Love it OR Leave it!

I captured this photo this weekend of the sky showing dark, stormy clouds on one side and white, fluffy clouds with some sunshine on the other side. I see it metaphorically as the good and bad which can be applied to any situation in life, really. What matters most is how you view it! Are you focused on the doom and gloom OR rather the silver lining?

Our outlook on life determines who we are, the attitude we carry, how others perceive us, and how we handle each situation we find ourselves in - good or bad. It has taken me some time to figure this all out but I thought it was the perfect blog topic especially after my thoughts taking the picture captured above. I want to focus on one of the major areas that seem sto impact our lives in a big way - our health. Let me explain.

HEALTH LIVING in a world of UNHEALTHY OPTIONS!

We all want to be healthy! I can't imagine there is any one person in this world that is striving for an unhealthy lifestyle, consciously. The fact of the matter is that living a healthy lifestyle is NOT easy especially when we have grown up knowing one particular way of life. In order to create new habits and leave behind the un-serving ones it requires commitment and dedication in making a change. Change is plagued as one of the most fearful words because it drives you into an unknown area where you start to feel uncomfortable. You are unfamiliar, it requires time and learning of a new way, people begin to view you differently, you start to question yourself, doubt yourself and wish for instant gratification - all things to push you back towards what was comfortable but not necessarily healthy!

When you begin to change your mind (outlook) on living a healthy lifestyle it makes the journey much more enjoyable. Surround yourself with those who understand your struggles, the ones who get the "tiny" wins. Unfortunately there will always be people who try to take you down and know that this is a result of their insecurities in themselves. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with you! It will be projected onto you but it's not you! I promise!

So, rather than focusing on how miserable life is because you're now eating fruits and veggies versus chips, creamy soup and fried chicken, spend some time identifying the WHY of your change! The WHY is the good, the sunshine peaking through the clouds to encourage you to keep going. When you concentrate on everything what you cannot have, you only see the dark and gloomy. It becomes a pity party and really what does that solve other than feeling sorry for yourself that you are in a situation as a result of choices that landed you where your two feet stand. You can continue to choose just as you have and remain status quo and become worse off OR choose a different path that will lead you closer to where you want to be. Your mind is a very powerful thing and like I already stated, your outlook will determine much about your life. 

Do you love the body you're in? Do you love the attitude you wake up with every day? Do you love feeling like you do? Do you love how your clothes fit? Do you love your reflection from the mirror? Do you love how you feel after the food you eat? Do you love you?

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Which opposite will you CHOOSE to see and live?

Good or Bad

Love or Hate

Happy or Sad

Light or Dark

Healthy or Unhealthy

Forward or Backward

Can or Can't

Will or Won't

Hope or Despair

Float or Sink

Alive or Dead

 

I could continue on but I'm sure you get my point. Until next time, choose to see the positive rather than the negative and watch how your world changes because if you don't love it then you have the choice to leave it. xo

What's YOUR Story?

Everyone has a past. We all live in the present. And many of us dream about the future. One thing ties us all together. We all have a story. A story about where we have come from, where we are now, and where we are headed.

** Picture taken at San Diego Zoo - wild at heart ** 

Some find comfort in their story while others never put any thought into it. I love when others open up to me about who they are, times they've been hurt, how they've prevailed, when they've struggled and when they've succeeded. I'm not interested in people's stories because I'm noisy, I'm interested because its a way for me to connect with them. Could I form a strong connection with this person based on our experiences? What drives them? What are their fears? What holds them back from going after everything they want in life? What is their STORY? What can I learn from them? And can I add value to their life? These are questions that steer my interactions with people I meet and those that I already know. Let me be clear, I'm not looking to save the world. I'm looking to connect with others beyond surface level conversation. I want to know what makes someone who they are, what makes them tick and what pushes them to tock.

I call these types of interactions heart-to-hearts. They come from a place of vulnerability. It's honesty at its finest. Since I can remember I have always valued having heart-to-heart conversations with others. In my About Me section of MySpace (and I'm dating back), I added things I love and heart-to-hearts was part of it. I guess I never realized WHY until now. It is a way for me to connect with someone on a completely different level than every day to day interactions. It is an open window of opportunity to learn about someone. Maybe its simply talking about a passion of theirs. Or a time that was relatable to a time in my life. Whatever it is, it was powerful to me then and even more so now. I crave these types of conversations. But as I grow older, I find people are more shut off from telling their story.

