::Just being honest:: A new way of thinking...

This is a totally raw and honest post from yours truly J

2 ½ years ago I took on a HUGE goal—LOSE weight! Get HEALTHY! It was my life, it was my passion, my every thought, my total mindset was focused around this. I did it too—I lost 30 lbs of FAT! Put on muscle and never felt better in my whole life. I never starved myself, didn’t use a “lose-weight-quick” plan, never thought about throwing up my food, nor did I obsessively weigh myself. I am proud to say I got healthy the healthiest way you can do it. Eating healthy and getting active…

In this pursuit for the perfect body ;) What’s that? Right! LOL!

SOOOOOOO many changes occurred. As they do whenever you make or have a significant life change. My goals, focuses, aspirations changed. A lot of them were for the better, but some weren’t… I started asking questions like:

WHY doesn’t everyone do this?? Why don’t people lose weight? What’s with all of the excuses? {I know I had my excuses for about 5 years} What will MAKE people change? How can I MAKE people change? I posted about it on my FB, twitter, told everyone I knew, I just became obsessed with “Fit-Thinking”. I have to make everyone lose weight!!

What I didn’t realize in this crazy, one-track-mind, obsessed frenzy I was in, was that not everyone wants to make this change. Not everyone was as obsessed as I was about their body image. Needless to say, the “healthy-looking mindset” I thought I had, wasn’t too healthy. I offended people with these thoughts and couldn’t give my clients what THEY NEEDED. Even though I thought I was doing it out of love {Who wants to watch their family/friends die, be depressed or get sick because of obesity related issues you can do something about it??} The way I was going about it, was not loving.

My point of this post is not to be an advocate to being overweight or that it’s okay to shovel fast food into our mouths on a daily basis while we follow it with a HUGE soda. I 100% believe in living a healthy lifestyle, but that also means being able to have “cheats”, enjoy cake, take a rest day from fitness, be a size 8/10 without having criticism, help people find a plan that works for them and their lifestyle.

Over the last year-ish {steadily gaining weight} during this pregnancy, not being involved in any fitness/weight loss company, stepping back from FB, prioritizing and re-fueling, I feel I’ve have a “mindset change” I’ve been able to step back, take a break and my eyes have been opened. I thank the Lord for this time. Although I’ve maintained a healthy pregnancy and stayed active throughout- I’ve still GAINED… My skin has stretched and I’m a vessel for this little boy who has already stole my heart and I haven’t even met him!! Also, stepping out of the fitness industry has been huge, constantly feeling the pressure of the competitions and media can take a tole on your thoughts!!

I want to be in a place where I can HELP people. Not force people to be a certain size or weight, but ENCOURAGE them to just make healthy changes in their lives.

It really, really, really is AMAZING to have a healthy, functioning body. To sweat out toxins, fill up with endorphins, feel confident in swimwear, have energy to LIVE, fight off diseases, feel sexy and proud of the work you are putting in. I’ll never stop living a healthy lifestyle!!

After baby comes I’m SO BEYOND excited to work on my post-baby body {I dream about it everyday, lol}, which will be amazing, beautiful and any flaws will be proof that I created LIFE inside of me! I want to encourage others to join me and help people find their way of living healthy.

It’s just important to keep healthy and happy in the forefront of my dreams! There is no one-size fits all fitness plan, people are fabulous no matter their shape or size. As long as they happy and healthy!!

Over the past couple years I’ve been BLESSED to have helped quite a few ladies {And men}

lose weight, get their bodies to a place where they feel confident and sexy. It’s a passion of mine to help, motivate and encourage people. It’s also been amazing to go through this journey and discover my flaws so I can better help MORE people. Thank you Lord for showing us our weaknesses and flaws so we can work on ourselves and be better, more joyful people J

Getting Back On Track {They call it Clean Eating} ;)

100 lbs LOST!! Yes, between David & I we lost 100 lbs.      Dave = 70, Me = 30
Two years ago June 2011-Sep 2011. We dedicated and devoted ourselves and made NO excuses... Ever!! We were strict and loved every minute of it. It takes extreme diligence and determination to do this and being eachother's partner made all the difference. When he was down-- I was his encourager. When I was down-- He pushed me! Not only do I have the most encouraging and motivating husband in the world, I have never met anyone as hard core or dedicated to something as this man. He puts something in his mind, makes it his goal and NEVER EVER EVER stops until he reaches it. It's amazing to see! {Anywho, enough hubby mush}

We've both put on a little weight since our huge weight loss....

Reason #1 we lost this amount in 3 months... Hard to maintain that kind of loss, usually your body pics up a few lbs to keep a maintained healthy weight. Dave gained 10 lbs back, I gained 3. We then just started using that to build and lift. {Muscle Baby} We got to our fittest around summer 2012 by lift, lift, lifting! Weights WORK ladies & guys you already know this!
Reason #2: I'm pregnant... Self explanatory. <---Insert weight gain!
Reason #3: Dave's a FULL-time nursing student (5 weeks left in current semester), works & tutors as well. He's up at 4am and gets home around 11pm. His schedule is crazy and stressful and overwhelming and more than a human should have to endure at times, therefore, maintaining such a strict regimen isn't as easy. He's constantly on the go, but has no time to devote to even an hour hard-core gym sesh.

