My Healthy Plan: Week 2

Happy Monday, friends!

This weekend absolutely flew by! It was a busy one for our family so I was especially tired when the alarm sounded at 5 am but day 1 of week 2 was completed and a great way to get myself energized!

I've been open on here that I have some big goals with my program and what I want to achieve. So for the purpose of full disclosure, I thought I would tell you how my weekend nutrition went. (Weekends are typically my downfall)

Saturday morning I had an early morning meeting. I got a few things done around the house, made my boys cinnamon rolls and then headed out the door arming myself with my chocolate Shakeology. I was pretty proud of that.

I had a baby shower early afternoon and then our family had a wedding reception open house that evening before meeting my in-laws for dinner. I squeezed in some laundry and my workout before getting out the door!

Warrior workout! So tough but finished!

I grabbed a larabar (cashew cookie--only two ingredients). At the baby shower I had some water and fruit. And at the reception I had some veggies and nuts. I was pretty hungry by the time we got to my in-laws.  They ordered from a local spaghetti house which is AMAZING but I had a chef salad and only a small slice of the garlic bread because, balance. My father in law also made homemade ice cream and I had a small scoop of that. It wasn't a perfect day but it wasn't a bad day either!

Anyone else love getting dolled up??

Sunday our family did late church because we were going to friends' to swim. I knew I wanted to stay on track so packed the makings of a vegetable tray and some fresh salsa and gluten free chips. Since we did late church I made omelets and Ezekial English muffins (only halves) for breakfast. Those English muffins are thee best in my opinion! So good!

Our friends grilled some awesome hamburgers and hot dogs. So for lunch I had a hamburger (no bun), lots of veggies with greek yogurt cucumber dill dip, fresh fruit and some chips and salsa. Still full from dinner my husband and I had our shakeology for dinner.

It wasn't a perfect weekend but it was far more on track than many this summer have been!

Today it was back to to the plan and pushing even more water since the weekend I lagged a little with all the busyness.

It is definitely not about being perfect. It is about balance, making the best choices you can and always pushing ahead.

Week 1 Update

Technically week 1 ends tomorrow and Sunday is a rest day, but tomorrow is a crazy busy day with Super Saturday, a baby shower, a wedding reception and then family dinner with my in-laws.  Yes, all of that in one day. Talk about having to fight to stay on track nutrition wise! What a test! Ha!

Today's workout was one of my favorites in the entire program. All of these workouts are 30 minutes but they are varied that you have to push yourself every day to find the strength to get through THAT workout.

CVX is weighted cardio, meaning you do cardio moves holding a weight. #whoa #letthatsinkin
It's challenging even using a light weight like I did (only five pounds). What I love is that with a weight in my hand, the whole workout changes. I can feel the muscles I am working more acutely than if I was doing a jack press without a weight. To have to push through and engage your core every move is awesome. Talk about a challenge!

I mean look at me---SWEATY MESS!!

I feel stronger for sure. I feel really energized. I feel determined to continue to push physically. And mentally. I know it is not all about the number on the scale.  But, having a successful first week, not giving into cravings, following the meal plan EXACTLY, get in all my water.... y'all I'm down FIVE pounds! Determined??? Like never before!

I've always loved this program and now I remember even more why it is one of my favorites! If you want more info on this program, on joining one of my accountability groups, or a program that YOU will fall in love with, send me a message or drop a comment below with your email and I will be in touch.

Have a great weekend! Thanks for being on this journey with me!

How to Get Your Man Healthy

Let's hear it for the BOYS!!!

I spend a lot of time here sharing what it is important for women to be healthy. How we can often put ourselves on the back burner. How we are doers, nurturers and just aim to please others.

But what about our awesome male counterparts?!!!

My husband is like a lot of men I know. He was active his whole life; participating in team sports from an early age and then competing competitively year round in different sports. Like a lot of guys, he didn't pay too much attention to what he ate. He didn't eat great but didn't eat bad and certainly didn't have to think about portions or if that late night trip through a drive through was a good choice.

