wake up!

Have you ever had a wake up call? Not the annoying snooze button in the morning, but a wake up call for YOUR LIFE?

Maybe you had just lived through an "almost horrible" accident. Maybe you lost a dear loved one and their passing awakened you. Maybe the birth of your child made you realize the priorities in life. Maybe you lost a job. Maybe it is looking in the mirror and you are wondering where all that weight has come from...

Everybody has a story. Not everybody has a wake up call.

My grandmother recently passed in May, 2014. She put up a really good and strong fight, but the Lord was ready to take her. She had lost the battle with COPD. She taught me to live for the Lord and to love family. I was saddened by her passing... to know that one day someone is here and the next day they aren't is just something that is so bazaar to me. I like to think that her strength and fiesty-ness can be found in me. Her passing into heaven was certainly a wake up call to me.

Ok so let us move on to something not so dramatic right?!

The wake up call for my fitness journey happened about 1.5 months ago. I was participating in a coach's conference with Beachbody. And obviously (to no one's surprise) we all worked out together afterwards! We were lucky enough to try a new fitness program that is yet to be released (coming soon--it is incredible!!!).

During the workout, I felt weak. I specifically remember doing these "punching" moves and literally feeling like my arms were weak little stretchy stubs like the arms of Stretch Armstrong (reference 1980s children's toy.) I was embarrassed. I was angry!!! I have been working out for YEARS so why do I feel like this?!?! I felt unhealthy. I decided right then and there that I was going to bust my butt for a healthier me! And I decided to change....just like that!

So what has been your wake up call? 


One of my dear friends from work recently had a heart attack. He smoked cigarettes for +30 years, drank multiple caffeine drinks (not coffee), drank lots of alcohol almost daily, and surely did not eat healthy by any means. He now has 2 stints in his heart.  The doctors told him that one more cigarette could possibly burst his heart. He must attend physical therapy. I told him " I am excited for you. You have a second chance at life! You have a new beginning!!!" He agreed...not for himself...but for his children. See, his young boy was the one who had to call the ambulance to tell them that his dad was having a heart attack. The little boy could not leave his dad's side for 3 days for fear that he would lose him forever...


Everything that happens to you is part of God's plan. I have learned to truly listen and reflect on things that happen to me. If I listen and pray, I know that God will lead me.

What is Piyo?

I have referenced the word "PiYo" a lot in my blog. Some of you may be wondering "What is this PiYo that she speaks of?" or some of you may just think it is typo.

This post is to give more incite into my fitness program for these 60 days. Note: this is not to sell the program, but to educate and inspire!! 
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I used to be cautious of lifting weights in the past, or doing any type of high-intensity workouts. "I just want to be skinny." Boy, was I dumb!? That is probably why I have no muscle definition hahah (until PiYo obviously) Muscle is sexy!! 

PiYo is a low-impact, high-intensity body-transformation program by Beachbody. It uses the most effective Pilates- and yoga-inspired moves set to a fast pace to help burn fat while sculpting long, lean muscles. And boy, do I feel it! I tell you what, these workouts feel amazing after a long day of sitting at a desk..or any day actually. It is so rewarding knowing that I worked out HARD and never left my apartment. Since I want to stay really busy, I love being more efficient with my time by working out at home (the workouts are anywhere from 20 minutes- 40 minutes).

Low impact does not mean "low energy required"---these workouts kick my butt!!! My legs have never felt so toned and strong before!! Like pilates and yoga, I use a lot of core muscles through these workouts. I mean , A LOT. I have noticed that my stomach and back have really toned up through these 30 days (half way done! )

I had issues in the past with yoga and pilates. I know these fitness programs are amazing, do not get me wrong. But I have a need to always be moving and I just could not sit still long enough to finish the yoga workout! I enjoy these PiYo workouts because they are so fast paced. There are various times through out the fitness workout which I can do "down dog" and "up dog" (typical yoga poses; allow my body time to rest for about 30 seconds from the intense sweat storm that is happening!)

My fitness program came with 3 dvds of 8 high intensity-low impact workouts (and 1 bonus dvd!) * workouts allow for variety so I do not get bored with the program. Because I do get bored with things!! Variety gives my body something new to adapt to so I will actually see better results.

I have 30 days left. (That is the timeline I set for myself. People can do this for a year, people can do this for a month. But the program is designed for 60 days so that is what I am doing) I can not wait to see how this program has transformed my  body!  Note: that is not me in the photo...but that is my goal-!!!!