Personal Development.. Something I never would have even thought of working on because truthfully, I had NO idea what that even meant. Until now. In my journey of designing my own life and creating my world how I want it to be, and not having it predetermined has been really eye opening. Thanks to some amazing friends and support I have been working on myself. My path with Beachbody is so much more then "Hey, Want to buy this Challenge Pack?" Im learning that I am in control of my own life. That there is no such thing as luck, that in reality, we CREATE our own luck. How cool is that? If you have read any of my blog posts before then my WHY is clear on why I coach.. but WOW is it growing. I have impacted so many peoples lives just sense January when I made that decision to join my team. My life has a whole new element added to it. I feel apart of something way bigger than me, like some huge movement. I get excited to "work" and to connect with so many new people every day. To give apart of my self to them. My guidance, my knowledge, my support, my ears to listen, my shoulder for them to cry on, and my passion for fitness and a healthy fulfilling life. If you would have asked me a year ago if Coaching was a joke or real I would have just laughed at you and agreed. But that is SO not the case. I couldnt have been placed on a more positive team with a more outstanding team leader. Ever get that feeling that God placed you at the right place at the right time with the right people? Ya, well me too, with this. Its kind of crazy sometimes because of how much Beachbody has became apart of our home life outside of the workouts and Shakeolgoy.. What did we ever talk about before this? LOL
So, ive learned so much about myself and what kind of leader I am. Ive never been happier to be honest. Ive been reading The Energy Bus by author Jon Gordon. It really puts into perspective how your thinking can impact every aspect of your life. "ASK. BELIEVE. RECEIVE." Im a much more clear headed individual and and it sure checks ya right in the GUT how alot of "problems" in your life can be related to HOW you are. Ive learned to "pull the weeds" and "stand with tall trees" so to speak in my life. Remove the negative and surround myself with the uplifting and positive. Its important for me to let others know that they can DO anything they put their mind to. The body and spirit acheives what the mind believes. Its never been more true to me. If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, poor health, a struggling marriage, or whatever the case may be, I suggest reading this book along with quite a few others. "The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth" by author John C. Maxwell is another game changer. I thought Id write a blog post on how much things have headed on the up and up. This crazy thing we call life is a hell of a ride:)
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014
Week 3 of Being a Team Beachbody Coach
WOW!! I totally did not expect that my "why" would grow so much in these past few weeks as much as it has, let alone at all... Its something bigger then me now! When I decided to begin my own business as Beachbody Coach I thought I had a pretty good Idea of why I wanted to do this. I wanted to reach out to others and preach the gospel of these rediculously amazing programs, Shakeology, nutrition, support, and faith without fear. I wanted to support my family, help my husband provide for our children and the type of life we only WISH we could lead. We are what most would call "the working middle class". My husband works 9-5 job and I myself a stay at home mom and wife. Its hard.. Its no secret that times are difficult financialy and that most people, us included, just "try to get by". Before becoming a beachbody coach I was cleaning people's houses and scrubbing strangers toilets just to earn a buck to help us because we so desperately needed it.. About a week after the last house I cleaned, I took the money that I had made for our Car Payment and did something crazy... I INVESTED IT. Into myself.. For the first time ever.. because I knew where my passion was, and what being invested into this company would do for us. I became a Coach. At first I was in a bit of a panic.. I thought to myself "Ok.. I just spent our car payment on a choice made from only faith"... BUT..my husband believed in me. I believed in me. I believed in Beachbody, and in turn I knew that this beautiful organization believed in ME too. I was worried how we would come up with the missing money.. I had to remind myself that the money wasnt "missing".. it was now invested into our future. With in my first week of coaching I made that money back and was able to pay our car payment just by doing what I love, helping others with THEIR own fitness and health goals. Clearly by you reading my blog, you can understand why Im totally dedicated to Beachbody.. I still sit in amazement sometimes at how much its changed my personal life, health, fitness,organic awareness, my marriage, Etc.. I could just go on and on really... By my second week... I had reached Success Club and doubled my income.. This was huge to us. And the icing on the cake??? Is when I speak with alot of my customers and friends who Ive helped to make this incredible transition into a new lifestyle and hear for myself the excitment and pride THEY feel for the first time in God knows how long. I had tears.. I had cried because I felt so honored to have played a role in their new journey. I had left a print on their lives. How completely incredible is that?!! I feel so humbled at the thought that I have the ability to really reach out and build relationships with these fantasic people! Now that Im going into my 3rd week of coaching I just smile from ear to ear because WE ARE CHANING LIVES! These arent "products".. this isnt a scam. This is some real deal stuff here. A true impact for others whether its financial freedom for themselves, A new fit and healthy lifestyle, or a life long bond of trust that I can lead them. . I am so excited to see what the rest of my career as a beachbody coach brings to so many other people, and how it will save my family in every sense of the word.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
SHAKEOLOGY: What I wish I would have Known...
