I think I found my workout soul mate

 

  I don't know what it is but I feel renewed. I am at a point in my journey to health that feels like a light bulb has gone off. I am putting myself first. I am saying no to commitments that will interfere with my scheduled workout time. I am consistently doing my First Place 4 Health Bible study.

 "Now what I am commanding you today is NOT too difficult for you or beyond your reach." Deuteronomy 30:11

There have been so many times in my life that I have been paralyzed with the fear that something was going to be too hard and I was going to fail. So instead of even trying, I would avoid whatever task it was. I have been really focused on this verse. I even hung it up in my office area. A friend asked me to speak on a team call and my first reaction was "no, I don't know what I am doing!! I am not a leader yet!" I saw this verse and my self doubt went away. I do have something to offerand I am now looking forward to the call. Even the little things like maintaining my house. I look around and think "WOW there is just to much to be done." So I don't start. Well that's changing too. 

  

So, on to my workout soul mate. Everyone I know has at least one physical activity that they enjoy.  One that will get them off the couch and moving. For my sister in-law it is Jazzersize. For my friend it is Zumba, For my best friend it is the Just Dance games for the x-box. For a few friends it is running. Others, love going to the gym. Lately I have tried a few different Team Beachbody workouts. Although I liked them I wasn't excited to complete them every day even though I did.

 Then Turbo Fire arrived. I LOVE Chalene Johnson!!! I am on my 5th day of workouts and I am not looking back!! I love them so much that I am going to get certified to teach Turbo Kick classes. I have done other programs from Chalene Johnson so this isn't a decision I am making lightly. I have wanted to teach group fitness classes for about 10 years now. This brings me back to the Bible verse. I have always thought that I would love to teach classes but was afraid to fail so I never even tried. Well things have changed! I feel called to this profession and I can't wait to get started. So stay tuned, I will be teaching by next summer!

Check out the video below. Some of my thoughts about Turbo Fire.

 

Dreaming

What is your dream? If you are like me, your dreams change. When I was eight my dream was to be a mermaid. I lived and breathed Disney’s “the little mermaid”. I spent my summers at the local public pool.  I wore out the cassette recording of the soundtrack three times and watched the movie endlessly.  Fast forward to high school and my dream was just to graduate and move out of my parent’s house. By the time I was 24; I was pregnant with my son and married to a wonderful Man. My dream at that point was to figure out how to juggle all the parts of my life. I was working as a hair stylist, had a small child and a new marriage. It was a rough transition going from single and dating to married and children. We have now been married almost 6 years, have two children and life is much smoother. Our relationship is solid in spite of some difficulties we have faced.  We have been tested and have come out the other side stronger. I thank God every day for my husband.  

My dream now is to be a financial equal to my husband. I am not discounting my role as a stay at home mom. I love my children and my time with them. I would not trade it for anything.  I also know that with two incomes there would be so much more we could do. Dave could be a full time book illustrator (his dream) also working from home. We could buy a house, take vacations, and not live paycheck to paycheck. We have big dreams and with two incomes anything is possible.

 I am so excited that Beachbody has given me this opportunity. Just think of Beachbody as “Avon” but for fitness products. As a coach I get to help others who are on their road to fitness too.  I get to share what I am learning and earn money all from the comfort of my home. I get to be a “stay at home mom” and make a living. I have found something I am passionate about and excited to “go to work” in my home every day.

What is your dream? What are you passionate about? Have you put an effort into making those things happen or are you still dreaming? Anything is possible with work and dedication. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Fight for your dream and make it happen!

Have a Happy Healthy Day!

How do you keep track of your weight loss goals?

 

I was looking around on line for some different Ideas to keep track of my weight loss. My favorite so far is the charm bracelet! So I had to make one :) I add a new charm for every 5 pounds I lose. Each charm has special meaning as they should. The cross is for my faith. Without it I would not be on the journey I am now. The wheel is because I can “weather any storm” the ladybug represents my brother in law who passed away last year, the airplane is because with this new career with Beachbody I get to travel, Vegas here I come! and the B is because I believe in myself, without that I couldn't accomplish anything :)

I love tattoos. Other than my eyeliner that I had tattooed on 3 years ago I am tattoo free at the moment. So I can’t wait to get my butterfly tattoos! I have others planned that represent my children so the butterflies will be after that. I want to add one butterfly for each 10 pounds, a beautiful way to celebrate my journey.

My friend Carol gave me the idea for the water tracker bracelets. I don't do anything without gusto so I now have made lots of these to share with friends! The big bead is your marker and you slide the little beads along each time you have a cup of water, Pretty and functional. 

Have a Happy Healthy day!

How do you deal with an unsupportive spouse?

Today’s blog steams from a question I received from a friend.

