Consistency: Turn Your Test into Your Testimony

I've always been my worst critic. Most of us are, right? And, I've always worried about what other people thought of me. If someone disproved of something I did it would affect me for days. Sometimes it still does.

Here's the thing. Some of us are both with an inherent sensitivity and it can be both a blessing at times and other times it can be incredibly hard to reason through. Naturally, I am an introvert so my thoughts, which are many, wander through my head and most often they stay there. Along with that I worry often about others as well and how they are doing in this journey called life. Some days it's like one big boatload of worry.

Many of you know I struggled with postpartum depression after having both of my babies. I was supposed to be incredibly happy and beaming with love but inside I was torn apart, feeling alone, and defeated. I did not feel adequate and it was a challenge to get through the day to day activities as a mother, let alone anything else. Emotion (good and bad) swirled within my head and my heart and it seemed to rest their permanently, sometimes feeling as if I was unable to function and paralyzed to act.

I started a journey into improving my health last year, both mentally and physically. I started reading my scriptures more regularly and personal development daily as well. I relied on my Savior to pull me through and to help me to work on myself. Regular exercise and good nutrition became a part of my daily habits. I didn't feel better overnight. It took time and hard work. It took consistency compounded over time but within time I was feeling much more alive. I am grateful for the courage, understanding, and empathy I gained from this experience.

So, one would think that depression would be a thing of the past for me. I have to tell you, and anyone else who has experienced depression can as well, that some days I find myself feeling those intense emotions again or complete numbness. And, I know it comes on both good days and bad days sometimes. I'm not sure the reasons and this post isn't about those. It's about more than that. It's about the journey.

It's easy to go through life thinking that once we move past one hurdle it will forever be in our past. This isn't true of anything. I know this to be true with both my depression and with my obsession over food and my body I have had in the past. I've never dealt with addictions of alcohol, drugs, or other things but I know it is true for those things as well. Days will come that it seems harder to pull yourself from that life of depression or addiction or obsession no matter who you are. The true test is in how we combat that and deal with it. Do we take action to move ourselves forward or do we wallow? Are we consistent with the actions that we know keep us from giving in to that old self?

Life is about consistency for me. Some things I'm still really struggling to find consistency with...even some of my strengths but we can't gain a testimony without the test. That testimony comes through consistent, daily effort to better ourselves...to do the things that are easy to do but also easy not to do. Power comes through action and that is the hardest thing to do sometimes! But, do we want to look back realizing we let things slip right through our grasp? NO! We work for the good things...we hold on so tight that blisters form because we know in the end it will be worth it. In the end we will look back and realize that when it got tough and it was really easy to give up and give in, we didn't. Instead we fought the good fight, we finished the course, we kept the faith!

Why I Love Shakeology: Reason #3,296

There are quite a few reasons why I love Shakeology and I could go on all day about them! I'm passionate about it because it has changed my life and I have seen it change the lives of countless others!

Shakeology is widely known to help with weight loss and yes, it helped me lose weight but more than that it helped me with my health. It is not just a weight loss shake...it is a health shake! With over 70 super foods in the formula it is designed to fuel your body with the best nutrition in a natural, safe way without all the fillers and nasty chemicals other protein shakes or weight loss shakes contain. There is just nothing else like it on the market and it's clinically proven to help you lose weight, reduce blood sugar levels, and reduce cholesterol.

It's AMAZING the things that happen when your body starts getting the nutrients it actually craves. Part of the reason we are so overweight in this society is that we don't understand the difference between fullness on a volumetric level vs. a cellular level. We keep feeding our bodies because it never gets what it actually needs. With Shakeology, your body gets a daily dose of dense nutrition that it is impossible to get in a day otherwise and you are feeding your body the stuff it actually needs. Your cravings subside because the body realizes it's full of what it needed.

My Personal Tranformation

Besides that, there are a million more benefits including reducing blood sugar levels, increasing energy, reducing cholesterol, reducing blood pressure, improving digestion, balancing out hormone levels, and so many more. It has changed the lives of people with Chron's disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, Depression, Constipation, and so many more frustratingly debilitating illnesses.

