#Fightforit

Its almost NEW YEARS!!!  It makes me SO excited to set goals for the NEW YEAR.   But I didnt always feel that way....

New Years used to overwhlem me.....I would set goals...then not keep them.  And GIVE UP.

In fact..the biggest CHANGE in my life happened on a random day.   I was 6 weeks post partum with my 4th baby.  I had 40 lbs of baby weight to lose.  I was TOTALLY EXHAUSTED...and wondering how I was EVER going to keep up with my life.  My husband was in graduate school...I had to go back to working nights at the hospital...I was OVERWHELMED.  I was DEPRESSED and I was MISERABLE.

That day in desperation...I prayed.  In my heart swelled the answer.  YOU GET TO CHOOSE.  I could etiher give in and not get out of bed....or I could CHOSE to move forward.  I could CHOOSE to FIGHT for MYSELF.  I alone COULD CHOOSE.  I could CHOOSE to change.

So I did.  I bought the INSANITY workout that day.  And I commited to myself that would DO IT.

Then came the day I started the program....... I cried through the first workout.  It was HARD.  But even more...I was AFRAID.  I was a afraid to go backwards....I was a afraid of feeling sad and trapped in my life when I had SO MUCH to LIVE and be GRATEFUL FOR.

So I made a choice to PUSH PLAY EVERYDAY. 

I CHOSE to define myself by not what I was THEN
....or even how I FELT in the moment
...but WHAT I WAS CHOOSING TO DO...to BECOME.

Humans....we have an INNER desire to FIGHT.  Sometimes it gets burried in baby weight, or an eating disorder, or a marriage struggle.  Sometimes that desire to fight is SO SMALL...but its lives.  And when we FEED IT with our  daily CHOICES.   IT GROWS.  And we become STRONGER...and HAPPIER...and a BETTER VERSION OF OURSELVES.


The best lesson I ever learned from working out
.....THAT I AM WORTH FIGHTING FOR.


Its NEVER easy.

Sometimes I FAIL.

But I will not stop fighting. .....EVER

It all boils down to a CHOICE.  What will YOU CHOOSE.  Are you READY TO FIGHT for YOURSELF??

NO one can do it for you.  YOU must rise up and MAKE THE CHANGE.  YOU must CHOOSE DAILY to #FIGHTFORIT

JOIN THE FIGHT.....


I want to fight along side you.  I want to SHOW YOU...that YOU ARE WORTH IT.


I am OPENING UP my JANUARY #FIGHTFORIT  Fitness accountability group.

30 days of Workouts
30 Days of Nutrition
30 Days of Meal plans
30 days of SUPPORT
30 Days of Support

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!
YOU CAN CHOSE TO CHANGE!!

Click here to APPLY.  Spots are limited!!!

#FIGHTFORIT Challenge Group Application

I Workout for.......

http://youtu.be/TmbWBeDnWu0

I worked out today....at 2 pm. It took me an hour ....to get through my 40 minutes of planned workout!!! (INSANTY Max 30 and a little added strength circuit ) 

I didn't workout Christmas Eve or Christmas ......and I was hell bent determined to workout today.  

Why?!!

One reason.....

I do it for me.  

For years thought doing anything for ME was selfish.  A noble self sacrifing trait right?!!

Wrong!!!!  

I workout because it makes ME HAPPY

I workout because it makes ME feel strong, and calm, and energetic

I workout because when I do I am a better wife, mom, and person

I went though periods of my life when I worked out  to be skinny.  I starved myself, made myself throw up, obsessed out every pound, and about perfection. 

And you know what??!! Why would I do that?!! Why would I treat myself like that. 

Perception of perfection.

I wanted to be perfect.  I felt so much pressure to be there for everyone.  To lift everyone..help everyone...that it destroyed ME!!

Truth...you can't help anyone if you're s mess!!

Thank God for my husband and for God helping me see that  ...I am worth it.  I am a wonderful, beautiful, powerful person....just like I am!!!!!

So I just am!!!

And I am ok.

I gain and loose weight.

I miss a workout here and there...I eat treats here and there.

But I workout and eat healthy almost everyday...and I always will

Because I do it for ME!!!

And I am worth it!!  

I'm not perfect.  I'm a work in progress!  

But the trick is....to love yourself right where you are!!!!

Be a Progressionist ....not a perfectionist 

XOXO

MISSY

Merry Fit-mas to me!!!

Well....Santa came early!!!! I've Been waiting for a Insanity MAX 30 to come out for weeeeeeeks!!!  30 minutes at day to crazy abs!!!!  Oh yeah!!!  It's time to get shredded!!

Before pics going down....

Before pics photo bombed....  

Ready to KILL it!!!!!!!  Who's with me?!!!

Will you FALL??? Or will you FLY???

I'm a WORRIER. Always have been. I have spent TOO many years wrapped up in my "What ifs", "Should I or Shouldnt I" and "What will people think". 

There comes a point in your life where you MUST MAKE A CHOICE. To live by FAITH ...or LIVE BY FEAR.

To put your toes on the edge of the cliff...spread your wings...and JUMP.

Will you FALL??? Or will you FLY???

You wont EVER KNOW....UNLESS YOU TRY!!!!

I told MY coach Brigitte Linford NO....I think 8 times when she encouraged me to COACH for Team Beachbody. I was a AFRAID. I wanted to help people....I had already changed my OWN body and my OWN life with Beachbody products.....but I didnt want to leave my OWN COMFORT ZONE.

Until one day I got tired. TIRED of wonder WHAT IF. Tired of playing small. Those who change the world...are the ones who believe they can. BUT ONLY IF THEY GO OUT AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Just like the Bible says....FAITH with out WORKS...is dead.

The world needs you. As scary as that feels sometimes.....

FIND YOUR PASSION...YOUR PURPOSE....and PUSH YOURSELF.

