Where Have I Been?

Wow......It has been since February since I have last posted an entry.  My trainer recently asked me if I still kept up with my blog.  I had to think about it and realized that I hadn't!  So many things have changed in my life.  A lot on our plate here at home, I started a new job (which has been amazing), I have been struggling in my journey, and I have definitely fallen off the wagon.

All my life I have a pattern.  Whether it was work, or relationships, hobbies, goals.  I start and throw myself into it but then slowly I cut back and taper off and cut things entirely.  I am looking into why I do this.....I am not lazy.....but there is something.  So, here I am getting ready to start all over again!

I am keeping up with my trainer once a week, but once a week isn't enough.  The at home DVD's make it so easy to slack or turn off or just avoid in general.  Ideally, I would win the lottery and hire my trainer daily and also hire a chef to prep and pack everything for me.  Oh.....dreams....they are wonderful :)

So, why have I returned with my blog?  I need to change my habits and I also felt like I was doing better in my journey when I WAS posting my blog entries.

Since my last post, I have run various races.  A 10k, a few 5k's and various workout programs.  My race times have been embarrassing and disappointing.  It is my own damn fault.  So, how convenient now that I want to start as the weather is turning cold and winter will be here before you know it.

In conclusion, here are my GOALS for the remainder of 2015.
-excercise more regularly
-healthier choices and tracking my food
-more personal development (helps stay positive)
-more time with family and friends
-more unplugging from social networking

What are YOUR goals to finish strong this year.  Have you accomplished any that you set in January?  Thanks for reading and love to you all!

~ <3 ~
Me

Happy 100!

Happy 100th Blog Post!!!

So, I have really come a long way.  I feel like I am on this hamster wheel of fitness and going nowhere.  However, on the same hand, I see pictures like THIS and think "Wow, that is a big difference!".

I started my journey (and this blog) back in May of 2013.  I started training with my trainer in April 2014.  I have run 5k's, 10k's, done full sit ups and some band supported chin ups.  Things that I thought would NEVER be possible are becoming a reality!

I come and go on this blog.  No, I have not been consistent, but it has been so therapeutic to write when I need to vent or when I need to find support to keep going in my journey.  Have I thought of giving up?  OH SURE!  But it is so easy to just give up.  That means I am lazy and really don't care one damn bit about myself, or for that matter those around me.

A few months back, I did become a Beachbody coach.  I stepped away from that because there was a lot going on in my life and I just wasn't ready to commit.  Recently I have gotten back into it and feel so satisfied in my life.  I honestly just wasn't ready last time!  It is so hard to explain, but it just feels right the second time around.

I started by ordering a workout program called Piyo.  I never did it.  Then I read about something called 21 Day Fix.  It is a food portion control program and it helps you to not only eat the RIGHT amount, but to eat the right foods to fuel your body!  At this point in my life, I decide to say "What

the hell!".  I mean really, what else do I have to lose, right?  I get it in the mail....read up and go grocery shopping.  My first week I dropped 1.5 lbs.  Week two I dropped 1lb.  Now this past week I wasn't doing so great with the eating, but amazing with working out.  SO, this is my third week and I cannot WAIT to see how well I do!

Now for me, this program is not just a 21 Day thing and done.  This for me is a lifestyle change to keep me healthy for my family and so I can enjoy life better!  I really noticed a difference.  I have more energy, I am happier and just all around less depressed.  Now, living in Ohio, our winters are dark and dreary, so to feel this good is AMAZING :)

I joined a free online support group during this 21 day challenge and the women have been just so wonderful and motivating.  When we have a bad day, we have support.  No judgement.  It is nice to know I am not alone when I slip up and have the support and the eyes watching me making sure I don't do it again.  My Coach has been great in putting this group together, and I have met some amazing women.

So, you can join as a coach to get the amazing discounted price off Shakeology (which is ugghhhhh  so amazing) or a fitness program, but I signed up for another reason.  For that man or woman sitting there not knowing what to do with their life.  Feeling helpless and lost.  Feeling anxiety and nervousness and apprehension of joining a gym or a fitness group.  I was there!  I started running at 200 plus lbs!  My body ached.  I couldn't breathe!  But you know what?  I did it dammit!

I hate when veteran gym rats say "Oh it'll die down after a month.....no one is going to stay".  SCREW THAT!  You go up to them and say hello.  You put a smile on their face knowing that you aren't staring at them in disgust and shame and full of judgement.  That you are there to support their journey no matter what they weigh or what their goals are.  They need people in their lives that will support them and hold them up when they feel like giving up. 

SO, as I am coming up on two years into my journey now (so hard to believe) I am looking back and remembering why I am doing this and trying to stay focused.  I feel more energized and I feel more fit.  Here is to those who are just getting started!  Don't be afraid to ask for help or support.  The people around you who care for you and believe in you will back you up 100%!

My Reason

~ <3 ~

Me

The Inner Crossfit Struggle and Other Struggles

**Warning - Rant Near The End**

Ok, so recently I started researching Crossfit.  My trainer doesn't like it so much, doctors don't seem to support it, and article upon article I read tells me I will become hospitalized and just fall to pieces.

On the other side, I have friends that are avid "Crossfitters" and some that go every once and awhile.  I also know people who are hard core into it and everything else sucks.

I am so confused!  There are two "Boxes" near my home.  Probably the same distance, however they have different hours.  One has later hours for WOD time and the other has them in the morning/afternoon.  Both have mandatory newbie type classes to learn technique and such so that you DON'T fall to pieces.

I feel like as much time as I put into researching, I can't find anything that makes me decide one way or the other.

On top of that I have the financial struggle.  I want so bad to start the Piyo program through BeachBody and train with my friend who has become a coach.  It's so expensive and I just can't swing it right now but I want to so bad!  OH the struggles LOL

It is so frustrating that almost daily we are bombarded with these "options" for us.  WHICH, by the way, none of them are cheap or feesable.  Why should I have to sit and say "Hmmm groceries this week or a new fitness routine?".  The one that aggravates me the most is the "Hmmm $100 for groceries, or $300 for organic pesticide free so my family can grow healthy and disease free."

WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION?!?!?!?!?!

It should be organic or bust.  We don't need bananas the size of a squirrel or watermelons the side of my 3 year old son.  I will take organic over not ANY day.  BUT.....why does it have to be so expensive.  They are making it too easy to choose the disease causing foods because it's affordable.  Because in today's times you need a double income to aid in child care, mortgages, and other expenses.  SO when it comes to your monthly expenses you have to save money.  After cutting tv, phone....you start looking elsewhere and it is TOO easy to do it to the food.

It digusts me that we live in a country so in bed with pharmaceutical companies and the government that SOMEHOW they have brainwashed a large percentage of people that live here.  Look around....how many fit people do you see?  Not as many as I would like.  When you go out to eat, why do they give you food for 4 people on your plate?

Ok, seriously I could go on and on and on.

My squirrel moment brought to you via: Our son announcing he is swinging by himself.....and he is.  Pumping his legs.  All by himself.  

Ok, so any who.  I guess I am just so overwhelmed that I don't know what to do, where to start, and what to believe.  My sensory issues are on overload and I think I am losing my mind.

If you have made it this far, I applaud you and thank you.  If you didn't, I totally get it :)

~ <3 ~
Me