The Perfect Body

This post is going to be short and sweet.
I'm still reading "Do I Look Fat In This?" by Rhonda Britten

I spend about 10-15 minutes a day reading personal development.  So during my time today...I was actually given a task.  That was to draw the outline of what I thought would be the "Perfect Body".
I was then asked to label it with adjectives that would describe how I would think or feel if I had that body.

I'm not an artist...and she said to just "sketch" it out.  So...that's what I did. I sketched it out...and tried very hard on my phone to use my finger and make my "chest" small, yet still curvy.  Man oh man...do I want a small chest. (Sorry to any males that are reading this...I hate my big chest.) Always have...and struggle to truly find the "sexiness" in them.  So my Perfect Body...has small boobs, a defined waist, toned and lean legs, and feels confident all the time.  Even in a swimsuit. :)

Now after I got done doing that...I turned the page...and was asked to sketch out what my "Perceived Body" looked like.  What did I think my body looked like when I looked in the mirror? Again, label it with adjectives and how I felt internally. This is what I sketched.

Sure...I'm muscular.  But I struggle to find tall boots that fit my big calves.  I can't wear very many "skinny" jeans because my quads are so muscular.  I would love to wear sports bras and tank tops and swimsuits that don't have to have a STEEL PLATE inside to support my "girls up top".  And for once...could they make bras in pretty colors...that also reduce the size of our breasts???  I mean...there has to be more than white, black, and nude, right?

I could go on and on...but as you can see.  There are some things that I need to work on.  I understand that plenty of people would enjoy the fact that my legs are so muscular.  How on Earth can I complain about that?  Some girls pay BIG money to have my size chest...how dare I hate them...and want to cut them off.

So...when I saw this book at the library...I knew this was the one for me.  I'm just getting into the meat of the book.  But I'm enjoying it.  It's making me think.  It's making me wonder if my Perfect Body is really that much different than my Perceived Body.  To me...I think it's my mentality that needs to change...not so much my body.  

What about you? Sketch your outlines...let me know your thoughts.  I'd love to connect with others that are struggling as well.  Let's do this together. :)

Do I Look Fat In This?

Do I Look Fat In This???

Most people are probably going to look at this picture and think I'm absolutely nuts.  And yes...to be honest...I would agree with them.  But that doesn't take away from the fact that I still ask myself that question EVERY time I put on clothes.  I still look at other women and think...do I look like that? Is that what my legs look like in shorts? Can I make my boobs smaller?...no athlete has big boobs.  Yes...those are my REAL thoughts.  I don't care how "skinny" some people think I may be.  Those thoughts are in my head.  

Yes, I'm a health and fitness coach.  I try to inspire others to make healthy choices.  I try to help others learn to LOVE themselves and know that the journey is just that...A JOURNEY.  I didn't lose 45 lbs. overnight.  I didn't learn how to food prep overnight.  I didn't learn healthy recipe tips overnight.  I had to go on this journey just like the rest of my friends and challengers.  But WHY do I struggle with this still?  Why do so many women think this way? Why is it so hard to truly find happiness in the way we look?

I truly think that as women we see magazine pictures that have been airbrushed into unrealistic body shapes. We see "skinny" models glorified on TV and it's constantly thrown in our faces as to what the "sexy" body should look like.  So the question of "Do I Look Fat In This?" tends to be something we think about without even knowing we do it.  That dang scale can wreck havoc on my current mood as well.  They say "don't weigh yourself each day".  That is so very very true...we go up and down big time...sometimes in the matter of hours. That dang number can make me think it's going to be a good day...or a not so good day.

 
So why tell you all of this? Because as someone who strives to help others...I have been working on the outside of me for years.  Working out, using different programs, cardio and lifting, etc.  I've gotten results.  Great ones at that actually.  And yes...I enjoy trying on clothes and going shopping WAY more than I ever used to.  

I've worked on my physical transformation internally with nutrition changes as well.  I now know that dairy and my stomach are not friends.  I've made the switch...and my belly is happy.  I have learned that I don't need as much animal protein as I once thought...and my my digestive tract is happier. 


