Women, can you just knock it off please?!?

Hey, you. 

Yes you. 

The one sitting behind the screen reading this right now. 

I'm talking to you. Especially if you are pregnant, or postpartum....if that's the case, read this twice. No, make that three times. 

Can you please just knock it off?!

Stop body checking. Stop comparing. Stop Envying. Stop wishing you were different. Stop weighing yourself every day. Stop feeling embarrassed and self conscious about your body. Stop the negative thinking. Stop worrying about your weight. Stop beating yourself up!!!

Just....stahhhhhp!!!!!


YOU.... yes YOU....are beautiful and perfect just the way you are. I HATE the unrealistic expectations put on women. From the media to the doctors office. Yes you heard me right, even the Dr.'s office (Really, who can gain only the 25 lbs recommended during pregnancy?!?! gah!).  More than that- I hate that these unrealistic expectations translate into negative self-beliefs and the reoccurring mindset that you aren't good enough just the way you are.

Now, I am not saying to stop trying to advance yourself and be passive about life. Nope. You should ALWAYS be looking for ways to improve, but NOT  because you don't love yourself...but because you DO love yourself! 


It is PERFECTLY acceptable to set goals for yourself, and in fact, I encourage it! But, you need to realize that you will not reach your goals, and maintain your goals, until you learn to


KNOCK IT OFF! 

You have to first love yourself. Love yourself enough to take care of yourself. Love yourself to take the first step. Your heart listens to your what your mouth and mind are telling you and sorry to burst your bubble, but you will never be successful with your goals if you continue to put yourself down! What you speak into your life, whether audibly or not, you reap. God did NOT put us on this earth to feel worthless, helpless, or inadequate...We are created in HIS image. Stop insulting Him. He has MUCH bigger plans than that for our lives. 

Now, do me a favor, will ya??

Throw the scale out the window, stop comparing yourself to others wishing you could look like them, and focus your energy on building yourself up not beating yourself down. Focus on being HEALTHY and BALANCED in mind, body and spirit. 

Just do your best to BE  healthy, Feel healthy. Stop labeling yourself.

Hey, you. Yes you. (especially me)....Go and just be YOU.

UNAPOLOGETICALLY YOU. 

Day one melt down!

oiy,,,,Day one and I already want to throw in the towel.

Don't act surprised...Dietitians struggle too, and those that don't are liars. WE ARE HUMAN!!! More than I want to throw in the towel, I want to finish these 21 days. TWENTY ONE DAYS. thats it. I can do this.

I totally nailed my nutrition today,

Jacob is seeing an occupational therapist to help him with a few things like kicking a ball and using utensils and one of his homework assignments this week was to try chocolate pudding to see if that would motivate him to use a spoon. Well, this kid is not allowed that stuff usually so he has never ever even tasted chocolate pudding. So we bought chocolate pudding to do his homework and when he refused to try it, I was SO tempted to eat the remaining! I am so thankful though to have my challenge group there to support me though and I proudly tossed the pudding in the trash. May seem like a simple thing but really, thats huge for me.

 I completely forgot how much food is on the 21 day fix plan! man those green containers hold a lot! I have NOT been eating enough vegetables (until today that is..)! I also conveniently forgot what a proper portion of carbs looks like haha...glad I have my little cups to keep me on track! have I mentioned how much I LOVE the 21 day fix portion cups?! its a genius system.

Day one- I did NOT want to do my workout. I was up with Caleb at 12 am, 2 am, 3 am, 5 am...hubby woke me up at 6:30 am and I was up with Jacob at 7am. Lets just say I am TIRED.

It was really just ONE OF THOSE DAYS! I think Jacob completely forgot how to listen today. Misbehaving up a storm! Refused to nap. Refused meals. pulling my hair. Just completely acting out. Not sure if it is just a normal thing adjusting to his brother? or perhaps because he was too tired since refusing to nap? well...once 7:30 finally rolled around, I sat on the couch for a minute and cried. Fellow moms, I know you can relate!

