Happy International Women’s Day | Inspiring Change

When I found out today was International Women’s Day, I quickly began to think of who I would blog about. I thought of important women in history and thought I should find one that really inspired me and blog about her. But then I thought about it some more and I realized, I am surrounded by so many inspiring women on a daily basis, let’s talk about them for a bit. Let’s honor the working mom who wakes up every morning at 6am to start her day packing lunches, folding laundry, dropping kids off at school, then go to work every day. Let’s honor the moms who homeschool their children. The women who own their own businesses. The mom who finds time in her busy schedule to take care of herself too. Let’s honor the women who follow their dreams and pursue their passions in life. Let’s honor the girlfriends who will stay up all night with you when you’ve had a bad day and need someone to vent to. Let’s honor our mothers for the sacrifices they’ve made to raise us to be strong independent women. Let’s honor each other. We are all inspiring.

This year’s theme for Women’s International Day is: Inspiring Change. Well, I am here today to tell you that you can make a difference. You can change your life to be what you want it to be. Your choices, your actions, your words can inspire someone to make positive changes in their life too. Then their changes will inspire someone else and so on and so on. You can be the start of something amazing.

This goes out to all of us: mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, aunts, nieces, grandmothers, granddaughters, girlfriends, women, girls. Today on Women’s International Day, I ask that we be aware of our actions, that we be aware of our words. That we not put ourselves down. Let’s be proud of where we come from, where we’ve been, and most importantly, let’s be proud of who we are! We have the power to inspire change.

Here I am with the most important and inspiring women in my life. My sister, my mother, and my daughter. Who inspires you?

Transformation Tuesday

This is the first time I post a Transformation Tuesday, probably because I’ve felt I am not exactly where I want to be and I don’t feel I’ve reached my ultimate goal. But today I’m like, hey, I’ve come a long way and I should be proud of all the hard work I’ve put in. You can read all about my journey in detail on My Story page. It’s amazing to see that almost 2 years ago I would not even consider buying running shoes, nevertheless wearing them! Yet, here I am today itching to buy a new pair of sneakers, signing up for races and events I didn’t even know existed and training hard for these challenges.

I’m here to tell you today that you can make changes to your life. You can find the drive and the focus you need to make those changes. It’s not going to be easy and if you’re anything like me, you will have pitfalls and it won’t be perfect success. But, that’s not the point is it? No, the point is that you are out there doing what you thought was impossible. Doing what you didn’t even know you wanted to do! So, whether you are just starting your fitness journey or you’re on the road and think you’ll never reach your destination, just know that it’s happening. It’s not only happening on the outside, but it’s happening on the inside. People are noticing. It’s not about reaching that perfect number on the scale, although that’s nice too, right? It’s more about finding the courage to do something different and focusing on becoming the best version of yourself. Here’s to transformations from the inside out!

It may not seem like a huge drastic change to many, but it is to me and I'm happy with where I am now and looking forward to where I'll be 3 months from now! — It may not seem like a huge drastic change to many, but it is to me and I’m happy with where I am now and looking forward to where I’ll be 3 months from now!

Take Control | Don’t Give up

So, who signs up for a half marathon and celebrates by eating a donut?!? This girl, that’s who! I just had to get that off my chest, it’s not really what this blog post is about. Ok, so moving on…

It’s been a stressful week at home, mostly just stressing over work stuff. Lame, I know, but hey, I’ve got kids to feed! Maybe I’m being a bit dramatic but the point is I’ve been stressed out. I skipped my training session on Tuesday and I almost skipped going today too. Why? Because yesterday was a bad day and I woke up still feeling in a funk. I just wanted to stay in my PJs all day and do nothing. But, I started to feel bad, remember I missed Tuesday, so I put on my workout gear, tied my sneakers and I made it to the gym.

