ever? Who doesn't care at all? If you couldn't care less, I respect that and it's duly noted, but hear me out:

When I thought about my core, I only thought of my midsection in all it's flabby, jiggly glory and was like: "Why am I not seeing any tone or feeling anything get tighter?" Now, those of you who know me know that I'm not vain enough to really worry about how my abs look. My husband loves me as I am, I'm healthy and just love working out. Yet I was curious as to why I saw/felt no change.

So I listened again to what Shaun T is always telling me: "Dig. Deeper." Okkaaaaaay...how? "Focus on your core." Again...how? These simple statements or prompts, if you will, were really frustrating me. I went over and over these in my mind. What are these people doing differently? Why can't I lean in? Lean in. Lean. In.

Then it dawned on me! I am not working from my core. I had been thinking that my core was simply my midsection. To be specific, these would be your external obliques, rectus abdominis and your internal obliques (upper ab area, midsection and outer trunk where you rotate from). I then allowed myself to really hear Shaun T: "Dig. Deeper." As he sits on a mat with his body in a V shape, doing slow, deliberate heel taps, he pounds on his abs and says passionately: "Core tight. This. Is. A. Board. On. Your. Body. You have to create that and you can do it."

Again: "This. Is. A. Board. On. Your. Body. You have to create that and you can do it." Again: "You have to create that and you can do it." One more time: "YOU. HAVE. TO. CREATE. THAT. AND YOU CAN DO IT." Once I leaned in it became so clear where my core was. My core is the root of everything I do and every reason I do what I do. It's my WHY. It's who I am. I leaned into the very core of my being. I leaned into my 6 year old, determined little me. I leaned into my health. I leaned into all the negative chatter in my head and hushed it, replacing it with: "you got this." I leaned into my breath. I leaned into me.

So, give it a try. With anything. Lean into your core.

#core #motivation #passion #strength #authentic #health