It's not all about the fitness

It's not all about the fitness, although I love my fitness, but I truly care about what and how you fuel your body and ultimately how you feel living everyday and how your body functions.

Yesterday I was talking to my mom and she was saying "I laugh at what you post because you all ate good when you were little and you have no idea how much I cared about the foods you ate, in addition to you being sensitive to dairy, we never did fast food either. I give her tons of credit for teaching us and instilling in us sometimes the hard way (hate eggs still) but the bible says "train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." I personally believe that goes for all areas of life, in health, fitness, morals, respect, work ethics and all areas of life it's the foundation you grow up with. So yes, I give my mom credit for laying a healthy foundation when I was younger, did I like it no! do I find myself feeding my children oatmeal more than not yup! but guess what it didn't kill me, it made me stronger until...someone gave me the car keys...FREEDOM, to get sick and tired literally.

 I don't  hardly ever share my late teens and early 20's medical issues but so many see me as the fitness mom which I am don't get me wrong it goes way beyond that. and it got me thinking why I do what I do has almost everything to do with those early year from my teens into college my years. I think as soon as I could drive I was addicted to Dr. Pepper and Taco Bell (Don't judge) from there it was an addiction to coffee, again I still love coffee, but I'm not addicted anymore.
All these  food choices wrecked havoc on my body quickly, both physically and mentally I was about 15 lbs over weight at age 18. I worked in 2 restaurants and was in full time college, so food was all around me unhealthy, fried and fast food.

I guess it was not a surprise when my body started rebelling, first I started getting dizzy spells, headaches all time, tired, moody and not until one day it was bad enough that I sat in my professor's office completely out of it, had no clue what was wrong, I thought it was low blood sugar, I'd been passing out and extremely dizzy for years and that day my professor said you need to see a doctor. So, I found a Naturopathic Dr. he did a few tests a bio-scan and blood work and came back with a diagnosis of overstimulated adrenals and a sensitivity to Gluten and Gliadin, yes both. It was not popular way back then to be gluten free and so my diet was terrible and super unhealthy when I cut those items out I ate Green beans and fries more often than not. I was highly uneducated with gluten free. I did take some adaptogens herbs, cut out soda, coffee and went gluten/gliadin free for a year. Then I slowly introduced these back into my diet, probably never should have but I did.

Then in my early 20's I started having severe pain in my lower left quadrant of my abdomen, I spent lots of time being examined, ultrasound and prodded with the conclusion of nothing, it may have not shown up as something but trust me that pain was not nothing, is was something. Even after my first child was born I continue to get pain and still no diagnosis or answer. I will never know what it was, but trust me it's gone now.

Over the years I've had extreme gallbladder issues arise and eating out is virtually impossible unless I'm super careful, that's just because of the crap that is in our foods and I'm not willing to torture my body to process items it does not recognize or want to break down. And I'm happy to say unless it's food induced, all of my symptoms of overstimulated adrenals, gallbladder attacks, bloated and undiagnosed lower left quadrant pain.

So, when someone sees Me as JoyforFitness it goes way beyond my gym, again I love the feeling I get from working out, but my health and wellness actually starts in my kitchen and just as my mom trained us up with a healthy foundation that's all I'm trying to do with my children. I owe so much to learning how and what my body wants a needs. I do not take supplements, or eat a special diet, the 2 things I do is drink Shakeology, which oddly enough had all the adaptogens in it that I used to take and We eat consciously healthy and use the 80-20 rule. It's real life and I feel amazing.

My note for you: don't let your life go by feeling tired, exhausted, fatigued, suffering from migraines, undiagnosed pain and mood swings, there is a reason and I'm guessing it's diet related. if you want to talk more let me know. I'm not a medical doctor but I am pain free and live a life filled with energy and happiness and an empty medicine cabinet (and I'm married to a pharmacist)

JoyforFitness - Happy, Healthy, Energetic

WHAT?!? Challenger to Coach in 21 days!