But where do I need work? My mental and internal THOUGHTS that I speak to myself when I look in the mirror.  There are many times I "feel" good...and have a "skinny" day.  That's typically when you see a selfie on my social media posts.  And don't get me wrong...there's probably been about 10 other selfies that got deleted because I didn't like the angle or the way I "looked" in them.  But there are more days that I'm having a "fat" day.  Really????  I weigh less than I did in college and high school.  How can I feel "fat"? Well...it's real.  And I'm just putting it out there.  I need to work on this.

So I'm putting down my personal development books on business, entrepreneurship, and social media marketing...and FOCUSING on ME and my thoughts.  I've chosen to read "Do I Look Fat In This?" by Rhonda Britten.  So far...everything that she has said...I've been able to say..."yep, I think that." Or "yep, I compare myself to other women."

It may be tough, it may be a journey...but I know how hard I worked on my physical transformation...it's time to focus my efforts on changing the way I view my body in the mirror and my mental transformation.  Anybody else have this same issue? 

Maybe we could start a book club? Reach out...let me know if you're interested. I'd love to work alongside other women that need the same type of accountability and self-love as I do.  

Here's to the journey of consistently saying "Dang...I look good today".

I Wanted More...But I Got More Than I Expected!

I was asked to share "My Story" the other day to a group of people that may be interested in becoming a Beachbody Coach. So when I did some thinking about WHY and WHAT I was going to share with everyone...I decided to make a video to share with them.  If you have time...watch the video below. :)

If you're more of a reader...part of my WHY starts back when I was in high school and college. I had always been part of a team.  I had always been a leader on those teams.  I had always enjoyed the sense of 'team' and 'friendship' that comes from being part of a something like that.  The recognition. The experiences.  The competitiveness.  It's what fueled my fire each day.

So when I noticed some of the ladies at the YMCA that I was working out at each week...acting like a team, having a bond that seemed deeper than a normal friendship...I wanted to know more.  I wanted that feeling.  I wanted those experiences that I kept seeing on their news feed when I scrolled by.

 As an adult, raising kids is a joyous thing.  You live your life through your kids and nothing made me happier than seeing both of my kids succeed on the volleyball court or on the marching band field.  BUT...and yes...it's a big BUT...I felt like that was a piece of me that as missing.  I NEEDED and CRAVED the competitiveness.  The recognition. The friendship. The experiences.

So I asked my friend Lindsay...what do you guys do? What is this coaching thing you do? I'm not sure I can do it...but I sure want what you guys are doing.

We talked...and initially I said NO.  I thought I had to be super in shape.  I thought I may have to be a nutrition expert...and haha...I didn't know much more than counting calories and consuming less than what I was burning each day. So I wasn't sure it was for me.  So...nope.  Not yet.

But that wasn't all I wanted.  I wanted more financially as well.  College was coming up.  First cars, insurance rates increasing due to teenage drivers, vacations for 4, and life in general seemed to be getting more expensive.

As a 1st grade teacher...my salary was only going to be able to provide so much.  There wasn't really anything else I could do to provide more for my family. Maybe I could be a principal? Heck no...that's not at all what I wanted to do.  So again, I reached out to my friend Lindsay again. I kept hearing about how she was earning money for sharing with others what was working for her.  She was working out at home, following a meal plan that was provided with the workouts, enjoying what she said was a yummy shake...and helping others do the same.  That's it.  And making money.

Plus she was having all that fun that I mentioned before.  Friends, experiences, team like culture, recognition, etc.  I mean...this time...I wanted to know all the details.  So we chatted AGAIN!

And finally when she told me that there was potential for me to earn income for all the things I was wanting to do with my family...just by doing what I already did...working out, trying to eat healthy, sharing tips with others...and genuinely caring about others...I took the leap.  I said...SURE...sign me up.  Not knowing what the heck I was doing.

 And wow...did I get more than I was expecting.  I got a 2nd family.  I got friends for life.  And I have had so many experiences that will forever be in my memory...that I don't know what I would do if I
wasn't part of this whole "coaching" thing.

These "coaches"...were there for me during my weight loss journey.  They were there for me during a very tough divorce.  They were there for me when I became a fitness instructor.

