My Little Voice, Body Image, & A Fiery Heart

As 2015 begins, I notice a flurry of posts about “getting in shape,” “getting fit,” and “losing weight.” Including my own. No matter what our verbiage, many of us look to the new year as a fresh start (or reboot) in our efforts to be healthier. I can cite a dozen statistics regarding best weight and longevity. I can quote studies by Mayo Clinic, The American Heart Association, and The American Diabetes Association that all say why dropping excess weight is better for our health. Seriously– I write a blog with a main focus on my own journey to a healthy weight and fitness level!

Yes, I want to be healthy. I feel compelled to become as healthy as I can because I am the widowed mother of three fairly young kids. While I can’t control how long I will live, I sure can prevent my life ending from obesity and poor fitness. That part is in my power. Therefore, wellness is my main motivation… right? Yet, as I examine my own motives for losing weight and getting fit, I cannot ignore the little voice in my head who cries out “But I want to LOOK AMAZING too! I want to be pretty and wear stylish clothes and be THIN!!”

Gasp! My “mature” mind reminds me that it’s all about health and wellness. I am not shallow enough to be swayed by outward appearance! Or, am I?

Of course, to be completely truthful, the answer is “yes.” I DO want to look amazing and I DO want to feel pretty and stylish. For some reason, there seems to be a rather influential part of me that doesn’t see that as possible at my current weight. I KNOW that is ridiculous… there are plenty of beautiful and stylish women who are voluptuous and curvy, and desirable. But we don’t often see them. They are not in the mainstream media. Most of our minds are TRAINED to see certain things as the standards of beauty. This is not a new subject—it has been a topic of increasing interest in the media… a bit of irony there, actually. Even though Body Image has become a hot topic, I want to bring it up for another reason—because I pretend it doesn’t affect me. Because I ignore it. And because I’m starting to think that it will continue to be on my “hidden agenda” until I bring it into the light. Awareness of a problem is the first step to fixing it. I am not sure who first said that, but it is annoying true. Let’s meet this head on, then!

First: What do we mean by Body Image? Psychotherapist James Guay, author of the article “Body Image: How to Improve our Body Image” describes body image as “the INNER VIEW we have of our OUTER PHYSICAL BODY… It’s like our internal mental picture of our external appearance & attractiveness/aesthetics.”

Next: Some research… I think the most amazing discovery is this: while some men and boys are not happy with their bodies, the number of women affected by negative views of their body was nearly double. DoSomething.org featured a short but informative post titled, “11 Facts About Body Image” which included this statistic: “Approximately 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies and resort to dieting to achieve their ideal body shape. Unfortunately, only 5% of women naturally possess the body type often portrayed by Americans in the media.”

While many are quick to attack the media as the primary culprit (I am no exception), we should also take notice of the research that points to evidence that our own “societal wiring” may be partly to blame. For example, “People who are deemed attractive are often viewed more favorably than unattractive people. They are thought to be smarter, and more commendable than their less attractive peers. This assumption is called the halo effect.” (Thorndike, 1920) This predates any of our current media formats. A study in 2005 demonstrated that our perceptions about a person’s appearance transfers to our perception about their other traits. “People who are rated highly on one dimension (attractiveness) are assumed to excel on others as well (intelligence). This is also referred to as the “what-is-beautiful-is-good” stereotype.” (Solomon, Zaichkowsky, & Polegato, 2005)

I don’t share this information to discourage us from changing what is portrayed as perfection by our society. We should keep trying — with pressure over time, society can change. However, I do think a more immediate tactic would be to work on ourselves. If we become aware of how we TRULY see ourselves, we can begin to understand why we feel that way and how it affects our confidence. And how to change that. For my work on myself, I use a lot of personal development tools. Some are about body image, but not all. I think improving my overall mental and emotional strength goes a long way toward learning to ignore mainstream media. I also have gained a lot of ground through coaching. By letting mentors and coaches into my life, I have seen myself achieve greater growth and success in all areas. I love that we have so many ways to tap into these resources now. Many coaches have affordable programs with podcasts and phone calls. There are countless webinars, books, and audio books. I use everything I can to increase the fire in my heart and the intensity of my mind.

Finally, I want to address that little voice in my head. You know… the one who says that she wants to be thin, stylish, and feel pretty? Rather than trying to silence her by ignoring her existence, I have recently learned that I need to let her have her say. I had to realize that she is not my enemy. She is trying to protect me.  She is not demanding I be a specific dress size… she just wants me to be as fabulous as I can be. She does have a point, after all; we should all maximize our potential. By educating our little voice (through coaching, etc.) rather than ignoring her, she can become our ally and guide. I, for one, could use a positive little voice chiming in once in a while.

“You have more to do than be weighed down by ‘pretty’ or ‘beautiful.’ You are a fiery heart and a wicked brain. Do not let your soul be defined by its shell.” ~Michelle K.

Finding Energy, Balance, and a Taste of Success

Whew!

After several long, busy days in a row, I often feel the need to energize my body and my brain.  In the past, I would reach for a pot (yes… I said a pot!) of coffee and hope it was enough–and hope it didn’t irritate my gut or my skin, as it often does. Lately, I have been turning to two energizers: exercise and Modere Energy Shots. I am grateful to have finally found an energy drink that works and is non-toxic and GMO-free. I don’t need to drink a shot every day—the Modere Slim-down plan has kept me well energized – between the clean eating and the super nutritional supplements. I usually grab an Energy Shot when I feel my pep beginning to lag (3pm-ish). They are tasty, super-clean, and SAFE—a far cry from other energy products on the market! You can find them at: http://www.modere.com/emerge

As for my other energizer, exercise, well that requires more of a story! As I have mentioned in a previous post, I have tried many kinds of exercise in the past. The two exercise programs that I loved most (CrossFit and Kickboxing) were a little much for my unconditioned body and I became injured. I will go back to kickboxing soon, because I love beating the heck out of the bag and mitts! In the meantime, I require workouts with a bit less physical impact. A short while ago, I added dance to my exercise routine. More precisely—I made dance my MAIN exercise routine. Wow! I wish I thought about this years ago. Turns out… I really love it! Not the carefully choreographed moves of a line dance, or a barre class…. I am talking about “blast the music and go crazy” dancing… like you would at a club or a wedding. Yeah… that’s the stuff!

My mood has definitely improved since I began dancing daily. Even better? Since I began the “30 Day Simple Slim-down” program, I have lost more weight than I realized! I actually had to look back on a calendar after chatting with a friend today. I told her I had “lost 12 lb since I began the program 15 days ago”… but I wasn’t thinking about the date. I didn’t count the first two weeks of the program– today is actually Day 30! In the past, I would have been counting the days until a “diet was over.” But this has been so easy and fun, I didn’t even notice that today is the end of my test run of the plan. The ACTUAL weight lost (or “released” as some of my wellness friends like to say): nearly 18 lbs.! I also took measurements at the beginning, because I don’t like to focus on the scale, but rather how clothing fits. I have dropped a total of 6 inches just from this 30 days!

I can say with enthusiasm that I am going to do another 30 day round of both the Slim-down plan and the dancing! Of course, I could just keep following the plan and not assign a time period, but I have always done better by breaking HUGE goals down into mini-goals. I will keep using the products—they have been so helpful! The Satiety Chews help stave off cravings in between meals… helpful when I am driving home and get that “Munchies-attack” feeling. The Carb Blocker (clinically proven to delay the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates) is really cool for the occasional meal when I have more carbs than planned. The Slim Bar (a filling snack in a yummy peanut butter and caramel crisp flavor with 15 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber and only 140 calories) a great occasional snack. Originally, I used the Triple Thick Protein Shake because it comes with the Slim-down Collection, but I am not a fan chocolate anything. Instead, I am using the new SLIM – Pure Vanilla Meal Replacement. I REALLY love this product! I like to toss in a handful of raw or frozen berries to make a “fruit crème” shake… feels like dessert.

