No More Split Personality

Trying to build my fit-business has me a little scrambled, although I know it's worth the sweat {literally} and tears {a few too many recently}. We've been building our new house, so along with that we are trying to mass clean, dust, throw everything in closets or storage prep our current house for showings, and sell it!! But on top of that we have our everyday activities; school, after school activities, coaching volleyball junior high, etc. Whew!! I promise I'm not using this moment as a pity party. I LOVE the hustle and bustle ... I just need to get my time management on point.

I remember starting my blog and using it as a way to write about anything and everything ...as a matter of fact it once had a different name ... but with my newest journey as a fitness coach, I wasn't sure how to balance both worlds. I need to try. So this is me ... trying.

By the way, are we friends? If not, we should be. I love new friends. ;)

I promise to not flood your news feed with unnecessary nonsense. I use it as an opportunity to share something that can be inspirational; whether it's a workout, a life lesson, a recipe ... you name it! I love to help, no matter what it pertains to.

Well, this is a start to blending my two worlds .... stay tuned!!

I Wasn't Always Me

Recently I decided to become a fitness and wellness coach, to help inspire people who wanted to take better care of themselves; to begin new lifestyle! I began advertising my website to start encouraging people who were ready to take that next step!! But I suddenly found it challenging when people would say such things as, "... you've always been small. Of course the program works for you."

Well to that I say... everyone has a story. As another health and fitness advisor recently said, "skinny doesn't always mean healthy." And I couldn't agree more.

So here's my story.

Growing up I never did battle with any sort of weight issues, but with that I never ate well whatsoever. I practically grew up playing sports - gymnastics, softball, basketball, karate, and then volleyball throughout grade school up to my senior year in high school. Being so active I never paid attention to my food intake, because I just thought I could eat whatever I wanted - which is entirely UNTRUE. It wasn't until my body began to mature and staying "fit" didn't come as easy. What was I doing wrong? I'd soon discover the "wrong ways" of keeping off any extra weight gain.

Now before I go any further, my struggles did not involve a serious eating disorder - bulimia or anorexia - but to say my body was malnourished is still an understatement. I began counting calories as if it were my job, and worked out to burn off the [only] calories I had that day. Once I started to see my body lose an inch here and there it slowly became an obsession.

I then enjoyed the idea of being in the gym, because it gave me a sense of confidence. If I was running on the treadmill, or lifting weights, I was certainly keeping any extra weight off. The problem was ... I wasn't putting anything back IN. At the age of 22 I didn't have any children. I would wake up late in the day, eat my first meal as breakfast/lunch, workout a little while later and then have my last meal for dinner. That was my routine. Although I felt skinny, and "in shape", I was FAR from healthy.

Let's fast forward to pregnancy #1.

Throughout the pregnancy, I pretty much ate whatever I wanted [back to that again]. I knew that my body needed food in order for my baby to be healthy, so I gave it whatever it craved. Thus resulting in a good amount of weight gain. Although I know I could afford to gain a little, this was more than I was ever used to. Hello! You just had a baby... it's normal! But regardless, it was an adjustment to now have these extra 20+ pounds to shed. And not knowing where to begin made it even more difficult.

My energy was now consumed in raising my daughter, therefore I hardly had time to get in the gym. I also discovered that if I skipped a meal, my body quickly responded and I was either cranky or even more fatigued. WHAT WAS GOING ON?

....it was a wake up call.

I was introduced to P90X when it first released, and it was the best thing that could have fallen in my lap. I followed the dvds as I was informed to, and learned how to eat the right foods. This was the introduction to my love and passion for living a fit life. I was learning the true meaning of fitness AND nutrition. But mind you, this was by no means the beginning of where I am today. Through the following years I would find contentment and begin settling with the idea that I knew better this time. I had my workout routine, and my diet set in its ways. Eventually, I got my body to a healthy state.

The discipline to remain on that road, however, would soon be challenged by LIFE and its emotional rollercoaster. I would fluctuate up and down, back and forth. And although our bodies were never meant to remain exactly the same, I was going from one extreme to the other - workout hard, or not at all.

There was no balance. I was caught up in a new relationship, my daughter was growing older with needs to be here or there, making getting to the gym a guessing game. [insert "blah face" here]  

Then came pregnancy #2!

