But I'm Not An Athlete!

It's no secret I have made some life changes with my eating and exercise routines.  I've been pretty open about it and it's been fun to include friends on the journey with me!  Before this change, due to the 21 Day Fix, I would exercise twice/week doing a kdanz class or walking.  I was content with that.  I wasn't seeing any changes in my body, but it was a nice break from the kiddos.  I think there was actually more going on, now that I'm doing something different and something has risen up in me.  You see, I started doing the 21 Day Fix exercises and loved them, so once that program was over, I started TurboFire, which I also love!  It reminds me a lot of the dancing I did when I was younger in dance lessons, POMS, etc.   It's fun to dance around with great music, get a great workout and feel energized!

Imagine my surprise when in the middle of it, the instructor said something that made me go numb.  You know what she said?  Something like "to complete this, you need to think like an athlete."  Well, ok.  I'm not an athlete.  I wasn't an athlete - I was a dancer, I started swimming my senior year, I played tennis for three years, but I wasn't an athlete.  It bothered me.  So, I started to think back to the root of that and why I was bothered by it.  You know what I came up with?  Something that happened in 6th grade!  6th grade, people! Something from that far back was still bothering me today and I didn't realize it.

So, what happened in 6th grade?  I got cut from the volleyball team!  Ouch.  There were just a few gals who got cut and I was one of them.  Apparently, it has bothered me all this time.  It is interesting how I have let something from that far back define me.  It told me who I was - "I'm a dancer."  It told me who I was not - "I am not an athlete."  Really?  I'm going to choose to let one thing like that define me?  Not anymore.  I love this quote.  It's time to let freedom ring, friends!  Stop letting your past, things you have done, things have happened to you define you.  It's not who you are and it doesn't have to be who you are.  So, knock it off and be who you are!  That is freedom, friends.  And it's yours....and mine.

Burgers, Coffee and Nutrition?

I realize this is an odd title, but here I go.  Hopefully by the end you will see why I called it that.  We just got home from an AMAZING dinner at Fudruckers!  I had a cheeseburger and fries.  It was amazing....seriously thinking it might be the best burger I have ever had.  That is saying a lot.  {Side note, I don't eat burgers much anymore.  I can't remember the last time I had one.  I do know that last time we were there I wanted a burger, but got a salad.  So it was time for the burger!}  Anyways.....It was not a cheap meal out for our family.  Which made me think of something - you get what you pay for.  I don't care for that statement, but I'm seeing the truth in it.

Our meal at Fudruckers was not cheap, but it was AWESOME!  Worth it, for sure.  I started to think about that.  You see, if we got a $1.00 burger from McDonalds it wouldn't have tasted nearly as good.  {And it likely isn't real meat either......}  So, we spent more and had an awesome burger!

It's like coffee - if you want good coffee, you're not going to the gas station and get the crappucino there. You are going to go to Starbucks, Caribou, somewhere that has good coffee and get a great cappuccino.  And, you'll pay more for it too.  So, again, you get what you pay for.

And so it is with nutrition as well.  Yes, it costs more upfront to be healthy.  But it's worth it.  It costs more to buy organic.  It costs more to not buy the junk loaded with chemicals, preservatives that has been processed.  Shakeology costs more than other products on the market.  But, what are you getting in return?  A healthy body.  A healthy mind.  A healthy you.  You are worth it friends!

Self Help

This post is mainly for me.  I need to remind myself of this more often.  Hope it blesses you too!  

Excuse Me, Is There A Disconnect?

There is something I have observed lately that I don't understand.  I don't really know how to describe it, other than a disconnect.  You see, it seems to me that people want to make a change, yet they aren't wiling to do it.  I don't understand it.  If there is something you would like to change, that you can change, why not just do it?  What is it that holds you back?  Is it the familiar-ness of what you want to change, or be rid of? Is it the comfort of it?  If there is something that you aren't happy with and you can change it, why wouldn't you?  I have always been a person who thinks that if something is in my control to change it, I will.  Apparently, not everyone thinks that way though.  It puzzles me.  I'm not judging or saying they are bad people or have bad motives.  It is just a different mindset than I have, so I don't understand it.  I think this picture sums it up, a little.

Let's Talk About Stealing, Killing and Destroying....

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  ~ John 10:10

What is stealing, killing and destroying us?  Lots of things, in my opinion.  Our food, what we are putting into our bodies.  Our lack of self care.  The way we don't exercise.  Obesity.  What we put into our minds via movies, television and the like.  Bad air quality.  However, today, I'm going to focus on another one that I have personally been convicted by lately - my phone.  It may sound silly, but I have become a slave to it, in a way.  When it dings because there is a new email, text or facebook message, I'm like Pavlov's dog needing to check it instantly.  Before I had a phone, I was pretty into email and my computer, but this is a whole new level.  It's accessible while driving.  It's accessible at the park with my kids.  At Bible study.  At focused time with friends and loved ones.  My phone is enabling me to check out. It is stealing time away from my kids, my family, friends and loved ones.  It is killing those relationships and ultimately, could destroy them.  Sounds like the devil to me.