My team of ONE (me)....in just over 18 months.....has turned into a team of MANY.

We are mostly MOMS ( and dads)...

but TEAM ROCKIT IS ON A MISSION.

Learn....LEAD....AND LOVE the heck out of everyone.

There is a REASON our team is ranked #38 out of over 230,000 coaches. BECAUSE WE LOVE WHAT WE DO....and WE LOVE EACH OTHER.

Sometimes I look at my life and I'm in awe. HOW DID I GET HERE???

I wanted to be nurse since I was 4. I graduated with my RN at age 19. I loved working with sick children in the hospital for 12 years. I worked 12 hour nights through 4 pregnancies (in 7 years).

After baby # 4 I WAS SO TIRED. I needed to take care of me.....SO I DID INSANITY (because naturally If I'm gonna DO something...I'm gonna DO IT!!)

I lost 35 lbs!!!!! I was in the best shape of my life.....and LOVING IT. I wanted every MOM OUT THERE to feel how I felt!!! SO I STARTED TELLING EVERYONE....and NATURALLY....I was lead to coaching.

FINALLY...I said yes....and became a coach.

THANK HEAVENS I DECIDED TO LEAP!!!!

Did I ever imagine that I would QUIT at the hospital and be working from HOME???
Matching my husband's salary??
Traveling all over the world??
ALL by daily Helping other MOMS change their lives??
Be surrounded by a TEAM I LOVE to work with??

Nope.

But it's HAPPENING.

IT is a GIFT and I am SO GRATEFUL.

So...if you want to know WHAT BEACHBODY COACHING IS
How to CHANGE YOUR HEALTH AND YOUR LIFE....
How to make income from home doing a job you LOVE
How to stay accountable to your OWN fitness goals....
or are you are JUST REALLY CURIOUS......

Send me a message. (Like RIGHT NOW.. I'm going on a date tonight. haha)

It is not rocket science...it is not magic...and it is not a SCHEME. It is just AWESOME.

We are TEAM RockIt. Get ready....because this Team is about to change the WORLD. Come join us.....and change your future.

Me First!!

The alarm goes off at 4:30. I want to cry. My warm handsome husband asleep next to me....and a day FULL of responsibilities and a mile long to do list of things that HAVE to be done today.
I press snooze and close my eyes and begin to pray. That God will give ME the strength to get up and get things done. 'Cause heaven knows I'd rather sleep!!!

This morning I'm sitting here...eating my breakfast..listening to an audiobook. Spending a little time with God..and ME!!!!

Yes...today I'm putting ME first!!!!!!!! Selfish?!! I used to think so. I was raised to be a self sacrificing Christian. I truly believed that putting others first...always would SAVE MY SOUL.
The words of the childhood poem by Shel Silvetstein "ME FIRST" about a spoiled rotten little girl who always put herself first...and got eaten by a hungry Giant are memorized and deeply engrained in my mind. I can recite the whole darn poem!!!! Moral of the poem?!! Don't be selfish!!! Never. Ever. Ever!!!
As I've grown.. I felt I was pretty good at that!! I love God...so I dedicated myself to service. Just like my amazing parents!!! I quickly became a pediatric nurse, then a devoted and very young wife, then a joyous and very young mother. All by choice. All are a wondrous blessings. All gifts from God!!

BUT....I got TIRED. Working nights starting IVs and being puked on...coming home and taking care of small wonderful mess makers..then trying to care for my handsome and hardworking husband as he worked full time or slaved in school to better our lives. I have whole heartedly tried to serve friends..at church...my neighbors...the homeless guy.....and who got left out?!?!

ME!!!! I forgot to take care of me!??

So you can imagine....I got very very very Tired. I suddenly began to resent everyone I loved to serve. I began to feel panic that I would never ever ever be good enough...because I couldn't do everything for everyone...because I was human..and I was exhausted. Instead of being engaged in my life...I wanted to RUN from it. I became depressed, disengaged...and resentful of the people I filled my life with...by choice...to serve. Then a little voice..in my heart...GOD...gave me permission...to put ME first.
So....I did. And I can't ever go back. I RAN away from my life. Literally. As fast as possible. Thank you Nike.

In fact.....

I run away from my life....frequently. Just ask my husband how many days he walks in the door and I hand him a fit throwing child and walk out with headphones and a playlist and run like Hell!!!!! Often. You can ask my neighbors...I always sprint the first 10 blocks in sheer desperation for a little personal space!!!!
And you know what!?! It's NOT selfish!!!!!

Sometimes I even pay babysitters to go get a spray tan ...or just go to the grocery store...ALONE!!!!!!!!!!! Sometimes...I even lock the door when I shower and I pretend to not hear my kids fighting and begging for a string cheese for 5 minutes. And when someone calls to ask me to volunteer for something.....I NEVER say yes! (I say...thanks for asking I will have to check my schedule and get back to you!!!)

I am FINALLY learning to put ME FIRST!!!! My relationship with God...my health...my sanity.
I discovered an amazing truth.... that I matter too!!! God loves ME too!!! So I can help myself sometimes!!!!

And if I want to serve and love with a heart full of passion and purpose....my own heart needs to be centered, full of peace...and fulfillment. That only comes by taking care of ME!!!!!!!
That being said... I often get up super early to give time to myself ....or I pay a babysitter. It's a sacrifice to take care of Me.

But I refuse to be unhappy because I never filled my own cup of happiness. And you know what?!!! God multiplies my efforts. Sure..I would still put my life on the line if asked to save my child....but on a daily basis...I've got to save myself too!!!

So....this morning I'm sitting in the quiet listening to the book "Youre a Badass" (yes..I'm listening to a book that swears. Because I can be a Christian..and a badass). I am eating my breakfast...wrapped in a Santa snuggie....and then I am going to workout..and maybe get to my inbox...all before 7.