What I've learned is that people are afraid to share their story. There is a wall built during some point of our lives called "it's nobody's business what I've been through." This wall is a form of protection. It protects us from judgment of others, shields us from embarrassment of things we did that we may not necessarily be proud of, and keeps us in a zone of comfort knowing that we don't need to talk about where we've "been" if we don't want to.

At one time I felt this way until I dug a bit deeper into my history. I acknowledge now that I am who I am because of all my life's experiences. I may be a different person if I never experienced the things in my past. I may not know the strength within me if I didn't experience hurt. I would absolutely not understand true, genuine love if I didn't experience dysfunction. I wouldn't know what unconditional love meant if I never encountered conditional love. I may never have understood the power of family if I never challenged their guidance. What I'm trying to get at is that everyone should own their story, realize it has brought them to the place they currently stand. Some will be proud while others not so much. It's a way to take your own inventory to determine is this a path that I want to be on? If it is then stand tall and proud of who you are and where you're headed. If it's not, then it's time to re-evaluate what you want out of life and how you can make changes. Change is not easy but at times is necessary.

So I end this blog asking you, what's YOUR story? I will be posting a separate blog about MY story to share with the world. If I can connect with/inspire/motivate just one other person than sharing was more than worth it to me. I'm proud of who I am today and wouldn't be here without where I've come from.

Thanks for reading and until next time hold your story close and be proud to share it because you just may impact someone else's life in a way you never imagined. We all have a story. xoxo  

Two Kinds of People

When I began coaching I was introduced to the idea of personal development! Some may call it self-help or therapy. It has really been life changing for me. I have and continue to learn a significant amount about myself and my interactions with others. I read and/or listen to audio daily. Some people may frown upon personal development which continues to confuse me so I don't spend much time on figuring out why. The bottom line is... why wouldn't you want to be a better person? Why wouldn't you want to live your best life?

On my way in and home from Boston, I was listening to John C Maxwell's audio on The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. There was one thing that really stuck out to me (many things were worthy of noting but this one thing made me think further in to myself). According to JCM, there are just two kinds of people in this world - those who lift and those who lean. When you really put some thought into it, his statement couldn't be more true? Let's analyze further...

lifters are those who go the extra mile. They are known to bend over backwards for others. You may have heard the expression, "(s)he would cut off his/her arm for you!" This person is a lifter. They lift you up. Lifters want to help others and add value to each life they touch. Their prime purpose for this life is to rise above the negative and bring out the positive.

On the flip side, leaners are those that essentially suck the life out of you. You dread picking up the phone when these people call. You find it a drag to be in their presence as they just bring you down. You could say these are the Debbie Downers of the bunch. Their leaning is tiring and for the most part, does not add much value to others. Their prime focus is on themselves without a care about you.

At times, I would imagine there is some of both (lifting and leaning) in all of us. No one is perfect. However, you are either a lifter or leaner - one more than the other. Whether you lift or lean, it is all dependent on what you choose to maximize on. It is a choice to be one or the other. Just like happiness is a choice. Our attitude will define who we are. We are in control of ourselves and what we allow to impact our lives. The problem with leaners is, some people may not realize they're leaners!

With that said, I challenge you to take a look within yourself. Do you add value to others or do you suck the life right out of them?

Thanks for reading! Until next time I ask you, are you a lifter or leaner? xoxo

The First Step

 

The first step is always the scariest. It is fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failing. Fear of falling. Fear of public humiliation. Fear of struggle. Fear of not being good enough. It is fear that holds us back. It keeps us in our ever so lovely area called the comfort zone. I once read the quote, "comfort zones are comfortable because they're familiar not because they're healthy." Boy does that ring true! We settle for what is comfortable.. out of fear. We could very well be unhappy, unhealthy, miserable, and desperate for change yet many never take that first step to propel in a different direction. The direction that could lead to happiness, healthiness, joy - all the things that life is meant to be.

 

Many people will and are starting a new fitness/weight loss program today. But that is not the first step. The first step is recognizing a change must be made. Do you feel uncomfortable when you sit because your clothes are too tight? Maybe you can't help but focus on the negative when you see your reflection in the mirror. Or quite possibly are just unhappy but aren't sure why. Whatever it may be, what ever could be the driver to change - recognizing it needs to go in a different direction IS the first step. It means that you recognize something needs to be done, you must take action. Take responsibility that YOU hold all the power to say at any given moment, the story does not have to end this way. That is the first step. 

