Amber Lilyestrom

Since I began the #sbfit Twitter chat hashtag one month ago, the conversation has focused on the implementation of a workout routine. Those of us participating in the Twitter chat have been motivating one another to begin a routine or up the ante with our current raining regimen: get up earlier, set a new goal, workout multiple days in a row, etc. While this has been going really well and has already begun to reap major benefits for all of us, the conversation, conversely, has neglected to highlight the importance of a little rest and relaxation every now and again. This rings especially vital for those of us in the sports biz with the most intense time of year upon us.

So for anyone that knows me well, also knows that the concept of relaxation, is a massive challenge. It may sound silly; but, I’ve never been great at slowing down. And I know that many of my colleagues in the sports biz face this challenge as well…stopping to take in the view and recharge the batteries only means losing a few minutes of precious time, right?

My career has only been an extension of my life before working in sports. As a former collegiate soccer player and now a competitive fitness athlete, relaxation, has only meant one thing to me: laziness. My brain is hard wired to believe that I should be training, that I should be at the field or at the gym…improving.

As a sports marketer, it has been easy to utilize this mentality in the way I do my job…I should be writing, reading, DOING something to get ready for the upcoming season or recapping on the current season. Sitting around is just not part of the equation.

While I am aware that this level of discipline and focus has helped me to achieve many of my goals, I also recognize the fact that sometimes it can be a little much. As I get older, I realize that taking a minute to stop and enjoy the present is one thing I really want to improve upon.

So, this weekend my husband and I took a quick vacation down to the Cape with his family. We celebrated our niece’s 2nd birthday. We ate, drank and were merry, surrounded by loved ones. I vowed on the way down there as I finished up emails for the week and signed off with my colleagues that I would unplug when I was there with the family. And I am proud to say that I did just that. I also ate…I brought some of my staples, in order to stick to my nutrition plan, as much as possible; but, I also enjoyed my fair share of cake, nibbles of french fries, muffins, scones…you name it…I indulged and enjoyed every second of it. Now, I recognize that this does not fit in to the “plan” in preparation for my upcoming fitness competition (and my coach is probably cringing if she is reading this); but, I am 100% OK with this because I made this choice. It was a conscious choice to live in the moment and enjoy the time I was spending with some of the most important people in my life…my family. 

I will never regret making that choice and I am proud of myself for this shift, because it’s not something I have done well in the past. I was present and conscious and I experienced these special moments with the people I love. I even gave myself a quick reprieve and took a nap. That’s right, a NAP! I could not tell you the last time that happened…and it was glorious.

So the message is this…LIVE your life. Acknowledge and experience the moments that cannot be replicated. Our jobs are very important; but, our friendships, relationships and time spent with family are the most precious gift of all. Allow yourself the opportunity to relax every now and again. Don’t lose your discipline; but, remember to soak in the good stuff. 

Photo of me and Baby C, my wonderful niece :)

**I will add that when I got home, I went for a run in the afternoon heat. It was brutal; but, I enjoyed every second of it because I had adequate rest and fuel and my body was thanking me for this gift.