My story from Customer to Coach (unfortunately way longer than 21 days)

I could go through the I wish I had known about coaching before I did story, but I didn't so instead I am here now as a leader and wanted to share what can happen in 21 days only if you want it to and that leads me to create this 21 days from Customer to Coach training, not because I think everyone should be a coach, but because I believe you as a challenger deserve to know the what’s, how’s and aha moments in a coaches life and where it took me and where if you choose it could take you. I didn't have a coaches support during my first Insanity transformation I didn't know it existed, but I had my husbands support and I wanted my post baby transformation to badly that I worked hard, we ate healthy and portioned our meals and I shared my story going back to social media I shared, the sweaty pics, I shared our food diary, I shared my personal development, my struggle to get time in my day to press play but I did and I shared my before and after pictures, inspiration for others. what I was doing was being  coach and I didn't even know it. Then I needed another program and I purchased the Insanity Asylum Challenge pack and enter Shakeology and surprisingly a coach never an offer to support me but a simple hello thank you for your purchase and I’m on facebook. Which was OK because I didn't know anything else existed. Until that day I found a picture on IG of toes in the sand at Disney and caption of I just worked out with Shaun T and now relaxing on the beach, WAIT what? you can earn FREE trips and work out with these trainers? I want this right! so I commented something like cool wish it was me, well we connected and now Elaine is my coach and Team leader a momma of 4 and a God’s girl that loves sharing health and fitness. I didn't know what I was missing but when I found it I didn't let it go. I was now able to be me again, I signed up as a coach with T25 and Shakeology. Again I continued to share BUT with one problem I was sharing my fitness journey was not sharing my new coaching side of Team Beachbody and I had several friends and followers go elsewhere to get Insanity, T25 and so forth. I was doing the vital behaviors minus a really big one when it comes to coaching, I wasn't sharing and inviting as a coach I was still stuck in Challenger mode it was still about me...I was sharing and not inviting others to take part in my group with me coaching them. I have it down now I love doing our 3 vital behaviors everyday I love my workouts and my shakeology, I read or listen to personal development everyday and I INVITE I invite and invite others to join me both in my free 5 day groups and in my fitness + Shakeology groups I want everyone to know that I want them in my groups because just having these programs from Beachbody does not always lead to success it does take daily accountability, support and a push now and then. So nothing really has changed for this challenger turned coach except I’m now inviting, leading and building my own team and that is why I created Challenger to Coach in 21 days. not because I think everyone will make a great coach but because you never know until you ask, offer and share with others how it’s done. So I invite you to ask yourself:

1. Do I want to get a transformation in 21 days both in fitness and health?
2. Could I share my story with others?
3. What could an extra $500 a month do in my life
4. Could I invite others to join me?
5. Do I have a desire to see my friends, family and the people I see everyday get healthier?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, I invite you to fill out this application to see if joining me for 21 days is the best fit for you.

http://goo.gl/forms/7wmHeBCeLY

We will be using the 21 day Fix program and in February we have a choice between:

21 Day Fix original or 21 day Fix Extreme

(we can discuss those when we get to that point)

3 ways to be a coach -

1. Discount coach just here for the 25% off shakeology and all products
2. Coach - just share with enough people to get my Shakeology paid for each month
3. Start a business be my own boss - to see where $500 - $$$$ a month could take me. Let’s GO!

I look forward to sharing and giving you everything I wish I had many years ago but know if I had you and I might not have met today.

God has big plans for me team maybe you are right where you need to be, are you willing to follow and trust time and place?

Joy

Team Align and JoyforFitness

Counting My Blessings from being a Beachbody Coach

Most of you if not all of you know that I wear many hats and this past year was a huge year as new massage studio owner and also taking my health & fitness coaching with beachbody very seriously.
Although very busy I'm loving that I get to do both of these things on a daily basis, some don't understand why I do what I do or what I get from coaching.

So, I sat down  at the beginning of the year and I wrote down some of my top moments as a Beachbody coach (these are just a few)

1. I've been able to work with well over 100 people, helping them find programs that work for them and their goals, helping create new healthier lifestyles and that is pretty amazing. My goal for this year is to help 1 person a day choose fitness & health which would be 365 not just lives but entire families changed.

2. An amazing cruise that I was invited to attend was a huge bonus, blessing and adventure that I will never forget, being able to attend this event with the most motivating inspiring & uplifting people while getting to workout with the best trainers in the world.

