What's Most Important to You?

Crap, I’m running late!  ... I don’t have time to workout ... I forgot my lunch, guess I’ll go find a drive-through! ... I’m too tired to go to the gym ...

Does this sound like you?  If so, you might want to re-evaluate your big rocks.  You know, those priorities you have in life that take up all your time. 

Here’s a little story to explain what I mean:

Everyone has the same 24 hours a day, same 365 days a year, same 12 months.  Imagine your time as a jar.  You fill it with all of your big and tiny rocks every day.  Your big rocks are things that take up most of your time and that are most important to you – like family, spouse, God, friends, work, school, sleep, etc.  Your little rocks are things that make life spicy and fun – like shopping, Facebook, watching tv, eating out, etc. 

Lots of times, we tend to put those tiny rocks in our jar first – and guess what?  Our big rocks won’t fit, and we run out of time for the things that mean the most to us.  Check out the pic below (in this case, the sand represents the tiny rocks):

See how none of the big rocks will fit in there?  This person put all of their tiny rocks in first, and now there’s no time left for the big ones.

Let’s start the day over now.  Instead of getting up and watching a movie, then getting on Facebook for hours, then going shopping, THEN wondering where the time went – put all your big rocks in first, then make time for the tiny rocks along the way.

See the difference?  They all FIT now!  Pretty cool huh?

I have learned that my health and fitness is a big rock in my life now.  If I don’t make it a priority, I don’t make time for it, and I don’t make any progress.  This getting healthy and in shape stuff isn’t just a flighty wish for me anymore, it’s the real deal.  I have passed the point where I sit around and daydream about being that healthy girl (while on the couch stuffing my face with junk food), now I just get up and do what I need to do to get there.  Every single day.  I have a routine, a schedule, a meal plan, a designated food prep time, and a huge thing called DETERMINATION!  I have stopped worrying about pleasing everyone else and putting myself last, and I have started making ME a priority.  When I’m not working on me, I feel really bad about myself, and it affects everything around me – hubby, work, friends, family, etc.  If I’m not happy with me, how can anyone else be happy with me? 

I know that eating healthy and working out can seem overwhelming, difficult, and like a real pain in the butt to those who don’t really want to change – but it IS possible to live a healthy life, get in shape, make time for all of your priorities, AND have fun!  I know because I am doing it! 

If you are reading this, and you really want to make a change in your life – turn it into a big rock and start making time for it.  Don’t let all the little stuff get in your way and waste your time anymore.  Your health and happiness will shine through all areas of your life, and when you make the time to take care of YOU, everything else will fall into place.  

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I Quit My Job Today

...my people pleasing job! :)

Do you ever catch yourself making decisions based off of other people’s happiness instead of your own?  Do you do things that may hinder your journey just to make others happy?  Do you do things because YOU want to or because someone else wants you to?

I seriously struggle with people pleasing, always have.  I care about how people feel, and I never want to upset anyone because I hate confrontation.  I’ve come to realize that when it comes to getting healthy and in shape, it’s kind of hard to be a people pleaser.  I have some serious goals set for myself and for the person I want to be.  This getting healthy and in shape stuff is not always easy, and if you don’t have a strong motivation to hold on to – it makes it even more difficult.  Everyone has an opinion of what they think you should do or not do, and it’s not always going to line up with your goals.  

The first time around that I decided I wanted to get healthy, I did great!  I made tons of progress and conquered many fears.  Yes it was hard, yes I struggled, yes I wanted to quit...and I did.  Looking back, I realize that maybe the reason I quit was because I was doing it for the wrong reason – for everyone else but me.  I wanted to show people that I could do it and wasn’t crazy, I wanted to prove people wrong, I wanted get other people’s approval.   

Well things are different this time.  I’m doing this for ME now.  No more working as a people pleaser for this girl!!!  Now don’t get me wrong, it would be nice if I could still make people happy – but I’m not letting it hinder me or affect my decisions anymore.  When it comes to getting healthy and in shape, I am either all in or all out.  This time – I am all in.  I’m not doing this to please others or get anyone’s approval, I’m doing this because I want to feel better about myself.  I want to be confident, strong, in shape, healthy, and happy.  

I mean think about it...nobody but you is going to know how hard you worked out, how much you didn't want to go but went anyway, how hard that one last rep was, how hard it was to breathe on just one more lap.  YOU are the only one that is going to know how that feels and YOU are the only one who is going to remember that when you are faced with food obstacles.  Since you are the only one who is going to remember all that, other people may not always understand your decisions...and guess what?  IT'S OKAY!!!