I'm not sure when it exactly all changed, it seemed like after having kids, but Andrew's weight started to fluctuate. And then last year, with a job that had a lot of traveling, dinner meetings and long hours, I noticed not just my husband's weight change, but his whole well being too!

And, honestly, I think of a lot of guys are like my husband!
Hard working. Spends lots of time with their kids. Does things for others. Not a lot of free time.

I don't want to be the only one getting healthy over here. So this spring, Andrew and I committed to getting our healthiest together. Since starting, he's gone down pant sizes, more than 15 pounds and has energy that he was SERIOUSLY lacking before!

I wanted to share my simple tips for any guy wanting to get healthy!

{O N E}
Eat breakfast. 
This one is a biggie. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. It revs up your metabolism for the day. Your body is ready for that energy boost! I mean, you haven't eaten since dinner the night before! Not only does your body need nutrients--but so does your brain! You need fuel to thrive! Studies show eating breakfast aids in weight loss, enhanced memory and energy levels.

A healthy breakfast doesn't have to take a lot of effort. Shakeology is a simple go to my husband can grab as he runs out the door. Prepping some egg muffins over the weekend to use throughout the week, or some granola with greek yogurt and fruit can be scarfed down pretty quickly! The point is, something besides black coffee!

{T W O}
Eat often. 
When talking with my husband, I was often surprised to hear how LITTLE he was eating during the day. Same principle as the breakfast idea, our bodies need fuel. Think of your metabolism as a fire. For it to burn hot and strong, you have to add fuel to the fire consistently!!! Every 2-3 hours a small meal or snack is going to not only keep that metabolism running high, but also you won't experience those hard crashes!

Keeping snacks on hand, in the car, at your desk, in the gym bag makes this easy. Nuts.com has some awesome healthy snack options that your guy (and kiddos) would love. I like to vary snack choices: healthy fats, fresh fruits and veggies, dried fruit options and proteins!

Some of my favorite, travel-friendly options are:

*Energy bites
*Protein bars
*Beef Jerky
*Nuts (almonds, pistachios, peanuts)
*Trail Mixes

Check out this yummy option!

{T H R E E}

Exercise

I know, I know. This one is a given. But it can be easy to put on the back burner, be inconsistent, or feel like you don't have the time for a good workout. Newsflash! Any workout is better than NO workout! It doesn't matter if it's as hard core as it used to be, fellas. Run, lift, walk, swim, crossfit--just add in some activity!

My husband likes variety and with his schedule he absolutely can't make it to the gym regularly. So between running, working out at home with 22 Minute Hard Corps or streaming something off Beachbody on Demand at his hotel while on the road--he has no excuse to not get in a quick workout a few times each week.

Ladies {fellas}--let's keep pushing towards that healthy lifestyle. Weight loss may be a by-product but a long healthy life free of health issues is the best thing I can think of for my man! And I know I want my male counterpart to be around for as long as I am! ;)

For more healthy, easy to pack snack options, check out Nuts. com

Why Working from Home WORKS for Our Family

Thank you to everyone who reached out about yesterday's post.  There is so much beauty in the opportunities we moms have. It is a wonderful thing to celebrate and support fellow moms in whatever their decision is because, at the end of the day, deciding what works best for our own families is the most important thing we can do.

I want to share today why our family has found me working from home to be our best fit.

The blessing it has been to never have to leave this guy and GO to work.

I like to work.
When we found out we were pregnant with our second child, Andrew and I really began to have conversations about me working outside of the home. Day care was going to be more expensive, life would be more hectic. Did me working still make sense for us? And when we looked at the black and white facts of it all, it did.

One reason being that we, like most families, needed two incomes. But more than that, I like to work. Every summer, as it was drawing to an end, I was anxious for the school year to start up. Not because I wanted to leave my boys, but because I missed work. I missed the routine, the challenge of using my skill set to help all my students succeed, problem solving, being creative, adult interaction. I liked having a role that was MINE outside of wife and mom. Working gave me a very real identity that was me, not who I was in relation to someone else.

