transformation Archives - Page 2 of 2 -

The Country Heat Movement

08|9|2016

I was on a call today with a bunch of coaches from my mastermind group that I’m learning SO so much through and one of the coaches…who just HAPPENED to be in the official Country Heat Test Group and got ah-mazing results…was talking about why she thinks so many people are getting insane results with this program and Shakeology. She said she thinks it’s because we’re just getting back to the basics of having fun while working out!

Here she is btw ~ Her name is Lyndsi!
And, these are her results in just 30 days!
Excited?? I know I am!

Ya’ll know I LOVE to lift weights! Strength training has become my passion. I feel strong and driven when it’s part of my routine. But, sometimes I will admit that it’s overwhelming and I start to maybe get TOO caught up in how heavy I’m lifting and I push myself too far and I lose focus on my form and before I know it, my body is paying the price. Weights will always have an important place in my fitness routine but I’m taking a step back from them….I actually have been for a while doing PiYo…..and hitting a different focus for at least a few months with COUNTRY HEAT! And, much like Lyndsi was trying to say, I think often I OVER-COMPLICATE what I’m doing! I still struggle with a little bit of workout ADD and now that my foot is better, I’m dying to get out and do some running. But, what I love about BB programs, is that you don’t NEED to add anything additional to the programs! They work if you follow them! Plain. And. Simple. So, even I need a lesson in often times less is more. I’m ready to do this thing!!! Are you?!?

If you missed it, I took a certification class while I was in Nashville a few weeks ago to be able to instruct this! And, now I just need to practice my little butt off AND find a place to instruct lol!! In the meantime, I’m determined to win a Beachbody Challenge prize with this program!! I’m committing to 30 days of it starting next Monday the 15th and I’m looking for 10 positive, passionate and full-committed people to do it with me as part of a test group! It’s going to be an epic group ~ I PROMISE! I’m implementing new things to keep everyone inspired and pushing their hardest! It’s only for 30 days, so I’m going to be requiring that no one come in with any excuses!! We won’t have time for excuses 🙂

Please join my event page on Facebook for the test group launch and stay inspired by the success stories I’ll be sharing! And, if you’re interested in joining me, you can fill out an app here so I can learn more about your goals and see if this is a good fit for you!!

Believe in you! Join today!

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Real talk with Dina ~ #thestruggleisreal

07|9|2016

This made me laugh! …..’cuz I can tell you I’d rather eat a donut than anything green these days.

I’ve been having a lot of good days with my nutrition BUT my weekends have been tough. Golf nights have been tough. And, I’m still dealing with a ton of bloating and uncomfortableness and crazy weight fluctuations. I also still have some weird things going on when I eat certain foods. I get really short of breath and almost like heart palpitations when I eat things with gluten. So, when I started feeling better, I started eating it again and didn’t really notice any terrible side effects…but one nice thing about trying an elimination diet is you are way more aware of how your body reacts to things.

I think when I started to feel better, I thought I “deserved” to take a break from worrying about what I was eating constantly. But, it was just an excuse and it’s left me feeling really really blah. I’ve even had some of the pain back ~ nothing like before thank goodness but enuf that I know I need to refocus. And, I got a little tough love from my sister this week about getting back on track ~ it really is important and I CAN DO IT!

So, yes, I started a refocused plan of attack yesterday….yes, on a FRIDAY. The old me would’ve waited til Monday. Actually, the old me would’ve waited until after my trip to Nashville at the end of the month or maybe even until summer was over. But, I don’t wait for things any more. My team & I started a 3-week impromptu challenge! #strengthinnumbers

I’ve had this Rocking Fit Body, Mind & Spirit 12-week journal for a few weeks now and I was going to start using it when I started my next new fitness program…which is likely going to be Country Heat!! BUT, again, I just remembered yesterday that I don’t wait for things anymore!! I’m almost 2 weeks into PiYo and loving it! And, it’s time to take my power back from food again!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the back!!

I’m working on a separate blog post about my plan to get my health truly back to optimal but here’s the short of it!