Quitting my job as a people pleaser means that taking care of myself is now a priority, and I'm cool with that!  That means saying NO to foods that I don’t need or want.  That means saying NO to activities sometimes that will keep me from working out or prepping meals.   Most of all, that means saying YES to ME.  You only get one life...why spend it trying to please everyone else?  I choose to take care of me, care about my health, to get in shape, and to be an example that it CAN be done. 

Reach your goals for the only opinion that matters...YOURS!!!

The Dreaded Drive Through

As I was out running errands around town today, I passed by lots of my favorite fast food places.  Except things were different this time...my mouth didn’t water, and I didn’t even feel the urge to stop.  It got me thinking, and now I feel like I need to share my thoughts and what I’ve learned about fast food!  To make it short and sweet: STAY AWAY!  If you want to know why, continue on...

I have always had a toxic relationship with fast food.  When I need something to eat and don’t have any food with me, when I need an afternoon pick-me-up, when I’m having a bad day, when I’m bored, when I need an escape...those drive-through windows never fail!  I love me some Sonic cheese sticks, Arby’s curly fries, Taco Bell crunchy tacos, KFC mashed potato bowls – I could go on and on...  

The point is – fast food is HORRIBLE for you!  Yes, it is very convenient and makes eating on the go much easier, but fast food is one of the biggest contributors to me getting fluffy.  At the time it’s so tasty, but afterwards...you feel like crap.  Have you ever noticed that when you eat fast food, you are sluggish, have no energy, and feel a little sad?  That’s because fast food is packed full of preservatives, highly processed, and lacks any real nutritional value.  Here’s a list of reasons you should stay away from those dreaded drive-throughs:

·         Calorie Overload!  Did you know that a Whopper Sandwich Meal from Burger King contains at least 1510 calories?  I mean, that’s almost your whole day of calories in one meal...not good! 

·         Too much FAT!  You know that Whopper Meal...it has 57 grams of fat.  It’s not called a “99 cent heart attack” for no reason.  All that fried junk will clog your arteries.

·        It can make you get Addicted and Depressed!  Seriously yall...according to research, people who eat fast food regularly are 51% more likely to develop depression.

Do yourself a favor - stay away from fast food!!  Your body will thank you, and you will feel much better about yourself for being strong enough to make a better option.  Plan ahead, be prepared, and stay strong!  I hope the next time you see those golden arches you will think twice!

"The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison."

2014 Goals...NOT Resolutions!

It’s that time of year where everyone starts thinking about their New Year’s Resolutions!  Well, I have decided that instead of making a list of unrealistic resolutions that I can’t keep – I am going to make a list of goals I can actually achieve. Yes, some of my goals feel unattainable and really scare me, but if I believe in myself enough – I know I can achieve them.  So, without further ado – here’s my list of goals for 2014:

1. Run a Half Marathon:  ZOOMA Texas - April 12th 
2. Wear a bikini without shorts on and feel comfortable
3. Don't skip more than 2 days between workouts
4. Get into a size 4 pair of jeans
5. Eat clean by following my meal plan and allow myself one cheat meal per week

I know the list isn't long, but these are all things that I have wanted to do for a long time.  Let's be real...I will make mistakes, I will want to quit, and I will want to say oh screw it.  But, this year I am holding myself accountable - whatever it takes.  I WILL achieve my goals, and I will NOT quit!  No more excuses!  Life is too short to keep on getting in my own way, and I'm DONE. I know I have what it takes, and I know I can do this.  

What are your goals for 2014?  Are they realistic, do you believe you can achieve them?  Here's some tips to help you reach them:

• Write it down and put it somewhere you will see it every single day.
• Make yourself accountable to your friends and family by sharing your goals with them. 
• Put it on your calendar.  Having a date associated with a goal makes it more real.
• Make a plan.  If you have a huge goal, breaking it up into smaller daily goals will help you get there. 
• Make a commitment to yourself.  

If you believe in yourself and have the determination - you can do anything!

Food Is Fuel, NOT Therapy

I have learned something about myself this week...I have a problem with emotional eating!  When I get bored, I want to munch on Cheez-its.  When I get stressed, I want to eat greasy cheese sticks from Sonic...with an extra-long chili cheese coney...and a dr. pepper with cherry and vanilla...and possibly cheese cake bites.  When I get upset, I want anything chocolate.  I could go on and on, but it all boils down to the fact that I have lived the majority of my life turning to food for comfort.  Instead of dealing with whatever is going on at the moment, I want to grab food to take my mind off of whatever it is so I can feel better for a little while.  Now what does that solve?  NOTHING!

This is a problem I deal with on a daily basis, and I have to seriously stop and think about food decisions all the time.  Like yesterday, I had to go pick up some medicine from Walgreens...and on the way there, I was like OH! I can grab a Snickers while I'm there!  Then I was like wait, I can't do that because I have to run later.  So I avoided the temptation all together and took the drive-through pharmacy window instead.  Then today at lunch, I had to go run errands...passing by Taco Bell, Sonic, Arby's, ALL those tempting fast-food places.  When I thought about swinging in, I thought about how much progress I have made just the past few days, and I thought about running in the freezing cold last night - and I just kept on driving!

