At some point you have to see where you are in your journey and take a look back. Not to turn around and go back or dwell on the past, but simply to admire how far you've come. So I'd like to take you back briefly to how I started my fitness journey. And later (if my mom brain remembers) I'll reflect on the road that evolved into much more than fitness.
I've never considered myself to be 'skinny' or 'fit'. As I grew up and went straight from little girl pants to size 12s in juniors size jeans and then 14s in womens jeans.. All of my friends in school ate whatever they wanted to and stayed small. I was always jealous of their size, their ability to wear whatever prom and homecoming dresses that they wanted, wear cute bras and tank tops, and thought that was the definition of health. And I was bummed that my body wasn't in that category. I played sports in high school and I think burning those calories and sweating my butt off in the school gym with no air conditioning is what kept my weigh gain to a minimum until I graduated. I went into college, able to eat whatever I wanted at school and started working at Applebee's my sophomore year. Fried foods, Sonic ice cream, burgers, booze and late night Taco Bell,...and the 'freshman 15' turned into the 'sophomore, junior, and senior 40'. But I never realized how bad it was. When I told my girlfriends my weight..'Really?' 'You don't look like you are at that weight at all'. And I thought it was okay, that mitigated my desire to lose the weight and be healthy. And my habits didn't change. And I gained 20 more pounds. And at the beginning of 2015 I was 220 lbs and on the verge of a new pants size. Again. I was done. I was going to get into gear and I got the Beachbody program PiYo for Christmas to start in 2015. I was about a month in and we were blessed with pregnancy. And I just wasn't conditioned enough, mind and body, to keep going on my own. I gained 40 (ish) pounds during my pregnancy and I knew when I gave birth that I would do what I set to start at the beginning of that year and get serious about my health. That became an even bigger reality near the end of my third trimester. I began to swell, I chalked it up to summer as well as just being near the end, but then I also developed high blood pressure. Pre-preeclampsia and I had to be induced at 38 weeks. It was totally against my birth preferences but for our safety it had to be done. And when I got home with my first son, I couldn't bend down onto the floor and put pressure on my knees to pick him up and stand up. He was 7.5 lbs and I knew he was only going to get bigger (and fast!). It was another wake up call to get serious. Through my Instagram scrolling I connected to who would become my coach to upline to mentor to best friend. She gave me what I desperately needed. Accountability and community. I began documenting my journey on Facebook and Instagram to stay accountable to myself and encourage and inspire others. I've learned great lessons since starting this calling. You never have to do your journey alone. You always have love and support from someone. And that a balanced life filled with growth and faith is better than perfection and physical fitness goals only. I'm truly thankful and blessed that you take the time to read my stories about my life and journey. If I've inspired and loved on even one person to give themselves grace and, at the same time, work towards being their best badass self then I have achieved my calling.
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If you read on the blog here about Sampson's labor and delivery, my desire to have a natural labor and delivery with Maverick was no different. I wanted to go into labor naturally and at home and have little intervention.
But in the last couple of days of my pregnancy, when I had my high BP readings and I knew the inevitable was near...that I would have to be induced again...I couldn't help but be disappointed in myself. That, again, I couldn't stay healthy enough to go into labor on my own, despite all of my healthy lifestyle hardwork. I felt that I had failed myself and my desire to experience the labor and delivery that I wanted with Sampson and now Maverick that would not come. And as I cried to my momma bestie girlfriends in our Glide app video chat... I was reminded by them in this simple fact. YOU DON'T GET AN AWARD. I do not get an award for how this whole experience goes down. 1. it doesn't matter how my baby gets here, but that it gets here and we are both happy and healthy. 2. God already knew how this experience was going to go down from the moment I was me in my mother's womb. From the moment I was created, God knew how my life, pregnancies, labors, deliveries, motherhood, LIFE would be. And I had to accept that His plan was not my plan. So I knew in that moment that my friends talked me off of the cliff I was overlooking that it would be perfectly OK. I was not going to win an award for doing this exactly how I had planned and wanted to do it. And yet, it would be just fine anyway. I was also reminded by my doula, Rebecca, that even though this wasn't how I wanted/planned it for this time around.... that I couldn't forget my first time. And that I rocked the induction with Sam and labored and delivered without pain medication just like I wanted the first time. This time would be no different. So at 1:45pm on September 29, 2017 : the induction started with pitocin. I was already dilated to 2cm at my appointment the day before, so the Cervadil to soften and start the dilation process like I had last time was not needed. I sat in the hospital bed and waited as my contractions started, and I was having about 3 per every episode of Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives 😂. Then it progressed to about 4-5....and by about 4:45pm Rebecca arrived to 2-3 minute apart contractions. The doctor checked my dilation shortly after and I was... a 3.... 