Because today....I put ME FIRST. And I'm not going to get eaten by a Giant for doing so...I'm not going to Hell...and I'm not selfish.

I'm smart. And I'm happy.

......and to explain the picture....if I were to build my own world...selfishly...just for myself....it would be purple. It's the place I go in my mind. And it's also full of warm rain, roller skates, dark chocolate, tall quiet mountains, and an ocean filled with mermaids and dolphins!! It's my ME first happy place

Vulnerable Post 2.0

VULNERABLE LONG POST ALERT. Love it or hate it...here is the DEAD HONEST TRUTH.
Yes I have the Goal to lose 10 lbs by Thanksgiving. Dont freak out people. SO..for those of you who might think WHERE are those 10 lbs going to come from...lets talk about 3 words for a minute that I almost consider swear words. the S word. The F word...and the W word.
Skinny. Fat. And WEIGHT!!!

Lets start with my 16 yr old self for a minute. I grew up ATHLETIC, strong, and fairly thin. I always had a MUSCULAR body. It didnt bother me. My mom had a muscular body. And you should SEE her water ski!! I grew up empowered by her strength and awesomeness. I never questioned it. Never worried about my WEIGHT. I never thought I was fat. or skinny really. I just was.

Untill one day in cheerleading we were chosing who got to do what....and they asked the question "Well how much do YOU WEIGH???" I wasnt sure I even KNEW the exact answer . But I all I knew was NOW...that NUMBER was more important than my athletic ability. I was DEVASTATED.

I went home and told my mom. She said "Missy. YOU have a LOT of muscle!!! You will ALWAYS weigh more than another girl your size."

And it began...obsession with WEIGHT. Its no ones fault. Its just how our society WORKS. I began to associate what I could do with WEIGHT. And the word FAT snuck into my brain.

My sister on the other hand had many gifts I lacked. Grace, coordination, and a "BALLERINA BODY." Around this same time I rememeber people accusing her that she didn't eat to be skinny. (which has never been true. WE BOTH LOVE FOOD).

I have actually worked with a lot of "Skinny" moms this past year whom are painfully accused of starving...and who are treated with such hurtful accusations...like being THIN is their FAULT.

So your NOT ok if you're FAT....but you're not ok if YOU'RE SKINNY either??

What the HECK is the world DOING TO US WOMEN!!!!???? ENOUGH ALREADY.

FAST FORWARD through the MANY painful learning experience of my life. Starving, throwing up, running for miles and miles and miles, eating too much and hating myself for it, gaining weight having babies and agonizing over it...working my butt off to get "skinny" again.....I am here.

I am a mom of 4. I am STRONG and I am Muscular.

I LOVE my body for the 4 babies it has given me and for the ability it gives me to KEEP UP with them.
I am not a bikini competitor. I am not a BODY BUILDER. I am not a competitive ANYTHING. Not that I couldnt be its just not my thing.

I AM MY ONLY COMPETITION. THE END.

When I set a goal for my body...it is for ME and ME alone.

I do NOT define myself by a NUMBER ON A SCALE!! Truth I dont even know what my body fat percentage is!!!

I do LOVE to PUSH my body. it makes me feel HAPPY to workout and KNOW that I am at my VERY VERY BEST physically, mentally and emotionally.

Its a DAILY JOURNEY. There is ebb and flow to it.

Perfectionism is POISON in the search of happiness. Its a MYTH. AN UNATTAINABLE standard.

I will NEVER EVER EVER be perfect. And thats GREAT. Because that means I always have ways to improve and things to learn.

I am a PROGRESSIONIST. I strive for PROGRESS.

I go backwards at times,,and then push forward again. And sometimes I hover in status quo. AND THAT''S LIFE!!! And its OK!!!

So....I feed my body right, I workout almost everyday, and I love myself along the way.

I try to keep myself in BALANCE. I surround myself with people who LOVE and SUPPORT ME. ESPECIALLY those Who will call me on it when I get out of balance.

I FIGHT to NOT obsess about the little things like the NUMBERS (because every girl know that they fluctuate ALL MONTH LONG anyway... you know what I mean) I FOCUS ON HOW I FEEL...and making PROGRESS.

THERE IS NO PERFECT BODY.....for me...I don't even have a "GOAL BODY".

THE ONLY GOAL I HAVE is to be the BEST version of MYSELF at any given time.
Specifically I'd like to add some serious definition to my shoulders too 

This summer we moved to a different state, my husband graduated and started a new job, I work an online business that I LOVE coaching other moms, and I have 4 kids.

I am BUSY. So there are going to be more stressful times and not so stressful times. There are times when I can be in PUSH mode and times when I am in SURVIVAL mode.

SO....NOW....I am getting a little more settled....so I can go BACK INTO PUSH MODE where I was last spring. I can focus a little more on MYSELF.

So that means dropping some body fat. And thanks to all my muscle, and everything I have learned about MY Body...I can do so rather quickly if I do it right.

AND I will do it in a healthy balanced way.

SO.....If you want to lose 10 lbs...I can help you do that. But YOUR 10 lbs WILL look different from MY 10 lbs. Your goals will NEVER be my goals. And that's how it SHOULD BE.

AND

The #1 goal should always be BALANCE. THE END.

Not weight. Not dress size, not body fat percentage.

THROW OUT the words FAT, SKINNY, and WEIGHT

FOCUS ON HAPPINESS and BALANCE.

Now...can you HAVE a fitter version of you body INSIDE that BALANCE?? YES. YOU CAN. YOU SHOULD SET SPECIFIC GOALS AND YOU SHOULD learn to push yourself to be healthier and fitter. BUT without being OBSESSED or unhealthy. AND LOVING YOURSELF RIGHT where you ARE NOW and all a long the way.

So...I will share my STATS with you just so you know that I am not PERFECT either.

