Get Over your FEARS!

IF NOT NOW...WHEN? I want you to SERIOUSLY ask yourself this question! What exactly are you so afraid of? Well get over it!! It's TIME TO FACE YOUR FEARS HEAD ON!  We as humans create our own fears inside our own mind.  The moment you start doubting yourself is the moment YOU get in YOUR OWN WAY!  

Getting SOBER, Getting HEALTHY, Chasing DREAMS aren't getting done because you stop yourself.  You allow negative thoughts to control your outcome.  You are scared to fail.  You are worried about what everyone else thinks.  This is the day to TUNE THE WORLD OUT!  THIS IS THE DAY TO START TAKING CARE OF YOU!  

Did you know that failing at things makes you stronger?   Did you know that if you're failing you're actually trying?  If you keep getting back up and trying eventually you are going to SUCCEED!  Today is the day to QUIT WISHING YOUR LIFE WAS BETTER.  Today is the day to TAKE ACTION! You aren't promised TOMORROW!!  

GOD created us all with GREATNESS!  He didn't intend for us to abuse our bodies in ANY way.  With GOD on your side, when YOU BELIEVE in YOURSELF, and when you surround yourself with PEOPLE THAT UPLIFT YOU on a daily basis....lil babies ANYTHING is POSSIBLE!  If I can do it, SO CAN YOU!  Together we can do this!!

 

19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 

20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Beer...It's what WAS for Supper!

Back in my drinking days, I remember watching the clock just waiting for 5 o'clock so I could go by the store and grab some beer.  The feeling that overcame me is so hard to put into words, but I think it could be best described as a NORMAL woman going on a first date.  I was so excited, yet so anxious, my palms would sweat and my mouth would water.  CRAZY, I know!  I never got like this over men haha, just beer!! Who am I kidding beer was my MAN!! I COULD NOT wait to get my man home.  The first pop of that top was as if my man just whispered sweet nothings in my ear!  AAHHHHH I was floating on CLOUD 9!

While the kiddo was doing homework or playing with the neighbors, me and my man would have quality time outside for about an hour! This time right here is what I woke up for and worked so hard for EVERY SINGLE DAY!  I didn't do well with interruptions, just HAD to have that time to ourselves.  Once our short hour or so was up, I would get up and start cooking supper for me and the kiddo.  Although I love cooking, I hated the fact I ALWAYS had to do the cooking myself.  Sometimes I wanted a real man that could actually help me with some of the household chores, BUT that was only sometimes haha.  

Once I got supper cooked, I would make the kiddo a plate!  I myself would want more time with my beer man, so I would leave her to eating supper by herself and go back outside for more quality time.  She would always ask me, "Are you gona eat mom?"  The answer was the same almost every night, "I'm going to in a little bit!" And by the way, I'm a pretty amazing cook if I do say so myself,  I would take a bite here and there but rarely actually sat down to eat a nice supper with my daughter.  Before I knew it, the time had flown and it was her bed time and pushing my bedtime as well.  Bedtime was a LOVE/HATE thing, cause I didn't want to leave my main squeeze, but I knew I would see him the next day, same exact time, and same exact situation all over again!

Looking back now, I'm not even sure how my body kept going with the lack of nutrients.  I lived on beer!  I did eat normal food during the day, but my goodness, I rarely got any decent food down me during the evening dates with BEER.  Although, I rarely woke up with a hangover, I never woke up feeling refreshed. EVER.  How ignorant I was to think I could live my life like that.  

I am happy to say that I broke up with that "SO CALLED MAN"!  BEER is no longer in my life.  I have now traded him for SHAKEOLOGY and other nutritional meals. I don't replace my suppers for anything anymore because I've learned how to take care of my body,  I can't go back and get those suppers with my daughter I missed, but I can make sure I don't miss anymore because of a temporary "GOOD" feeling.  That "GOOD" feeling I thought I had with my "SO" CALLED MAN"  doesn't hold a candle to the COMPLETENESS I feel now!  My kiddo and I spend more than just suppers together and it's the MOST AMAZING FEELING EVER!!

 It's NEVER too late for you to experience that feeling!  It would be my pleasure to help YOU get on the right nutritional track! 

