The big "F" word...failure.

Our reaction to failure separates the faithful from the faithless. 

Dictionary.com defines failure as a lack of success;  an act of failing or proving unsuccessful... YIKES. Kinda intense, don't you think? 

I am writing this blog tonight because failure came into my life today. I applied for a new job with my company about a week ago as an event planner. ( Please note: my absolute passion and true calling is an opportunity that God brought to me about 2 months ago. And while I am hard at work with that, I am blessed to be able to retain my full-time, normal job...I digress) I applied for another day job (reference first sentence of this paragraph) and got a call back! It surprised me because I really did not expect it. After a 10 minute preliminary interview with an HR rep, I was told that I would be contacted in a week for another interview.

"Heck yea," I said! I thought to myself, "I could enjoy this new job. I could be an event planner for a year or two, and just see where it goes." It sounded very exciting!! The more I thought about it, the more I convinced myself that this was my break. My break from the stressful, overwhelming, exhausting day job that I currently held.

Current day: I was on the phone with a customer when I saw  an email notification from the HR rep. I held my breathe, and told myself "No matter what this email says, remember that God has plans for me."

God had other plans. 


I was frustrated. I thought to myself "okay God, I do not see any reason why I did not get this interview. What is the reason for keeping me where I am now? I am so stressed out!"

I texted my husband shortly after receiving the email. He texted back... " well then it wasn't in God's plan".  

And that was that. 

I was not upset anymore. I was not angry at God. I shook it off and moved on. 

I do not understand God's plan. Nor will I ever! And why would I want to? God  has something big planned for me. For all of us. It never makes sense at the time. I can never see the point in "bad" things happening. But EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN THE PAST WAS PLANNED. IT WAS ALL FOR A PURPOSE. IT MADE ME WHO I AM NOW. My family. My travels. My ups and downs. My careers. My education. My eating disorder. My relationships...it all makes me who I am!!!

Have you ever wondered why God made you the way He did? I used to! I used to think to myself " why didn't God make me naturally skinny?"... You know those friends that are stick thin and can eat whatever they want and never gain weight? (arg) But think! If God made me stick thin and with a super- duper metabolism, I do not think I would be writing this blog and capitalizing on an incredible and awesome work opportunity.

I just have to stay faithful, thankful and listen to Him.

On that note, I want to tell you a story ( I know right, another story). This one is love story.
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It was approximately 3 years ago. It was July something or other. I just started a new job as a manager with a gigantic retailer in New Albany, Ohio. Specifically, I was working at the head quarters, or home office. I had just started, maybe a few days into it. I was doing something on the computer in the back of the store. I was surrounded by my manager at the time, and maybe a few associates... Not quite sure of the details. But what I do remember is this: my manager was talking to someone who did not work in my store. It was a guy. She introduced me to him. "This is our new assistant manager Andrea." I turned around (because obviously I was too busy to turn around prior to this moment)... and time stopped. 

As I shook this guy's hand, a voice in my head said "stop... you will want to remember this."

That man is now my husband.

It brings tears to my eyes just remembering how amazing it is. I love that moment. I remember his smile. And the voice. 

I have no doubt that God was speaking to me. I did not know it was Him at the time. But Andrew is my indescribably perfect match. God created this love between us. That is the only explanation for how wonderful our love is. 
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The point is, do not give up hope and faith. Failure is not that big of a deal. We move on. Life goes on. Do not waste your time wondering and wallowing in your self pity. Failure is not a lack of success. Failure is an attempt at a certain activity. You did not fail. You just did not succeed like you wanted to. 

Romans 5:3-5
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

You have no idea how disgusting Taco Bell smells while you exercise.

I reached the 21st day of my journey yesterday.

It is so insanely crazy how fast time goes. I feel great. I feel challenged. I also feel that there is a long way to go in my fitness journey. And that is the exciting thing about fitness... I can ALWAYS improve. I can ALWAYS develop and strive to reach my goals!!!

There are a few things that I have learned throughout my journey that I would like to share with you---

1. Just because other people eat poorly, does not mean you have to eat poorly as well.
    I was doing my Piyo workout on Saturday morning when my lovely husband comes home with "fresh" Taco Bell... and I almost vomited. You would think that it would upset me that he came home and rubbed this fast food feast in front of my face. Just the contrary, it made me happy that I was not putting that *hit in my mouth. Literally, it made our apartment smell like a dirty, sweaty Mexican rice bowl ( I am not knocking Taco Bell...but the mix of it and my sweat from working out just did not please my senses)

 There are two positives to this story:
1. He did not bring any home for me.
2. He called me first to make sure it was okay that he brought some home for himself.  He knows that I am doing this clean eating challenge so he wanted to make sure that I approved of this delivery. I can handle the temptation, but I was not thrilled that he was eating it.

I am dedicated enough to this challenge that I will not stray from it. I am stronger than someone else's temptations. Do not let other people tempt you with their non-nutritional food--- you tempt them with enjoying your nutritious food. If you want to be different... eat a salad for lunch, not a Big Mac. 


2. Stay motivated and inspired
1. Our motivation must come from inside ourselves (see my video on Youtube titled "My Story")
2. You must have a big enough reason "why"
3. You need to believe your goal is attainable.
4. Your environment is a BIG influence on motivation. Surround yourself with support!
5. Inspire others, and they, in turn, will inspire you. (THIS IS FACT AND IT IS HAPPENING TO ME NOW!)

Let me clarify... I am NOT doing this for people's approval. This is alllll me! This is my desire to take my body where it has never been before (yikes... did not see quotations about space coming into play tonight but let's just roll with it, shall we?)  But it is pretty incredible to know that I am strong enough to do this.

And people are supporting me. My amazing husband understands what I am going through and gives a lot of positive reinforcement for me! What is even better is that people are changing their lives because of something I said, posted, or talked to them about. (Eating a healthier lunch is a big step people so do not down play the little things you do!)

3. Portion control is a shocking revelation
This is the biggest part of my eating plan and holy smokes is it important!!!! My portions are very specific regarding lean protein, healthy fats, veggies and fruits.

Look at this interesting graph about obesity and large portion sizes (www.nature.com):

4. Take photos

If it was not for my stomach, I would not be able to tell any difference in my body. I just do not see it! It is probably because I am not nearly as chiseled as I want to be. But I took "Day 1 vs Day 14" photos and it really motivated me! I also took my measurements in the beginning on my journey so that I can see specifically how my body was influenced by my dedication.



I have loved this journey so far. I love having a blog and being able to share my story. Thank you all for your love and support! <3