3. A huge confidence boost in my personal self and being bold about my mission to share my faith through health, fitness and my support, God allowing me to turn a little hobby into a business

4.  Being able to pay for more than one box of Shakeology monthly (which was my goal in the beginning) so my entire family can drink t everyday to stay healthy.

5. We were also able to pay for Christmas with cash (3 kids & extended) family and enjoy a nice dinner while we were out Christmas shopping.

6. Doing our shoebox Ministry in October and being able to share our favorite gifting for the year with you, but also including challengers and doubling how many shoeboxes our family usually packs.

That's a big deal!!!

I'm looking forward to this coming year and the possibilities to tackle our debt one bill at a time starting with school loans and seeing the fruits of last years hobby and the wow thoughts of what this year will bring is mind boggling!

Would you like to be the change your family needs?
Do you want to see change not only in your health & fitness but also your finances?

email me today and let's chat because you never know where it will lead. I never thought pressing play and doing Insanity years ago would bring me to where I am today but I'm more blessed and thankful that my choice to try has landed me here.

Are you ready to be the change your family needs?
Joyforfithess@gmail.com
Or Facebook message me @ www.fb.com/joybracerofitness

Our Mission Field

Where do you feel your mission field is?
Do you have one?
Do you want one?
As a child of God we are called to use the gifts we are given by Him to work, live and be the light in our mission fields.

What are you preparing to harvest after you have planted the seeds? Or are you just throwing seeds randomly around your life in the places you have most influence in such as your home, family, work, school.

If you believe that you have something worth sharing you should share it. If you don't know your mission how are you going to go about that mission every day?
Pray, ask God to reveal your purpose, your mission. You might be surprised to see it's right in front of you but in a different way.

We cannot harvest something we have not planted, so planning, planting seeds and sharing things like food for the soul & the water of life that never runs dry, sharing is using our mission field to reach others for the harvest.

Our relationships, positions, titles and our achievements don't get us to the harvest? but it does change how and whom you have influence over and if you believe it changed your life why wouldn't you want to share it. Actually people should be offended if you don't offer it, it being this food for the soul & water that never runs out, life everlasting. Those things are what we share, prepare and sow we share our hope in Jesus with our actions and words whatever mission field we are called to be in.

How do you see the world?
Is it your playground, maybe your spa a place you like to be pampered in, is it your battlefield always constantly with your guard up or is it your mission field to serve others?

I'm personally learning everyday the more I seek His will for me I'm encountering resistance, it's the enemy trying to keep this momma down and not sharing what makes me the women I am. My mission field starts in my home with my husband and 3 children, then I'm blessed to be able to extend out into my massage studio and my Heath & fitness coaching. I'm encouraged everyday to be in contact with so many women and mothers that need support, love simple encouragement that I feel that I can inspire and support these women for His purpose and our ultimate blessings; to feel amazing amd healthy in our own skin and to live the life He has called each of us to live.

Maybe you don't know today your purpose or your mission but I know He knows, so start with prayer and ask Him to reveal it to you.

Enjoy your day!
Joyforfitness

"If only we had a fairy godmother or magic wand"

"If only we had a magic wand"

Have you ever dreamed your fairy godmother would just come and transform you into your dream world, your dream prince to come, the dream body or the ultimate rags to riches story, well that's hardly reality. Reality is we usually are where we are because we are comfortable, scared, or think we have no choice this is it. Well funny thing is about having a choice is just that we HAVE a choice that's an action word and a very valuable gift you have been given.

You make choices everyday, maybe not drastic ones like taking a shower, brushing your teeth, driving to work, eating and working out but choices nonetheless. The question is what if you didn't do these daily? they would add up you'd be smelly, no job, hungry and yes fat and unhealthy.

The small seamlessly harmless choices can make or break your success in life the evidence of your daily activities might not give you that drastic fairly godmother magical change but it will set you up for a life of success if you choose to do them everyday and continue to add to your positive choices to be better, improve you body, your home, you position at work your family time.

