Category: LIFE-ING

There was a time in my life that I would never pass up a milkshake. But I’d have to be certain it was always in front of others so no one would ever suspect anything was off. Then in private, the things I would do and justified doing because no one would ever know were horrendous. But I still knew. And that guilt would reset the cycle all over again time after time. I was drowning and no one knew it. Food RULED my world.

When I became a Mom I realized VERY quickly that our children see and hear literally EVERYTHING. Even the things we thought we got away with, we really didn’t. They are like sponges; soaking everything up. Right down to how we eat. I did not want the same horrendous relationship with food for Hunter. And I knew in order to set the very best example I had to BE that example first. I had to face my food demons and really start working on my own relationship with food.

I am far from perfect but the important thing is that I am making a dedicated effort to do better. And that starts with things like a surprise lunch dates for milkshakes with ZERO guilt and ZERO plans to self-sabotage afterwards. Because sometimes life is about eating dessert first and making those memories in moments that are so fleeting. I have to remember that one milkshake ISN’T gonna make me FAT just like one workout ISN’T gonna make me SKINNY. But a milkshake with my favorite little guy ever IS going to create memories that WILL last a lifetime.

My word of intention for 2021 was GROWTH. As I reflect back on my year I am so incredibly proud of how far I have come and all the growth I experienced this past year. And in all that growth I found a strength inside me that I never knew existed. Where before my vulnerability would consume me; my anxiety, my life, my everything, it has now become my superpower. I’ve shared a lot with you all this past year. I’ve showed up even when shit got hard. REAL HARD! I have put in the work on myself mentally, physically and spiritually and continue to do so every single day.

If I had not gone into this past year determined AF to grow and to push myself outside my comfort zone I would not have survived the year. Old habits are hard to break but I broke them just in time for the shit to hit the fan. Now I am far from perfect and will never claim to be but simply being able to recognize triggers that would normally lead to destructive behavior and disorder eating is a HUGE win in my book. And let’s take a moment to celebrate the fact that I have FINALLY learned to ask for help when I need it rather than feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders and crumbling under all the pressure. I’ve said it many many times throughout the year and I will continue to say it because I believe it with all my heart…you simply MUST commit to yourself and your health first in order to give the very best version of you to others. Period! It’s not selfish to do so it’s necessary.

This past year was one of the most difficult years of my life filled with a LOT of loss. I’m definitely still drowning in all that grief but know with time those wounds will heal. I’m just not there yet. It still hurts just as bad as the day they each left. But the funny thing is despite all that loss my faith is stronger than ever before. My marriage is stronger than ever before. My relationships are stronger than ever before. My friendships are stronger than ever before. It started with growth and led to strength. So despite me wanting to curse 2021 for eternity I thank the year instead. Thank you 2021 for forcing me to find a strength within that I never knew I possessed. It’s with that new found strength that I go into 2022 with my word for the new year. Be sure to stay tuned for what my next adventure will be.

What’s your superpower??? Drop it in the comments below.

My vulnerability is my superpower. I show up. I share the hard. And I don’t quit. When I was younger I was always told I overshared. I have ALWAYS been an open book who wears her heart on her sleeve. But what was once considered my weakness has grown into something that has changed not only my life for the better but has the ability to change other people’s lives as well. What was once something I was looked down on for is now my strength. I share it all because it’s healing for me to do so but it also helps countless others feel less alone in their own shit. I know this because of all the heartfelt messages I receive on a regular basis. These messages mean the world to me and keep me going on the days I want to quit.

So if you’re reading this thinking yeah she totally overshares. Then you are not my people and that’s ok. For those of you whose lives I’ve touched in any way by sharing my truth, my pain, my struggles, you are my people and I thank you for being here. Thank you so much Ronda for the reminder I needed today. So yeah, my vulnerability is in fact my superpower and I couldn’t be more proud.

I call this workout the Mom workout. I’ve selected each move in the circuit to mimic picking up after and/or chasing the kiddo(s), running errands, picking up and hauling shopping bags, etc. But you definitely don’t need to be a Momma to do this amazing workout.

Optional Equipment Needed: Dumbbells, Leg Band, Rope-less Jump Rope. Do x15 reps of each arm/leg move as seen in the video with x100 reps of varying jumps in between each move with the jump rope. Do 2 complete sets for an absolute calorie burn that’s tons of fun and can be done just about anywhere…at home, in the gym, at the playground, on the beach! The sky is the limit with this one.

No time to try this workout now? Simply save this post or the video over on my YouTube channel and come back to it when you have time. If you do try this out be sure and tag me and let me know what you think!

Optional Equipment Needed: Arm Band, Leg Band, Rope-less Jump Rope. Do x15 reps of each arm/leg move as seen in the video with x100 reps in between each move with the jump rope. Do 3-4 complete sets depending on the time you have.

This circuit workout can be done just about anywhere! Indoors, outdoors, on the go, on vacation. It’s super quick, super easy and requires minimal to no equipment. Give it a try for yourself and let me know what you think in the comments. No time to try it now? Be sure to save this post to come back to later.

Anyone else guilty of waiting till their kiddo was asleep only to sneak what starts as a couple pieces of candy to notice a short time later that you darn near polished off the whole bucket???

Every single Trick or Treat since Hunter has been born this was me. Every holiday season matter of fact. I would binge and overeat because after all Tis the Season! But I would feel immense shame and guilt immediately afterwards. I felt so much disgust for myself that I would wait for Justin to fall asleep so I could purge my entire binge session of candy or pie or whatever holiday goodies were around. Year after year the holiday season would repeat this cycle.