The company info describes it best: “Contains a well-rounded mix of vitamins, minerals, protein, fats, and carbohydrates to be used as a replacement meal. All-vegetarian, natural formulation. Delicious, natural vanilla flavor for discerning your palate. Low-calorie to support your weight loss goals. Holistic ingredients—as nature intended.”

As I move forward, I have decided to add one more thing to my fitness plans:

(I’d add a drum roll here, but I think a soothing, meditative piece of music would be more appropriate…)

Yes… YOGA! I have been fascinated by the idea of yoga as a practice, but I was feeling intimidated by the idea simply because my joints and flexibility have not been fabulous for the last decade. After reading more about it and speaking to a few practitioners, I learned that yoga can greatly increase one’s mobility – no need to wait to be more flexible before I begin! Since I have never tried it before, I will be in a beginner’s class twice per week. According to the research I have done, yoga will not only help with mobility, but it also: helps build core strength, sculpts muscle, improves digestion, improves circulation and cardiovascular conditioning, aids relaxation, and more!

Here is a good resource to learn more about yoga: https://www.yogaalliance.org/LearnAboutYoga/AboutYoga/Benefitsofyoga

I also found these simple yoga poses to help start the day off– these are easy to do with no classroom training! http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3801840

Quick recap: I had a great 30-day run in which I “released” 18 lbs. I discovered that dancing wildly 4-5 days per week actually IS exercise that works for me. I love the Modere supplements I have tried so far. I will be doing another 30 day plan. And, I am adding yoga to my exercise each week. I think that covers it!

Oh, one more thing! (Yes, we can mentally add that drum roll here…) Emerge Healthy, my Facebook biz page, will be soon announcing a fitness & wellness challenge beginning mid-January! There will be prizes involved AND a “pay-it-forward” aspect as well, so be sure to tune in for details: https://www.facebook.com/emergehealthy

“Wellness is a connection of paths: knowledge and action.”  ~  Joshua Welch

“The most important pieces of equipment you need for doing yoga are your body and your mind. “ ~  Rodney Yee

Blind Trust, Toxins, and the Pursuit of Gorgeous Hair

Before I dive into the topic at hand, I would like to check in on my progress thus far in my “30-Day Slimdown.” If you read the last blog post,you may recall that this plan is a simple one featuring moderate exercise, clean eating (about 80% of the time, to be honest), and some helpful supplements from Modere’s Slimdown Collection. I shed over 6 lbs. in a week! I made sure to balance my occasional splurge with 1) clean eating the rest of the day, and 2) Carb Blocker supplement when eating a higher carb meal. In addition, I made an extra effort to get to bed at a reasonable time and to get up at roughly the same time each day. My favorite part is that I didn’t feel deprived or restricted… just selective. I will definitely check in again in another week!

Getting fit and eating better has only increased my desire to look a little nicer every time I leave the house. Perhaps that is a bit backward—after all… aren’t we supposed to love ourselves just the way we are? Nevertheless, I will admit that when I feel better, I am more interested in spending time on my appearance. Remember, please, that I am a work in progress. One thing I have learned to do is play up my best features while downplaying the features that I’m less than loving. For example, my eyes are a very violet-blue most of the time… and the color really pops if I use certain shadow colors on my eyes. And, I usually like my hair because it styles pretty well and holds whatever shape I give it (curl or flat iron) with a little product. On its own, it has a gentle wave. Not too shabby! And, I play with the color of my hair regularly with a line of safe, long lasting colors supplied by my hair wizard, Lindsay.