 

Now many will think, oh big deal - that's not that scary! It takes a lot to own your issues and do something about them. Taking action can be just as scary and nerve racking. Asking for help is staring fear in the face. Fear will tell you that you can't allow people to know that you're struggling. Fear will tell you that it's easier to say "this is life!" and "I must suck it up." Fear will tell you that you can't do it even though right now you may think you can. Fear will stop you dead in your tracks and make you second guess yourself for even considering a change needs to occur. To ask for help or support is one of the bravest things you can do. I think we take it for granted what kind of courage that requires. People do not understand the power of support. The power of knowing you are not alone even though you think you are. It becomes a healing process. A learning process. You develop. And before you know it, you are becoming that person you always dreamed about. Things that seemed unfamiliar and uncomfortable will begin to become your new comfort zone. But you can't get there without that first step. 

 

 If you've taken that first step and are now executing, here's to you. Day one is tough. It gets better. But we all have been there. And getting through day 1, is the only way to get to day 2, and so on. I celebrate you, your courage, and dedication to be more than fear will allow you to be. If you know you need to change, I highly encourage you to reach out. You will be overwhelmed by the support a positive community can offer your life. I can help you if you need a friend.

 

Thanks for reading and until next time do not let fear dictate how your life is lived. You deserve more. xoxo

It's (NOT) a Pyramid Scheme

 

When you reflect upon your job, do you feel satisfied, content, and happy? Do you dread Sunday because you know the following day you will be returning to your J.O.B for the week? At any point in time does it cross your mind that there HAS  got to be a BETTER way?

I'm guilty of it and so many others are too! The great society we live in has pinned all Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) structures as the big ole pyramid scheme. Without hesitation we are quick to tell someone, "ohh... you're part of one of those pyramid thingys?" or "Nope, I'm not interested in being involved with a pyramid scheme!" As I already stated, I'm most definitely guilty until I educated myself and learned the power of an MLM structure. It's not a pyramid scheme, those are illegal and I do not participate in illegal activities. Here is some food for thought...

When you stop and think about all the qualities your dream job would have, what would they be? I'll wait... go ahead, grab a pen and paper ... you may want to begin with things that you don't want in your job/career? Now brainstorm all the things that would be ideal.

Let me guess... it looks something like this - no boss, no punch clock, no commute, no alarm-clock, no politics. You do want - room to advance/personal growth, time freedom, financial freedom, fun, rewarding/meaningful, appreciated, supported, positive environment. And there may be more items on your wish list but most people will tend to fall somewhere in these areas. Here comes the problem, society has brainwashed people to believe our dream job does not exist or it exists but with a great deal of risk. One more thing society has all wrong.

If you want to educate yourself on MLM I highly suggest picking up the book Go Pro by Eric Worre. He does an outstanding job in explaining why Network Marketing isn't perfect, it's just BETTER. He further explains that all jobs fall into 1 of 5 categories: blue collar, white collar, sales, traditional business ownership, and investing. None of these categories will satisfy that dream list you drafted above, for numerous reasons. And this, my friends is where Network Marketing comes into play.

I'm going to give you a look into how Eric describes why Network Marketing is better.

Companies have choices. They can dive into the ever-fragmented world of advertising to get the word out, they care hire a large and expensive sales force to sell their products or services, or they can utilize Network Marketing to tell their story to the world.

More and more companies will choose to use Network Marketing because it fits the New Economy. They can provide all the corporate support and pay distributors on a purely performance basis to promote their products. It's extremely efficient because in the New Economy, word-of-mouth advertising continues to work better than any other form of promotion. The company can just take the money they would have spend on advertising and promotion and pay it to their distributors to spread the word. 

What that means for you as an entrepreneur is that you can receive all the benefits of traditional business ownership without the typical risks. And there will be no cap on your income, because Network Marketing companies WANT you to make as much as possible. If you're going to be paid for performance anyway, why live with the cap?

Network Marketing for sure fits the model of your perfect career list. It gives you the freedoms to be what you want with no restrictions. There is just one thing that that people must know when moving forward with MLM and Eric describes it perfectly, "you must accept a temporary loss of social esteem from ignorant people."

There will always be someone that takes the wind out of your sales. Somebody who tries to discourage you from taking a risk to be better. Some people who whisper that you're apart of a pyramid scheme. My suggestion is to embrace these people. Do not let them take you down. You are put in this place because you belong here. We are all meant for something better and what is sad is that only a small percentage of us find it. Don't be one of those people who settle because "that's just how life is." NOOO - that is not how life is and you have every opportunity to make your life everything you want it to be.

