PRIORITIZING OUR LIVES

I recently went to a Turbokick Camp. Turbokick is a group exercise format based on shadow kickboxing which is both is challenging and very fun.
While at Camp, we worked out really hard but also had many motivational speakers come and help us address different issues we might be facing in our lives.

One of the talks that stuck out the most for me, was given by Chalene Johnson, the creator of Turbokick. Chalene has accomplished a lot in her life: she has a husband and two children; she has created the Turbokick format which has really revolutionized cardio kickboxing and taken it to the next level; she has signed an exclusivity contract with 24 hr Fitness (when it comes to cardio kickboxing, they only teach Turbokick); she regularly creates new choreography (also known as Rounds) for Turbokick and has also created a home video version of Turbokick, known as Turbojam which is currently distributed by Million Dollar Body.
In the light of her accomplishments, when I heard that her talk would be about prioritizing our lives, I could not help but being excited. Clearly, being that accomplished, she must be doing something right.
I feel fairly comfortable describing myself as crazy busy, but I feel at times, that I might not be busy in the right way. I wonder sometimes if being always on the go is truly productive and really allowing me to create the life I desire.
I too have a family; I work full time, go to college and work as a massage therapist/ personal trainer/ group instructor on the side. I am also an “exercise nut job”, which, as you might imagine, takes up a lot of my time. Often people ask me how I do it, and honestly, I feel like like I am free falling most of the time. I just never seem to hit the ground. I do feel however, there must be a better way to do things.

As part of her speech, Chalene created a list of steps to take in order to bring some clarity to our lives and align what we do each day with our priorities. Here are the steps as she introduced them.

Step 1
Prioritize in writing the 5 most important things in your life based on what you want to be.

-This needs to be based off of what you really want from life. Not what you think you are supposed to want. If for you, career comes before family, then list your priorities as such.-

Step 2
Create a log of every min and how you spend it for a week. Include all of your regularly scheduled activities.

-Very time consuming, but quite enlightening. Everything needs to be listed, it is amazing how much time we spend on activities that do not further our aim in life, or are downright useless.-

Step 3
Start with those activities that support one or all of your top 2 or 3 priorities and star them.

-Personally, I am starring anything that supports my top 5 priorities. If you want to be very organized about this, you could even color your top 5 priorities and star your activities accordingly.-

Step 4
Underline neutral activities.

-Brushing your teeth, doing your hair etc... It can come as a surprise also, to find out the time we spend doing those things.-

Step 5
Circle activities or obligations that contradict your present order of priorities or that you do out of an ill placed feeling of guilt.

-This is where it gets difficult. There are those things that you indulge in that bring you nowhere. There are also those activities you undertake because of peer pressure, guilt etc... Circling them is difficult, because we all know better...-

Step 6
Make an “Immediate Action” TO DO list to remove circled activities A.S.A.P.

-Some of those activities can be (and absolutely should be) removed from your life immediately. Be honest with yourself and figure out a way to terminate them.-

Step 7
Make a transitional TO DO list for things you wish to remove gradually.

-Somethings cannot be given up quite as immediately. For example, if you are looking to transition from a job you might have to running your own business, going "cold turkey" might not be the best if said job is paying the bills. Make a transitional list, plan how you are going to ease those things you cannot remove from your life immediately.-

Step 8
Openly communicate your priorities with others.

-People need to know what your priorities are. You will find who truly supports you. Someone who pressures you to do something that goes against the priorities you have clearly communicated does not truly love and support you. Keep this in mind when picking your friends...-

Step 9
Take cues from people who really support you. Take cues from your body.

-There are those people in your life who truly care and will support you and your priorities. They are good people to listen to when in need of advise. And of course, always listen to your body. It knows... Pay attention to stress, tiredness, sickness etc...-

Step 10
Practice saying: "Can I get back to you on that?”

-Going back to step 6 and 7: learn to say no. If you are one of those people who has a difficult time doing so, ask for some time to think about it and then work up the courage to say no. Remember YOUR priorities are what has to come first.-

Step 11
Remind yourself daily: if you try to do it all: YOU WILL FAIL. Do what is important.

-Indeed. Is there anything else to be said?-

This speech and the tools given with this step by step list can be very useful in clarifying our goals and true priorities. It also allows to take an honest look at how well we actually work for our goals in our day to day lives.

I encourage everyone to give this a try. Tell me what comes of it.

