No More Excuses (video)

Life is getting back to normalcy here. Food intake is good. Exercise is happening. I'm optimistic about the future. There's a lot going on and there's always something unexpected...perhaps that's the new normal.

Here's a short video I made of me exercising piyo. I meant to upload this a LONG time ago, but with the weeks that I've been having it just did not happen until now. Enjoy (it's short, one minute):

Start-Disaster-Repeat

Get fit for Fall!

I am really optimistic that things will finally calm down this week and I can get into a rhythm. So far in the past month I have had so many kids get sick and re-sick. My plans keep failing. There are so many things that I don't have control of and it could make me crazy. Instead I like to look at my comfortable life and praise God for all the blessings he's shared with me. Jesus died to save my soul and that was more than enough but He also gives such lavish comforts.

I won't complain and I won't lament and belittle myself for my week of failures. You guys know what life is like. Sometimes stuff just gets in the way. I get it. You get it.

I should have already finished PiYo but because of all these illnesses, I still have two weeks left. Tomorrow I start over! You're welcome to join me. Make yourself a Shakeology drink and get your butt off the couch.

so many options!

With all these failures I remind myself of my daughter. No matter how many times she climbs the back of the chair (and give me a heart attack) and then realize she's stuck and needs help, she still goes right back up there. She cries for help. I get her down. Repeat. I keep needing a restart. I'd like to be able to make it the entire week staying on track. I mean, seriously, how hard is that? It shouldn't be hard, right?

I'm not going to beat myself up. I'm just going to embrace God's grace that's new every morning.

Tomorrow's a new day and I will again pursue my faith, family, and fitness.

The look of sheer terror at the realization that she's done it again.
The compulsion to climb cannot be denied this little one! 

Strength and Fitness is Beautiful

If you're friends with my on facebook you know I've had a rather eventful weekend with all three kids along with myself getting a stomach virus. It was not fun. I got an okay workout done on Saturday and Sunday my abs were killing me as I stood over the toilet.

I've had tons of great conversations this week with friends about body image and health and daughters. I previously shared an article that spoke about getting fit for the purpose of being able to outrun a mugger or lift a boulder, and this article has 10 Things I Want My Daughter to Know About Working Out which furthers my belief that while vanity certainly plays a part in wanting to lose this pregnancy weight being able to live a better life has an even greater pull.

These conversations remind me of this pictograph I saw awhile back of all the Olympic ladies who each achieved greatness within their fields and none look alike. Strength and fitness is beautiful! So go be beautiful today! I'm trying to get my kids healthy while trying to grasp some appearance of normalcy in my life.

and a funny comic

Trial Week

So I've had a VERY difficult past two weeks. One preparing for the first week of school and the next living the first week of school. The craziness isn't quite over with my second son starting preschool in a few weeks, too. But hopefully that transition won't be as difficult as this one has been.

My upline coach suggested that I use this past week as a trial week to see how my schedule will work best. Even though I did a few of the PiYo days, I didn't do them to my own satisfaction and am going to re-do the week starting Monday (PiYo weeks start Mondays if you follow their calendar).

If you will recall, I hurt my leg. I think I hyperextended my knee. So I've been off it for awhile. And while my mind wants me to eat celery and meat, my wallet wants me to eat rice and pasta. Back-to-school supplies can be expensive. I'm sitting down right now to write out a menu plan for the week.

That leads to finally taking a little break this weekend. We went to the lake.

And I saw it.

sigh

It was horrible. 

A picture of me.

Not as horrible as it once was but not nearly as nice as it could be. And I KNOW the problem. I'm going to print the picture and hang it in my kitchen as a warning. lol!

I'm going to finish the PiYo series in the next few weeks and starting September 29; I will begin my P90X Challenge Group. Just in time to get in shape before the holidays and show off to all your relatives. And if you splurged a bit over Labor Day weekend, then start with me now! It'll be awesome. I've been drinking Shakeology regularly and feel good despite the extra weight. I just need self-discipline to say no to "bad" food.



Lauren, just eat right. Sheesh. It shouldn't be that hard. Give it your all! 

What?! Stoked! Hashtag SweatySelfie

I am totally participating in this! You should participate as well. You don't need to be coach or a customer. Just human. (Or a non human with opposable thumbs, I suppose.)

Do it!
Ends September 3!
http://www.beachbody.com/beachbodyblog/sweaty-selfie-contest

No Words

I am completely drained. I am at a lost of words that adequately describe the amount of failure I achieved last week as far as health and fitness goes. I don't even know where to start in describing how bad everything was. Among my hardships were a school bus that forgot my son, harassing texts, and a failure to complete a work assignment. There's more, but let me just say that it was rough. I hurt my knee and wasn't able to exercise for the week. Rest Ice Compress and Elevate. And then feel really guilty and embarrassed at the amount of failure.

I was supposed to start some healthy eating with Cynthia. She did a great job. With how many unexpected doctor visits and errands we had, a surprising number of meals were from Chik-fil-a (and even one from McDonald's!).

So today I awoke to a tweet from @TurboFire:

Yes, I needed that this morning!

So if you're like me and suck at life recently, there's plenty of grace for you to get back to glorifying God with your temple. His grace is new every morning!

You've got this! I've got this! Because God's always had it!

P90X Challenge Group coming the last week of September! Sign-up now!

Motivation!

I'm having a tough week. Sick kids, sick husband, and a messy house make me feel like a failure.

It happens. Remember what Mother Theresa said: God has not called me to be successful but to be faithful. And in that faithfulness we are successful. I just need to remember that while I have many plans it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand (Prov 19:21).

Enjoy this motivational video if you too are having a sucky week: