This weekend I had the pleasure of watching my dear friend’s 3 small children. Lillie 6, Andrew 4, and Paul 9 months. I will be honest, this was not a planned event, but an event that I welcomed. All 3 children are extremely well behaved and get along swimmingly with my 3 children. Paul being the 9 month old, is laid back and an “easy” baby. With bright blue eyes and big chubby cheeks, we had a real live adorable Gerber baby in our house this weekend! As easy as Paul may be, I must use that term loosely because when you are caring for 6 children, no baby is “easy”. (At least not for me!) It was in those moments when I was caring for the youngest “Walter” that I realized…every mom who has more than one child must undergo some sort of mommy amnesia. She must FORGET what it is like to be on “call” 24/7. She must forget what it is like to constantly be on alert to make sure that the baby is not eating a stray object or climbing the stairs, or plummeting down the stairs. It is an incredible thing to be constantly “on” and responsible for not only preparing the little meal (that is different from everyone elses) but also then to feed the child the meal, and a bottle! She has diaper duty so it is not just an occasional wipe but process of diapering and applications of desitin and the like. I was in the “throws” of that life just 2.5 short years ago and yet with an almost 3 year old who feeds himself and even takes care of most bathroom issues I had simply forgotten! A bit of amnesia perhaps? It all came screaming back to me yesterday at 6pm when I was feeding Paul some sweet potatoes. He was not super happy about it. I didn’t have a high chair or seat so I was feeding him on my lap. In the meantime the other 5 children were finishing up their dinner and had decided to play on the swing set. Paul’s dinner was interrupted several times as there were cries from a fall on the monkey bars, and a need for a push on the swing. Finally my husband went outside to “man” the swing set when my youngest came in to take care of some business. With sweet potatoes all over Paul and myself I hear from the bathroom…”mom I need a wipe!” He meant, “mom please wipe me!” Of all the times to take care of this—really right now? I started to put Paul down but he began to cry. So with one baby on my hip and another in down dog position politely waiting to be wiped…I wiped his bottom. It is a good thing I do yoga! A mommy FIRST for me! I thought I had pretty much done it all! (To ease Sara’s mind, I did immediately wash my hands—and then went back to feeding Paul his dinner!) Saturday night really reminded me of reality TV: Jen and Chris Plus 6! Today Chris worked so my show title could have been: Jen Minus Chris Plus 6. I don’t know how mothers of more than 3 (because that is my experience) do it?!
Eating Clean While Eating OUT?
Eating out and eating clean can be QUITE a dilemma. It seems safer to stay home! (And sadly, it may be!) Restaurants have studied what keeps consumers coming back and it is their mission to load up each morsel of food their with a “time tested” trifecta: sugar, fat, and salt. These 3 things little ingredients have addictive qualities…they are RARELY found in nature and yet, we as Americans are obsessed. Our diets (often unknowingly) are filled with them! The book entitled, “The End of Over-Eating” pulls the curtain back and interviews a top food industry executive who shared, “Sugar, fat, and salt make a food compelling, they make it indulgent. They make it high in hedonic value, which gives us pleasure.” When asked if they design food specifically to be “highly hedonic” the answer was “absolutely, we try to bring as much of that into the equation as possible.” (Kessler, 18) The exec goes on to describe the ways that they “layer” or “load” each dish with as much sugar, fat, and salt as possible. This brings their customers back for more. Why??? Scientifically speaking, fat, sugar and salt are strong reinforcers, especially when combined together! UNC Chapel Hill has done a ton of research on this subject and Sara Ward found that the breaking point for animals who would no longer “work” for a fat and sugar combination was just slightly lower than the breaking point for cocaine. (Kessler, 31) Yep, you read that right…when you say, that is so “addictive” you are actually correct…it is…and it was designed to be!
Knowing that it is the job of the restaurant to lure you in and keep you coming back for you more it is OUR job to be great detectives on what we are putting in our bodies. It is okay to ask for ingredient lists and nutritional fact sheets. Even better I would encourage you to go in and “create your own meal”. In other words…GET CREATIVE…BE HIGH MAINTENANCE! Don’t be afraid to ask for exactly what you want and how you want it prepared.
ALWAYS…
- Ask for WHOLE WHEAT options for bread, pasta and tortillas. (Even if you know they don’t have it…it raises the awareness of management that this is something patrons WANT)
- Ask for your veggies to be steamed and cooked without butter
- Ask for things without a bun or in a “bowl”
- Ask for the chips to be left off the table
- Ask how things are prepared…ask for meat to be grilled instead of fried
- Order several SIDES instead of a main dish…(i.e. black beans, veggies, sweet potato, side salad, etc.)
