Whoops and such

So, I'm pretty sure I did a post the other day, but never published it and so it is lost forever. Whoops. So on with the new......

I don't think I've ever been one for routines, at least not strict routines or intentional routines. I'm trying to set up a schedule for myself now that I don't have a "typical" job to go to. I keep getting asked why, what's the point? The point is, I'm looking for some structure. I am trying to for lack of better word, discipline my habits. I don't want to be lazy, I don't want to be bored. Do you know what happens with that!??! I eat unnecessarily, I get moody, I feel depressed and I get nothing accomplished. It's a complete waste!!!!!

I'm not saying I need to fill every moment of my life with something, but I like a good plan. Keeps me on track to meet my goals, my vision if you will. And while my "job" isn't "typical" it's still one that requires effort, dedication, completing tasks and doing that in a timely manner. It requires my attention.

Plus, structure is just good for my family. With a busy husband and a busy preschooler there are still many activities in addition to everything I want to get done in a day. I have people I like to check in with every day, new people to meet, workouts, of course meal planning and prepping to schedule, a cup of coffee and a little personal development time... and that's just to start.

So anyway, routines.. I'm not sure how to plan my day. I keep telling myself i'm gonna to start by doing one thing, but it doesn't happen. Routine=discipline. Discipline=area which Jenni struggles. It's about consistency as well, another one of my struggles. I can do these things, just not nearly as well as I'd like to be able to.

So here is what I'm going to do. I'm going to think about what I'd like my days to look like, each day separately and then WRITE IT DOWN!!!!! If you write it down, it makes it real and you can put it in front of you to remind you and help hold yourself accountable. And of course by you, I mean me.
Now it also isn't to say that my routine can't change and grow. It doesn't have to be the same forever, but it needs to be a schedule that allows me the time I want and need for the things I want and need to do. One of my best qualities is my ability to adapt to change.

Well that's it, that's today's ah ha. I need a schedule, I need discipline... oye, I may need help because that is a pretty big ahha that's sure gonna take some getting used to.

That's a wrap for this chapter

A single 10 hour shift stands between me and the next step of my journey.

I've been reflecting much lately on the last few years of my life. I was at McDonalds for nearly a decade and it took a great amount of coercing from family and friends to get me to apply for Speedway. I was driving sometimes 3 hours a day for my commute to work and I was miserable. It wasn't fun anymore. I was mistreated, unappreciated and smelled of grease all the time. I still had a hard time letting go. I had given this job all of me. I did it though, I applied for Speedway and despite the fact that initially it would be a small paycut, I jumped on the opportunity.

I didn't have a great time training for Speedway, there were a number of times I felt too stupid to work there. But I stuck it out, I didn't really have a choice. Then right after my training period, a spot opened up for me. It didn't take long for me to get moved to bigger stores (it happened frequently enough.) And in less than 1 year I made it to store manager. That's all I had wanted for a long time with McDonalds and here Speedway was already giving it to me. I struggled a lot in the beginning because I took over after someone was fired and just hadn't been doing very well.

I spent time feeling like less than my awesome self. But finally, I gained some ground and realized that the whole time I've been doing exactly what was expected and doing it very well.

I've always been an excellent employee, a great manager (at both places.. and then some.) I have given everything I have and my job has always gotten priority. My ah ha moment. My JOB has always gotten my best. What about my family? My friends? Myself?

At 12 weeks old, I left my little girl to go back to work. Yes, I know I was incredibly lucky to get to have 12 weeks with her (paid) instead of the usual 6 unpaid others get. My mom watched her a bit and then when she went home I had to rely on the people I loved. I wasn't in a position to put her into daycare. I didn't know where to even start and with both of us working it was already pretty much paycheck to paycheck. My friends Chrissy, Jena, Ashley and Jessica took the bulk of the babysitting duties. They did more for me than I could ever repay them for.

An opportunity then arose for Lily to go into daycare. She didn't last there long. She was kicked out at the age of 9 months for being a bully (yes, you read that correctly a 9 month old bully.) That's a whole different can of something to open..... I didn't know what to do so Jena suggested her mom. We started taking Lily to Linda and it didn't take long before she became grandma and the two of them couldn't be separated. A few months later we met the most amazing couple at church, Fran and Tammie. It was a fast formed and is a deeply special friendship. Papa and T have also helped take care of my girl since she was 1.