High school weight 117 lbs
Lowest weight since baby #4 123 lbs ( I will never go lower. Thats as LOW as I go..it was too low for me)
My "LEAN MEAN" weight 125 lbs PHOTO SHOOT weight
My current weight 134.4 lbs (I'm size 4/6 and I am 5' 6" in case you're wondering.totally a healthy happy number for me.)

MY IDEAL (for this year my GOAL) .....around 127. Less fat more muscle. Less of my "lazy abs" and back to "crazy abs" Just me...and MY GOAL.

Which means I will have to drop about 7-10 lbs of fat...then add muscle. Or a little of both simultaneously with DIALED in nutrient intake.

THAT'S MY GOAL.

NOW...whats YOUR GOAL???

What to do when your IN A FUNK

Raise your hand if you ever feel...well....NOT MOTIVATED??  I know right...GASP.   I am a highly self motivated person.  But the last few months I have been WORN OUT and not as motivated as I like to be.  Dragging my BOOTY out of bed at 4:30 or 5 has been WAY harder lately.  So...what do you do??? 

1. TAKE A DAY OFF!!  There I said it.  YES.  I missed a day working out.  And I had a GIRLS night with a close friend.....and I MAY or may mot have spent 50$ at target.  (retail therapy) But I took a DAY OFF...and I FELT BETTER

2. SHAKE IT OFF - YOU ARE A PERSON.  A bad month, bad day, bad whatever....ISNT THE END OF THE WORLD.  You're a person....not a robot.   So let it go.  Shake it off.  AND MOVE ON.

3. DO SOMETHING HARD  - for me thats a LONG HARD RUN..or doing the INSANITY workout.  That PUSH even though you dont feel like PUSHING can be the MOMENTUM MAKER to get you back on track.

Here are some OTHER IDEAS.
1. find a HILL and RUN UP IT...then walk down....THEN RUN UP IT...and walk down.  Do that for an HOUR and I PROMISE you will FEEL BETTER
2. Run Bleachers at the closest High school.  Preferably with the "Rocky Theme" playing in your earbuds
3. Do as MANY pushups as you can...till you fall on your face.  THEN REST...and do it again.  TILL YOU CANT do it again!!!

4. RECOMMIT!!
MAKE A PLAN!!!  I just RE-STARTED INSANITY ASYLUM!!!  ITS HARD and it PUSHES me...and I LOVE IT!!!

YOU NEED A PLAN!!!  So how do you make one??  the first step is to ssk yourself THESE questions.  SELF EVALUATION TIME!!!  Sometimes PAINFUL..but necessary

-What HAVE I BEEN DOING??
-IS IT WORKING??
-WHAT AM WILLING TO DO??
-What SPECIFICALLY do I COMMIT TO DOING....EVERYDAY!??!! (yes..the trick it to commit to do something..EVERYDAY) 
(If you need SOMETHING I have a daily MAX out video..once exercise a day that I post on my website at www.rockitmomfitness.com!!)
-COMMIT!!  And DO IT!!! and YES....YOU CAN!!!

5. ASK FOR HELP!!!!   Ask your spouse, your best friend, your kids, WHOEVER.  I WILL even help you if you want. That's what I do as a BEACH BODY COACH!  But having a COMMITMENT and no ACCOUNTABLITY often leads to.....drumroll.....FAILURE..or A RUT!!!

GET OUT OF THE RUT!!  

STOP IT....You are NOT Super HUMAN!!!

I will admit it RIGHT NOW!!!   I have a tendency to OVER COMMIT.  (ask my husband) I am a chronic overachiever.  Always have been.  Being motivated is GREAT...just not at the expense of my priorities. ...like my husband...my family and my OWN happiness.   Being selfless is GREAT...but you CANT HELP ANY ONE if you are PASSED OUT and barely breathing from self imposed over committed induced exhaustion!

I have a thing for super hero stuff....yeah...its an addiction of mine.  I think in brings out that INNER DESIRE to you know....SAVE THE ENTIRE WORLD.  No big deal.  I toatally GOT THIS..right??!

So I found this picture of WONDER WOMAN the other day and it totally cracked me up.  Wonder Woman...shes my FAAAVORITE.  But look at her face!!  Yes!! Exactly!!  It TOTALLY LOOKS LIKE ME right??  Not what I was getting at....haha.  BUT....  I DO MAKE THAT SAME FACE ALL THE TIME!!!  Its the "Oh no...I FAILED... because THIS PLAN.... DID NOT GO AS PLANNED!!!" Face

Sometimes OUR EXPECTATIONS get us in trouble!!  Having kids has helped me lower my expectations for a LOT of things...like noise level..and the number of times the bathroom gets cleaned....But that OK!!!!  ITS OK TO ALLOW  REAL LIFE TO HAPPEN!!!  DONT BECOME A SLAVE TO YOUR RIDICULOUS EXPECTATIONS for PERFECTION!!

Its time....to accept things as they ARE.  YOU ARE NOT SUPER HUMAN.  (dangit)  SO STOP TRYING TO BE!!  Stop aiding and abetting the MYTH of the perfect WOMAN and the SUPER MOM.  THEY DO NOT EXIST!!!  (just dont tell me Wonder Woman is a hoax too...I might be really angry.)

What DOES EXIST???....a bunch of pretty awesome people...doing the best they can...trying to make the world a better place...and to teach our  KIDS to do the same.

AND THAT IS PRETTY SUPER!!!!! So lets focus on THAT!!!

SO let it go...you do not need an INVISIBLE JET and a Golden LASSO to get to the grocery store.  (Although...a lasso might come in HANDY wth a two year  old in  melt down mode)

It time for us to THROW OUT the PERFECTIONIST......and become a PROGRESSIONIST!!!  You're ok....RIGHT where you are!!  Just try to be better tomorrow then you were today!!

