Happy 2013! New Challenge, new goals!

Happy New Year!, almost! Make 2013 your best year ever!! I certainly plan on doing that! I have some big goals for 2013. First of all, I'm going to make my business grow! I want to help as many people as I can get healthy and soon will have some exciting new classes as well very soon! I'll keep you posted!  It's not that I don't like Trader Joes, it's just that I want to pursue my passion and have my income be solely supported by that passion!  As far as my fitness goals.. I have some specific ones. I want to get leaner and stronger than I ever have been in my life! I have some specific goals that I'm sure you aren't interested in but when I hit them, I'm making new ones! It's so important to write down your goals too! I have everything I want to accomplish written down. It makes it more real and it makes me want to to it even more! What are your goals? Not just New Years resolutions.. But real goals that you aren't going to put on the back burner as soon as February is over. Think about it, really think about them and then write them down and then make them happen. This is your year! I know you can do it!! I really believe in each of you if you put your mind to it! I can help you! Your friends can help you. Just make up your mind to do it!! This is your year, 2013... I'll say it again! Go for it! Go get it!  Ok, onto the challenge..... I've been thinking about this today and I've decided that January is not going to be a progressive workout. I'll give you what I want you to do and do one round, two rounds, three... Whatever you can get in... Just keep moving. If you are doing more than one round, rest minute or two between sets.  Do in this order: 100 jump ropes (if you don't have a rope, fake it) 10 push-ups 10 squats 10 compound crunches (lie on your back, bring your straight legs up to meet your straight arms, repeat) 10 jump squats Plank If you have bad knees... Or a problem jumping, than modify the jumpsquats and jumprope... Get your heartrate up... Jog in place or something.  Please do this Every day along with Bootcamp or whatever your regular workouts consist of. You can do this! Start tomorrow January 1st! Lets start 2013 out right!!! Love you guys!! Keep me posted! 

IF IT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU......

I was thinking about this a lot yesterday. what is important to you? I have found that if something is important to you, you will make time and find time for it, no matter what it is. My priorities have changed over the past few years as well as the things that are important to me. I have found that I make time for the things I want to do. Last night was a prime example of this. After spending a lot of time driving, followed by sitting all day at the hospital, I felt like I needed to stay on my workout schedule. I really felt like I had a built in excuse to skip a day..I was tired, traveling, worn out.... But the more I thought of it.. The more I wanted to do it. I sent a FB shout out to my Aurora friends to find a place to exercise. Thankyou for all of the suggestions Robb, Roman and inviting me to our gyms. Anyway, my brother found a free trial online for this awesome complex that the hospital owns. I filled out the info and later in the day.. Off I went. It required I take a little tour, act like I was gonna join... But then it was off to business. Awesome workout, and I felt so good to have done it. I felt strong again for the first time in weeks. I make time to workout a couple times a month with the best trainer in the world. Is it worth my 6 hour round trip drive? Absolutley! I make time to have Coffee with friends when I don't have a lot of extra time, I work with fun people, I enjoy my kids and their sports, I go out on date nights with my husband, I love my church! So many things.. But so worth it all! I am happy! Do I have dreams and goals..yes! Have I made them all work yet...no! I'm not giving up,though. It will happen! What has become important to me has changed. The funny thing is, is not only do I find that I make time for things like God, family, friends, exercise... But what has become most important to me is the things that my family and friends find important. I seem to get such joy out of helping out others and finding purpose and meaning in the priorities of others. I spoke to one of my mom's nurses yesterday, her name was Eloise. It is probably what got me thinking. I just had gotten back from the gym and she made a comment about how that would take dedication to do that. She said that it was too hard sometimes to make time to exercise when she worked such long hours. I told her that she needed to make it a priority and she would find time for it. For me, that was getting up at the crack of dawn to workout... There tend to be few excuses not to at five in the morning. Let me say this again and again EARLY MORNING EXERCISING ELIMINATES EXCUSES! No excuses...that has been drilled into my head now for a whole and I try to live it. I was happy to learn that Eloise does exercise three or four times a week and combines strength training with her cardio. Yay! Alright, that's all I have for now. Let me end with this... Look at your priorities and make it happen. No excuses! You do have time...(to exercise, to eat healthy, to worship, to have coffee with a friend, insert other here).... If IT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU! :)

