Surrender.
Means something different to everyone, and totally depends on context.
This week marks the third week in the Core Fusion Challenge and I’m bound and determined to surrender.
Surrender to each stretch sequence, letting go of tight muscles that almost feel afraid to lengthen because they’ve been so tight for so long.
Surrender to strength in stillness. Embracing that stillness, gaining strength along the way. Pushing myself to remain still even when everything in my body is screaming at me to let go of whatever move I’m holding. Short term pain, long term gain.
Surrender to my body, letting it be great (this phrase ring a bell anyone? “let yourself be great” as my husband so often reminded me during my journey to becoming Group Kick certified…and again during the half marathon training last summer/fall).
Surrender. This is my one, my only, goal for this week, the third week in the Core Fusion challenge.
Speaking of which, here’s my plan for the week (which undoubtedly will change as we all know that life happens…but for now, this is it):
Sunday – Core Fusion Pilates Plus <—check!
Monday – Core Fusion Yoga Energy flow (so excited to get this one in the mail on Friday!)
Tuesday – Core Fusion Body Sculpt
Wednesday – Ride (bound and determined to get back to it, even if it means facing a longer commute…)
Thursday – Run outside (it’s supposed to hit 50!!); Core Fusion Lean & Toned
Friday – Rest
Saturday – Run outside; Core Fusion Pilates Abs
EatDrinkBreatheSweat 
Surrender is a great word. Most people associate it with giving up, but is is really about letting go. Thanks for sharing!
exactly. letting go, HUGE difference.
I agree, it can definitely depend on the context. In this manner, it’s not giving up or giving in as in defeat, it’s actually about letting yourself go with it, learn from and grow from it.
Right – I’m trying to stop thinking and just let go more, allowing me to trust my body to do what it needs to do to grow and change and evolve.
wow! I love that and really needed to hear it. RIght now I need to surrender my stubborn ways when it comes to my body. You always know how to say the right things to encourage us Jess!
aw! I’m glad I could help my dear – surrender that stubborness (says the girl who has the biggest stubborn bone ever) 😉
I need to heed this too…I get frustrated sometimes with how hard some of this is, but it is worth it because we ARE seeing changes. I need to surrender my mind…goal for the week!
Take that frustration and use it as energy – store it up and let it help you push past the frustration so you are truly and utterly surrendering yourself to the workout and all that it can and will do for you. Of course, this technique probably works well for other areas of frustration in life aside from working out but you know what i mean 😉
I need to surrender my love of diet coke, I drink far too much of it. I have to give it up but it’s hard.
I finally kicked that habit (could never give up coffee though!) about six months ago…it was like a flip switched off, and suddenly I didn’t even like the taste if it anymore. I have no idea how that even happened but I’m glad it did. I don’t need it in my life.
Surrender. What a beautiful word. I never applied it to exercise but having just got back from a really tough run I know exactly what you mean. I, too, will surrender to my exercise plan and each and every movement.
Thank you for this post. It’s funny how I always seem to find the right words at the right moment and this was that moment.
xx, R
I love this comment, I read it last night on my phone and it totally touched me. So thank YOU for stopping by and leaving such an impact on me with your words. Funny how that happens, huh?
I really identified with this, especially surrendering to the stretching! It’s amazing how after holding it for 10, 15 seconds, you feel things releasing, and the muscles lengthening. Surrendering to stillness is something I don’t do enough, and really need to work on..
And I see you’ve picked up Heather’s obsession with the weather 😀
Happy valentines day to you and Scott
Bingo – that is IT! That as soon as you start to release, to really surrender to that stretch, it’s amazing that even for the tightest and least flexible of us (um, ME), you start to feel that tension and tightness ease up. But it won’t happen if you don’t surrender…and trust that your body will carry you through. So, so important.
And yes, I’m very much with Heather on the importance of good weather!! My run on Saturday would have been WAY better if there were sidewalks to run on, that’s for sure. Snow! Be gone!
Another great source of inspiration from you! I need to return to my yoga mat this week and surrender to the practice, allow my body and mind to fully embrace each pose and thought.
I am super psyched about the forecast, too! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Naw, you’re the one always inspiring ME! How’s that? 😉
I am actually surprised at how much I’m looking forward to getting home to my yoga mat tonight after work. This from the girl who just weeks ago HATED yoga, pilates, core work, etc.
Happy vday right back atcha!
Looking forward to seeing you in ride on Wednesday. Love reading your posts. 🙂
HA! Now I have no choice BUT to find a way to get my butt to class before work on Wednesday!
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