F.L.Y. Into Your New Life by Overcoming Hopelessness

It won't happen for me  I shouldn't even bother trying.  This isn't for me it's for everyone else.  

There have been many times in my life when these thoughts would run rampant in my head.  I felt like there was no reason to strive to achieve anything because nothing good would ever come from it.  I was surrounded with negativity and I felt completely hopeless.  I had absolutely no confidence that future events would ever be positive.  My life was a constant source of negativity and I was miserable. 

I would see opportunities and wish that I could reach out and grab it.  I wished that I could just believe that I would be successful at it.  But I was always so afraid of failing that instead of trying something new, I would just give up.  I didn't have to worry about failing, I had already failed before I even began.

Many times in the last year and a half of being a coach, I was afraid of failing.  I wouldn't invite people to try what I knew was working for me.  I would share what I was doing on face book but I didn't actually say, hey you, I truly want you to come do this with me.  I knew it would help them, I knew I had the secret to gaining happiness and in how to be successful but I was afraid of hearing the word no.  

How many times have you seen an opportunity that was available to you, get super excited about it and really wanted to join but you didn't?  Maybe you even said to yourself, yeah I have a friend who tried that but well I just don't think that it will work for me.  It's not that you didn't see that amazing opportunity staring you in the face but because you felt hopeless you provided yourself with an excuse of why you shouldn't even try.

It is time to stop making excuses and stop being fearful of change.  It is time to fill yourself with new beliefs, stop dwelling on the negative or the fears AND surround yourself with the those who lift you higher.   Surround yourself with positive people who are heading in the direction you want to go, focus on the changes that you want to make in your life and in others.  Be the type of person you want to meet. Don't wake up thinking you just want to lay in bed because it's another dreary day.  Wake up, put both feet on the ground and conquer the world.  Think to yourself...who can I inspire today.

Becoming Hopeful...how?

Surround yourself with positive.

Maybe that is listening to some great music or an inspiring message daily.  Spend at least 15 minutes each day in personal development.  There are some great free resources out there along with some that are definitely worth the price of admission :)

Take a moment to stop and the smell the roses.

There is always something going on in the world that could bring you down.  Before you let that happen, stop and count your blessings.  Are you breathing?  Is the grass growing?  The sun shining?  Do you have a loving family?  Friends to be thankful for?  Take 15 minutes to stop and jot down ten things to be thankful for today. 

Find something that you have wanted to try and as Nike says....Just Do It!

So what if you fall down or if it isn't perfect from the get go.  Does that really matter?  At least you tried.  And who knows, maybe with practice you can become the next Picasso or whatever.  The thing to remember is that you started, you tried.  You are NEVER a failure for trying something and not doing it  perfectly.  That is a learning experience, something that you can grow from and get better because of.  You are a failure, when you let your fears prevent you from even starting.  This has been an extremely difficult lesson for me to learn. 

F.L.Y. - First Love Yourself

Stop in front of a mirror and find ten things that you love about yourself.  You matter and what you have to offer this world matters too.  Practice positive affirmations, it may not be easy to do at first, I still struggle with it.  But this is a step that I strongly suggest that you don't skip!  Repeat after me...I am unique and special. I love my smile. I love my mind. I love my body.  I love myself.    Repeat this every time you start to feel doubt creep in and remember that you are loved!

Thank you so much for the support and your interest in this blog!  If you haven't already, please make sure to check out my DarLeanFitness Page where you can find more recipes, fitness tips, motivation and information on upcoming Health and Wellness Accountability/Challenge Groups that I offer. 

Do Beach Body Programs Really Work?

Have you ever had one of those days where you look back at things you have done and wonder...why did I do that or why haven't I done that?   I mean seriously!!!

