When you aren't feeling it ...

It's been awhile since I've had time to sit down and think, but, today, I'm making time.  I need to say this for me as much as anyone reading.  

Living a healthy lifestyle is amazing.  One thing that I've added to my life is consistent exercise via the gym.  I have my little areas that I purposely go there to work on and for me, I have to go to the gym in order to get it done.  Most days, I love it.  I love looking back a couple of weeks later and seeing results.  I love being able to slip into those smaller clothes and just feeling the endorphins pumping through my blood stream.

First, let me back up and explain that I have refused to go to the gym for YEARS.  In fact, okay, there was one point that I did go to a YMCA.  But, I think I was under the age of 13.  So, when I decided that I was going to the gym, it was a pretty big deal.  My fabulous husband struggles to gain weight while over the years, I have certainly found his share and then some.  He was already going to the gym without me.  I decided enough was enough and I was ready.

I started my little routine while he spent hours researching his own routine.  My body has been under major transformation over the last several months.  I feed my body premium nutrients and vitamins, eat a higher protein diet and have been incorporate an active lifestyle.  I wasn't able to do this before I filled my nutritional gaps.  And, it's really been working well for me.  Off to the gym I went and I started out slow.  Then, I started going by myself and really pushing myself at the gym.  It was fantastic.  I felt accomplished and my body was showing amazing results, including muscle definition I've never seen.

I really kicked it into gear at the gym in about mid-August.

Fast forward to me taking a temporary seasonal job.  I started working 10-12 hours a day, seven days a week.  SCREEEEEEEEEECH.  There went my time to work out.  I've just wrapped up that and made it to the gym twice in about two months until this last week.  So, the first work out was great.  Endorphin overload.  Proud of myself.  I had been complaining during this time that I couldn't WAIT to get back to my normally scheduled program of hitting the gym for about 90 minutes, at least 5 times a week.  Mmhmm.  It sounds really fabulous in theory.  Right?  You go in there and rock it out and just pick up where you left off.  Wrong.  So wrong.  Realistically, I knew better, but, in my altered state of reality, I was just going in and going to kick some butt.  Yup, you know who's butt got kicked?  Mine.  

You pick up and you do it again with more realistic expectations.  I also had the hubs with me, so, it made me be more accountable.  Today, I'm home by myself and I'm awake and thinking, "I should really go to the gym."  Yes, I was thinking it.  Several time actually.  I reached out to my accountability partner and she said, "GET UP AND GO."  Well, I don't argue with her because she's my accountability partner.  She's supposed to say those things.  Of course, that doesn't mean that I have to like it.  I so did not want to go.  NO.  NO.  NO.  In fact, I sent her a not very nice picture that expressed my real opinion on going in.  But, guess what I did?  I threw on the workout clothes, laced up my shoes and went.

I'm totally faking this excitement.  In my mind, I'm screaming, NO NO NO.  

No, seriously.

I definitely didn't want to go and I didn't want to be there.  I normally mix it with weight training and the 5K loop on the treadmill.  One day, I'll start with one and the next day, I'll start with the other.  Keep the body unable to expect what is coming.  Today was a treadmill day.  I LOVE the treadmill.  I don't know if the people behind me love me on the treadmill because I am a certified "treadmill dancer."  I'm plugged into my music and my hands are flying, the booty shaking, swinging hips and yes, there may be an occasional fist pump when I forget where I am.  I often laugh at myself while on the treadmill.  Why do it if it isn't fun?  Right?  Well, it was the next part that was a challenge.

My treadmill really loves me.  See how encouraging it is!

I have started tracking my progress on log sheets.  I've become one of "those" people that has a clipboard at the gym.  I kind of hate myself for that.  Those are the people that I would laugh at.  And, that has become me.  In fact, I've spent many minutes waiting for my hubs to be ready to go to the gym because he was planning and tracking his workout.  I used to track my routine in my phone because it was the same set of reps, weight, etc daily.  Now that I'm reintroducing my body to its old routine, I stick to the logic that I do as much as I feel comfortable doing.

Again, faking that enthusiasm to be doing leg presses!  

But, look at my pretty clipboard.

Normally, my routine involves about 4 different machines and that 5K loop.  Today, I just couldn't finish it.  No WAY.  Okay, maybe I could have.  But, in actuality, it would have delayed my progress in getting my butt up tomorrow and going.  I wanted to cry.  I was disappointed in me.  I could have pushed harder, but, emotionally and probably physically, I'm not ready.  I have to accept that I DO have limits and I can't just take 8 weeks off and expect to have the same stamina and the same performance I did.  I could have just sloppily pushed through my machine I was on and not paid any attention to my form just to put a check mark on my stupid sheet of paper.  I could have hit that last machine which is actually my favorite, right up there with my loving treadmill that always tells me I'm awesome.  I didn't.  I pushed one more, correctly formed, set out on my machine and wiped it down and walked away.