Today I want to talk about Migraines and headaches. I don't think I've shared too much that I use to get a headache every day! Some days they were debilitating and turned into migraines. I couldn't focus and I was not able to function well. I'm lucky I've never had chronic migraines, but chronic headaches, I had them! I was taking ibuprofen ALL THE TIME and we all know what that will do to your liver and more! It was not one of the initial reasons I started drinking Shakeology but after a while I noticed  those daily headaches went away! I can say now that the only reason I get headaches now is if I am dehydrated or I need an adjustment from the chiropractor from issues due to previous back injuries.

Lindsey, another coach on the great team I am a part of struggled with chronic migraines. She said:

Not to mention she's had an awesome tranformation!

"I can't remember a time when I haven't struggled with migraines. I have gone to the hospital, been in bed for days, thrown up, literally not been able to stand up, etc. I have been this way for YEARS. I finally went to a doctor over a year and a half ago and was put on a daily Verapamil. I would also take Imitrex on the days that I did get a migraine. 

The insurance company only allows 9 Imitrex per month though. Every month I would max them out and I would have taken all of them before the month was up. Since taking Shakeology, I have never taken all 9. I ONLY have a migraine when I don't get a good night sleep. I no longer have unexplainable, random migraines. For me, this is ONE of the many benefits I have had from Shakeology. I can't imagine not drinking it daily. It literally has changed my life."

Tracey, another coach on my team said:

 "I have not popped on single tablet for migraines, headaches, or insomnia since I started the shake in March!" 

There is a reason I drink my Shakeology every day and there is a reason Lindsey, Tracey, and so many others do as well. IT WORKS! I wasn't fully convinced until I decided to try it myself for 30 days and get my money back if it didn't work. I didn't get my money back...IT WORKED and now I make sure it's a daily part of the nutrition I put into my body because I know it needs it. If you knew the difference it made you wouldn't miss a day either!

Do you want to try Shakeology? Why not? There is a 30 day money back guarantee even if you drink all of it! And, if you don't want to commit to 30 days yet let me know and I can send you some individual one-serving packets to get you started! What do you have to lose besides maybe those migraines and/or headaches? You might just save some money as well when you don't have to pay for all your medications and doctor's visits! Lindsey is saving money!

My Road to Health and Fitness

Health and fitness have not always been a highlight of my lifestyle. I grew up with a low self image and I worried about being "skinny" constantly. I wanted to be accepted and I believed that in order for that to happen I needed to look a certain way. Through high school and college I obsessed about it and I did just about every thing you can think of to try and lose weight, get skinny, and reach that ideal body type to be accepted.

Fast forward to 4 years ago when I might an amazing guy who changed my life. He is now my husband and I couldn't be luckier. I learned a lot from his view of who I was and I started to accept my body. I had my son, Kamden Wade, 15 months after being married to that wonderful man. Although this was a highlight of my life, shortly after I struggled with postpartum depression and the realization that my body was very different and that it wasn't going to return to a normal state overnight.

The postpartum depression slowly faded and I was able to lose a good deal of my baby weight. When Kamden was short of a year old we found out I was pregnant with our little girl, Kaliana Brooklyn. I was exercising at a local gym 4-5 days a week throughout most of my pregnancy but I still gained more weight than I would have liked. I was a little more prepared this time around that I might deal with the postpartum depression but that doesn't make it any easier when it does creep into your life.

I was exhausted, depressed, and unhappy. I wasn't sleeping well even though my sweet baby girl was...I struggled with the postpartum depression...I had no energy...and I just didn't feel good. 

In October of 2013 I decided to start something for myself. I found an escape through health and fitness. I started eating clean, drinking Shakeology, working out with Beachbody programs, and participating in an online fitness challenge group.  The next 4 months I lost close to 15 lbs. and over 18 inches on my body. I became an energetic person...I slept like a baby...I found confidence in myself and my abilities...and my depression faded much more quickly as I began to take care of myself.

Transformation from October 2013 to February 2014

In December 2013 I became a Beachbody coach so that I could run my own online fitness challenge groups to help inspire others and help them find a confidence and belief in their bodies. I love having the opportunity to run these group and share with others the amazing products that helped me change my life. 