- Box ½ of your meal before it is brought to you…portion sizes are OUTRAGEOUS
- For a kids meal…create your own…ask for grilled chicken instead of nuggets and veggies instead of fries, more often than not they will do it.
- Create your OWN meal. Don’t feel confined to the menu…often you can clean up something by just requesting it the way you would prepare it at home.
Let me be clear…I am not trying to start a WAR with big business and food industries. I understand that they are dealing with the “bottom line” and their job is to bring customers through the door. I am not saying all restaurants (or restaurant owners) are evil! I am trying to raise awareness. I believe that it is all about supply and demand and if customers start to demand healthier, nutrient rich options then businesses will respond. I was thrilled to hear one of my pod girls who works for CFA share that they are now offering steel cut oats as a breakfast menu option! It is our job as a consumer to be informed as to what we are putting in our bodies; and then by choices and where we spend our money, positively effect change.
Here are a few restaurants locally that are Janine, LeAnne, and I frequent. They are NOT perfect and at each one you could eat a nutrient rich meal or a meal filled with fat, sugar, and salt. These particular places have MORE clean options than many, and for that reason they made the “list”.
Quick Bites…
Chipolte
Doc Greens
(coupons in citipass)
Greek Fiesta
(coupons in citipass)
Moes
(kids eat free on Tuesday night)
(coupons in citipass)
Qdoba
Sweet Tomatos
(coupons in citipass)
Urban Turban
(awesome weekday buffet)
Whole Foods
(such a great salad bar and buffet…they also have yummy made to order sushi!)
Z Pizza
(lots of options: whole wheat crust, gluten free, tons of veggies and even soy cheese)
(coupons in citipass)
Date Night
La Shish
(citipass)
Irregardless Cafe
Shopping Around Town
Farmers Market (Western Wake and Raleigh)
Fresh Market
Great Harvest
(coupons in citipass)
Trader Joes
Whole Foods
Good options can be found and it is worth the search. YOU are worth the search.
Happy hunting!
Happy hunting!
Jenni
Tummy Troubles?!?!
As we have embarked on week one and two of P.O.W.E.R.’s Clean Eating Challenge, Janine and I have heard many rumblings of concern. Tummy rumblings that is. We are hoping this is not because you are hungry–as this challenge encourages you to eat 5-6 times a day! They are actually rumblings of discomfort.
This is because your body is likely going through a detox of sorts! You may feel bloated, have extra gas, diarrhea, nausea, cramping, and many other intestinal responses. It can even feel like you have the flu. This is normal. I know you are thinking, “I am eating healthier, shouldn’t I be feeling lighter and better than ever before?” Slow down sister. It takes a while for your body to move through the OLD stuff before it can process the NEW. Fiber sweeps through your system like a broom. Simply speaking, the extra fiber (a.k.a. fruits, veggies, beans and nuts) are all doing their jobs to eliminate toxins and remnants of processed foods and other chemicals in your body…and those things may have been hanging out in your intestines for years! The response can be uncomfortable and annoying. Truly when you make this shift it can feel like you are “detoxing” for a few days up to a few weeks.
The general consensus as you move through this adjustment period is to…
DRINK LOTS OF WATER…this helps to flush out the toxins and aids with digestion.
CHEW YOUR FOOD…this takes away from your body having to do the extra work.
EXERCISE…good news! You are in the right place! This moves things through your system literally.
DIGESTIVE ENZYMES…can also be a helpful addition to your meal if you continue to have difficulty…but research and find one that is right for you…and give the first 3 a shot first!
If you are having tummy troubles…hang in there…it is normal. You should be feeling better and reaping the benefits of a healthier, stronger YOU very soon!
P.O.W.E.R. on and P.O.W.E.R. through!
ALWAYS Be Prepared!