After my pitty party was over, I strapped on my sports bra, slipped on my Nikes and pressed play anyway. And boy am I glad I did. I feel so much better mentally now that I sweat it out! Physically I feel like Jello though lol! what a great total body workout! phew!

I SURVIVED DAY ONE! one day at a time...one day at a time.

if you are wondering what the 21 day fix is, check out my previous blog that details it HERE

eeek.....and the journey begins again!!!

first and foremost... HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!

Thanking God today for sending His only Son to die on our behalf. He is risen, truly He is risen!

tomorrow starts a big day for me...it is my official first day on my journey of losing the baby weight again! I am 4 weeks postpartum and feeling GREAT. honestly, recovery after delivering my lil Mr. Caleb has been a BREEZE. Actually, every bit of the pregnancy and delivery was a breeze too! Just an hour after I was admitted to the hospital to deliver Caleb they told me to get ready to push...say WHAT?!  I was NOT prepared for that. Four contractions later, there he was!

I didnt maintain a perfect diet but I made a conscious effort to eat balanced meals and remain active throughout the entire pregnancy, even until the very end. We would go for walks and I would workout to the P90 program and it was the perfect combination to keep me physically fit without overdoing it while pregnant.

Also- I must say, Shakeology helped me sooooooo much while pregnant in managing cravings (it SERIOUSLY tastes like a chocolate milk shake, no joke) and they helped me manage leg cramps! I honestly only had ONE leg cramp while pregnant and I credit that to taking my daily calcium and drinking shakeology daily. I skipped shakeology for a few days for no particular reason and then BAM... such a bad charlie horse in the middle of the night! YOWZER!

two days before I delivered

Overall, I would like to think that I staid fairly fit this whole pregnancy...

I avoided the scale like the plague though and did not worry for a second what it said since I knew I was doing my best in staying active and keeping my nutrition on point. I figured, whatever it is, it is, as long as I am staying healthy, THAT is what truly matters.

Well...I was able to avoid knowing how much I weighed through the entire pregnancy UNTIL... delivery. When I was admitted to the hospital to deliver caleb, they had me step on the scale...mid contraction mind you and proceeded to announce to me what the scale said.

YES. I wanted to punch someone in the throat.

I gained a grand total of 59 pounds this pregnancy. YIKES. hard to admit that but this blog is all about honesty! I share my victories AND my struggles!

Better than the 80+ lbs I gained with Jacob but still, Not the 25-35 lbs recommended, oops. I tried at least.

Good thing I know the secret solution in how to lose it, right ?! ;-)

Last week, I dabbled with the new Beachbody On Demand feature (essentially netflix for the fitness world) and was quite pleased with the variety of workouts offered! I noticed the 10 minute trainer by Tony Horton (the P90x guy) was on there and....well...I couldn't look without trying it out! I miss working out! I NEVER thought I would say this but its true! I have really come to the mindset of working out as my ME time and I dont do it for vanity but more for sanity haha!

I was pleased that I was able to do the 10 minute trainer without a struggle at 3 weeks postpartum. Yes, my push-ups are not as many as they used to be but I can still keep up pretty well! Of course, I am highly in-tune with my body and listening as to not push myself beyond what I am capable of postpartum.



SO I decided to begin the 21 day fix tomorrow in a group led by one of my amazing coaches.

I have set some small reasonable goals-

1) do my workouts daily (7:30pm is the time I have set...it is after Jacob is in bed and hubby is home.)
2) drink at least a gallon of water a day
3) drink my shakeology daily

THATS IT. those are my goals for right now. I am committing to 21 days of consistency with those 3 things. I will do my best, I wont push myself too hard, and I will not weigh myself until the end.

Wish my luck, folks! this is going to be fun!!!<3

Stay tuned for updates on my journey, before and after pictures and my official stats! I will be sharing all with you guys to help me stay accountable and to help encourage those who need it! WE CAN DO THIS!!!

If you would like to join me on my journey, send me a message, we can be workout buddies and I would LOVE to help you reach your goals too!!!

yourcoachbarbara@gmail.com

XOXO