Rednecks LOVE Chicken Wangs

Putting down the fried chicken wangs ain't gonna be easy, but it will be worth it!  I freakin' LOVE food! Absolutely love food! Coming from Mississippi, where butter is the main ingredient and EVERYTHING is deep fried and I DO MEAN EVERYTHING ( I ain't seen a fried earthworm but it honestly wouldn't surprise me if someone fried one of them and ate it ),  NUTRITION is the biggest struggle of my healthy lifestyle.  It's a scary thing to face when you have no clue about eating healthy.  Well obviously I was aware that veggies and fruits are good for you...but I ain't a vegetarian (no offense to any of you that are), I'm a MEAT AND POTATO kinda girl.  I do love veggies and fruits, but I surely don't want to have to live on just those.

I think part of my fear was not knowing how to pronounce a lot of the healthy things, exactly what section to find them in the grocery store, and how to cook it.  I'm not scared to eat new things, but really hate looking like look an idiot when it seems like everyone down here in FLORIDA knows all about the healthy stuff.  It really is tough for a REDNECK to learn these new things trust me!! Thankfully, I have the most amazing support from my Beachbody family that are so patient with me when I ask 1000 questions about new foods.  So my Coach introduced me to a Lentil Quinoa soup kinda thingy when we on our way to film an Obstacle Course Race.  First of all I couldn't even pronounce that word, second of all I had no clue what the heck it was.  Thank goodness for the internet so I can do my research. HAHA!!!! It was amazing stuff and the next time I got it I had to point to it on the menu, but now I have mastered that work "QUINOA".  I sucked it up one night and seriously asked my team mates,, what section of the store do I get this stuff?  Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem so dumb and simple to you.


I'm not the best at eating right, but I am WAY better than I was 4 months ago!  The key is baby steps.... Don't think you have to go clean out your cabinets and start completely over!  That in itself just sounds too dramatic and unrealistic for a lot of people.  Start trying to eliminate one thing just for the day to start off with.  For instance, I used to drink 1-2 can cokes per day so I said to myself "Today I'm not going to drink a coke!" Well I made it thru the first day without one.  The next day I said the same thing to myself, and before I knew it a week had gone by and I didn't drink not one coke.  Then two weeks, then three, and now it's been over 4 months since I've had a coke.  Make small goals for yourself!  The feeling of accomplishment when you reach attainable goals is the BEST feeling in the world! 

 I can tell you once you start eating healthier, and you make a decision to eat some chicken wangs sitting in a bunch of grease, they will make you want to hurl.  Eating healthy all the time will eventually become just part of your daily routine.  Don't get so consumed with the THOUGHT of eating healthy that it scares you away.... Ask lots of questions and take baby steps! Although I'm no expert at nutrition, I can get you set up for success with some AMAZING BEACHBODY programs!  Click here to send me a message via facebook!  I would be honored to help you take that first step in the right direction!

FAITH...LOVE...BELIEVE

When you start seeing the DOTS of LIFE connecting after traveling down a deep, dark, well worn path, man oh man, the feeling inside is very powerful and indescribable.  Following your heart is something so many people are too fearful to do, but is so very NECESSARY to do to completely fulfill your DESTINY.   I honestly don't know why our society frowns upon it so much.  I believe every one of us deserves the right to experience true happiness and we are ALL very much capable of having it.  The ones that do follow their heart are looked at like their "CRAZY" but I personally believe the ones that don't follow their heart are the "CRAZY' ones.

It takes a huge amount of COURAGE to take that first baby step towards the right direction.  You MUST have COURAGE to tune the world out when they try to knock you down.  You MUST have COURAGE to get back up and dust yourself off when you've hit a "LIFE WALL".  Our society is too judgmental, so most people are too afraid of what others will say when they "FALL ON THEIR FACE".... WHO CARES WHAT OTHERS SAY!! Are they paying your bills?   Are they raising your children?  Are they feeding you?

It takes a huge amount of FAITH once you get up enough COURAGE.  You must whole heartily believe in something (God, Karma, Life, ect.) that will give you all the confidence you need when others don't understand what you're chasing.  Stay strong in your FAITH, because this is what's going to carry you thru when you don't feel like you can go anymore.

A very simple, yet completely AAHHMAZING lunch with someone I haven't seen or spoken to in 10 years, made me realize just how many of my dots are connecting!  BELIEVE in YOURSELF!  TRUST your gut! You won't ever achieve complete happiness until you LOVE what you do.  You won't ever achieve complete happiness until you LOVE the people around you!  You won't EVER achieve complete happiness until you LOVE YOURSELF!  xoxo

QUIT BEING LAZY!!