This fall I got in to a “dangerous” hunger place. I had taught some classes, prepared my kids lunches, quickly drove them to school, flew to a meeting and then immediately ran to an appointment. I exited the appointment and found myself deep in North Raleigh starving. I am not familiar with North Raleigh. All that surrounded me were fast food options. Immediately I thought, “I could go grab something quick just this one time.” You canfind some clean fast food options but they are more the exception and not the rule. And quite honestly, I was not sure once I got to the counter that I would make the best choice…because I was SO famished. Would I actually choose the salad with no dressing and a baked potato? On a normal day under normal conditions yes, but I was in a bit of a “frantic” food place. I would not be home for another hour due to traffic. I NEEDED to get back home asap because I had to pick up my kids from school. I took a deep breath and began to drive. I sucked down the last of my water that I had in my bottle and then said a prayer to have the will power to stay out of the drive thru and just get home. 20 minutes in to the drive I passed a grocery store and was able to quickly stop and grab something clean and then hop back in the car. When I got home I was able to fully appreciate my long overdue lunch. It was a close call though, and it was a tough decision. Earlier in my journey I am certain I would not have made the same choice.
To help avoid the CRAZY BAD HUNGER place I compiled a few tips that help me and my family to stay prepared:
· Pack a lunch or (several) snacks the night before or in the morning
Even if you work from home this will help to not “think” and have healthy options and portions at your fingertips!
· Chop your veggies over the weekend.
Keep bags of carrots, snap peas, peppers, broccoli, and other quick veggies ready to go for easy prep throughout the week.
· Keep a basket in the car
I have two. One for my children with tons of snacks for them and their water bottles. Another one for me with my favorite lara bars, apples, almonds, and walnuts…individually packaged and ready to go to create ease and convenience.
· Prep meals on the weekend.
That way you will have a few “go to” items, some clean soups, muffins or granola bars. We even freeze our “lentil burgers” (you could do the same with turkey burgers) so that we can pull them out throughout the week. This helps to avoid panic on a full evening, knowing that you will at least have something to pull out for the evening!
· Have a weekly plan.
You don’t have to adhere to it perfectly. You may wake up and not be in the mood for spaghetti squash that day. But at least have an idea…especially on full nights, you will have something you can throw in the crockpot or something that you can pull from the freezer. Preparation and planning are KEY to staying clean.
· Be High Maintenance.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a microwave and fridge when you travel. When you go to a restaurant ask for exactly what you want, how you want it prepared, etc. Even at a drive thru or coffee shop, “have it your way”.
· Stay fueled throughout the day!
Keep snacks on hand in a cooler, at your desk, in your purse, car, fridge and cabinets. That means frequenting the grocery store to stay stocked.
It is important to keep your metabolism burning throughout the day and it is important to not get to the crazy bad hunger place…hopefully a few of these tips will help along the journey!
Blessings!
Jenni
Hands Off My HO HOs!
Why is FOOD so doggone personal? Why does the hair on the back of our necks raise when we are confronted with something different than our own diets or preferences?
I keep wandering down memory lane to just over 3 years ago when Janine issued a Nutritional Challenge—a “Clean Eating” Challenge for her studio. I keep trying to remind myself why I was SO ticked at her and at the suggestion that my food might be “dirty” in some way? I NEVER want to forget where I was…
Three years ago I worked out so that I could eat whatever I wanted. I ate when I was hungry or when something looked or smelled good. I ate for the joy of eating. I ate when I was bored, lonely, angry, tired or depressed. Food was a social common denominator: every event whether it be a party or a play date, food found it’s way in to the equation. Food was comfort. Food was a friend. Food was entertainment. Food was not in any way “fuel”. That was a foreign concept.
I took the challenge because I was preparing to join P.O.W.E.R.’s staff and eventually own my own studio. It would seem highly inappropriate for her first employee to throw a tantrum about the “RIDICULOUS” challenge she had put forth. I spent the first week whining to the other pod girls about the fact that I could ONLY eat lettuce, and lettuce with NO dressing at that. I complained, went to stores, read ingredients, got annoyed and went home empty handed. I didn’t have TIME for this. I didn’t have the stomach for it…literally.
Our family was not “so far” off the beaten path when it came to food…was it? Sure we ate out SOME but not every night. We ate vegetables…or at least brocolli and carrots…and I loved salads. We didn’t deep fry everything that was placed in front of us and we didn’t eat a ton of red meat. We drank sodas, but we were not addicted. I loved cran-apple juice and probably drank 2 gallons a week. We liked dessert and had sweets available but it was not an every day occasion. Our kids didn’t eat white bread…but what was wrong with “fruit chews” that come in Disney Princess and Cars shapes? What was high fructose corn syrup and why was it so “evil”?
Apparently everything on our grocery list was “dirty” except for the broccoli and carrots and even our whole wheat bread had problems. I was finding every excuse in the book to dump the challenge. I didn’t have time to find new recipes; I was studying like crazy for my personal training license. We didn’t have the money to buy less processed foods, never mind organic while my hubby made just over $40k a year?!? Besides, I had three small children 3, 2, and 8 months…there was NO WAY I could get them to do this. Did I mention my husband was a “meat-aterian” and balked at most new vegetables that I brought to the table? This wasn’t going to work!