I’m on a 7-day adaptation plan of the M.A.D.E. Diet. It was put together by a top coach in the network, Melissa McAllister. She has been doing IF (Intermittent Fasting) for a long time and she is AH-MAZINGLY fit. I love IF because I don’t love to cook and prep a lot, so this lets me off pretty easily lol. This plan is a HFLC (High Fat Low Carb) plan that is also GF (gluten-free) & DF (dairy-free). Now, I don’t love anything “low” when it comes to eating ~ but often plans tagged with this more mean you are eating the right carbs ~ complex carbs from fruits, veggies and certain starchy foods like sweet potatoes…which have become like an every day staple and are so nummy! So, this is my plan until just before Nashville when I do the 3-Day Refresh! I do this every few months and always LOVE how light and energetic I feel and I wanna head into Nashville feeling the best I can AND full of energy because it’s go-go-go and not a lot of sleep! Then in the beginning of August, I’m going to do something called the Ultimate Reset. It’s a 3-week detox from Beachbody and people rave about the results….mostly how they feel when they’re done! AND, THEN, I’m moving back into the Whole 30 plan. Again, I will have a separate post detailing more of what I’m doing but I had tried Whole 30 about a month ago and it was so hard but it was so good. I hated it and loved it all the same time. (I partly hated it ‘cuz it was SUPER hard to watch labels and find things I could eat…I know more now and was making it harder than it needed to be….but seriously, I couldn’t believe how many foods have hidden sugars and soy in them and other crazy things you can’t pronounce!) My doctor ultimately advised against it for me at the time…so, I was doing it on my own. She wanted me eating a low-fat, low-fiber diet and breads and pastas….which for IBS that is somewhat recommended. But, I do believe there are reasons that may not be the answer for me. And, honestly one of the bigger reasons she didn’t want me doing it was because she thought stress was contributing to my tummy problems and since I’ve told her about my issues with food, she didn’t want me over-thinking and over-stressed about food choices. But, I’ve learned a lot more about it….learned how I can do it without as much meat….I’ve found where I can get allowed foods more easily….and, I’ve been connecting with a fellow coach who has lost over 100 lbs. with it but more importantly she has shared with me how it has changed her life…changed her relationship with food. And, honestly, that’s what I’m after. I can’t tell you how amazing it would be to be free of the chains once a for all. I have done really well in the past 3 years and can’t imagine where I’d be without the support system I have, but when I’ve fallen, I’ve fallen kinda hard.

I’m writing a new story tho ~ and it’s not going to be about my struggles with food! It’s going to be about how I worked really hard to overcome…and I hope it will help others who maybe struggle like I have!

So, here I am with a new set of “before” pics! They never get easy….trust me. BUT, it’s for motivation…it’s for accountability. AND, since I know first-hand the scale doesn’t always tell you the truth about everything, I rely on pics to gauge my progress!

Ha, do you like my peeling left shoulder? ick.

I do still use the scale as a gauge but it doesn’t hold nearly the weight it used to….no pun intended lol. My weight ~ 179.8.

And, just for fun and a BONUS, my new fave shirt from the Pulse Boutique! I’m in love with this online store!!

Ok, so there you have it! Believe me when I say, it’s hard to come up here to share my story and it’s yet again another story of my struggles. But, I’m confident again! I took a little break and although I’m disappointed in myself, I’m human. I will always be the girl who decided to go for it….over and over again…every day. I truly believe you have to make the decision to go for it every. dang. day. Let go of yesterday. Let go of last month. Let go of last year. Focus. On. Today. And, then do that over and over and over again. #TodayMatters

Oooh, and another bonus. For the record, I don’t like Walmart. If I could, it would always be online or Target. BUT, I’m not proactive enuf and am often forced to go there! But, you can find good deals and cute stuff sometimes! Like those tanks I talked about last post…or cute coffee mugs if you’re like me and have a coffee mug addiction! How cute is this?!?

Peace out and happy weekend everyone!

Faith In Motion

06|30|2016

I remember sitting in a Subway restaurant with my sister, Kristi, years ago when she asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks.

Yes, it was years ago….but I remember it like it was just yesterday.

It was totally casual ~ we were munching on sub sandwiches and catching up after not seeing each other for a while, when out the blue she asked, “Can I ask you a question? How is your Faith?”

I was honestly speechless….and uncomfortable.

I had no idea what to say to her. I had no idea what my answer was.

The truth is, I’m not sure at that time in my life Faith was even important to me. And, to this day, I can’t remember how I responded and that makes me very sad.

I was still going through a time where I questioned how a God that is supposed to love and protect us could allow such tragedy and loss in our lives.

I was feeling alone and helpless, and I’m certain at the time I hadn’t prayed in a long, long time.