Y'all know I love you!! Just a little tough love from ya girl!! xo

 

Click here to watch more of my videos!!

Connect with me on Facebook!! Can't wait to hear from you!

One Night in Daytona....

I will NEVER forget the places where I took my first and my last drink.  At age 15 it was a warm embracing feeling BUT at age 33, it had turned into a depressing, ashamed feeling.  On and off for 18 years I allowed  ALCOHOL to dictate my mood, my emotions, my relationships, my EVERYTHING.  That's absolutely insane!  It's so crazy to me because my first and last drink were both liquor and I found out at early age me and liquor didn't mesh too well.  Tequila especially made me want to fight everyone in sight.  I steered clear of that mess for the longest and just stuck with beer. ( not that beer was any better ha) Beer was absolutely my #1 LOVE!! I LOVED IT AND IT LOVED ME BACK! Or so I thought until horrible things started happening to me like that one weekend in Daytona in 2010.

Me and my kiddo had gone to Daytona to her grandparents so she could spend time with them and I could meet up with some friends.  It was 4th of July and I was so excited about getting out of Mississippi.  I started drinking as soon as I got out the car it seemed like.  There's not a lot I remember about that weekend, but the things I do replayed in my head for the longest time.  How did I ever allow it to go this far?  One of my closest guy friends and I were hanging out joking around as always!  There was never a dull moment with us!  We were always acting silly and laughing at everything.  Still to this day I don't know exactly what was said or if I heard it the wrong way,  We both were drinking and I was at such a deep depression at this point but regardless it definitely didn't deserve the treatment I gave him.

Whatever was said, I didn't get upset until the next day.  We got up and met some more of our friends at the beach, drank all day AGAIN.   I mean we were having a BLAST.  At some point I blacked out, probably because we started drinking early that morning!  I don't even remember getting back to the house.  When I came to, all I could smell was ammonia.  I opened my eyes to flashing lights and an EMT over me with an ammonia stick to my nose.  I was drenched in blood.  Apparently I got mad at my friend for something he said the night before and started trying to whoop his butt.  Now he's a great deal bigger than me and I'm not sure if I would ever be able to take him (even now doing all of my BEACHBODY workouts haha) But I was instantly bullet proof when I was drinking.  He got fed up with me hitting him and out of instinct he swung and I hit the pavement.   I don't even know how many police, firetrucks, and ambulances were there, but it was quite an embarrassing.  I refused to go the hospital for fear of them throwing me in rehab or jail.  I thought my nose was broken and still to this day I have a knot on my head from hitting the pavement so hard.  The next morning after this incident, I woke up to Child Protective Services wanting to interview me.  I was so confused! That's the last thing I expected, I just wanted to lay in bed...I was in some serious pain.   Because we were in the state of FL and because my kiddo was in the house where I was staying ( she didn't see this happen thank the GOOD LORD ABOVE) they had to come check the situation out.

I was so completely ashamed of myself.  I allowed ALCOHOL to control me that much where the state HAD to take action, and not even the state I resided in at the time.  Thankfully that was the first and last interview.  I did eventually go to the hospital and get checked out.  Severely bruised up and a concussion luckily were the only damages done.  That was only one of many HORRIBLE experiences I've encountered during my marriage to ALCOHOL.  Back in MS I healed BUT it was so hard to look my daughter in the eyes for a while because of the shame I'd felt.  I know I let her down that weekend.  I can't imagine how she must have felt after seeing her mom that way.  After a couple years of not speaking to someone I had grown so close to, I decided to reach out and make amends!  Life is way too short to hold grudges or live in addiction.  I've made some serious amends this year to people, ESPECIALLY my daughter and my family.  I have asked forgiveness from the heavenly FATHER above and forgiven myself,   I wake up striving to be a better version of me than I was yesterday!  You aren't PROMISED TOMORROW so step out of your comfort zone and make a change today.  Life is so much sweeter on the HAPPY side of the bridge!

Traded my CIGS for DUMBELLS!

