What went wrong? Excuses 101

Man, I was doing so good. Full of motivation, energy, excitement and determination. Two weeks in the bag, 4 pounds down. Then life happened. Unexpected travel, insanely busy work, demanding children, summer camp.... you name it! I was exhausted. I had no time or energy. My motivation was solely used for other people. My office aka. recliner became my permanent go to place for the last two weeks. And I was sat, stiff there, with a book full of "Why I can't" excuses to halt my progress.

So this morning as I was working out I was thinking: "Man this feels good, I love this. Why didn't I do this for two weeks? I'm gonna feel this later." So why? Why do I make all of these excuses when I know deep down that all of those reasons I have for NOT doing it will go away, and the things I'm doing in place of NOT doing it will be much easier. 

That is when I decided to make a list of excuses, and why working out is better than the excuse. So allow me to indulge myself for a minute.

EXCUSE                             TRUTH

                                  I'm too tired                          Working out will give you energy

                                                I'm too busy                          Exercise will help you be more productive

                              I'm too stressed                     Working out will help with that

                                          I'm traveling                           You're taking you legs with you, right?

                                            I have no energy                    You'll find it after a good thirty minutes.

                                                I didn't sleep              The more active you are, the better you will sleep

Before you answer that, I want you to do what I did. That is a short list, I have many, many more, I assure you. While you think about your excuse, think about what would happen if you replaced that excuse with a few minutes of walking or lifting a weight or doing some crunches or a jumping jack....anything! Truth is, fitness, exercise, activity, moving is a solution more often than not. So suck it up and do it! That is my new mantra. Honestly, making excuses is so much more exhausting than the activity at hand. And squeezing in that extra few minutes before or after whatever you're using as an excuse will feel so much better. It takes more energy to think of all of the reasons why you can't than it does to just DO! 

I'll leave you with a little story. I have an author friend; he works full time plus some. He writes horror novels, and this year alone he has self-published at least three. He is also a father of a gazillion kids, cooks dinner, cleans the house and entertains over a thousand hungry friends on facebook, everyday! The other day, he decided it was time to start getting fit, and added a mile run and some strength training to his already busy schedule. Now he doesn't have any weight to lose, mind you, but he just wanted to feel better. So now, he is going to finish writing his newest novel, promote the rest of his collection, go  to work everyday, entertain friends on facebook, care for his home and family, and exercise. When he told me he could help me achieve my goals, I laughed. Right! How on earth can you do that from across the world? On top all of the other things you do. He responded telling me how he manages to write novels while working full time. He FINDS the time. He writes on his breaks at work, constantly thinking about his stories. He writes before work, and often falls asleep writing. The FINDS the time to make it happen because it is what matters; what he lives for, what gives him joy and makes him happy. So, the moral of this story is, YOU CAN DO IT! YOU CAN FIND THE TIME. Just don't make excuses. Give a little shout out to my good friend Ian Woodhead,  

if you wouldn't mind. Show him support if his story gave you a little motivation today. 

I'm not going to make excuses anymore. Ian won't let me, and I won't let you. Find a way to get it done. You won't be sorry, you will be BETTER and those excuses will be the REASON for getting it done, rather than the reason you didn't.

Happy Monday! 

~Mommylah~

   

Introducing my first guest.... Nina Kneblik

So you have heard me talk about it for months now... I'm inviting some inspiring folks to share with us on my blog. I think it is important for my friends to know who motivates me to keep going. Sometimes, seeing things from people who have been there, or people who are already fantastically fit but continue to work hard to maintain their overall wellness, is what we need to keep going on our own journey. And I have to tell you, my first guest Nina is exactly that... and more.

I first heard of Nina through an author I stalk... eh, I mean follow on facebook, the famous Ryan O'Leary. He is quite a talented and handsome writer of super sexy stories, and known to love the ladies. He shared some pictures of Nina one day, for being an extremely gorgeous and fit woman in her forties.