Kristi is a lot younger than me. And, I remember thinking at the time, this girl is smart. To be so sure of her own Faith at her age really touched something in me. And, there she was, challenging me and honestly asking me one of the hardest questions I’ve ever been asked.

As I sat there trying to find my words, I remember feeling this overwhelming sense of sadness….like who was I and who was God and could I find Him again? And, then it was as if her question opened up my heart and to this day when I think of that moment, I’m overcome by His spirit.

It would be years later that I found New Hope church and finally felt like I as home. It would be years later when I decided I wanted to be a Christian writer. And, it would be years later when I finally arrived to a time when I can answer that question comfortably and with hope and complete God-confidence.

I always believed in God and that there was a Higher Power. But, I didn’t always believe I deserved or trusted His Grace.

Though the road has been long, I think of that question almost daily, “How is your Faith?” and I finally feel like I’m finding my peace and my place.

So, something hit me at the end of service last Sunday, and I thought about Kristi and that day yet again and I decided I wanted to do something I haven’t done yet and start Faith-based private coaching groups! I want to inspire others and ask the hard questions! I want people who are lost to maybe be able to find themselves again. At the end of every service, the lead Pastor will say, “We don’t just leave the Church….we go and BE the Church.” I want to do for others what my sister has done for me. Because of her Faith and her love and her belief in me, she pushed me to keep finding my way and to find Him again. I’m finding the strength to forgive and maybe more importantly the strength to ask for forgiveness and Grace. I have so many people to say to “Because of you, I didn’t give up.” I want to be that light for others.

For most of my life, I had no self-confidence. I felt weak and as I’ve said in other posts, I’ve battled depression and hopelessness. But, what I found was that the one thing I was really missing was right in front of me….around me….always with me. It was Him. I have spent far too many years looking for something to make me feel better. I can tell you there’s nothing magical about those dang cupcakes I talk about all the time. But, there IS something magical about Faith.

If you are out there struggling with your weight or with food or depression AND if you are the believing kind, I would love to connect and invite you to my newest group ~ FAITH IN MOTION. We will be reading the book Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst. This is an AMAZING faith-based book about why we are made to crave what we do and how we can change and grow our relationship with God to overcome. I have so many people to thank and stories to share about how Hope has changed my life. And, as I start the process of writing my book, compiling stories of Hope, Faith, strength, Grace and life warms my heart and makes me even more passionate about taking the LEAP OF FAITH to write.

If you’ve been following me, you know one of the reasons I’m so passionate about what I do is to be the example I want to be for my daughter. She’s the epitome of my “Because of YOU, I didn’t give up!” Brooklyn’s favorite books right now were a gift from my dad called “My Bible Friends.” They are books filled with stories from the Bible written for kids and they are amazing. I grew up with these books. I even had them on cassette tapes and listened to them over and over. And, the books always remind me of course my dad, but also of Kristi and my step-mom. Those of you reading this who know them know they are three of the most faithful and gracious people you could ever meet and I would not be the person I am without their love and support. And, I want to be sure to instill in Brooklyn what they did for me. I am watching her grow and sit by me in church and want to stand in the aisle during music and it is all amazing to me. We witnessed baptisms in church a few months ago and she was so curious and I told her that I was going to do that some day soon and she asked if she could too. I want to do my best to make sure she never loses her Faith like I did.

And, I honestly have found my way back by surrounding myself with positive, full-of-faith, like-minded people and hosting groups just like this have change my world as I know it! The people I’ve met and connected and bonded with have become my light. I want to keep paying it forward and keep finding new ways to change the world. I’m reminded of a saying on the marquee in Nashville last summer at our Coach Summit ~ “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

INDEED.

As coaches, we are far from perfect. But, we do have a passion for health and fitness and believe that God wants us to move and honor our bodies!

If you would like more details on this new Faith in Motion movement, you can fill out the app below or email me at fitstrongpink@gmail.com to learn more! AND, anyone who joins TODAY, June 30th, 2016, with the requirements and the commitment to themselves, will get a $25 Scheels gift card and this tank top!! *Must not be a coach or be working with another coach.*

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Real talk with Dina ~ The ONE thing.

06|24|2016

How ya’ll doing out there?!?

I want to share a vulnerable and #realtalk series post to talk about a question I had to face this week. And, I want to challenge you to dig deep like I had to and ask yourself the same questions.