I started out feeling sluggish, but then somewhere in between my 2 minute interval on the Stairmaster (level 10!) and bicep curl lunges, I remembered what someone once told me. I was told that you may not be able to control everything that happens in your life, but you can control what you put in your mouth and how your body looks. Aren’t those words of wisdom? At that point, I was like, forget feeling sorry for myself and worrying about things that are out of my control. My problems and anxieties will still be there when I’m done with this workout but right now is “Me” time. It was time to push my body to the limits, it was my time to sweat, to get out of my comfort zone and work it. If only for the next 45 mins of my workout, I felt powerful. I felt in control and it was awesome.

Am I jumping for joy and feeling euphoric right now? No, I’m not. Let’s keep it real! I’m back to reality, but I do feel a little bit better. I feel focused and ready to tackle whatever life throws my way! I feel empowered because I didn’t let life’s annoying problems get in the way of my goals. So, I’ve said it before (specifically in this blog post —> HERE) but I’ll say it again: Don’t give up on yourself and your goals!! Making exercise a part of my regular routine really helps me deal with the stresses of life and I’m confident it will help you too. So, go on a walk today around your neighborhood, pop in that workout DVD, or go to the gym, whatever it is, make some time to take care of you. Your body will thank you. xoxo

And, if that’s not enough, click on the picture below for 100 other reasons you should workout today!

Letting Go Of Our Fears

What would happen if we just let go? If we just woke up one day and said, “I’m gonna do it!”? Excuses are abundant. I know I have a million!! We all make excuses for ourselves. Excuses for why we can’t workout, why we are stuck in a job we hate, why we can’t go back to school, why we don’t follow our dreams. Like I said, I get it. It’s hard to step out of that comfort zone. It’s hard to make the first move. It’s hard to try something new when we don’t know what the outcome is going to be. Did I mention, I get it. This is me right now. Sure, I have taken some risks. I have made some big changes in my life and to an extent, I know what it’s like to let go of fear. I’ve had some fears. The fear of walking into a gym, the fear of being in the front row of a Body Pump class (What was I thinking?), the fear of failing at my business. And, guess what? I overcame those fears and I’m here to tell you and to tell myself again, the outcome is worth it.

We get comfortable in our routine. We find something we think works for us and we stick to it. It’s safe and warm and cozy in our comfort zone. I’m in a pretty comfortable place right now. But, I started thinking of “what if’s?” and “why not’s?” and I got scared. I got scared of failure. So, I kinda put a few things on hold for a bit. But, of course those thoughts and ideas are still bubbling up inside my head and I can’t ignore them anymore. I shouldn’t ignore them and you shouldn’t either. What’s the worse that could happen? What’s holding you back? What’s the worst case scenario? I thought of mine and I am ok with it. I am ok with living with my worst case scenario. You know why? Because if I don’t try, if I don’t let go of my fear of failure, then I will never know if I will succeed. So, if you want to succeed at something, you have to give it a try. Lots of times, that means being scared. It means getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things. It means you have to work hard. You’ll never know unless you try and wouldn’t you rather say you tried and failed than never tried for fear of failure?

I know, I’m not saying anything you haven’t already heard or anything you probably haven’t already seen in an infographic on Pinterst. What I am saying right now to you and to myself is this: Let’s do it! Let’s focus on one (or 2 or 3) of our fears and take them down one by one! It doesn’t matter what it is. Whatever it is let’s let go of fear and come out winners. Winners for trying! Winners for letting of of fear!

Running, Cheaper than Therapy | Is it?

I’m so excited to have started this blog earlier this year. It’s definitely helped keep me accountable and motivated in my journey to getting healthy & fit and I hope it’s helped some of you out there to stay motived in your own journeys too.

Getting into running races has been much more than just throwing on a pair of sneakers & running! Honestly, I’m not so sure the saying “Running is cheaper than therapy” is very accurate. I’ve had to make some financial adjustments to account for the race registrations, my never ending need for sports bras and running shorts, protein shakes, and running fuels! Then there’s the hydration belts, compression socks, headbands, and KT Tape! Yup, this running thing has not been cheap. But, I love this newfound hobby/obsession and I’m willing to make some changes for it.