Bottom Line-- Our life {as well as millions of other people} is CRAZY busy! Fortunately the last month and the next couple months are pretty easy for me. I'm out of school, working part time and basically just enjoying my time before baby arrives in October. When baby does come, life will be even more busy and excuses more available. Though, if you know me... You know I'm already planning my post-baby body regimen and have ample support to help me reach my hefty goals!

SO all that to say this: Since I have time on my hands I'm seeing what we are eating, how often we are eating, our workouts and it isn't up to par, according to my high standards. Going back to a CLEAN EATING {<--- If you don't know what that looks like E-mail me!} routine is essential. I've noticed that Dave's eating here and there, when he can instead of every 2-3 hours regularly & his water consumption isn't super high. He's constantly on his feet at work and during clinical rotations so he is getting exercise in that aspect, it's not great, but it's something...
My eating has been fairly good besides the occasional pregnancy splurge here and there. I drink PLENTY of water, eat my veggies and fruits. My goal during this pregnancy is to eat as clean as I can and work out as much as I feel comfortable. I don't have a set amount I'd like to gain-- I know my body and how it feels. I know how to feed my body a healthy way and so I'm taking my own advice and dancing to the beat of my own drum. If it's "too little" or "too much" weight gain, I'm okay-- I know myself! All I want is a healthy baby boy in October <3

Today is a new day though-- I have a plan I'm putting into motion because TODAY is the best day to start! Not tomorrow, or next Monday or after the holiday.. It's TODAY!
My goal is to feed myself, my baby and my hubby better, more scheduled and CLEAN! As Dave's wife, I want to be his strength when he is weak and right now with his schedule, he needs help making meals and ensuring he has a big water bottle :) So I'm taking it on!
Yeah, Exciting!

XO,
Hannah

P.S.
If you want a great Clean Eating resource, look no further that the clean eating queen Tosca Reno at The Clean Eat Diet.

19 Weeks Along!

The last few months have been insane! The wife of a nursing student, pregnant for the first time, taking classes myself, homework, studying, sleeping and managing everything… Whew! It’s been tiring.

The day after tomorrow this semester will be O.V.E.R! Yay! {Can you tell, I’m ready?} It will be so nice to just focus on my pregnancy, preparing for Baby S, spending time with my hubby, NOT thinking about projects/homework/studying. There are SO many other things that I’ll inevitably get wrapped up in—That’s just me!

What have I done these last three months??

I became a founding coach of an amazing online fitness/health company called Body FX, I’m uber excited to jump in and get started. It’s still in the pre-launch phase {Thank goodness} because I’ve just been so busy to add another thing to my plate. BUT this opportunity is amazing. It lines up with my passions and goals: Helping others get fit/healthy, making money from home, and enjoying amazing “clean” products.

I got another step closer to my bachelor’s degree in Business! So proud of myself. This semester was difficult for me, but I stayed focused and kept on keeping on. My last final is on Friday and then I will not have to think about school until August. A three month, MUCH needed break!

I’ve been making a baby! Baby S is 19 weeks {the size of a mango} <- How fitting is that, being that I live in Hawaii! 

The past 19 weeks have definitely had their ups and downs, WAY more ups than downs. This pregnancy is so easy compared to some other ladies horror stories. 

The first trimester I was SO exhausted, my morning coffee was what got me through {I’m aware some of you may disagree with caffeine and pregnancy, BUT this is my pregnancy and I am deciding what I am/am not going to consume}. Though I am proud to say, I did not have one ounce of morning sickness which makes me so happy. I did eat WAY more than I should have, but hey, can’t go back… The second trimester has been a breeze. Gaining weight isn’t my favorite part but I’m really just accepting it and getting totally excited for the “post baby shred”, my boobs are absolutely huge {Perk for the hubby} I went from a full A cup to a “I’m too big for a C cup, but not quite a D” and they are suppose to get bigger?? I have no clue how that is going to work out. We shall wait and see! ;) I’m eating every 2-3 hours, totally trying to snack on healthies, but OMG—I just crave junk! LOL! Self control, Hannah, Self-control!

I find out 5/15 if it’s a boy or girl, but right now I’m just enjoying the occasional flutter/popcorn popping feeling in my tummy and trying to create a happy environment for Baby S to grow in <3

My birthday was a few weeks ago and my BFF, Ruth, from Oregon {who now lives in Arkansas} flew here to TOTALLY surprise me! It was the week of a lifetime. I could write a whole blog post about it’s epic-ness, but honestly, it was just one of those “you had to have been Ruth or Hannah to enjoy it” type of trips! Words to describe the feeling the trip gave me: Happy-Crazy-Emotional-Blessed-Thankful-Honored-Funny-Memorable.