3?! That's it?! I was exhausted already, and unable to fully move around to manage the contractions. Every time I moved around too much they lost Maverick on the external monitor. Not to mention the dang blood pressure cuff would go off, be unable to read correctly and/or read too high, and I had to sit through my contractions to get my BP back in their safe zone. With each contraction I rode the wave as best I could. Again, we were blessed with amazing nurses and doctors on staff. And Libby had 4 kiddos of her own and she had some if not all (can't remember exactly) naturally as well. So she understood my desires and reassured me in my contractions. I focused on her eyes and she rode the wave with me and helped me breath low, deep, and slow. I rocked back and forth and semi danced as each one took me and she reminded me that each one was one more closer. Rebecca prayed with me and she and Dominic rubbed and put counterpressure on my hips and back. It takes a village to raise kids, but also to get one here. And I was blessed and thankful for my village. When I was able to focus and intentionally ride the wave, I was calm and breathing through each one. I don't even think I barely made any noise. And some drowned me, took me in the current and under the water when I wasn't ready. These waves were extra tough and took my breath away. So I highly recommend having your village know the signs of when you are about to lose the focus to help reel you back in. It's worth it. At this point I was sure that I would have to get an epidural to be able to manage the contractions and stay safe in the BP that I needed to be in. Paired with my exhaustion, the contractions I felt were rolling from one right into another without much break in between. I remember looking at Rebecca and crying that it was too much. I was too exhausted and I couldn't do much more if I hadn't progressed much. So at 6pm the doctor rechecked me.... a 6. 6?! Wonderful! It meant full active labor, no turning back now. And that meant I could get into the Labor water tub to manage the contractions in wonderfully relaxing and belly floating warm water. I went to the bathroom and got into the heavenly warmth. If you have the desire to have a natural labor and have the opportunity to be in a warm labor tub...I highly recommend it. We had a one time use blow up tub with a liner. It was about... 4ft tall and about that wide I guess. It was very sturdy and the warmth was so amazing and my belly just more or less floated in between contractions. And once I got in the water the contractions changed, and I knew in the back of my mind that the time was near. But if you get out of the water to be checked for dilation, there's no getting back in. So I wanted to stay in the labor tub as long as possible. And I was at 6cm so I had a ways to go you would think, right? Wrong. Again, the contractions changed, and in a way that you cannot stop the automatic pushing that your body does at this stage of labor. I can only compare it to when you have the flu and you throw up and/or dry heave. I don't know about you, but my abs and muscles contract to dry heave to the point that I cannot stop myself from doing it. I just have to get through it until my body says I'm done. That's the only way I can compare it to this. You quite literally cannot stop yourself from pushing. I'm not afraid to say it, YES I pooped. No worries, the little fish net was perfect for retrieving it and disgarding it from the tub. You see, they call it a labor tub because it is supposed to be just that, to labor in ONLY. After a few contractions of this I realized that I was close to the end. I didn't want to get out and risk leaving the heavenly warmth to only be a 7 or 8. But I couldn't necessarily feel Mav in between contractions. I don't know if I was just that relaxed by the water and didn't know I was feeling it or if he went back in just enough that I didn't feel it. But in the last moments I thought to myself, I think he's coming... And sure enough I put my hand down to feel and his head was about 1/3 to 1/2 way out. SHIT, Rebecca he's RIGHT HERE, I can feel him! And Dominic rushed to the door, yelled BABY IS HERE, and ran back. In that time, I had one final push...and there he was! I simultaneously reached down into the water and pulled him up on my chest. He was here! and the labor tub became the birthing tub. And it only took 20 minutes. Yep. Maverick Gabrial Schmillen was born at 6:35pm on Friday, September 29, 2017. To Be Continued....The First Day I want