I register for races because they keep me motivated and give me something to focus on. I run and workout because it makes me feel strong. It makes me feel happy. It’s something I do for myself and believe me, when you are a mom, wife, and business owner, doing things for yourself can often take the back burner. Who’s with me?

So, although running my not be cheap, it’s definitely better for me. I have more energy and it makes me feel good about myself. I am happier when I exercise and a happy mom makes for a happier family. I’m making a commitment to become a better person both inside and out and that is totally worth it for me. How about you? What’s your therapy?

Tips for Keeping Your New Year Health & Fitness Goals

Right now, most of us are planning, making lists, and getting ready for the new year ahead. We’re reflecting on this year that is so quickly coming to an end – seriously, where did the time go? Just about everybody always adds losing weight and/or exercise to their list of goals for the new year. I know I always do. But what I’ve learned is that just writing down or saying “I want to lose XX lbs. in 2014” or “I want to start working out more” Is not gonna cut it. I know, because I always did this and always failed. I failed because there was no action plan. It’s great to set goals to become healthier or more active in your life, but without a plan, it’s just a dream. This is the year to turn those dreams into reality. Here are a few tips to help you get started on the right track!

1. Have a game plan. Saying and doing are 2 different things. Write down how you plan to lose those XX pounds. Will you do a 21 day sugar detox? Will you practice better portion control? Will you join a gym? Workout 3 days a week for 30 mins? What workouts will you try? Write it all down and keep it in a handy place to go back to!

2. State why you want to make these changes. These statements can be very powerful and have a big impact on keeping yourself motivated to make these lifestyle changes in the coming months.

3. Put it on your calendar. Make appointments, set reminders on your phone, and/or recurring events on your calendar. Whether it be scheduling time to go to a fitness class, go for a jog, or pop in a workout DVD, make it a part of your daily routine.

4. Weekly meal plan. This is major if you are looking to make healthy lifestyle changes. Pick a day out of the week that works for you (Sunday is my day) and write down your meal plans for the week then go shopping accordingly. If you have a super busy schedule, then you can even try prepping your meals on this day to make it easy to just grab & go during the week. This will really help you stay on track and not make hasty or bad food choices because you don’t know what to make for dinner or you didn’t pack your lunch and just went out for fast food.

5. Be realistic. Saying you want to workout 5 days a week can be daunting, especially if you haven’t been on any set routine before! Start off with smaller goals and work your way up to the ultimate goal. Start by making it a goal to workout 2 days a week for the month of January (Don’t forget to put it on your calendar!) Then add a day each month thereafter and by May you’ll be working out 5 days a week!

6. Step out of your comfort zone. Sometimes we need to try new things and go out on a limb a bit because that’s where the magic happens. If you do the same thing over and over, it can start to get boring, so try something new! It could be a new healthy meal, a new fitness class, or even just a different running trail. You’ll never know if you’ll like something new unless you try it. It will be scary, but just think how proud you’ll feel when you actually do it. You may find you really love it and if not, at least you can say you tried it!

7. Keep yourself accountable. Telling someone else about your goals is a good way to stay accountable. Having a good support group will help you stay on track with your goals.

8. Sign up for a race. I know this is what keeps me going and I firmly believe that signing up for a race will keep you motivated too. It’ll give you a goal to aim for. Sign up for your first 5K or your first marathon. Try an obstacle course race or a fun run. There are so many options available right now, that there is bound to be something you’ll find fun. Sign up with a few months in advance and get to training! You won’t regret it.

9. Don’t give up. None of us are perfect. We’re gonna miss a workout or indulge in a meal that’s not part of our meal plan. It happens. The key is to not let one bad day, ruin your goals. Honestly one bad day won’t ruin your progress, giving up will. So, if you know you’re going out for a special occasion, allow yourself a “cheat meal” and move on. So you missed a workout because you worked late that day. It happens. Those are small bumps on the road. We all have them. Don’t be too hard on yourself. I’ve read it takes 21 days to make something become a habit, so don’t give up!