The first week I rolled my eyes, complained and simply refused to be apart of the madness. The studio was buzzing though. Women were complaining but also attempting this insane challenge. I looked at their lives and went back to my excuses: “yes, but she is single and doesn’t have to make 2 meals or find a ton of new recipes!” “Yes, but her hubby brings in more cash each month!” “She is a stay at home mom and totally has time for this!” And yet, their enthusiasm was wearing me down. That weekend I went back to the store and started again. I came home with a bunch of “tasteless” things and a higher grocery bill! The 2nd week I probably ate clean 3 of the 7 days. They were not fun and I remember feeling like I was eating like a gerbil. I was eating more often and that was a pain because I didn’t have time to stop (yet again) to eat something! I did not feel a difference in my energy level and was in general agitated by the process.
The 3rd week I think I added another day to a grand total of 4 out of the 7 days “clean”. I did this partly due to peer pressure and the desire to potentially win a prize! The conversations at the studio helped and I realized that I was going to have to resign to the process if I was going to get through the next 6 weeks. I put together a facebook group…a “support group” of sorts, where P.O.W.E.R. girls could come together, complain, share recipes, and finish out the challenge before the holidays hit! Somewhere between week 3 and week 9 my attitude slowly shifted. I found a few recipes that I liked and I found that I was actually not preparing as many “meals” as I was eating healthy, “substantial snacks” throughout the day.
Somewhere between week 4 and week 9 my clothes became a little looser which was nice. (It was jeans season and I HATED the out of the dryer, suck in and pray they button dance I used to have to do!) Amazingly, I think I might have even dropped a jeans size by the end of the challenge. THIS, (if I am honest) and this alone was motivation to continue considering what it would be like to shift to a “cleaner” diet. So I began to educate myself more on WHY people should eat less preservatives and more whole foods. I began to find out what was IN my sodas and juices. I began to read, research and became absolutely convinced that this was a better way.
Interestingly, and I SWEAR this is not just what healthy people who eat plants say, my food preferences CHANGED.
I did not CRAVE sugar, sweets, salty, and fatty foods. As a matter of fact, I distinctly remember eating a piece of processed candy and felt slightly disgusted by the “fakeness” of the flavor. (I—gasp—spit out the Reeses cup that my child brought home for Halloween!) This was such a shock to my system as I was sure that this was just what people “said” happened but deep down I knew it would never be true for me! I began craving water, fruit, and vegetables,.
My body was leaner, it moved more quickly, I had more energy and it even was more “flushed”…things moved through more naturally. (Sorry if this is TMI!) Over the past 3 years our family has slowly continued to change and transform our nutrition to what it is today…SUPER CLEAN! My hubby eats and tries all vegetables that I serve. He actually orders vegetables on his own merit—and lots of them! It took a good amount of education to get him there, but he is there. My kids eat lots of fruits and veggies and the processed snacks are to a minimum. If their snacks aren’t homemade, I can pronounce and tell you what is in their food, where as before most of their snacks were chemically engineered! This actually does help me to sleep better at night.
The month of October (and now April) is exciting in the POWER studio as women are going to be given a similar challenge to the one that was put forth 3 years ago. I want to remember. I never want to forgot how angry I was. I never want to forget how HARD it was. I never want to forget all the reasons (most valid!) for a need to keep things the way they were and avoid change. I also never want to forget where that challenge brought me! If I haven’t thanked her—I should—Janine, THANK YOU for making me start the journey. I am a MUCH healthier version of myself. My kids will hardly have memories of processed food in our home and my husband, too, is a grateful man for this lifestyle change.
Much more to come on this subject! But as you consider the challenge placed before you, be ENCOURAGED, take HEART it IS a journey WORTH taking!
As Seasons Change…So Do Our Choices
As the seasons change…isn’t this the first official day of fall? I sensed a nudge to write…
I really write when inspired. I write when there is a divine tug or nudge, and that inspiration turns in to words on a page. This morning while sitting quietly and reading I sensed that nugde. I wanted to give everyone a “breather” from my wonderful but oh-so-heavy discussion of “lies”.