 Sure I have GOALS!!! Lots of them.  They are GOOD and WORTHY....but I am WILLING and ready to adjust them AS NEEDED. (or to be more correct as my husband points out I need to adjust them..AGAIN)

I am learning to be  CONTENT to make DAILY PROGRESS towards saving the world......and if that means today I just cuddle my grouchy 2 yr old, have a messy house, and GO TO BED In my workout clothes...AGAIN.  SO BE IT.


Say Good bye to the SUPER MOM.....and HELLO to being SUPER HAPPY with WHO YOU ARE RIGHT NOW!!  Because YOU are SUPER AWESOME.  WAY to go YOU!!!  (feel free to wear a cape =) )

Drumroll........Introducing the MISSYS MUSCLE MAX OUT CHALLENGE!!

 SOMETHING NEW...JUST FOR YOU!!


As much as I LOOOVE  making videos of myself (not) I had this epiphany over the last few months.....A lot of people DONT START a fitness regimen because of 3 things...

1. They don't have time

2. They don't know where to start 

3.  They don't want to DO IT ALONE!!!

So GUESS WHAT!!!  I've got you covered!!!  I am BIG believer that MOTIVATION comes from MOMENTUM.  Getting that momentum can feel OVERWHELMING.  But...here's the kicker...small amounts of effort ADD UP!!!  Do one exercise and it leaves you feeling ENERGIZED, PROUD...and MOTIVATED TO DO MORE!!! RIGHT?? 

So..in an attempt to help GET YOU STARTED AND KEEP YOU MOTIVATED.....I have created the DAILY Missy's Muscle Max Out Challenge.  6 days a week (no Sunday post..that's my REST DAY)  I am going to post a SHORT video with an exercise that maxes out ONE MUSCLE GROUP!!  JUST ONE!!!  

YOU CAN DO ONE THING RIGHT??  And guess what I am going to do it WITH you!!!  I will post in the comments HOW MANY I DID.  Tag a friend, family member, neighbor, WHOEVER and take the Missy's Muscle Max Out Challenge.  Come back and comment how many you did so I can CHEER YOU ON in your efforts to make yourself stronger, healthier and HAPPIER....one Muscle Max out at time!!

READY???  Oh yeah you are.  I am going to post my FIRST video....in an HOUR.  ITS GO TIME.


Where do you look for the video??  I will post it in 3 places......

1. Follow me on INSTAGRAM @rockitmomfitness

2. Find me on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/RockitMOMfitness

3. ALL the videos will be in a MISSYS MUSCLE MAX OUT  tab on my website for reviewing!!!  You can even STACK the weeks exercises to build an AWESOME total body circuit workout!!!
Find me @ www.rockitmomfitness.com

http://youtu.be/oU7mkdaP_IQ

School Lunchalpalooza.....I SURVIVED WEEK 1

For the last 2 year my kids were at a school with an AWARD winning school lunch program. THEY LOVED getting school lunch...and honestly, it was SO NICE NOT have to pack them a lunch everyday.

FASTFORWARD to THIS YEAR??  We live in OREGON now ...and they REALLY wanted ME to pack their lunches!!!  Cue: Pinterest Mom panic attack!!

AHHHHHH!  I had a little freak out about it.  How do I do make healthy lunches I KNOW THEY WILL EAT??  How do I make it CUTE and FUN??  How do I make it AFFORDABLE?  I sat down to research...and I just felt OVERWHELMED.  So I had to remind myself of something I have learned over the past few years.... ACCEPTING that THERE IS NOT PERFECT WAY!!!   I get to DO IT MY OWN WAY.....and ITS TOTALLY OK.   

So..I deciced to try buying "cold lunch" insulated sacks and containers that I could pack their lunch instead of the traditional baggies and paper bags.  That way I could save $$$ on buying baggies???  Well 70$ later....I had 3 insulated lunch bags and sistema lunch boxes. (because even thought WILLIAM is only in preK, he HAD to have one too!!  And UNFORTUNATELY I am "the queen of fair"...so I couldn't day NO!!)   The sistema boxes are kind of  like Bento stlyle boxes...but not as expensive.  And SCORE they come with WATER BOTTLES....so I can refuse to buy juice boxes!!!  And suprisingly....the kids were cool with JUST WATER.

So....  The week before I wrote out ideas and my amazing husband kept the kids so I could go shopping ALONE. ( that is a GIFT!!!  What a man!!)  I created a menu of themed days for different types of food....sure I had visions of pirate ship snawhiches and gold coins for desert....but I simplified it.  And I was relieved.  Making a list of what I HAD and I could just choose combinations and prep the night before.  Seemed easy enough!!


DAY 1 -  I made homemeade lunchables!!!  Whole wheat crackers with  cheese and deli meat cut with cookie cutters!! (faster and easier than I thought it would be)  I packed pickles and olives on toothpicks, fruit cocktail and "S'mores" trail mix!!  (Chocolate chips, min marshmallows and, grhams broken into bite sized bits)
 I even decided that to  help them REMEMBER to eat it ALL....I would write out a  "Daily Menu" on a post it note..with a little "love MOM" 

...

It was a HIT.  Day 1 lunchboxes came home......devoured.

 ..The only problem I encountered was that my TWO kiddos left at HOME wanted "school lunches too!!" So...I had to make the same thing and "pack them a lunch" and let them eat it at home!!  This was Sabrina lunch in another random box I had....I cut her cheese and ham into TINY STARS.  SHE ATE IT ALL!!!

