Success Can Be Found In Numbers

"Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work."  - Vince Lombardi

It's so amazing to me how in every walk of life we can find such greater success when we work alongside others.  We all like to think we can do things on our own, and to some extent we can.  But when you take a step back and lean on others you realize you are capable of rising above any goal you had originally thought unachievable!  It's in these moments where we find our deepest strengths, our smiles and a new found love for success!

This past week I have been a guinea pig and have given up my normal workout routines to try out a new program.  My friend Cory Skillin has been hard at work creating a workout program that helps people simply move.  It's fun, it's creative, it gets you down on your hands and knees and offers up many moments for a smile.  It's challenging but not to the point where you can't move the next day.  It gives you that feeling of accomplishment and yet has you craving more.  It's filled with movements I used to do as a kid (I mean seriously, when was the last time you did a crab walk?!!), it gets your heart rate up and yet at the same time forces you to slow down a bit and really work on some stabilization, strength training and stretching.  In my opinion it's a very good, well rounded workout that can fit any fitness level or inhibiting schedule (in fact I did this in a hotel room one evening...no excuses).

For everyone that knows me on a personal level you know I'm slow to endorse anything unless I truly believe in it...this program I feel so confidant in that I offered to teach it to a few friends and old coworkers while on a business trip in Virginia last week.  I have to give my friends Mary and Michell all the credit in the world...not only did they get up early to meet me for a 6am workout, but they had to deal with my bubbly little morning personality, which for some can be a lot to handle before a cup of coffee!  In 45 minutes we completed one of Cory's workouts, we all broke a sweat, shared quite a few laughs and had a GREAT time simply MOVING.  

Last night I did a second variation of this workout with Cory and a group of his friends/clients that have all signed up to test out this program as well.  We were outside in a beautiful park and together we represented various ages and fitness levels.  To see the encouragement that each of these participants gave each other was incredible.  They cheered each other on, helped each other out and really pushed each other to achieve their own personal level of success!  They laughed, they sang and they had a GREAT time simply MOVING.  At the end of our 1 hour workout, there were high fives all around and a beautiful sunset for us to all gratefully appreciate.

It's not that we can't workout alone, a lot of us do (myself included at times) but this past week has made me truly realize the additional benefits that come from working out with others.  Cory's program is one that you can do with friends, with colleagues, with your spouse and even with your kids.  It gets you up and moving, gives you a challenging, yet rewarding workout and makes you smile.  You wake up the next morning with a reminder of what you did the day before (haha a few sore muscles) but you remember what fun you had, the bonds you formed with others and the encouragement you both gave and received to reach the next level and you want to jump right back into it.  This is what fitness should be about...FUN mixed with a little hard work and discipline!

I challenge you to try something new...to find your support system who not only encourages you but also celebrates your achievements with you.  And if you are looking for some help with a program, looking to try out this new program I've been doing or have any fitness/wellness related questions, I encourage you to reach out to Cory at Coryskillin@yahoo.com.  It doesn't matter if you are here in Colorado, across the country or halfway around the world...if you're looking to get moving and have fun while doing it, a simple email is the first step down that path of success. 

"As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration.  Other people and other people's ideas are often better than your own.  Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life."  - Amy Poehler  

After all, isn't this what life is all about...working hard and then celebrating/enjoying those moments of success?!