Just a girl with guns and muscles

Starting this challenge today!

Here is a workout you can do anywhere without spending a fine on equipment because it isn't needed!

Everyone has their reasons for why they want to get in shape. Make a list so when you've lost your motivation and feel stuck in a rut you can look at it to remind yourself why you are working so hard.

Here is a fun challenge to get your heart pumping. If you need to modify because the impact is too much, step them out rather than jumping. If you are jumping make sure to land softly. Ready set go!

If you have a desk job like I do, check out these stretches. It's important to keep moving so your body doesn't get stiff. It also helps when you are sore from working out. Stretching always helps me wake up when I get tired. Happy Monday!

This could not be more true. When I first started my journey I thought it was just about counting calories. Throughout the process I have learned that it isn't just about calories, but it's also about eating healthy to fuel your body. This week I will be taking a picture of everything I eat. A lot of people struggle with nutrition and knowing what is healthy and what isn't. Paying attention to what you are eating is so important. I have learned what triggers me to want the foods that aren't healthy and it is mostly emotions. This week I'm choosing to break the cycle of emotional eating for good.

This dog is so silly. He just wants all of the loves in the world. The best part of leg day is stretching and dog loves afterwards 🐶😍

My goal weight used to define me because I thought that once I hit it life would magically change. I thought I would be happier and more confident. In October I hit a plateau that I'm still stuck at. At first I let it upset because I thought that it was also stopping my progress for being happy and more confident. Today I realize that's more about what is on the inside. How do you feel about yourself isn't going to change based on how much you weigh. What will change it is how you think about yourself and treat yourself. Do the things that make you feel good. Base your progress on how you feel and by accomplishing things that you thought you couldn't. Instead of focusing on a number focus on how you feel when you are present in life's moments. Focus on the good in your life and the good in you. When you focus on the good things you do it becomes a chain reaction and you start to see the good in everything else.

Took another minute off my mile today! Running is so much more than just a way to lose weight for me. It clears my mind, helps get my aggression out, and starts my day off in a good mood. It is a challenge some days, but has helped me to see that if I can accomplish my goal with running, I can accomplish many other goals as well. All it takes is effort and consistency. Make goals that nurture your spirit and feed your soul. If you put effort into creating your own happiness no one can steal it from you.

Today is the official first day of starting the entire Country Heat program! This morning I woke up tired and not wanting to do anything. I have heard amazing things about Shakeology and will let you know as I go what I think of it. I'm hoping the increase in energy levels from drinking Shakeology kicks in ASAP!

If anyone is interested in doing Fitbit challenges drop your username below and I will add you.

Too often I see posts or pins similar to the one below. It makes me so sad to see these. Eating disorders are a real thing. They don't all have to do with weight loss. Some have to do with an addiction to food. I truly believe that all of them have to do with emotions and not knowing how to cope with things in a healthy way. When I see posts/pins like the one below I just want to grab these people and hug them until all of their pain is gone. I want to tell them that they are good enough and worth getting in shape in a healthy way. Not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. I want to teach them how to love themselves and think positively about themselves. I understand the war that goes on in people's minds because I have been there. Even if I never reach my goal I know that I have already won because I love myself.

Getting my water in today. Since drinking at the minimum, 124 ounces of water per day, I have been craving less, had more energy, creating a stronger willpower, and my face has been clearing up. Water is so important when our bodies are made up of about 60% water.

Just ordered Country Heat! I cannot wait for it to get here!!!

Sometimes taking it one pound at a time is easier said than done. Instead of taking it a pound at a time take it a choice at a time. When feeling like you need to binge eat to work through your emotions, binge exercise, binge relaxing breathing, or binge drink water. Replace the energy you put into emotional eating and negative thoughts so that it is turned into a positive. Do this and your life will start to improve. You will start to have a new positive outlook. Most of all do it for you!

At this point I'm pretty sure the universe is telling me I need to step it up with my nutrition and exercise. My newsfeed mostly consists of nutrition and exercise post with 7 of my friends being beachbody coaches. I'm listening.

Sometimes it's hard not to give into cravings, but the more you resist them the stronger your willpower gets. One trick I use is to drink water until I feel full. Drinking water will help you stay hydrated, as well as help keep those cravings away.

Every time after leg day 😂

Motivation is great but it comes and goes as often as the ocean tide. What motivates you today may get you down tomorrow. Discipline and commitment are key to accomplishing your goals. When setting a goal are you doing it for the right reasons? Are you committing to yourself? To a better you? When setting goals I like to make a "why" list. When I've lost my motivation I like to look at my why list. This helps keep me on track, stay disciplined, and remember why I committed to myself and my goal. What is your why? What do you want to accomplish?

Now that our company is gone we can really focus and buckle down with our diet and exercise! Starting the 21 Day Fix. Have any of you tried it or are you interested? I don't sell Beachbody but I know a gal who does.

Don't put a number on it put a feeling on it 😆

Sunday I will be starting a new, stricter lifestyle. I'm not using the word diet because this will not be temporary. It will be a way of life. What is the hardest part of achieving your goals? Is it the diet or the exercise?

If you are putting in the work and getting frustrated because you are only losing ounces at a time instead of pounds at a time, consider this: below is a picture of what 1 ounce of fat looks like. Keep going and try to make healthy goals other than decreasing the number on the scale.

This squat challenge has been amazing! I encourage you to try it. If you are just starting out you can cut the numbers in half or do as many as you are able to per day. Push yourself and your limits and you won't regret it!

If you're wondering why people suggest doing the plank this is why.

If you don't have equipment or are traveling and don't have a gym try this workout.

If you're wondering what you can eat to get protein in, here is a chart to help!