to remember these memories forever. I want them engrained in my brain to cherish. But just as the details of Sampson's pregnancy, labor, delivery, and first days have started to fade away....so are these. While I want to remember every detail, every speck of every moment... I do not have that kind of brain power. I am a mom, and I have what is infamously called 'Mom Brain'. Plus I am convinced that God has given us this lapse in memory so we can forget the reason why the final 9th month of pregnancy feels like it lasts an eternity. As moms we say we would relive it all over again to have our precious little ones in our arms a million times. But when I really think about it, and when my husband recalls his thoughts and feelings about the 2nd and 3rd trimester...I'll be surprised if this isn't our 2nd and final rodeo. But THAT is for another time, much further away, to revisit and finalize... because I definitely am not ready for that nail in the coffin of lasts. Today, I am 3 weeks 5 days postpartum. It's sad/crazy/relieving/blessed/etc to think it's been 'that long' already. There are so many memories that have been made already. From amazing to devastating to amazing and wonderful and all in between. The one word I can say at this point is .... gratitude. I am so very grateful that I am able to tell my story as it is and we are so blessed. Anyway, the time leading up to September 29, 2017 are ones that Mom Brain wants you to forget, but I have lingering thoughts and memories that I'd like to jot down so bare with me. When we decided that Sam needed a sibling, we didn't expect that the first month trying would stick. So when I felt those first prenancy signs and I was certain I was psyching myself out. Slight nausea, extreme fatigue, aversion to wine, and extreme fatigue...wait, I said that already? It was much too soon to really take a test, but the box came with three so what was one wasted test, right? Well those two lines came through before I could wipe and flush. And the margaritas I was planning the next day with girlfriends turned into water with lemon. 😂 On the good days, I felt really good. I love the general idea and feeling of pregnancy. I truly enjoyed every kick, every hiccup, every ninja roll. I actually loved my belly bump, I miss it already. But the not so good days...I can see why Dominic hated my 2nd and 3rd trimesters. While I am thankful to not have morning sickness or gestational diabetes, I do have to worry about gestational hypertension and the aches of my pelvis and hips separating...to the point that in the right angle- grinded my pelvic bones together when I walked. It was very painful and became so that I couldn't do workouts or really just walk in general. The final 3 or so weeks I could only sleep in roughly 1.5 hour increments before waking up and painfully having to roll over to my other side. I don't say this for pity or eye rolls or anything but just simply to remember and honor every women's aches and pains and sacrifices that it sometimes takes to bring our precious babies into this world. When I was pregnant with Sam, I didn't pay attention much to my blood pressure readings until the end when I was unfortunately emergency induced in the safety of ending the pregnancy and hopefully avoiding preeclampsia. I was 38 weeks, and very very swollen with the summer heat. I was medically required to have a magnesium IV after delivery to treat my high blood pressure and prevent symptoms of what could have been a dangerous situation. I certainly wanted to avoid a repeat experience. This pregnancy was different. I was 25 lbs lighter to start with and had developed much healthier eating and workout habits. I was very diligent and mindful of my blood pressure readings and weight gain with every appointment. Thankfully this summer was on the milder side and we had quite a few days without a lot of super excessive heat that helped my water retention. BUT 50% of women that experience gestational hypertension in one pregnancy are likely to develop the same fate in another pregnancy. The same reasons why those that have hypertension outside of pregnancy are not the same causes of gestational hypertension. It is not caused by high salt, carbs, etc I'm told by my doctor....although I do believe a healthier lifestyle with lower processed foods/carbs, and salt do aid in overall wellness in general. So with that being said, I carried my 2nd pregnancy up until week 39.... 39 weeks 5 days/Thursday I had my regular weekly appointment. My BP reading was high (over 140/90, the early stages of what could develop into preeclampsia) and I was asked to come in early the next morning for a recheck. If the recheck was lower...then the high reading today was just a fluke and I could carry on being pregnant until I went into labor on my own. If the recheck was the same or higher I would have to discuss another induction. So Friday morning came, 39 weeks 6 days, and the recheck was slightly higher. I was given the option to wait it out and definitely be induced on Sunday if I didn't go on my own or be induced today. The benefits of being able to move around more in labor and be less sick today outweighed the desire to go on my own and have the risk of becoming more sick by Sunday. So Dominic and I packed our final bags and headed to the hospital to make our family of three...a family of four. To Be Continued in Labor and Delivery..... Final Picture as a Family of 3