Those little choices to do or not to do add up on one side or the other, success or failure. If you're headed to failure let today be the day, let the feeling of disappointment lead to movement in you life in your daily choices, to change the things you don't like and choose to choose the daily activities that improve your position on the road to success. Only you can do it no magic wand, no fairy godmother, no magic pill or potion. It's all about your motion. Let's get moving!

JoyForFitness

Get Results or More Excuses?

Are you seeing results or making more excuses. Nope, not a statement of judgment a question of truth, so many individuals WANT to see results, but the voices in their head provide many excuses from as little as "I like my sleep" "its genetic" "its not fair to spend me time away from my children" "I like chocolate too much" I'm not a fitness person" I don't need to look good in a bathing suit or cute in clothes (my husband loves me just as I am) watch it ladies this IS a dangerous field you are playing. sorry the excuses are outstanding when we talk to ourselves. I will keep it simple ready?

You are WORTH IT, You CAN CHANGE YOUR HABITS and most things we think are genetic are not AND you will  KNOCK the socks off of your husband and yes that is allowed and highly recommended.

Over the years of sharing health and fitness with others I have learned Accountability and having a big goal is a major part of healthy success, that's why I share my shakeology number and my fitness daily along with my personal goals both big ones and small daily ones.

It's my accountability to you and it helps me think about my WHY! What drives me when I don't post it on Facebook or IG, or blog about it. What DRIVES me is how I FEEL when I work toward those goals not just talk about what others and myself should do but what I AM doing.

It takes action to see results and I have a lot of "results" I want to see in my life that DRIVE me to get up and shake off every excuse in my head and get stuff done. Personal development and devotions, exercise, daily preparation for eating healthy foods, cleaning my home and sharing healthy habits with my children. When my foundation is strong I won't think twice about being worth it, the bible says I am, my family thinks I am and I do to. What Drives me is the feeling I know I will have one day where I and not dreaming about a new kitchen or a vacation or those darn student loans, what drives me is not having the SAME resolutions every year of being debt free, or loose weight, or a better marriage, house repairs and additions or health wise to not get those grim findings that most if not everyone we know has gotten at least once in their life and I mean high blood pressure, diabetes and everything else that comes with poor health habits.

So back to accountability, who knows your goals? who actually knows the RESULTS you want to achieve in 2015?

Think about when you wanted to stop drinking coffee or soda, quit smoking, trying so hard to drive past those fast foods places, being consistent with sleep, going to the gym or another "goal" and that when you SHARE it with others it makes it REAL and scary!!!! 

That's what I am here to do with you SHARE my goals my dreams of - living a healthy fulfilling life and with that comes being debt free and free to do and bless others with the blessings we have in abundance.

This week share a goal that you want to achieve this month with a close friend (not all your friends) or your children THEY WILL hold you accountable, or your spouse (unless it's a surprise) or if you don't have someone you can share your goal with me just message me I'll support you and hold you accountable

"EVERYTHING MATTER" so I'll ask you to think about that "thing, that GOAL" the results you want to see in your life and

What are you currently doing to get you to your goal?

What do you want to start now?

What is holding you back from attaining that goal?

Don't let something in your head hold you back from the chance of getting results that will change your life forever, someday never comes so you have today to say either RESULT or More EXCUSES

If you would like to join of my accountability groups please fill out the application form 

Apply for Accountability group  

Have a Great TODAY!

JoyForFitness

Do your "thoughts" control you?

REVAMP Monday Thoughts: 

Filling your thought closet with positive items– One word and One thought at a time 

Asking yourself: 

What’s inaccurate 

What’s constructive or destructive 

What is right or wrong? 

Are you the person you think you are, want to be and what others see?

You cannot control what others say or think about you. BUT, you can control your processing and how to speak to yourself and that WILL change the outcome. 

Words and labels will no longer have control over you. 

my personal example: I use to have an Irish temper and it used to get the better of me why? because that's how I was labeled I was given permission in a way to have the temper and people pushed my buttons to get me to explode. I am also dyslexic and got told (still do) that I misunderstand things and I'm naïve. Well I can either claim these labels or I can refuse to let them define me, I also had "thick" soccer legs and from outward appearance got told I'd always have those, because I can't change who I am. Yes, I do have Irish Blood and I used to loose my temper and yes I'm dyslexic but neither of those DEFINE me.