Now how did the REST of the week go???
http://www.laptoplunches.com/bento-menus/
Wendesday I made meixcan theme with cheese rollups and rice with salsa and a few chips!!  I was proud of that lunch....and Caitlyn forgot it in the carpool car.  SO....she ended up with school lucnch that day. #awesome

Another day I did bagels and fruit and Friday I did ham sandwiches  ....cut in half.  With pickles and olives again...and a cookie.  SUPER CREATIVE right?? LOL

......and they came home HALF EATEN!!!   I guess I am going to have to learn what they like and dont like so I DONT GO CRAZY over the WASTE!!! ARG!!  How you do you not get frustrated with uneaten food??  Truth is...they did that AT HOME TOO.  Why would at school be any better??  I did ask them to leave their uneaten food in their lunch box so I can AT LEAST get an idea of how I can improve the system (am I a total efficiency freak or WHAT??)

Over all I learned  2 things


1.  ITS JUST FOOD.  Whether is looks fancy or not.....IT'S TO EAT.  SO I am giving my permission NOT be super creative everyday.  AND ITS OK!!!  I am aslo NOT going to freak out when they DONT eat everything I packed....its not personal...its just FOOD.  #momguiltnotallowed

2. Acts of LOVE are most important.  Even if the MENU was boring....they loved the hand written MENU with HEARTS on it and "I love you, LOVE MOM."   If they are filled up with anything....it should be MY LOVE.    

On Friday I wrote them each a little note telling them Congratulations for making through their first week in a new school and put their favorite pack of GUM in their lunch.  I think I will make a "special Treat" on Friday a tradition.  I want them to ALWAYS know that I am proud of them and looking forward to our family time on the WEEKENDS!!

 

    Its a BRAVE thing to go into a NEW SCHOOL in a NEW STATE,  ride a bus for the first time, make new friends, and learn NEW things.  The first week of school is a BIG DEAL...for ALL OF US.   My kids are growing up...and it tugs at my heart strings to send them to school where I cant always protect them from everything.  Change is hard...but it makes us STRONGER. If I can help them believe in themselves, be BRAVE, and TRUST that I will ALWAYS be there to fill their tummies with healthy food....and their hearts with LOVE...I know that they will be ok.



We ALL survived the first week of school....learned new things...and LOVED eachother.  I will call that a SUCCESS!!!












OH WAIT...one last thing that we learned.....the KIDS need to PUT AWAY their lunchboxes when they come home....OR THIS HAPPENS!!  Their baby sister (who still refuses to wear clothing!!!) will get into their leftovers....and drink their ranch dressing. 

Now...to plan out next weeks lunches!!!  

Here are a FEW great websites I found (that I also follow on pinterest and Instagram with GREAT IDEAS) 

Thank you to ALL OF YOU out there who helped me get through my PRE SCHOOL LUNCH FREAKOUT!!  haha!!  I love you ALL!!!


http://www.laptoplunches.com/bento-menus/

http://weelicious.com/

http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/09/12/real-food-tips-advice-recipes/

Just Be YOU

****VULNERABLE POST******

Yes.  That's me in those pictures.  Dorky...awkward in front of a camera..scared to death to do a photo shoot.... ME!!!

I've worked REALLY hard over the last year and a half to get my body into the BEST SHAPE OF MY LIFE after 4 kids.  I didn't do it for ANYONE ELSE....I did it for ME.  To prove to myself I could.  To learn to PUSH myself.  To leave my destructive body image, destructive negative thoughts, and destructive eating habits in the PAST. 

The result has been incredible.  My heart, my HEAD and my body have changed.  I feel HAPPY to be ME. CONFIDENT in my own skin.  Driven to help others feel the same. 

Which is WHY I decided to coach for Beachbody.  Because they gave me my life back.  And even more importantly...it opened my eyes to a BIGGER life that God has intended for me.  It has taught me to PUSH and DRIVE and WORK for what I WANT and to BALANCE it with what matters most...my FAMILY.

I am just an everyday MOM.  I get frustrated with my kids.  My kids eat macaroni and ice cream sometimes.  I am tired  from chasing them  all day and being up in the night with them.  I am not SUPER HUMAN.  My abs dont always look like that because sometimes I eat too many cookies...or have a diet coke.  Sometimes I sleep in...till like 8. (if only my kids got the MOM wants to sleep memo)   Sometimes I DONT want to workout or do ANYTHING but EAT.  YES...Its a battle for me to not buy oreos or eat all the ice cream.  I've gotten pretty good at that....most the time.

My point here is that FOR YEARS I was wrapped up in what I THOUGHT everyone else thought.  I felt like I had to be perfect all the time.  Keep every toe in line.  Never Cry...never swear. (yes it has happened)   Never have a FAULT.  But guess what???  WHO CAN LIVE LIKE THAT!!???  NO ONE!!!  I was living in a box made of unrealistic expectations and imagined perceptions created out of FEAR of being judged....AND I PUT MYSELF IN THAT BOX!!! Imagine that?? 

WELL...I'M DONE!

I am crazy.  I am silly.  I LOVE chocolate more that words can express.  I love to read.  I love to walk in the rain.  I love to run and run and run and run.  I love to get popcorn at the movies.  I love long walks on the beach. (TRUE) I love spanish POP music.  I love super hero movies.  I love being a wife and mom, and sometimes..I love to be ALONE!!!! (GASP! Silence and personal space after having children is something to be cherished!)

These pictures make me smile.  Because the EXPERIENCE was terrifying for me.  Even though I had some clothes on..being in front of a camera..JUST YOU...PROVING that YOU PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS (so to speak..coaching for Beachbody).....yeah...I just felt NAKED.

I was kinda freaking out the week before...SO nervous. And then my husband (bless his patient heart) said 3 words.

JUST BE YOU

So I did.  I was vulnerable.  I was PROOF that I love my job and that I do it well.  I was dorky.  I was silly.  I was ME.

And I was HAPPY.