Speaking of killing, how many deaths have been caused by people texting, checking their email or facebook?  And, to be honest, I am just as guilty of it.  I have texted while driving.  I have checked email while driving.  With my kids in the car.  Why?  Why would I put all of our lives at risk over something so trivial and meaningless as a facebook status?  Are you kidding me?  No, I'm not.  It is a problem.  For lots of us.  And it is not good.

Don't get me wrong, I love having a smart phone.  It's handy, convenient, and sometimes has saved me from getting lost.  I am not slamming the smart phone or the idea of it at all.   I am saying we need better boundaries and self discipline with them, though.  Don't use it in your car.  Put it in silent mode or airplane mode, if you need to.  Heck, turn the blasted thing off.   I think we need to prioritize what is most important to us and do what we can do take care of it.  If it is our families, do what you can to keep them safe - including not using your phone while driving.  

I had a huge wake up call a few weeks ago when a young mom near us was taking a bike ride with her two small girls.  She was hit by someone using their phone to do mobile banking.  The man who hit her was a stand up guy - he had been in the military, I believe and when the accident happened, he got out of the car and tried to resuscitate her.  It was a simple mistake that took someones life.  A mistake I am guilty of.  So, I'm setting boundaries with myself.  I'm not going to have my phone in the car with me.  I will put it in my glovebox on silent.  Even if it is on silent in the cupholder and I see the blue light notifying me of a message, I will cave.  What do you need to do?  What does our society need to do?  Something needs to change, friends.  Let's be part of the solution, not the problem.

Before & After Pics from 3 Day Refresh

I will be honest, this is a stretch for me.  I'm a modest person who doesn't show a lot of skin {case in point, it's summer & I am wearing a jacket.  I am cold, but still...}  So, this is out of my comfort zone for a few reasons aside from the skin:

1. I didn't love the 3 Day Refresh like I thought I would.  I think that is because of some of my history.  Let me explain.  When I was in high school, I was anorexic.  Then, later in life, I would say I was a closet binge eater.  I wasn't bulimic or anything, but food was a major source of comfort.  I feel like just recently, with the 21 Day Fix, I have learned good eating habits and actually had a healthy balance for the first time in my life.  So, being in a good spot, then doing something like this was hard.  The 3 Day Refresh is 3 shakes/day as well as some various fruits, veggies and healthy fats.  Lots of water too.  I also had jaw surgery in college and was wired shut for 8 weeks, so I think this reminded me a lot of that too.....liquid diet for 8 weeks is a little scarring, I suppose.  So, maybe it brought up some past issues for me?

2. I think the other part of the equation here is our family is under a lot of transition with a lot of changes.  Eating is something that is pretty normal for me, yet during these 3 days, it was another change.  Something else that was "taken away," if you will.  I'm in a place where I will hang onto anything I can that is normal and eating is one of those.  I also didn't work out in the 3 days, which might have something to do with it.  I'm a creature of habit and it messed up my routine!

3. My period came during it.  Not sure how much weight that has, but it is a factor.

All in all, I lost 2 pounds, which I was happy with.  Again, being honest, I weighed myself before doing this and was surprised at my weight.  I don't normally weigh myself because it messes with my mind too much.  So, I hopped on the scale before this and was happy {maybe for the first time in my life with the number on the scale.}  So I was in a good place before doing this.

I like the 3 day refresh and can see the value in it for before a wedding, class reunion, vacation, etc.  I think it definitely has a place and a purpose and can be helpful to people.  Is it something I will actively promote and encourage people to do?  Probably not.  Only because my heart and passion is teaching people how to take care of themselves through their eating, exercise, water intake, what they feed their mind, etc.  I don't know that this program is 100% in line with that and that is ok.  It's a good program, people are loving it and seeing results, which is awesome!  It just maybe isn't the best for me.  I am willing and open to try it when 1. my period isn't coming and 2. we aren't in so many transitions.  It might make for a different experience for sure. As promised, here are the pics.  I did lose 2 pounds but think my before picture looks better, LOL!

What's Your Health Worth To You?

It seems to me that we have a lot of problems in our society.  "Duh, tell me something I don't know," you're thinking.....One thing I see is that we don't have a high enough value on our health.  Instead, we have a high value on things that are cheap.  Often times, those things don't go hand in hand.  Healthy food is more expensive.  It just is.  It's sad, but that is how it is, at least now.

I've been drinking Shakeology since February and I love it!  It helps my sugar cravings, has helped me lose weight, build energy and get healthy.  It's awesome and it tastes good too!  At first, I thought it was expensive, but when I learned more about it and thought about it, I asked myself, "what is my health worth to me?"  I am worth it.  My family is worth it.  This is something I am willing to spend money on.  I can cut Starbucks out of my budget and my diet.  I can cut eating out out as well.  I am willing to do this.  

