Struggles and Triumphs of a Weightloss Journey: Guest Post

Remember those first few days, weeks, months of blogging? Reading your first comment, making your first bloggy friend? Your first time guest posting???

Chancy is getting used to all of those feelings and I'm most excited for you to meet her! So enjoy Get to know her through her humble and inspiring fitness journey. Then, be sure to stop by her super cute blog and say HI !!!

Hi Heart Shape Sweat friends, 

Today I am guest posting for Kristine
while she is spending time with those precious boys of hers, all 3 of them :)

I'm Chancy & I blog at NewlyWed Fun

Since Kristine is so athletic I choose to write about my fitness journey. 

All through high school I wasn't really skinny but not fit either. I played sports until my junior year and then decided that it wasn't that important anymore. I had played outside of high school as well and think I was most likely burnt out. I graduated and went to Lubbock to attend college. My college lifestyle was definitely not the healthiest so of course I gained about 15 pounds. During college I signed up for yoga :) which btw if you haven't tried it, you should, people joke that it is not a workout but I disagree.  Other than yoga I chose to work full time, so no other activities. At this point I was super unhealthy, fast food, wine, college life=not good. I moved back to my hometown in 2008 nothing changed besides my weight went up a little more. In 2009 (my magical year) I started working out with a friend of mine who I worked with. 

We had a Biggest Loser Challenge at my work and that officially started my workout journey. 

I won :) I lost 12 pounds in 6 weeks, an awesome start! 

Brittni (friend from the bank) was not athletic at the time, so we started from scratch. Literally, girls scratch like walking almost 80% of the time and that was not our original goal. We got addicted to running and ran everyday after work, some days I would run twice a day because it felt so good. 

I felt so good about myself, inside and out. It was such a stress reliever to know that during those 40-60 minutes no one would interrupt me and I could have the music as loud as I wanted and have my OWN thoughts. It was amazing. 

This was one of the first couple of races. 

Brittni and I did our first race in September 2009 and I got 1st in my age group, if that isn't the boast any of us runners needed. It was a small race but still first is first. After that we started signing up for races around the adjoining counties, we lived to run. I will add that we were not changing up our routine for the most part we changed our course occasionally but not the workout. Our pace improved by about 15 seconds max. After about 8 months straight of running 5-6 times a week I started making excuses to not go and run. I look back now and know that I was so burnt out on running. 

I am way too outgoing to only run and not try anything else. 

Fast forward to the end of 2010... I met my now hubby D, of course I made every excuse possible to not work out and to spend time with him. I once again put all that weight BACK on. If any of you have been in my shoes it's like that weight appears over night. 

I never notice how much weight is back... until it's too late and BAM it's going to take a while to get it all off. It is so discouraging.

D and I got engaged in 2011 and married in 2012 throughout our engagement I worked anywhere from 3-4 at a time just trying to put my self through college, so no workouts again. I briefly hired a trainer during the engagement but just could not keep up with the demanding work schedules and the exhausting workouts. 



Here we are 2013, I have made goals for this year (I will share on my blog soon) . I want to be the girl who loved to run and have my own time, but I also want to help other people feel the way I do about running. 

Y'all if you have never run/walk/biked/swam laps I challenge you to get out of your house for 40-60 minutes twice a week. I would love to see pictures of you working out and your opinions. I am in no way a trained fitness anything but I am a small town girl who has always struggled with my weight and I promise I will help you stay motivated. We need motivation and honestly the best motivation is to see someone else doing it and not making excuses. 

(After the Color Run in Austin, TX)

Exercise can clear your head like nothing else.

I hope all you ladies come and visit me at my blog :) 

I couldn't agree with her more! Exercise does as much for the mind as it does the body!
You can def count on Chancy being a part of your fit life journey!

Linking with

...happy to have Jordyn with me this month...

DIY Sunscreen: SPF the Safe Way...

Have you ever considered the hidden ingredients in sunscreen or considered a Do It Yourself Sunscreen? I hadn't until I was approached by Michelle. She points out the benefits of DIY Sunscreen and the harmful ingredients of the store bought kind. Michelle works at Skana, an upscale spa within the Turning Stone Spa & Casino and today shares an easy recipe for an all natural sunscreen.