I have been working on my own health and fitness journey with Beachbody for almost 2 years.  I did my first round of the 21 Day Fix in May 2014.  Since then I have completed additional rounds of the 21DF, I have also completed the 21 Day Fix Extreme, PiYo, the Ultimate Reset, 3 Day Refresh and Hammer and Chisel.  I have done CIZE and tried some other workouts. The weight and inches come off when I am doing a program but as soon as I complete it, and take some time off while I am figuring what to do next, I start gaining again.

This isn't because the programs don't work...THEY DO WORK!  This is because of me.  I look back at my results and think, wow, that was awesome, but now I am going to go out to eat with this person and now I am going to let my guard down and eat this.  Oh I will take a few days off from working out...It's okay, I can make it up with the next program.  UGH!  It's not the fault of the programs but my own mindset!  Have you ever had that happen to you?

There are three things that you must do to lose weight/change yourself/become healthier

1.   Workout daily
2.  Change your nutrition
3.  Change your mindset!

I am so tired of getting amazing results and then screwing it up by not being as focused as I should be and continue on.

With that said, I have decided that today is the day!  NO more of the flip flopping.  I am going to focus on MY journey because I KNOW I am important and I deserve this.  IN the process, I hope to be able to help others to focus on their own journeys.  In order to do this there are some things that I need to change.

1.  Workout daily and watch what I eat (NO EXCUSES!)

2.  Keep myself accountable by posting daily about my journey, (ALL I CAN SAY IS BE PREPARED, I will be posting daily!)

3.  CHANGE my mindset!  This means positive reinforcement with Personal Development books and recordings.  If you have any suggestions I would love to hear it, post below.

4.  Help others by helping myself first.  This means doing some trainings on how to be a better coach, how to take it to the next level, possibly by taking some nutrition classes, becoming a CIZE instructor, Oh yeah here we go!!

5.  FIND OUT MY WHY...I always thought my why was my son and my husband, but it has to go deeper than that.  My son is graduating soon and I won't be able to use him as part of my why any longer.  So I really need to find out what my reasons, my deeper reasons are for myself.  Something that I can grasp a hold of and keep myself motivated with, even when the days of struggling to continue are pressing in on me.  I NEED TO KNOW MY WHY????

Today is Day 1 of 22 Minute Hard Corps.  I am getting ready to go work out now and then it is time to start getting organized, create a to do list and figure this puppy out.  I am tired of being a second rate coach, NO MORE!  My customers are going to know that I am giving it my all and that I am completely there for them!  They won't wonder why they have me as their coach, believe me, they are going to KNOW!

Follow me at:  DarLean Fitness to follow my journey or contact me to start your own.

Hammer and Chisel Progress Report

In the last 6 weeks I have made some huge changes in me. It started with opening my copy of Hammer and Chisel and then making a commitment with my daughter Kaitlyn to bust our butts and complete this workout before I go on my cruise in March.

So, I decided the best thing for me to do was to change everything up. That meant getting up 3 hours before I had to go to work each morning so that I could get my workout in. I have NEVER been the early morning workout gal. Let's be honest, I said that there was NO WAY in hell I would ever get up early just to work out! There have definitely been plenty of nights when I have been working out at 11 PM.

BUT...and I seriously can't believe I am saying this...I have found that working out in the morning is so much better for me! I have more energy for my workouts AND it starts my day in such a great way. I go to work energized and ready to take on the world. Who knew!!!! ;)

Change number two for me was making sure that my eating was on point. I am not saying I was ever 100% perfect. Because I wasn't. I had special days with my family at wrestling meets or birthdays, Super Bowl etc where I ate what I wanted. Yeah I know...(slap on the wrist!, BAD DARLENE!) But for the most part I followed my containers and the eating plan that came with my workout. It was pretty easy to follow!

Change number three....I did EVERY workout! No excuses. I planned my workouts each week and made sure that I pushed play. My natural butt lift is the proof! lol !

I have many times said that the scale is NOT my friend, to take photos, to take measurements and to figure out your body fat %. Well there is definitely a reason why and here it is....