Thanks for reading and until next time, don't be closed minded to things that you don't fully understand... the best opportunities surface when you open your mind. xo

   

Never Give Up

TRUST THE POWER WITHIN

 

 

 

To never give up ... to push with all you've got and then just a little bit more. This can really apply to all areas of life. I find that many times we give up on ourselves and don't even recognize that we're doing it. We throw in the towel way too soon and perhaps when a miracle is just about to happen!  

 

In 2013, I followed the theme of dreaming BIG. It was something that completely changed my life. It became a way for me to envision my future just the way I want it. It has kept a fire burning inside of me to go for the gold and create baby steps that propel me in the direction of my dream(s). Was it scary to set really big goals... umm YES!! I am a perfectionist (one reason why I don't do well with scrapbooking - haha) in some areas of my life and work is one of them. I guess I could be called a bit obsessive about things. I want to know everything about everything. I will ask a million and one questions until I feel like I'm gaining a solid understanding. So for me to dream big, it came with the fear of failing. Failing was not something I have ever embraced. I used to make excuses as to why I did what I did or find reasons to justify it so that it didn't look like failure. Maybe I was trying to mask the disappointment of others so I didn't feel so bad about myself. Whatever it was, I didn't own it or take responsibility for it until I began to really focus on me. Looking back now, every failure that I did come in contact with developed strength and character. I learned what to do, what not to do, what I like, what I don't like, how to forgive and how my attitude can determine the outcome of any situation - overall the most valuable learning experience ever. And for the record every day is a new learning experience to take in and grow from.

 

Fast forward, now living in 2014 the theme is to NEVER GIVE UP! What a perfect way to piggy-back on 2013. Dream really big and then never give up on that dream. It almost brings me to tears to think how powerful these two years will be in my 33 years of existence. I have set some pretty hefty goals for myself and I know that as long as I believe in me (even when others do not) that I can achieve every.single.goal I set and then some.

 

The video in this blog is the perfect depiction of never giving up as the miracle is just about to happen when you push really hard and then give just a little bit more. True inspiration. Gives me chills. Apply this concept to all areas of life: personal, professional, relationships, etc and you are sure to live an amazingly fulfilled life.

 

Thanks for reading and until next time dream big, set goals, take action and remember your miracle is just around the corner. xo

Miracle of Life

First weddings now babies. The waves of life! At my age, most of my friends are now married and having kids. My Facebook newsfeed is full of cute babies through all stages of life. It's very heart warming to see the love of my friends as parents not to mention how super cute their kids are. With that said how can I not think about the miracle of life? I mean, really think about it!! Two people come together and through intimacy the joining of a sperm and egg create a life. A person... a human being! And then after 9 months of growing this baby, he/she enters the world. Enters the world just as he/she was in your belly! It totally blows my mind. It is truly a miracle. 

Now you may be wondering why my picture is of my cat and not a baby. Well that's because I don't have any kids yet. Having a pet is liking having a kid. You love them as if they were your "kid" so I thought it would only be appropriate for me to post a picture of my "kid" until I have a baby! 

Thanks for reading and until next time, love your baby/pet with all you have! xo

Power of Persistence

Very few words needed for this blog! When you are consistent and persistent, all your dreams will come true. Just believe in yourself and remain patient. 

Thanks for stopping by! Until next time, may all your dreams come true. xo

HOME is where the heart is.

For me the word HOME has multiple meanings...

I generically use the word home when I reference the apartment I live in with John. This is a place of residency for us, a temporary holding spot. We have furnished this place with our belongings and have made it our own. It's a place of comfort and relaxation. This is the place that I'm happy to return to because I know that I have the man of my dreams, Diez (my cat) and my bed all waiting for me. I mean who wouldn't want to come home to a loving man, a loving cat, and the most comfortable king size bed ever? We are even growing a couple porch plants (tomatoes and peppers) as we both want to have a big garden someday when we own some property. We are taking full advantage of making this our home. We make this place the best it can be for us to be happy!


When I speak the word home (from my heart) I'm referencing a place that carries all its weight in gold. The place I knew as a child, teen, and young adult. A place of safety. A place where friendships emerged into life-long friends. A place where everyone knows your name like the show Cheers. A place of knowing, comfort, love, and memories. A place of family, strong bonds, lessons learned, first kisses, and so much more. I'm sure you have heard the quote, home is where the heart is. This is where my heart resides. When I'm having a bad day, I would give anything to be home. When I'm ready to celebrate for whatever reason, what I would do to celebrate at home. For this is where I will always refer to as HOME no matter where I physically live.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read! Until next time, from my HOME to yours - may you find a place of comfort and happiness in your home. xo

The Power of Support

“In your day, surround yourself with people who love you, motivate you, encourage you, and just make you feel good about being you!”