The decision ... do I go or do I stay?

How do I feel now?  The teary, upset me knows logically, I made the right decision.  And, emotionally, I know I made the right decision.  I still have those endorphins pumping in my blood stream and I showed up today, even though, I didn't want to do it.  I may not have had my strongest day or the most reps or even close to where life interrupted by a need for some extra cash.  But, I know in my heart, I gave it what I had to give.  The important thing is that I showed up and showed out.  Tomorrow?  We start new.  It may be another day that I struggle with the balance between what is healthy for my body and what is healthy for my mind, but, I'm sure that I won't regret what I was able to accomplish.

It's All a Big Pyramid Scheme!

Nothing burns my biscuits more than to hear about a direct sales company being called a "pyramid scheme."  There are 100's of direct sales companies out there; I know as I researched a lot of them and even joined a different one where I did have success, but, I have been chosen for a Higher calling named Le-Vel.  What I realized is that people don't TRULY understand what a pyramid scheme is ...

MYTH:  Direct Sales companies are pyramid schemes.

Do you know the true definition of a pyramid scheme?  The SEC describes a pyramid scheme as the following :  In the classic "pyramid" scheme, participants attempt to make money solely by recruiting new participants into the program. The hallmark of these schemes is the promise of sky-high returns in a short period of time for doing nothing other than handing over your money and getting others to do the same.

TRUTH:  Pyramid schemes are illegal and non-ethical.  Direct Sales companies provide you with a product to sell to a customer where you earn a commission for your EFFORTS and WORK.

Let me say this, I have friends and family that sell all sorts of different items from jewelry to candles to kitchen products to nail supplies to oils to lotion.  Each one of those people work hard at THEIR INDEPENDENT BUSINESS.  What does Direct Sales allow people to do?  They allow them to own their own businesses.  People that are physically unable to work out of their home (and I'll take on anyone that calls them lazy); families that need extra money; people that find a product they are passionate about and want to share it with others.

Just because I don't sell my product in a store, does not make it a pyramid scheme.  I can name several business that are ran from home that receive their product from a supplier and is sold to a customer at a profit or commission.  And, I can also name companies that many in our community are familiar with that encourage others to take part in their business.

I work EVERY DAY at my job; and, I work HARD.  I have freedom and flexibility in my case, but, that doesn't mean it still isn't work.  This is for you, all my direct sales people, we are building our own businesses and changing our lives because we make a choice to do so.

MYTH:  Direct Sales companies are pyramid schemes.  

Do you know the true definition of a pyramid scheme?  The SEC describes a pyramid scheme as the following :  In the classic "pyramid" scheme, participants attempt to make money solely by recruiting new participants into the program. The hallmark of these schemes is the promise of sky-high returns in a short period of time for doing nothing other than handing over your money and getting others to do the same.

TRUTH:  Pyramid schemes are illegal and non-ethical.  Direct Sales companies provide you with a product to sell to a customer where you earn a commission for your EFFORTS and WORK.

Let me say this, I have friends and family that sell all sorts of different items from jewelry to candles to kitchen products to nail supplies to oils to lotion.  Each one of those people work hard at THEIR INDEPENDENT BUSINESS.  What does Direct Sales allow people to do?  They allow them to own their own businesses.  People that are physically unable to work out of their home (and I'll take on anyone that calls them lazy); families that need extra money; people that find a product they are passionate about and want to share it with others.

Just because I don't sell my product in a store, does not make it a pyramid scheme.  I can name several business that are ran from home that receive their product from a supplier and is sold to a customer at a profit or commission.  And, I can also name companies that many in our community are familiar with that encourage others to take part in their business.

