Finding Your Why

Last year, my family and I went to Florida for Spring Break.  At this point, I was well over 200 pounds, and completely miserable.  I wanted to have a good time, but I felt so LIMITED because of my weight.  I was out of shape.  Exercise was a chore.  I hurt all over.  I had headaches, knee pain and foot pain.  I was LAZY.  I was flabby.  I HATED myself in my suit.  I was ASHAMED.   I was angry and bitter for "letting myself go".  When did I become the MOM that sits on the beach?  

I spent most of the trip sitting on the beach in my chair...reading...because it felt safer there.  The one day I tried to not care how I look, I put on a cute skirt and we went to an Aquarium.  I quickly realized why overweight people don't wear skirts in the Florida heat when my legs rubbed together and I got a HORRIFIC rash and lost the skin on my inner thighs.  I secretly cried in the bathroom.  I drank WAY too many Corona's.   BUT, I decided I needed a change.  A HUGE one.  

It was on that trip that my mindset began to shift.  I realized that I was NOT proud of myself.  I wanted to change that!  I wanted to become someone that I would look up to.  I wanted to be the person I always dreamed I could be.  I was READY!

The pain and disappointment of that trip became my WHY.  The reason that I kept going when it was hard.  The reason that I workout when I'm sore.  The reason I plan my meals.  The reason I quit drinking.  The reason I push myself everyday.  It's the MAIN reason I NEVER give up.  

What's MY WHY:   I WANT TO BE PROUD OF MYSELF  

My why isn't a number on the scale, or a certain size.  It's a feeling that I crave.  It's that sense of accomplishment that tastes WAY better than junk food.  It's the feeling of knowing that others are looking up to me.  It's knowing I'm a good example to my children.   

Mommy and Daughter PiYO

What's your WHY?  

Need help to find your WHY?  Contact me!  I love to get people started on a healthier life path :) 

God Bless!  

Karen 

Choosing my mantra....

It all started last year.  That moment when I absolutely knew that I needed to make a major change in my life.  I was desperately pondering another "crash diet", just to get a bunch of weight off quick.  That's when I joined my first accountability group and quickly learned I needed to let go of that quick fix thinking--forever.   I was SEEKING new ways of doing things, learning to live another way.  I hope to never stop learning how to improve myself and my health. 

Learning to live healthy has been quite a process.  I needed to get educated about different foods and their nutritional content.  I had to learn the best way to fuel my body.  I needed desperately to learn about portions.  It's a process that I consistently work on.  I strive for progress...not perfection.  I'd been so unhealthy for years, I couldn't remember what healthy was.  I am completely driven to become HEALTHY inside and out!  Everyday I read books and listen to podcasts about nutrition and wellness.  My healthy is a priority now. 

For years, I've either been ON a diet...or horribly OFF the diet.  I never learned how to eat mindfully and stop when I was full.  I had so many deeply engraved "bad" eating patters. I would regularly overeat and then overexercise out of guilt.  I knew I needed some balance in my life. The quest for BALANCE was born.  I now know what I need is balance in all things.  I need to be able to have a meal in a restaurant and balance it with a light meal the next. Time, daily practice, and a refined mindset have greatly improved this skill. 

I share all my tips and tricks, along with daily accountability to ALL the people I coach.  If you need help in any of these areas...let me know!  

Got Diet SODA?

Do you Diet Poison? 

I think it's safe to say....most people realize that Diet Soda isn't the most healthy thing you can put into your body.  Many people have been drinking it for so long, that it doesn't seem possible to "quit". They feel the daily need to drink this fizzy substance.  They will readily admit---THEY ARE ADDICTED.  

Well, I'm here to tell you that there is hope!  You can-- and will--kick the CAN!  I gave the stuff up a few years ago, I fully understand Diet Coke has addictive powers :)  I can also tell you this....I have way fewer headaches, less depression and my Fibromyalgia symptoms are greatly reduced.  I do not consume ANY artificial sweeteners.   About 6 months after I quit drinking Diet Coke, I decided to have one.  I quickly developed a headache and became nauseated.  YUCK!  Never again.  

So are you ready?   Follow these steps.... 

Step 1:  Decide and FULLY commit to quitting.  Yes, cold turkey!  You don't need this harmful substance in you body any longer. 

Step 2:  Research/google the dangers of Diet Soda and artificial sweeteners in general.   Read articles that describe the harm artificial sweeteners do to your body.  It's truly frightening.  Read something... EVERY....SINGLE....DAY.  Retrain your brain to HATE this stuff.  Get on Google everyday until the desire has passed for the poison.  The worst will pass in a few days. 


Step 3:  Find a replacement.  I enjoy calorie free iced teas, Fizzy natural waters and good, old fashioned tap water.  These won't taste the same.  Yes, you will miss the Diet Coke.  But, you WILL survive!  Try it!  After awhile, the only thing you will desire to drink is water, because it will be the only thing that quenches your thirst. 

 I bought one of these.  I love water infused with lemon, orange or lime.  Cut some of the peel off to keep the water from getting bitter. Very kid friendly as well.  If I have this prepared in the fridge, my teenagers will grab a cup of water.  

I'm most fond of the Lime flavor! 

Make up a pitcher of any flavor tea and serve over ice! MMMM

Step 4:  Pick your day and just do it!  Let people know you are quitting or, better yet--get a loved one to join you!  If you need extra support, I'm here for you.  I'll be your personal quit coach. LOL...but seriously,  you got this!  

You can read this article on the dangers of Diet Soda: HERE

I did fact/credit check this article. The research is taken from medical research done by reputable medical colleges and nationally recognized, longstanding health institutions.  
Another interesting read: HERE.    Most people who drink "diet soda" will over indulge in other areas because they feel they have some wiggle room in their diet.  This is just not true.