I’ve recently been getting a lot of compliments from friends and family recognizing my weight loss and muscle toning, and they’ve been interested in my “secret”. With positive feedback, always comes negative, however. (grrr) The good-‘ol backhanded complements all of a sudden keep flowing in like pesty flies…

• “Ummm, do you eat?”
• “You’re a t.w.i.g….”
• “Please don’t lose anymore weight.”

So let’s get a fly swatter out and clear the air right meow….

1. Yes, I eat; I actually eat 5-6 times a day.
2. I’d like to think I’m more like a blossoming sunflower; a cute little stem with a sun-shiny mane, thankyouverymuch
3. My transformation is no longer about the number on the scale. I could care less what it says anymore because I am HAPPY, actually ECSTATIC, with my progress. I never in a million years imagined I could EVER reach my high school weight again, in such a healthy, positive way. Before I got pregnant, I never really had to watch what I ate, or even workout much; or had to do anything, really, to maintain my figure. All thanks to a combination of good genes and an athletic childhood & adulthood. I’m not on a diet. I definitely do not, or have ever, had an eating disorder. I’m not overly exercising.  I’m just being me – a healthier, happier, more positive, ME.

I feel amazing on the inside.

I’ve never felt so HEALTHY. I literally feel amazing on the inside. Forget the outside, I’m a mom and have no time for that these days. But for the first time I actually really care about what’s going into my body. I care about making healthy choices when it comes to cooking, baking, or eating out. I’ve completely changed the way I cook, bake, and order at restaurants. What’s sugar? I use coconut sugar. What’s butter? I use coconut oil and unsweetened apple sauce. What’s enriched flour? I use whole wheat/spelt, garbanzo bean, quinoa, or brown rice flour. Sure, I have noooo problem indulging on rich, real, 100% bad for you chocolate cake, fro-yo, cookies, or other delicious baked treats or comfort cooking from time to time. But those have become fewer and further between, as I no longer crave them. They are my special occasion celebratory indulgences, rather than a weekly staple.

Don’t ever be too busy building a life you forget to look around and smell the roses.

So what do I do to live the lifestyle I live? I make it a goal to perform TIU videos at least 5 times a week. If I miss one because of a crazy day, I double up the next day. I always challenge myself to walk/wog/run 100 miles over an 8-week period. I set attainable goals. Start small and work your way up. If you have a list of 15 things you want to accomplish within the next month, pick your top 5 and focus on those. Once you hit those, move forward. If you set too many, too quickly, you’ll get way too overwhelmed and struggle to even reach one. I eat healthy. I try to stick to the motto “lean, clean, and green.“ Like I mentioned earlier, I eat 5-6 small meals a day. Breakfast, a mid-day snack, lunch, an early-evening snack, and dinner. If i don’t have a mid-evening snack and am up late, sometimes I have a healthy “dessert” like a piece of fruit, flavored greek yogurt, and/or a cup of herbal tea with raw, organic, local honey. Think I’m crazy? The first time I heard someone say a piece of fruit satisfied their sugar craving I thought they were a complete psychopathic nut job! I visualize. Make a vision board of where you want to be in life in the future; it can be anything from a cute outfit you want to buy, new recipes you want to try, hitting a milestone (buying a house, getting married, getting a new job, getting pregnant, etc.). But don’t forget about the present. Live in the now, enjoy this moment right here, right in front of you. Don’t ever be too busy building a life you forget to look around and smell the roses. BE YOU. RIGHT NOW. It’s never too late to be a better version of yourself. If you’re ready to commit to you, you can do this. The journey of a lifetime truly does begin with one.single.step. Jump, girl! You’ve got this…I believe in you!

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Pre-Bikini Series (April, 2014) —-> Post-Bikini-Series Results! (June, 2014)

Pre-Bikini Series, Easter 2014 —-> July 2014

Tone It Up Instagram #repost and shout out for my Bikini Series Recap Video!!! Highlight of my life! 

Pre-Bikini Series —-> 16 Weeks Later, July 2014

Pre-Bikini Series —-> Pre-Frisky Fall Challenge, September 2014

Pre-Bikini Series —> 6 Month TIUversary on October 11th, 2014

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Post-Frisky Fall Results COMING SOON! 

This amazing 8-week challenge ends on Halloween. SO. BITTERSWEET! I’m going to be so sad when it’s over, and already can’t wait for the next challenge!