Tonight after work I went for a run with my love. I'm so thankful to have him in my life. It’s so nice to have someone who supports me, motivates me, and encourages me. What is so great about our relationship is that John and I do that for each other. I cannot stress enough how important a support system is. Whether it be a boyfriend/girlfriend, wife/husband, mom/dad, brother/sister, friend ... whoever it may be. Having a handful (or just one will do) of people who are there for you when times are tough, during times of celebration, and when you just want a friend to shop with is one of the best feelings to have. These are the people that will help you grow into the person you want to be, the ones that will make you better. They say you become who you surround yourself with. Make sure you choose wisely.

I know I quoted Jillian Michaels in my last blog but she just makes so much sense. She says everyone deserves to dream big and go for their goals!  Why, hell yes we do! If sharing your goals with people close to you becomes frustrating and upsetting because there is a lack of support then DO NOT SHARE with them! You must find other ways to have a relationship with these people. Only share with the people that support you. This will keep you on the path for achieving greatness.

Thank you for reading. Until next time, find someone who offers you support and be that someone for somebody else. xo

WHY not me?

Remember being a little kid and being asked, "what do you want to be when you get older?" Remember? Maybe you said a doctor, nurse, fire fighter, animal doctor, like your mom or dad. Whatever it may have been - it was your dream. You believed at that time that you would grow into a young adult that could achieve what you believed.

Someone who I draw great inspiration from, Jillian Michaels wrote in her book Unlimited, "We were all born with the desire and the right to be happy. But somewhere along the way many of us got trained - by family, friends, religion, society at large, whoever - to believe that the human condition is predominantly one of suffering. And if we're not happy, it's just because "that's the way things are." That is the greatest lie ever told."

She definitely hit the nail on the head. We grow up to learn that after high school comes college. We must choose a degree for our future at the ripe young age of 18-23. We are so young to make this kind of decision. For me I wanted to be in the dental program at UVM. My parents could not afford to send me there with little to no financial aid and put my older brother through four years at Bryant. Now outside factors play into the picture of how my future will be determined. I ended up going to Bryant for business. Not many of us get a job in the field we went to college for. And if you don't go to college, you are set at a disadvantage from those that did. Society has life pre-determined for you unless you challenge the norm.

I have been out of college now for 10 years. After graduating from Bryant, I went back to school for my masters. I now hold a masters with a hefty amount of college debt and work in healthcare. I have been employed in this industry most of my working life. I have followed the standards just like most people do... until February 16th. This was my breakthrough moment. I decided to follow a passion of mine - health and wellness. I became a coach for Beachbody.  I joined with the intentions of helping as many people as I can get healthy. Never did I imagine how drastically my life would change. It gave me the right to dream again. I have started setting goals and working towards achieving them. Why can't I have everything that I have always wanted? Why can't I live the life I daydream of? Why not me? I challenge you to ask yourself the same question! Learn how to dream again. And when you figure out what you are passionate about, does that align with what you do for work, for your happiness. Start to question what it is that makes you happy. You do not deserve to live an unhappy life just because "that's the way it is."

Until next time,  I dare you to dream ... dream so big that it scares you ... and then go after it!! xo

Until one has loved...

"Until one has loved a pet, a part of their soul remains unawakened." 

Diezel (I call him Diez)

A pet is one of life's greatest gifts. Whether it be a cat, dog, goat, fish, cow, or pig - animals make life more comforting during difficult times, enjoyable through good times, and just simply bring joy to everyday life. Are they work to care for? Of course! But anything worth having, is work. My cat has been with me through what I like to call my decade of learning! My 20's. If you've never had a pet what I'm about to say may not make sense to you but I'm going to say it anyway - having him with me during some of my more difficult days made it just a bit easier for me. Pets truly love unconditionally. They love you when the rest of the world closes the door. They love you when you've screwed up, when you have succeeded, they love you when you are happy or sad. You never have to worry about the love of a pet, if you treat them right. As you probably can tell, I am an animal lover. Animals prolong the life of humans. If you are curious, volunteer at an animal shelter. Rescue a dog or cat. Its so worth it.