Nanny..
Truthfully this will be difficult to write. When I started to write my blog I made the decision to be completely raw and put myself out there, to stand with with only the truth of my words. From the time I was born I grew up in a loving household with not only my mother, but my Nanny and my Papaw off and on. My earliest childhood memories start with this incredible family unit. My parents were divorced and myself and my mother went to live with them. My mom worked hard everyday taking the bus to college to get her degree in the medical field and working at the same time to build a new life for her and I. In the mean time.. during the days I was with my nanny (and Papaw). In the evenings when my mother would come back home from her hard days at school and work, it was a communtiy of family and love. My nanny played a huge role in helping to raise me off and on. Anytime I close my eyes and reflect on the past.. every memory has her in it. Playing with me, coloring, gardening, me helping with dishes standing on a step stool, dinner time, walking me to school.. you name it. Through the years our family stayed so close, like a never ending circle of togetherness. I wish so much that I could express with words what she has meant to me my entire life.. I will have to settle for what my mind can articulate instead of letting each of you put your ear to my chest and listen to my heart for your self.. Of course years passed and I grew up and got older, still going over almost every day. My favorite things that I hold so precious now are the simple things like going over with my mother, Aunts, and Nanny and just laughing and talking at the kitchen table. Eating. Sitting outside on the back porch feeling the breeze from her trees on the hill.. As I sit here so vunerable to you writing this I can see a snapshot of all of us on my desk at the Cheesecake Factory on one of our "Girl Days" at the Greene.. Us gals.. My best friends and some of the greatest loves of my life: My family.. We did almost everything together. Then it happend.. The "C" Word.. My nanny had been having some trouble swallowing and went to her family Doctor to have it checked out. From that point on things begin to blur.. A Tumor they said... Biopsies soon followed and before we knew it a sentence of stage 4 Esophageal Cancer was put into all of our lives. My nanny had cancer. Cancer.. How could this have happened... To her. This woman so genuine and who had touched so many others lives with her kindness and openness to love and accept others. A woman who would open her home to anyone who needed to feel the love of a mother or feel the sense of a family. To the woman who impacted my life so greatly, that this had now punched a hole through my existence. Soon after, treatment began to follow. Agressively. Chemo Pills, Chemotherapy, Radiation etc. Sometimes I wonder if the "treatment" was worse then the cancer.. My family and myself was thrown into a whirlwind of emotions. She was diagnosed in June.. That August my nanny's brothers and sisters from other states came into visit.. Thats when I knew what was really happening. It was a "we aren't sure if this will be our last visit" trip. As we all sat outside with extended family I sat on the ground and rested my head on my Nannys lap who was sitting in a chair. She always had a way with saying nothing but saying everything with a kind simple gesture. She wrapped her arm around me as if to comfort me. ME. Even in her time of need, there she was, thinking of someone else. It should have been me comforting her. Looking back I wish so badly I had the right words at the time. I stayed quiet mostly. I was afraid that If I opened my mouth to speak about what was happening I would just fall apart when others around me needed to stay strong. Eventually.. things worsened and she couldnt eat due to the treatments making her ill and the tumor size in her throat. A feeding tube was placed... And it broke my heart. Just in a short time span I had to watch my beautiful healthy Nanny evolve into someone with a few strands of hair and who couldnt eat, or barely walk. I tried to learn how to "feed her" incase I ever had to. If anything could crush you, that was it. (My mom took care of my nanny daily.. the strength of my mother during this time is something to be admired..)This woman who I loved beyond expression, who took care of me, turned into myslef now sitting helpless trying to help take care of her in any way I could. Again.. things began to progress with her illness.. she was in and out of the hospital for various things due to complications from her treatments. At this point in time I was newly pregnant with my Son. During one of her hospital stays I sat with her by myself. She was awake but seemed to always want to close her eyes. Maybe it made her feel better because it was like shutting off the world. As I sat there in the softly lit hospital room I hung my head and prayed silently. With my Nanny right beside me (hopefully resting comfortably) I felt my baby kick me for the first time..Ill never forget that moment. It was like she was able to be apart of it in a way... When she was released to go home I realized her