It's almost summertime....

Somehow with all the summertime prep and all the running around I feel as if I've sort of lost sight of my goals. I feel like shit, exhausted, bloated and filled with anxiety...What the hell happened? Life is what happened... Just when you think you've got a few weeks to get everything done before the kids are home from school for the summer, you're bombarded with all the forgotten end of the year activities! Yikes, it doesn't take long to undo all the hard work and dedication in building a better you. This I feel is especially true when your body is used to eating and training a certain way and you fall of course, in return the worse you end up feeling. Which brings me back to square one, yet again!!!!!!Ugh, I despise square one!!!!! Why and how did I let this happen???? Somehow you feel like its ok to take time off, your body needs a break both mentally and physically, yet all of a sudden you fall into that rut of missed meals or that extra cheat and before you know it, you feel absolutely disgusting! I know I'm certainly not the only person to feel this way.... Totally relate able, right? I'm sure even the pros have been in a few ruts.

 Well that is exactly how I feel at this point. Now, I know most of you would think that last weeks picture I looked great or even fine, but I think for me its more of a feeling more than how I look. Although, I still care about how I look, as we all yearn for improvement physically...but ultimately I just feel yuckie.  Besides, I'm not even close to what my own standards are at this point. I've set a goal and feel like
haven't successfully made it a week into my plan. At this point I just need to dig deep, get a grip and just focus on my end result! No more damn excuses or stuffing my face with not so clean food, not that I have been doing that totally... Lets just say my clean eating has only been at about 80%...and that just isn't gonna work, not for the results and feelings I'm looking for anyway! It's time to wipe the slate clean and get the hell off square 1!

For me summers are even crazier than the school year if you can believe it! The kids are busy with the lake activities and swimming lessons. I spend my mornings driving around the lake dropping and picking the kids up at least 3-5 times within the hours of 9 am- 12 noon. Then we are all back at the beach again for more lessons and activities. So, I have no choice but to get my workouts in early morning, NO EXCUSES! I CAN DO THIS!!! I WILL DO THIS!!!! I just need a good solid week of getting back on track and deep down, I just know that once I start feeling better on the inside, there's no stopping me! I'm going to have to get past the fact that I don't have anyone holding me accountable. These are my goals, my dreams and at the end of the day I just have to stick to my plan an use my frustration as fuel. Right now, my tank is full and I'm so ready to get there!!!

Don't wait for Monday....Start now and Stay focused! Dust off that food journal, start logging and sweat harder. Make everyday count and within a week or two, you won't regret it!!! Promise...

7 weeks to prep for my 1st photo shoot...

My last post was about accountability and what a better way to start off my week than to hold myself accountable- by sharing my own weekly progress photos. My next goal is to do a photo shoot in about 7 weeks. I don't have anything penciled in yet officially, but it's something I'd like to try. If getting on stage isn't your thing, this is another great way to motivate yourself to get that healthy fit body you want. Like most competitors I don't enjoy taking too much time off from my regular schedule of (eating clean and training) Yet, this past month was filled with moments that keep me from staying on track. Heck, maybe it was my body saying relax, take a break? Either way, I'm happy and excited to have something else to work towards. I also had the pleasure of going to watch some of my friends compete over the weekend. They all did such a great job and I'm so proud of all of them. Go Elite Heat Girls!!! This was also another great motivator. I hadn't watched a show since before my very first time competing back in 2011. It gave me a new perspective on things and that push to work harder on my own improvements. I've got big plans for my next show this fall!

80% of results come from the kitchen...

So with that being said it's time to work hard, sweat, sweat, & sweat some more. I've got my work cut out for me and most wouldn't even attempt this during the summer but I'm not sweating it! All I can focus on is the end results and the way I will feel when I get there...

My picture as promised...I'm smiling even though I'm not where I want to be physically but because I know with hard work, dedication, accountabilty and detemination I will get there...Stay focused, Stay Strong and Set Goals....

Accountability....

I've got no choice but to believe this... as the obstacles have been more and more challenging to say the least. I feel as if my goals has been put on hold...frustrating, YES, yet I know that there is something inside me that just won't quit till I get there and even then- I'll be setting new goals! I realize just how lucky I am to have that drive, ambition, and discipline to reach those goals. However, I also am beginning to realize the importance in having someone to hold me accountable. That is one of the reason's I put together my fitness workshops...to educate people on what it takes to achieve a fit and healthy body, the importance in making time for themselves and to create a community in which they'd make friends to help hold them accountable, along with myself. There is no greater joy than knowing you've helped someone in some way. With that being said I feel that even with all my good intentions, drive, & dedication, I can't help but feel like I'm stuck in a situation where I myself could use some help with accountability. One great way of doing this is writing a food journal, and taking a weekly photo of your progess. Both of which I have yet to do as promised.....I was stuck in that obstacle I guess? Tomorrow is a new beginning and I will begin writing in my food journal and most importantly I will be taking my weekly progess photos. You'll be amazed how quickly your body can change when you fall out of your routine and even more impressed how quickly you can get it back, that is if you try to stick with eating clean year round. So stay tuned and feel free to cheer me on- as we could all use positive feedback from time to time.

Work Hard & Stay Humble!

Time to get going again...

I'm starting to think I'm getting really good at picking myself up after so many damn setbacks...I ended up with that awful stomach bug that my kids had! UGH!!!On top of that a few other things I had hoped would work out- didn't. You'd think at this point I'd give up...NO WAY IN HELL...These disappointments, these setbacks, only fuel my mind with determination to get where I want to get. I want to be successful in helping others reach their fitness goals as much as I want to be successful in reaching my own. For the past few years many of my friends and family have asked why I was doing this and why did I love this so much? Now ever so slowly few have started to ask how?   I can tell you this, there is no better feeling, than working really hard for something you've set out to do, sticking to a plan and reaching a goal, no matter how big or how small. That feeling of success, like you did it, well that is what keeps me going! I won't stop setting goals and you shouldn't either. Sometimes life can pound on you so hard, it can make you feel defeated for a short moment but you just have to think of what means more to you? Giving up because your not where you wanted to be and things have gotten in your way or pushing forward and not stopping till you get there? I know I'm a lot stronger than I was yesterday and I'm not giving up. All you have to do is be yourself and live the story that no one else can live-the story of your own unique life...Be Proud, Be Confident, and most of all Be Happy!

Check out my favorite recipes on the right side of my blog as I'll be adding a few new recipes each week.