So for most of 5 years I have relied on the generosity and love of others to help with my amazing daughter. There are no better people that I could have gotten help with. Lily is very excited to have me home, but you better believe she is concerned how much time she is going to have with her Papa, T and Grandma. Can you imagine how good it feels to have your child that concerned over her time with people who started out as helping us out with babysitting but turned into something so much more. I will never be able to show my gratitude or pay any amount of money that will justify all these people have done for me. God brought them to me and I never want to lose them. I know my daughter will take away important lessons and characteristics from spending time with these wonderful people.

You see what I mean here??? Lots of reflecting....That feels like so much information and so much emotion in a few very short paragraphs. I just don't have the words to really explain what is in my heart for these friends turned family.

So tomorrow, I end the Speedway gig. I could keep going and I would be successful, but it's not what I want to do. Adam has found a career that he loves and he does so well at it. I am incredibly proud of him and I believe that he will go far simply because he wants to. This will hopefully lead us all down a new adventure together in the coming months. Until then, he asked me to believe in him and let him give me the opportunity to pursue my dreams. I've never seen Adam believe in himself so much and I trust that he won't let us down. So here we go... one income family until the 2nd half of my new dream comes true.

First and foremost I get to take care of my Lily. Now, she will definitely have her time with Papa, T and Grandma because I don't want that taken away from any of them. I am going to take full advantage of our time together as we finish the winter, head into spring and head into summer. She'll be in kindergarten in the fall and we all know how fast it will go before we don't have much time together at all. I'm a bit sad that it took so long for me to be able to do this, but it's going to happen so the happy more than outweighs that.

I am also going to take on my coaching full time. I find being a health and fitness coach exciting, frustrating and oh so fulfilling all at the same time. Being able to dedicate time and focus on it, I know I will change lives. Yes, I've said this a number of times before (including in the blog,) but that's how passionate I am.

The bottom line of all of it is this: I will take care of what is most important. Myself, my family and my friends. I will live my life with passion and energy!!! I will live happily!!

So, 3 pm tomorrow... that's a wrap for this chapter!!

5

Today is a big day. My one and only girl turns 5.

So many mixed emotions. I am so proud of the little lady she is becoming. She has all of these wonderful qualities and such uniqueness. She has always seemed more grown up than her age, it's just how she is. I never thought I'd have her and I become such an emotional basket case when I think about that.

But here we are.. 5 years later and every single day I thank God for her. I thank Him for bringing this light into my life. She brings a smile to my face every time I look at her (except when she doesn't clean her toy area.) When I pick her up from somewhere I still get that feeling in my heart that simply relaxes me and let's me feel nothing but joy.

I've had times where I felt like it was too good to be true that Lily is our little girl. She is so beautiful and smart (as a whip,) shy and kind. She is this exact mix of Adam and I. She deserves the absolute best from me!!! She is my why!!!!!!!!!!

What is my why??? It's the reason I started taking better care of myself and the reason I stick to it. 4 months now I have really been on my health and fitness journey. Taking care of myself has been a struggle for a long time. It's been a while since I thought anything of myself. This is where I kind of love that Lily is getting older. She can tell me when I don't feel like working out to get off my butt. She wants me to feel good, she wants me to feel better and I want to do that for her. She loves working out. She'll do it with me every day if I let her (sometimes I don't because the workout is too difficult for her.) I continue to lose weight and have energy and a desire to do more with her because I am taking care of myself. I've had to take a long look at what i've been fueling both of our bodies with because if I have junk going in so does she. Who knows what her dreams will be but I refuse to let lack of proper nutrition or even exercise for that matter ever be something that gets in her way. I will lead by example!! I will be a motivator!! I will hold myself accountable for all my actions!!! I will recognize that I'll have setbacks and not be able to be perfect!!! All of this, she will witness and will be better for it! I've started a cycle that will live on through her one day and I'm pretty proud of that.

I'm a little sad that it took almost 5 years to get here. But I really feel like here is where she really starts the memories that will live on with her. What a wonderful time and we get to share so much more of it together. 5 years old. Wow, just wow. I hope that my girl has a wonderful year ahead of her. Full of love, joy, friends and family. My heart could explode with how much of that love and joy she fills it with. If only she could understand what an inspiration she is to me..... Happy 5th Birthday to my Lillian Hazel!!!!