Here we are on the first day of fall and I am ready for a new season of this blog to unfold. Yet I quite honestly have not gotten a sense of how or what this will look like. I anticipate my blog “going under construction” for a while in October so PLEASE bear with me as it will be a work in progress! I also intend to stay very closely tied to P.O.W.E.R.’s website and our “POWERFUEL EATING MONTH” so be prepared to receive inspiration on nutritional challenges, as well as given great tips and recipes throughout the month!
Recently I spent time with a friend. A friend who had been hurt deeply by her spouse. For some marriages it might have been the beginning of the end. This may have meant divorce, or just a slow bitter root that was allowed to grow to the point where eventually all intimacy in the marriage would have been choked out. This woman and her husband chose a tough road of counseling, of “dating” one another, and ultimately they chose forgiveness. As we caught up I asked how things had been going, she said, “It’s still hard, but we are working toward wellness every day.” She also reflected that the changing of seasons had helped. She actually looked at the fall as a new season of life. She looked to the fall and to the future with hope. I was so inspired and encouraged to hear this and believe that so much of what we choose in our daily life brings joy or despair. There could have been a much different end to her story but she is choosing to forgive and love when she didn’t have to.
I do not know what summer held for your life. I do not know what difficulties you faced with family, friends, finances, a child or spouse. I do not pretend to think that the things that you endured were easy. I do believe that “God’s mercies are new every morning…” (Lamentations 3:22). Therefore you can believe as we turn the page from summer to fall that you are being given a fresh season to embrace life. I could not help but recall what the famous dramatist and diplomat of France, Paul Claudel, said with such wisdom and faith: “Jesus did not come to explain away suffering or remove it. He came to fill it with His presence.”
May you be a blessing and may you be blessed.
Collection of Lies: The Truth about our Bodies
Comfortable in my own skin. I do not recall the day that I actually felt comfortable in my own skin. I do not recall the day that I did not loathe going to my closet to pick out something “cute” to wear. The day when I did not feel the fat on my stomach hanging over my jeans. The day when my bra did not cut in to my “back wings”. The day when I did not shift in my seat 50 times or pull my clothing away from my body. But one day I woke up and did NONE of those things. I was in fact, comfortable in my own skin! I had achieved one of my primary fitness goals. I didn’t care what the numbers on the scale said or what size jeans I was wearing…I wanted to be comfortable in my own skin. I am sure there were some silent celebrations…there was happiness. I probably went shopping and enjoyed walking in to my closet for the first time in years. I remember going for a run and feeling lighter and that my body moved more efficiently. I silently celebrated. That confidence bolstered my inner beauty. I felt happy. Then it happened. A few quick months later my focus was suddenly drawn northward. My eyes became fixated on areas of my face that I had never noticed before. My face was in fact not only covered in cute adorable freckles, but was filled with an ever-increasing number of wrinkles. What? Where did THOSE come from? I had never noticed them before?! (Probably because I was so focused on my clothing discomfort!) This shift was slow, but it became clear that my skin was annoying me. Is this really happening? Am I struggling with feeling beautiful because of lines on my face? What were my options? Unlike the change of lifestyle that I had undergone with food and exercise, a change that not only brought about confidence but also life long health benefits…this wrinkle thing was not going to be fixed without a surgeon or some serious botox. It was at this point that I realized that if I wasn’t careful I could really move to a place where my body and an obsession with it could turn super sour super fast. I was going to have to get comfortable in the skin I was in today with no significant surgery or other drastic measures because what would be next??
This leads in to the final “chapter” of lies that were shared among the women of my pods. The lies women believe about their bodies and the truths that followed…
Beauty is defined by what size I am.
You are beautiful right now. Beauty is a combination of your internal (character, personality, passions, etc.) and your external (how you look and feel on the outside). These two cannot be separated…they are interconnected. When we train hard we are developing our external beauty AND our internal beauty. When we push ourselves to exhaustion or accomplish something that seemed completely impossible we build our confidence. Confidence is beautiful. We build character when we develop discipline and commitment…a faithfulness to show up and not quit. These are incredibly beautiful attribute. When we allow God to change our character we are developing our internal and external beauty.
I believe in a strong relationship between body, mind and spirit. The more I focused on this, the more I found how interconnected they are. The more that I focus on the internal beauty—the less I think about the external beauty. Ironically, the more my body transforms the less I think about my body and the more I focus on the internals. Barring sizes and numbers—the more you are transforming both internally and externally the more beautiful you feel and become.