 

Thanks for the reading! Until next time, find that part of your soul that is unawakened because you will be thankful you did. xo

 

S H A R I N G not S E L L I N G

Being a Beachbody Coach has been one of the most rewarding and challenging yet fulfilling opportunities for me to date. For so long I have wanted an outlet to help others. It is in my nature to want to help anyone that I can. I am a firm believer that I was placed on this earth for a greater purpose than the average 9-5 desk job. Now don’t get me mixed up. I am very thankful for my full time job that has afforded me my current lifestyle. With that said, I began Beachbody in February 2013 to share my story with others. To share what has worked for me, what hasn’t, and how I can be inspired by someone else. I plan to blog more about my journey of weight loss and goal setting so be on the lookout for that but for the purpose of this blog, I wanted to focus on sharing vs. selling.

When I began coaching for Beachbody, I literally wanted to scream from the mountain tops how excited I was to help others reach their goals!! I wanted to attract as many people as I could to share my experiences, all the knowledge I have gained over the years through my own journey as well as all the information that I was absorbing from Beachbody. I began to tell my friends and family about my new opportunity with coaching and how excited I was to get started. Little did I know how quickly my excitement would turn to fear!! Now understand, I have always been one to engage in conversation about ways in which we can be healthier and lead a more balanced life. This is a passion of mine and if you know me, I’m a very passionate person. I’m a scorpio, what more can I say? About 2-3 weeks into my new venture, I had someone totally try to deflate my excitement. It was not done intentionally but more for feedback purposes. I was told by someone close to me that I was too “salesy” and shouldn’t say this or that when I talk to people. At first, I allowed this person to take the wind out of my sail. For a moment I felt defeated at what I thought was going to be a life changing experience for me. It closed me off with fear of telling anyone about coaching as they would just think I'm trying to sell them. It made me very emotional and sad. I couldn’t understand why this person would think I was “selling” them on something and not know my true intentions of the conversation. I stewed in my own thoughts over this for a day or so after trying to repeatedly defend myself around the situation. Here is what I learned:

1.      If you are anything like me, you fear the gym. I hated being at the gym and felt like I didn’t know what I was doing so I mainly did cardio (since it requires little to no thinking). I did very little, to no strength training. How is this productive? I’m holding myself back out of fear that other people are going to judge me! I learned that Beachbody fitness programs offered me the opportunity to look like an idiot in the privacy of my own home. I could try and fail and try again without fearing that someone else was watching me. In the end I have gained confidence in myself and feel better physically than I ever have.

2.      Food is my arch nemesis. It consumes my thoughts all day, every day. I’m thinking about what to have for dinner even before I’ve had lunch. I have become very structured in my eating. I eat at the same times every day and typically I eat the same foods on a rotating schedule. Shakeology has completely altered my world when it comes to nutrition. This all natural, superfood meal replacement has taken the guess work out of 1 meal a day. This is huge for me and the health benefits from it are remarkable. I know from diet alone I would never be able to get this much nutrition without drinking Shakeology. It has helped me to lose weight, curb cravings and I’m regular for the first time that I can remember. And to top it all off, it tastes so good, keeps me full until my morning snack or lunch, and is healthier than any breakfast I grab on the go. With breakfast taken care of, now my thoughts only stick with lunch and dinner. Makes my life much easier. If you have ever struggled with weight, I'm sure you can relate to me on this.

3.      How can I not want to share with other people the benefits I’ve gotten from Beachbody? In my opinion, it would be selfish of me to keep this a secret. Here is the deal … I’m not here to “sell” anyone on anything. I am simply sharing what has worked for me. Beachbody workout programs and Shakeology have changed my life. The workout programs can be done in the privacy of your own home and Shakeology will help with your nutritional goals. Some people may take it as a sales pitch, but I’m living proof that the products work. I use the products every day. I’m not out promoting something that I don’t use myself. If you want to better your health and nutrition then of course I am going to tell you what has worked for me, that's how I've always been. Beachbody has worked for me. If you are interested at that point, then I can help you get set up. It really is as simple as that. Maybe too many people have been taken advantaged of in their life and constantly have their guard up about being sold on something? That is not my intention at all. My purpose for being a coach is to help others find inner and outer strength and beauty within themselves.

Thanks for reading! I didn't realize I had so much to say. Until next time, don’t always think that people have an ulterior motive. What they say could change your life...  xo

Don't wish for this... wish for that!

Today I am going to keep it simple with a couple of quotes that will give you some food for thought. I am a big fan of Jim Rohn. If you have never listened to him, I highly recommend you do. He will rewire your mindset, leave you believing, and inspire you that change is good. How your life pans out is up to you.