I know it's been quite a while since I've blogged. The late spring and pretty much entire summer slipped away from me...poof! That's the current life season I'm in I suppose... time just poofs! I've been more active on my social media but I wanted to share a longer throwback post... Little mister will be joining us anytime in the next 3-4 weeks. Wow! So here's a look back at some of Sampson's birth story! Next up: Labor and Delivery. **Spoiler Alert: Long Post Ahead** I really meant to write this four weeks ago, when this was still so fresh in my mind. But alas this is actually the first few days I have felt able to sit and chill and not have other things on my to do list to do...like write thank yous for the baby shower haha. Or take a nap. I wanted to write my experiences so that way I remember them to read later and cherish over and over. It's already been over 4 weeks since Sampson was born and so many things have happened in the last four weeks that I never want to forget. I don't want to forget that first weekend...or his little little face and how small he was and how precious he is...I am almost crying now just thinking how much he has changed already. I'm not here to mom shame or mom guilt others or myself for that matter. My posts from now on are still going to be about my life experiences and activities but again so I can look back and remember all of these moments. Reading many blogs throughout pregnancy and these past four weeks have really opened my eyes. Take my posts with a grain of salt. Take in what you may or may not want to use for yourself and leave out the rest. No judging here. I am writing this for me so if you want to use it for your own...I'm glad I could help. So now back to the title of the post...Labor and Delivery. Ever since I saw those two little pink lines...well I think even before then....but when I started researching labor and my options I knew I didn't initially want an epidural. Call me crazy...many did or at least I could feel their stank eye. But something in my heart told me that wasn't how I was going to do it. God gave me this body to give birth and I wanted to go as naturally as possible. I wanted to be able to move around and be in control of my body and I knew that with an epidural I wouldn't have that mobility. I also read in several sites that natural was the best way to start breastfeeding and I also wanted to do that as best as possible. We found out we were pregnant in February. I went on a church retreat in mid March when I decided I needed to get a massage for my birthday in April. A fellow attendee referred me to a massage therapist in Sherman. The owner of the shop referred me to a therapist that also works in her shop, but she was also training and studying to be a doula. How perfect! So I started going to Rebecca in April. After talking with her during my initial massage, I knew God had brought us together for her to support and advocate for me and help me see my vision for my labor and delivery. Plus a much needed massage on a regular basis...score! She has eight...yes I said EIGHT children of her own...having many varying experiences on the labor and delivery options scale. I trusted her from the very beginning....she's not judgmental, not 'you have to do it this way only', not bossy. She's sweet and caring and I knew from the start that she was right for me and helping me through this overwhelming point in my life. Again, blogs and other sites giving you their absolute 'this is the only way you should do it or you are a horrible mom' thoughts just were so....yeah. Overwhelming. With all the opinions and information out there....I wanted (needed) someone that had my best interests and was able to guide me in my vision. I was able to relax with her. She helped me with topics I needed to think about, make decisions on, and most importantly get my mind set into what we called 'warrior mode'. My body is made for the changes it was going through during the pregnancy and then of course during labor and delivery. The massages of course were great to relax and help my body adjust to the changes it was going through. September 24, 2015: If you read my last post this was the official green light to get to the hospital. This scenario was not what I had planned, thus not what I had wanted. But safety was the most important thing of course so after my appointment in the morning and drove my blubbering mess home to figure it out. Dominic and Rebecca were both great to reassure me that we were going to be fine and that I could still achieve what I wanted for the rest of the process even though I didn't go into labor naturally. 