Eating Clean: A Labor of Love

I know that title sounds kind of cheesy and a little ridiculous but I seriously believe clean eating is a labor of love.

Image found here.

Why?

1. I eat clean not because I hate my body but because I LOVE it! I promise I have not changed my eating habits out of a sheer will to be skinny. It just doesn't work that way. I feed my body good, wholesome, clean food because I want my body to run efficiently and I feel a million times better physically and emotionally when I do. I have more energy...my mood improves...I sleep better...my depression improves...and I just feel better!

2. Clean Eating isn't always easy. Let me be completely honest and say that some days it's really hard. You are cutting out all the processed junk so when you are eating real food that has been processed as minimally as possible you have put in a little more effort. However, that doesn't mean it has to be complicated. Clean meals can be simple but delicious at the same time. It doesn't all come in a day, a week, or even a month. It will take time to change all your habits and make clean eating into something you can make a lifestyle but I promise you it can be done and it is well WORTH it!

Picture taken by me and posted to my Instagram fitness page.

So, what does eating clean entail? Here are the basics for you that I have laid out in five steps.

1. Cut out and limit processed foods as much as possible. That means when you are grocery shopping you want to stick to foods on the outside perimeter of the store for most of your food. Most things that are canned, boxed, or bagged are not going to fit into your diet but remember that not all of these things are bad for you too. Whole wheat pasta, whole grains, and oatmeal are all great choices in the middle aisles. Beans, chickpeas, and natural peanut butter are also all foods that can be incorporated into a healthy, clean-eating diet. Read the ingredient list and if it's lengthy or unfamiliar chances are you don't want to eat it. 

2. Eat your whole foods (those that don't normally have a commercial) as much as possible. Eat your veggies and your fruits. Consume good sources of protein and mostly lean meats. Mother Earth won't lead us astray. What grows from her ground is going to nourish your body and mind in a much better way than anything man made! ;-) Stick to whole grains and get rid of your refined grains. Stop using white flour and sugar or anything that contains it. They are processed so replace them with whole grains and natural sweetners.

3. Don't completely eliminate fats, just eat healthy ones. Cut down on your saturated fat. When you have a sandwich replace your mayo for avocado and next time you have a salad do a quick, homemade vinaigrette rather than store bought ranch or top it with some nuts rather than cheese. Chose natural peanut butter over cream cheese on your toast.

4. Cut out your alcohol, soda, coffee and juice drinks! Any of these beverages are actually most often dehydrating you, they are full of sugar, caffeine, or both, and they are only added calories or sugars. Your body needs water! Drink it! And, if you get bored start infusing your water with berries, cucumbers, mint leaves, basil leaves, and more! Get creative and make it more fun. If you can't give it up completely then limit it. Gradually cut one a day out until you don't need it anymore. You can go cold turkey but remember your body will have withdrawals because it was mostly likely an addiction. ;-)

5. Cut out your sugar and watch your salt intake. Sugar will turn to fat. I promise. The white sugar we pile on everything is extremely processed and your body does not process it. Use natural sweeteners like honey, stevia, agave syrup, or coconut sugar. You can still have treats but make it a clean eating treat that you can have in moderation and still not ruin all your hard work. When it comes to salt, chose Pink Himilayan Salt. It is minimally processed and still contains the minerals your body needs. Other salts can make you body retain water and just add to your sodium intake. If you need more flavor to your food spice it up with herbs or seasonings with limited salt.

6. Don't starve yourself. You need to fuel your body and to do that you need to be eating often. Eat 5-6 small meals a day to fuel your body and keep it from going into starvation mode and storing fat. If you want energy you need to provide your body with the means to make that energy by feeding it complex carbohydrates, lean protein, healthy fats, vegetables, whole grains, and fruit (nature's candy)!

Pictures taken and compiled by me to post on my Facebook fitness page.

Most importantly, clean eating is something you should be able to make into a lifestyle that works for you and your family. My definition and your definition might sometimes be a little different but overall, the goal is to feed your body clean, wholesome food not once in a blue moon but regularly as a lifestyle you can make your own and be consistent with.