When I became a coach, that void I was worried about was instantly filled. I have a very real role outside of my children. I get to interact with other adults on my team as well as my clients. I am constantly connecting with new people, problem solving with clients and my coaches and getting to be creative in how I approach helping others.

Working from home perk--comfy coach, workout clothes, messy bun

I'm the boss.
I know that sounds cocky but think about it. One of the hardest parts of working outside of the home and balancing motherhood is the lack of flexibility. I had an amazing and super empathetic principal to work with. She was always understanding when the boys would get sick (or our sitter would get sick). I was really blessed. But at the end of the day, I worked for someone else.

I had to haul my butt in to get plans ready for a sub either early in the morning or late at night, depending on when sickness struck. If I didn't have any time off, I got docked pay. I had to return to work after my first son was born via c-section, after only 6 weeks off (and still had a few days of docked pay because I didn't have enough sick days accumulated)!! I get that all of this is part of having a real job, but I wanted more.

I wanted to be home with my kids when they were sick and not be thinking about work and wondering what I would come back to. (Not all substitutes are created equal). I wanted to be able to see my hard work and give myself a day off when I wanted. I wanted to decide if I wanted to work, what hours I wanted to work and where I wanted to work them. {I much prefer working poolside while my boys splash around. I've also worked in the passenger seat on the way to the beach, in an airport, from the couch, at our backyard table...all with my family nearby.}

I worked at the library while they got books and colored. 

Impromptu afternoon off so we could get out and head to the mall. 

I also wanted to decide my worth. Think about it? At the end of the day, your hard work's worth is determined by someone ELSE. I could put in long hours, come up with creative, engaging plans, spend my own money on items for my classroom and still make the same as another teacher doing half the work. What kind of incentive is that to work hard?

Now, my hard work is directly reflected in my pay. I have given myself a raise 3x since becoming my own boss. I have matched my old monthly income working a quarter of the time each week and if I want to make more, it is up to ME!

I get to be there.
Unless my kids were going to go to the school where I taught, I realized pretty quickly I would miss a lot. Their class parties, their field trips, their fun days at school. I wouldn't be able to go. Not unless I took a day from work to do that. All my life, when I thought about being a mom, I thought about those moments. I wanted to be there.

I wanted to volunteer. I wanted to be available to run up a forgotten lunchbox. I wanted to be waiting for them after school with a snack to hear all about their day. I wanted to send them off without being rushed to get out the door. Call me selfish, but I wanted all the memories.

Working from home allows me to make an income for our family and have a something else that gives me passion but also allows me to be there for all the moments; big and small.

I get to be on the preschool board, volunteer in Hud's classroom, go to all the school parties. I love those memories I have stored up. I loved the excitement when I got to share in his experiences.

Hudson's Mother's Day Tea

Thanksgiving Feast

I like adventure.
Deciding to take the leap into coaching was one of the most adventurous decisions I have ever made. To take a risk and decide to put yourself out there was not in my comfort zone. I like consistency. I like predictability to a degree. I like acceptance from others.

I had no idea where this was really going to go. I have no business degree, no fitness or nutrition background. All I had was a desire in my heart to do something well, to continue to make a living doing something I loved, and to do it in the presence of my children.

That passion has led to more adventure than I could ever imagine. The friendships that have blossomed from this opportunity blow my mind.

*I've flown to Texas alone to meet a group of people I had only met through social media, save a couple of people.
*I've roomed with people I hadn't met in person {but loved immensely already!}
*I've driven to Nashville with a girlfriend.
*I've booked hotels and made traveling arrangements (something typically left to my husband).
*I drove the boys and I to visit friends 6 hours away.
*I've spoken in front of large groups.
*I've earned us free trips. {Punta Cana 2017--EEKK!!!}
*I've been challenged in my faith.
*I've dared to dream for more for my family, monetary goals aside.

