Epic - Revitalizing Weekend!

This weekend was nothing short of incredible.  Although, it was only a 24 hour get away, it filled my mind, body and spirit on so many levels! 
 
Last week I had a really powerful Reiki session.  One thing she shared with me was that I needed to get away on a vacation.  She didn't say where or for how long, but she did say, you are at your most peaceful on a beach - next to the ocean - with the sun shining on her face.  That is definitely a true statement!  She told me I needed to go on a get away now to sort through some personal growth items I'm currently working through.  I left there thinking, "Well yeah it would be great to go on vacation right now but financially, that's just not an option."  I instantly interpreted what she was saying as me needed to go on a big, island get away - because those are my favorite kind :)  I put it out into the universe that a get away would be great and left it at that ....
 
The next day I spoke with my bestie, Meg, and she also said that she needed a get away and started talking about more of a local get away.  The way things just started falling into place, to pull us exactly where we needed to be was amazing and powerful!  I learned that I can adventure right in my very back yard to get absolutely everything I need and more! 
 
We headed over to Orcas Island which is a short drive and ferry ride away (I love I live somewhere that I can hop on a ferry!)  We stayed in the cutest little cabin right on the ocean and I really wanted to stay longer.  There was a really cool little town with shops, bars and restaurants.  After a great dinner right on the water we hit up a unique bar with tons of character and homemade cocktails.  We topped off the night with a soak in the hot tub under the stars and some quality bonding time.
 

 
 
 

Day 2 we headed into Moran State Park, which held

some pretty extraordinary beauty including pristine nature, waterfalls and the highest point on the Islands, Mt. Constitution.  Looking over everything you can't help but feel infused with a life and energy that is undeniable.  I went on this trip with an intention of connecting with my higher self and setting my intentions for my life moving forward and that's exactly what I did.  At the top of this mountain I burned a list of my intentions as a symbolic means of moving forward and beginning to manifest my dreams into reality.

 

I am so excited for the life I have in front of my and the amazing blessings I know are coming my way!!  2015 is going to be a very big year for me, I can see it and feel it!  What a great feeling :)

If you'd like to see all of the great pics from my outing at Orcas Island, feel free to head on over to my Facebook page and take a look Facebook.com/heather.dalton.754


 

First Strong in Seattle Fit Club

 

Today was the launch of my first Strong in Seattle Fit Club.  I chose a week day, so only one friend could make it.  I know that would get some people down but it didn't bother me!  I think it will be cool to have a picture of the first fit club with one person, and see where it goes from here!  I'm planning to do one week day activity and one weekend one, so everyone has a chance to make it!  Here's to my very first Fit Club!

This all started because as many of you know, I've set a big hairy scary stretch goal for September! I'll be going on a 3 day, 18 mile, camping hike at The Enchantments in WA.  It's the trip of a lifetime and I'm super excited.  With that being said, I did just donate 1/2 my liver 2 months ago, so I have some training to do!  I decided to get in some weekly training, besides my normal workouts, to get me ready.  I have a great book of local hikes that I love to go to!  I'm working to get through as many of them as I can, I have a lot of exploring to do :)  I also found a really cool book at the book store with stair walks all over Seattle.  I thought what better way to train then lots of stairs, time in nature and exploring the city all at the same time! 

Today we took on Ravenna Park, which is in North Seattle.  We did just around 2 miles (although we got a little turned around so we may have thrown in some extra credit!)  It was a great mix of stairs, walking and nature.  We couldn't believe that we were actually in the middle of a major city ... one of the many things I love about Seattle!  On our 2 mile loop, we tackled about 118 stairs down and around 264 up.  Talk about a great lower body workout!  We also saw some really cool historical stuff on our journey.  It's hard to call this working out ... even though it is!  Gotta love that :)

 

 

 

If you live in the Seattle area, and you'd like more info on my free Strong in Seattle Fit Club, send me an email at heatherchristine312@gmail.com

 

Come workout, get healthy and have a great time with some really fun people :)

Why I Absolutely Love Sundays!

There are countless reasons to love Sunday's right?  I know for me, Sunday's is a great day for me on so many levels.  Not only do I get prepared for my week ahead and set my goals for what I would like to accomplish, but more importantly, it's the day we celebrate our weekly success in my accountability groups.  I just LOVE hearing what awesome things the challengers have accomplished!  Yes we track our physical progress, but that's not all.  We track all kinds of success like:  If we get farther in our workouts, when we do a full burpee for the first time, how we feel in our clothes, if we get a compliment ... these are all awesome reasons to celebrate!!  Each week we celebrate our success, discuss our struggles and set a plan for the new week.