Occasionally, though, my hair does get dry and stressed—and needs a bit of TLC. Since my hair is baby fine, I was ecstatic at the arrival of the newest hair products: Hair Serums! I love their silky feel and super light-weight formulas. They are moisturizing and smoothing while still adding a bit of control to your style. What is not to love?   I was planning to try “the perfect hair serum” that everyone is RAVING about… Style | Lab Satin Hair Serum by Living Proof, the company co-owned by the Jennifer Aniston. It is touted as “Safe,Sulfate-free, silicone-free” and featuring “ the patented Healthy Hair Molecule (OFPMA).” I thought, “Wow! I love safe products for me and my family! I will have to try this!” Of course, I no longer trust what I read in an advertisement when it comes to toxins and GMOs in our brand name products, no matter what celebrity may be endorsing it. (Sorry, Jen!)

Thank goodness I looked up the ingredient deck of Ms. Aniston’s Satin Hair Serum! Sure, it has many safe ingredients… there are 22+ ingredients total… and some are cleverly listed as a combo-formula in one ingredient—technically there are 25. However, as a product labeled as SAFE, I was sad to see that it actually contains 7 ingredients that are known to be toxic. According to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep site ( http://www.ewg.org ) the place to look for personal product ingredient safety):

• 6 listed as Allergy & Immunotoxicity risk (adverse effects on the immune system)
• 1 listed as a Developmental/Reproductive Toxicity risk
• 1 ingredient is also listed as a KNOWN carcinogen (cancer causing substance)
• 1 is also listed for “contamination concerns” (difficult to guarantee its purity)

Seriously.

The kicker? The cost of adding extra poisons to your system: $29 for 1.5 oz. when you buy Style | Lab Satin Hair Serum. No thank you! I am sincerely hurt that yet another product full of toxins is allowed on the store shelves in the US but banned in the European Union. Why don’t we CARE??? I am sure someday we will come to truly regret the fact that we allow such things, but I will leave that discussion alone for now.

Since I had no plans of giving up on the search for glorious hair, I tried a few products out there that were actually ALL safe. I got them from the health food store. I was underwhelmed, to say the least. They were certainly safe. I looked up every ingredient. The problem: they either smelled heavily like a spring meadow or a fruit salad. Neither is an ok scent for me or my hair. Also, they felt sticky or slimy in my hair and were heavier than what I was looking for. The price was pretty steep too… $18 -25 They ALMOST made the $30 toxin-loaded hair serum seem like a better option. Almost.

Finally,I decided to give Modere’s Antioxidant Hair Serum a try. I am a Social Marketer for the company, so I thought I really should try EVERYTHING we offer, at some point. I had heard very positive reviews on the serum, but after all my other research, I wanted to remain skeptical. First, I looked up the full ingredient deck of Antioxidant Hair Serum. There are 7 ingredients total… 5 of which are nourishing oils and the other two hold the oils together. I wanted to verify the product’s safety claims. It passed with flying colors. No toxins or GMOs, as promised. I honestly had not looked up EVERY product from Modere to verify safety on Environmental Working Group ( www.ewg.org ), so I was happy to see that. Next, I liked the silky feel and the really pleasant, clean, light scent of the serum… and even that scent is non-toxic and non-allergenic. Nice!

Finally, I tried the hair serum. Since he package indicates that it can be used on both wet and dry hair, I tried it both ways at various times. I really enjoyed the touch of hold that it gives while smoothing the frizzies and greatly increasing the shine. Also was amazed that my hair felt satin-smooth ALL DAY. Interestingly, it is not just a styling product. As I continued to use the product daily, I notice that my hair’s overall condition as improved, as well. Virtually no split ends. I also noticed shine that lasts for days in between washing and more vibrant looking hair color – all for $21.00 for the same 1.5 oz.

In the pursuit of gorgeous hair, I learned that neither old brands I have trusted for years, nor new ones endorsed by celebrities known for their “natural good looks” can be automatically trusted. The same goes for skin care, personal care, and household products. We need to be responsible enough to research the information rather than blindly trust what we are told by brands and their advertisers. Now that www.ewg.org is there to help, we have most of the work done for us. Find a brand that is transparent with their ingredient deck, try the products to see if you like them, and then make the switch when you find one that works for you. I rep just such a brand, and it may be a good fit for you. Or it may not. You don’t know until you try them. The key is to start reading the labels and looking up either the product name or its ingredients to know the truth. Ignoring the problem of toxins and GMOs in the things we use every day (and give to our families) will not make the problem go away.

