God Is Good!

So...I had this whole idea today to make a post about how I eat healthy about 85% of the time and the other 15% I eat cookies and like to have some adult beverages.  I was going to talk about the balance that I think works in life.  I was going to mention how Shakeology changed my life from the inside out.

I was going to share how I sleep better, how I don't drink coffee, energy drinks, or take any sort of supplement to have energy all day...why?  Because I get that from my Shakeology, my recovery drinks, and the real food I eat all day.  I was going to share that most of what you "see" on my social media are my workouts and my fitness classes...but truly..that's only a snippet of my "journey to being healthy". So this post was going to be all about my relationship with food and I was going to try my best to keep it real with all of you.

BUT...I went to church today...AGAIN!  I know, I know...I've been posting about that a lot lately.  I think I would be lying to myself if I didn't give HIM credit for giving me the energy and strength to continue this thing called "life" and do it in a motivating, inspiring, and positive way.

God is Good #1: HE has put new people into my life, HE has strengthened my relationship with my best friend Amanda...and that alone is POWERFUL...HIS plan to bring us into the Beachbody world and put us on the same team...is just not even explainable.  #godthing #wow

God is Good #2: I met with my pastor who married my ex husband and I this past week...and wow...it's pretty special how the heart can feel....when someone else prays out loud for you. Prayer is a powerful thing.

God is Good #3: Sunny weather is food for my soul.  HE gave us a BEAUTIFUL today.  I hope you were able to enjoy some time outside with your friends, family...or even by yourself.

God is Good #4: You all know I've reading Rising Strong by Brene' Brown.  Today, I was speaking with a friend of mine about divorce and how it is truly one of the worst things that anyone can ever go through. It makes you 2nd guess yourself, your emotions, your self-worth, your strength, your success in life, etc. I was trying to give advice about only worrying about things that are in our control. Staying positive, surrounding yourself with people that love you, and doing your best to worry about the things YOU can control. And how crazy is it that...during my personal development today...this quote shows up...

COINCIDENCE???  I think not! And you better believe I sent this picture to my friend.  #weallneedhelpsometimes

So maybe you need help with health and fitness, maybe you need help in life in general, maybe you would like a friend to talk to.  I can't promise I have answers...but I do know I have a listening ear.

You know where to find me...God is good! :)

It's Not All Unicorns and Rainbows

So it's been more than a minute since my last blog post.  Why is that?  Because life is life and it's not all unicorns and rainbows.

My blogs before have been more about my journey with a fitness program.  Or I might have shared a favorite recipe of mine every once in awhile.  But, I've been thinking lately.  Actually alot of thinking has been done lately. And although I might still post about my fitness and health journey...I've decided that I'm going to KEEP IT REAL.  And share my struggles, my successes, my ups and my downs...my life.  WHY?

Because if I'm going to coach you down a path to a healthy and active lifestyle...I'm going to show you the ins and the outs of what it's really like.  And no...I don't live on salad and shakes.  I do eat donuts and I do have adult beverages.  And I do struggle some days with wanting to workout.  And...hold up...shut the door...there are days that I don't workout.

I share some of those struggles on my Facebook page because that's where most of my friends follow my journey.  But there's only so many times I can post in a day.  And there's only so many times my friends want to see my posts in their news feed.

So here it goes...

What is my current fitness program?

22 Minute Hard Corps - do I love it...yes!  Is it quick? Yes. It it intense? Yes.  Can it be modified and done by anyone? Yes.

Do you follow a meal plan?

I use the 21 Day Fix containers as a guide to plan healthy and portion controlled meals.  I try my best to eat healthy 80% of the time.  Do I splurge and eat things that could derail my plan? Yes, but in moderation.  It's called life and I want to enjoy it.  Did I splurge when I was trying to lose my 40 lbs? NO, I didn't.  So why now? Well, I'm not truly trying to lose weight.  I'm pretty happy with how I look and feel.  So why do you workout so much?  I don't really.  I workout about 30 minutes a day.

I know so many people that spend hours working out...not me!  I'm at home using DVDs. Quick and done on my time. I check in with my online accountability groups on Facebook.  And I teach group fitness classes 2 times a week.  And I would be lying to you if I didn't say that working out alone is the same as being in a group.  For me, NOTHING compares! Hence, why I got certified to teach classes.  But that is their workout...not mine.  Which is why I still complete programs at home.

How do you stay motivated and inspired all the time? Don't you ever have bad days?

Heck yes I do.  And goodness me...I've had a bad year if you want to get technical.  But the way I look at it...I can't stay stuck there.  I can't let people that walked out of my life dictate my future.  And as hard as that is to realize, and it took awhile for me to get to this point...it's the truth.

I had to let go of things that I was holding on to.  I had to forgive things that I was resentful for.  I had to keep focused on the positive people and things that were still in my life.  How did I and do I stay focused on that??

Well that has been the hardest thing for me...but what I've done is dove deep into personal development.  I've been reading Rising Strong by Brene Brown.  It's been one of the best books I've read in awhile.  I have been listening to podcasts while I'm in the shower...WHY? Because that's the time I have to fuel my brain with positive information.  It's the first thing I do each day.  Why not start the day off with a bang right???

AND most importantly...I've reignited my relationship with the Lord and going to church.  Although, I've always been a believer.  I've always gone to church..but just not consistently.  Until this past Easter Sunday.  He was and had been speaking to me for some time.

He helped allow my former stepdaughter to reconnect with me and fill my heart with some happiness that it hadn't felt in quite some time.  I've had the best couple of months in my coaching business that I've had in awhile.  He had our pastor at church plan a series called "What is Love?".  He spoke to my heart and made me feel the need to get back to church.  And did I go? YES.  Did I need it? Yes.  Is it doing some work in my heart? Yes.

I need HIM in my life and when I let that happen...and let HIM guide me...it's been easier to let go of people that need to be let go of...and allow space for those that are supposed to be in my life.  To say that recent events in my life are are just a coincidence is almost mind boggling.  HE is working in my life...and working hard.

I may not know HIS full plan for me yet, but I'm liking it so far.

And I can't finish this blog without saying that my TEAM of coaches is something that I can not imagine in my life.  I know, I know...you see me post about my team all the time.  But we are so much more than a group of people that workout and drink shakes.  We truly want to better people's lives from the inside out.  Including our own lives.  When I look back on my past year and know how dark it was, how sad I was, how depressed I was...THESE people...THESE coaches...THESE friends of mine...THEY showed up every week and planned and discussed how to help others be the best person they can be.  And when you do that each week...it's EXACTLY what I needed to keep going, keep pushing, and know that HAPPINESS will come for me again.

Yes, us crazy fitness freaks...we are more than workouts and shakes...we are humans.  We have struggles and successes.  I can't imagine not being a part of this team.  We are changing the world one life at a time.  And honestly...it started with my own life.  It truly has changed my life for the better.

 So there ya have it...behind the scenes, behind the highlight reel...a look into Karen's world.  If you actually made it down this far...thank you for reading.  I hope that there is something in that long brain dump of mine that speaks to you.  That's the whole point.  Inspire you to be the best person you can be.  Want help?  Relate to anything I said?  Reach out to me...it's what I LOVE to do.  I'm here to share my life with you in hopes to help yours change for the better! :)

Happy Sunday!  Get out there and enjoy this beautiful day!