It’s just after 11 p.m. on a Thursday night and I just got off a brainstorming call with the leaders of Team Hope to talk about our schedule for the month of July but as often happens with team calls, it ended talking about how amazing the team is and how being a part of it has changed our lives.

Because of coaching, because of my coach believing in me, and because of the amazing people in my life who challenge me to be and do more, I have found so many things to enrich my world….and, ultimately, learn more about myself and find ways to overcome my struggles.

My latest excitement is that I have a new mentor that is ROCKIN’ MY WORLD. His name is Josh Coats of Legacy Leadership and he’s a Life Coach on the John C. Maxwell team. I joked on Facebook the other day that the old me didn’t really even know what the word “mentor” meant…and I would never have been in something called a “Mastermind Group” with a LIFE COACH on the John Maxwell team. In fact, a few shorts years ago, I didn’t even know who John Maxwell is. (If you get nothing else out of this post, trust me when I say if YOU don’t know who he is, go find out. His books will change your life. And, remind me to share a funny story about my hubby….who on our Arizona trip earlier this year didn’t know who he was and what I missed out on because of that lol.)

Ok, so, this 8-week Mastermind is centered around Maxwell’s book called Intentional Living. You can go grab yourself a copy here. Josh says in his opinion this is one of the best books Maxwell has ever written. I’m only one chapter in and I wanted to highlight like the entire chapter.

This could end up being a LONG post lol.

One of Josh’s favorite all-time excerpts from his books is in this very chapter…..”Stop Trying and Start Doing ~ Can we move from where we are to where we want to be just by trying? I don’t think so. Trying alone does not communicate true commitment. It’s half-hearted. It is not a pledge to do what’s necessary to achieve a goal. It’s another way of saying, “I’ll make an effort.” That’s not many steps away from, “I’ll go through the motions.” Trying rarely achieves anything significant. If an attitude of trying is not enough, then what is? An attitude of doing! There is enormous magic in the tiny word do. When we tell ourselves, “I’ll do it,” we unleash tremendous power. That act forges in us a chain of personal responsibility that ups our game; a desire to excel plus a sense of duty plus complete aliveness plus total dedication to getting done what has to be done. That equals commitment. An attitude of doing also helps us to become who we were meant to be. It is this doing attitude that often leads to the things we were meant to do. While trying is filled with good intentions, doing is the result of intentional living.”

Ahhhhh, INTENTIONAL LIVING.

Intentional living is not living the same year over and over and over and calling it a life. Think about that for a moment….

Our Mastermind is centered around the whole concept of living intentionally. But, what does that really MEAN?

The question I had to face on our call was actually asked of each of us in the group and we were to share with everyone the ONE in our lives right now that we’ve been TRYING to do instead of COMMITTING to do and it’s ultimately holding us back. What’s the one thing we are each basically choosing to not INTENTIONALLY DO and it’s therefore preventing us from reaching our goals?

My superficial answer was that not being at my goal weight is still holding me back. I wasn’t the only one who answered with the same and in true life coach fashion, Josh challenged us on our answers.

You see, I say my “superficial” answer because if you’ve been following me for a while you know I talk about my self-confidence issues with my weight never being about….the weight! Ha, I know it sounds like I’m contradicting myself but stay with me here.

He went on to ask, “So, tell us WHY you want to lose the weight.” And, said that he needs to ask that but not to be insulting as he believes we are beautiful the way we are BUT when the first thing that comes to mind to answer a question is that, we each on some level are in fact not okay with our weight. And, my answer was just what I’ve shared on my blog before. I want to lose weight…but I truly don’t think it’s really about….the weight. I didn’t FEEL better or different when I was 30 lbs. lighter. And, I’ve gained the weight back….in fact I’ve yoyo’d many times in my life. So, there is something else inside of me that feels I’m not worthy…..and that I don’t deserve success….maybe that I’m even afraid of success. I have grown so much in the past 3 years, so it’s ironic that although I feel the strongest I’ve ever felt, this past year has been the most painful time in my life other than when my brother died and it’s been a time when I’ve questioned myself the most.