“So here is a question, friend of mine is on her weight loss journey too. She has a husband, now he is all for her losing weight but complains when it " effects" him when she doesn't drink on the weekends, when she is too tired for sex, when she doesn't cook the big weekend greasy breakfasts anymore. He had the nerve to ask her to cut down on her workouts so she is not so tired and he is not so neglected. She asked me for advice and all I just had choice words so I figured I would bring it to others before getting back to her. I am so thankful my husband is so supportive!!!”

Are the people closest to you supportive of your journey to health? I feel very blessed that my husband is. Does he still eat a candy bar here and there? Yes, he does. For me that is OK. He is not trying to sabotage me and if he does bring unhealthy food into the house he keeps it in his office. He doesn’t offer me the bad stuff and celebrates my accomplishments with me.

I do have people other than my spouse who are unsupportive. The person who insists I must try the muffins they made. The person who pouts because I won’t have dessert and a glass of wine with them or the person who doesn’t seem to have time for me anymore because I don’t want to drink, or sit around eating unhealthy things. The person who doesn’t say out loud, that they think how I am doing things is wrong, but I can tell in the way we never talk about my new way of life. I am changing my life for the better. No one will derail me from the path I am on. Unfortunately that may mean revaluating some family interactions and friendships too.

So here are a few things to think about and apply to your life if you are dealing with non-supportive people in your life. 

 

Do It For You.

First things first - do not lose weight for someone else.  There are two types of non supportive spouses - one that develops insecurities because their significant other is losing weight and one who constantly berates a spouse because of their weight.  Your wife or husband should not be ashamed of you because you are overweight and they should not harass you about the food you eat or the lack of exercise you do.  That is abuse and no one should put up with that.  If you are at an unhealthy weight, definitely make an attempt to get healthy, but honestly, your weight loss efforts should not be all about looks, but more about health.  Those who lose weight for health tend to keep it off longer than those who take it off to look good in a bikini. Although setting that type of goal is an excellent idea, there should be more to it than that.

If you have the type of spouse who is constantly commenting that you need to lose weight and you start on a weight loss regimen, make it very clear that you are doing this for you and NOT for them.  Make it clear that you will do it your way and in your own time and that you do not need them to comment on what you are eating or that your exercise is not good enough.  Point out that weight loss is not a one-sized-fits-all ambition, but that every person has to do it their way.

A spouse that repeatedly says "You don't need to lose weight, you look fine just like you are" is a bit harder to manage when you start a weight loss program.  Often, that type of spouse is insecure in the relationship anyway and may have it in their heads that you may leave them when you get to your goal weight.  The only way to reassure this type of spouse is to repeatedly comment on the health benefits of the plan.  Comments like "Oh!  These jeans look much better on me now!" will not help in convincing them that you are not doing this for looks.  However, comments like "Wow!  I just walked around the block and I am not winded at all!" will show them that your health is improving, as will visits to the doctor with improved lab test results.  Use those to reinforce that you are doing this to spend more years with them and not to go find someone else.

Willpower - The Antidote to Sabotage

It is tough to realize that not everyone will support your weight loss efforts, and that doesn't always mean your spouse. Many of our gatherings with friends revolve around food.  When we decide to get together, the first question is "What are we going to eat?"   I eat what I want, just smaller portions, and am honest with myself when I log my food into my food diary.  If I go over at a gathering, I try to drink more water or do an extra workout to make up for the extra calories.

So, my best advice if your spouse or friends are constantly pushing food or drinks on you that you feel are not good, stand up for yourself, use your willpower and just say no

Be Prepared for Jealousy

Do you have those people in your life that tell you “You look fine the way you are” “Thicker is better” “Don’t get too skinny, that’s gross” If you hear that from your friends, don't take it personally.  Just smile and say "Thank you, but I just need to get my body healthy".  They may just be feeling jealous that you are succeeding and they don’t know where to start.

Find Support Elsewhere

If your spouse, friends or extended family are not supportive of your weight loss, then find the support you need elsewhere.  Refuse to discuss your weight loss with those who are not supportive, and if it comes up, change the subject to avoid an argument or a hit to your own self esteem. I have found a few different support groups. I am part of a First place 4 Health bible study at church. Meeting once a week with this group of people really keeps me accountable. I also joined an online challenge group with my Beachbody coach. (I will be starting one soon now that I am a coach, so if you would like more information about it please let me know) I believe the challenge group has saved my life. I have a group of people that I check in with everyday, the good days and the bad days. We are there to support each other, and be a someone who understands what we are all going through. 

Support is absolutely necessary to be successful in a weight loss journey.  Not having it can make it difficult to stick with the program.  Honestly, the only way to work through it is to do it for yourself and find the support where you can.  You are your strongest ally and if you are behind yourself, you will be successful.

Have a Happy Healthy Day!