I woke up this morning with specific goals in mind.  One of which was to get an oil change in my car.  I'm usually pretty good ( for a girl ) about keeping it changed regularly but I've been on the go so much I haven't taken the time.  You know how they always try to "SALE"  you unnecessary things especially to females for some reason.  Well I politely said "No thank you", he said "Ma'am please walk outside with me, please."  I kinda rolled my eyes thinking here we go.  He showed me a filter that hadn't been changed in a LONG time.... it was a cluster mess of leaves and dirt.  I hadn't budgeted for anything but an oil change so I was very hesitant to get a new one.  Clearly I could see with my own eyes I needed one BUT all these thoughts started running through my head about my bills.  I HAD to stop thinking about all those bills for a second and keep in mind if I don't take care of my car it's not going to get me where I need to go on a daily basis. So I told the nice man to go ahead and give me a new one and guess what?  When they were finally done with my car ( they washed it and cleaned it all up for me too, such a great feeling) I turned the key and it cranked better than it had since I've had the thing.  I can already tell a huge difference!  My car needed it SOOOO bad and if it wasn't for that man pointing it out and caring enough to show me, I wouldn't have ever known!

That whole experience reminded me of when I first was offered a Beachbody Challenge Pack by my amazing Coach,  At first I said NO because I couldn't fit it into my budget.  I thought my goodness it's SOOO expensive.  Then I started to think of how much money I spent on unnecessary things in my life, for example CIGARETTES!! I don't know about where you live, but in Florida my brand of cigarettes were almost $6.00 a pack!!!! THAT'S INSANE that I spent $6.00 a day sometimes $12.00 a day on things that hurt my body. If I just bought ONE pack a day ( that's $42.00 a week, $168.00 a month ) and that would be the ideal GOOD week!  HAHA sometimes it was way more than that depending on my stress level. That's A LOT of money per month on JUST ONE BAD HABIT!  I could go on and on!  Have you actually wrote down how much it's costing you for your bad habits? 

I took a leap of FAITH and bought my first Challenge Pack, Insanity Asylum!  I was nervous and scared I wouldn't have money for my bills, BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT?? I QUIT SMOKING!! So in my mind my Challenge Pack was paid for because I was ALREADY spending that money!  I have been SMOKE FREE since August 10, 2015!  To me, that's PRICELESS!  Just like with my car this morning, if I don't INVEST in myself eventually my body won't be able to carry me the places I need to go on a daily basis.  I don't know about you, but I have people to spend my life with and places I want to go all over the world.

 It is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to take care of yourself just like you do your vehicle.   If my amazing Coach hadn't told me ALL about the benifits of Beachbody and what all it could offer me I wouldn't have ever known!!  So I'm telling you lil babies, Beachbody is AMAZING for the BODY, MIND, and SOUL!! Take a leap of FAITH!

Beachbody Saved Me!

FINALLY!!! Finally, I found something that believes in me as much as I believe in it….BEACHBODY!!  For many years I was in love with beer, because I felt it was the only thing that loved me back.  Beer was most definitely my drug of choice, but that wasn't the extent by any means.  See for a long time I didn't feel like I was loved.  I never seemed sufficient enough in my mom’s eyes and my dad was always working and never had time to hang out.  When I drank a warm cozy feeling overcame me, something I'd never experienced before, like a big embracing hug I'd never gotten.  Once I started I didn’t want to quit because I didn’t want to lose that feeling.

Throughout the years, the more I tried to get people to love and accept me, the more I felt rejected.  I’ve dealt with a man telling me he didn’t want anything to do with our child, abusive relationships, being ARRESTED on numerous occasions, and even going to REHAB!  I finally was ready to give up.  Why should I care if I live to see another day if no one else did?  I LOST EVERYTHING I worked so hard for because of my addiction.  How could something that made me feel so loved at one time do this to me?  How did I get to this place?  I felt as if everyone was judging me and pointing fingers at me instead of helping me get better.  No one cared WHY I was at this place in my life, they just considered me a dead beat, no good for nothing waste of space.

Since no one else was going to help me I HAD to help myself.  There’s many times I should’ve died, but GOD said nope I’m not done with you, in fact I’m just getting started with you.  I had no idea what was about to happen when I packed up and moved to FLORIDA again, but I knew I HAD to make a better life for my daughter and I.  Shortly after I moved down, I was searching for something I could get involved with that’s healthy for me.  I had no idea what, because I completely lost myself.  I didn’t even know what I liked to do anymore.  I PRAYED and PRAYED for God to lead me in the right direction. AND HE DID!!!