only nutrience were cans of Ensure. She tried To eat other things or drink but just couldn't.... Shortly there after the holidays were approaching. Thanksgiving Time. I remember just sitting and taking in the scene around me and realizing how sick she was. I went to a bedroom to sit and write her a small token of words. I simply wrote "On this Thanksgiving, I am Thankful for you. My nanny. I love you". Sealed it, And neatly placed it on her night stand. Then Christmas time came... She had just returned home from the hospital (again) this time from pneumonia.. she was weak, wore a head scarf, and was on oxygen. I again was at a loss for words that I now so desperately regret. So we opened our gifts and sat around her.I took her feet into my lap and rubbed them trying to offer the same wordless comfort she has offered to me many times.. A few days later she was back in the hospital.. On New Years day I had gone to visit to be with her and my mother. Im so happy I made that choice.. Little did I know that was the last time we would be able to speak... The details are too painful to go into after that, but she was put on Life Support that very same night. For long days and for long nights, my family and I never left her side. On January 13th 2013 we had the honor of being at her bedside to say goodbye.. Together. Singing to her. Rubbing her hair. Speaking everything we wanted her to know before she left this world to go to be with the Lord. We all held her as she took her last breath. I can remember holding her and holding her hands and trying to memorize every detail of her that I could to hold onto. Its been a year now and this experience has forever changed my life and who I am as a person. A forever hole blasted through my heart. My husband held me for days. Its still so hard to come to terms with it and I personally struggle with forgiving myself for the "what if I could have done more"... Sense becoming more involved with Beachbody and Shakeology It makes me wonder if having had these tools a year ago, if it could have made a difference for her outcome. Shakeolgoy is a super food protein MEAL with the most beneficial vital dense nutrience your body needs and craves.. This instead of Ensure could have made a hell of a difference.. In my opinion. Ive read stories of other cancer fighters and survivors who made shakeolgoy apart of their day and had amazing outcomes. 70 different super foods from around the world. Thats incredible and Truthfully I wish everyone could drink it daily. Im left with the "what if" this could have helped. "What I wish I would have Known"..
Truthfully this will be difficult to write. When I started to write my blog I made the decision to be completely raw and put myself out there, to stand with with only the truth of my words. From the time I was born I grew up in a loving household with not only my mother, but my Nanny and my Papaw off and on. My earliest childhood memories start with this incredible family unit. My parents were divorced and myself and my mother went to live with them. My mom worked hard everyday taking the bus to college to get her degree in the medical field and working at the same time to build a new life for her and I. In the mean time.. during the days I was with my nanny (and Papaw). In the evenings when my mother would come back home from her hard days at school and work, it was a communtiy of family and love. My nanny played a huge role in helping to raise me off and on. Anytime I close my eyes and reflect on the past.. every memory has her in it. Playing with me, coloring, gardening, me helping with dishes standing on a step stool, dinner time, walking me to school.. you name it. Through the years our family stayed so close, like a never ending circle of togetherness. I wish so much that I could express with words what she has meant to me my entire life.. I will have to settle for what my mind can articulate instead of letting each of you put your ear to my chest and listen to my heart for your self.. Of course years passed and I grew up and got older, still going over almost every day. My favorite things that I hold so precious now are the simple things like going over with my mother, Aunts, and Nanny and just laughing and talking at the kitchen table. Eating. Sitting outside on the back porch feeling the breeze from her trees on the hill.. As I sit here so vunerable to you writing this I can see a snapshot of all of us on my desk at the Cheesecake Factory on one of our "Girl Days" at the Greene.. Us gals.. My best friends and some of the greatest loves of my life: My family.. We did almost everything together. Then it happend.. The "C" Word.. My nanny had been having some trouble swallowing and went to her family Doctor to have it checked out. From that point on things begin to blur.. A Tumor they said... Biopsies soon followed and before we knew it a sentence of stage 4 Esophageal Cancer was put into all of our lives. My nanny had cancer. Cancer.. How could this have happened... To her. This woman so genuine and who had touched so many others lives with her kindness and openness to love and accept others. A woman who would open her home to anyone who needed to feel