Working from home, this opportunity, opened up a whole new world to me and in turn opened up a whole new {BETTER} ME.

If you asked me what my perfect working world would look like--I'm living it. To be able to feel fulfilled, driven and alive while mothering my boys.

**If you are interested in what I do, how to make working from home a reality for you, or just a chance to add to your family's income, I'd love to chat. I am currently expanding my online business and am looking for people who want to change their life!**

The 3rd Mom: WAHM

This week it seems as though my social media news feed has a had a lot of articles being shared about motherhood and work.

*The struggle of staying home
*The choice to stay home
*The struggle of choosing to go back to work
*The BOGUS lack of time for working moms to have at home before returning
*The judgement of staying home after kids are in school

And the list goes on and on.

What I noticed, though, is a lack of a very prominent group of mommies: the work at home moms. And this group, is a GROWING group. With e-commerce becoming a staple in society and more and more people finding a way to make legitimate incomes for their families doing so (check out this article), moms are figuring out how to have their kids and make money too!

I have had the unique experience of being a part of all three groups at one time or another. I taught first grade both before and after having my first two boys. I remember the hardship of finding reliable daycare, only having a short amount of time for maternity leave and not feeling ready to go back, the piece of my heart outside of my chest each day as I dropped my boys off. Juggling the pressure to do my job well and still be the mom I desired to be all while keeping up with the house at home was hard! It was early mornings and late nights trying to get it all done.

Full time teacher 

2 year old and 6 month old in daycare

Because I taught, I had my summers off (for the most part). I got to stay home with my boys, go on play dates, sing songs and soak up every moment with them. What I found was that staying home was tough too. I missed the schedule and routine of our school year. I missed the adult interaction. I still couldn't get the house cleaned all through the day unless it was in shifts because I had the boys home with me. Messes were definitely more being home all the time.

Staying at home isn't a walk in the park. ;) 

Both roles are hard.

Equally as hard, is working from home. Almost 3 years into my coaching business there is a lot I've come to learn.

1. A lot of people don't understand working from home. 
Family members, friends, the outside world in general--a lot of people don't get it. When I say that I work from home, I automatically get pushed into the stay at home mom circle.  Which I get. Because I don't GO to work.

But moms who work from home have all the responsibilities of staying at home PLUS their actual work. It is different for everyone I suppose, but my work gets done in the cracks of my mothering. Which means nap times and after bed time aren't as leisurely as they used to be or can't just be used to catch up on housework. Which brings me to my next point..

2. We are always at work. 
Because we work from home, our work is always with us. My housework may get done but my job is still waiting. Or vice versa. I don't get to shut my computer down, straighten my classroom and turn of the light to leave. My work is always there. And since my work time varies, it can often feel like our work hours are 24/7. I have learned (the hard way) to set limits on my work time and when I respond to messages from clients. But finding the balance is hard, just like it is for any mom.

3. There is STILL a stigma
Like all things the mommy-war evokes, there is often a stigma with moms who work at home; especially those who are starting their own businesses. Often, we aren't recognized by other working moms. I can't tell you how many times another mom who works outside the job speaks about the balance of it all and when I comment--BLANK STARE. As if we both don't work. I've heard other moms experience this as well. It definitely doesn't feel good.

But at the end of the day, it is one of those things I choose to ignore. Because working from home has changed my life; my family's life. Motherhood is hard. Deciding what's best for you and your family is hard. Having experience in all three groups, I have found working from home is the best fit for our family.

And tomorrow, I'll be sharing the WHY behind how I've come to that conclusion! So check it out!

Inspiring Others

When my husband and I  were going through our pre-martial counseling, we learned about a lot of things. But the only that probably sticks out the most is love languages.

Love languages are the way you express love naturally and the way you feel most loved. There are five.

1. Physical Touch
2. Quality Time
3. Acts of Service
4. Words of Affirmation
5. Gifts

The point of us going over these languages was to learn what our's was personally and what our spouse's was. So we could work to express love to them in the way that means most to them.