Please check out my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/emergehealthy for regular product safety updates from Environmental Working Group and for information about detoxing the body and the mind. You’ll also find positive and encouraging messages, educational materials, links to resources, and information about the non-toxic, non-GMO, cruelty-free product line I represent.

“Prevention is better than cure.” – Desiderius Erasmus

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn

Holidays, Having Fun, and Dancing for Joy!

Thanksgiving was successful for me in many ways– my extended family came together at my home, everyone had fun with no major catastrophes, and nearly all of the food was eaten… meaning almost no leftovers! I even received the blessing of a break job on my car— in my family, it isn’t a holiday without a large, unplanned project! I also got through the holidays with a weight loss, rather than a weight gain.

Many approach the holidays with a sense of surrender in place, such as: “Well… it is the holiday season…I just hope I don’t gain too much” or “I may as well enjoy it and then buckle-down in January.” I definitely had that mindset in the past, as well. However, I have found that way of thinking to be a problem for several reasons. First, it gives us permission to over-indulge. Second, it postpones our intention to be healthier. Third, and possibly the most worrisome, is that we are telling ourselves (simply by suggesting that we should wait until after holiday fun to begin doing it) that improving our health and fitness is an unpleasant task.

Perhaps this mindset has evolved over the years because of all the media hype about getting fit, or perhaps because we almost always compare ourselves to others around us. It is clear that moving our bodies helps keep them fit. Science has proven it, so that’s not up for debate. How we move our bodies, well… there are many schools of thought on this topic. I have tried a great many types of exercise programs over the years… many successfully, in the short term. They probably would have been successful in the long term, had I continued. I have tried everything from aerobics and Jazzercise in the 90’s, running and Tae-Bo in the 00’s and CrossFit & Kickboxing in the last couple of years. The only programs I truly enjoyed were CrossFit and Kickboxing. CrossFit, however, beat up my body and injured me. I am not suggesting that it is not a great program… but for my fitness level and personal joint-issues, however, it was a poor choice. Kickboxing was great, and as soon as I recover fully from some of the damage done by the CrossFit, I will return to it. I still enjoy doing the boxing portion even now! The other exercises… well. I just found them uninteresting.

I know a lot of fitness gurus… personal trainers, runners, cyclists, etc. who say that you just have to keep at it and you’ll learn to love it. Or that it doesn’t matter if you don’t like it as long as it makes you fit. However, to me, health and fitness includes my mind- not just my body. And, if you are someone who seriously needs to make exercise routine in order to drop weight and gain health, then it makes more sense to find something you truly love in order to make it stick. And, at least in the early stages, I don’t agree that you must to do certain types of workouts to see some results. Down the road, as fitness increases, then yes– one probably should look toward working different muscle groups or making particular cardio goals. But that kind of information is intimidating most people who are newer to fitness. So, I did a bit of research to see what exactly we need to do to begin seeing results.

I learned that you do need to push yourself beyond your usual activity level to get any benefit… which makes sense. I also found out that you don’t have to hit the gym to accomplish that. For example, one of my favorite activities is dancing. Oddly, though, I seem to wait for weddings and other festivities for the opportunity to dance. Why? I have no idea. However, I recently had an experience that changed my perspective on dancing and I now see it as a viable exercise choice for me.