Truth.....NO ONE IN THIS WORLD CAN EVER DO WHAT GOD SENT YOU HERE TO DO.  SO STOP HIDING!  STOP worrying about what other people will say...or think..or whatever.   BREAK OUT OF YOUR BOX of FEARS.  DO SOMETHING that SCARES the HECK OUT OF YOU!!!!  Be vulnerable.  Be REAL.  DARE to make mistakes....and Say your SORRY and learn from it. 

But for HEAVENS SAKE......BE YOU!!!  Because YOU are one of a kind. 

....and I spontaneously do the running man...a lot. 

So what??  I am ME.  and it makes me Happy!!!

Who are YOU???  What makes YOU happy??  Now go do more of THAT!!!

Did you know Jesus is a Runner?

Disclaimer: First of all I know I might catch a little crap here for being "irrereverant" .  But I have had too many expereinces this week for me to keep my mouth shut.  When God says speak...you speak.  So here I am.
  When I first started running...it was SHEERLY  to lose the 50 lbs of baby weight I gained with my first baby.  I had always been skinny.  HOW DID I GAIN 50 lbs??  I hated myself for it.  And I ran myself into the ground to lose those 50 lbs.  Its wasnt healthy.  I know that.  But an interesting thing has happened to me INSIDE as I have learned to go from HATING running and only doing it to be skinny.....to actually believing I was and becoming a "RUNNER".
   I will never forget my first marathon (and I have not run a full one since).   It was an incredible accomplishment for me.  To see my husband and my 1 year old at the finishline was breathtaking.  I felt on top of the world.  And I was skinny again.  And I was proud of that.  But its the years AFTER that marathon that have changed me.   As life came at me I began to deal with my problems not by starving myself, or freaking out.....but by running.  Sometimes crying...sometimes laughing...lots of time praying...while I run.

   When training for my marathon I had to lean a painful lesson about myself.  I was MENTALLY WEAK!!!  I was not cofident.  I had minimal self belief that I could do hard things.  I read the book "the Non-runners Marathon trainer".   It taught me that finishing a marathon is JUST as much physical as it is mental.  Well crap.  I KNEW I could push my body.....but it was my MIND that really needed help.  In the book it has you create a mantra.  Something to say over and over and over as you run.   This was mine.

I am strong
I am beautiful
I am a marathoner
I am not a quitter
I will not stop
I will always FINISH

As I said those words over and over and over I began to BELIEVE that I COULD finish that race.  Since that race....when life gets hard....I say those words again.  I AM NOT A QUITTER.  I WILL NOT STOP.  I WILL ALWAYS FINISH.   Sometimes....it takes a long time to make it to the finish line.  Trust me....the last 5 year with my husband in graduate school juggling 4 kids has been a LOOOONG tearful race.  But I am almost to the finishline.  (less than 40 days people!!!) and I promise you I will be the crazy wife CRYING at graduation.

The second "Mind game" that book teaches you is to create pictures in your mind.  To imagine things that BUOY you up as you run.    Do you remember that diet coke commercial with the girl rollerskating by the beach???  That became my "picture".  When I got tired I would mentally "pop" a bottle of diet coke.  I would imagine those happy little bubbles surrounding me and carrying me forward.  I love to roller skate so I would channel those happy feelings...that energy of being on wheels....and propel myself forward.  It totally worked for me.

Then...there is THE WALL.  For runners this is their physical and mental limit.  The point that you can no longer physically FORCE yourself to go farther.  Your legs are numb.  Your blisters are bleeding.  You want to stop and scream and cry.  Or throw up.  I've done that too.   I found that I struggled getting through the wall.  Sometimes it comes at mile 2.  ( I always hate mile #2 in every run)  Thats just a mental wall.  But usually for me its mile 12 or  14....or 18.  Ok lots of different places.    The diet coke and the bubbles just didnt always do it.

  So I started to PRAY.   I started to run through my mind the scenes of the life of Jesus Christ.  My Savior.  Now, its easy in our lives to feel like "who am I to deserve His love??"  "Why would HE care that I am trying to RUN 26 miles??"  Over and Over and over...He has whispered to my heart  "Because I  LOVE YOU"   Of all the people on earth WHY ME???   Why me on the days that I want to lose my mind taking care of my screaming kids.  Why me on the long run when I just wanted A BREAK and time to myself and my ipod goes dead and its dark and cold and rainy and I NEED to run but I just want to cry??   Why me??    Why would Jesus, Savior of the World, Creator of the Earth...care about ME in those moments of my life that mean NOTHING to anything but me.

    It has been in those moments of my life....and on my runs...that I realized.  Jesus is a runner.  So as silly as it seams.  Every time I run.  I run with Jesus.  I say a prayer and open my heart to Him.  And with the rhythm of my feet on the pavement, and the beating of my heart the craziness of life clears....and I listen.   It is in those daily "races" that I HEAR  Him very best.  I become completely lost in my RUN.   I get lost in being one MIND, BODY, and Spirit.  And I run with Jesus.  When the wall comes,  and I know it will.  I literally put out my hand.  And I imagine in my mind Him taking it in His own and running with me.  Step after step.  Its a breathtaking idea to think of the God of the world matching your steps with His own.  Sweating and struggling with you.  But that is LITERALLY what He has done.  And if you will let him.....He will RUN WITH YOU EVERYDAY.  
 
   There have been times in my life I haven't felt Him there as strongly as others.  So I have also learned to picture an angel with wings running behind me...flapping its wings to push me forward (even thought I believe angels dont really have wings).  You can laugh..but this is what I KNOW.  God cant always come HIMSELF.   But he will ALWAYS send you someone.   I see this manifest in my life everyday.  Its the neighbor who shows up with dinner,  or the stranger who helps you fix your flat when your cell phone is dead,  or your friend who calls you JUST because.  Those are the ANGELS  HE IS SENDING to RUN WITH YOU.