5:30 pm: We arrived at the hospital to start the initial process of softening my cervix to prepare for the pitocin induction in the morning. Dominic and I spent the night in the hospital with nothing more than uncomfortable cramping. September 25th: Go time. We ate breakfast and then started the pitocin at 10:00am. The softening process overnight didn't dilate me at all, so it was suggested to break my water pretty quickly. I didn't want to break my water on purpose if I could help it. I knew that breaking my water would only increase the intensity of my contractions. Rebecca and I decided that she would come to the hospital after lunch so I wanted to wait until she arrived. We (and by 'we' from now on I mean Dom, Rebecca, and myself) waited two rounds of checking for dilation and after 4 hours I had not progressed as the doctor had hoped. My blood pressure was an ever present concern so we decided to go ahead and break my water at 2:00 pm to hopefully speed along my progression. Let me say that out of this whole experience, breaking my water was the most uncomfortable and painful part of it all. But my crew and nurse in my room was absolutely the best and we got through it to continue the labor. Due to my blood pressure and then breaking my water, unfortunately I was not able to be as mobile throughout the labor as I had hoped. We tried the rocking chair, all fours on the bed, leaning over a yoga ball...but in the end the only thing that did not increase my blood pressure was to reduce as much excess movement as possible. I could only lay on my side on the bed during my contractions. Dominic and Rebecca took turns using Rebecca's long scarf-like fabric to wrap around my hips and pull on to put amazing relief of counter pressure on my hips.The other held my hand and Rebecca sensed my needs and reminded me to keep my breathing and moaning at a lower register to stay focused and in control. At 5:00 I had progressed to 5cm dilated. Which would have been great otherwise but with every contraction my blood pressure was clocking in at the 'treatable' stage for the preeclampsia. I had two options: start a magnesium sulfate treatment (which before delivery could send little man to the NICU) or receive an epidural so when I had a contraction, the pain would not increase my blood pressure. We at that point I had to go with the epidural for both of our safety. By the time the anesthesiologist arrived, Rebecca asked that I be checked again for dilation. I couldn't tell you the time frame that had passed from 5cm to this point, but I was at around 8-8 1/2 cm. I had progressed so quickly, and Rebecca could tell by my actions that my intensity during contractions, that I was thankful she had me checked again. I may have had the epidural that I didn't really want when I was so close to the end the pain medication would not have taken been any help. The doctor agreed that I could continue since I was going so fast. I pushed for 3-4 contractions and at 7:05 pm he was here! They laid him directly on my chest and Dominic and I cuddled and cherished the blessing that made us a family of three. Wow! I did it! Just like I wanted and just like we had prepared for as best we could. I tore on my own just enough for one stitch and Sampson was perfect and healthy; 7.5 lbs and 20.5 inches long. Dominic and I cannot thank the friendly staff at St. John's Hospital enough. The two nurses we had were amazing and their personalities were just what we needed during this special time in our lives. Dr. Dignan-Moore is an amazing OBGYN and I loved that she worked with us and our birth plan and kept us healthy and safe. Thank you! I also cannot express enough how amazing it was to have Rebecca with us on this journey. No matter what path you desire your pregnancy, labor, and delivery to follow, Rebecca can be your advocate and 'warrior mode' partner. Plus her massages during the pregnancy kept me sane. Let me know if you or someone you know would like to get in touch with her to doula for you. Well that's all caught up for now on that segment. Up next...Life as a Schmillen Mom... Momma BK Today was the first day in a little over 5 weeks that I've done a workout. It's also the same week in about 5 that I've cared enough to be focused on my nutrition as well, fighting the carb and sugar cravings.
I have my true accountability back. I'm able to order st in my groups and share with my tribe my journey again. The kind of passion that got me started in this journey to begin with in January 2016. We were comfortable to announce our second pregnancy earlier this week! We are very excited and blessed to have this little one on the way - but I forgot how exhausting the first trimester was! It's, I'm dead serious, it's no joke when the first trimester is infamous for exhaustion. I am very very extremely thankful and blessed that Dominic is an amazing help - picking up my slack especially when it comes to crazy energy Sam. No nausea (please don't hate me, it's my lack of smell I think) but I've been so tired I haven't been able to peel my eyes open or myself off the couch to get to my workout space. I'm finally here in the middle of week 10 and starting to come out of it. I'm looking forward to this season in my life and sharing with you everything I learn as I go through this pregnancy with a health and fitness mindset! I would love to know what season of life you are in and how it impacts your health and fitness goals! Comment below or email me at [email protected] and we can share our goals and stories together 😊 xo In this episode of Consistency with Grace.....a little bit more about Perfection.