Go Natural with Sunscreen This Summer

The next time you head to the store to pick up your sunscreen, think twice. Skin cancer is a serious concern to have and wrinkling isn't any fun either. However, commercially produced sunscreens are chock full of chemicals. Some chemicals you should watch out for are: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Whether you find three of them on the label or all six, chemical filters do not sound appealing. A good rule of thumb for your body should be to only use products with a natural base. Otherwise, you could regret it.

According to the Environmental Grantmakers Association, oxybenzone should be avoided, and that's only highlighting one of the common chemical filters that are used. At least 80% of the products on the market contain this chemical, yet studies have shown it could have serious ramifications. From affecting the development of a fetus in the womb, to causing damage to a woman's reproductive system or affecting hormone levels.

However there is hope! The experts from Skana spa of the New York resort Turning Stone have shared with us a recipe for a homemade sunscreen that is chemical free and will leave your skin with that summer glow.

What You Need

1/4 Cup Diaper Rash Lotion

1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil

1 Tablespoon Cocoa Butter

1 Tablespoon Aloe Vera

1 Teaspoon Sesame Seed Oil

1 Teaspoon Beeswax

Once you have your ingredients, get a glass bowl and mix them together with a spoon. You then boil a pot of water and rest the bowl on top. The pot should be smaller than the bowl. The ingredients will gradually melt together. Stir thoroughly and allow to cool. Place the mixture in a dry place, such as a cabinet, or in the fridge.

Going with a natural blend is ideal. Diaper rash lotion's zinc oxide keeps skin from being chapped and irritated. Cocoa butter is a wonderful moisturizer, while coconut oil contains powerful anti-oxidants that fight damaging free radicals. Beeswax is a protectant and sesame seed oil has even been known to slow the growth of skin cancer. Aloe vera can reduce inflammation. Put it all together and keep your skin safe the natural way.

When we aim for healthy eating we often times read over the ingredient list. We're told the less ingredients the better and if we can't pronounce the ingredients then it's not as healthy. Michelle draws the same conclusion with our sunscreen choices. I'd love to hear from you if you give this DIY Sunscreen a try! 

Also if you're interested in reaching Michelle you can email her at MichellePino@turningstone.com 

Linking with Healthy Tuesday, Take Time Tuesday,


...happy to have Jordyn with me this month...

Reasons. Not to be confused with excuses!

Someday's it blows my mind that I have a 2 year old and a 12 year old. Other days I feel the work and the worry of having my two boys. Time is such a variable thing. It's all in perception. There are days that just zip by and then there are the ones that d.r.a.g on for what seems like forever. 

The last 3 years have paved a whole new course in my marriage and family. Lucas and I have been through some hell together and we've been through some miracles together. Our love is stronger than it's ever been. And by love I don't just mean what we feel towards each other but the kind of love that describes support given between two people. We've learned alot about each other in our 6 years together. The first 3 years were shared between a 15 month deployment and life in Hawaii. The last 3 years have been in our VA home. Saying goodbye to that home this week has stirred some emotions. I'm grateful that we still have the month of July to hang with family before reporting to our next duty station but it still doesn't change the fact that as a mom I am saying goodbye to a home that holds too many memories to count. Between my oldest now weeks from being a teenager and my youngest spending his first years of life here... there is a lot to think on and feel blessed with. Honestly, I haven't made much time for the gym over this last week or two. And honestly, I feel in my heart that - that's ok.

Someday's you just need to be still. Some days walking the street holding your toddlers hand is a more powerful workout than the sweaty WOD and 3 mile run. And sometimes chillin' on the couch with your "I'm too cool for you mom" kid is more rewarding than any calorie burn or number on the scale. 

I've got a plan and it is to forgive myself for skipping the gym//my regular runs.... and to commit to a new schedule for this next phase of life once the last box is put on the moving truck tomorrow.

Do you ever feel guilty about skipping a workout?

Are you ever worried that your reasons are more of an excuse?

via

Another mom who fights this is Shannon. Shannon has two little girls. She's committed to being healthy and working out but she's finding that spending time at home with her newborn and toddler is a little more important than getting them into daycare so she can squeeze in a workout. As with anything this kind of attitude is A-OK in moderation!! Don't you think?

