Meet Oli, who'll be living the lululemon manifesto every day for 30 days!

Let the countdown begin! Send in your suggestions. This is as much my challenge as yours because you know I’m not doing this alone… Challenge me, test me, encourage me to do something you’ve always wanted to do and have never tried: hiking the Grouse Grind, stand-up paddle boarding, taking that photography course that you (and I) have put off for four years. Let’s go on a journey!

The inspiration for Oli's challenge: our manifesto!

This is for you. This is for me. If I can do it, anyone can. For those who would like to join me in this challenge, send me your setbacks, your stories, and your pictures. Make sure you include the manifesto quote that you’re focusing on! Let’s do this together and put it out there for the world to see. Better yet, meet me there! I will be formulating a plan based on your votes. I’ll let you know where I’ll be and invite you all to kick yourself into a life you absolutely love!

Live in possibility. Let this be the start of your best life.

Want to suggest a manifesto challenge for Oli? Leave a comment here or on Oli's blog, where she'll be updating daily, starting August 1!

Sitting by the river and enjoying just being able to sit and be still...

My run was actually awesome this morning. The rest of my week leading up to the 4th of July was a great week of training, and I can feel my runs getting stronger step by step. I took some of your advice and let go of my faster pace on the long run, and kept my short runs quick with a few hills. Although running uphill hurts in the moment, once you push through, your pace feels almost stronger and easier.

With the summer heat starting to weigh in, I have found that I have to run early in the morning or at dusk to find any comfortable weather. Staying at the river this past weekend, temperatures reached as high as 120 degrees fahrenheit, which is about 49 degrees celsius, and so running wasn't an option during the daytime. Though I vowed to delay my long run for the sake of not dying of heat stroke, we found a way to sneak in workouts by hiking trails along the river at dusk, and swimming downstream and then hiking to the top of the river to float back down again and again. Although it was definitely a "vacationer's workout", it felt good just to be moving regardless of it's impact.

Enjoying the moments and the loves in my life down by the river.

At the end of the week, instead of feeling defeated by delaying my run, I felt pretty amazing. I was able to train strongly all week and indulged in a few holiday treats without feeling horrible about myself. I was actually excited to hear my alarm this morning, and headed out of my front door with a smile on my face and a bounce in my step.

In all honesty, this holiday weekend was a great reminder of how important it is to enjoy the people in your life, even at the sake of your perfect half marathon training schedule. I even added a few country songs to my running playlist this morning to remind me of the family and friends I had the pleasure of being with this weekend, I think it even made the 7 miles easier. So go enjoy the moments, the memory of them makes your struggles uphill that much easier. Namaste.

This week’s training mileage total: 19 miles!
Longest run: 6 miles with a pace of 11:10 (a bit slower, but very comfortable and no pain today)
Cross training: 3 Jillian Michaels workouts
Wore on my long run: I Just Wanna Run Tank and Run:Team Spirit Crops (both so comfortable and quickly wicked up my sweat)
Favourite song on my run playlist: "Cowgirls Don't Cry" - Brooks & Dunn (Featuring Reba McEntire)

7 weeks until race day! Here is my training schedule for the week:
Monday: 6 miles (delayed due to the holiday)
Tuesday: Barry's Bootcamp + Hot Yoga
Wednesday: Jillian Michaels Workout + 3 miles
Thursday: Barry's Bootcamp + Yoga
Friday: Jillian Michaels Workot + Yoga
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 7 miles!

P.S. Anyone have any good recovery drink recipes? I've been living on coconut water, but I am just waiting for someone to tell me that chocolate milk really is good for your muscles to recover...

How many times have you seen the line, “Sweat Once a Day”? It's on our manifesto poster, our reusable shoppers, in our store’s display windows and used daily by people in our company to remind each other to get out there and sweat a little.

A dose of daily inspiration from our lululemon manifesto.

I used to hate sweating. The second my body started to reach the point of perspiration on the treadmill, I would jump off and call it a day. I robbed myself of a true workout session and was okay with it.

Then I was introduced to lululemon athetica and a group of people who showed me how to sweat and embrace it. And guess what? Now I enjoy it! Crazy to think back to three years ago at the girl who wouldn’t be caught dead sweating.

I'm no doctor, but I know the benefit of a good work out.

why you should sweat once a day

• it keeps your body cool
• releases toxins
• sweat's naturally good for the skin, softening and smoothing it
• proof that you're burning calories

So whether you run your heart out, sit in the sauna, dance like no one is watching or hold your chaturangas a little longer, embrace the moment and enjoy your sweat for the day.

Biking along the Burrard Bridge

Yogis practicing outside

Hitting the trails for a sweaty run in Whistler

What are you doing to sweat once a day?

Below are some of the photos that capture what happened in January from our team and photos that were sent in from guests:

Mark and Matt at the Store Support Centre doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

 
A lovely afternoon yoga class.

Whitney embracing the cold weather.

Upward dog in the snow!

Embracing the mountain snowboarding.

Snow angels afte a good run.

Just hanging around.

Tree pose in Toronto.

Janice at her gym working out. She actually documented the entire through her own flickr album.

Jackie about to go to circuit training after a hard day at work.

Jenna sweating it out on the treadmill.

The coolest ladies around.

Summer can't come soon enough. The best way to do yoga is on the beach.

The Run club is ready to brave the cold!

Ready to sweat in her new gear!

What was your favourite way to sweat this month?

Sweat once a day with the online community team.

We are running, walking, doing yoga, circuit training, flexing in Daily Method, swimming, and sweating with tight deadlines. Our team will be capturing all of this all through photos and challenge you to do the same! You can either email your sweaty photos to onlinecommunity@lululemon.com or upload directly to our monthly pool on flickr here: Sweat Once  A Day Flickr Set

For more sweaty details check out our monthly challenge page: http://lululemon.com/community/challenge

What are you doing to sweat once a day?

'Tis the season to be busy. You know what I’m talking about. It’s the holiday season and we’re all juggling something. Whether it’s work, family and friends, holiday parties, or spending hours shopping for that perfect gift… who can find time for themselves? This is one of the most common times of the year to let our exercise routine go by the wayside. Don’t let it. Here are somes ways to make the most of your season:

put yourself first

Many of us do everything for everyone before doing just one thing for ourselves. Give yourself a gift this holiday season. Focus on nurturing your mind and body by doing a few things to energize, motivate, and help you be happy. One of the best things to do is to exercise. Working out can recharge your batteries during these frenzied days of festivities. By finding time for yourself, you’ll have more to give to others and more holiday cheer.

set yourself up for success

Make the most of your time by scheduling exercise into your calendar. Just like your work or school assignments, appointments and dinners with friends, put exercising on your to do-list. Set yourself up for success by carving some time out for YOU.

nail down a schedule

Take just five to ten minutes a day to come up with a plan so that you can nail down a schedule. Feel like getting your heart pumping by going for a run? Need to find some zen time at a gentle yoga class? Want to let your spirit soar at a dance class? Just like with goals, writing something down helps you commit to that action and will hold you accountable. There will be less wiggle room to flake out if you have it scheduled into your life.

make it a habit

By scheduling fitness into your daily routine, we can eventually create a pattern and make it a habit. The benefits of a healthier and happier you are worth it!

The entire online community team will be sweating every day next month! Join us in January for our "sweat once a day" challenge: www.lululemon.com/community/challenge