3 Day Refresh Update and Results

On Monday, I did another round of the 3 Day Refresh.  Honestly, I have a love/hate relationship with this particular program.  Let me explain.....

The first time I ever did the Refresh, our family was in the midst of a very uncertain time.  We knew we were relocating, due to Chad's job, yet didn't know where.  Our home had sold, and we were living in an apartment with some of our things, since the rest were in storage.  Since we were transitioning, we decided to homeschool, which was interesting.  {To say the least!}  You could say it was a season of mourning for me.  I was grieving the loss of my routine with kids being in school, our home and neighborhood, knowing we were moving and about to leave our friends and family in Sioux Falls, yet the uncertainty of when or where we would be going.  Did I mention that transition and I aren't the best of friends?  So, it was a tough time for sure.  Due to all of that, the refresh wasn't the best thing for me at that time.  The results were good, but emotionally with all we were going through, I wasn't a fan.  It wasn't that I didn't feel well, or was in the bathroom a lot or anything like that, it was just one more thing I felt that was being taken away from me during that time {food.}

However, since I'm not one to give up easily, I gave it another shot last fall.  Chad was traveling {he didn't think that was a great idea, but why not?}  Thankfully, the second round was much better. Some of it does have to do with hormones, I believe.  This second time, it was at a better time of the month for me ;)   And, this round was much better overall.  I felt great, liked the results, it did what it is intended to do.  {Personally, I believe what's going on in your life has a lot to do with how you feel about the refresh, just based on my experience.}

So, enter round three.  I just wrapped up yesterday.  This time was hard.  Again, might have something to do with hormones and time of the month....just sayin'.  We were back from our cruise, where I completely got off point with my nutrition {exercise was spot on, however! But you can't outrun a bad diet, so.....}, then it was Easter.  {Dang jelly beans! They are little, but they count!}  So, after the cruise and Easter, I was due.  Our normal way of eating is gluten and dairy free due to food intolerances.  {Not allergies, but intolerances. They are different.  If you'd like more info on this, please let me know.}  Needless to say, gluten and dairy were consumed on our cruise, as well as Easter {hello, Buckeye brownies and raspberry coffee cake!}  So, it was time for a refresh for me. Here are my thoughts after the 3rd round:

• My goal in doing this was not to lose weight, or even inches, but to tame my tongue from the sweets and junk I had eaten over the past few weeks.
• I was really tired the first day.  Thinking it might have been my body detoxing from all the junk it had in it.  {I was really off track.......}
• The second and third days were better, but by the third day, I was just ready to eat.
• It made me more aware of how often I eat during the day.  For the most part, I have a good nutrition routine that I stick to, and I was missing that {could be connected to the grieving from the first time?}  
• The inflammation and pain I was feeling were gone after the first day, which is a huge plus! {That's part of what wheat and dairy due to me}.
• I slept great and felt good for most of the 3 days.
• Results, to be honest, I lost 2.5 pounds, no inches....I may have actually gained some inches.  Not sure if that is possible, but it was early when I measured today.  Ha!

So, with my results and ah ha moments from this round, here are my thoughts:

• For me personally, I'm wondering about the quality of weight lost.  Since I didn't appear to lose inches, I'm curious if I lost water weight?  That's a bit odd to me, but just something to be mindful of.  What was lost?  Not sure we will ever know, but usually there are inches that accompany pounds lost on the scale.
• Will I do it again?  Honestly, not sure.  If I need to get back on track, more than likely.  If I feel the need to detox, probably.  To lose weight, probably not.  This is a great program for an event, like a wedding, class reunion, etc., but for me, not something I will do on a monthly basis.  I could maybe see quarterly, but certainly not monthly.

So, that's my honest review of the third round of the 3 Day Refresh.  If you have any questions, please let me know.  I'm a pretty open book and always happy to help.

The Personal Importance of Fitting In, To Me....

Technology is an interesting thing, isn't it?  I have the Timehop app on my phone, but truth be told, it rarely gets looked at.  Yet, for some reason, it caught my eye today.  This post is what I found.  {If you haven't read it yet, please do so.}  In the way of true transparency, which is how I strive to live, there have been some struggles lately. Nothing life changing, major, anything like that, but some struggles none the less. Doubts, questions....the like.

There have been opportunities that have arisen that have caused these thoughts/feelings/emotions, as well as circumstances, as well as questions asked by others.  Then of course, you have the whole picture vs. reality tension that I live in a lot. Seeing things one way, but the reality doesn't match that picture.  Anyone know what I'm talking about there?  So, all that to say, some things have led up that brought me to this place.  Yet, I'm thankful in the midst of it because since returning from our cruise, a goal of mine has to be more intentional with my time.  To slow down and hear the voice of God. He speaks in a still small voice that requires us to be still and listen.  Yet, when our lives are so full and chaotic and over-programmed, it is harder to hear Him.  At least that has been my experience.