Beauty comes in so many different packages, colors, sizes, inside and outside. I remember Jenni once using the expression “skinny fat” for the traditionally skinny girl who eats terribly and couldn’t do 2 burpees to save her life. She may be small but is nowhere near healthy or fit. That makes me so aware of how size is such a poor indicator of health, beauty, or what really matters.
The number on the scale dictates my mood and how I eat that day.
The scale is a poor indicator of our health and fitness levels, a terrible judge of our beauty, and an even worse director of our mood. Don’t let the scale make you its bitch. Our mood flows from the things we find our significance in. You are valuable and significant, because you were wonderfully and beautifully made and you are loved by your creator.
You are enslaved to a digital machine. You want to own your body not let the machine own you. You want to make food choices based on what is best to fuel your body not what a number tells you for that day. You want to move your body regularly so that you can grow stronger, faster, healthier, not because a number tells you that you need to. You are a STRONG, BEAUTIFUL and INTELLIGENT woman. Do not let a scale replace your intellect and become the driver of your actions. TAKE CONTROL and throw out your scale!
Do not give so much power to a number on the scale. It is just a number and not a reflection of who you are as a person and who God created you to be. It is important to eat balanced and healthy meals not matter what the number on the scale shows.
The number on the scale is a moving target. Turn the scale over to Jenni. Go by how your feel…and if you have to find a measure…clothing fit is a better option.
I will always have a little pudge around the edges.
No you won’t. It didn’t get there overnight so it won’t melt away overnight either. It took regular and consistent behaviors for that “pudge” to get there, and it will take regular and consistent behavior to remove it. It is easier to take off the first 10 pounds than it will be take off the last 10 pounds.
Every body is different and where your body holds on to fat is different. Some of our body types have curves, some do not. You need to know the difference between curves, your body type and “pudge”. In the end, your body will continue to lose fat when you eat mindfully (often our nutrition is the difference maker in those places) and exercise the way we do in P.O.W.E.R.’s studio.
Give your pudge a purpose! Put it to work–use your pudge as energy to run the bowl or do some squat jumps. Use it up and let it be put to good use! If anyone knows that transformation can happen and pudge can melt away, it’s you! You have seen it happen time and time again in this gym! Believe what you see and trust it for yourself…you’re not an exception to the rule! Hard work and wise nutrition will have no place for that pudge..your body is a machine!!!
I will never be at my desired weight.
You have a bigger vision for your life…(clearly) as you are in the Inner Strength studio. You recognize that doing the “same thing” may not have been working but you are pushing your body to its limits. You are learning to do this at home as well as in the studio. You are making mental shifts and striving to meet your demands. You are shaking up your metabolism and strengthening your muscles…which inevitably will burn fat. Your body composition will change as you continue to put on muscle and fire up your metabolism. Commit to the process. Do not hold back..trust the process and trust your trainer.
The process of losing weight takes time. We do not get there overnight. Starving ourselves is not an option. Our body and how we view it is key. We are God’s temple…so our actions and reactions to our body need to be continually tempered with this in mind. A mental shift is helpful…my body, God’s vessel, needs to be around for a long time to…long enough to chase grandchildren…my body God’s vessel needs be healthy and strong so I can be the best wife, mother, sister, friend, that I can be. My body, God’s vessel, needs enjoy life to the fullest and not be focused on the vessel itself but the people and relationships that I cherish most. You WILL get there…one day at a time…one burpee at a time…one small step at a time.
I will never be able to keep up this exercise regimen.
You have worked so hard to not only get to where you are…you have been incredibly disciplined week in and week out to faithfully show up. 80% of the battle is showing up. If you are not in pod, you will find a workout buddy, you will take your lunch break to walk with others, you will find a gym that caters to your comfort level and you will take all the things you have learned and do them. Because you already have displayed an incredible amount of discipline and commitment—I do believe you have moved to a place of “defending” in your personal journey. You are an inspiration and a new creation!
Would you ever consider saying I won’t be able to give up the routine of brushing my teeth daily, or taking a shower? No, because we know these things are a priority to maintaining overall health. Exercise is als as important if not more so than the time we take to wash and style our hair. Once we reframe our priorities of where exercise falls in our life it’s a lot easier to keep up the routine.
Jenni will tell us when we are ready to leave POD. Trust Jenni. When you are ready, you will have the tools needed to continue to defend & practice this exercise regimen.
“I applied my heart to what I observed
And learned a lesson from what I saw.”
Proverbs 24:32
I encourage you to pray the following prayer “Lord, thank You that I am never finished learning. I pray that my heart will be supple and open to whatever teacher You put in my path.”
