There was a time in my life that spending a weekend looking at super fit women in booty shorts and bikinis would have sent me off a ledge. I’m just not that girl anymore. I’m so glad that I’ve stopped basing my value in the way that I look in comparison to other women. I can’t say it enough. There will ALWAYS be someone prettier, smarter and more talented. All you can do is be the best at being YOU. You’re a unique individual and there’s no competition when you’re focusing on just being great at being yourself. Ten years ago, I would have HATED going to something like the Arnold Sports Festival, but last weekend was nothing short of inspiring. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not like looking at all those superior bodies inspired super wonderful feelings about my current level of fitness, but I wasn’t hating on myself either. It was less “ugh, my butt is so gross – I can never look like that” and more “ok, Bex, time to get your ass in gear!”
when I go to a fitness convention, I pack my Human Trainer, my Spanx active capris and lots of healthy snacks like fresh fruit & Larabars
First, I have to thank FitFluential and GNC for hooking me up with this unforgettable experience. The guys from GNC were so great to all of the FitFluential Ambassadors and made us feel so welcome as their guests.
we had a really hard time getting it together for a group shot
I couldn’t have imagined the scale and intensity of this convention without actually going. There was muscle EVERYWHERE. I’m talking shiny, tan, enormous MUSCLE EVERYWHERE – not usually my thing, but an amazing site to see, regardless of my personal taste. Besides all the bodybuilders and fitness competitors, there were thousands of athletes competing in everything from cheerleading to fencing to Crossfitting. Everywhere I looked, there was something exciting going on.
my baller media pass
Not to discount the experience of witnessing the awe-inspiring spectacle that is Arnold, but I have to say that the best part of the trip was meeting up with my FitFluential peeps and just chilling with new friends. It was so much fun chatting each other up about fitness and blogging. We’re such a diverse group, but we all have the passion for living well in common. Heidi got me all amped on raw food again, Lisa (creator of the Kettlebell Bombshell DVD) is helping me get my butt back in shape, and Lindsay BLEW MY MIND with her impromptu pistol squat demonstration (take her challenge!!) – we had the BEST time together.
Clockwise from left: Lisa – Lindsay – me – Heidi
Now here’s the “Bex Life” spin on all of this. How is my experience at Arnold going to teach me a lesson? Because in my world, there are lessons and opportunities for growth everywhere. The reminder that I can admire another person’s body without hating on my own is pretty huge, because I don’t always feel that way deep down inside. But I also can’t feel comfortable with not working on being my best when I see so many examples of excellence around me. I can’t feel good about living life at 80%. I want to get back to 100% full-tilt, get-to-WERK Bex.
So as soon as I got home, I texted Trainer Daryl and said, “Let’s do this thing for real.” I signed Justin and myself up for the Rebel Race mud run months ago and now it’s coming up in five short weeks. Daryl is not only my favorite Bex Life trainer buddy, but he’s also an expert on getting ready for mud races (you can get a FREE download of his mud run training program by visiting his website – PPRJGetStrong.com and signing up for his newsletter).
He’s training both Justin and I in his signature warrior-style no-nonsense method – all basic equipment, bodyweight, and crazy-intense interval circuits. He kicked our sorry asses all over the park yesterday, and I loved every minute of it. Since Summer was born, I’ve been on a roller coaster of motivation. Some days I’m way up and on others, my energy is bottoming out. I’ve been struggling to stick to a regular routine for myself and have been getting caught up with every other aspect of life and business other than the actual act of seriously working on my fitness. That ended with this first session with Daryl. No more excuses. I’m bringing back Warrior Bex!
Semi-related side note: I really really really need this camera to document the Rebel Race. Who wants to see me get dirty in HD?!
I kinda sorta tapped out the Bexy Bank making a commitment to donate $$ to Invisible Children. If you’d like to contribute to my GoPro fund, consider buying some awesome gear from the Bex Life Shop. Then I can get the camera and make totally amazeballs videos. Ok, enough broke talk for now…
GIVEAWAY TIME!! To celebrate my new attitude and re-vamped fitness quest, I’m giving away THREE brand new Bex Life Boy Beater tanks to my Bexy Warrior Peeps!
All you have to do is comment on this post with an action you’re going to take THIS WEEK to bring out your inner warrior. No more hating on yourself. No more excuses. We’re getting into BEAST MODE! Hurry up at enter, because the contest ends next Friday, March 16 at 11:59PM EST. You can get an extra entry by tweeting “Win an exclusive BexLife tank & bring out your inner BEAST at https://www.bexlife.com/?p=3365 via @GirlRucki #FitFluential #livewellNOW”. Remember to share this blog with your fit friends, so they can have a chance to win, too!
For more pics & videos of Arnold, watch my video – there’s something special and HUGE that happened last weekend that I’m super excited to share.
Watch the full BexLifeTV playlist on YouTube
On my body: Nike “Hot Shot” tee & Victoria’s Secret PINK shorts
My workout outfit: Victoria’s Secret tank & shorts
DAActive booty shorts holding it together
PS – Pretty-please remember to vote for me in the Fitness Magazine Fitterati Blogger Awards by clicking here and check out this great shout out to Bex Life on ThenHeatherSaid.com… thanks, chica!
PPS – Thank you to Lindsay from TheLeanGreenBean.com and Heidi from BananaBuzzBomb.com for letting me steal a couple of their Arnold pics for this blog & video. I was a lazy girl with the camera (and a tired mama with a baby in a backpack).