Habits are simply your priorities on auto pilot! That is why it is so important to be intentional and direct the course as habits are built. Habits, good or bad, are not formed overnight. At first, the actions are purposeful, whether that is deciding to order a salad at lunch or buy a sugar filled coffee on the way to work and habits are often wrapped up with ideas of self care.
When I became addicted to red bull, it was in a season where I had NO money and buying a red bull was a treat. It was something I did for myself and it evolved into part of my emotional self care. It was how I was carving out time and resources for myself, much like someone who smokes. However, even though the concept behind that is healthy, it's important that our daily habits are taking us in the direction that we want to go! If diabetes and emphysema are not where you want to be, than soda and cigarettes should not be part of your daily activities! Bad habits are short sighted, what we want NOW. Good habits are created by a powerful vision of the future! That takes creativity and dreaming and goal setting. You can't get there staring into the mirror insulting yourself for your perceived flaws or looking at past consequences and shaming yourself, shame leads right back to the bad habits. Good habits come alive with a decision to see your worth and a commitment to playing the hell out of the cards you've been dealt. When you decide you want to see what the best version of yourself, inside and out, come into being, that vision fuels all kinds of change! It's magical! We stand in awe at times at what others have accomplished but we are fully capable of creating equally amazing futures! All it takes is a vivid dream, committing to making it a goal, and then breaking it down in our daily priorities which forms the habits that make that dream a reality! That is our focus in our challenge group, dreaming, goal setting, and creating habits that lead us there! We have a new group starting March 5th and the All Access Challenge Pack is still available! Plan out the rest of the year with us! Message me to claim a spot or to get more information! ❤️
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I was talking with my team yesterday about our vision and we were sharing our personal stories and why this self care process has been so vital to our emotional wellbeing. Though our stories were all different, it all came down to this: We have been told our whole lives that we were less than others on some level. We've been told we aren't pretty enough, thin enough, smart enough, talented enough. We've all spend our lives spinning our wheels trying to reach unattainable standards, trying to conform to the box that we are being forced into.
For all of us, this has been the first time that we have been able to cast off expectations and take a look at our own amazing abilities and to see our worth outside the filter of other people's opinions. We have been to admire other women's beauty without questioning our own. We have been able to be amazed by what our bodies can do and how incredible it feels physically and emotionally to truly care for them! We have learned to celebrate strength and growth. We have committed to self-discovery and being MORE of what we were created to be. Most importantly, we have learned to recognize and reject shame. It's not about losing weight or being a perfect physical specimen, it's simply about pursuing health and growth in every area of our lives. Instead of trying to be more like someone else, let's strive to be more of what we already are! Instead of striving to be all the same, let's marvel in the beauty of diversity! One of the most common reasons I see people stalling or not reaching their goals is that they don’t really have them! They might feel like they do but “ Lose weight” isn’t a goal.
A goal is, “ I am going to lose 10 pounds by March 31st.” Declaring a specific number and giving a deadline causes the brain and emotions to react differently. Actions matter more when goals are specific. We KNOW we won’t hit that goal if we cheat on our nutrition or skip workouts in that 5 week period. It’s a short period of time to reach an attainable goal! It helps us focus our energy, knowing there is a deadline ( and a stopping point). Ambiguous goals actually hinder our progress. It's easy to make excuses when it seems like the work never ends. We have more success when we are laser focused and planning our cheats and treats rather than caving in weak moments because we've " been working so hard we deserve a break". We deserve to feel excited about our lives!! And when we crush our goals we feel amazing! That celebration might come with a margarita or a slice of cake but treating ourselves before we reach the goal only brings discouragement. If you have been struggling, losing and gaining the same few pounds, not being consistent with your nutrition or your workouts, I want you to take some time today and write out your health goal for this month and for the entire year! Where do you want to be in a month? In a year? How will you feel when you hit that goal? Dream about it! You deserve to feel that good about yourself! Not just as a person that has lost weight or gained muscle but as someone who makes goals and crushes them! It feels AWESOME!! Here is a helpful tip from Chalene Johnson: "Your goals should mesh with your priorities. Take some time to decide on your priorities in life. What’s most important to you? What do you refuse to compromise? Now, ask yourself if your goals align with your priorities…ALL of them. Each and every goal you set should align with your top priority. If for some reason one of your goals compromises your priorities, think outside the box and find a creative way to achieve your goal while honoring what’s important to you." One of my priorities is my family. This means my progress is slower at times because my goals have to reflect what's best for my whole family! I would do double workouts everyday and never have any food in the house that slowed down my progress, but that doesn't serve my husband or my kids. My goals have to be attainable with that in mind! I ask myself, what can I do to push myself within those perimeters and then I go for it! One of the ways I hold myself accountable to this is through my challenge group! I set public goals, I log my workouts, I share what I am eating, I share when I fail. The process of recording it all and being vulnerable with others spurs me on to greater success. Right now, in