Hey Heart Shaped Sweat Readers! 

This is Shannon from Smile and Write. My blog was born from the simple desire to keep myself accountable for having a positive attitude in my everyday life. You will find that I write about everything! It could be about books I am reading, family, friends, struggles or my faith but I always try to find the silver lining in every situation. I am no life expert, just a woman trying to make the best of it. 

This past week I became a mommy for the second time. I am now the mother of two beautiful girls under two. Although I don't consider myself a mommy blogger; tis the season right now! 

Throughout the last half of my second pregnancy I found myself craving a hardcore workout. The kind that leaves you beat red in the face with sweaty pits and all (beautiful mental pic I know). I found myself dreaming about the day when I could bust out a long run in the morning and go about my day as usual. I also was really sick of seeing my body change in unflattering ways for two years. I was ready to not be pregnant, to have flat abs and thighs that no longer rub together when I walk. 

Then last week as I held my baby in my arms, I was reminded of when my first daughter was this size and how it felt like yesterday. I know people always say it but; man they sure grow up fast...I was suddenly panicked with thought of rushing through the crazy newborn stage and missing moments that only happen once. 

I was reminded to slow down, breathe in the newborn smell, cherish the 3 am feedings and most importantly be thankful to my body for being able to give me the biggest blessings of my life. 

Yes, there will be a time when taking care of myself will include fitting a work out into my daily schedule but that time is not quite here yet. I am choosing to love my body right now as it is (as flabby as it may be) because it is amazing. 

So that is what I am doing. My running shoes are still in the back of my closet. The double jogging stroller is still folded up in the garage. You can probably find me laying on the couch snuggling with one of my ladies and I couldn't be happier. 

Come join me as I find the brighter side of life at Smile and Write.

Isn't she so sweet?!
It's true she is always finding the silver lining in any of life's problems! Hope you'll stop by her blog and get to know her better!!




Linking with Just Because,



...happy to have Shannon with me this month...

Man Behind the Blog

Lucas, Pucas, Mucas. (he's gonna kill me when he reads that! ha!) A man of few words when it comes to conversation about blogging. I knew if I wanted real answers to these next 5 questions, it be best to catch him off guard. I'm not sure this tactic worked. As I rolled the questions, I got the weird impression that he thought this was silly. huh?no.why?!  We laughed our way through his answers, I even told him his friend Whitt, Mallory's hubby, was answering these same questions, in fact she and Stephanie are behind this brilliant link up idea! Still, he goofed off and these were the best answers I could get out of him. Here's to the Boys Behind The Blog....

1// Does your wife use your real name or nickname on her blog? real name and nicknames, it changes
2// If you had a blog what would the title be? I Don't Do Blogs or Beans & Bullets
3// Do you ever feel ignored by her because of the blog? yes and no. depends on if it's football season. ha!  She has her time in the morning and at night after the kids are in bed, it's her cell phone that sometimes gets in the way! 
4// How has her blog changed or evolved throughout your relationship? her blog has definitely grown, it became something neither of us knew blogs were. She's worked hard to figure out how to manage her time, that's been the hardest part. The best part would be the friendships she's making and some of the emails she gets. 
5// What is your favorite post on her blog? High Five For Fridays. And being surprised by a post about me or anytime she's excited about workouts and the Virtual 5K. 

I knew he'd say High Five for Fridays! And Beans and Bullets!! WHAT?! that's hilarious!

Meet Lucas Luke, he blogs over at Beans and Bullets...