November, A month of thankfulness

I decided today I need to get back to blogging. I like to write, I'm a deep thinker, and I might as well use my Blog as an outlet, right? Anyway, waiting or the Bears to play Tennesee in an hour, I have a moment to write. This month seems to be all about giving thanks for things. I am a firm believer that we should be giving thanks every single day, but, I decided... What the heck.. I'll take a moment each day and find one thing and post it. I decided not to post in any order of importance, but just to choose what was weighing on my heart each day. Today, my post was about being thankful about my health. I could seriously write three pages on this subject but I'll sum it up rather quickly. I was so blessed when I met my friend Emily a couple years ago. I went in with an attitude that I would listen and do everything she would say if it would help me lose weight. That is how it started. Sure, there were things that I was not willing to give up, beer, wine, margaritas, tequila, dirty martinis, late nights out with the girls, weekend mornings of sleeping in and being lazy, among many other things. I was willing to do whatever Em said, as long as I could still have a little hold of my old life. What happened was something that even shocked me. All of a sudden, I started to lose weight, very consistently, not super quickly, but every single week. I started to trust this new friend I had, I started to respect her. I looked at her as an authority on healthy living. You know what the biggest reason was? Because it was WORKING! For the first time in my life I decided that maybe if I did EVERYTHING she said and went all in, maybe this time would make all of the difference. Maybe if I released the things "I just couldn't let go"...maybe just for a while... It would work. Guess what? I did it, it did work! I am all in and the strangest thing happened. It became important to me not just to lose weight, but to get strong! A friend of mine, Krissy invited me to give some personal training sessions a try with her just to take it to another level. When we went to our trainer together, it was a whole new level of challenges. That was a life changing difference! It made me realize the importance of strength. How strength is the key to health, to youth. You may be wondering what happened to my things I would not give up? Slowly but surely they became easier to give up. I was ALL IN! I still am all in. Because of this decision to get healthy, the whole world has changed for me. I became a NASM certified personal trainer. I'm trying to grow my business and expand on the things that are important to me. Helping others get what I have? Yes, it's THAT important to me! I know where others have been, because ai have been there! I still have the support of my friend Em, as a matter of fact, she is still helping me to get stronger. Together, she is helping me change my part of the world like she is doing where she lives. We all need someone, I'm lucky enough to have found the support of many friends, as well as a person who I met just a few years ago becoming one of my closest friends, to help encourage me along the way. How can I encourage you? What are you doing to get stronger? I would give anyone the tools if they just asked! It all starts with a positive attitude and most importantly a willing to CHANGE. Make this November a November of new beginnings, of new changes. Whether it is getting healthy, spending more time with family or friends, or doing something you have always dreamed of? Playing an instrument, traveling, or whatever? What are you waiting for? Do it now, do it today!

Jobless!

Got up this morning very positive today would be the day that I again had some sort of income. I did get two quick interviews with a manger and an owner, but so far no job. Seven more resumes and face to face meetings.. And still no job. I just am not sure what it is like not to work! Desperate times... I'm almost to the point of going back to the jobs I had when I was younger. Im just a little bummed out I guess.

I thought a little bit ago about going to the gym to exercise... Then got to sweeping the kitchen, doing some laundry and cleaning a little. Now I'm not feeling it. I'm procrastinating. I could create a real fun workout for myself outside... It's windy but its 65 out! I really wish I had some bleachers close by. Actually, I really wish I had some friends close by. After filling out an application at Salon De Christe... I had to drive by the community college oly to find bleachers that were not about 10 step high for the soccer field. Tha will just not do. I have a fun little circuit planned out in my head for my backyard, but it's just not as fun doing it alone.

Alright, I'm done venting... Time to get something done.

Fears

It's funny to me how God speaks to us when we are not even seeking him necessarily. This has been happening a lot to me lately. I will be thinking of something and all of a sudden I read something that has to do particularly with the subject. I will be nervous about something, and instantly when I check my email, there is an encouraging note from a friend. The other day I was feeling so alone, and then I went to the mailbox and voila.....there was a funny card in there from a friend that I hadn't said a word to! Coincidence? Maybe... If you aren't a believer. I personally think it is God working through other people. God has put a lot of these "angels" into my life. I do not use that word lightly. I do have friends, but I have a few friends that our life paths just "happened" to cross that have been angels in disguise. The funny thing is, they don't even really know how God is using them! I halfway expect them to just vanish into thin air one day, like it was a figment of my imagination. This is how special these "angels" are to me. They remind me that God is not far away.