It's ok, it really is

I have not had much success recently following my food plan. I've been an emotional eater for a long time and old habits die hard. Inconsistency, absent mindedness and one excuse after another gained power over my progress. It started with one bad choice and escalated. I'm having a difficult time finishing out my full time job and being ready to embrace my new upcoming adventure. I continue to have mixed emotions regarding successes and failures. I have difficulties often still with comparing myself to others. I don't need a lecture about how that is not a good thing and how I should stop. I know this, I'm not blind to the fact that it hurts and hinders me. Doing that is another story!!!

I am so thankful for my Shakeology. Ok, so I told you have not been successful in my food plan so let me be specific. I drink my shakeology every day because it makes me feel good, it's delicious and I just don't want to go without it. I still don't have junk available at home and I don't buy anything other than water at work anymore. I am eating too much!! I get frustrated, I walk into the kitchen. I grab fruits, vegetables or protein bars and I eat. It's not time for me to eat nor am I hungry, but I eat. Here I am trying to coach other people and I am failing my own plan.

You know what???? Ah ha!!!!! It's ok, it's really ok. I can have an off day.. I can have an off week. I have work to do. I will always have work to do. I don't have to be perfect, I have to be me. I have to make mistakes to grow and to be strong!! I will wake up every day knowing it's a fresh start and make a plan to do better... to be better. I'm going through a lot of adjustments and sometimes I just have to slow down so I can give my all instead of trying to do too much. I am on track with my workouts and not every day this week has been unsuccessful with nutrition. So even a few bad days won't set me back, they simply slowed down my progression. I get in my workouts, but that doesn't mean I can get away with poor nutrition so I have to keep that in the front of my mind. After all you can't out exercise a bad diet.

I absolutely believe that it's important to share struggles. It let's other people know that it's ok to make mistakes and that I am human. It's relatable and as a coach I want that. I want people to know what happens on my journey so they can hopefully feel less discouragement on theirs. Because I believe in what I'm doing!!! I also know at the same time that there will absolutely be discouraging moments. It's all about how we react to these moments and how we push on.

I will continue to work on my personal development. I am learning to embrace change, make a commitment and be consistent, how to love myself flaws and all!! It's going to take forever because there will always be something I can make better and that is exciting!! Number one for me right now is to stop comparing myself against everyone and everything. I will learn it's ok for me to be where I am at personally and professionally.

I think maybe some people expect me to be sunshine and rainbows all the time. I AM in fact a very positive person but I'm real and I'm realistic. I have a positive outlook but that does not mean I will never feel down or never have struggles and I refuse to keep them hidden from the world. This will just have to be ok with everyone else, because it's what is. I already feel a thousand times better shouting out that I have flaws and it's ok, it really is. New day starts soon. I am prepared for making good decisions!!!

I do need to give a shout out to all the people participating in my free ab challenge. I'm in that group as a coach and trying to influence good decision making with exercise, water and nutrition and this group is keeping me in check and motivating me more than they could possibly know. I am so glad it's going on right now, it is amazing and so much fun!! I hope they are having as great a time as me.

What a week!!!

I know, I know!! A week in between posts is no good and it made you real sad. I will do my best to do better!!

I just had a very exciting weekend. I feel like the last week has been a whirlwind of changes and excitement! With my big announcement about leaving my "regular" full time job to take on my health and fitness coaching and taking care of my family full time and then the Super Saturday event I don't even know where the time went.

Super Saturday was AWESOME!!! I got to meet some amazing women and men and even my hero Autumn Calabrese. It was her program, the 21 day fix that really changed me. I learned so much from that program and just watching the video, I felt connected. I can't explain it, but it is how I feel. She has a new program coming out February 2nd called 21 day fix extreme!!! I am beyond excited for this. On Friday note we got to get a sneak peak of a workout from it!! It is going to be so intense and it even has changes to the nutrition portion to intensify things. This is not going to be a program for everybody, but if you are feeling ready for the next level it will be for you.

I got to meet with top coaches and hear their journeys. There are so many stories to hear and they are each so unique and unbelievable. It really motivates you to keep up on your journey and know that no matter what you really aren't alone. It is so great!!! There aren't words sometimes to explain it all!!