Basically they were and still are...always there for me.  It's not just about working out.  It's not just about weight loss.  It's about life.  And coaching has literally changed my life.  I truly can say that I will be a coach for LIFE.  There's nothing like being surrounded by positive and like minded people.  And remember...earning an income for sharing that with others???  Why the heck would you not want part of this???

Does this sound like something you'd like to do? Join my team!  Let's get you started.

Click here to join Team Inspire the Fire

Running a Marathon and the Ultimate Reset? Are they the same?

How can a marathon and the Ultimate Reset be close to the same thing?

In my mind...yes, they are.  Runners train and train to get prepared for the marathon.  Then the day of the marathon...the physical skill will get them through the race...but more importantly...the mental game is where they really have to push through to succeed. When their legs are tired, feet are blistered, and their clothes give them a rash...they must push through.

But all those aches and pains just go out the window when they see that Finish Line, receive that finisher medal and begin sharing with others that they completed something that they've been training for all this time.

A sense of accomplishment comes over them.  A feeling of being proud of themselves overpowers them.  And what's funny...they typically want to run another race and start training soon after.

So it's Sunday night...Phase 2 is officially over and I've completed the first day of Phase 3.
Basically, I've ran a little more than a half marathon.  I've made it past that 13 mile mark.
Has it all been easy? No.  But has it all been hard? No way.

I've enjoyed all of the food, flavors...and the best part...the portion sizes I have been allowed to consume. The food is so colorful...does that make it taste better? I'm beginning to believe that it does.  That has been the easy part.  I actually want to eat the food.

And feeling and seeing results from all my hard work...that for sure makes me want to keep going. Inches and pounds have literally fallen off of me.  It's just been 2 weeks.  Easy right?

Nope..not all easy...last week was the Release Week. The Detox drink...was supposed to be taken 3 times a day...for all 7 days.  That took some mental toughness to do.  I'm not going to lie.  My feet may not have been blistered, and my legs may not have been hurting...but I needed to push through to consume each and every one of them. They were helping my results happen.  They were an integral part of the plan.  I was not going to be halfway through this marathon and just quit.  I signed up for the race...I'm going to complete it.

As much as I didn't like the Detox drink...I actually got pretty used to it and it wasn't that bad. (I'm probably making it sound worse than it was.) But the Power Greens...I'm still struggling with those. I deserve a Gold Medal for drinking those every day.  Haha!

So...now it's Week 3.  The Restore Week.  The final stretch. I can see the finish line.  No way, will I cheat now or give up on this journey.  This is the time to pick up my speed and head in strong to the finish.  New foods at the grocery store once again.  New recipes to try.  New flavor experiences for my taste buds to encounter.  I WILL complete this.

And it will be the first time EVER that I've completed anything from start to finish with NO CHEATS, NO MISSES, NO SPLURGES.

Will I want to celebrate? Yes.
Will I want to share my results? Yes.
Will I want to share with others? You're darn right!

I feel too amazing and have such great results that I would not be doing my humanly duty to tell you about this.
It's been life changing.

Eat Great...Feel Great!

I feel GREAT!  That's the truth!

You'd think I'd be hating life due to not being able to have my Sour Patch Kids and Margaritas.
Well...I will say that I do want to partake in an adult beverage when I'm done to celebrate my commitment and dedication to making a change...but I'm truly not craving it at all.

WHY? Because I love how I FEEL currently.  I don't crave the sugar and sweets like I was. I'm not tired and I feel good throughout the day.  Eating like this has definitely shown me that the "other stuff" that we feed our bodies with...while it does taste good...doesn't really help us FEEL good.

I was struggling with bloating and feeling full.  I was struggling with not wanting to workout.  I was struggling with being moody.  And in the 9 days that I've been on this reset...besides Day 2...I had a pretty bad headache...I've been in a great mood and feeling more calm, patient, and even more excited for just life in general.

Have I lost weight?...sure!  Have I lost inches?...heck yes.  Do my clothes fit better? Um...yes!
And look at this food!!!!

I've had to learn how to do a little cooking.  But for someone who has never really been in the kitchen...these meals have been pretty easy to make.

