New Adventure

Good morning! It has been awhile since I posted and because of that, I almost deleted this blog. I probably should have a long time ago but something kept telling me to keep it open. A little over two years ago I began a journey to become a better version of me. What did that mean? I wasn't sure but I was on my way. I was working out a little, eating healthy (mostly), tracking my food and doing what most people who are fit do. Out of the blue, I was approached on My Fitness Pal by a Team Beachbody Coach looking for people who wanted to change their lifestyle and join her clean eating challenge group. I was reluctant and it took me about three months before I committed to a membership with Team Beachbody. Luckily for me they have a free membership option because I wasn't sure where this would take me. My first DVD was 21 Day Fix by Autumn Calabrese and I fell in love. How can you fail when a program gives you everything you need to succeed, right?! Well, I did. I started and quit several times in the next year. I finally decided it was time to get real. My coach was very patient and encouraging and the group was the same. They have all been there and there were no judgments. The best part was that each and every time I started again, they were there to encourage and motivate me. They may have been thinking "this chick is going to quit again, how long will she last this time" but they never said it out loud. Honestly, I am pretty sure they didn't think it because they too had started and quit. That is how the first and second year went. I would start a program and quit and start and quit. The same went with my clean eating. I joined challenge groups and was all in for about a second and then I would fizzle out. Then, one day, someone from one of my groups posted a Summer Strong Challenge Contest being led by Carl Daikeler (CEO of Beach Body) and Tony Horton (everyone should know who he is, if not, P90X). I asked my coach if she would be entering the contest and she said yes but she was going to be doing the 21 Day Fix Challenge. I was very interested in the 22 Minute Hard Corps contest because it had just been released and I am former military and this program was created with veterans and soldiers in mind. This was the first time I had actually committed to something and stuck with it. This was an eight week program and I loved every minute of it. I had to be accountable and take my sweaty mug pictures and tell the group what day I was on and which exercise I had done. Tony commented on a couple of my posts and that was so exciting. I met an amazing person who made some tours in Iraq. He suffers from PTSD and what a wonderful person he is. He is also on Tony's crew for the 22 Minute Hard Corps and I tell you he is just an awesome individual. He loves his family, life, and wants to help people succeed as all of the Beach Body members do. I completed the eight week program and submitted my results for a chance to win the contest. I received an official 22 Minute Hard Corp coin just for completing the program. For completing the Summer Strong Challenge Contest, I received a Summer Strong t-shirt, another coin and a sample of Beach Body's performance line. There is nothing more rewarding then finishing something that you never thought you could finish. The results were reward enough for me. That contest ended a month ago and since then, I have been talking to my coach, and other coaches, doing my research on their performance line and wellness line and with much thought and questions and consideration, I have become an Independent Team Beach Body Coach. I am only four days in but I know that this is what I want to do. There is nothing like helping people be better versions of who they are and helping them achieve their health and fitness goals. Have a great day everyone and get out there and achieve your goals today!!
http://www.beachbodycoach.com/angelenalydon

The New Book Club

Holy cow, two posts in one day! What is this all about?
I have definitely kept up with reading and joined a yearly reading challenge back in 2012 on Goodreads.  I met my goal for 2012 but fell very short in 2013.  I just wasn't motivated and I had quit the bookclub which meant the book club ceased to exist because noone else was going to step up and take over.  I was exhausted trying to make everyone happy. I have since gathered another group of like minded women and started a new bookclub.  It is a group of wonderful ladies that I work with and we are now months in and we have completely enjoyed it.  We have read mostly good books but have read two semi-bad books but that is what makes it fun.  I am still the coordinator but I get more feedback on this one.  The ladies are very animated and our discussions sometimes go off subject but we have a great time. 

Jillian Micahels 30 Day Shred

Wow, so yes it has been awhile.  How are you doing?  I am wonderful today.  It has been three weeks and I am still wonderfully committed to Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred program.  I mix it up once or twice a week with Focus T25 Corespeed with Shaun T which totally kicks my rear but I feel awesome when it is over.  Sweating profusely but feeling energized and stress free. 
I got my first compliment this morning so I know it is working.  I noticed a difference in the way my clothes fit today.  The sweater I am wearing is a bit formfitting and the last time I wore it, you could see some significant back fat around my bra strap area but not today.  There is some but not like before.  Yay me! Those are the changes I am looking for.  The scale change would be nice but I have never been one to be thin.  I have always been fit but now I want to be toned and healthy.  I am seriously thinking of doing a beachbody challenge but the sticker price is killing it for me.  $173 for an entire package.  Ok, so it includes 90 days worth of workout videos, meal plan, Shakeology ($140 alone), workout program and bonus videos.  I have an awesome health coach who keeps me accountable and feeling great.  I want to look good for my vacation at the beginning of July so that is fueling my desire to do this challenge.  It will be a difficult challenge but I know if I stick to it and follow it, I will feel and look so much better. 