In her forties? What? Is that possible? Well, I stalked her on facebook for a while before I finally had the guts to send her a friend request. And let me tell you, she is just as gorgeous on the inside as she is out. Nina not only works her butt off (literally... ok maybe not off, but she works her butt!) to achieve her fitness goals, but she works full-time, is married and her son (gasp) is about to graduate from high school!

While doing all of this, she has also partnered with another fabulous friend Janeah Rosecrans to run a group on Facebook,Sassy by Summer to help people get fit, stay fit, and motivate each other doing it! And that is where I really got to know Nina. In our group, she shares with us her challenges and success and is our greatest cheerleader! Always upbeat and friendly, she posts positive quotes, workout challenges, great recipes and answers all of our (many) questions as to her secrets of how she got so sexy! It is with Great pleasure that I share with you an interview with the beautiful Nina!

***

So, Nina my friend, you serve as an inspiration to me and many other people. You have such a positive, bright personality, and it is really my pleasure to share you with the world. Well, the world that is the handful of folks that read my blog. I will start out by saying a HUGE THANK YOU for agreeing to do this! And now I’ll get into my questions.  

When did you decide you wanted to get toned and ripped to compete?

It all happened July of 2011.  Shelley Doyle, who is also a Sassy by Summer member asked if I would be interested in coming to one of her trainer’s classes she offered on Saturdays.  I tried out the class and instantly loved it then decided it was time to hire a personal trainer.  After several sessions and Saturday classes, Shelly and I were sitting after class talking and overheard some of the other girls talk about an upcoming competition.  We joked around about how we wished we could have done something like that when we were younger.  Our trainer told us it wasn’t too late.  We were shocked and after some convincing we had enough time to train for it we both went for it.  I couldn’t believe the transformation from beginning to end and at times wanted to give up because I never thought it was going to happen.  I placed 4^th at my first competition.  At that time, I didn’t think I would be doing another one but there’s something about going through the process of it all.  Even though it’s so much work it’s very rewarding!   

Amazing! How did you prepare yourself for the changes necessary to achieve your goals?

It requires a lot of your time to prepare for competition.  About 12 to 16 weeks out, you’re cooking and preparing 5 to 6 meals a day, 4 to 5 times a week of weight training and 5 to 7 hours of cardio a week, and practicing with a posing coach.  You can imagine how much of your time is spent away from your family and this was very hard for me but they were very supportive in my goals.  

That is great! You said that you had to cook and prepare 5 to 6 meals a day! Phew... Were there drastic changes to the way you eat?

I found out from a test performed by my chiropractor I had a lot of food allergies and was intolerant to many of the foods I was currently eating, even foods that were considered healthy.   After making several changes in my diet I started seeing improvement.  When preparing to compete, you will cook and prepare 5 to 6 meals a day from 12 to 16 weeks with no cheating. 

Even though I have intolerance to food I cannot eat, I still eat them periodically because of course I’m human and enjoy some Mexican food and Red Velvet cake every once in awhile but only when I’m not competing. 

So not only do you have to increase the amount of meals you are eating, but you had to change the foods you eat too. What a challenge! How did your new diet affect your family?

It was difficult because they didn’t eat the same thing.  Maybe if I didn’t have so many food intolerances it may not have been so difficult. 

As a mother and wife who also works full-time, how do you incorporate your fitness and diet goals into your family life?

I work full time and drive anywhere from 80 to 100 miles one way twice a week with my trainer, once every other week with my posing coach, and the rest of the days I would train at home along with cooking my meals and trying to spend whatever time I had left with my family. 

Wow, that is dedication, girl! Is it difficult to find balance? How do you make it work?

At first it was difficult to find balance.  Printing a monthly calendar and writing in what needed to be done day by day was extremely helpful and made things work much easier.  Also, my family was very supportive in helping me with running to the grocery store and buying the things I need to prepare my meals.

So Nina, after all of your hard work, tell me.....what do you love the most about your body?