I was at an intensive “Train the Trainer” workshop by Peak Potentials… an amazing personal development organization. One of the things they build into the training schedule is DANCE. At the start of each morning and after returning from every break and meal, they insist on high energy dancing to get the blood flowing and increase our energy level. We only danced for 5-8 minutes each time, but we did that 5-6 times per day. I didn’t change my diet that week, yet I dropped 5 lbs. in the 5 days of the workshop. I was kind of shocked by that. Of course, as a fitness novice, I wanted to make sure I looked into the matter further. I found a very helpful article on the website FITDAY, called “Dance Away the Pounds.” According to the fitness expert interviewed:

”To lose weight by dancing, you should strive for at least 20 minutes of time with an accelerated heart-rate at least 4-5 days a week. You should start with a 5 minute warm-up and end with a 5 minute cool-down which means 30 minutes, 4-5 times a week.”

Who am I to disagree? Happily, I decided to add dance as a regular exercise activity in my quest for fitness. Rather than break out in dance 5-6 times per day, I adjusted by dancing with high energy for a minimum of 30 minutes each day, 5 days a week, using the suggestions from the articles I read. In addition, all of the articles mentioned that dance, like any exercise, worked best when combined with a healthy diet. Since I planned to test out Modere’s Slimdown Collection and its accompanying plan “30 Day Simple Slim-down”, I knew I was ready to rock it!

The plan includes clean eating at regular intervals to keep up energy and maintain metabolism and the process is enhanced by healthy, non-toxic and GMO-free supplements, including a delicious Triple Thick Protein Shake as a snack. What I love about the plan is that it doesn’t feel restrictive. I can easily create clean versions of most recipes so that I can eat what I enjoy. Even with the holidays, I can occasionally indulge a little without feeling like a criminal; thanks to the amazing Carb Blocker by Modere… it is safe and effective! Of course, I may be excited because I made it through the first holiday of the season with a 6 lb. weight loss in just over 12 days… I will share a pic of the company’s 30-day Slimdown program poster below. Keep in mind that it was released with the new year in mind… but I say, why wait? If you follow it closely most of the time and allow a small indulgence every once in a while… you would still come out ahead of where you would be if you waited for the post-holiday guilt to make you start on January 1. I also am not deterred by the “30-day” part of the title– if I follow closely for 24 days and then have a little eggnog and cake on the holiday; I still am far, far ahead of where I would be if I ate my way through the month of December.

So… that is my plan of action for the holiday season. I am looking forward to reaching some of my exercise and weight loss goals by the end of the month. I am also looking forward to donating clothing that has become too big and replacing it with some new, smaller outfits. Yippee! I am ready to go for this!

“Fitness needs to be perceived as fun and games or we subconsciously avoid it.”
~~ Alan Thicke

Slimdown Collection by Modere can
be found at http://www.modere.com/emerge

Keeping Fit When you Feel Like SH*T?

Just as I was excited to launch into my 30-day Slimdown program by Modere, I hit an unexpected snag—a severe chest cold. In the past, I would have just shrugged, said “ no problem” and gone to have a burger and some chips to “feed a cold, starve a fever.” But, because I have been working really hard in the last few months toward my fitness goals and I don’t want to be my own master saboteur (as I had in the past), I want to stay on course.

Well then, it appears we have an opportunity to learn! Last week, despite a raging headache and a body sore from relentless coughing, I decided a little research may stave off my monkey-mind’s continual request for junk food. So, the question that comes to mind first is: SHOULD we exercise while we are sick? Fitness expert Chris Freytag, author of Shortcuts to Big Weight Loss, suggests we use the “neck check.” “You can exercise while sick if your symptoms are all above the neck, like a runny nose or a sore throat.” According to Edward R. Laskowski, M.D. of Mayo Clinic’s Healthy Lifestyle page, says “Don’t exercise if your signs and symptoms are “below the neck,” such as chest congestion, hacking cough or upset stomach… Don’t exercise if you have a fever, fatigue or widespread muscle aches.”

