All Aboard the Motivation Station

Charles Dubois once said, “We must be prepared, at any moment, to sacrifice who we are for who we are capable of becoming.”

BAM!! 

What motivates you? Quick, write down what came to your mind first.

It is fear? It is success? It is money? It is love? Is it your kids? Is it acceptance from other people?

There is no right or wrong answer. But there is an answer. And you need to figure it out...

For a long time, I was motivated by other people's approval. I was not doing anything for myself. I was craving acceptance, and love from family, friends and randoms. It was an unsettling, and never-ending cycle of disappointment, emptiness and loneliness.

One day I just woke up and thought to myself "ya, I am over living like this." And I will never look back.

I know for a fact I had that "take no crap from anyone" feeling the day I finally broke up with an ex-boyfriend. Show of hands, who has ever been in a draining, unstable, destruction relationship? You may think a relationship is worth the tears, the fights, the insecurities... it is not! No relationship should make you feel like that. And I had to learn my lesson...3x! Granted, I was as unstable as the relationship and any relationship is a 2-way street...(God knew what He was doing!) 

What motivated me to end it?? The feeling and sense that I deserved something better. That whatever I was currently doing was not right with my soul. I listened to ME. And I changed. I broke free!

It has been a lifetime of struggles and triumphs. A lifetime of personalities, really. I spent so many years trying to be someone's idea of perfect that I lost myself. I had no idea who I was. Less than 10 years ago is when I FINALLY felt like ME. 

Has anyone ever felt like that? It is an incredible feeling to finally find myself. I am full of life but also peace at the same time. No doubt that my recent relationship with Jesus has taken this relationship to a level that I can not describe. 

So what motivates me to never look back? What motivates me to keep pushing for greatness, to keep pushing for my destiny? It has to be a Higher Power. I have always felt, deep in the deepest parts of my body and soul, that I was meant for something amazing. AND SO ARE YOU! 

I get down on myself every once in a while. I get upset that I have not reached my idea of success in the time that I want. This week, especially, has mentally been a struggle for me. Not only with my fitness but with my business as well. I close my eyes and see my vision of success..and I am not even close. But I keep learning... I keep training... I keep working harder and smarter...I keep the path.

As you may know, I am in my fourth week of my fitness journey. Does my body have all the muscle and definition that I want? Not even close!!! It has been 30 days and I am nowhere near my idea of success. But success does not happen overnight does it? Wait, let me clarify, MY success does not happen overnight. My high expectations for myself WILL NOT happen over night. I want too much!! This mindset keep me alive. It keeps my body and soul energetic and loving and happy!!! 

Those who are fighters do not quit!  I do not have time to waste being upset or sad or pitiful... I have a life to live! You are a fighter, aren't you? 


Tips for motivation:
1. Take a deep breathe. Think of the thing that makes you the happiest---that fills your heart with the most love and life! Write that down.
2. Close your eyes, sit in silence, and imagine your life 5 years from now---what do you see? Where are you living? What is your career? What does your house/apartment/boat look like? Are your kids there? Write it down. Be specific. 
3. When you wake up in the morning, what do you think of first? This is your priority in life. It better be a good one. 
4. Keep your eye on the prize. Only you can control your future. Down the road of life, those little "hiccups" or "fails" in your life will not matter. Do not hold on to them. Successful people live for the future, not the past.

(Insert "Devil Wears Prada" joke here)

We all have our vices. For some people its alcohol...for some its chocolate...for some its wine...for some its all of the above! I am a coffee lover... there I said it! Are you happy now?! 

A cup of warm coffee in the morning brings such comfort and happiness to me. It is like the world stands still, I am the only person awake (this is clearly and obviously untrue), and I have a feeling that I can take on the world!...





Then I hit traffic going into work.... sigh....

You may be wondering what this blog is about tonight. I will not bore you with my love for coffee...

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I have reached the 2 Week Mark for my clean eating and fitness journey. Boy, did those 2 weeks go fast! Oddly and surprisingly enough, this journey has been pretty easy so far (the eating part... the workouts kick my ass). This eating plan ( 3 meals, 2 snacks; lots of lean protein, veggies and Shakeology...ohhh and I am allowed endless amounts of black coffee) provides enough NUTRITIOUS energy to keep me going all day! Not once have I felt like I was going to faint or pass out ("Well I don't eat anything, and when I am about to faint, I eat a cube of cheese"....Devil Wears Prade joke...NAILED IT!) My body just feels better because there is nothing but clean fuel going into it. It is a pretty addictive feeling. Food just tastes better now. My taste buds go wild over sweet potatoes now. Since I can not have much sugar (2 servings of fruit a day), the sweet potatoes taste even sweeter. I am telling you what, sweet potato is like a dessert to me now..but better!

I exercise 6 days-a-week with the Piyo workout plan (Beachbody). The workouts are approximately 30 minutes each. I workout right when I get home (There is better success rates for those who stick to schedules) These Piyo workouts are specifically designed to push my body's limits and to really, REALLY work my muscles by strengthening and stretching them. And they fit perfectly with the eating plan. My body's flexibility is getting better and better.

I posted Day 1 vs Day 14 results in a photo yesterday. I can already see a difference! But I am no where close to wear I want my body to be.

I am absolutely in love with the process so far. I feel dedicated and empowered. I went out to eat with my husband and did not cheat (so long Max n Erma's Tortilla soup). I am keenly aware of what an appropriate and healthy portion should look like. I am training my mind to see what a correct portion is so that I will not over eat in the future.

I can not express how inspired I am to talk to you guys through face-2-face conversations, Facebook messages, Facebook comments and texts. It makes so me crazy happy to hear your support, or how I am inspiring you to change for a more healthier lifestyle!!!