My favorite part of my body would have to be my arms and my legs when I’m training for competition.  I love when I start seeing the definition and muscles of all the work I put into it.  

They are pretty fabulous! And what is your least favorite?

My abs, because it’s the most challenging part of my body to get toned.  Everyone has their flaws when it comes to their body but you just have to work extra hard to get there. 

Since you spend a lot of time exercising to achieve your goals, what would you say your favorite work out is?

It used to be legs but every-time I work them I get so nauseated and almost sick because it’s takes so much out of you.  I would have to say its cardio because that’s when I get my reading time in. 

Oooh yes, I'm so with you there! Cardio + reading is heavenly! So what would you say your least favorite thing about this lifestyle is?

The time spent away from my family and friends. 

I can definitely identify, though my time is tiny compared to yours. 

Nina, thank you so much for your time! To close, I would love to know... If you could offer one piece of advice to someone like me who has a long journey ahead, what would that be?

Be patient… it doesn’t happen overnight.   Anything is possible if you believe.   Enjoy every opportunity and live every moment with no regrets.  It’s when you’re not scared of losing that you win everything. 

   

 Nina Kneblik- Age 41

There you have it, friends. Isn't she fabulous? And she had to work very hard making sacrifices, facing many of the challenges we use as excuses, everyday! She is proof that hard work and dedication can take you places you never thought you could go! Thank you again, Nina! You are amazing! 

`~Mommylah~

New Month, New...Money?

Out with the old, in with the new. I read my last blog at it was rather whiny. And in my experience, like excuses, whining doesn't get you anywhere. So we are starting fresh. With a lot of things! And I put my money on it.

 

I joined a Diet Bet. It is actually quite neat. I am one of a thousand or something people who are competing to split a pot of over $17K. All we have to do is post our weight and before pictures, put a little cash in the pot, and lose 4% of your weight in 28 days. Everyone who loses the weight, splits the pot. For me that is roughly 13 lbs. And here are the lovely before pictures:

 

 If anyone knows me personally, you know I take monetary goals very seriously. Especially if I invested in it. If you don't know me, well, I have been over my sales goal at work for 14 months. In May, I sold the most ever, though my goal was higher so my % to plan was a measly 135%. Sheesh. But goodness gracious, how have I only now discovered dietbet? Really? (Thanks Facebook!) 

Not only is there the diet bet, but there is this fabulous group I've joined on facebook full of beautiful women and a few handsome men, who have banned together to to get in shape. Some are already in shape and there to motivate us while maintaining or fine tuning their own fitness goals, other of us have a long way to go, like me! And we've decided to do a thirty day ab challenge, that also started yesterday. It looks like this:

 

One of the guys in the group has challenged us to NOT be afraid to sweat, and instead call it gloss. So we are taking turns posting pics (and even a video!) of what we look like all glossed. (see my glorious glossy below). And let me tell you, that has to be one of the most motivating things I have had going in a long time. How to cool is it to actually see evidence of others working just as hard as you! It is almost as good as having a real live workout buddy. I'm loving it! If you would like more info on our fabulous group, please let me know, and I'll put you in touch with one of the group leaders. We'd love to have you join us!

Speaking of the leaders of the group....remember how I said that this blog would be inviting some folks to share with you? Well one of the leaders, the beautiful Nina Knelbik will be my first guest....come back often to catch up with her interview and the rest of the awesome guests who will appear.

So the moral of this story is, we are not in this alone. Find something that motivates you (money, people, clothes, shopping WHATEVER!) and stick to it. We've got this! Let's Go! 

~Mommylah~

Summertime! Yes!

That is right, school is out, swimming pools are open, the lake is full of boats, sun is shining, pollen has disappeared (for the most part) and vacation season has officially begun. But that is not why I'm excited about summer. For me, this year at least, summer has an entirely different meaning.