THE SCALE SHOWED THAT I ONLY LOST....dut da da da....4.6 lbs! I could easily think, what not even 5 lbs in 6 weeks?!?! BUT...I took my measurements and they show a whole different story!

I lost 9% of my body fat! I lost 17.91 lbs of fat!!!! Hell yeah! ;)

I gained 13.31 lbs of muscle!!! Don't believe me, well remember that natural butt lift I mentioned? ;)

I lost 4.5 inches around my waist! My total inches lost is 27.25 inches!

Now do you see why I say don't just go by the scale?

I just started my new group yesterday and I am excited to see what the next 21 days bring! Then it will be cruise time! Are you ready to join me in March for an exciting NEW group? 6 weeks with a prize at the end! Are you ready?

Message me for some deets! <3

Time To QUIT Hammer and Chisel AND BEACHBODY!

This has been such a frustrating and emotional week.  It seems like no matter what I have done I have been swimming against the current.

Today was the final straw.  My morning started off on the wrong foot because I was not able to do my workout first thing.  I had to go to work super early so I figured I would do it when I got home. 

I came home and decided it was time to try on some of my clothes for my cruise.  I figured with all of the fat weight that I have lost and the inches lost that I would fit into my cruise clothes and look amazing.  Wrong!  :(  My ass is now too big, thank you Hammer and Chisel for the amazing butt lift!  My pants don't want to come up past my hips.  What the heck?   

Do you think I really wanted to work out then?  Ummm...NO!  I decided to eat supper very early and I ate a lot of it.  It was healthy but my portions were not what they should be.

I spoke to my coach Amanda and figured out some things that I wanted to try.  I figured the first thing I would do is some cardio.  I put on Shaun T and busted a move with Cize.  I decided that I was going to do a video to share but was having a few issues with my family.

I was told that Beachbody is just a lie, that it is a complete waste of my time.  That I am pretty much a nobody who works at a dead end job that only teenagers would work at.  I will admit that this hurt and my old self came out and oh my gosh it was horrible!  After I threw a temper tantrum and trashed my den, yes doggie bones went a flying, I told my husband that's it.  I am tired of fighting to be a fit mom and wife.  I am tired of being put down for trying so hard to make a difference in my life, in the lives of my family members and in the lives of others.  I QUIT!!!!

I, of course, broke down and started crying like a lunatic.   I was a failure AGAIN!  Then my husband came up to me and said if it makes you happy then don't listen to anyone else and just do it.  Then he walked away.

At first I was still upset and said screw it.  I made myself a cup of tea and then went into my bedroom to read a romance book.  Yup a fluff book.  Nothing to help me develop as a person!  Yup a complete and utter waste of time!  :(

After an hour I realized that I was letting something that I could completely control ruin my progress with Hammer and Chisel. I have gone 38 days of working out every day that I was scheduled, and even though I had already done Cize for the night, I had not done Hammer Power and I felt like this was a huge turning point for me.  I had to get up and go work out, NO MATTER HOW I FELT OR HOW TIRED I WAS!

I went upstairs and did Hammer Power.  I lowered my weights tonight and did extra reps.  I felt great after!  Although I was still hurt by what had been said to me.

It dawned on me as I was working out that I had two choices...be a quitter or be a doer.  I didn't want to be the quitter anymore.   

I DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE THE POWER OF MY FUTURE, MY SUCCESS OR FAILURE TO SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T BELIEVE IN ME!

I could quit being a coach and not work out or I could continue on.  I CHOSE to continue on!  I AM taking back the power.  I AM done being a people pleaser.  I AM not going to give up something that I love because of the negativity that is around me! 

I will NO longer allow the negative in my life to spoil all the good things I have.  I CHOOSE to be Happy!  I CHOOSE to continue on!  It's MY life, it's MY choice!

Sink, Survive or THRIVE...it's ALL MY CHOICE!!