Of course, those suggestions only apply if you actually FEEL like exercising… its hard to even think of that when your eyes are sizzling hot and your nose won’t stop running. Which brings me to what may be, perhaps, a more sane question: WHAT should I eat that will keep me on my path to fitness but will also be restorative to my ailing body? An online article by Women’s Health Magazine (March 2014) entitled, “The 8 Best Foods to Eat When You’re Sick” names chicken broth-based soups at the top of the list. Although they included a photo of chicken noodle soup, the article indicates these particular elements of the soup as being the most helpful when our immune system has taken a hit:

“The chicken contains an amino acid called cysteine, which helps thin mucus in the lungs, and the hot broth helps to keep nasal passages moist, prevent dehydration, and fight inflammation in the throat. Plus, the other ingredients may help the body kick a cold by stopping congestion and inflammation in their tracks.”

This article, and several others, also recommends hot tea (especially green tea), hot water with lemon and honey (adjusts the body’s pH and honey is antimicrobial and soothing!), and citrus fruits (increased vitamin C). The one thing all the articles mentioned is that we should stay away from processed sugar, especially when our defenses are down. When we eat high sugar foods, inflammation in our body increases… and our natural immunity greatly decreases. So, they key is to find “comfort” foods that are not “junk” foods. Throughout this time, I have been drinking LOTS of tea… herbal and green tea blends. I like to add fresh herbs like soothing peppermint and lemon balm to my tea. I am not a big fan of chicken soup, but I definitely have had my fair share over the last week or so. I am not watching my calories this week, but rather pointing myself to things that I know will make me stronger. I have greatly increased my use of Immune Health (an amazing natural supplement by Modere) too… and I am already feeling so much better! It’s probable that I actually ate less than I should have last week—it’s tough to down a plate of cheese and crackers when you are hacking like a cat with a fur-ball. But again… I’m not going to fret over it.

In another couple of days, I will resume my exercise program full speed ahead and launch (finally) my 30-day Modere Slimdown program—I am REALLY excited to give it a whirl. I feel very safe and fortunate to be a self-appointed tester for this brand I love AND I like giving myself a specific goal to meet. So the two ideas pair beautifully! I appreciate any cheers, support, and feedback on both my blog and my get fit journey. I INTEND to emerge from my life as a fatigued, unfit mother of three to a powerhouse of energy and inspiration.

I want to wrap it up with a very heartfelt “BE WELL” to all of you and I truly do implore all to take a look at what you are putting into your body and on your body, and ask yourself if it is added to your overall health… or worse, if it may be causing harm. We have to be our own health advocates!

To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.  ~~ Buddha

A Long Drive Brings Clarity

It’s been a busy week as I have been working to launch my new business even as I travel- but I find that I do enjoy the buzz of activity.

I haven’t followed a particular food plan this week, other than “eat mostly clean” and “no mindless snacking.” I’ll be committing to Mōdere’s 30-day program using the “Slim Down Collection” next week– I want to test the program and suggested products. I’m excited to try products that are healthful and helpful for shedding weight without costing and arm and a leg.

I had hours and hours to ponder things that drove from Phoenix to Salt Lake City, and I recognize that alone time can be really good for me… A personal “battery charge” for me. I made mental notes of immediate, mid-range, and long-term goals and then was sure to jot them down when I got to a rest stop.
For me… No kids in car = brain free to roam!

I also reminded myself how many blessings I truly have in my life, on top of the kids and good health… I have wonderful friends and really useful skill sets in several areas. I have an exciting new career that allows me some free time, when I need it, and opportunities to travel. I am surrounded and lifted up by mentors and leaders who not only say I can succeed, but know it in their hearts. It’s not just in their words, but in their actions, as well.

Ultimately, my message for you at this time is this: If you are not surrounded by people who lift you up and support you, make THAT be your first change. Find mentors and friends who want to see you succeed at the things YOU want to try rather than at things they expect of you. Breaking away from negativity (or even just stagnation) can be a bit scary… But it’s the best gift you can give yourself:

“Ignore those that make you fearful and sad, that degrade you back towards disease and death.” ~~ Rumi

The Starting Line– because you need to start somewhere!

When you stand in front of the mirror, what is the very first thing that comes into your mind? Really… what are the FIRST words that enter your mind?