Today started a 30 day ab challenge group. I am so excited for this group. There are already a hand full of people who are sharing and got started on day 1 of the workout. There is so much energy and I just know that whoever checks in is going to feel it and work every day for the few minutes it takes to complete. This is what it is all about. Life changes, just starting with that first step and then following through. I can't wait to be there for everyone who wants or needs me to be. Challenge groups and coaches... they make all the difference in the world!!!

One more week until I take on this world!!!! Looking forward to the successes and the failures. Growth, that is what's happening!!

3 Day Refresh

In November, the day after Thanksgiving I started my first round the 3 day refresh. October and November were big months of change for me. Trying out new workouts, seeing results, becoming a Beachbody coach.... I kept hearing about this cleanse that could give you a jumpstart or push you over into some results (depending on where you were at in your journey.) I was beyond excited to try it and see how it goes.... I wasn't as mentally prepared as I thought I was.

It's not a difficult thing to do, don't get me wrong it certainly isn't easy. You don't go hungry... AT ALL. It's a lot of being conscious of your decisions and conscious of how you are feeling. So anyway.. I started that cleanse the day after thanksgiving (Black Friday) and with everything I had going on I actually didn't give it 100%. I didn't cheat with bad foods, but I didn't get in all the food that I was supposed to. I ended up losing I think about 4 lbs a little bit in inches all over and it got me back on track after the holiday. I consider it a win, not a strong win, but a win.

I didn't do terrible around Christmas and New Years. I maintained my weight, didn't gain a single thing. Did miss a few workouts but definitely had a chance to enjoy some treats and "extravagant" meals. How many people can say that? No weight gained for the holidays!!! But just to really kickstart my year and clean out my system from more than I still wanted to in the treat area, I decided to do another round. This is how it went:

Saturday morning: Wake up at 4 am (I had to work), walk straight to the kitchen, open the door to the fridge, pull out the brita pitcher, walk to the cupboard, open the door, pull out cup, pour 8 oz of water and CHUG!!!! Ok, so that was a bit drawn out but you must understand this... WATER is my greatest opportunity!!! I am terrible about getting the water I need each and every day (it's ok that I still have plenty of work to do for myself and my goals.) I had to make a very conscious decision to start the program off right. 

I had to be to work at 5 am so on the way to work I had a half of a banana and a greenberry Shakeology (it is recommended to use a vegan flavor, but i wanted to try to the greenberry and my vegan chocolate would not arrive until that afternoon.) Around 8 am I had some green tea. At 10 am, I braced myself. for. the. fiber. sweep. I didn't do well last time, I'm a big baby and actually didn't realize what would happen. The fiber sweep is something that thickens if you let it sit, and boy the very first time around did i let it sit. Anyway... I grabbed my 8 oz of water and I made it ICE COLD. Added the fiber sweep, shook it up, stuck in a straw and chugged it in 30 seconds. The thing is with the fiber sweep, it just isn't delightful. It does not taste bad, not at all. It has a citrus flavor and a citrus smell. I am not a person who can handle orange juice pulp, it horrifies me... therein lies my problem with fiber sweep. Like I said, I'm a whimp. But I did what I did, and I got it down and it went down with ease... no big deal. I have successfully mastered it!!!

Then at noon I had a vanilla fresh shake, the other half of my banana, 4 baby carrots and 2 tbsp of hummus (yummy.) Are you looking at this thinking "is that it?" You shouldn't be. It's hard to eat it all. The vanilla fresh shake itself is pretty filling then eating more on top of that. AND if you take it slow enough and not shove it all into your mouth as fast as you can then your brain and your stomach just communicate to each other better. Think of it like a small family. You can be the brain and your significant other is the stomach and you two are trying to have a conversation, let's call food your child. How well does that conversation go when your child is jumping, running, yelling, laughing or just being crazy in general right between the two of you?!?!?

Then I had my afternoon snack 5 baby carrots and a tsp of extra virgin olive oil. Have I mentioned that this whole time, I'm chugging water as best as I can? I'm kicking waters butt, I'm not sure why I can't seem to do this every single day. Baby steps Jenni, baby steps.  Had some afternoon green tea. Then for dinner I had a vanilla fresh shake and veggie stir fry. The veggie stir fry is extremely delicious!!!! 1/2 cup each of cauliflower, green beans and carrots with 1 tsp coconut oil and 1/4 tsp sea salt. It is seriously mouth watering. And so ends day 1!!!! 