For just about $4.00/day, I love getting those benefits I mentioned above of reduced cravings, more energy, a healthier life and weight loss!  What else do I get for that $4.00/day?  Let me break it down for you -

1 bowl of exotic fruits, including gogi and acai
4 cups of broccoli
7 whole carrots
10 cups of cauliflower
3 cups of romaine lettuce
4 cups of mushrooms
3 raw onions
1 cup of peas
4 cups of red radishes
4 cups of nonfat yogurt
1 shot of wheatgrass

And, that adds up!  I promise you if you bought all of that for one day, it would cost WAY more than $4.00. So, what is your health worth to you?  Are you willing to give something up to get healthy and be the best YOU you can be?  You are worth it, friend!  I promise!  

Just in case you're visual, this is for you!

Inner Strength?

I love this quote in the picture above!  As I have been on my health, wellness and fitness journey, I have noticed something.  When I originally began down this road, my intent was to lose weight.  The 21 Day Fix accomplished that for me!  I loved how I felt, I loved how I looked and what it was doing for me.  I decided to continue with my new regimen of eating clean, exercising daily, drinking more water, etc.  I did do a new exercise program though, which I also love just as much!  People were commenting that I looked great, looked like I lost weight, etc., but I didn't really know.  I felt good, liked how my clothes were fitting but had been avoiding the scale.

I tried a new program this week, the 3 Day Refresh, and needed to weigh myself before doing it.  Imagine my surprise when I am 12 pounds lighter than I was when I began this journey just 4 short months ago!  The number on the scale shocked me - I have never weighed that weight before, not even at my lowest weight ever.  I was shocked!

However, I caught myself "slipping."  Meaning, I wasn't working out as hard, or I was slipping with my food choices.  I could justify it because I weighed less than ever.  {Isn't that how I got where I was in the first place?  HELLO!}  So, I had to recalibrate as the GPS says.  Why am I doing this?  I am doing this to be strong, to be healthy, to feel good and be the best me I can be.  Not to be a certain weight, dress size, etc.  That isn't my driving force.  I like this picture because it centers me and reminds me of that.  

Change?

In the week or so I was off the internet, I have made an observation about people, including myself.  People want to change.  There is something in their life that they aren't satisfied with.  Maybe it's a relationship, maybe it's their weight, maybe it's their job, maybe it's their parenting.  Something.  I'm sure all of us have been there.  That one thing that we don't like.  That one thing that won't change.  My question today is why won't it change?

Let's talk about weight for example, because this is common, it is something I have struggled with and something that we can do something about.  {There are some things that, frankly, we just can't do anything about.  In that place, we have to wait on & trust in God, which I'm sure will be another post down the road.}  However, what we eat is another matter, if we drink enough water, exercise and take care of ourselves ~ those are all things in our control.

  I have talked to several people who have a desire to lose weight.  Some people even have a need to lose weight.  Are they willing to do the work it takes to do it?  Some are.  Some aren't.  Some will reach out, ask questions, but that is as far as they go.  They don't actually make the commitment.  So, why not?  What holds us back from doing what we need to do to get what we want?  That is the million dollar question that I don't know the answer to.  

I can speak for myself for some of this.  To be honest, I'm afraid of change.  I like things to be comfortable, which is often familiar and safe.  But is it best?  Often not.  Was eating a blizzard once/week good for me?  NOPE.  But, it was familiar and safe.  And, I liked it.  So, I kept doing it.  But, it wasn't creating the changes I wanted to see in my life.

I went to a different Hy-Vee last week that I had not been in before.  Talk about a near panic attack.  I didn't know where anything was at in the store!  I was uncomfortable and I didn't like it.  I wanted to go to the store where I knew things were, it was familiar and safe and comfortable.  Silly, I know, but it's true.  I am a creature of habit, I like things to stay the same in my life :)  {Maybe that's a control freak?!}  

My point is this ~ why aren't we willing to challenge ourselves in those areas we don't like?  What holds us back from going there?  As the above picture says, if it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you.  Don't you want to change?  Isn't that the point?  Then challenge yourself.  Try something new.  Get out of your way!

If you don't like your job, start looking for new ones.   See what else is out there.  If you don't like your weight, change your eating habits and exercise {I know a great health coach who offers FREE coaching too! :) }.  If you don't like your parenting, read a book to learn better parenting tips.  There are things you can do to change the situation you are in, most likey.  You just need to do it!  So, how are you going to challenge yourself this week in one way to see the changes you want?  Let me know, I want to hear from you!

Wah wah....

So sorry all!  Our internet is down until Thursday so not sure much blogging will take place this week.  Stay tuned the week of July 14 for more great blog posts that help you be the best YOU you can be!  Thanks!