Last time I told you how I stay in the consistency zone when it comes to my workouts. And I wanted to dive into that a little bit more and share more of my heart with you. You see, 'back in the day' I truly believed I had to be absolutely perfect in order to achieve success. This was true for many aspects of my life. Perfect grades, perfect house cleaning, perfection in how I approached workouts and my eating habits. It is all draining and it is unattainable. I was held down by this mental burden that if its not going to be perfect, it isn't worth doing. And by perfection in food, I mean essentially starving myself to be under the 1200 calorie mark on MyFitnessPal. I would workout without really a purpose or meaning behind it. I wandered around the gym, got winded on the elliptical for a few minutes, stretched and did some crunches, and then went home and ate a cupcake because I was still under that 1200 calories for the day. It was unhealthy, both physically and mentally, and most importantly it was inconsistent. And I felt like a failure for letting myself down again. I was also VERY dependent on the scale. I would be so focused on the DAILY number. It wasn't until I was pregnant with Sam and after I had him that I really knew I had to change. I always knew I needed better habits and to get healthy, but when you can't pick up your 8lb baby from your knees on the floor and stand up without being in pain.....that wasn't going to fly with me. I NEEDED to be able to show him how to live a healthy and fulfilling life. So I joined my coach in December of 2015, Sam was three months old. In 2016 my coaching and health and fitness journey was an extreme learning curve to teach my mind that balance and grace is the only way it goes to really embrace this lifestyle. But this isn't about perfection. It is learning the habits and discipline of doing what makes me feel good every day. I feel good when I eat according to the 21 Day Fix container guide. I am not sluggish or so miserably full or ridden by heartburn. I feel great after I crush the workout on my schedule and sweat profusely and get sore the next day. I feel great drinking my Shakeology and knowing that I am getting in more nutrients than I could find anywhere else. I feel amazing knowing that my actions and love for other people is encouraging and motivating them to make differences in their own lives and for their families. The imperfection is what makes us real people. Real people with real lives and real things to do. Real reasons to be healthy and live happy lives. That is why I say Consistency with Grace. I give myself grace when my day doesn't go as planned and for whatever reason the workout or dialed in food didn't happen. I wanted to tell you how I stay consistent and balanced and live in Consistency with Grace. This is what I have found that is working best with me as I have navigated through this year long journey. Of course, this isn't set in stone, so it's open for the ebbs and flows of life.
Workouts My preference is to commit to a workout program. This is one reason why I love Beachbody programs. IT COMES WITH A CALENDAR! I don't have to guess what I am going to do or decide which workout I'm doing or which body part(s) I will work on...I don't have to make that decision. It does it for me. This is awesome for a variety of reasons. I'm not a personal trainer. Now my coach is, and she's amazing, and she knows her stuff. Her experience and advice is so valuable to me. But because the programs are designed for you you don't have to be a trainer or a fitness expert to do the workouts. They are designed specifically to get results and to work what the program focuses on. When one workout in the program is not your favorite, you do it anyway. This is great for me because I have some workouts that I like more than others. And while I don't favor the others as much, I get them done because that is what the calendar says. And I feel like a badass when I get done with it still. I don't have the option to skip certain workouts because I just don't feel like it. Not an option. I get it done and I know I crushed it when it's over. What is Workout Grace? Workout Grace is best defined as: The state of recognizing when an unexpected rest day is acceptable. Basically when to know that it's ok the workout didn't happen, despite your best effort. Rather than a..."I got lazy and didn't feel like it" excuse. When you commit to the program, there are going to be days where the workout just cannot happen. Stuff gets crazy, unforseeable events take place that totally mess up your plans. That's OK. Do you hear me?! It's OK. You ARE NOT a failure. You are not totally derailed and unforgiveably forsaken to the land of Losers. We are perfectly imperfect and you don't wallow (or at least for long, it's normal to be a little bummed in the moment) and you don't let it stop you from trying again tomorrow. When I miss a workout on the calendar I put a little * to it. Now the more * means the more make ups and until they are done the program isn't over for me. So I try not to skip too many when I am fully committed to the program. So when stuff gets in the way and I miss a day (*cough cough*) or two workouts I work really hard to not let it get to me. Example, I am committing to P90x3 starting January 2nd. This is a 90 day program. My goal is to not miss and make up more than 1 week's worth of workouts. Now in 21 Day Fix, I limit that to 1-3 workouts over the whole 21 days. You set your goal. A lot of people have a catchy workout rule. 