I learned that words of affirmation was my love language.  It means a LOT to me to be affirmed, encouraged, heard, championed. When I feel loved this way. I feel unstoppable.

It isn't a hard leap for me to see how this relates to others, especially coaching. I love cheering people on. I love working alongside motivated, enthusiastic people. I love helping them overcome obstacles and struggles with encouragement, reminding them of their strengths.

I am not an expert in health or fitness. And we all know there isn't a one size fits all approach to fitness. What makes you excited about fitness?

*Do you like to run?
*Do you love group classes at the gym?
*Are outdoor sports your jam?
*Do you like strength training?
*Are you into yoga?

No matter what excites, I want to partner with you! I want to be the person who comes alongside you and pushes you further in your journey; who helps you get to your best self!

Affirming others in their goals is how I want to help them succeed!

*I want you to know I won't give up on you!
   Life happens. We all have bad days. We all fall off the wagon. I get that! I've been there! But what I do as a coach, is I won't let you stay there. Through coaching, I want to remind you of why you started, how far you've come, what you've accomplished.  I want to let you know, compassionately, that bad days happen. BUT, you are stronger than your bad days!

*I will journey with you! 
  You aren't alone.  Changing habits is hard.  Being sore is hard. Saying no to favorite (but not so healthy) foods is hard. And when things are hard, it is always easier to get through the hard when you have someone to share the burden.  I'm journeying with you. I'm going ahead and sharing what I've learned, my struggles, how I've found success. It's us together. I may not have all the answers; who does?? But together we are going to get farther than if we went at it alone.

*This is my passion.
  I know that sounds cliche. But when I am working with those who really want to make a change, it never feels like work. I love finding ways to keep women motivated. I love helping them break through plateaus, learn to love their bodies, and find their strength. I love watching them see themselves differently, redefine what the world says beauty or sexy is because they are working hard to get results right for THEM! I love helping families learn to love good, healthy food and discovering that it, GUESS WHAT??? Isn't bland!

It isn't always easy but I am always grateful to use a piece of my heart, who I am and how I express love and share it with others!

Modesty in the Fitness Industry

Can I be frank with you today?

When I started as a online health and fitness coach almost three years ago, I didn't know a lot.  I knew I had found something that worked for me; that I was passionate about; and that I wanted to share with others.

I also knew that I wanted to learn as much as possible about how to do this thing well because, well because I don't like to anything unless I'm good at it. How's that for truth?? I hate to fail and I like to feel like I'm accomplishing something.

As I set out to learn more about other successful people in my industry, it wasn't long before I felt a little out of place.

Who were these other women with all these followers?
What were these posts?
What does THAT have to do with health??

I quickly wondered if I had what it took to be successful. Not for lack of hard work. But because what I was seeing didn't match who I was.

I'm not a blonde bombshell.
I'm not big chested.
I don't pose baring it all (or at least, darn close to it all.)
I'm not provocative. (Nor do I want to be!)

Disclaimer: Not all women in this industry are like I am describing above. Three years later, I have mentors and people I look up to that are a direct opposition of what I am mentioning. This is just about what I was overwhelmed with in the beginning (and something that is still pretty prevalent.) 

Let me be clear. I am a health and fitness coach.  I take progress photos. I like to see the changes in my body.  I like to feel confident in my clothes. I like to feel confident in a bathing suit. I want other women to learn to love their bodies, embrace confidence in who God created them to be and to live a life that is healthy and full and active.

I am confident that I can do that, and be WILDLY SUCCESSFUL, and still be modest.

I am a wife, mother, Christian.
I can show you my progress without showing off my body provocatively.
I can build an empire without selling out.
I can help other women by showing them heart.
I can change lives.

And you can too! What if we banded together to change the face of what success in this industry looks like? What if more women had this mindset? What if we made health and fitness about health and fitness and not sex appeal??

It's part of my mission these days.
Yes, change lives.
But to revolutionize how we portray it.