I've also learned how to slice a honeydew.  I never knew what Farina or Tempeh was...and now I do.  So that is definitely something I've been enjoying...finding new foods and flavors that I never knew were out there.  I will most definitely continue making some of these meals after the Reset.  Especially the Southwestern Taco and the Seasoned Salmon.

And what..I made my own sushi...even rolled it in seaweed! I LOVE sushi!  Know I know how to make it.  Boom...BONUS!



So it's just fabulous and all unicorns and rainbows right????
haha...I can't say that about some of the supplements.  Especially the Power Greens.  Oh goodness...I do hate that time of day.  2:30 to be exact.  But it's just mix and down the hatch they go.  Blek!

Yep...they look pretty appetizing don't they?  Oh well...I feel better and that's worth my few seconds of agony.

This is the start of Week 2 - The Release Phase

So we've added a Detox supplement..which isn't great...but way better than those Power Greens.  Haha!  It's taken 3 times a day.  Actually need to get ready and take my last one for the day today.  It has a lemon taste and it's not as bad as I thought.

The food this week is slowly transitioning me out of all grains so that next week I will be strictly on vegetables and fruits.  I've not been hungry and I was even able to make it through my TurboKick certification on Saturday without feeling dead.  I was worried about that.  So like the title of this post was...Eat Great...Feel Great! It's so so so very true!

So here's to a new week of enjoying my time in the kitchen.  To enjoying my time eating my food that looks so pretty I feel the need to take a picture of almost every meal.

What's tonight's dinner? Sweet Potato and Roasted Red Pepper Bisque.

Who ever would've thought I would be cooking that?  Those who know me...are probably laughing currently.

But I'm doing it. I'm determined and I feel great!

This section of the grocery store...it's powerful...just saying!

Why do the Ultimate Reset?

So, a few people have asked me..."Why are you doing the Ultimate Reset, you don't need to lose weight??? "

Well for many reasons actually. I'll list them below:

1. I've been struggling to lose some weight I gained from taking birth control.
2. I've been struggling to not feel bloated each day.
3. I've been struggling in the bathroom...sorry TMI!!
4. I've been struggling to feel "happy" in my own skin due to recent weight gain.
5. I've been struggling to workout. (WHAT???  Karen not workout???)

I know...who would have thought.  Well...I've been working out intensely for so long and getting no results that my mental capacity to think it was worth it...has literally run down.  I enjoy teaching my Insanity and PiYo classes, but truthfully...it is because I get to see my friends there.

I have added fiber into my diet two times daily.  I have added some metabolism boosters throughout the day. I have changed up my workouts to do more cardio. NOTHING is working.

Which has led to a VERY FRUSTRATED Karen on the inside.  I have tried to keep it inside and not let any of my challengers know that their "coach" has struggled to want to workout. I went to our Beachbody Coach Summit in Nashville and they explained the Ultimate Reset in a more in depth way than I had heard about it before.  I was hooked.  I cam home and immediately ordered it.  I think it's going to be my answer.

WHY? Why will it be just what I need? Why am I so excited for this?

Because the one thing that has held me back from doing it before..."not being able to workout while doing the Reset" has always turned me away from completing it. So NOW...right now...that is EXACTLY what I need.  I need a break.  My body needs a break.  I may not be physically working out for the next 21 days...but my body is going to be working out...internally.

It's going to help with my mood, my digestion, my emotions, my physical well being, my confidence...and I'll be darned if I'm not going to lose that last 5 lbs. that has been hanging on for dear life. I'm so ready for this...I literally need a RESET in all aspects of my life.

After 21 days...I can only imagine the drive I'm going to have to get in a good sweat session.  And from reading the booklet that comes with the Ultimate Reset...my workouts will be more productive when my body is functioning like it's supposed to internally.

So...now that you know my WHY...what exactly did my day look like today? What will my week look like?

Phase One - Reclaim

During these first days I will be altering my diet and slowly taking away food like red meat and refined food that put stress on my digestive system.  I'll be adding in 4 of the 6 supplements from the Ultimate Reset.

I know for a fact I am one of the people they reference in the guide book that live their daily lives...dehydrated.  One of my biggest challenges will be drinking all the water that is required.  But...challenge accepted.  I'm ready for this!