'Never miss a Monday' is a popular one. I love this one and I find it true that a Monday sweat really sets the whole week up for good times. But my mantra is that I don't go more than 3 days without a workout. One day, ok...two days...gah ok it's fine it's fine......by day three I'm feeling like "Seriously, Burlie, what's going on here". And on the 4th day, it's gotta happen. I find that after 4 days is when I really feel like I'm off the wagon and that loss of momentum and consistency is REALLY HARD to get back. Doable? Absolutely. But it's not easy and that's why I like my 3 day rule. How to control Consistency and when to extend that Grace How do you know when your excuse is acceptable? *Insert AMAZING TRIBE HERE* This is a group of supporters that encourages you in your health and fitness and life in general goals. They help control when to extend Grace and when to buckle down and crush the excuse and kill the workout. When you have daily check ins for ups and downs and sweaty selfies and food victories....it is truly the accountability that keeps you in the momentum and disciplined mode. You care because they care and we are there to support each other. So in Consistency in Grace : Workout edition conclusion 1. Commit to a workout schedule/program. It's written down and you do the workout. Don't avoid the ones you dislike. 2. Write down the ones that you miss....and by golly you're making them up at the end. 3. Don't miss more than 3 workouts in a row. Keep the momentum going! 4. Get a tribe that cares about you and your goals! Do you need one? :) see my Let's Connect tab! I'd be honored for you to join us and share your triumphs and struggles and results in your unique journey. I have loved 2016 for many reasons. It was little man's first full year of life. We have experienced so many firsts and new things that I wish I had videoed the whole thing so I could watch it over and over again. I have some of it documented, but I wish I could replay the first crawl and steps and last snuggles and little snores and.....ahhh. I'm tearing up. This little man has grown to be a 2T wearing, running and jumping and jabbering 15 month old and he doesn't have time for mommy snuggles right now! There's too much playing to do!
I am also so proud of so many accomplishments that I have achieved over the last year. I have completed PiYo, T25, and several rounds of 21 Day Fix. I'm a 365er in my Shakeology and it's been one of the healthiest years of my adult life. I have rarely been sick, I have more energy than I thought I would have with a 15 month old, and I love the simplicity and hassle freeness that Shakeology brings me. I have zero'd in on my nutrition...I've also been able to be pretty balanced during the times where I wasn't super strong hold focused on the dialed in version. I've lost 25 pounds and a pants size. I've gained irreplaceable friendships, a stronger sense of my relationship with God, and more confidence and self love. I've learned what it is to be a (less guilty feeling) mommy of a crazy toddler and how important it is to value yourself and other relationships will follow. I've gone through the ebbs and flows of the year and am learning to balance my health and fitness journey and business with the rest of my life. I've had hard fast non-negotiables in the year that have slowly gave way to the end of summer and holidays. And I'm excited for what year 2 has to bring! January 2nd, 2017 is going to be a great day! Why? Because Mondays have grown on me and the 2nd is the ultimate Monday to hit the reset button. HARD. I am dialing in on the nutrition again, starting a new program, and making plans to stay consistent to my tribe. We are a great team together and the New Year is a great time to bring it back and make sure that we know we are all in this little thing called life together. I wouldn't trade any of my tribe members for anything. They each bring their own unique story and struggles and triumphs to the table and they are all worth celebrating results and success in 2017. They say it takes a village to raise a kid. Absolutely 100% true. It also takes a village to raise each other up in our health and fitness journeys. Perfection? No. Consistency with Grace is the theme of 2017. And I want you to be a part of it too. Send me a message or email me at [email protected] and we can ride this amazing journey together. Wow! It certainly has been a while since I have blogged, although I must say just about every other day I have a post idea in my head that just never makes it on 'paper'. I have several excuses and reasons why I've been MIA on my blog and pages lately. Hang with me here on this post.