I got off a little bit on a tangent there. My point today was another "encounter" with the Lord. All day long I have had my head buried in a book and notes, every so often taking a break to grab some water, do some laundry and check email...hoping someone will get back to me about a job. Well, I've been extremely anxious about this test I will be taking I. The next couple of weeks. I believe I am almost ready and I am in the review and make sure I know everything stage, going over notes, review questions, etc. my plan is by the end of the weekend take the practice exam and see if I'm ready and then sign up for the exam. I'm hoping once I get through this, it will help with new work opportunities. Education is never ending in my mind. Ok, back to the point. I'm a little scared. I have been lately, and a little nervous. It's fine, I'm focused.. But just have that nervous sickness in my stomach all the time lately. Now, part of this could be due to the fact our house has yet to sell, and money is tight, etc...but nonetheless...scared.

So, I take a break just a few minutes ago and unpack a box from the garage. In it, I find a day by day devotional and decide, what the heck, haven't read this one in a while. I read one of the daily devos. Well, let me share what it says.:

"I, The Lord your God, hold your right hand and say to you, "Do not fear, I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

Then it goes on to say:
It's ok with god for you to be scared to death. He recognizes our fears and our insecurities. I feel like the spirit of God sometimes says to me, "you know Beth, I understand that you're not very happy about this. I understand that you may be crying over this. Cry, shake, whatever--but do my will child. Do my will. I have victory for you."
So even though you may be afraid about many things, don't be afraid to allow God to do his work in you, looking into the deepest part of your heart and releasing freedom in your life, teaching you how to live in victory.

Well, that was it.... Another coincidence? Maybe... But I don't believe it is. Thank you Jesus for giving me angels as new friends and giving yourself to me to calm my fears!

Suz :)

Temptations

I've been thinking a lot about this lately and how funny that in church on Sunday the sermon was about temptation. Now, keep in mind they were talking about Jesus being tempted by Satan in the desert.. But it applies to our lives now too! One of the points of the message was:

We are often tempted when we are mst vulnerable. Don't you always find that to be true? When things are going great, it's easy to stay on track. I could be talking about anything here, but let me apply it to diet. As soon as things start to go the wrong direction, so quickly we are apt to make excuses and fall into temptation. After all, why take the hard road when you can take the easy one, right?
Wrong, quite often the easy road is not the road you want to take. I think about how hard I have worked to get stronger and lose weight and eat right. My hard work has paid off. I can see the results, but what makes the smallest of victories even sweeter is the fact that I've earned it through hard work. The early mornings getting up day after day to exercise, the number of temptations that I have had to resist when dangled in my face, the time I spent planning meals, the everything that I have given to my trainer during a PT session, all the sweat, all the tears. It all makes the prize even sweeter because I have had to work for it. I had to earn it. I still am working for it and earning it because my ultimate goal still is I. The distance. The easy way would have been to take a quick fix "pill", maybe get surgery, or try the newest diet fad...but would it have been as rewarding and lasting? Defintely not!

Another point of the matter is, we are usually tempted after a mountaintop experience. You see, Satan does not want us to be happy so this is when he picks up on our weaknesses and uses it to his advantage. God has provided to us everything we need, we just need to realize that. If I am applying this to my health, let me out it this way.. God formed me in the womb before my parents even knew about me. He created my body as a temple to him and over the years, and the temptations, I have not always been the best steward of this perfect way he created me. I look at that a lot more now as I eat healthier and exercise and get stronger. Anything that comes before God is to right. Giving into constant cravings for food and drink, and getting lazy.. That's all out before God. I want to live my life in a way that the Father would be proud of me. I'm not saying I don't enjoy the yummy things that he has given to us, because God has never created something that is not good for us. It is what we do with it and the excessive, addictive behaviors that get us not trouble. Everything in moderation. There is a reason they say that.

So, that's what has been on my mind. Jesus, help me to stay focused with my goals, my dreams and help me resist the temptations I do not need. In your name I pray, Amen.

