{ Kaileen Elise } Make Every Day Extraordinary

Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal:
my strength lies solely in my tenacity.
(Louis Pasteur)

The smallest goal achieved stands taller than the grandest intention.
Do whatever your heart leads you to do — but do it.
(Dan Zadra)

Working out regularly takes energy and stick-to-it-ness. It also takes some patience and understanding. Pursing any goal requires dedication, belief and grace. It’s impossible for every step we take to be toward our dreams. We sometimes take the long way. Detours offer scenery, new opportunities and the occasional dead end. I find that when I create systems and failsafes, there is less room for error. I might take a side road, but I have the tools to get back on track.

I’ve put a lot of focus on healthy choices and working out these past few weeks. Transitioning from the Whole Living Action Plan to regular everyday life has been a challenge. After cutting alcohol, caffeine, processed foods and added sugar out of my diet for a month, anything more than nothing feels like too much. Valentine’s Days, birthday celebrations and eating out have been forks in my road to wellness.

Three things help me get back on track: finding new sources of inspiration, getting to the root of what motivates me, and having compassion for myself. It’s a process, with a series of decisions that move me closer to and further from my goals each day. Intellectually, I know I won’t (and can’t expect myself to) make the best choices 100% of the time. Emotionally, it is hard not to beat myself for indulging in spoonfuls of icing, a huge serving of chips and salsa, or an extra glass of wine.

Overall, I am enjoying this experience. Like a challenging yoga class, I am working towards my edge. If I push myself too hard, there’s a chance I will falter. But it’s worth it. So incredibly worth it.

I’m working it out on all fronts these days — from meal planning and budgeting, to hitting the gym and deepening friendships. This is a motivating, action-inspiring playlist. It starts out with chill, yet upbeat tunes and moves into fast paced songs to get me going on my long runs. I’m trying something new for this playlist by sharing it on Grooveshark in addition to listing the songs.

Listen to my Working It Out playlist now, or follow the links to iTunes below.

Tell Me (Clock Opera Remix) / Au Revoir Simone
Moth’s Wings / Passion Pit
Walking On a Dream / Empire of the Sun
Otis / Kanye West & JAY Z feat. Otis Redding
Good Feeling / Flo Rida
We Found Love / Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris
Marchin On / Timbaland feat. OneRepublic
Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) / Kelly Clarkson
Whip My Hair / Willow
Scream / Michael Jackson
Part of Me / Katy Perry
Down On Me / Jeremih & 50 Cent
Turn Me On / David Guetta & Nicki Minaj
Where Have You Been / Rihanna
Hit the Floor / Twista & Pitbull
6 Foot 7 Foot / Lil Wayne feat. Cory Gunz
Power / Kanye West
Coming Home / Diddy – Dirty Money & Skylar Grey

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Image Credit:
Speeding past us. + Dappled Shade Savasana via lululemon athletica

Tags: Inspiration, Personal Growth, Playlist, Running