So today...when you feel ALONE...when it feels like you are running YOUR RACE ALL BY YOURSELF and you HIT THE WALL.....remember this SCRIPTURE

Reach out your hand to Jesus......and HE WILL RUN ALONG SIDE YOU. 
Because my friends... JESUS IS A RUNNER.

 

Day ONE....COUNTDOWN TO THE Beachbody CLASSIC. Why On EARTH would I do this?? NOW?? (during the last 6 weeks of my hubbys grad school and a OUT OF STATE MOVE??).....BECAUSE I CAN...AND I WILL

Its 6:31 am.  I have SMASHED 2 workouts...Listened to scripture and a book on YOU TUBE...drank my Shakeoogy and NOW...I MUST BLOG.  ALL before my kids wake up.  WHY???  Because I am COMMITED.  TO WHAT??  To the Beachbody mission.  To family.  To MYSLEF.  To be the BEST version of me that I can be.  So that includes GROWING myself everyday.  
  Over the last two years I have gone through a transformation.  MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT.  I battled my anxiety and depression...still do...everyday.  But I have FOUND INSIDE MYSELF a DRIVE and PASSION that I never had.  The desire to BE MORE, DO MORE, and inspire others to RISE UP and LIVE THEIR LIFE!!!!
    I always ENVIED those who could sing on stage.  I love music...but I  am NOT a singer and I HATE being onstage.   When I really too k a good look at my life last year...I asked myself.  WHAT DO YOU REALLY REALLY WANT out of life???   my answer.....TO BE THE ROCKSTAR OF MY OWN LIFE.   AS A WIFE, A MOM, A FRIEND, A PERSON.  I just want to stand on the stage of my OWN LIFE and ROCK IT.  I dont need applause.....but I want the CONFIDENCE it takes to OWN IT.   Thus I became " Rockitmomfitnes".     BE the MOM....BE FIT...and ROCK IT.   Thats what I want to be.   And....I'm going to DO IT.
    I have BUILT my body into something STRONG and HEALTHY.  Inside and out.   AT HOME.  I became a Beachbody coach because I BELIEVE in their products...because I am WALKING PROOF that they work.  SO...naturally I wanted to COMPETE and PROVE that I CAN BE PROOF of the Company I love and work for.   So....I did something TOTALLY out of my comfort zone.  Signed up to do their version of a bikini competition.  Now...I have issues with wearing a bikini.  Not because I am ashamed of my body but because I HONOR it.  But...this is something I really felt like I should do.  So, I'm going to do it.  Do I intend to WIN?  No.  I dont care about placing or winning.  Because I am NOT competitive.  But I intend to PROVE TO MYSELF that I have what it takes.  So who cares if I dont even make it to the stage.  I am committing myself to be THE BEST ME I CAN BE! 
   I"m going to blog my little 6 week journey.  I've been meaning to blog for a long time.  So here we go.  This is me...unfiltered. Unedited.

My PLAN.....

I am doing a hybrid of the last 6 weeks of BODY BEAST and the 21 day fix.   So MAX that means I am working out for an HOUR AND 10 minutes a day.  Period.  I dont have time for more without sacrficing time with my family.  And THEY are my #1 priority.  And they DESERVE  my focused time.  SO...I WILL make the sacrifice to go to bed at 10 and get up at 4 if neccessary.  To be a better and more focused mom.

   My Meal plan will be the 21 day fix meal plan.   For these first 3 days I am doing the 3 day FIX then I will be sticking to the 21 day Fix meal plan with my calories between 1250 and 1500 depending on how HUNGRY I am.  and minimum of 1 gallon per day.

I dont believe in doing anything excessive.  This is IT.  Thats ALL I will do.  AND I know Beachbody...I know it WILL WORK.  

 DECIDE....COMMIT...SUCCEED.    I WILL..... WATCH ME.

Rockitmomfitness is a GO.  See you at the Classic

The Very Hungry Caterpillar....tear JERKER???

I am a lover of Childrens books.  I could sit for HOURS reading to my kids.  So tonight when I snuggled into the rocking chair to read to my Sabrina (almost 2...can that be TRUE??)  I picked out one of BOTH of our favorites.  The Very Hungry Caterpillar.   As I read about the little egg in the moon light...that turns into the cute little bug...who eats and eats and eats....ALL MY FAVORITE THINGS.  Fruit, cheese, cupcakes, pizza.  And then what happens???  The catipliller feels SICK!!!  HOLD THE PHONE!!!  This is a BOOK ABOUT EATING HABITS haha!!  WHO KNEW???

I started to let that thought run its course as we read.  The little caterpillar eases his tummy ache, caused by SUGAR overload, by eating greens.  Hmmmm.

THEN....my kids favorite part....the little Caterpillar turns into a BIG FAT CATERPILLAR.  When William was little he would YELL that part and LAUGH AND LAUGH AND LAUGH.  But tonight...as my thoughts progressed...I thought OH NO!!!  You poor BUG!!!!!

  Then what does the bug do???  IT HIDES ITSELF AWAY!!!!!  So, I know its not really from shame over its bad eating habits.  Yet, isnt that SO TRUE about REAL LIFE????   That we can become so focused on our bodies flaws that we HIDE OURSELVES from the world???  I could feel myself getting ALL CHOKED UP.  OVER THE CHRYSALIS!!!!!!!

   Then the caterpiller....after hiding away... becomes a BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY.   Here come the water works!!!  I started to CRY.

I am the butterfly!!!  I know how it FEELS to feel trapped inside a body I dont love.  I know how it feels to feel like my eating habits are OUT OF CONTROL!!!!  THIS BOOK IS ABOUT ME!!!!  (aren't all books symbolic somehow??))

For the FIRST time in my life  I feel like a beautiful butterfly.  Free to BE MYSELF.  FREE to make my OWN CHOICES and in CONTROL of my own future!!

AND IT FEELS AMAZING!!!!