The holidays can be a trigger for me. That’s partly why I decided to do the 75 Hard Challenge during this time of year. I’m terrified of flying off the rails. The Hubby and kiddo are going to enjoy this year’s candy. This Momma is not gonna have a single piece. I am committed to this challenge and committed to my goals. If it’s too tempting for you to even have the candy in the house…then don’t have it in the house! Donate it, take it to work. Just get it out of the house. If you’re struggling with nutrition and what to eat, when and why to fuel your body and feel your best drop a 🍭🍫🍬 below or send me a DM and let’s chat. I’d love to work with you.

Do you get extreme anxiety when looking for your Halloween costume? Because I sure do! Always have! I was talking with some friends the other day about how I’ve never been the girl that puts the hoe in Halloween. I’ve always been the one to go the scary route. I realized as I was sharing that fact that it was because I was never happy enough with my body to go for the skimpy and sexy costumes.

Well let me tell you, the joy I felt when I put on my Pennywise costume yesterday almost brought me to tears. This costume is from a few years ago. And yes we absolutely recycle costumes in our house because frankly they’re just too damn expensive now a days! Anyhoo, back to the unexpected transformation…this costume is a size XL and when I purchased it two years ago it barely zipped up on me. But it was the biggest size they had so I went with it. You can tell in the photos I took how uncomfortable I was. Always trying to make the skirt fuller to hide how large I was in my midsection.

Flash forward to yesterday and I am down two costume sizes and had to hold the back of the dress just so you could see my figure! These past few years haven’t been easy and I haven’t been perfect but I have remained consistent and determined and I am so proud of how far I’ve come! I can’t wait to see what the future holds as I continue to embrace this healthier lifestyle! Who knows, maybe I’ll even try that sexier costume someday. The sky is the limit and I have my sights set real high! Want to jump into this lifestyle and run alongside me??? Drop a 💪🏼 below or slide into my DMs and let’s talk options. I can’t wait to work with you!!!

Check out my Interview with Joelle. It got REAL REAL and I got emotional. For the first time ever I share my full story. Do me a favor and drop some love in the comments below. It’s not easy for me to be this vulnerable but I hope that in doing so it will help others.

As a busy wife and mom the absolute hardest lesson I have learned and am still learning to navigate is that you simply cannot pour from an empty cup! I have to take care of myself first in order to give the very best of me to my husband, my son and to others. It’s a non-negotiable for me and I strongly feel that it should be for everyone else as well. When flying there’s a reason the flight attendants tell you to put on your own mask first. So why aren’t we all doing that in our every day lives too?

If you’re struggling please know that you are not alone. I see you. My inbox is always open if you need some help. Thank you so much Joelle Training for the opportunity to share my story.

It’s been a hot minute. These past few months have been literal HELL ON EARTH and I wouldn’t wish any of it upon my worst enemy even if I had one. If you’re new here and scratching your head just scroll back through my posts these pasts few months to get up to speed.

Now that you’re all caught up…WHEW! It’s been a journey! One that was and still is TOUGH AS SHIT and that’s putting it lightly. Thank you to every single one of you who have reached out, messaged, called, texted, interacted with my content, etc. these past few months. It means the absolute world to me AND to my family. I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!

My heart is still healing, my mind is a mess but I’ve come far enough in my wellness journey to know that the self-sabotage and destructive behavior NEEDS to end. And it ends here and now.

I will have bad days; days where my grief will sneak up on me unexpectedly and take my breath away, but that’s ok and it’s a part of life! It’s my job and responsibility to navigate those situations in a healthy manor. Those unexpected surprises of heart wrenching, soul ripping, down on your knees hysterical moments are bound to happen. And the worst part…they’re gonna come at a time when I least expect them to. But I need to keep moving forward. I need to keep pressing on. I need to keep putting in the work even on the days that are hardest. I DESERVE IT! My family deserves it. I CAN DO THIS! I WILL SUCCEED! I AM STRONG! I’VE GOT THIS!

So with all that being said…let’s press play on day one of the programs I’ve started now three times over but haven’t made past the second week…645 here I come!!! Be sure to follow along for all the details of my journey.

For a VERY long time I believed in the saying, “fake it till you make it.” But belief in that adage almost killed me. Truth is, you can only take the fake so far before cracks start to form in your lies.

The smile I shared, fake. The food I ate, fake. The emotions I showed, fake. I used makeup, clothes and material things to fake that smile. I used food to cover the truth that I was a binge eater who was also bulimic. The emotions I showed were strictly driven by too much alcohol. I was lost and drowning.

I promised myself when I started sharing my journey of health with the world that I would not be a part of the fake. I now put all faith in God first. What is meant to be will be and I refuse to fake a single thing along the way. I choose to live and share my life flaws and all. I am FAR from perfect and will never again claim to be. So while I do believe the glass is half full not half empty and what you speak of you attract, I also recognize that our journey is never easy and it’s not meant to be so.

Right now I am in a tough season and while I don’t want to attract more sadness and sorrow this is my journey and I’m meant to walk through it. I feel it would be a great disservice to all that I represent and live for not to share the full truth with y’all. I believe that by sharing my strength through all the hardship others will find the motivation and inspiration they need to do the same.

So while some of you who have been with me since the beginning may feel my posts and stories as of late are a huge shift from the normal content I hope this post gives a little explanation behind the reason for that shift. Far too much fake is shared online and I don’t want to be a part of it. I’m not here to share the highlight reel. I’m here to share the REAL! I want to be remembered as someone who was real, raw and transparent in much needed times of equal hardship. Remember it’s the same me, just different content as I settle into my new normal.