Cool thing about Lucas is he's open to anything. He loves what I love and supports what I choose to do with my extra time. He's a simple guy who may joke on some parts of blogging but definitely loves it when a Stride Right box shows up in the mail or a 20 pound bag of dog food comes free to the front door, he even got excited about the random product review that showed up yesterday. Neither of us realized how much I would enjoy blogging or how "addictive" it could be. Really, we've worked on it together, he reels me in when I get carried away and he encourages me when I get stumped. I love that man and appreciate that we have so much to do together and so much that we can do independently :)

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Today I'd also love for you to get to know Katherine of Mr. & Mrs. Foster! She's a fellow mil spouse, fur mom and a goat mom. Goat mom? Yes, Katherine is full of surprises. If you've never believed in fate, you haven't read the story of how she and her husband met. They live life loud. They're an adventurous couple who forgo the 5 star hotels of Hawaii for beach camping and standing above the clouds. Her recap of their Chili trip is one of a kind and should be on the big screen. (really - if you do anything today, do the Chili recap) Tons of reasons to hop over and say hi and one more.... her man is overseas right now kicking a** serving our country aka deployed, she'd love the extra company!!

Hey Heart Shaped Sweat readers! 
I'm Katie and I blog over at Mr. & Mrs. Foster!

Like Kristine, I too am a military wife! Over at my blog, Mr. & Mrs. Foster, I am currently writing about making it through my third deployment. Being my third time, I've learned my own set of deployment survival tips. In order to help this deployment go by as quickly and painlessly as possible I am challenging myself to stay busy and productive by completing a Deployment Bucket List. The goals on my bucket list range from running a half marathon to summiting Mount Si to maintaining a successful garden to growing my blog and that would be why I'm here! :)

While I am having fun completing my bucket list, I am excited for the day when my husband returns and my blog can go back to its regularly scheduled programming: Documenting the lives of Carl and I.

I like to blog about our many adventures, our travels, and our farm!

I do hope you'll stop by Mr. & Mrs. Foster! I look forward to connecting with you :)

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Go say Hi! You'll love her and her blog!!!

What does your man say about your blog?
Ever asked him what his blog would be like, if had one?
Does he help you with your blog?

...happy to have Shannon with me this month...

From Flab to Fit....

I love reading your stories of fitspiration and I love sharing mine with you. Today Ashley is sharing her FITstory with us. She admits it hasn't always been easy and shares with us the reasons why making a change to a healthier you is worth every side cramp. You may be following Ashley already but if you're not.... here's your invite! She's one of kind. I'm SO grateful to have met her in this bloggy world :)

From Flab to Fit: My journey so far

Hello pretty Heart Shaped Sweat readers. My name is Ashley and you will usually find me blogging about the randomness that is me over at It Is What You Make It. When I first made my blog, the name just seemed right and as time goes on, it describes my blog and me pretty well. It is what you get out of it...whether you are reading about my weekends, my sometimes disastrous DIY crafts, or posts from my heart... you get out of it what you want. Recently though, I've been overloading my readers with running updates. Let me explain.

I don't know what it was about that Tuesday evening in April that made me decide "This is it, today is the day I start getting fit" but it happened. I had recently signed up for a 5k and had run (no pun intended) across Kristine and my friend Nikki's blogs, both encouraging their readers to do something, anything to be active. I read it and thought to myself, surely I can do this. So I put on my clean running shoes, downloaded the Run 5k app, and took my first steps to a healthier me.

That first night was brutal. My side was cramping by the first jog that only lasted 45 seconds and I kept saying that there was just no way. When I got home, my usual Dr. Pepper and chips for dinner just didnt seem appetizing after I worked so hard to finish a 1 and a half mile jog/walk, so I ended up downloading the MyFitnessPal app and set out looking for what I could do to give myself more energy. Little did I know that was the beginning of a new me and I was beginning a new journey.

37 days later and I'm sitting here fitter than I have felt in a very long time, more energized and happier than my body is used to, and I just finished a light choice sirloin dinner with a glass of water. That my friends is a long way from drinking a Dr. Pepper for lunch and dinner, snacking on 3 musketeer bars all day long, and eating McDonald's for dinner pretty much every night. And I couldn't feel better. I can tell in the mornings the most. Although I still hit snooze a couple of times before I roll out of bed, when I get up, I'm excited and ready to start my day, which is what my 22 little first grade friends deserve from their teacher.

One thing that has come from my new journey that I wasn't expecting was that my husband decided on his own to join me. I was on week 2 and he said "well, I have a fitness test coming up, maybe I should go with you" and off we went. With his schedule it gets difficult for us to do it together but it's awesome to have someone pushing, encouraging, and motivating you to do a little more or keep going when you don't think you can.