In April of this year, I was asked this question in a self-study module on body image in a program titled “The Beauty Uprising” by Image Coach and Transformational Leader, Kat Kim. The question seemed almost too easy—like a trap, actually. I knew that if I answered it honestly, my reputation as a positive and enthusiastic woman would be at risk. I did answer it honestly, though, because I reminded myself that I am on a journey to learn more about myself and to be REAL.

My response: “Ugh.  That is the first thing I think when I look in the mirror. Doesn’t sound too harsh, does it? But in that one low grunt, everything is summed up: my disappointment in my progress, self-loathing, frustration, anger… it is all right there.”

Honestly, I felt like a “loser” when I looked in the mirror at that point. I was focusing on what I thought of as “flaws” rather than the beautiful parts. I am happy to say that I don’t feel quite the same way today. When I look at myself in the mirror, I can focus on positive features—the things that I like best about myself. I look at my body and I know that I need to lose weight and gain strength. But, now I see that as a decision to increase my overall health, energy, and stamina rather than as a way to fit into a particular size. When I look at my face in the mirror, I focus on my blue-violet eye color and recognize its beauty instead of criticizing pores that may or may not be “too large.” This was not an overnight change, by any means. Nor does it mean that I love myself completely, the way that I probably should. I am a work in progress.

Ultimately, that is my point for ALL of us. We are works in progress. We “win” when we acknowledge that we have things about ourselves we want to change, and then decide to change them. We were not created as statues—designed to be static images of some ideal. We are beings whose very existence relies on complex changes and transformation. This blog was born out of my desire to create an ongoing discussion about body image, achieving and maintaining health, and the idea of personal reinvention.

There are dozens of great blogs out there about weight loss, special diets, food plans, workout routines, etc. My desire for this blog is something more. And, perhaps, this is really the beginning of something bigger. I want to share my evolving story as I navigate my personal path. I am striving for a healthier, physically fit body so I can run around with my kids and enjoy outdoor activities without needing rest stops every 10 minutes and pain relievers to move the next morning. I want to work through the self-conscious hesitation that prevents me from dancing in public, even when there is NOTHING I would rather do more than dance. I am committing to push through the injuries of both body and mind. I am re-building my professional self, as well… learning to become an outstanding Social Marketer and an amazing trainer and public speaker.

Sharing this journey is very much outside my comfort zone—it makes me feel exposed and vulnerable. But my hope is that sharing my story and my struggles will show you that you are NOT alone. Whether you struggle with body image, weight, health, injury, job loss, or personal feelings of failure—you have to know that you are NOT alone in your struggles.

I promise to be real and be myself… That means you will have the opportunity to hear some of the crazy stuff the “little voice” in my head likes to throw at me when I begin to make changes. It also means you will hear me give honest opinions about products I try and transformational tools I work with. I plan to follow an essentially clean diet, but I can honestly say that I occasionally crave a peanut butter cup or a burger or a glass of wine and I am not going to restrict myself to the point of misery. I am a mother with kids watching everything I do and I want to teach them that occasional treats are just fine when the majority of your food is healthy. It is what I wholeheartedly believe, so I am no longer going to live any other way.

I will post once a week, minimum… perhaps a bit more frequently as I get the ball rolling. I have a lot of information to share. I have the feeling that this blog will evolve along the way—and I am totally fine with that. In my next few posts, I will focus more on my initial plan for getting fit and healthy—just so everyone knows what I am up to. I will also be sharing things I have learned about changing our mindset… a key to personal growth. Of course, I will also be tweaking and “spiffing up” the look of the blog itself. I wanted to get started first and worry about the look later, since a habit of mine is waiting for things to be perfectly ready—and then never doing it because nothing can ever be “perfect.” I thank you all for taking the time to read my first blog post. Productive and honest comments are always welcome. I will also be honored by anyone sharing their stories with me. I am blessed to have you on this journey with me… let’s see where it takes us!