With growing older we not only have the chance to gain knowledge, and wisdom throughout our years... but the downside is that our bodies grow older right along with us! Which means, it may become more and more challenging to get that six pack we oh-so desire. Of course, not all of us care so deeply about our abs, but you get where I'm going with it. Now more than ever, I needed to find that "thing" that was going to keep me and my fitness/wellness/nutrition in check!!

What was "my thing" you ask? I simply just loved the way it made me feel! When I felt good about myself, I was happier, when I was happier I had energy, when I had energy I took my kids on outings, when we went on outings they were happy, when my family is happy ... I'M HAPPY!!! It's a cycle of being continuously happy. Who wouldn't want that? With that in mind, I challenged myself throughout my pregnancy and stayed in the gym [or worked out at home]. I didn't diet, but I ate RIGHT. I ate the things I knew my body needed, not just wanted, and it helped my post-baby-body tremendously.

It's not easy, but it isn't impossible either. I learned a lot through my trials of "diets", what was good and what was bad. I wanted to share my story with people, because again we have all come from SOMEWHERE. We didn't just get in shape over night. Some people are born with genetics that allow them to keep weight off easier than others, but for some they don't have that luxury. That's why I wanted to become a Coach. I want to help. I want to be there for people who have aspirations of becoming a better "THEM" and show them that it is achievable!!!! Whether it's pounds to lose, or just muscle to tone, I'm here to try and help get them to where they want to be.

Don't get discouraged with the trials and errors... if I had, I wouldn't be where I am today.

Interested in joining me on my current journey? Check out all there is to offer!!!

A BIG Day for Mee

Today, I am getting baptized.

When I was 7 years old, I remember being baptized alongside my grandfather. Although it was a special moment, I didn't really understand the purpose. I knew it was something I needed to do in order to show my belief and loyalty to our Savior, but never did I really understand it.

Twenty years later, I experienced some pretty life changing events. To read more on that, you can find that here. At this point in my life, I now know what it means to live a life by God. After some grueling trial and fails errors, I chose to turn my life around and live on the path He chose for me. Thus, introducing me to my husband. From there, He continued to provide blessings all around. My daughter was continuing to grow beautifully and healthy... and now we are expecting a son. I could not have imagined this reality if you asked me about it years ago. I am so grateful.

As an adult, I've chosen to get re-baptized with a better understanding of what it is about. I now know the grace of God, and the forgiveness of our sins he provided to us through Christ. Throughout these recent years, I've really come to know myself and practice - EVERYDAY - at being the woman God intended when He created me.

The feeling I have today is unexplainable.

Thank you, Lord, for second chances.

Hello, this is Mee... and my skeletons.

I figured, for anyone interested, it was time to spill the beans a little about who I am, and all that fun stuff! I debated whether this should be a post, or an About Mee page of its own... post won. It's a bit of an overload, and when someone sees a section "About Mee" they don't necessarily want to know everyyyyyyything. Do they? It's like asking a stranger, "Hello, how are you?"...and then reciprocated by a drawn out "my day sucks, because... yata yata yata!". You then find yourself a little stunned, or speechless for that matter. Awkward.

But don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for stories in need of comfort, as my ever-so-patient husband likes to call me "Dear Abby". I'm just saying that excessive responses are not expected at that particular moment and you may be a little overwhelmed - as you may be now with this unnecessary overture. I'm already proving my point. I seem to ramble... but, lets do this.

Now, in case you are wondering, I did not spell the word wrong... Mee was intentional. And all for good reason. Without going into an abundance of detail, my middle name is hyphenated "Danielle-Mee", and as a convenience, (or to my grandmother) I'm Megan Mee. And yes, I like to feel clever by using it as a play-on-word any chance I get. Although, I did try to avoid using it excessively on my blog. Keepin' it simple people. 

Ok, ok... moving forward. 

This is Mee:

So, lets see if I can quickly bore you to tears break it all down:

I am Korean (if that wasn't difficult to notice), but what I couldn't tell you is if I'm 100% or maybe even 3/4 Korean and 1/4 something else. Why, you ask? I was adopted at 3 months old. With that said, my parents are my parents and I do not have any idea - nor desire - of who my birth-mother was/is... was. 

As my faith being an important asset, I knew God placed me with a remarkably loving, selfless family and I could not have been more blessed and fortunate. 

"Ladies and gentleman, the Captain has turned on the Fasten Seat Belt sign. 
Make sure your seat back and folding trays are in their full upright position."