Some people say it takes 21 days to make a habit but for me it's not about the repetition, it's about the desire and the outcome you are looking for. Setting goals is an obsession of mine so from the beginning I've had goals I'm working towards. Although most people's fitness goals would include loosing weight, I knew better than to expect that because I know my body. I wanted to work toward goals I could see and some that I could feel. I took before pictures, wrote down mileage goals, and continue to work and strive towards those goals. Has it been the easiest thing I've done? Nope. But has it been more beneficial to me than I ever thought possible? Absolutely.

Have you recently made a change in your habits, whether that be workout habits or eating habits? I would love to hear from you on how you stay motivated and what you've done differently that I could try. I hope you all have an amazing day. As my Grandmom always says, "be happy".

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Isn't she just the sweetest?!! I love keeping up with Ashley. She is always so motivating and cheerful. Her outlook and determination are both so inspiring. I'm really liking her perspective on "habit forming". I hadn't thought of it that way. She's right, all it really takes is a constant desire and eyes on the goal!

Go say hi and make friends!

Linking with Healthy Tuesday, Take Time Tuesday, Anything and Everything



...happy to have Max with me this month...

30 miles in 30 days update!

I'm excited to finally be linking up with Nikki for 30 miles in 30 days!
I've been doing my best to log miles for the month. I had some knee trouble this month and still kinda do but I'm working on with it. Resting my knee and doing less impact sports made a huge difference. It was hard to be told not to run but listening to that advice, paid off. Rekita even told me "let those knees rest". You were all right! And really, this too is a part of "Being All The Way Strong".

Last weeks recap is here, it explains how I got miles even though I wasn't running that week. Then Saturday finally came. Saturday was a 5K race that I had signed up to do with my friend. It would be her first ever race and my first run in almost 2 weeks. I panicked and was a nervous wreck for at least an hour before the race. But to my relief, all went well. I even PR'ed that night! Then today, I met up with her again and we took on more of a scenic, terrain route. It was alot of fun and being more adventerous like that made the running seem easier and the time faster. But let me be honest.... the trail was b.r.u.t.a.l. Temps were in the 90's, rocks, roots, fallen trees, railroads, bridges, bikers, sunbathers, and probably a group or two of tokers were along the 3.5 mile trek. It was incredibly fun despite the hard work and we decided that's our new thing each Wednesday! We will master that trail and improve!
If you notice I started my Runkeeper late and stopped it early?! My friend did hers right, that's how we know the total distance!

Thanks to a lot of KT Tape, rest, and a knee strap I feel like I'm back. I feel strong enough to run again and am doing it with very little pain afterwards! Good thing because hubs and I are signed up for a filthy muddy 5K this Friday night... you bet there are obstacles and mud pits and a cold beer or two involved!

This week's mileage:

Saturdays Neon Glow Run 5K = 3 miles

Wednesdays River Trail Run = 3.5 miles

Total so far for May:

22 miles!!!!

I want to know how you are doing this month!

If you signed up for the Summer Kickoff Virtual 5K....
welcome emails went out yesterday!!!






...happy to have Max with me this month...

Rollin' with the Foamies, told by Max!

I got my massage today! It wasn't the typical spa-like massage. It was the gritty, massage kind found within sports medicine. And it was amazing! Actually I wanted to cry many times but every "trigger" point and tight band was released. Apparently I need to foam roll for longer amounts of time. I had hills not just knots that needed kneading. womp,womp.

Foam rolling is a self massaging technique that helps release and relax tight muscles. A few weeks ago Max gave me few tips on how to "roll" it's been so helpful. I feel like everyone should be foam rolling! Lucky us, she's here showing off her hardworked self and foam rolling tips!

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Hi!! I'm Maxine but since we're friends you can scratch the ine and just call me Max. Sometimes the baristas at starbucks get carried away with their cursive and yell, "May... May.... here's your coffee."

May I take my $6 coffee? thanks.

Now that we got that out of the way, I blog over at MAXOUT where I write about anything and everything. I originally started blogging to share my CrossFit beginner experiences, but after the third hand rip, I made the smart decision to switch gears for a little bit realizing talking about CrossFit all day is annoying.