So, when I answered that question by saying it was about the weight, I actually had a slight panic attack inside. I lost my breath. My pulse raced. I started to tear up. Yes, so here’s the deal….I DO want to lose weight….I want to be in the best possible shape I can be. It’s a personal goal. Some people will tell me I don’t need to lose weight….that I’m fine just the way I am. And, again, I’m trying to say this really isn’t about whether or not I NEED to….it’s about what I want to do….and it’s not really for anyone else to say. And, the thing is, I’ve been TRYING to lose weight….but not consistently DOING what I need to DO. I haven’t been intentionally doing. I’m proud of how far I’ve come but what I really had to dig deep and think about was just what Josh asked…..WHY?? Why do I feel I need to lose weight….why it is important to me….and why have I not fully succeeded??

And, my deeper truth is that I’m dealing with depression again and I probably have been for more than a year now. And, whether it’s a cause or an effect really doesn’t matter. But, I do believe it’s what is REALLY holding me back.

It’s not easy to share that. And, it wasn’t easy to recognize it this time in my life because it has been different than it has been before. Before, my depression would leave me hopeless and without direction. It seems crazy to me that I can feel so strong and so different now but at the same time still be fighting such an internal battle of sadness and helplessness. I’m sad…but I’m hopeful. I’m working harder than I ever have to let go of those things I cannot control and of guilt from the past. I even believe it has all ended up making me sick. Stress, anxiety and depression can wreak such havoc on your mind and your body. And, I think it can become a vicious cycle of it making you sick and then being sick making the stress, anxiety and depression even worse.

I’m not sure I’ve shared this anywhere but I have been seeing a counselor since last year and I have also recently been talking a lot with my family doctor about how I’ve been feeling, both physically and mentally. I share this not for anyone to feel sorry for me but because I think all too often people are too afraid or too proud to admit they are struggling or to ask for help. I believe asking for help means you are strong, not weak. And, I feel like I’m on the overcoming side of this now so of course it’s easier to share and talk about. I am feeling so much better physically. And, mentally….well, I’m slowly learning how to let go of the past again.

But, ya know what? Change and overcoming demons takes a lot of hard damn work. I’ve said this before but although I’ve grown a lot, I can’t expect to reverse a lifetime of insecurities, pain and guilt in a few short years. Overcoming depression is very hard and sometimes requires the help of medication. It takes recognizing there is something wrong. It takes asking someone for help. And, often those are the hardest things to do. I’ve been advised to take something. I’m making a personal choice not to. I do believe medication is necessary in certain cases ~ if there is something chemical in the brain happening, medication can help and there was a time after my brother died that I did need it. But, my counselor has said that he believes there’s a lot of power and success in simply moving your body a lot and regularly (ahhhhh, YES! part of the reason I love working out!!) and for me at this point in my life, I want to focus on that and nutrition and my support system and a LOT of prayer.

I share this all today in the hopes it can help someone who may be fighting an internal battle, and I’m extremely passionate about being okay with asking for help. My brother couldn’t find the strength to ask for help and it breaks my heart every day.

And, I share this all today in the hopes that I am challenging you to DIG DEEPER! Ask yourself what’s the ONE thing that’s holding you back in your life. What’s holding you back from achieving all of your goals? What’s holding you back from making that career change you’ve been dreaming about? What’s holding you back from going back to school if you’re not happy doing what you’re doing? What’s holding you back from leaving that relationship that doesn’t serve you anymore? What’s holding you back from losing weight once and for all? What’s holding you back from joining my team if it’s something you’ve considered? What’s holding you back from taking a chance on life?? Are you living your life intentionally??? If no one has told you, I will be the first ~ You have amazing gifts and they are meant to be shared with the world 🙂

Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.

AND, your bonus for the day!

So, after I had to answer my question, I was challenged even more, had to answer MORE questions, AND received a homework assignment (um, yes, I actually look forward to homework….again, not something I thought years ago I would EVER say). I am to research and find things that talk about the power of TODAY and then ask myself every day….many times a day….if what I’m doing is getting me closer to my goals. Since we are only reading a chapter or so a week of Intentional Living, I was to get and dive into Maxwell’s book Today Matters. Josh also asked me if I’m “okay with just being okay.” If I am in the same place a year from now, am I okay with that? If YOU are in the same place a year from now, are YOU okay with that? No one else can answer that question for us. For me, I will never be done growing and evolving. So, my answer was no…..I’m not okay with being in the same place a year from now. And, every year I have made a promise to myself to ask the same question and I’m determined to have the same answer. I actually have a FEAR of complacency WITH the fear of success and those fears have kept me kinda stuck. Fear and depression can paralyze you if you let them. I have too many dreams and goals to be paralyzed any longer. I can’t give 75% today and try give 125% tomorrow to make up for today. If I REALLY want to be able to spend more time with B, if I REALLY want to have financial freedom, if I REALLY want to write and publish that book, if I REALLY want to lose my weight once and for all, and if I really want to kick my depression to the curb, it has to be a DAILY choice to give 100% and a DAILY choice to turn to God when I’m hurting instead of food.