the love of a mother or feel the sense of a family. To the woman who impacted my life so greatly, that this had now punched a hole through my existence. Soon after, treatment began to follow. Agressively. Chemo Pills, Chemotherapy, Radiation etc. Sometimes I wonder if the "treatment" was worse then the cancer.. My family and myself was thrown into a whirlwind of emotions. She was diagnosed in June.. That August my nanny's brothers and sisters from other states came into visit.. Thats when I knew what was really happening. It was a "we aren't sure if this will be our last visit" trip. As we all sat outside with extended family I sat on the ground and rested my head on my Nannys lap who was sitting in a chair. She always had a way with saying nothing but saying everything with a kind simple gesture. She wrapped her arm around me as if to comfort me. ME. Even in her time of need, there she was, thinking of someone else. It should have been me comforting her. Looking back I wish so badly I had the right words at the time. I stayed quiet mostly. I was afraid that If I opened my mouth to speak about what was happening I would just fall apart when others around me needed to stay strong. Eventually.. things worsened and she couldnt eat due to the treatments making her ill and the tumor size in her throat. A feeding tube was placed... And it broke my heart. Just in a short time span I had to watch my beautiful healthy Nanny evolve into someone with a few strands of hair and who couldnt eat, or barely walk. I tried to learn how to "feed her" incase I ever had to. If anything could crush you, that was it. (My mom took care of my nanny daily.. the strength of my mother during this time is something to be admired..)This woman who I loved beyond expression, who took care of me, turned into myslef now sitting helpless trying to help take care of her in any way I could. Again.. things began to progress with her illness.. she was in and out of the hospital for various things due to complications from her treatments. At this point in time I was newly pregnant with my Son. During one of her hospital stays I sat with her by myself. She was awake but seemed to always want to close her eyes. Maybe it made her feel better because it was like shutting off the world. As I sat there in the softly lit hospital room I hung my head and prayed silently. With my Nanny right beside me (hopefully resting comfortably) I felt my baby kick me for the first time..Ill never forget that moment. It was like she was able to be apart of it in a way... When she was released to go home I realized her only nutrience were cans of Ensure. She tried To eat other things or drink but just couldn't.... Shortly there after the holidays were approaching. Thanksgiving Time. I remember just sitting and taking in the scene around me and realizing how sick she was. I went to a bedroom to sit and write her a small token of words. I simply wrote "On this Thanksgiving, I am Thankful for you. My nanny. I love you". Sealed it, And neatly placed it on her night stand. Then Christmas time came... She had just returned home from the hospital (again) this time from pneumonia.. she was weak, wore a head scarf, and was on oxygen. I again was at a loss for words that I now so desperately regret. So we opened our gifts and sat around her.I took her feet into my lap and rubbed them trying to offer the same wordless comfort she has offered to me many times.. A few days later she was back in the hospital.. On New Years day I had gone to visit to be with her and my mother. Im so happy I made that choice.. Little did I know that was the last time we would be able to speak... The details are too painful to go into after that, but she was put on Life Support that very same night. For long days and for long nights, my family and I never left her side. On January 13th 2013 we had the honor of being at her bedside to say goodbye.. Together. Singing to her. Rubbing her hair. Speaking everything we wanted her to know before she left this world to go to be with the Lord. We all held her as she took her last breath. I can remember holding her and holding her hands and trying to memorize every detail of her that I could to hold onto. Its been a year now and this experience has forever changed my life and who I am as a person. A forever hole blasted through my heart. My husband held me for days. Its still so hard to come to terms with it and I personally struggle with forgiving myself for the "what if I could have done more"... Sense becoming more involved with Beachbody and Shakeology It makes me wonder if having had these tools a year ago, if it could have made a difference for her outcome. Shakeolgoy is a super food protein MEAL with the most beneficial vital dense nutrience your body needs and craves.. This instead of Ensure could have made a hell of a difference.. In my opinion. Ive read stories of other cancer fighters and survivors who made shakeolgoy apart of their day and had amazing outcomes. 70 different super foods from around the world. Thats incredible and Truthfully I wish everyone could drink it daily. Im left with the "what if" this could have helped. "What I wish I would have Known"..