And here is a big reveal... I started Sunday the same way, only this time my Vegan Chocolate was here. Oh Vegan Chocolate how I love thee. It is thick, creamy, chocolatey and just full of yum!!! Then do you know what happened??? I followed the same exact schedule the next 2 days. I ate all the same foods at almost the exact same times. So much of all of the changes I am making with nutrition is about being consistent. Now, to you this may seem more like boring meals than cosistency but they are my favorite healthy foods. My fridge ALWAYS has carrots, cauliflower and green beans and my counter almost always has bananas. So, I got to eat stuff I love every few hours in portion controls for  3 days!!! 

The items I chose work well with my body (heehee, I did not have any gas.) I did not experience bloating. I know I lost a lot of water I was drinking. My body isn't used to getting the water it needs so it purged itself (yeh, I went there.) But that water was cleaning out all the toxins my body just didn't deserve to hold on to. I felt good. I was able to work out and still push myself without my body feeling like it was faltering. I did not have as much energy as I usually do, but I still had plenty. I still just felt GOOD!!!! 

I will not be doing all of my measurements until tomorrow morning, but I did take a sneak peak tonight at the scale.. is this the moment you have all been waiting for?? Did you scroll through everything else to get to here? Do you think maybe you missed something important if you did? Well, since you scrolled now you'll have to wait. I'm not posting until you go back up and re-read everything I wrote. Do you understand how amazing it is to do a cleanse that allows you REAL food that tastes sensational AND gives you incredible results??????? Go ahead, I'll wait while you re-read.

Ok, that was enough time. 3 days and plenty of food later, I lost 6.5 lbs!!!! Yes, you are reading that correctly 6.5 lbs!!!!!! How amazing is that!?!?! Not only did I lose some extra weight, but this program REALLY and TRULY helps kick some extra cravings. My shakeology has helped me so much as far as sweets go. I rarely want them and when I do, it is so much easier to talk myself out of it than it used to be. But every once in a while still that need a sweet feeling kicks in and after the holidays, well I just needed a swift kick to my system to knock that out of here. I promise, I'll update some total inches lost after I do some measuring. I can pretty much guarantee some waist space lost (haha.)

I do have to tell you that this month, there is an amazing deal going for the 3 day refresh. I think you'll definitely want to check it out here. They are practically giving it away when you get Shakeology. With a combo like that, those lbs that need to come off don't stand a chance of staying. If you do click on that link up there, I sure would love if we could have a chat first. I want to know about your fitness and nutrition goals. This is about how you can get where you want to be and you need to know, I want to help you get there by being your coach.

If you're interested in checking out any of the products you ever hear me mentioning as I go on and on and on, please go here. The same thing applies as above. A person's health and wellness journey should not be traveled alone. I wouldn't and couldn't be where I am without my coach. She helps me, inspires me, motivates me and listens to me EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!!! I WILL absolutely do the same for you because it means changing your life for the better....forever!!

New Year

First day of a new year, feeling good, ready for the challenges (well, at least the ones I sort of anticipate.)

 I have my vision board done. I will share below a shortened version of it. My whole vision board is specific to relationships, personal goals and professional goals and dates. Not everyone needs to see every piece of information on it. Here is my shortened version:

I need to dedicate as much growth as I can to each of the categories I mentioned (personal, professional and relationships.) I want to be an even more awesome version of myself because of who I am and who I surround myself with.

I am getting excited for my trip to Pittsburgh with some amazing people. I already know I'm going to come back more fired up than ever!! The driving part of the trip will be like a little high school reunion and I'm looking forward to that as well. I get to do a workout with Autumn Calabrese, she is like my new hero. I just can't believe it!!!!! It'll be a workout from the upcoming 21 day fix extreme. It will be awesome. I am going to get training and motivation from incredibly successful people and it's going to rub off on me, I know it will.

I have a free clean eating challenge starting in a couple of days. I'm hoping for plenty of people to join and for it to make a lasting impact for the start of a healthy lifestyle for everyone who joins. I am going to continue sharing this month some of the amazing specials being offered with challenge packs and I am going to start building a team of people who want to make changes to their own lives. It takes time, but the impact my own changes have had on me will inspire others and we will all be better for it!!

I am filled with so much hope, faith and determination. This will be my year, it just will!!