"Don't wish it was easier, wish you were better. Don't wish for less problems, wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenge, wish for more wisdom."

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"It's not the blowing of the wind that determines your destination, it's the set of the sail. The same wind blows on us all; the wind of disaster, the wind of change, the wind of opportunity. The difference in where you arrive is not determined by the wind but the set of the sail.“

Take a moment and really absorb the message in these two quotes. Re-read if you must!! Do you sometimes wish life was easier on you, do you wish that things didn't seem so difficult or challenging? Life is going to happen regardless of how you feel. Make yourself better and life will get easier. And to piggy back the second quote on the first, it is how we handle what happens to us that makes us better. We all face problems. It's not a matter of you or I being isolated from everyone else, but how we rise from the situation to make it better. To grow and to learn. I would love to hear how these quotes directly relate to your life and how these will impact you to make a change in your current reality.

Thank you for reading. Until next time, believe in yourself that you are worth any change that makes you better no matter how difficult it may seem. xo

UnRestricted - The Name

 

 

UnRestricted – Mind.Body.Soul was created for the purpose of helping others find their inner strength and beauty without limitations. The mind, body, and soul are the three most powerful aspects of one’s life – the mind can prevent the body from achieving, which results in the soul being unhappy. Let's explore this further ...

 

As most of us know, the mind is a very powerful thing. It is what helps us to achieve great success. On the flipside, it also can prevent us from achieving great success. Our mind can be our best friend or our worst enemy. I'm sure many of you have had that voice in your head that screams, "eat some comfort food!" or "you know you'd rather sit on the couch and catch up on reality tv than to sweat and be out of breath!" This is very common. We all face this very same challenge. It is up to us to overcome the negative self-talk and rewire our brains to believe that we are blessed with the ability to workout. We are blessed to have healthy food choices. It is crucial to get negative self-talk under control in order to be the best we can be.

 

Our physical appearance, or the body, is how many of us are judged. At one time or another, you judged someone by their physical appearance. Whether it was someone overweight, someone with a lot of tattoos, or simply what the person was wearing. Whatever it may have been, we all have judged someone else at one time or another. Was it right to do? Nope! I believe people judge others based on their our own insecurities. For example, the pretty girl who walks into the room decked to the 9's. Automatically, there are a handful of ladies thinking - who does this girl think she is? Did she not get the memo that we don't get that dressed up in this town? I can guarantee that the ladies judging are the ones that are insecure with themselves and now feel like they may need to compete with this girl that is dressed to impress. Do you not agree? By being comfortable in our own bodies we become confident and carry ourselves differently. The body is a very important piece to the puzzle.

 

Lastly, our soul is what keeps us stable. It is our inner happiness. How can we be happy in our relationships if we are not happy with our self? Finding inner peace first leads to outer peace. To be loved is one of the greatest feelings in the world and to be able to love back adds so much pleasure to life.

 

With all that said, I started Unrestricted - Mind.Body.Soul because I’m committed to helping others find healthy ways to improve these three areas through exercise and nutrition. Becoming healthy and strong mentally, physically, and emotionally opens the door of opportunity for true happiness. Its time we unleash those restrictions and become the best we can be!

 

If you are interested in viewing my Unrestricted page, please visit www.facebook.com/Unrestricted2013.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Until the next time, keep loving yourself and believing that all great things are possible, even for you!! xo



Reflections of the Past

Welcome to my blog! The whole blogging arena is new to me but I thought what better way to share my journey than to blog about it. I would like to give you some history of how I became so passionate about health and wellness so here we go...

For so long I lived uncomfortable in my own skin. This dates back to junior high school. I can remember being envious of the other girls who had flat stomachs, who were able to attract all the guys, who could wear clothes that I couldn’t even think about with my body type. From then into my adulthood, I would look in the mirror and hate the person reflecting back at me. I didn’t dislike my internal self because I knew at the core of me, I was a great person but I hated the physical appearance of the person staring back at me. I was never content with the way my clothes were fitting. The spare tire ruled my life. Little did I know that all of this would impact all other areas of my life.

In college I was never confident or felt pretty enough to pursue any of the handsome fraternity guys. I was intimated at the thought of even starting conversation, never mind romantically pursuing. So to play it safe I became a friend to all the guys. I was the fun girl who liked to party. I drank my way through college to feel comfortable with my physical appearance. Alcohol was a way for me to have confidence and the courage to be me with little to no insecurities. After college, I continued with this destructive lifestyle with no desire or knowledge of how to change to make myself feel good, feel good without the assistance of alcohol.