Friday, February 7, 2014
A journey. A story. Its something we all have as a commonality. I'm writing this blog to share with you my past, present, hardships,struggles, my joys, and my invaluable gains and triumphs from my own personal experiences. "The Diary of a Fit mom"...Putting it ALL out there. How did I go from zero to my own hero? Truthfully, looking back through the years, my weight and self image issues started as a late teen. Going through the death of a fellow high school friend, emotionally difficult relationships, and other various 'awkward adolescent' problems life began to spiral. I found myself on anti-depressants at the age of seventeen and without realizing it, 30 lbs heavier.. During that time was very hard. I experienced 'fat jokes', and was put down by a select few (who are no longer in my life) about my sudden change. I had gone from cheerleader, to crying in my bedroom not knowing what to do. Luckily, my mother suggested joining a local gym. I had decided that it was time to get off the anti-depressants on my own after having done my own research on the effects of such medication. I slowly decreased the amount and began my daily visits to the Gym with the support of my mother. Before I knew it.. My clothes were fitting better! Then not at all.. I had stepped on the scale a few short months later and saw that I had dropped over 30 lbs! Unintentionally I had also beat the hell out of my depression and kicked it to the curb all by myself. Just from the endorphin rush and thrill of my new found happiness and fit lifestyle.. For 13 years I had continued to go religiously and focus on educating myself through the years on nutrition, health, and fitness. It had become second nature to me, almost like brushing my teeth or putting my pants on one leg at a time. By the time I had hit the ripe old age of 22 (insert laugh here!) I had met and fallen in love with my now husband. At that time I was also making a few other mistakes.. like smoking cigarettes.. I wasn't really thinking of the consequences of what I was doing to my body or the harmful toxins I was letting my organs soak up like a sponge.. My husband suggested that I should quit. That he would help me.. And I did. Cold Turkey and that was 8 years ago. Sometimes I wish I could go back to my 22 year old self and say STOP!!. But we all live, make mistakes, and (hopefully) learn from them. Three years after we met and fell in love we were engaged and soon married! Happiest day of my life.. well, one of many;) Soon we fell pregnant. It was a GIRL! We fell in love from the first positive pregnancy test. Excited is an understatement.. Then, like most first time moms, I thought 'this is my green card to shovel any and all food in my mouth!'. Boy did I.. I surely enjoyed every minute of being pregnant and all the food that came along with it. 140 lbs very quickly rose to 210 lbs.. Foods at that time that I would consider a snack were white soft tortillas with mounds of melted cheese inside and Ranch Dressing all rolled into a burrito.. I would eat two back to back.. Delivery day came and I can remember thinking the weight would just fall off like it does with many women right after they have a baby. We've all heard the tales of women who deliver then POOF they magically drop 20 lbs right there in the hospital. I. Was. Wrong... I walked into delivery at 210lbs and walked right back through my front door at 209 lbs.. And it stayed.. Once I was given the all clear from my Obgyn I hit the gym. Back to my trusty routine of Elliptical, treadmill, weights.. Say it with me now.. Elliptical, Treadmill, Weights... and soon it began to feel like a never ending revolving door of repeating the same damn thing over and over yet not getting the results I was used to. My body must have failed me.. or perhaps I failed it... I sank back into that depression.. but this time it was worse. New mother, screaming infant, a husband who couldn't relate to post partum weight struggles, and anger at my self and my own body for not listening to what my brain was begging it to do. I remember like it was yesterday.. sitting in my closet surrounded by clothes that I couldn't fit into. Trying to do the 'jump and pull' to get my too tight jeans over my thighs and actually sweating because of it. I would sit on the floor my face in my hands and sob. I had became a person that was alone and unfamiliar with the body I was living in. Avoiding social gatherings could only happen for a little while longer as I was running out of excuses why I couldn't make it. Truth was, I was just embarrassed and had no clothes that fit me. One day something happened. Something... Changed. An 'Ah-Ha' moment clicked in my head. "Beachbody"... Im sure you've heard about it.. Maybe you only know of it as "that P90X stuff"... My God it is so much more.. I saw a Million Dollar Beachbody Contest picture floating around social media. She was a