Here we go...

In my early twenties, I enrolled in Cosmetology school with my long time bestie- because we make the best decisions together... hardly - and graduated as a licensed cosmetologist... only to immediately pack my bags and move to another state given the heart sometimes overrules the mind. Figure that one out.

Jumping WAY ahead - sorry it's just best - I found myself back in my hometown, and a new single mom to a beautiful daughter.

Where to go from here? You could say my life took a turn, enduring some hardships. 

But seriously - after moving from state-to-state, divorced (oops, there I said it), and a mother at a young age - OH EM GEEEEEE - who's perfect?? 

I once heard it best stated:

"You know my name, but not who I am; 

you know what I've done, but not what I've been through."

There's been many trials and complete fails errors in my life... none that I should regret - as we learn from our mistakes - but it wasn't an easy road. Although, we aren't dealt anything we can't handle, and have to grow from them, right? At least I did.  

With Faith as my guide, I found my footing back on the right path. Which in turn led me to... what my heart would call "my angel"... my husband. A blessing, that no words could remotely describe and I'm not even going to attempt. He's simply amazing.

With this new love, and perspective that life was just beginning, I found myself focusing only on our blessings - our Faith growing stronger together - trying to always see the good; avoiding the negative. That's not easy to do when the world is what it is, but we can do what we can in our own lives!! I believe we encounter hardships as a way for us to grow - seeing another side to the world - making sure we learn and understand the difference in what's accepted and what's not. For these last years, I have lived a life along side my Faith, as guidance to what life should be about... being good to yourself. In turn, I hope to continue to be a good wife, a good mother, and a good friend. 

FUN FACTS:

- I'm a stay at home mom.

- DVR is a lifesaver when raising a toddler.

- I don't believe in food deprivation and overindulge in carbs .

- Fitness is a necessity, to make up for the above.

- My ability to recite just about every Disney movie is astonishing.

- I have a secret English accent that only my daughter is aware of.

- I'm obsessed with heels, but rarely wear them; I walk fast.

- I recently converted to country music; by miracle.

- I may or may not have a strange attraction to Jase Robertson.

- I'm obsessed with miniature items. It's true..

- I love anything to do with France.

- I need chocolate, like I need air.

There's not much more about me that's not nails to a chalkboard already been said... at least, thus far.

I started this blog as a way to write down - and share - thoughts, not so much opinions, and just everyday things that intrigue me. Although I don't credit myself as clever minded as some, or one who speaks with no filter, I'd like to think I could provide something entertaining in this bloggy world. 

If you're still with me... God bless you!! ;)

Heart-to-Heart

Since as far back as I can remember, finding anything (and I mean anything) shaped like a heart, meant snapping a photo and immediately sending it to my mom - and vice versa!! It's something special the two of us share.

To save time, I'll only display the most recent of our finds:

(1) Crouton (2) Cereal (3) Sea Shell (4) A magazine ad full of heart-shaped items. Heaven!! 

The symbol not only seems to represent "love", but to me, it also represents a bond; something that should never be broken. When you look at a broken heart on paper, it's literally in pieces - not the way bonds are intended.

By definition, a bond simply means: "...to be joined securely to something else." 

A heart, in two, does not abide by such terms; therefore, it shan't be broken.

...but such is life.

Moving on to a happier note - happy blog! - as previously stated, a heart is most certainly known for the symbol of "love". It seems to always bring an immediate cheerful feeling to those who see that little symbol - especially when it's unintentional (our favorite)! Just a little photo of a heart-shaped object can turn my day around in a second!

In closing, here are a few more sweet, heart-shaped moments. 

(talk about the perfect match; coffee AND a heart - I'm trying to contain myself)

Good day to you all!! 

photo credit: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Motivational Monday

The focus for this quote, is geared towards the broken, or sadden, hearts which come from struggles in relationships. Whatever the situation may be, we often ask ourselves, "...why did this happen?". Although, there is no solitary answer for such a heavy question, it's a great lesson in life!! 

Hurt is something that triggers your mind's realization of what your heart can or cannot handle. The lesson? 

...to understand such a message, and to gain the ability to know when/how that pain could occur again, how to avoid it, or how to handle it. 

Now, that doesn't mean to shut down, and shut people out. It simply means to allow yourself to be stronger.