10. Rewards. Who doesn’t love to get rewarded for a job well done? Some people like to buy themselves a new outfit after reaching their weight loss goals others will plan a night out. Workout 3 days a week for 30 days and get a pedicure. Get a new playlist for your ipod after you run your first 5K. Whatever it is, it doesn’t have to be expensive or big it just needs to be something to keep you motivated! Set your goal + reward and you’ll be on your way 🙂

Do you have any tips for staying on track with your fitness goals? I’d love to hear them.

Let’s Stop Comparing.

Did anyone else watch the NYC Marathon on TV this past Sunday? I watched bits of it and was so inspired. I know I will never-ever-ever run as fast as the top female finisher! She ran 26.2 miles in 02:25:07. Amazing! To put things into perspective, I’m hoping to finish my first half marathon, 13.1 miles, in around 2:30. Of course, running is her life, not a hobby. She’s an elite athlete and to compare myself to her, for any one of us to compare ourselves to her, would be wrong. It’s unrealistic and not healthy. So, why do we still do it? We may not compare ourselves to top athletes, but we compare ourselves to other women. We’re bombarded by stories on social media about all these amazing success stories and we start to feel bad about ourselves. We start to second guess ourselves, second guess our own progress. I know it happens to me. I’ll be like, “It only took her 3 months to lose 30 lbs, it took me a year! What’s wrong with me?” “She can do how many pull ups? I just want to do 1!” I could go on and on, but you get the point.

Let’s stop comparing ourselves to others. The only person we should compare ourselves to, is ourselves. Let’s focus on becoming better than we were, not better than so and so. We are all at different stages in our lives and journeys, so why compare our middle, with someone else’s end. How do I know what it took for that lady to lose 30 lbs in 3 months! Maybe it was hard for her, maybe it was easy for her. I don’t know. I only know that it was her journey, her story, her moment. Not mine. It took me over a year to lose 30 lbs and I’m ok with that. Why? Because it’s my story, my journey.

Let’s look back at who we were last year, last month, last week, and be proud of the progress we’ve made, the goals we’ve reach, and the hurdles we’ve overcome. Not just in fitness, but in life too. That is much more rewarding and much more realistic. Let’s be happy with ourselves. Let’s live our life fully and wholeheartedly. Let’s promise to stop comparing ourselves to others and focus on ourselves this week! Write down 5 things you’ve done this year that you are proud of and start feeling good about yourself. Deal? Deal!

Let's stop this and start living our own life! — Let’s stop this and start living our own life!

Finding the Balance in Our Lives

Is this even possible? I ask, because we all seem to struggle with it. I don’t think I’ve ever met a single person that has said they live a perfectly balanced life. We are always striving for a perfect balance between our work, family, hobbies, responsibilities, etc. What does having a balanced life really mean, anyhow?

I’ve struggled for a long time with this. Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate the freedoms and perks that come with being a mom who works mostly from home. But, it’s very hard to work from home and have “working hours”. When I’m doing laundry, I feel I should be working. When I’m at the gym, I feel I should be working. When I’m playing with my children, I feel I should be working. But then, when I’m working on my computer, I feel guilty that the dishes aren’t done or that my daughter is playing alone in her room. Or better yet, watching way too much Disney Jr. Also, with social media being such a big part of our lives and in my case, a big part of my work, I feel like I’m always “on”.

There are days, when things feel completely chaotic and out of control mostly because I’m trying to juggle too much at the same time. On those days, I feel unaccomplished and stressed out. I find that when I get to this point, I need to step back and prioritize. I need to figure out what’s most important, what’s truly urgent and tackle those things first. This means some things just don’t get done or don’t get done right away and I have to be ok with this.