I believe that I am unlovable. So, why should I care if I’m fat?
First, you are lovable. There is a quote somewhere that says “Someone in this world loves you more than you can ever imagine.” THAT is true. Your tunnel vision of WHO YOU ARE has blinded you to seeing your true self worth. I know what it’s like to be fat too, and I can remember living under the LIE that because I was fat, I, too, was unlovable. My dear friend, we are so wrong. Yes, the extra pounds are a part of us, but they do NOT define us. The extra pounds are optional, they WILL go away with a little bit of commitment and surrendering to the process that Janine is walking through with us—the beauty inside of you is unshakable! Say something nice about yourself today. Tell someone something that you really like about you! Pick out a feature that you’re thankful for. Reflect on why other people love you so much…and please stop selling yourself short! I love you just because I can!
😦 Would you let someone speak to a friend or family member this way? No way! No one would. It’s not okay to give your internal voice this kind of negative power in your life. Whenever I hear one of my children say something negative such as, “I hate my handwriting!” or “I’m a terrible singer.” or anything else of the like I always tell them, “Don’t talk to my baby that way! Be nice!” It’s hard to be objective about ourselves but it’s so vital that the one voice that always chimes in – that little one in our head – is only allowed to come in peace! Be kind to you. Encourage you. Believe in you.
Listen, whoever made you believe you’re unlovable was cruel. Whoever gave you this twisted truth about you was wrong! You’re lovable. And you deserve to feel good about yourself – whether heavy or thin. You deserve a new belief.
Being comfortable in my own skin took hours and hours of discipline, great nutrition, and hard work in the gym. It also took a mental shift to believe that I am more focused on what my body can do than what number a scale tells me I am. It also meant celebrating the mile markers of a life spent laughing and telling animated stories. (Isn’t that the source of all of these lines on my face?) It means celebrating the journey and the mile markers along the way like child birth and breastfeeding which brings about 3 beautiful children, stretch marks, and a less perky chest. It means celebrating what society does not…a body that has lived life. A body that is weathered and worn through the ins and outs of this life. It also takes a recognition that I will ALWAYS ALWAYS, ALWAYS be able to pick apart my body and find another thing to fixate on…or I can focus on the parts worth celebrating. Yesterday at Starbucks a woman in her late 60s kept eyeing me. I wondered what in the world she was looking at and she had a rude look on her face. Finally I got my latte and got out of her line of fire; as I passed I smiled and said hello. She said, slightly under breathe but also slightly embarrassed that I had caught her staring, “I was just admiring how good you look in those jeans.” I need to get my focus off whatever part of my body that I am annoyed with this week and celebrate the jeans that fit great. Celebrate the sprints that I do with my kids. Celebrate the low cholesterol score that I just received. Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate.
We miss it ladies. We can make a choice to spend our WHOLE LIVES believing lies about our bodies. We must STOP today and take our focus OFF of what we HATE and be ever so THANKFUL for what we HAVE ! We need to let go of the strongholds and demons that tell us we are ugly and will never amount to anything. We need to fix our minds on truth. Surround yourself with positive people who aren’t obsessed with the exterior, but who value the interior of our lives.
Who is a woman in your life that is comfortable in her skin? What do you admire about her? What are the things that your body can do? What are the things that should be celebrated as mile markers in your life?
“The greatest lie on the planet is that we believe we will be happy when we get what we want.” That is like trying to fill a bottomless cup. True contentment starts with attitudes and actions shifting now. True contentment starts by figuring out the secrets of those around us who are comfortable in their own skin. True contentment comes from knowing we are an incredible creation…worth far more than this world could ever imagine.
The Collection of Lies: Truth on Balance Benefits
Each season of life and life’s demands is different. Being a single woman trying to balance a career, family, friends, and staying healthy can seem very different than a young mom balancing a career outside or inside the home, family, and staying healthy. However, no matter the stage of life we are in, we as women will feel the demands and pressures of life. My hope is to give you just a few practical thoughts on how you can achieve more balance in your daily life. Only you know (because you took the time to reflect) where you are potentially out of balance. More often than not, I see women who are giving a tremendous amount of time to their family and their jobs whether they work in or outside of the home. Knowing this to be true, I am going to work from the assumption that most women are struggling to nurture the physical wellness leg of their stool and are rarely able to find personal/quiet/reflective/spiritual time. The rest of the blog will be devoted to a few practical tips that might help you to achieve a little more balance in these areas of your life.