this moment, I want you to cast aside ANY discouragement or shame you feel. The problem isn't that you don't have what it takes to lose weight, eat healthier, or work out. The problem is you haven't had a true measureable GOAL and the tools to complete it. Ive met women that had the goal but truly had no idea of how to eat to make it a reality. They stocked their house with foods they thought were healthy, they made changes, worked out and saw very little in the way of results. They needed to understand nutrition before they could make effective goals. You need the goal and the proper tools! That is why I LOVE what I do! I get to provide women with an arsenal of tools, help them set goals, and then encourage them as they work their butts off! Those moments when they lose the first few pounds, do their first push-up, up their weights for the first time, and see that they have what it takes to make their wishes come to life is THE BEST!!! I see it everyday, so believe me when I say YOU can do this!! We have a group starting March 5th and I would LOVE to see your beautiful among these awesome ladies! Message me to learn more about the process or you can reach out here! Don't wish for things your whole life, set a goal and make them happen! http://www.angelsofvalor.com/join-a-challenge-group.html “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” ~ Helen Keller
I spend 4 years hiding in what felt secure. Keeping myself closed off, avoiding the danger of being hurt, of being seen, of being judged and feeling shame. I didn't see my worth. Hiding in my comfort zone wasn't that comfortable and I certainly wasn't happy. My negative outlook affected how I cared for myself ( or lack thereof), and I had no exciting adventures. Then one day I decided I was tired of that existence and I decided I was making a change. It was a private change from with inside my home but the very act of caring for myself lit a spark in me that turned into the power to change on a much larger scale! You are worthy. Right now in this moment. You don't need to change anything but your perspective but changing your actions helps to change your perspective. Treating yourself well makes you more aware of your worth and you gain courage. Courage to stand up and say, without shame "This is who I am!", as you go about becoming the best version of your worthy self. That better version is all internal, my dear, but the outside catches up as you treat yourself with the respect you deserve! These simple actions, exercising and eating well, changed my life, not because I have a better body but because it showed me what it felt like to be respected. I had to respect myself first! Any other pumpkin pie lovers out there? These 21 Day Fix approved pumpkin pie energy bites are to die for!
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Brownies are my FAVORITE dessert! So, when I saw this 21 Day Fix Flourless Chocolate Chickpea Brownie recipe...I was suspicious and skeptical! 😂It's been a year since I got the cookbook and today I finally decided to try them and they are delicious! Even Phillip approved!( And that's saying something! 😂) Let them eat brownies! ❤️
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I bought myself a pair of sunglasses today. I know that doesn't seem like it deserves an announcement but I bought them shame free! I used to feel intense shame any time I did things or purchased things for myself.
In fact, it was so bad for awhile, my husband would have to force my hand by ordering things for me or pushing me out of the house for a break. It was this deep seeded idea that I wasn't worthy. I wasn't aware of it, I only experienced the negative emotions tied to it. The last time my husband had to force my hand into caring for myself was when I bought a challenge pack. I was mentioning it often, and he could tell I wanted to try. He told me he thought it would be good for me and he thought I should try coaching. I made every excuse in the book, because I was afraid to try and fail. It took him 8 months to convince me! Beachbody doesn't just hand you a program and nutrition plan, (though that would be plenty!), they recommend personal development every day. They recognize that losing weight isn't our greatest need, it's a symptom of a greater problem, that we need healthy minds and emotions to be TRULY healthy! I realized through the process that I carried shame for bringing debt into our marriage even though I busted my butt to pay it off before we had kids. I carried shame for quitting my job to stay home and care for our children, even though it's what we both wanted. My whole life I have been driven by performance and other's approval. I've been hustling for my worth as long as I can remember and it only got worse when I felt like I wasn't contributing financially. ( My poor sweet husband!) This program revealed brokenness in me and gave me the tools to begin healing. So, today when I splurged on myself and felt no shame, that was huge! It's ok to invest in myself, it's ok to for me to spend money on things that bring me joy! Seeing my worth, gaining confidence, being comfortable with my body, has changed my life. I can honestly say I am a different person, the best version of myself that I have ever been and I'm not slowing down! Ive gained a vision for serving the world and making a differences and I now know that I have the power to do it! If you have been on the fence about jumping into a challenge group with us, I cannot encourage you enough to take the leap! It truly is a risk-free investment in your healing and happiness! Our next challenge group starts March 5th and I would LOVE to see you there! I would love to talk to you about where you are at emotionally and the goals you would like to achieve this year! I have a challenger that has lost almost 50 pounds since August, but more importantly she has gained courage and confidence. She sees her worth and is standing up for herself! It's beautiful and it's why I am so passionate about what I do! Send me a message so me we can make a plan for YOUR transformation, inside and out! <3 Fear. It's what holds us back. Fear of not being enough. Fear of not having what it takes. Fear of pushing out side our comfort. But the truth is that our comfort zone really isn't that comfortable. We know we were meant for more! Being in the comfort zone means accepting mediocrity. It means feeling envious when others are succeeding as they dive head first into the unknown. It means not being in love with your life.