So, today, I was reflecting on the blog post mentioned above and my dad.  Wondering what he would be like if he were alive, wondering what I would be like, what our family would be like.....just wondering.  I am curious, you know!  Then, as I was sitting silently in our bedroom taking a mommy time-out {for real, it's spring break here, folks!}, it hit me.  The reason fitting in has always been such a struggle for me.  You might not know that but since I can remember, fitting in has been something I have so desperately wanted.  It doesn't matter where, or with who, it was just important to me to fit in, to be accepted.  In school, starting in elementary years, all the way through high school.  Then, off to college, joining the sorority, and 50 million other organizations on campus {hello!} it continued. {Side note, God always makes everything work for our good {Romans 8:28}.  I became a Christian because I wanted to fit in....that's another story for another time, but ask me about it if you'd like!} This pattern continued past college, way into adulthood.  It's like I was this little girl walking up to people or groups trying to fit in with a piece of velcro asking "do I stick to you?  Do I fit here?"  Have you ever felt that way?

Well, back to sitting silently in our bedroom {another way to tell it's spring break, I'm chatty because there has been ZERO adult interaction today, eeek!!!}, God showed me the reason I struggle with fitting in is because of my childhood.   See, my mom remarried when I was young and as a result, I was the only one in our family with a different last name.  The rest of the family had the same last name, but not me.  Stick out like a sore thumb much?  Somehow that lie got planted there that I don't fit in with my family, so why would I fit in anywhere else?  Thank God for showing me the root of the lie, so I can stand on the TRUTH of HIS WORD and defeat that! Isn't He good like that?

Thanks for reading, was pretty excited about this revelation and had to share to give Him the glory! He will draw near to those who draw near to Him, so draw near, friends!  {James 4:8}.  Love you, friends!

A Very Full Heart ~ Post SS Beachbody Cruise

Hello there!  Sorry that it's been so long since I've written.  Life has been busy lately.  If I'm super honest, it's been too busy.  We are just back from a wonderful 5 day vacation on the SS Beachbody and it was ah-mazing!  It was truly just what Chad and I needed.  Life has been crazy since moving to Indiana a year and a half ago, plus jumping into leading the youth ministry at our church, added to not having vacationed in over two years combined with work, children, and well, life.....it was much needed!

In sheer honesty before the trip, I was struggling....struggling with responsibility. Struggling with juggling all of the balls in my life.  Struggling with purpose.  Struggling with passion.  Struggling with the call of God on my life.  Yes, folks, I was riding the struggle bus BIG TIME!  But, some time away gave me some time to reflect and a perspective.  On the flight there, I read the book "Breaking Busy," and it totally hit home in so many areas. There are questions and exercises to work through and those were most beneficial to me!  I think God had me do that before our trip because He knew I needed to REST and RELAX on the boat!  So, the journey started before we even stepped onto the ship.

Getting onto the ship, nervousness hit me. Would I fit in?  Would everyone be in a bikini rocking a perfect body?  Who would be on the trip?  Will I be accepted?  A lot of insecurity, looking back.  The first night we had dinner with our team, which was great.  I know and really enjoy those people so it was good to connect. 

 

The rest of the time, Chad and I were on our own and kind of did our own thing. We did the daily workouts which were awesome! How cool to have celebrity trainers on the boat with us?  Autumn Calabrese, creator of the 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme and Hammer and Chisel, as well as Sagi Kalev, Body Beast and Hammer and Chisel, as well as Joel and Jericho from Les Mills were who kicked our booties daily!  Tony Horton was also there, but we did not participate in his workout. :( We also connected with some other coaches I knew beforehand, and also met some new ones which was great!  

The beautiful thing to me is that each person is SO different ~ we look different, we have different upbringings, different lifestyles, different shapes, different seasons of life, but we all have ONE thing in common....that is to HELP OTHERS!  For me, more than anything, my vision and mission for helping was increased on this trip!  There is no stereotypical Beachbody coach, we all just have a HEART to help!  Being with like minded people was great!

There is a coach who is also a pastor who was on the trip.  He graciously led a worship service twice on the cruise!  It was incredible to worship Jesus in the open air under a beautiful sun and hear a great word from the Lord.  Pastor Matt preached on the parable of the talents and talked about passion and purpose and what God is calling you to do.  It was very timely for me!

One of my favorite parts was having Chad experience this with me!  He hasn't had an opportunity to attend Beachbody events before, so this was a great time to hear from our CEO, Carl Daikler and other top coaches in the network.  It was great having him there with me and being a part of this world that means so much to me.  

CEO, Carl Daikler

For me, I left with a renewed sense of encouragement.  This is such a strong company whose mission is truly to help others be the best they can be, which is my heartbeat.  I have spent too many years not believing I was worth it, which is a lie from the devil.  The truth is I am a child of God and He gives good gifts to His children.  The same goes for you reading this, too!  Yes, I have been in several other companies before, but this one is SO MUCH different from any one I have been with before.

If you feel led to learn more about coaching, please ask, I would love to share!  Our team is also hosting an event this coming week where we will share the following:

• What coaching is
• How to get started
• How to make money
• How to build a business from home

If you would like to learn more, please let me know.  There is no commitment, this is just information.  If you're at all curious about how this works, please join us!  You are also welcome to fill out this form.

Thanks for reading....I'm sure God will give me more to share with you as I continue on this journey......

XO,
Melissa