I really hope none of this sounds self-serving because SHE is my reason and my why about getting TRULY intentional with my life…

No one has told this little blonde-eyed beauty that something called depression exists…..
no one has told this little larger-than-life free-spirit that she can’t DO something she puts her mind to…..
and, rest assured I don’t want to be the one who ends up bursting her bubble all because she had to watch me try really hard instead of watching me JUST DO IT.

#realtalk with Dina ~ You can have your cake & wear your skinny jeans, too….

06|10|2016

ok, did I get your attention?

CAKE? #yesplease….. SKINNY JEANS? #canthetwobeinthesamesentence #theanswerisYES

Don’t believe me?

Keep reading.

My goal is to recommend a book a week to ya’ll that has helped me in my health & fitness & sanity & overcoming struggles & #hotmessmom journey we call life!

Welcome to the first official book recommendation! (yes, I have recommended books before today!…but welcome to the first edition of a blog post centered around it!)

Today I wanna talk about a concept I’ve been thinking a lot about lately ~ “never hungry, never full.”

I don’t know about you but I’ve been hungry since like 1980. And, I also seem to always have to eat until I have that ~~stuffed~~ full, completely satisfied feeling.

I’m gonna be straight up honest with you (#keepinitreal) and say that growing up…even well into my adult years if I’m REALLLLLY honest…I would look at thin chicks and be envious. Envious of their metabolisms and their damn genetics and small bone structures and on and on of the list of reasons why I assumed they were thin. I even felt this way about sister. I often thought it wasn’t fair that she “got the good genes” lol. She’s always been thin and tone and muscular and could eat whatever the heck she wanted.

Now, while of course we all have our own unique body compositions and shapes and genetics DO in fact play a huge role, I want to talk about another reason some people just are naturally thin.

Looking back on how I looked at other women…..and now honestly since I’m in a better place mentally and stronger physically….I believe a lot of the women I was comparing myself to simply lived their lives with a healthy relationship with food. They didn’t know some secret I didn’t (ha, well maybe they did…..they somehow knew that food could NEVER solve a problem or a hurt). They didn’t see food as a coping mechanism like I did. They didn’t see food as some magical bean that would erase all their problems. They didn’t eat just ‘cuz they were bored….or tired….or sad….or happy. (Yes, that’s what people like me….emotional eaters…do. And, for me, believe me it’s ERRRRY emotion. Just like I don’t discriminate any food….I like everything….I don’t discriminate which emotion I eat with lol.) They didn’t have unhealthy food behaviors like binging or closet eating.

This is my sister!

She eats when she’s hungry and stops eating before she’s full. And, growing up, she wasn’t the one getting up in the middle of the night sneaking food. She wasn’t the one hiding food. She wasn’t the one who guilted herself to the point of being even more unhealthy and drastic after indulging in something. And, even more to my point about having a healthy relationship with food…..she LOVES food. And, she would be the first to say that! But, she just doesn’t see food the same way I do and therefore the way she uses it is very different. If she wanted (and still to this day) something delicious and decadent, she had it and didn’t spend even one minute feeling guilty for it!

And, now I’m going to divert a little bit but I promise I’ll bring ya’ll back.

In my quest to look at my nutrition as a source of what’s been going on with my body, I grabbed a book of Natalie Jill’s 7-Day Jumpstart. That’s not the book I’m highlighting this week….although it is really good. I LOVE her story! She was broke and didn’t feel well physically or about herself and she completely turned her life around and is now a successful fitness professional, author and a #girlboss I definitely admire! I didn’t get the book because of the title ;). I picked it up because I knew she had celiac disease and promoted a clean, unprocessed, gluten-free diet….(AND, like I said I just loved her story. I forgot to mention she was a presenter at a conference I was at for coaching in Dallas a few years ago, so I’ve been following her ever since). Anyhoo, I’m getting to the point! Natalie Jill also talks about this “never hungry, never full” concept in this book. And, that concept as she presented it isn’t in the context of a specific type of diet you follow ~ it doesn’t matter if you do flexible dieting or clean eating or Paleo! It’s simply talking about how to find a healthy way to look at food.