I work EVERY DAY at my job; and, I work HARD.  I have freedom and flexibility in my case, but, that doesn't mean it still isn't work.  This is for you, all my direct sales people, we are building our own businesses and changing our lives because we make a choice to do so.MYTH: Direct Sales companies are pyramid schemes. Do you know the true definition of a pyramid scheme? The SEC describes a pyramid scheme as the following : In the classic "pyramid" scheme, participants attempt to make money solely by recruiting new participants into the program. The hallmark of these schemes is the promise of sky-high returns in a short period of time for doing nothing other than handing over your money and getting others to do the same.
TRUTH: Pyramid schemes are illegal and non-ethical. Direct Sales companies provide you with a product to sell to a customer where you earn a commission for your EFFORTS and WORK. Let me say this, I have friends and family that sell all sorts of different items from jewelry to candles to kitchen products to nail supplies to oils to lotion. Each one of those people work hard at THEIR INDEPENDENT BUSINESS. What does Direct Sales allow people to do? They allow them to own their own businesses. People that are physically unable to work out of their home (and I'll take on anyone that calls them lazy); families that need extra money; people that find a product they are passionate about and want to share it with others. Just because I don't sell my product in a store, does not make it a pyramid scheme. I can name several business that are ran from home that receive their product from a supplier and is sold to a customer at a profit or commission. And, I can also name companies that many in our community are familiar with that encourage others to take part in their business.
I work EVERY DAY at my job; and, I work HARD. I have freedom and flexibility in my case, but, that doesn't mean it still isn't work. This is for you, all my direct sales people, we are building our own businesses and changing our lives because we make a choice to do so.

My 9 - Week Testimony on Thrive

To say that I lost in the genetic lottery is an understatement.  I have many health challenges that have left me with generalized emotional and mental stress, mild mood changes, general joint discomfort, general aches and just a general lack of well being, all on a daily basis.  I’ve been dealing with these for well over 20 years.  To quote my dad, “You have been so unhappy, that you don’t even know what happiness is.”  He was right.

January, 2016.  I was challenged with more health related matters and all that we knew for sure was that I was severely vitamin deficient.  Through a random conversation in February, I learned about Thrive from my wonderful friend Crystal Cooper.  She introduced me another soon to be critical member of my life, Brandi Aldridge.  Crystal told me all about what Thrive was doing her. I was actually bringing up all the points about my vitamin deficiencies and how everyone is lacking in general nutrients and vitamins, no matter how well they eat or their lifestyle. Brandi reached out to me and although I was ready to start, I had to figure out how to work this into my budget.  It took me a couple of months, but, I kept it on the priority list.

Brandi was giving away samples one day and I received a free 3 day sample.  I didn’t start it until I knew I could order before it was gone.  I already knew that this was going to be something that I really needed.  Little did I know how much.  I started the product and I was not a “Day 1” Thriver.  It actually almost took me a month to hit that feeling.  But, every day, I did my 1, 2, 3 and didn’t miss it.  I had day one benefits and they just started to grow and build.  I was working my business from the computer, eating what my body craved, drinking tons of water and about 10-14 days, I realized that my clothes were looser.  I took my first set of measurements that day.

I thought about becoming a promoter, but, was going to wait until after my 8 Week Experience was over.  That didn’t happen either.  I had a 3-way call with Brandi and Darla Hacker and Darla told me that I would hit the bonuses and there was no stopping me.  Darla went off the line and I told Brandi, “I don’t think I’ll be able to hit any of those, but, I’m going to be a promoter.”  I hit VIP800, VIP1600, 4K VIP, and the iPad bonus in about 3 weeks.

I’m about to turn 40 and I’m now the 2.0 version of me.  I’ve lost over 30 inches across my body, and 20 pounds.  I never counted on it for the weight management, although I did need it.  I tried it for my vitamin deficiencies and “heard” it could help with my health challenges.  Weight management was a bonus!  I’m a Thriver for LIFE now.  I’m the happiest I’ve ever been; the healthiest I’ve ever been; and, I’m out there each day sharing the opportunity with others to change their lives.

8 Weeks CAN Change Your Life

This is the amazing company that I have chosen to work for and honestly, it's turned my life upside down.  If you want to check out more about this or register for a FREE no-obligation account, just hit that link on the right over there and we'll get you set up!

Who Does She Think She Is?

Well, if there is one thing I'm sure of in this world, I know that I'm me.  If I was pretending to be someone else, I surely would not have picked myself just for the fact that life can really suck some days.  When you have chronic health challenges that are invisible to public eye, unless you're talking to some else suffering through the same junk, they just DO NOT get it.

As for me, I like to think that I control my life and it doesn't control me.  My kids are growing into their own lives and that leaves me and my very excellent, although enabling sometimes, husband.  I have two boys 20 & almost 16 and a 2 year old granddaughter.  Who knows what else life has on the horizon for me?

I'm a mental health advocate and I'm more than open about the mixed bag that got tossed to me along the way.  I feel that I've been through way more than a lot of people have and I'm just around the corner to 40.  I've survived it all and piece by piece, I'll share because each has touched a portion of life, from the reason that I can't sleep naked to the fact that I'm always concerned about my weight.  Yup, pure and honest is what you'll get from me.  I may regret that later, but, what fun is sharing your secrets if you're not honest?