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!

Facebook

I don't check my Facebook as often as I used to.  I either get bored or irritated with the posts of "what I ate for lunch".  What I forget is that Facebook is also a place for those to reach out and ask for help.  Whether it be for a prayer request or a simple, "does anyone know someone who can/does..."  When I checked my page today, I found atleast four prayer requests from friends/family who needed them.  I said a prayer and posted some words of encouragement for anyone who may need them today.  My page is to stay connected to family and friends who are so far away.  I do my best to drive out the negativity in my head at some of the posts I see and I know people use it as a place to vent.  I understand their frustration toward certain matters because I feel them too.  Sometimes, I want to lash out and scream at the world but putting it out for the public to see is not the best thing to do.  I don't want my negativity to rain on someone else's sunshine so I try my best to stay out of the rain clouds.

Have a very happy Tuesday everyone and I hope you all stay warm!

Love of Reading

Yes, I know it has been a very long time since I last posted.  I am going to try and be more active in posting.  This year has proven to be a little difficult in me doing the things I love.  Reading and sewing mostly.  We just returned from our vacation which was quite relaxing and I wish I were still there.  Camping, fishing, swimming and relaxing....it was just what the doctor ordered. I wanted to try and read a book while I was out but I was having too much fun doing nothing but having fun.  It was a perfect week to go because this week has been a soppy mess with all the rain. 

I just finished the 7th book of the 44 series by Jools Sinclair and was slightly disappointed but only because I think she is getting us ready for Nathaniel's wrath in book 8.  Not much happened in this one, oh don't get me wrong, things happened but only things that happened to normal people, not things that happen to Abby.  I am still hooked on the series.  I figured I would get bored by the 4th or 5th book but I am still excited when the next books come out. 

What I love about reading is getting lost in the book.  Some books I want to be in and others, I am glad to be safe on my couch or in my bed reading because they are pretty scary.  I like books that make me want to stay even when I am finished reading.  Sometimes it's hard for me to come out of the book.  It's like coming out of a deep sleep and feeling groggy and you are heavy like being on the hot sand at the beach with the sun shining down and your body being completely relaxed and your mind content wishing that moment would never end. 

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July and I hope to be posting more soon. 

Reaching Out

Working toward a goal on your own is like swimming in quicksand.  You get nowhere real quick.  Today I reached out to a few strangers to help me lose weight.  Let's see if they take on the challenge.  Of course, I will encourage and help them too and I have told them that I do not expect to meet in person as we do not know each other.  Losing weight is one of those things that you either do it or you don't, there is no middle ground.  Once you have lost the goal weight, the trick is to maintain.  I have no problem maintaining a chunky weight.  If any of you would like to help support me....drop me a line and I will be more than happy to accept.  Please feel free to challenge me too!  Also if you have any healthy yummy recipes, please send them my way. 

Nuff Sed....have a wonderful day!

Back to Work

I want to apologize for my hiatus from blogging.  I really have no excuses.  I started working full time again and I have to tell you that after not working for almost three years, it has been pretty difficult to get back into the groove.  I miss my baby girl soo much during the day and I have no time with my son or my husband.  Sundays are our only day together and those days are busy with running errands and getting things together for the week.  I had forgotten what it was to love Fridays and working for the weekend.  I know!!! I have only been back to work for about two months and I am already living for the weekend.   That is pretty sad if you ask me.  Anyway, the pay is wonderful and the hours aren't bad but the commute is horrible.  I spend approximately 1 1/2 hours on the road a day.  I guess I just miss lazily hanging out until late morning before getting dressed and getting ready for the day.  I miss playing games with my baby and reading to her.  I miss cooking and trying new recipes! I miss a clean house and sitting on my deck enjoying the sunrise and sunset! I miss having time to enjoy things.  I enjoy things now but I miss having TIME!!!