Each week I also like to pick a Challenger of the Week and do a spotlight on all their hard work!  This week is no exception.  This week I'm shining the spot light on a challenger that never gives up ... her determination is inspiring and infectious!  Her name is Jennifer and she is a rock star :) 
Jennifer is a hard working mom of two beautiful children, a daughter and son, and is an amazing wife as well.  She would be the first to admit to you that she is super busy and that definitely causes obstacles in staying on track with her health plan.  I'm sure you busy, working moms out there can relate!  You start off with the best intentions, then life happens and day after day you find yourself putting YOU last.  I'm so proud of Jennifer because she has really been investing in herself and the mindsets that go along with being successful and she just KILLED this last month!  She was on track the entire time with her fitness and her nutrition, had a great attitude and was committed to reaching her goals.  I have seen her work so hard over this past year on making progress and she made all kinds of that this month!  Because of all her hard work, she is down 9lbs!!  Girl I'm so proud of you and I can't wait to see what you do in April with this mindset.  Keep up the amazing work :)

 

 

It truly is the right combination of fitness, nutrition and support that is going to get you to your goals.  You can't just engage in one area and expect to get there and stay there.  Jennifer has been plugging into this system and seeing great success - right along with the rest of us :)  I joined my first accountability group, 4 years ago this month and haven't turned back! 

 

 

If you are looking to change your life on any level, it's important to have a plan in place.  I take on a mind, body and soul approach to coaching.  Where you start all just depends where you are currently at in your life.  I do run various online groups online, both health and mind, body & soul related, but I'm also excited to announce the launch of my new local, free health group called Strong in Seattle Fit Club.  I'm starting to get a bigger local posse and a bigger demand to get out there and start something we can do as a group, so this is what I came up with.  For anyone in the Seattle area, we are going to get together a few times per week and do various activities around the city.  I'm training for a 3 day, 18 mile hike in September so now through the summer I'm going to focus on stair training and hiking.  Did you know there are hundreds of stair routes in the Seattle area - I have a book and everything.  This will be a great workout, along with a great way to explore the city!  I'm also going to try to do one hike per week as well.  There will be weeks I may not be able to do both but I'm going to shoot for a minimum of one activity for the week.  It's a free group, anyone is welcome, and there are no commitments or obligations.  If you're interested, let me know and I'll add you to the Facebook group I've started.  Our first outing is this Wed where we'll be tackling an awesome stair/walking route.  Can't wait :) 

You can email me at heatherchristine312@gmail.com or send me a FB friend request at Facebook.com/heather.dalton.754  

 



Setting an Epic Stretch Goal

Have you ever had one of those years where you just KNOW it's going to be a HUGE year for you?  You can just really feel that big things are about to happen?  Well I am on the verge of one of those years and I'm super stoked about it.  I'm even more excited to share it with all of you, in hopes of inspiring and motivating as many people as possible to do some really cool stuff! 

The year started out with a life saving journey, I mean what a way to kick of 2015!!  As many of you know, I donated a portion of my liver to my step dad on 1/26/15.  I knew that this would greatly impact my life, but I didn't and still don't fully know to what level.  What I do know is, SO many blessings have already come my way since this all began.  I have met and connected with so many incredible people.  Complete strangers that reached out and donated money to my Go Fund me page or sent kind words to support me on my adventure!  Hundreds of people danced for me, followed my progress and posted daily to motivate me ... I was just completely blown away!  It's because of all the support, my commitment to my health and my drive to be balanced mind, body and spirit - that I've been able to recover so quickly!

It's mid March and by the end of this month, my liver will be for the most part, fully regenerated.  Wow the body is so amazing isn't it!!  I'm feeling stronger, healthier and more alive everyday!  I feel like I'm radiating with positivity, love and great karma it's totally awesome :)  I feel like setting some big - stretch goals to see what I can do this year! 

6 weeks post surgery, and I'm easing back into my workouts, but also pushing myself enough to make sure I know where my limits are.  I'm setting my sights towards the end of the summer and I'm setting a really EPIC goal. 

My bestie, Meg, won a lottery spot to hike the Enchantments in WA.  She's been wanting to do this for a few years and this is the year it's meant to be!  I'm setting a goal to take this hike with her, and 7 other homies, to celebrate her birthday!  It's the beginning of Sept. so this is a stretch goal for me but I think I can do it!  I've always wanted to do a trip like this, it's an experience of a lifetime and definitely fits into my theme for 2015!!  It would be a 3 day, 18 mile round trip, hiking and camping adventure.  You gain quite a bit of elevation but the views are sick!! 

I'm going to start training by continuing with my strength and interval workouts, as well as getting outside to do some walking, hiking and soon .... the stairs!  My goal is to start hiking at least once per week, so I can build my endurance and then do the stairs 1-2 times per week.  And when I say stairs, I mean stairs!  The Seattle area even has it's own book hello!!

I'm looking for others that want to set stretch goals too, so we can hold each other accountable!  What do you say?  Is there something you've always wanted to do, but just don't know where to start or just haven't started?  Let's do something epic together! Email me at heatherchristine312@gmail.com