Loni Michelle

How Do You Challenge Yourself to Grow?

For any living thing, growth is life itself.

Humans have an innate need to grow, improve and learn. There’s nothing wrong with it – it’s only natural, after all. It’s one of the 6 Human Needs Tony Robbins says drive us all.

Think about your own desire for growth. Where does it show itself? Does it drive you to good things – only or mostly? Have you come upon any danger signs indicating you’re trying for too much too soon?

If you’re always pursuing growth, then you’ll avoid boredom and attachment to people or things, Tony says. You might thrive by pushing boundaries but want to move on too quickly from relationships. He recommends diving deep to master new topics or skills, and to remember the importance of emotional and spiritual growth through self-examination and meditation.

I know a lot of people who want to grow so much that they pursue it obsessively, neglecting other aspects of life – other human needs – that will bring them balance, peace and lasting success.

We can always be chasing “the next thing” – and never really appreciate what we have.

But if we cling too tightly to what we have, we’re blocking our human nature to grow.

It all comes down to choices and to balance. That’s a tricky dance for everyone.

But the solution is rooted in the same healthy habits that sustain us all and improve our chances of healthy growth: regular exercise; healthy diets; stress management; quality sleep.

You can’t grow without them.

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LONIMICHELLE.COM

📸: Surraca Photography

Miami

Today was one of those where I just didn’t want to. Mainly because the gyms in Florida are becoming over crowded at all times of the day🫠.

But I showed up after going to a second location😂

I train about 4 days a week right now and I use a combination of mostly intuitive eating with some pre planning. I track occasionally.

I do not focus on cardio… or durations.. I focus on daily movement and heavy weight training.

I’m posting this as I’m about to go eat the last piece of left over pizza in the fridge. This is called balance🍕🍕

You don’t have to go to extremes to reach your goals and you can still enjoy food🙂

Is self-care selfish?

Not at all!

But sometimes people tell me they hesitate to practice self-care because they should put others ahead of themselves. And I totally get that, but I also urge them to think a step further to see why practicing self-care is an act of love – for other people in your life, as well as for yourself.

Here’s my favorite illustration of the point. At the beginning of every flight, the attendants tell us that, should we need them, air bags will come down from above. They show us how to strap one on.

And they say that, if you’re traveling with a child or someone else who needs special attention, PUT YOUR OWN MASK ON FIRST before helping that other person.

Why?

Because if you’re not able to take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of anyone else.

It’s the same when you practice self-care in everyday life – by exercising, eating right, getting plenty of rest, managing your stress, and even treating yourself sometimes.

When you do all of that consistently, you feel better. You think better. You behave better. You simple ARE better – and that extends to everyone in your life.

Consider the opposite! How do you act toward others when you’re tired, cranky, and down on yourself?

Are you helpful? Compassionate? Supportive?

We’re at our best for everyone else when we’re first at our best for ourselves🙏🏼🙏🏼

I believe in any human can accomplish anything that they want.

I’m also dreaming of a big juicy burger so maybe my judgement is a little off 😂🤣🍔

I am thankful my childhood was before social media and I didn’t grow up with all the pressure to “look a certain”.

I am greatful for social media today only because, I get to connect with so many awesome people and share accomplishments with the 🌎.

I don’t care who the hottest guy or girl is on social media. That’s all surface level bs. I care about people for WHO THEY ARE💚.

iPhone shot from yesterdays shoot📸🫶🏼🎉

ADVERSITY is something I have been dealing with my entire life. Even growing up. I was always different and people let me know too.

They still do to this day. I was reminded today very strongly so, I wanted to write this post for other who face this.

If you don’t follow trends or the norm standards of society, you will always stick out. You will always be judged. Sometimes maybe even laughed at or bashed.

People Mirror how they feel about themselves deep down. You have to remind yourself of that.

So I say this to you, embrace your unique qualities and don’t change yourself just to “fit in”. Find people who accept you for WHO YOU ARE.

Not everyone will understand you… and that’s ok. I would rather have a very small circle of real genuine people who are all unique than be surrounded by the standards of society.

I will never fit in and that actually my power.

People are empaths for different reasons. I’m an empath because I had early childhood trauma. I had to be hyper sensitive to one parents constant actions.

I stayed in fight or flight growing up. This never goes away… we just learn ways to cope. Mine was partying for awhile then I realized my life was worth so much more.

FITNESS BECAME MY LIFE.

I wanted to post this to let you all know that you’re not the only one who struggles or who had a rough childhood. You’re are normal for being hyper sensitive and you’re normal for having anxiety.

YOU DONT HAVE TO BE A PRODUCT OF CIRCUMSTANCE.

If there is one thing I understand and can help people with, it’s moving past their anxiety/depression in positive ways.

I LOVE HELPING PEOPLE DISCOVER THEIR WORTH. It’s the most powerful thing we can have.

Fitness has saved me and through fitness, I want to continue to save others.❤️

The less and less extreme I am with my body, the better and better I feel😌😊 My body is truly healing from all the years of beating it up, pretty bad.

My wish is to continue to set more and more people free from the crazy diet industry and the extremes💪🏼

Happy Sunday!

What some online coaches don’t understand is, people do not need tons of fancy things to try or ways to eat or to workout.

They don’t need to hear things like- “It’s just calories in verses calories out”. Or “It’s just about progressive overload”. How are they suppose to understand that?

Caloric deficits do work but, it’s not a place where we can live. Especially for someone who has been chronically dieting for too long.

As much as some people want to do it they simply can’t because, they’ve been doing it for too long. Eventually the body fires back.

That also leads to hunger cravings, obsession, the complete burnout. Trust me, IVE SEEN IT ALL.

What People need is just the fundamental basics to be successful.

We don’t need to live in a caloric deficit, do hours of cardio, schedule “free meals”, not take rest days, only do super high intensity, or lift weight 6-7 days a week. Sometimes all people need is 3 days.

People don’t need extremes or fancy tactics. Stick to the basics.

Sounds much better right?

Why disappoint yourself by not doing the thing you need to do, in order to get where you want to be.

I’ve been let down my entire life by people and I made a vow to myself at a very young age, to never let anyone or myself down.

That I would do my best! And that’s what I try to do when someone comes to me to help them better their life.

It’s ok to ask for help. It’s ok to be scared but don’t just ask for the help, be open to receiving it!

If there is one thing you should NEVER DO, ITS LET YOURSELF DOWN BY ANY MEANS🎉❤️🙏🏼

When I think of coming from extremes, I think of this girl and some other clients that I will post about in the coming weeks also.

Sure, her photos are in different poses but- you can clearly see the progress🎉🔥

Andrea came to me doing TONS of cardio as instructed. It wasn’t her own doing.

Not even eating enough for her metabolic rate. Think about that with tons of cardio added. YIKES! Also not her fault!

Also with fear of foods (like carbs).

Here is the crazy thing, on the left she was also an ex competitor and today she looks more like one. Like a solid ATHLETE!

Over the years, we have worked her into a place where sometimes she doesn’t even do cardio. Currently only doing two ten minute sessions.

AND SHE EATS CARBS🤩

She doesn’t follow a meal plan now or track food either. For not, I think she looks pretty damn good🤩

Occasionally we do check in with food just to make sure she is eating enough for performance.

She has foods she enjoys. She has learned moderation. Takes days off from the gym if needed.

It was really hard for her to transition. She struggled mentally as we all do. She was persistent though.

Now she’s FREE. Free from that mindset. Free from extremes that the diet industry can push on us.

What if you could learn how to avoid going through extremes and learn things the right way?

It would be a game changer!!!!🙂