TURBOKICK CAMP 2007

There is quite a bit to be told about Camp, it was an awesome experience all around. Gathering 250 people who are all completely hung up on working out and shaking their rear is bound to be fun.
I left a week ago today. I met with Michelle Olsen and Melissa at the SLC airport. Michelle is the person who certified me. She has this really forward and upbeat energy, as all of our Area Promotion Directors do. Melissa has been doing Turbo for a while now and has lost... 150 lbs... Respect. I don't weigh 150 lbs. It gives me goose bumps to talk to people such as Melissa who went so far out of their comfort to zone to beat the odds 10 times over. You go girl. She was picked by the Powder Blue people to have her flight paid for, because she earned her being there, really.

Thursday evening was spent checking in at the hotel, mingling with fellow turbo fanatics and getting to know our Team mates. The Purple team was a good looking one, indeed.... See below!

I was struck right away by the fact that our Turbo celebrities and the Powder Blue staff all seemed to have friendly and warm personalities. They are easy to approach, easy to talk to and truly eagger to help.

Friday morning started with a little 5K in Irvine. My running partner and I got lost and ended up running over the freeway, breathing in deep the fumes of exhaust.
We then had breakfast and got acquainted with the people who had not arrived until then.
Next, we gathered in the main room and waited for our first Turbo work out, led by, wouldn’t you know it, Chalene herself.
We were lucky enough to get a taste of Round 31, and it’s going to kick butts. I kid you not.

The rest of the day was devoted to motivational speakers including Carl Daiker, the BeachBody CEO and Chalene herself who talked about the different levels of friendships. It was a stern reminder for me of learning to say no in order to put my true priorities first.
Later that day we got a taste of Hot Hula with Anna Rita. Now, for any of you who have done the Turbojam videos or are TK instructors, you know there is only one way to describe Anna Rita: fierce. I was a little afraid to approach her, thinking that maybe she would rip my heart out and tear it with her teeth. I was stunned to find that she is a very down to earth person, easy to talk to and has a wicked little sense of humour. She just became my new role model.

The evening was devoted to a little fashion show where some of the new designs from Turbowear were presented. Of course, shortly after that, the madness of shopping began.

Saturday, was a really awesome day. We had several motivational speakers come and talk to us about nutrition, communication and Chalene did a speech on prioritizing. I will post on it soon. Workout wise we did some hip hop and followed this with some Steppin’. Ever seen the movie "Stomp The Yard'?

Personally, this was a favorite moment of mine being that I have such love for African Dancing. Steppin’ is very much like zulu dances performed with the rubber boots worn when the Zulus were being enslaved to work as miners. I love to see the roots of the African American people come out and in ways that are constructive (and way fun). Honestly, steppin is very close to actual zulu dancing, but for the outfits maybe.

We got to experience what will soon be 2 new Powder Blue format: Turbo Sculpt and Turbo Extreme. Let me tell you, light weight + many repetitions = killer!
And Turbo Extreme… ah… turbos followed by a finale and then all over again and again. Heart thumping.
That evening, was our dance party. Dance, I did. So far, no picture of my crazy dancing self has surfaced , for that I am grateful.

The next morning was tough. Trying to look cute or work out while being hung over would not be an easy thing to do, by any means. Now try to do both. Praise heavens for make up...

We had our last Turbo class led by our “Men of Turbo”. Some people had already left/were still in bed, so there was room to really get into it.
Live classes are always fun, but Turbo Kick Camp is just a whole different experience. Everyone there is a Turbo addict and the energy is amazing. People jump, shout, sing along, it's just madness... really fun madness.
We then finished with a Piyo workout and I rushed to the John Wayne airport (it’s a real airport too!) to get back home.
I was in a state of absolute exhaustion and am barely starting to feel that I can function properly.

The experience was amazing, the energy is revitalizing. There is a strong spirit of acceptance, camaraderie and fun. If you love Turbo, I really hope you can make it next year.
While it is easy to recount the different events that took place, what I took home with me is much more than the list of events would lead to believe. I brought home renewed optimism, desire to improve and prioritize, a sense of energy and "can do". I am very grateful for that.

Here is what I learned from Camp in a nutshell:

-Leaving your room without your camera would be like not getting up in the morning.

-There is always someone more spastic than you are.

-While many people are in top shape, the ones who aren't get biggest cheers.

-Zena truly is a princess.

-Chalene is about as unassuming and kind as they come.

-I can actually do pretty good with hip hop.

-Waterproof make up is on my shopping list for next year.

-Wearing a cheerleading outfit really isn't that bad (at Camp).

-Being open to meeting new people and being vulnerable is a good thing.

-Sweaty doesn't fully describe what you end up looking like after a Camp workout.

-I love TurboKick much more than I thought I did.

Now, indulge with me in a few pictures...