Maybe having a balanced life does not necessarily mean a stress-free life. Maybe a balanced life isn’t so balanced after all. There are things that will take priority over others, like our family. Or things that will take more of your time. There are things we just prefer doing over others. Instead of looking for a perfect balance in our lives, maybe we should just look for some balance. Maybe balance is more about being flexible and able to change directions. Balance may not always be about giving everything or everyone equal priorities. Maybe balance is about letting go of the things that hold us back and weigh us down and keeping what makes us happy and fulfilled.

What does having a balanced life mean to you?

I was really struggling to keep my balance during Tough Mudder!

My Fitness Bucket List

I love lists. Like seriously! I have lists for just about everything in my life, from vacation bucket lists to grocery lists. I’ve got quite a few list apps on my iphone! I had a 101 things to do in 1001 days. I got about halfway with that! One of my favorite lists right now is our Summer Bucket List! It’s fun for the whole family. Last Monday I even posted about some of my Fitness Goals & Making Lists.

Anyhow, I’ve been keeping a mental fitness wish list since I started on my fitness journey, but I thought this would be fun place to share what’s on the list right now and add a few new things too! I’m hoping this will keep me accountable and motivated to reaching these goals. Do you have a fitness wish list or bucket list? I’d love to hear what’s on it. Don’t be shy 😉

MY FITNESS BUCKET LIST

Do a pull-up (yup, just one for now)
Complete a half marathon (signed up for one in November)
Run a 10K
Complete a Super Spartan race
Move up to 10 lb. dumbbells during P.I.T. class
Do 3 one-handed push-ups
2 minute plank
Learn to ride a bike (Don’t judge me)
Complete a triathlon (hence, the above item)
Bench press my own weight
Lululemon outfit (does this count? a girl can dream!)
Learn to rock climb

Now, it’s your turn? Leave a comment below and let me know what’s on your list!

xo,

Jessie

Happy Friday | The Challenges of the Weekend

The weekend is almost here and we are looking forward to crossing a few more things off our Summer Bucket List these next 2 days! I’m looking forward to spending time with my family and doing some fun stuff together. Do you have any fun plans for your weekend?

I’m a wedding photographer and lots of weekends are spent away from the kiddos, so we really try to make the weekends we have with them special! As much as I enjoy having weekends off and spending them with my family, I do worry about how I’m going to eat healthy and stay on track while we’re eating most of our meals out of the house. I’ll do really well all week. I’ll workout every day and cook and eat healthy meals. Then the weekend gets here, we’ll be at the park or running around at stores and then BAM it’s time for dinner. Your options are limited and you aren’t going to go home and cook (it’s Saturday, after all). You decide on a place to eat, vow to find something healthy on the menu, and then the bacon blue cheese burger and fries catches your eye….Is this scenario familiar to you? Do you give in to the burger or make a sensible choice instead?

Let’s not let the weekend ruin all our hard work this week! Here are 3 easy steps we can take this weekend when we’re met with temptation while eating out!

1. Tell your family or friends you’re out with that you’re going to have a healthy meal! Just saying it out loud to others will help keep you accountable and when you start drooling over those chicken nachos, they can hopefully help steer you away 🙂

2. Plan a quick morning workout. You can find some on my Pinterest workout motivation board. Anything from 15-30 mins. should do it. Something simple you can do in your home that will help get your blood flowing & heart rate up. I find that taking just a small amount of time for myself before starting the weekend helps me stay on track. It reminds me of what’s more important and I feel stronger when faced with temptation during the day. I’m like, “I worked hard this morning and don’t want to ruin it!”

3. Have fun. Don’t be too hard on yourself. If you give yourself a cheat day or a cheat meal once a week, then go ahead and use it on the weekend when you plan to eat out. Enjoy the time with your family and friends. Don’t be so focused on counting calories or not eating carbs that you forget to live in the moment. Eating healthy and exercising is a way of life, but it shouldn’t consume your entire life.

Have a great weekend and enjoy your messy life!

xo,

Jessie