I've read the articles about drinking water and how it helps with weight loss.  Duh...now it's just time I actually do it.

Am I starving? Nope. Not even close.  These meals have been amazing and for the "non-cook" that I am...pretty easy to make.

I can say that I've never eaten a turnip in a salad before.  I've never steamed kale. And homemade miso soup???  Yep...I did that too.  Tasted great! I felt full all day and enjoyed the process of making my meals.

If the rest of the meals are this good...I'll be looking forward to eating every day.  Plus...remember...I don't have to fit in my workout.  So...I can put sole focus on what I'm putting in my body and not worrying about what energy I'm exerting.

This will truly reset my thinking and I can't explain enough how much I think I need this right now.

Is there anything that I don't like as of right now?

Sure thing...the Power Greens...brutal truth...they are HORRIBLE!  But what do you do...you stir it in 4 oz. of water...and you just take it down.  I started this plan...and I will follow it as directed.  It will be worth it.  I know the pay off will be bigger than the few seconds of nastiness I taste each day.

So there ya have it...I'm done eating at 6:30 pm.  Yes...6:30 pm.  No late night snacking.  No small handfuls of candy. Nothing until the morning!  This has to work...it's like fool proof.  Just follow the plan.  Easy right?

Stay tuned for more! :) Want to join me?
I'd love to chat with you.

Follow my journey here or on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/karenhendershotinspire/
Email me here: kmhendershot32@gmail.com

Back on the Wagon!

Tomorrow is the day!!! My team starts our next online Challenge Group.  Many of us are going to start Insanity Max 30 again.  Some of us will be doing it for the first time.  And others will be doing Shaun T's other new program called CIZE.  But, what is cool...is that we are all going to be starting on Day 1 of our programs...and be there for each other along this journey to getting healthy.

I just had to throw in this picture...I mean...because why not!  #lovemesomeShaunT

Are alot of coaches? Yes...because we like the discount we get on these fabulous products and that #superfoodcrack I call Shakeology.  BUT the main reason we are in this group and continue to join these groups...is for the support, the motivation, the love, the accountability, the place to feel like it's ok to vent about how hard it is to do this each and every day.  We are all regular people...wanting to lead a regular life...but also need the support and accountability from each other just as much as the people we are trying to help.

Are alot of the people in the group new to fitness?  New to taking ownership of their nutrition? YES.

We all know that working out and eating right is the key to success.  There aren't any magic pills that will make you wake up one day and be 10 lbs. lighter.  You have to put in the work.  I've never had a problem working out...when I get off track...it's in the kitchen.  So I'm back...

Those little color coded containers were out and in use today and will continue to be throughout this group.  I did not buy my ice cream at the store today.  I threw out the left over icing and graham crackers that I used for a Mother's Day dessert last weekend.  I HAVE to get that mindset that YOU CAN'T OUT WORK A BAD DIET!

I've got a salad with tomatoes and salad shrimp to each for lunch each day.  I used the green (veggie) and red (protien) container to portion out the proper amount per serving or each.  I also have portions of carrots and tomatoes that I will eat with hummus (blue container) for a snack.  I've got strawberries and cottage cheese for another snack later in the afternoon.  We can't forget my Shakeology in the morning for breakfast.  And I've got hard boiled eggs (not pictured) to snack on as well. I don't care about eating the same thing each day for breakfast and lunch.  I like the food.  I like how it makes me feel.  And this plan works for me.  WHEN I STICK TO IT! 

Dinner will be some protein...probably chicken or salmon.  Carbs...rice or tortilla probably.  And some steamed veggies.  Of course I will be supplementing with my Beachbody Performance Line as well. I enjoy drinking the Recover right after my workout and the Recharge right before bed.  

No longer am I going to say that it's because of birth control that I've gained some weight.  While that may be true...the sour patch kids, the ice cream, cookies, and donuts that I continued to say "oh heck...why not"...are the real reason for how I feel right now.  Back on the wagon? Yep!  

Stay tuned throughout the next 2 months for how my journey unfolds!  And of course...if you want to join us. Reach out to me.  Email, Facebook, Text...they all work and I would be happy to help you get started.  

Find me by clicking a link below!

kmhendershot32@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/karen.hendershot.73