It's all about YOU!

This journey you're on to better your health and receive the bonus of the outside looking great is all for you!

Maybe you started it for an important event, toning up for Summer, your husband or wife etc. We all have something that makes us START but if you're not continuing for yourself then what is the point? What happens when the wedding is over or winter comes? Do you continue because you feel great or do you go back to old habits?

Are you absolutely miserable during cardio or hating ordering something healthy at a restaurant? If so, then maybe this lifestyle isn't for you and that's ok! Maybe you need to make some adjustments. Maybe you need to train 3 days a week instead of 5. Maybe you need to eat clean 80% of the time. I'm not suggesting that you totally rid yourself of healthy habits however, this lifestyle isn't for everyone so you need to do what will make you happy! If you aren't happy in your own skin then the sacrifices you make need to be WORTH it! 

At the end of the day, no one is on this journey but you. So opinions shouldn't matter and you shouldn't be working as hard as you are for someone else. Stop comparing yourself to others! If a figure athlete has time to train twice a day 6 days a week that's great, but if that's not you or your lifestyle then you should stop comparing your results to that person. I am a huge fan of pictures. I have more pics of myself on my phone than anything because I'm constantly comparing myself to MYSELF and not anyone else. Dare to be better than you were yesterday. 

Do I want my husband to find me attractive? Yes. Do I want to feel comfortable in my swim suit this summer? Yes. Do I want to show you all that hard work pays off? Yes. 

But I do it for ME! I want to feel good about myself for me and no one else. Once you come to this realization it is the most freeing feeling ever! You will no longer have to justify your actions to anyone and most of all there will be no convincing yourself. FREEDOM. 

Once you choose healthy and choose happy for yourself then everything will fall into place in all aspects of your life. 

So if you took anything from this ramble I hope it is to do this for you, stop comparing yourself and be realistic with your own life! 

Xoxo,

E

Reflection

Health and fitness is a huge passion of mine. I ENJOY waking up at 330 am to go train at the gym and see if I can push myself harder than the day before. I ENJOY seeing my body change and learning what it's capable of. Maybe the morning isn't the right time for everyone but it is for me and it doesn't bother me that I go to bed earlier in order to do so. I eat really "clean" and I love the way it makes me feel. My digestion is better. My skin is better and my overall health is better from avoiding boxed, frozen or canned foods. I stray from "convience" items at the store. Even if they're organic. This is MY choice. I get weird looks from the lunches I pack of chicken and veggies or the countless hard boiled egg whites I eat. But I am fueling my body for the hard work I put in at the gym and because I value my body and my health. I was over weight when I was younger and I had to teach myself how to be healthy and to make good food choices. I won't lie, if I was naturally thin with a fast metabolism I may not be where I am today or writing this because I wouldn't care so much. "When you know better, you do better".

Because of what God gave me I was able to learn what would make me a better person on the outside and the inside and because of that I can now educate others on how important proper nutrition is for you and how important exercise is. If I can inspire even just a few people to change habits that make them unhappy then I know I accomplished something.

Yes, I am human and occasionally eat ice cream or a juicy burger but that is enjoying life! When you eat fast food everyday, are you really enjoying it or just eating it because it's easy? When I order that burrito I savor every bite and know that it's going to give me fuel to lift some weights tomorrow.

I really believe that because of my journey I have been able to help my mom lose weight. She has worked so hard and I am the proudest daughter. Because of that she is adding years to her life! Years with her kids and grand kids!
My husband has lost weight since I met him because of the changes he's made in his diet. He was on blood pressure meds at 22 and got off of them naturally by maintaining a healthy weight with no processed junk and exercising. It's a struggle everyday for him to stay away from salty food but he does it for his health! Heart problems run in his family and he is preventing it early! I couldn't be more proud of that.

So when we go out to eat and I order a salad or whatever don't feel bad for me because I'm not enjoying myself just know that this life style is my decision and when I do order something out of the ordinary don't go out of your way to make me feel guilty either, because I made the decision to eat the burrito and I'll enjoy every bite! Lol

One day I'll be able to teach my children about food the right way and they will NEVER have to go thru what I went thru when I was younger. I will teach them to love and respect their bodies no matter what. I pray that they never have body image issues or feel bad about what God gave them. And because of that I know why God gave me what he did and why I have to work twice as hard.

Finally, if you need help don't be afraid to ask! If someone inspires you find out what they're doing to get results. Most importantly, don't give up! It takes time, effort and consistency. I've learned that consistency is key! "If it was easy, everyone would do it."