Motivational Monday

I'm really trying to do my best to keep my blog up to date... I literally think about writing everyday. It's the thought that counts, right? Believe me, I have tons to talk about! I just don't get many chances to just sit down and write. If I even have 20 minutes to myself, it's spent making sure every inch of this house is without dirt, dust, or toys, beds made, dishes cleaned, floors vacuumed, so we can sell this house and move on with our lives cleaning. {{{ wooo-saaaa }}}But for some reason - that being my son slept ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT - I'm rested and wide awake this morning. And there's indeed a post waiting to be shared. I feel like bells would be ringing in the air at this very moment with Halleluiah chimes.

Last night was the final match of our volleyball season; the Championship! Our girls came in to win it, and that they did.

It was quite an emotional night. Last year majority of these girls came in as seventh graders, and we were privileged to coach them again this season as eighth graders. My heart was so full this entire season, just being able to be a part of their growth; especially in this game. Volleyball in general is something dear to me, but nothing holds a candle to how special PHS Volleyball is to me and so many others. Erika and I have been so blessed to be part of this volleyball program, as players and now as coaches. We hope to have helped mold this young generation to be prepped and ready to take on the next four years! These girls were something so special to us, words can't describe it. Each week I looked forward to seeing them at practice, because they just brought a light into the room. And we could almost always expect laughter. Lots and lots of laughter. I have enjoyed these past two years with them, and will miss them DEARLY.  

Remember September

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!!

Unplug and Unwind

Although it doesn't seem like I do much in the virtual world anymore (considering my blog is left idle more often than not these days), I am constantly on my laptop or phone catching up on any updates, emails, webinars or newsletters I need to know in order to grow my little fitness business stuff. With that said, I took the time to actually "unplug" this weekend, and spend the time with my family! I did have a little boost of motivation to do so, given the fact it was my daughter's birthday!! So I closed my laptop for the entire weekend and just enjoyed my time with the fam. It was amazing.

Here are few details from her Frozen themed birthday party! It was too much fun, and I have to thank my sister-in-law for the cute Pinterest-y ideas, and my daughter's great aunt who made her cupcakes!!

And yes, I had as much fun putting it together as it may look!!! Details are my favorite, and I love being crafty. Not that it was anything over-the-top... except for the Olaf chicken cheese ball!! My mother-in-law made her infamous appetizer (my favorite) but put a nice spin on it for the special occasion. Talent, or what?! :)

Last but not least, on Sunday we spent the afternoon at a local playhouse where we got see Mary Poppins LIVE!!! Audriana loves that movie, and it was such a delight to see her little face so happy, singing the songs along with them! My heart just melts seeing that light in her little eyes. :)

 It was a perfect weekend.

Unplugging may have kept me a little behind schedule come Monday, but it was totally worth it.
 

Currently ...

As life continues on, I realized I'm over a month due in my little bloggy world! In some way I thought I could really balance everything but I'm seemingly incapable of such high expectations!! I'll try harder ...

So here's what I've been up to in the last month!

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!!!