Over the school year, schedules are crazy. They start at 5:30 AM when the alarm goes off (and I affectionately turn it off with minimal force). It is rush, rush, rush. Hurry up, get the kids out of the door (and always late to school), get on the road, go call on customers, rush to get the kids from daycare by 6:00, go home, try to throw something that resembles healthy together for supper so that you can eat before 8:00PM. Usually that doesn't happen because I will have forgotten to take the meat out of the freezer so Papa Johns to the rescue, or a quick Sonic run. Then we STILL end up eating at 8:00. I will stay up way to late catching up on the work I didn't get done, go to bed, not sleep, wake up and do it all again. Exhausting, right? (and that isn't even all of it!) And before you get all "Oh Lori, you can do better, you just have to manage your time better" on me, believe me. I know. I've got it all figured out! On paper. But that is usually where it stays. Forevermore.

But summertime. Oh glorious summer. The alarm doesn't go off. I wake up at 5:30 AM all by myself. The kids are laid back, my mom takes them so no rushing off to school. I can actually eat (gasp) breakfast and make it to my first customer PREPARED! Wow. Miracles happen in the summer. For some reason, I get home at a decent time. I pick the kids up and have plenty of time to make dinner. Tonight, I made fish! And it didn't suck! And fresh veggies, and cous-cous. Oh my goodness, an entire home cooked meal, on the table before 7:00! I don't know what it is, but it is almost as though a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and I have the resounding feeling of peace. The "little me" on my shoulder is cheering me on "You've got this Lori, you've got this!" And I do.

So the meaning of my summer is the opportunity to slow down. I vow (ha!) to not make unachievable goals. I vow to at least eat dinner at the table four of the seven days in a week. I vow to make use of the looser schedules that come with longer days and shorter nights; to use this time to work HARDER to achieve my goals. Do you know when you just have a good feeling about something, but you can't really pin point what it is, or why? Well that is where I am. So YAY for summer. Yay for getting my act together and for the relief of knowing I've been ridden of at least one of my recurring excuses.

Happy Summer!

~Mommylah~

Progress!

Happy Mother's Day to anyone who is reading this.....and that is a mom-like figure. Today has been a great day for me because not only did I get to spend time with my family, I achieved another goal on my wellness journey. This one didn't really look like I had originally thought it might; it was few awesome things wrapped up in a nice little bow, and I'm so excited to share it with y'all!

So last year in July I bought a dress. I blogged about it. See that here!

It was a pretty dress, super cute and super cheap. And it should have fit, because it was my size. But when I tried it on it was scary. And it really bummed be out. I was already at a pretty low point any way, because all of my plans for health and fitness fell through the cracks when I got hurt. I was bigger than I ever was, more out of shape than I had been in years, and just overall down about stuff. So the dress in my size not fitting (even though it really ran small, probably marked wrong) was a big blow. It sucked. So I got motivated and decided I was going to do something about it. It lasted about a minute, but hey, my heart was in the right place. I was bound and determined to wear that dress and look good in it. I even hung it on my wall to keep me on track.

Fast forward 10 months and I did it! I wore that dress today. And when I say it didn't look like I thought it would, it's true. You see, I envisioned this tall knockout with a string of pearls and red high heels turning heads as I walked down the street. I had totally unrealistic goals of how I should wear it, and how long it should take to get there. But this year is different. Today, I decided to try on that dress. I've lost some weight and at least one pants size. I tried it on before I went to London, but didn't feel it. Today was different. I can't explain it really, but when I tried it on this morning, it fit. Not just physically, but mentally. I felt proud, and excited and pretty.

The feeling was not in the super model walking down the street turning heads way. It was in the accomplishment way. I know it's not exactly where I wanted it to be, but it is so much better than it was.So when I say it was many things wrapped up in bow, I will share, I promise. First enjoy these before and after pics.