Hints that have helped with balance:
Say NO before yes. If you always say yes to “good things” you will probably miss out on the BEST things that come your way. (Good is the enemy of best …paraphrased from Voltaire.)
Grab a friend…two are better than one. She will hold you accountable to your workouts when you are tired and have had a long day. She will listen and help you make better choices in the future. She will FORCE you to get “you” time if you haven’t in a while. Start this conversation now with a good girlfriend!
Set a regular time for personal quiet time or reflection. Some seasons of life are more available for this than others. Maybe it is an extra 5 minutes in the shower for some…or maybe it is a cup of coffee and a quiet extra 20 minutes before the day starts while the house is still quiet. Quieting yourself and not RUSHING from the moment the alarm goes off is good. Maybe take a few moments of gratitude at the end of your day to quietly reflect or pray. A journal can also really open up a heart and soul.
A little praise goes a long way. No husband wants to be helpful at home when he is constantly nagged or criticized for how he does it. LET GO of all the things you think HAVE to be done a certain way…close your eyes take a deep breath and walk out the door and pound it out on the pavement. Your children will still be alive when you get back sweaty and feeling awesome. Your hubby will gain confidence when you give him the reigns. This is true for all things…you may not be getting “you” time because your hubby does not feel that he has your permission to do the helpful dad thing or anything around the house for that matter. Tell him the things you appreciate that he does with the kids, or to be helpful. Let him do those! (This probably goes for in-laws, siblings, or babysitters who are willing to watch your kids. They are no substitute for you, but if you are looking for perfection or for them to perfectly handle life the way you would, you will NEVER get out of the hosue!)
On a budget? Get Creative! So many women talk about having no money to pursue their interests.
GET CREATIVE…
Swap keeping kids with another mom, so you can go run errands without little ones…grab a coffee along the way…or go check out the yoga class you have been wanting to try. Consider sharing a sitter so that you can get a date night with your hubby. The kids play with friends and you save a little cash.
Need girl time? Go grocery shopping or workout with a friend. Delegate one night a month to get away with friends. Join a book club.
Cannot afford a gym membership? Buy equipment you can use over and over again that is versatile. Buy a punch card—shameless plug—and that way you can go to classes on your time and get ideas and then take them home and use them there!
Need some alone time? Go to a coffee shop and read, (again) go for a run or wake up a little earlier and sneak in a bit of quiet before the rest of your crew gets up.
Don’t use money as an excuse! Find what fuels you and do it!
If we are always placing the demands of family, job, and others before us, we will eventually feel depleted and empty. On the contrary if we give very little of ourselves we will feel the need to overcompensate in the areas in which we lack. Giving is supposed to be one of life’s greatest joys. Giving of our time, energy, and talents to those we love can produce an abundance of fulfillment and happiness. We just can’t do it at the expense of ourselves and what we enjoy in life. If you take time for yourself to recognize and pursue what you need to refresh your mind, body, and spirit, you will most likely come away feeling fueled and ready for the demands of life with a more positive attitude. Everyone benefits when you take time for yourself.
Realize that each season of life is different. Be willingly to adapt, change and grow with each season. Some of your desires and interests will have to be put on hold during certain seasons of life. Embracing the season and making the most of it while still giving yourself time is so important.
YOU matter and are worth spending time on YOU!
YOU are worth a girl’s night with a friend.
YOU are worth the money & time it costs to workout.
YOU are worth a new outfit every season.
YOU are worth time to read a book for pleasure.
YOU are worth getting a babysitter for date night.
YOU are worth going back to school to pursue a dream or career.
You are valuable simply because you are a person; a precious soul that matters. Embrace this truth and seek balance!
(This was written in conjunction with a friend…who wishes to remain anonymous. She shares my passion for women knowing truth and how incredibly valuable they are. Our thoughts and ideas are woven into one.)
Technical Difficulties…
I am away from home for a few days and am experiencing technical difficulties as well as limited online access…
The 3rd installment of the balance blog series will be coming this weekend when we return home.
Forgive the delay!
A Collection of Lies: Truth on Mommy Balance
When I first came to P.O.W.E.R.’s studio and started my wellness journey with Janine I was understandably out of balance. I was a mother of 3 small children: 3, 2, and 4 months old. For anyone who has had ONE child at any of those ages you can attest to feeling divided, hazy, out of control, out of sorts, not to mention just plain exhausted! It was wonderful, I adored my children and being their mom! I invested hours doing all the “right” mommy things, but it was also a time when I felt an utter loss of self.
100 Cups of Coffee 