I'm now several months in, and I've come a long way since I first started. Double Unders? no problem. Strict pull-ups? You can get one out of me, and most importantly, Olympic lifts? well, let's just say, they're no longer awkward or uncomfortable.
Along with learning a lot about strength and conditioning, I've also come to terms with how I treat my body outside of CrossFit. Eating clean is one of them and so is foam rolling.

rollin' with the foamies...

If you're ever wondering how my mind works, this should explain it. When my boyfriend first introduced me to foam rolling I immediately thought of Clueless. As if. Whatever. Cool closet that rotates. In other words, I had no idea what he was talking about (him being in the Air Force, my mind typically tends to wonder when he talks pilot to me) and this was no exception.

What do you mean FOAM rolling? Where are we rolling to? I mean I can put my hair in hot rollers and it looks like my 4th grade dance recital, but that's besides the point. I refused to let my already sore muscles be tortured by this "foam" roller.

helping soreness since 2013

Well, after months of complaining of soreness, he decided to layout his foam rollers and said "pick one." I went with the softest, most appealing roller and he helped me find my trigger points. I haven't looked back since.

Enough with the writing, and let me show you some proper/helpful foam roller movements that you can do at home or at the gym.

Sidenote: I'm not camera savvy (as seen below) so excuse the blurriness and awkward faces.

calves 

middle back

I just ran a half marathon on Sunday.
You can obviously tell by this picture that I hit a trigger point.

thighs

I just realized that I haven't exactly explained what foam rolling is. In simple terms, it's a form of stretching to relax your muscles (like a massage) It helps you find your trigger points and once you do, keep the roller on the point for 30-60 seconds. It helps minimize tenderness and soreness.

At first foam rolling is painful and uncomfortable, but it's worth it if you're working out several days a week! I promise! Get to rollin'

-Max-

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She's right, at first it is a bit painful but you control the movement, you control the pressure applied.
If you're not a fan of deep tissue massage at the spa then support your body and use less weight/pressure while foam rolling and if you dig the deep tissue stuff then rest right into the roller. I've read that foam rolling prior to exercise/racing is as beneficial as the after. Because foam rolling increases circulation it can have a warm up effect or a cool down effect. Give it a try!

And definitely go say HI to Max!
Start here with her sweet and funny all you need to know section or dig in with a lil' crossfit story, move on to  a half marathon recap, smile and cry over her sweet homecoming story and go back to laughing with some adorable Emily, puppy love.





Linking with Just Because, Anything & Everything, Take Time Tuesday, Healthy Hop


...happy to have Max with me this month...

Love Me a FRIDAY

This week held a few a la "new" for us....
Other than little man turning 2, having to cut out his first dread lock, (oops) and realizing this weekend will hold his first haircut, there were other spotlights of the week that even in their small ways were "new" to us. New can be scary. It kinda means change. And while I wholeheartledy believe change is good for the soul, change can either come with feelings of excitement or anxiety. And sometimes both!!!

1// new trails. gotta push myself and explore to be sure I don't get bored with my routine.
those hills were definitely daunting and challenged my bum in a summer time goooood way!

2// Lance had his first track meets this year! He's working hard at juggling this new schedule of practice, homework and 2 meets a week. Kids do have it hard! So needless to say when he wasn't able to run at his first meet, he was bummed. So bummed he thought about quitting. Uh, we don't quit. And good thing because he raced 3 times at his 2nd meet! He felt nerves like never before at the races this week :)

3// lunch with dad. this is totally new for lil' Landon. It's been 3 weeks of working less, woohoo! Landon recognizes anything camo as "dada" and that camo stays gone for long hours some days. It's awesome to skip up there for lunch on days we know Lucas won't see Landon any other way.

4// alright so I've been waiting on this book since signing up for the AFAA certification last week. It's finally come and oh meeee gosh, it's huge! Who knew there was so much learn?! My class is next weekend :) uh, yea just a tad nervous!!!

5// GREEN SMOOTHIE TIME! Been blending different fruits and greens into smoothies. This is definitely new for me and I must say I'm digging it! Monday is the kickoff for all of us that have signed up for the Green Smoothie Challenge. If you want a button, grab it from the sidebar and rock it proud. If you missed out on the announcement check this post. Sign up is super easy and will help us - help you through next week! Let's pack on the nutrients and try something new together :)

Speaking of trying new things....