So, YES, I DO believe you can have your cake and wear your skinny jeans, too!

Again….

Wait.

What????

Is this for real? I know I didn’t always believe it. I believe it now. (Even if it means you have food sensitivities and indulge in GLUTEN-FREE CAKE from time to time! LOL!)

One of the biggest changes that happened in my life after I started coaching was focusing on personal development. It’s actually something the company and our teams talk about like DAILY. We talk about the importance of staying positive, staying driven, digging deep to conquer fears and overcome, letting go of the past, finding your faith and finding hope, and being the best you you can be to help others the best you can! How do you do personal development? You read and listen to books on audio and watch YouTube videos and go to seminars and workshops and listen to podcasts. The options are really endless. And, there is help for everything that you struggle with!

Through personal development and coaching, I’ve been able to recognize my triggers and tendencies and utilize the tools I’ve been given to overcome. From the very beginning and for the very first time in my life (I began coaching when I was 37! Yes, that’s a long time of not knowing better. Like they say when you know better, you do better? #umyes And, it’s never to late to learn….it’s never too late to do better), I was exposed to a completely comprehensive and healthy approach to losing weight and getting in shape that focused on personal development FIRST….an approach to help you lose weight that wasn’t just based on throwing a meal plan and a workout at you. An approach that makes you think about WHY you struggle ~ WHY you may turn to food ~ WHY the thought of working out is too overwhelming to even take that first step. So, yes, I dove into personal development from the very beginning as a coach, and I began to recognize early on my self-sabotage and issues with food were never really about…..food! It’s wasn’t so much about that CUPCAKE but my emotional response to eating that CUPCAKE! My sister would stop at one CUPCAKE! (Or maybe not eat it at all…she doesn’t love cake like I do lol.) I have often binged on them to the point of being sick! But, my awareness and willingness to change and overcome has only continued to improve. And, being a coach and learning how important working on ME from the inside out was!

Ok, coming back around now. I want to start sharing regularly the things I have done for personal development that have helped me. And, if you have followed me for a while, you know I don’t just struggle with food. So, I’m going to be making recommendations for a VARIETY of life’s struggles! This first book helped me really think about what made my sister & I so different when it came to food. It really made me get down the ROOT of why I was turning to food….why I had such a long history of BINGE and closet eating ….or why I even had the other extreme….NOT eating. (Yes, sadly, I’ve went thru those stages as well. I lived on diet coke and sometimes one meal a day and then a night of drinking). And, more importantly, how I could start to overcome once and for all!

Through personal development and growth, I have found the strength and mindset to pray about it! Before coaching and before diving into ways of learning to overcome and finding my Faith again, I honestly never would have dreamed to PRAY about my issues with food! I think I was so ashamed that I felt like I wasn’t even worthy of being able to pray about them. I know now eating well is a form of self-respect and love for yourself and of COURSE that would be a God thing!!

Ya’ll know I’m still far from perfect, which is good because there’s no such thing anyway. And, the book I’m going to recommend isn’t about having the perfect nutrition and never indulging! Yes, I will ALWAYS like my beer and my wine and my cupcakes. And, there are seasons when I’m okay with eating and having them and seasons when I’m not. I’m in a season of not eating them right now. I’m actually in a really TOUGH season of watching labels and being SUPER sensitive to what I’m putting in my body. But, it’s not because I believe CAKE is the root of all evil. (I mean who in their right mind could think cake was evil 😉 ) It’s not because I think the foods I’m eating are making me overweight. And, there’s a chance that after I do this, I may find that I can in fact have gluten and I can have dairy and I can go back to having all things in moderation. Right now, I’m doing this because there’s definitely something going in my body and my nutrition is the one thing I CAN control. But, mentally when it comes to food and my relationship with it, I get stronger every day! This Whole 30 challenge isn’t something I could’ve even gotten 5 days into 5 years ago! And, I can honestly say right now that I no longer body shame or am jealous of my sister or anyone else! AND, I’m eating when I’m hungry and stopping before I’m full! No, I still am not QUITE like my sister or the people described in this book. And, it could take years, if I ever fully do….but just given the fact that I know I can get thru these 30 days make me feel proud that I’m not the person I was 3 years ago.