mom. She too had been in chains of obesity.. but she GOT OUT. Turbofire was this lovely woman's program of choice. I thought to myself, Maybe.. just maybe if she did it, then I could too.. I figured I had nothing to lose anyways.. I had been slaving away at the gym and THOUGHT I was eating correctly for months by this point. So, I gave it a shot.. I ordered it, got it, and pushed play the very next day.. I had promised myself to commit only to this program and nutritional guide. Clearly What I was doing was not working.. With in weeks from this change up in my routine weight started to melt off of my body. I was shedding my old self and being reborn again into the new me. With in 90 days I had gone from 170 lbs to 135... I was shocked to say the least. Forever indebted to this beautiful company and all it embodies from that program forward. I continued this program and slowly began to incorporate even more! Insanity came into play and before I knew it I was in the best shape in my life. I went from zero to my own hero in such a short time span. It was so far from just a physical transformation that took place. It healed my wounded confidence, and made me feel empowered to change my own life. And I did. I became this person who was determined to live healthfully. Forever. To never lose this love of life again. I went from running in my closet to hide and cry to running in 5 mile races and actually placing. It was like I had broke out of a shell that I had no idea I was living in. I became outwardly healthy. I lived it. Spoke it. Preached it. Ate it. And began to share it. Around that time we had made the decision to grow our family from the three of us to the four of us! I fell pregnant again right away.. it was a BOY!!.. Through out this pregnancy I paid attention to the food I put into my mouth and nourished my unborn child with. I had followed Turbofire for Most of my pregnancy with the low intensity versions and my body responded to this pregnancy beautifully.. Okay.. okay. okay.. YES I had pizza. Yes I had the ice cream.. (give me a break! lol) I had put on quite a bit of weight again.. but for some reason I just didnt have a care in the world with how I was going to get my self back or IF I could. I knew I could.. Hearing from others that after two kids that was damn near impossible and that at 30 my body just wouldn't respond anymore, just fueled my fire to succeed. I like to prove people wrong, what can I say? ;) Just like the first time, with the Okay from my Dr. at 8 weeks postpartum I started Focus T25!! (Thank you Shawn T!) With determination and my husband Donny by my side, and Shakeology (or as I now refer to it, Magicology because this stuff is Crazy Amazing and so nutrient dense its quite life changing) we just totally went for it! Im standing proud today at 7 months postpartum and have lost 57 pounds.. AGAIN. No gym. No revolving door of treadmills or the same weight routine.. Just me. Little old me who refused to let my brain tell me lies of 'you cant'. Ive cried this time around not over depression but out of sheer joy. When you find your health, and you find your self, you have climbed this mountain that was standing before you. Its realizing that something is Bigger then you and it makes you feel GREAT. I can not express to you the positivity in my life and deep with in the person I am now. Just the act of taking control of my own circumstances and becoming a 'do-er" instead of a wisher or a watcher. My marriage is bonded stronger. I feel as though I am a better mother and prolonging my life for my precious babies. For myself! We too often forget to love ourselves. Apart of that is taking care of YOU. So with my two journeys and a story of health, love, life, and wellness that will never end, I made the easy choice to become a Beachbody Coach. I wanted to be able to give people the opportunity that I had to really succeed. To really achieve all the goals they want. I wanted to spread this new found joy of love, health, and life to help end the trend of obesity. Help end the trend of feeling trapped in your own darkness. Guess what folks. There is LIGHT at the end of that tunnel. Im proof positive of that. Twice. If I wasn't a coach I would be cheating you out of this gift of health. These aren't just "products" this is some serious life changing stuff here. I sit here today just in awe that I am helping to support my family just by my drive and love to help others with their fitness and health goals. Its incredible really when you think about it.. One last thing Id like to add on my first ever blog.. is that if you are one of the few who feel like no one understands you or what youre struggle is.. you are wrong and you are NOT alone. I am here. Along with countless other coaches who want for you just what I do. You to have control again and a happy healthful and positive life.
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