Due to a lack of self-confidence, I attracted just that. I dated all the wrong guys; the heroin addict, the father-of-two “divorcee” who lied about his life, the insecure guy who had a terrible childhood and would project all his issues on to me. I began to live in a world of destruction and had no idea. I couldn’t understand why I always wanted to “save” these guys. Now that I look back on it, the only person I needed to save was myself.

From as far back as I can remember I’ve always been the “heavier” girl in my group of friends. I can remember thinking, I wish I was as thin as this person or I wish I could wear clothes like that person. I became very self-conscious of my body. In 2006 I hit the scales at my heaviest weight of approximately 170 lbs. I say approximately because I used the oldest scale available (the non digital kind that you set to zero yourself) hoping that it would somehow mask the truth of how far I let myself go.

In 2007, I was left behind by the "divorcee" only to find myself at the heaviest I can remember. For some reason or another, I believed that I was happy during those days. I never realized how overweight I became. It wasn't until I was alone that I decided it was time to focus on myself and find my place of comfort. I started tracking my food with CalorieKing and exercising regularly for the first time in my life. I felt good. I started to lose some weight and feel good about myself. I was down to about 144 lbs. Just as my life was about to take a turn, I met a guy that opened my eyes to a world of hurt I never thought I would understand.

After an extremely abusive relationship came to an end in 2010, I decided it was time to commit to myself. Figure out me. Why was I attracted to and attracting all the wrong people? Why couldn’t I identify all the red flags that everyone else saw? How could I learn to love myself and be truly happy? This was the turning point in my life. I was dedicated to myself for the first time ever. It wasn’t about pleasing anyone but me. I didn’t need to save anyone but me. Step one was to start exercising again. I needed to feel strength both physically and mentally. At this time Insanity was always playing on the tv. This was the perfect way for me to focus on getting healthy. I ordered Insanity and told myself I could do 60 days and I even tried to challenge my family in a contest of who could lose the most weight in 60 days. I began the program only to realize that this was not the right program for me considering I was recovering from a broken hand. I had no idea how much plank work was involved in this fitness program. I tried to modify and continue on only to end up giving up just like I had every other time. I gave up on myself because I was discouraged and didn't believe I could do it.

Exercising was not in the cards for me at this time so I decided to focus on food instead. I joined Weight Watchers and really devoted myself to losing weight. Around this time I started getting chatty with my current boyfriend, John. Unbeknown to me, I would find a best friend and the love of my life. We took things very slow and let our relationship flourish from a distance (and when I say distance I mean Quincy to Brighton – haha). He was everything I had always dreamed about but could never find. I can remember thinking “If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.” Or at some point he will turnout crazy just like all the others I let into my heart. For the first time in my life, I was starting to feel a balance. I felt good health wise because I was losing weight. I felt good romantically because I was dating the nicest guy I had ever met. It was so easy, it scared me. I can remember singing in the car feeling my inner diva surface. And my smile, it was a perma-grin for the whole world to see. I felt happiness like it was tangible. It changed my life, literally.

Over the last couple years, I have stayed at the same weight of about 140 lbs and exercised on and off. On December 31st, I decided to take my life back and prove to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to. I was going to start a workout program and I was going to complete all 90 days. I was so determined that I even started day 1 on NYE because it was a Monday and I am a creature of habit. Who starts a workout program on a Tuesday? I decided it was time for me to leave the excuses at the door and get fit. I bought Jillian Michaels 'Body Revolution and I completed all 90 days. It was the first time I felt proud for completing something.

February 2013, I became a coach for Beachbody. Now if you are not familiar with Beachbody, they are the creators of the popular at home fitness programs such as P90X, Insanity, Turbro Fire and many more as well as the all natural meal replacement Shakeology known as the healthiest meal of the day. Coaching has been one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. I love to help people and what better way than to help others get fit and healthy. I will blog more about my coaching experience so stay tuned for that.

Today I currently weigh 132 lbs and am working towards a goal of 120 lbs. I'm much happier and healthier than I can ever remember. Being healthy for me has been a physical, mental, and emotional makeover. How can I not want to share what has worked for me, what hasn't and how I can help others to feel how I feel today... amazing!! I'm very passionate about health and nutrition. It drives me day to day to be the best I can be. It motivates me to want to help others. It has shaped how I want to continue to live my life.

Thanks for reading. I appreciate your support and kindness. Until the next time, stay healthy and continue pressing play :) xo