I WAS a fighter. I had lived wholeheartedly and then circumstances knocked me down. We all get knocked down from time to time and we all handle it in different ways. The negative emotions rise up and in our weakness we cling to them. Some justify their bad feelings and make themselves feel entitled to anger. Some rationalize how they have reacted in their weakness and hide from the truth, making excuses for themselves, others spread blame and refuse to take responsibility for their own happiness. Or if you are like me, you might be hypersensitive about how people treat you. My entire self image was determined by what others thought of me. I had very little sense of personal value or self-worth apart from the opinions of others. When circumstances came that others were looking at me in a negative light ( for things I hadn't even done!), I felt shame, anger, and embarrassment. I started seeing myself as inferior, became depressed and started living in self-pity. I won't lie, coming out of that place was hard. I was scared to try. I was scared to be vulnerable with people and live my life out loud, but through the process of pushing outside my comfort zone I learned that my goals and values had to be at the center of what I was doing. I couldn't be doing it to please others, not even a little! When my goals were solid and defined, I started moving toward them without looking around to see who approved or disapproved and when I reached them, my own joy was enough! I didn't need to look around for others to be impressed by my accomplishment either. It starts with the decision to be all in. In your mind, you have to shake off any excuses or negative thought patterns. You can't entertain words like, " I'll try" or " I doubt it will work" or ANY excuses you have about your own abilities! You have every bit of talent and ability you need to accomplish more than you could imagine! The trick is figuring out what you really want and then going for it! FOR YOU! It's not selfish to have goals and dreams. Knowing what those are puts you on the path to true joy and when you are on that path, you meet your tribe! You find all those other weirdos just like you and life becomes a grand adventure! It's not comfortable to hate your body, to be depressed about your finances, to be exhausted physically and emotionally. It might feel safe to be unseen but it doesn't make for a fulfilling life! Once I made it out of my comfort zone, I realized how very uncomfortable I truly was inside it! The only thing that was standing in my way was ME! This month in group we are focused on finding those areas that are holding us captive and pushing past them. it's not too late to join us! There is no better time to change than when you feel that small glimmer of hope! You know you were meant for more! Message me to jump in! This really affected me this morning! I spent so many years focusing on everything I wasn't given. I compared myself to everyone and the target of what I was supposed to be was always moving. I was frustrated and miserable and, compared to this amazing woman, I am embarrassed of my state of mind!
I have been given so much, we all have! Instead of looking around the room to see what everyone else was given, it's time to take inventory of the cards we were dealt and play the hell out them! Helen Keller also said, " When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another." I believe this to be true and I, now, keep it in mind everyday, believing that as I do the best I can, it not only strengthen me but strengthens others and THAT is worth all the work! ❤️ A life full of gratitude has no room for discontentment! So much more has been given to us than has been denied! One of the things I've loved about my journey with Beachbody is how many different types of exercise I've been encouraged to try. I'm not someone that is comfortable in large groups and I get intimidated trying something new like Zumba or Yoga.
I started working out at home with my mom, who used to be a trainer, and than I moved to a small gym with a personal trainer. I lifted weights mostly which I still love but I have fallen in love with other forms of exercise! Core De Force was such an emotional release! I've never experienced anything like therapeutic effects of kick boxing! I never knew how incredibly strengthening dancing could be until Cize and Country Heat and I flat out fell in love with Pilates during the 21 Day Fix! I've learned a lot about myself, I've learned how to combat different kinds of stress, I've learned to release tiredness, sadness, and anger through physical activity. Exercise is so much more than a means to get physical fit, it's a form of therapy! That is why I was so excited about the all access pass! I have gladly been paying for Beachbody on Demand ( think Netflix for workouts) and slowly buying new workouts to add to my personal library as new products launch and now for $60 less a year you can can get ALL the workouts they currently offer, plus anything new that comes out in 2017! If you don't love working out, I promise, you WILL find something that speaks to you in this treasure trove! If you have been dragging your feet to sign up for a class full of strangers, this is your moments to get access to yoga classes, dance workouts, boot camps, and more! Learn on your own time in your own space! If you're busy and struggling to find time, BOD comes with you! Play it from your phone, tablet, or computer from your living room or hotel room! All you need is 30 minutes and a piece floor the size of a yoga mat. If you love working out, there are so many amazing workouts to try and different levels of fitness to challenge yourself with and all the nutritional info to lose weight, maintain, or get ripped! This program has taught me so much more than how to lose weight. They have taught me to have balance, to see my worth, and to treat myself with respect! For accountability, apply to join us here! <3 http://www.angelsofvalor.com/join-a-challenge-group.html |
Author"And Aubrey was her name. A not so very ordinary girl or name."(Or so says David Gates ;) I'm a wife to Phillip, a mother to Scarlett and Juliet. We live in the beautiful city of Thornton, Co. I'm a recovering red bull addict. I love to read. I hate to cook. I seek to be inspired and also to inspire others. I am a Beachbody Coach on a quest to be truly healthy mind, soul, and body and challenge others to do the same. Archives
February 2018
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