   

Hypothyroidism and Losing Weight with Beachbody

They say that if you have hypothyroidism that you CAN'T lose weight!  For so many years I would use that as my excuse of why I was gaining weight.  My thyroid is bad, my metabolism is so low that I have no control over it.   Some doctors have told me that it is almost impossible to lose weight if you have hypothyroidism and you are not taking your meds every morning on an empty stomach.  I have found that I CAN lose weight and NO, I am not taking meds anymore.

Am I losing weight?  You betcha!  Has it been easy?  No, but I am doing it!

For a while I was like a yo yo.  I would lose weight, then I would gain it back, then I would lose again.  Now I am actually losing and keeping it off.  Why?  Let me back up a bit.

In October, I really slacked with working out and my eating habits.  I spent quite a bit of my time at the hospital with a loved one.  It was a very stressful time and I ate my emotions.  I did not workout for the entire month, I did a bit of walking here and there but nothing major.  I gained almost 15 lbs in one month.  Nothing that I am super proud of! :(

I decided to start a round of PiYo in November. I struggled with getting my eating back on track.  I felt like I was hungry all of the time and I was so depressed.  I had no energy and was tired ALL of the time.  I was losing my hair.  I honestly felt like it might be time to start taking my levothyroxine again to help with the depression.  Instead of taking the meds, I put as much energy as I could spare into my workouts.  Pushing play was so hard each and every day but I did it, for the most part.

As you can see by the photo I did see some results with PiYo.  This was a battle between my thyroid and me.  I fought hard for every inch AND every ounce of fat lost. :)

I finished PiYo on December 28th.   As you can see by this chart my body fat and weight was up and down through out this program.

I started the Master's Hammer and Chisel on January 4th.  I couldn't believe that from Dec 28th to Jan 4th with zero working out and really not watching what I am eating, I had gained most of what I had lost back.  :(

I truly wanted to give up at that point but I had promised my daughter that I would do Hammer and Chisel with her.   I mean I had gained back 6.8 lbs in a week!   I had also gained 3.75 inches around my waist.  Seriously???

I really wasn't drinking my Shakeology either.  I was lucky if I was having 3-4 shakes a week.  I knew they were good for me but if I got busy, whatever, I went without.  Wrong answer!

I realized on January 4th that I would always be in a battle with my weight.  I would never get to the point where I could just sit back and not worry about gaining it back.  I couldn't think of this as a diet, or a short term program.  This was going to be a lifestyle change.  I was going to have to workout and eat healthy for the long term.

With that in mind. I started drinking my Shakeology EVERY morning.  I have not gone a day with out it since the 4th of January.  It IS the healthiest meal of my day, every day!  I have NOT missed one Hammer and Chisel work out.  I have made a habit of getting up every morning between 5 and 6 to work out.   I have been making sure that I eat 85% clean each day.

I truly believe that drinking Shakeology every morning, watching what I eat, using the 21 Day Fix containers/meal plan AND lifting weights and doing cardio with the Master's Hammer and Chisel program has made a huge difference with losing the weight and keeping it off.

 Looking at my chart now the numbers are going down, the scale may show some up and down but the fat loss and muscle gained is going in the right direction each week.  I am still medication free!

Twenty eight days into Hammer and Chisel and I am finally back to where I was at the end of PiYo.  I am actually doing better.  I am the same weight now as when I finished PiYo but my body fat % is 2% lower, and I am 2.95 inches smaller!  So it is working!

I believe that for ME to lose weight and tone up that I need that balance of cardio and strength training.  Hammer and Chisel has been the best thing to happen to me and I am so thankful to Carl Daikeler, Autumn Calabrese and Sagi Kalev for this program.  Is there a Hammer and Chisel II in the making?  Please tell me it is so!

Thank you so much for the support and your interest in this blog!  If you haven't already, please make sure to check out my DarLeanFitness Page where you can find more recipes, fitness tips, motivation and information on upcoming Health and Wellness Accountability/Challenge Groups that I offer.