Meet Bonnie!
He's got a story to tell but there are a few details he's too humble to admit and those you must know. The man is incredibly sweet, genuine and dedicated. He's motivated and encouraging. When a project comes to hand he follows it through to the end. He has the tools to get you from point A to point B. He'll take away some of your fears when considering "new" things and assure you through your entire route to success.

So here I am, an over weight bald guy, writing a guest post for a blog that features fitness. Yeah...
so yes, I do feel a bit out of place. But I’m also a guy named Bonnie and I work in the skin care industry, which feels like it's 99% women, moms... beautiful moms at that. And for most of my life, I have worked in the library industry in sales & marketing. Yep, I live my life “out of place”.

My blog Beach Money CEO focuses on one thing that I do know well, and that’s working from home, helping entrepreneurs, mompreneurs and bloggers succeed in their businesses and of course, selling some spectacular skin care. A while back I wrote a post called A Healthy Work From Home Regimen that touched on some of my healthy habits. I’ll share a little of my story with you. Though the picture may not indicate it, I do work out regularly. And I do eat somewhat healthy most of the time.

Living healthy is a lifestyle and a series of good choices that turn into habits. If I can do anything at all to encourage you to begin making healthy choices, right food and exercise choices, as soon as possible, I will have done well. Because honestly, once your health gets out of hand, it’s so incredibly difficult to get it back under control. A healthy lifestyle is a habit that is made one choice at a time.

Back in June of last year, I decided it was time to make a change. As I sat on the couch watching The Biggest Loser on Netflix...while eating some yummy “Everything but the...” ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s, I decided it was time to make a change. And when I set my mind to something, I don’t hold back - I’m all in! 

So this Nashville guy loaded up the SUV and headed to Atlanta for a casting call for the Biggest Loser.
I didn't want to become a reality TV star, I just wanted to go all in and get as much help and accountability as possible. As I waited in line for five hours I looked around at the 9,000 people who were there and realized my chances of getting on were pretty slim. But I decided as I people watched that, Biggest Loser or not, my life was about to change. I didn't get a call back, so I headed back to Nashville determined that something was going to change.

Small changes create HUGE results. It’s a business principle that I've taught and lived by my entire career. So would this work in the quest for healthy living? It seemed logical to me that it would. I called a personal trainer I knew from years ago. As it turned out, he no longer did personal training but now owned a Crossfit gym about 15 minutes from my house. I joined the gym on the drive back from Atlanta. Game On!

What in the world had I gotten myself in to???? Crossfit? Have you seen those crazy people who seem rather fanatic about fitness? The owner of the gym was incredibly nice to me and worked with me one on one for about a month, freeing me from having to be in a class setting and working with me to get my body moving. We focused on nutrition, getting my body moving, staying in movement and making wise choices throughout the day. I knew that “a little extra” would have big results. So if he told me at the end of our workout to row for 500 meters to cool down, I would row 1,000. Small changes have huge results.

So here I am 10 months into it. I go to the gym 3-4 times per week and try to stay moving throughout the day. I eat so much healthier than I ever have. Matter of fact, the more healthy I eat and the more I work out, the less appealing unhealthy food is and the less appealing laying on the couch is. Am I the epitome of health? Not in any form or fashion, but I do feel a ton better than I have in years, and I know I am headed in the right direction. I still want to be on The Biggest Loser and be able to focus solely on my health... But for now, I once again have the energy to do what I really love - and that’s helping people grow their business and have exciting lifestyles.

So no matter where you are in your health and fitness, let me encourage you to make daily choices to improve from the day before. Eat well, get moving, throw out the unhealthy food, drink lots of water and make small changes that will have a huge impact down the road.

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Told you he's great!
Definitely get over to Bonnie's blog and say Hello !!!
Aren't you feeling motivated? Ready to try something new?

Pick something new this weekend and go for it!

*Take a moment to reflect on the big and small things that make your week more beautiful.





AND Weekend Bloglovin Hop