P.S. oh I don't have thick soccer legs anymore I changed that for sure.

What are you allowing to define you? remember the questions above? 

If things need to be re-label and repositioned in your thought closet today is the day you start defining YOU! 

I would like to hear your thoughts on this subject 

These are my notes from the book Self Talk Soul Talk - Jennifer R. 

You can find more of REVAMP at www.fb.com/joybracerofitness

"Healthier Eating" our way of life

Yes, after reading about clean eating and such I really knew I was more of  "healthier eater" mommy and that was ok, I'm honestly a very simple cook and it has taken a while to get my kids and husband on board so I keep it easy, simple and use repetitive meals, it has become our way of life.

I share my grocery list in my healthier eating groups and I think some are surprise at how simple it is.

OK lots of personal experiences has taught me the important of what we put into our bodies and importants of nutrient dense foods. We are blessed to not have any serious food allergies in our home, a little mild tummy aches with dairy so we limited that, but its not off limits and my gallbladder does better without fried or heavy foods other than that we are good

Nutrition should be looked at as fuel for your body, everything you put into your body must to be broken down for the body to use and the more simple the food-fuel the less your body has to work to break it down and this directly relates to the body’s ability to utilize the fuel properly. Food -Fuel is broken down into proteins, fats, carbohydrates, sugars, minerals and vitamins.

Having a balance of these nutrients is the key for proper bodily and digestive function and this time of year we are bombarded with commercials, signs, products and posts that draw you in with a promise of quick results from fad diets and programs, some by cutting out food groups, calories, pills, teas and so forth. Before you and your family start hacking out food items, detoxing while drinking tea and such, take a quick inventory of your current health situation and your heath goals for this year, do you think you need to cut out major foods groups such as dairy, grain, meat etc. or if you need to focus on cleaner less processed foods?

Try keeping the ingredients in your food to 10 items or less 5 being ideal.

Let’s talk about Clean Eating and what that means to us today, it could be all or nothing where meat is concerned, all or nothing with organic items, all or nothing with grain and wheat.

The true answer for our family, Clean Eating is actually our version of “Healthier Eating” our mission over the last few years has been cutting out overly processed, pesticide, antibiotic filled dairy and meat products along with meats containing nitrates and fillers, in addition to cutting out high fat, high sugar foods and drinks. We think of it as eating and shopping from the parameter of the store. We have become a steady 80-20 family, meaning we eat 80% healthy "Clean" and the other 20% we don't stress about when we've eaten out or had a pizza night. It's choosing wisely those 20% moments and getting back to the 80% right away. If you get off one meal the day isn't ruined, if you get off a week don't discount the month, stay focused and wake up every day to do better than the last. And yes you do control over that no matter budget, household size and demographics.

So whatever “Clean Eating” means to you right now we highly recommend doing an overhaul of your pantry, refrigerator and freezer this is a great way to clean out your external environment before or as you continue to clean up your internal one, encouraging your body to function property, breaking down the fuel for proper recovery, repair and restoration of your digestive system, liver and increased metabolism, along with increased energy in addition to better skin and sleep

If you would like more information or to join our 4 Day Healthier Eating  group via a private on-line group, where we introduce meal planning ideas, recipes, shopping lists, along with daily support, motivation and accountability just email joyforfitness@gmail.com or message me on Facebook @ www.fb.com/joybracerofitness  and I’ll send you more details.

 I have all new recipes for 2015

In the Private group you’ll experience:

1.       Ideas about healthier eating

2.       Healthier eating on a budget

3.       Turning the idea from diet to lifestyle

4.       Feel great, look great and maybe lose some weight

5.       I’ll introduce you to some of my favorite items including incorporating my most nutritionally dense item in my kitchen into your daily routine

6.       Stay motivated even on the down days

7.       Community of individuals trying to get on a healthier path

8.       You’ll hear and see some of my favorite get moving tips

9.       Clean home ideas “Clutter inhibits productivity and growth”

10.   That small changes everyday leads to lasting results and you and your family are worth those lasting results.

 

You're invited to join me or share your best healthy tips in the comments below.

JoyForFitness - Glorifying God through Faith, Family, Fitness and Food