ANYHOO, here is it! “Thinside Out ~ How to Have Your Cake & Skinny Jeans, too!” Stop Binge Eating, Overeating and Dieting For Good Get the Naturally Thin Body You Crave From the Inside Out. If you dealt with or are dealing with anything I’ve described in this post, I think you’d love this book. And, my suggestion is not to just READ it and move on. Really take it all in! Bookmark the things that really speak to you! Dig deep on what it says. And, start to change your thinking OR if you’ve already overcome, forgive yourself and let it go already!

p.s. I would love to know what you think of this if you read it! And, I would LOVE LOVE to share success stories on my blog! I encourage you to email me if you ever have something you want me to share that could help someone else out there! Believe it or not, I really don’t wanna always just talk about me and my story!! I told someone yesterday that I want to use this blog to also highlight other #girlbosses and strong women!!! STRONG WOMEN….may we be them….may we know them….may we raise them! AND, maybe we have our cake and wear our skinny jeans too….no matter what size you are! (Ha, this would be the never-ending post if I went there right now…that’s TOTALLY for another blog post….loving yourself no matter what size you are! But, that’s what this is ALL ABOUT my friends!)

And, today’s bonus for you!
A recipe for sweet potato fries that looks delish!
I made Whole 30 sweet potato fries last night with just
EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil) & sea salt and they were SOOO nummy
but these sound a little more savory and fun! If you’re GF, do what I did OR don’t use corn starch and sub out the vegetable oil for coconut oil or EVOO (I was starving last night and just wanted to get them in the oven!)
If you’re not, just click the image to go to the recipe 🙂

Progress!

05|14|2016

It’s been a little over a month since I started my newest round of Hammer & Chisel.

And, while I’ve still had some setbacks and still been battling my nutrition, I’m seeing some good signs of progress!

So, when one of my friends sent me this yesterday, it got me thinking that I need to focus on the positive right now! If you read my blog post yesterday, you know I’m still struggling with some things that are affecting my body. Some days I feel really strong and others defeated by it.

But, even on the days I’m defeated, I KNOW I’m not giving up! What’s the saying. Never change the goal…just change the course.

So, THIS was PERRRRRRRRFECT!

I’ve been on somewhat of an emotional and physical roller coaster. BUT, I will always get back up when I fall. Always. And, I hope with all my heart you’re out there doing the same! It doesn’t matter what happened yesterday. It doesn’t matter what you’re going thru right now. Live with your heart! Follow your dreams! Set big and scary goals and then BE OKAY with the roller coaster ride along the way!

My weight on the left about a month ago was 174.7 and right yesterday was 175.
I was down to 170 before my bloating issues popped back up.
And, really I’m still not AS concerned with the scale as I am inches.
But I do need to keep dropping!!

Here are my stats ~ I love the idea of #staturday!
To look at your progress on one of the TOUGHEST days to stay on track….for me anyways!!

Do you guys have that ONE top that just becomes your fave? I think I wear this UA zip-up like once a week!

And, on Fridays, we flex. #sorrynotsorry

So, 7-3/4 inches GONE! My goal before the competition at the end of July is 20 more! Can I do it?!? Watch me try!!

So, yes, my weight hasn’t changed much…but like I said, it was about 5 lbs. like a week ago lol. That’s how much my weight can fluctuate. Heck, sometimes my weight can fluctuate 5 lbs. from one DAY to the next. Don’t get too discouraged if that happens to you! My best advice is to only weigh in once a week if you’re on a weight loss journey! We all know how crazy a woman’s body can be!

I have 15 H&C workouts left in this calendar and then I go into my final round of H&C before the competition! EEEK! I’m sending my pics, weight and measurements to my coach weekly now. And, I’m adjusting some things with my nutrition as I go. Nutrition is key guys! It’s like 80 to 85% of your results. I haven’t always believed that…or maybe WANTED to believe that. But, you can’t out-work a bad diet. Take it from me.

Stay tuned! I would love as much support as I can get these last 2 months!!

Now, who loves Saturday mornings?!? Morning coffee and snuggles and forts with no place to be! And, I’m looking forward to chatting with a new coach of mine later this morning about her goals!! #lifeisgood!

And, bonus for ya. These look delish and easy!

HaPpY sAtUrDaY! Stay true to your health & fitness goals today!