What Maria Menounos's Bikini Body Has To Do With Your Dreams

I don’t know if it’s being in Los Angeles for so long, or from the media totally sucking me into their world, or for all the fitness trainers I follow on Instagram, but I really want a hot bikini bod.

I would LOVE to have a fit body like Jillian Michaels, or Maria Menounos, or even Lea Michele. 

So I’ve done what any curious person would do: I started researching HOW to get that bikini body. You know, what ab exercises to do, how much cardio, and what to eat. I even found some of the places where these celebs work out, and went to those classes—one of the really cool things about being in LA.

As I was doing all this research, and even experimenting a bit on my own, it hit me: HOLY CRAP THIS IS HARD!!

I mean, do you know how hard it is for me to give up french fries?? 

And it’s a struggle for me to stay disciplined and really workout that hard every week. 

Here’s the thing: I may want that bikini bod, but do I want it badly enough to go through with what it takes to make it happen?

It’s the same thing with your dreams. 

You may see someone else doing what you want to do. You may dream about having their life, or a similar career. 

But do you really want it?

Do you want it badly enough that you’re willing to take the specific actions to get there?

With any dream career, it’s going to take discipline, just like it would to lose weight or get in shape. 

You can work with the laws of the Universe to make it as “easy” as possible for you, but it will still require you taking action every day. 

It’s easy to want what other people have, without wanting to do what it takes to get it. 

As my business grows, and I reach my first 7 figures, I know some of you may think “Oh man, I want 7 figures! I should talk to Erica, and see how she did it, so I can do it, too!”

But you won’t really do it, too. 

Because everything I’m doing now, and everything you’ve seen me do up until this point, is what will get me to that 7 figure mark. And most people don’t want to build a business from the ground up like I did.

I do have good news though. If you really do want your dream career, you can start with tiny little steps every day that are super easy. 

All it takes is changing our daily habits, our mindset, and, in turn, our actions, to make our dreams come true.

And those habits, and thoughts, and actions, can be changed with one little piece at a time.

For example, let’s say you want that hot bikini bod, but the idea of going hard core all at once is really intimidating, and you know you won’t be able to stick with it. You can start by just eliminating one unhealthy thing from your diet, or adding one exercise. Maybe you choose to cut out bread Monday through Friday. Or maybe you choose to do a plank for 2 minutes every morning. These are small steps to change your habits, and start creating habits of that hot bikini bod version of yourself. 

So first, let me ask you: What do you want? I mean what do you really want?

Are you willing to do what it takes to get it? Is your desire big enough that it can support you through those moments of doubt?

If it is, and you’re ready, what is one little habit that you can change in your daily life to progress towards that dream? What is one action you can start taking?

Maybe you take it really slow, and you simply start researching this dream. Read blog posts and books, and watch videos on the topic. That’s usually where I start. Knowledge motivates me to take action. So the more I soak up on the topic, the more ready (and excited) I feel to go after it. 

Or maybe you start a little bigger by taking a specific action every day that will get you closer to that dream. 

Whatever you choose to do, feel proud that you are moving towards your dream, to create a life that you really freakin’ love. 

There are only a few things that stop us from achieving the dream careers we desire. Just like myself with this bikini bod, we often don’t want to do what it takes to get there. Mostly because of fear, and because of our lovely little comfort zones. We get so comfortable in the way we live our lives, that we don’t feel like doing anything that pushes those boundaries. "You mean, if I stop eating french fries all the time I might feel better? I might have more energy, be more healthy, and have the body I desire? But, um…. I really like french fries." 

The problem comes in when we don’t take responsibility. Like, if I were to complain every day that I’m fat and sluggish, while stuffing my face with a bowl of fries. Or if I were to start blaming others, or my circumstances: “It’s not my fault they gave me fries instead of salad! I had to eat them.” or “I just don’t have the money right now for a personal trainer, so I can’t get that body like the celebrities.”

It’s so easy to blame others for why we haven’t achieved what we want. But in reality, what we want is completely up to us. It’s in our hands. The ball is in our court. 

I’m tossing you the ball. It’s your turn! What are you going to do?