My coach and friend said something the other day, "Food is not therapy" - and it has really stuck with me.  I never realized how much I turn to food to make me feel better, and breaking that habit is super hard!  Is this something you struggle with too?  If so, the next time you catch yourself wanting to go to the dreaded drive-through or grab a candy bar, stop and ask yourself these questions:

• Will eating this help me reach my long-term goal?
• Is this even healthy or is it just empty calories?
• Why do I want to eat this all of a sudden?
• Is eating this going to solve what's bothering me?
• What healthy alternative is there instead of eating this?

AND REMEMBER...

Make the Decision

Where did November go?  Oh that's right, I was hibernating!  This is my letting it all out post, sorry not a lot of tips this time - just wanted yall to know what's been going on lately!

Back in February, I started boot camp.  I kicked serious butt.  I was a lean mean machine, and then my membership ran out.  I thought oh it's cool I'll just take a break for a little bit.  So I did...for about 2 months.  I went back to all of my old habits and quit working out...and it shows!  My pants got tighter, my face got fluffier, my butt got wider, and my confidence got smaller.  Things started stressing me out more than usual, I stopped taking time to take care of me, and instead of going to sweat them off - I would go home, put on my pajama pants, and park it on the couch with food.  I didn't give a rip what I ate, and I didn't care about working out.  

I was driving to work one morning, and I realized that I didn't have a goal anymore.  I didn't have a challenge, and I didn't have anything to work toward.  Then it hit me, do the half-marathon (that you backed out of a few months ago because you were scared)!  So, I signed up.  I decided that I would let things slide until December 1, and then it was game on.  I started back on track on Sunday, and I am SO GLAD.  I know the scale isn't always right, but I have lost 3.2 pounds already!  I have been following my meal plan and working out, and what a difference it makes.  

I've learned this year more than anything that if you don't take time to take care of yourself, then you can't love who you are.  It's really easy for me to put everyone and everything else first, and then I'm left on the sidelines like helllllooo?!?!?  Well I didn't lose all that fat and gain all that confidence before by putting myself last, and I'm NOT doing it anymore.  

Yes, I'm scared and there are lots of things that could hold me back, but I want this.  I've made the decision!  I AM running a half-marathon in April, I WILL get back into all of my old clothes, I WILL be confident again, and I WILL RISE ABOVE my failures!  

Grocery Shopping 101

Do you feel overwhelmed at the thought of walking into the grocery store and buying only healthy stuff?  I mean, healthy food is supposed to be SO much more expensive, right??  Not necessarily!  I have had to re-learn how to grocery shop, and I do it all on a budget.  Just remember, you are on a mission: get the food, stay under budget, and get out!!!

I’ve had some people ask me how I manage to get groceries for me and my hubs for under a hundred bucks every week.  Eating healthy is really not as expensive as the world makes it out to be.  Sure, you can get carried away and start buying all kinds of weird fancy stuff, but you don’t need to.  Keep it simple, keep it clean, and don’t overcomplicate it! 

Here are some tips that I’ve learned that might help you get everything you need to eat healthier while on a budget: 

1.    You must ALWAYS have a LIST!  If it’s not on your list, then DON’T TOUCH IT!
2.    Decide which meals you want to cook for the week, and make sure the ingredients are on your list.
3.    Go in armed with your Benjamin!  I carry ONE $100 bill, and a $10 bill just in case.  If I go over that amount, then I put things back.  Using a credit or debit card makes it way too tempting to spend more than you had planned.
4.    Don’t walk in the door hungry...then you will want to buy everything you see, and you’ll be grabbing all those free samples of foods from the ladies in the fancy chef hats!
5.     The fresh produce and meat sections should be where you gather most of your foods -  veggies, fruits, and lean proteins.
6.    Stay away from processed foods!  The fewer the ingredients listed on the back, the better.  That means NO chips, cereal, ice cream, bread, any of that stuff.
7.     Limit your trips down the center aisles - they are packed with processed foods.  I grab just a handful of things from center aisles - like almonds, quinoa, and spices.
8.    Study those nutrition labels!  Just because something says “sugar free” or “fat free” does not necessarily mean it’s true.  See Butter Betrayal post for more info.
9.    Keep an eye out for sales and coupons.
10.      Resist temptation!  Those cookies are going to be calling your name...ignore them!  If you don’t buy it, you won’t bring it home, and you won’t eat it!

I hope these tips will help you the next time you go get groceries! :)