Now I had a fabulous coworker, that still happens to be a great friend, that said something one day during our work time together that has stuck with me ever since. And I honestly try to live by this now everyday. (something to the effect of....{i'm terrible with exact quotes lol]..) Don't tell me your complaints/excuses without solutions....otherwise bitching is just bitching and nothing will be solved or changed. Wow. Mic drop, right? I can't expect anyone to solve my woes, I have to at least have some sore of solution or idea to start the bounce off of to really change my mindset/situation. So here are my excuses on where I've been and my solutions to get me to where I am going instead. Excuse: Over the last few months I was questioning my drive as a coach. Honestly I didn't have it in me to do what I thought I needed to do to be successful, and have a full time job, and be a great mom, and a great wife, and a great bestie and sister, AND do the more mundane things of life like dishes and laundry. I have been evaluating my system for the last few months and tweaking and revamping and rethinking.... Solution: I've done a lot of soul searching, talking with my coach/dear friend about my business goals, and overall just really evaluating my priorities. I have come to realize that I don't need to reinvent the wheel here. I just need to be me, but with boundaries. I have now become more familiar with how to set boundaries to separate business vs friendships vs mom/wife/general Burlie life. Setting boundaries and a plan with my own goals in mind are going to send me to where I need to be. (which I'll talk more about how I see my sucesses in my next post) Excuse: In the past I used to have to type my posts on my phone or on my older computer that...likes to skip and jump around and all over just frustrate me before I just throw my hands in the air in defeat. Solution: Santa has granted me a Bluetooth keyboard for my Kindle (in option instead of a crazy $$$ iPad Pro or Surface Pro with a keyboard, why not use what I have and hardly use?!) I am typing on it right now and it is a dreaaaaammmm! No skipping and jumping around, it's light and easy to use and I am in love. So no more technology/effective typing woes. yay! I could list more that involves time, energy, etc, but I will save them for a different time because this is getting long and they will be great reminders for other things besides business related. Thanks for hanging in there with me on this post, and expect more in the very near future....including recipes, inspiration/motivation, and in general Burlie health and fitness and mom and wife and life posts. I hope you enjoy them :) What tips or recipes, or topics would you like to see on the blog? xo, Burlie I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again….Fall is my favorite season. One of my favorite things to incorporate in my weekly meals is soup. My hubby doesn’t really care for soup, so I when I make it I have to be committed to enjoy it for several days in a row. When I set out in the kitchen to make soup…I kinda just wing it…you know, Food Network ‘Chopped’ style. I attempt to use as much produce that needs to be used in the fridge and create something I can eat for several days. Needless to say my soups don’t really taste the same way twice, but they are still yummy each time I promise! So on this episode of ‘Chopped’ I had the following items that I wanted to use up in the fridge and pantry. Diced tomatoes : I used two cans in this one, I really like canned tomatoes with the seasonings already in them. One of them today was fire roasted garlic and the other was basil, oregano, and garlic. Aldi’s has them and so does Walmart hence the two brands in the picture. Jarred garlic: I even say it’s better when fresh, but this is super easy to store and use over a long period of time and still meet my garlic needs. I’m a fan J. Peppers: I had a small green pepper from my in-laws garden and some tri colored ones from the store so I used the yellow one from that pack. Beef broth: This is just something I had in the pantry. I actually normally have chicken broth but I think the beef added nice flavor to the soup Onion: I only used ½ of the onion and saved the rest for another day Noodles: I’ve had these lasagna noodles in the pantry for a while and they stare at me every time I open up the doors so I decided to make use of them. You can also use any whole wheat pasta shape. Tomato Sauce: I made tortilla pizzas earlier this week. The can was bigger than I normally get (I think it was 20+ oz) so I had a lot of unused sauce from the can that needed to be used. It was actually the inspiration for the whole soup idea! Ingredients: 2 16 oz cans of diced tomatoes 1 20-24 oz can of tomato sauce or marinara sauce 1-2 cloves of chopped/jarred garlic 1 32oz box of beef broth 1/2 large white/yellow onion chopped 1-2 bell peppers, any combination of colors whole wheat lasagna noodles 1 pound of ground turkey Italian spices : red pepper flake, oregano, italian seasoning, parsley flakes, etc Mushrooms would also be good in this, didn't have any in the Chopped kitchen this time...so sadly no mushrooms. Directions: In a stockpot, brown ground turkey in a little EVOO (extra virgin olive oil). Add onion, peppers, and garlic (any any other veggies) and saute until soft. Add the two cans of tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth (I also added two cans worth of water here) Continue simmering in stockpot or transfer to crockpot as long as you need to. I simmered mine on the stove for 6ish hours. Around 30-40 minutes left in the cooking time, add the noodles. I broke mine into smaller pieces. When I reheated later, it ended up being more stew-y than soup. So when you think you don't have enough noodles (around 5 or so) just stop. Just. Stop. haha. They will absorb a lot of liquid and if you want soup, less is more. And that's it! Top it with some shredded mozzarella cheese or parmesan and......muah! Perfection! I reheated this and little man even ate it over the course of about a week.
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September 2017
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