:)

A little extra motivation

Today was tough. I woke up with a head cold. I wanted to get to the gym and get my workout in, but the more the morning progressed, the less likely it was looking. I finally just announced to the kids that I was going to workout. After which, I threw another load of laundry in, started cleaning the kitchen until finally , one of them said "mom, I thought you were going to workout!" That got me out the door pretty quick. Funny thing is, I almost always want to workout. I really do enjoy it! As a matter of fact, it is one of the things I loom forward to most in my day! Today though, I just didn't have the proper mindset. I was a little frustrated and annoyed I think, and I was looking for a reason not to. The cold, well, that was an OK excuse, but not good enough. Since I'm really trying to stick to the No Excuses that I was speaking about the other day, it seems silly that excuses even cross my mind. Thank goodness for the extra push and motivation I needed to get me out the door.

I believe that sometimes if you need a little push, announcing your plans, your goals, outloud, helps. It helped today! I announced I was going to the gym,..and when I dilly dallied around, I was very thankful to be reminded that I was heading to the gym.

When I got there, I knew exactly what workout I was doing and I took the frustrations, the anxiety, the sadness...whatever..and I pushed it out in the weights. It felt so good. I felt strong and during the workout actually envisioned a little competition with myself. Got me through til the end. I will say I won! I felt like a winner and when I left the gym, I knew I had given everything I had. I decided on my drive home not to let what was bothering me bother me anymore. I have learned pretty well not to let other people dictate how I feel, I just needed a little reminder today and it was fine.

I did make a new little recipe when I got home. Threw some chicken diced up small in a pan and cooked through,and then added a little organic teriyaki sauce I found with sugar or anything. I was excited! Anyway, a couple tablespoons mixed with the meat and then placed in some romaine with a little fresh pico de gallo....yes! I will eat this again! It is awesome and simple and healthy!

The rest of my day, a lot of reading, cleaning, and blowing my nose but it's fine. Not much more, but I'll be fine. :)

Goals and excuses

It has been a while since I have updated. We have finally moved down near St. Louis, Missouri. The transition has been great for the kids and we all seem to be adjusting fine. I joined a gym immediately because one of the main things when I moved was that I didn't want to get out of shape and unhealthy again. You see, this was never just a "diet" for me, but it was so much more. It was a complete lifestyle change. The past few weeks have been an emotional struggle and it has been extremely hard to stay on track, but I'm back on track. This leads me to my thought of the day.

I've been thinking a lot about the phrase "no excuses". This phrase used often was first introduced to me when I started Bootcamp by my trainer. Among many other little phrases to motivate and keep you going, this was one of them. Last season, I did not watch The Biggest Loser, but when I turned on episode one for this season last week, I noticed they had also adopted the "no excuses" campaign. The gym I am currently going to has also used the phrase now, but twists it just a litte...and I like the twist! They have shirts and signs and billboards that shout out "STRONGER THAN EXCUSES"! This totally hits it on the head. Quite often I find myself outright having to say to myself lately.. Susan, you are better than that! Quite often it has to do with a food I shouldn't be eating or perhaps a glass of wine. Sometimes it takes me actually saying to myself, "you are stronger than that!,.... Stronger than excuses" !

My workouts are extremely important to me, I mean every single one of them. I work hard, I give my best every single time because if I have nothing else, there is "no excuse" not to. Whether it is with my trainer or on my own, I don't expect less than 100percent and no one else should either of me. I want results, and to actually see results, it is so much more than exercising every day and pushing my physical limits. It is about healthy eating. It is about the foods that will fuel my body and not set me back. It's about giving my all in everything I do. It's about proving that I CAN! It's about eliminating the doubts that I know for a fact others have in me.

It would be easy for me to throw out that I'm eating this or that because I had to move, because I don't have a job yet, because I have about 1 friend down here, or I'm stressed out, or I lost my trainer. I have every excuse in the book at my fingertips. Where all those things seem to be considered valid reasons to justify anything, what they really are is excuses. We all have choices to make each day. Some people call these health issues their "new years resolutions". For me it's not about just this year, call this my lifetime resolution. I'm stronger than excuses, like the billboards say, I'm stronger than resolutions. I will not be another statistic this year who in February has dropped off the fitness map. This is the year, the life I have now that I will no longer make excuses. Will this be your year? From day one of my healthy journey, I have heard no excuses... Maybe now I'm finally listening, are you?