What motivates YOU?

I have friends who are in great shape. Some do it because they want to look good, some because they want to feel good and some because they are single and are just waiting to hook that guy! :) Everyone has a different WHY. What motivates me, may not you and vise versa.

Do I want to look good in a bikini? Sure! Does that make me workout every morning...NO. I get up and push play every day because I want to FEEL my best and I want to always be making progress. My stomach has carried two pregnancies, been stretched to its limits and the reality is it may never look amazing in a bikini. If I was only motivated by looks, one day my drive would fade and my programs would be sitting in the closet getting dusty.

I am motivated to feel my best so I can be my best. I would love to hike, run marathons, kayak and live a very active life. I want my kids to have adventures and I want to be actively enjoying each one of their precious memories :)

I can't believe how much different my life perspective is compared to just a month ago. Body changes and emotional changes are happening every day and I couldn't feel happier. I hope that you take a moment and think about all the things you hope to do one day. What's stopping you? Think about your why and then find your passion and drive to go out and make it a reality. One day at a time :)

My diet...

So I used to think I could diet or exercise. In all reality before having kids I could. I stayed thin, ran a lot but ate whatever I wanted. After having kids it all changed...I can't choose to diet or exercise. I have to conquer my overall health.

This quest that I'm on isn't a 6 week journey. It isn't a 12 week journey. This is my journey to leading a healthy, happy, and long life. I want to keep up with my kids, I want to try new things, I want to show my kids that their mom doesn't just go through the daily motions but that she CREATES her own happiness and makes herself a priority and that is truly living a full life.

Making small changes in my diet have brought me to this place where I can now eat really really CLEAN. I am eating 5-6 small meals per day. I have cut out all white pasta, sugar and high fat meats. The craziest thing is that I am actually enjoying the foods...I'm enjoying the flavors and I'm mostly enjoying the way that I feel because of these changes.

I have also replaced one meal per day with Shakeology. It's a Beachbody product that has over 70 healthy ingredients in it. No way I can eat that healthy on my own so I feel its the perfect compliment to my ever improving diet. So far I've only tried the chocolate one and I love it. I do it blended with water, ice, natural peanut butter and banana. It's great!! If you are looking to make a healthy addition to your diet check out Shakeology. www.beachbodycoach.com/jamiemarie

This is not to say I don't enjoy my junk food....oh I do! Now instead of mindlessly eating whatever I want whenever I want- I plan my cheat meals. Yesterday I ate well all day, got my nice small meals in and had a great day...last night, I enjoyed pizza out with my family. It was planned and it was wonderful. I enjoyed every bite. I earned every bite :)

Til next time...

Beachbody...my journey

As most of you know by my posts I have recently started working out and am loving my results. I wanted to tell you all a little bit about my story.

Just a few months ago I was becoming a really unhappy person. I was not loving my working environment (loved the actual job, not the conditions) I was putting on weight and actually got heavier than the weight I was when I went into labor with my second child. I was getting depressed and it showed.

Big changes came over the next month. I started working from home, therefore improving my working conditions. I started cooking at home more..began slowly improving my diet....and eased my way into working out again.

Then in Sept my life changed in a way I never expected. I started working out to Slim in 6, a Beachbody product that promises to change your body in 6 weeks. Well, I have two weeks to go and I'm already a different person.

Change doesn't come easy, and anyone who tells you it does is fooling you. Step one of the Slim in 6 process, taking before pictures. THE HARDEST THING in the world is looking at those pictures. It isn't so much the fat rolls and extra weight that really bothered me...but the REASON I had those fat rolls and weight. It was the physical proof of the way I've been feeling. The proof I couldn't ignore any longer.

So I took on the challenge. The workouts are hard, they require focus and dedication and follow through. Some days I didn't feel like doing them, but I did. I pushed through the soreness and my results are proof of that. After 4 weeks I have lost 15 pounds and 25 inches over my body. 2 weeks to go and I'm hoping to hit that 20 pound goal for my 6 weeks.

Slim in 6 isn't a magic potion, its hard work. The hard work doesn't end after 6 weeks. I'll keep working. I'll keep pushing to get to where I want to be. My next challenge will be ChaLEAN Extreme, a 12 week program that will have me lifting weights! I'm scared, but know that I've already conquered the hardest part. I admitted my weakness, I acknowledged that change was necessary and now I have committed to making those changes a reality.

If you feel like I felt, if your energy is low, your mood is bad and your body is not what you dream it to be...join me on my journey. We will motivate eachother!

It's not easy, but by getting up every day and pushing PLAY, I am one day closer to my goals. One day closer to my AFTER.

If this speaks to you, please email me and I'll send you my link. I'm not pushing this on anybody. I don't want to pressure you...but I feel like I've found my answer and I think it could be yours too.

Thanks everyone!!


A special thanks to my coach...love you and your support!
--Jamie