I found my BEACHBODY coach online.  I had no idea what all this was about or what I was about to get myself into, but I knew that it HAD to be better than my old life.  He invited me to 813FitClub located in Tampa, FL.  Here is where I fell in love with BEACHBODY and all it has to offer.  We do a different BEACHBODY program every week and I haven’t missed one week since I started going in July!  Not only do I absolutely love the workouts and SHAKEOLOGY, but for me it’s the family that I’ve grown to love so much!  For the first time in my life, I feel ACCEPTED and LOVED! It’s the MOST AMAZING feeling in the world to feel 100% unjudged.  My journey isn’t as much physical for me as it is internal. The person I’ve become and still am becoming on a daily basis is truly a blessing from God.  He lead me to my BEACHBODY family to save me.  I am a firm believer now in surrounding yourself with the right group of people that want nothing but the best for you!  If you are looking for that please do yourself a favor and at least give BEACHBODY a chance.  I would be honored to introduce you to my FAMILY and help you thru the hard times this world can bring us!  Just know there is HOPE…. If I can do it SO CAN YOU!! J

 

My FIRST Elite Obstacle Course Race: Battlefrog Miami 11.21.15

As I walked up to the start line in Miami my nerves were kicked up a notch!  In the weeks prior to this day I trained super hard with P90X3, just one of the many AMAZING Beachbody programs!  I knew my body was in the best possible shape I could get it ( I've only been working out since August 2015).  Once all the ladies lined up on the start line, a deep voiced man opened his mouth with nothing but encouragement and motivation to prepare us all for the journey ahead.  As he is speaking, I close my eyes and let his words pierce deep in my soul and allow my 'WHY' to be framed in my vision. His count down was in slow motion for me and we were off!  As a recently quit smoker, I know running is most definitely one of my biggest weaknesses but that didn't stop me from giving my ALL.  I successfully completed the swims, climbing the walls and the rope climbs.  Once I reached the MONKEY BARS, my heart started beating super fast.  Even though I've practiced them over and over and over,  I'm terrified of the DEAD GUM monkey bars! My first try I make it all the way to the middle and freak myself out ( it doesn't help at all the dead gum bars are rotating every time I grab them) I FALL TO THE GROUND!!! I dusted myself off, sat there for a few minutes, regained my confidence and got back up there!  This time I didn't stop!! Made it thru!! WHEW!!! Smiling big, I continued on thru a few more obstacles that are fairly easy for me!  Then here comes that TIP OF THE SPEAR...( I tried this one at the Battlefrog Atlanta two weeks prior and couldn't complete it without help from my Coach ) But I took a deep breath, closed my eyes for a moment, and framed my 'WHY' in my vision. Next thing I know I'm ringing the bell at the end.  I DID IT!! I DID IT!! I was so dead gum happy!! I don't really remember the next couple of obstacles because I was still in shock I completed now TWO obstacles I was scared of!  BUT then I'm standing face to face with the Platinum Rig... (I personally witnessed some of the most amazing athletes get stuck at this one) so of course me being a ROOKIE, immediately got super nervous!  I could now hear that deep voiced man again giving other racers that same motivating speak and it gave me the fuel I needed to try my best.  BUT after several attempts and a couple hours later, my arms wouldn't cooperate anymore!  I gave that thang my all and made it 3/4 of the way thru.  I was getting so upset with myself but, now looking back, I ran further that day than ever before.. I successfully completed two obstacles I was terrified of... and FINALLY crossed that finish line. No I didn't place, but in my mind I was a winner that day because I performed to the BEST of my ability..  Thanks to Beachbody HYDRATE I stayed well hydrated throughout the day and oh my goodness if it wasn't for the Beachbody RECOVERY afterwards, I probably would still be hurting today.  Battlefrog is a MUST for anyone wanting to push themselves to their limit!!

First Blog Post - Gotta Tell You Somethin'

Hey little babies ha ha =) Welcome to my blog, now I'm still getting used to all this technology stuff, but hey, we can learn and have fun together!

Check out my latest VIDEO, and don't forget to have a SUPER great day!

Watch video:

Now go out there and make some strangers smile for me! =) 

Start a Fitness Journey with me - Free Coaching from me!