Okay, back to the story. The package is this: Self confidence, hitting a goal, and PROGRESS! Yup. The first pic may not look that much different than the second. Maybe a little slimmer on the waist, and under the chin perhaps. Not really that noticeable; to me, anyway. The difference is all in my head. Back in July, I hated myself. I hated the way I looked and the way I felt. All time low! I had the motivation on the surface, but not in my heart. I knew what I needed to do, but not the drive to do it. And so nothing changed. Except I sank lower and lower. This year though, I feel amazing. I have fully embraced the whole package. I know what I have to do and I'm doing it. I've accepted the fact that I will not change overnight, and that I have to work my ass off to achieve my goals. And I accept the fact that a little progress is a big deal! A BIG DEAL! I feel good. No, I feel GREAT. And I know that as long as I keep moving in the right direction, the next time I check, this dress won't fit at all! That won't be tomorrow, maybe not even this year. But I will get there, and it will be amazing.

So yes, I'm excited. This is a great feeling. A feeling that I can do this, slowly, with great patience and determination. That there will be bumps in the road and I will make mistakes. I'm not ever going to be perfect. But I can feel the changes happening and I can see progress, small as it may be, and that is enough to keep me going! Yay!

Have a beautiful rest of the day. Thanks for reading!

~Mommylah~

It's almost May. Yay!

**Breaking news before our regularly scheduled programming. In the coming months I will be changing up my blog, or perhaps starting a new one. One of the things that motivate me is when others say I motivate them. ME! Motivate someone! Who would have thought! So, I thought I’d play with that a bit. There are so many people who keep me moving along on this crazy journey I’ve set out on. I want you to know them too! So I will be inviting fitness guru’s, other people on weight loss journeys, wellness coaches…. Basically whoever might bring useful stories or motivation to the table is invited to join me on my blog! There will be interviews, guest spots, articles, ETC! I plan to be much for active and far more relevant for anyone who spends time here. So stay tuned! I’m super excited to see where this goes. And I hope it offers you something that you can use wherever you are on your journey!** And now back to the other stuff.

I’m afraid I’ve been suffering from bloggers block. And fitness block. And eating lunch block. And the managing time block. And…okay you get the picture.

It’s been a few weeks since I checked in here. Why you ask? Well, I’ve been working, traveling the world, reading, being a mom, working, reading etc. You know usual stuff. What I have not been doing is staying on track with my wellness goals. But I’m not going to beat myself up too bad. Despite April being low on the success scale, overall my results are favorable. I’ve lost 18 lbs (or something) and gone down a pants size and walked in my first 5K since I got hurt last year. I did not go backwards when the going got tough. So despite the fact that I can count on one hand the amount of times I actually worked out this month, I’d say things are still on the right track.

Bring on May. I turn 33! That means I’ve officially been blogging this journey for three long years. And in those three years, I am proud to say I am the farthest along today than I ever have been. Awesome, right? And this May I’m getting serious. I’m working on a plan to get our family on track by eating healthy and being active. I have also set new attainable goals to take me through the rest of the year, and I am stoked! I hope to be down at least one or two more pants sizes, and have to buy new clothes by the end of July and by the end of November; I hope to have hit my weight loss goal of 60 lbs. Though if that takes until the end of December, that is fine too. It WILL happen this year!

It is not easy. It is NOT easy. I make it sound easy, but it is NOT easy. I’ve accepted that, and now I’m trying to tweak my plans so that I can improve every week. I’ve just got to accept that fact that we are a super busy working family who has a full calendar, and oh, we are human. All of those magazines and blogs, and parenting sites are so full of great ideas that should be easy for any competent mom to do; except this one. But if I have learned anything in the past three months it is that I have to be flexible and stay positive and keep trying. So while I have a plan, I know it will not “stick like glue”. There will be road blocks. But one thing that I can commit to is making healthier choices whenever I can, and to not continue to go backwards when something doesn’t work out. I try very hard to not get discouraged!

So let’s do this. I’m so excited to leave April in the dust and start as fresh as the beautiful flowers blooming in May. This is going to be such an exciting spring and summer that I can hardly contain myself.  I hope you will join me in staying positive, setting attainable goals and relishing in the beautiful seasons ahead of us! 

~Mommylah~