That’s about it! Sorry for the HUGE delay between posts—This momma has been BUSY!

XOXO

Hannah

We're Pregnant

Say What?? Yep!! It’s true! 

                                         We're Pregnant!

After 7 blissful years of marriage my hubby and I are expecting our first child. Baby S is due in October!

Let the Shock Sink in...

We found out on January 28th, 2013 and I can be honest-- We were surprised! Telling our family and friends, we noticed, everyone around us was more excited than we were... I felt bad, like I am the worst female ever! Aren’t you suppose to be excited, joyful, happy about such a blessing?? Where are my maternal instincts and when do they kick in?? Well, it took a few weeks.. Actually, a little over a month for the idea of “being pregnant” or the thought “we’re gonna have a baby” to sink in. It was a bummer, I wanted to shake all the negative thoughts, but they clung to me like a static-y dryer sheet!

Here are a few thoughts that went through our minds during the few weeks of “shock” after we found out... 

-We have NO family here, how are we going to get help?! 

-We still have TWO years of school here in Hawaii!

-Maybe the tests were false positives? Should we get another?

-Are you sure that's a REAL baby on the ultrasound screen?

-How are we going to afford this (on a student budget)?! 

-We live in a studio with JUST enough room for us and our two dogs, we’re gonna have to move!

-What will the dogs think? 

-How’s Grizzly going to handle the change? 

Dave: What about our trip to Europe next summer?

Me: OMG- I’m gonna be HUGE (Super selfish thought, I’m aware)! 

Dave: Did we even want to have kids? 

Me: NO! I didn't think so?! 

Dave: How did this happen? 

Me: Well-- When a boy and a girl like eachother...

Both of us: Oh My GOSH, we are having a baby!

These were just a few of the life altering thoughts frantically running through our over-stressed minds. 

I’m not sure if a lot of first time parents deal with these same feelings about baby/pregnancy... I have just known so many people who’ve wanted a baby and they try and try, so when it finally happens they are overjoyed and excited. I also think of my friends who've lost their babies and how devastated they were. I almost felt guilty for just "getting pregnant" so easily. In the beginning, we clung to the phrase “The Lord’s timing is perfect” and "He never gives you more than you can handle" Because we know the Lord is good, faithful and He ALWAYS makes a way! 

This IS Happening, Let's embrace the bump!

Skip forward to just a couple weeks ago, we started really embracing the idea :) Getting amazing long-distance support from friends and family, local support of friends here on Maui and because it’s starting to SHOW in daily life --> in my growing tummy, urinary frequency, aversion to meat or anything cooked in olive oil, crazy mood swings, unsatisfiable hunger, insomnia, heartburn and sleepiness. 

Today, I’m officially 12 weeks. There are still days every now when I struggle and think, oh no, what’s happening?!? BUT, there are WAY more days where Dave and I are excited about Baby S, we talk, plan and get excited about expanding our cool little family.

Watching my tummy grow is definitely exciting!!

:) Listening to the baby's heartbeat and seeing Baby S on the ultrasound are amazing experiences. Getting maternity clothes and baby blankets, birthing books and baby advice is fun! Receiving more LOVE than I could have ever imagined on FB, twitter, texts, Emails. I've had HUNDREDS of likes, comments and love from everyone and it makes us feel SO special ;) THANK-YOU

Hannah, How Are You Staying Healthy?

The truth comes out-- YOU know I don't lie and wouldn't keep my downfalls from you, just as I don't keep my successes from you! I'm human & pregnant, so if you want to judge-- Shame on you ;)

When I found out I was pregnant, I went Cray-Zy! I got super down and depressed, anxiety was high, stress was even higher. I put all of my healthy ways on the back burner and just ATE-- I did this for almost 4 weeks! AND in those four weeks I gained 9 lbs!!! Uugghhh, I was so disappointed with myself when I stepped up on the scale-- I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! And the thought, "Oh I can lose that in a couple weeks!".. Doesn't work when your pregnant! The good part about the first 4 weeks was that I popped my pre-natal daily, so Baby S got his/her vitamins and minerals even though mommy was being bad.

Over the last few weeks I've gotten back on track and it feels Oh-SO-Amazing! Eating my veggies and fruits, getting my work-outs in, managing my emotions the HEALTHY way! YAY for me :) 

As my first trimester comes to an end, I feel like the 2nd and 3rd trimester will be amazing. I'm aware feeling ginormous may not feel amazing, but the choices I make from here on out will be exactly what I need to get through this and ENJOY it. I'm hoping to still stay on track with my weight gain even though it was cray-cray in the beginning. I really want to be the person who embraces pregnancy, my changing body and motherhood. I strive on positivity and as you can see from the beginning of this post-- Positivity was not on my side and the negativity brought on nasty side effects. The Lord is good to me and had blessed me SO much in this life, I know He's ready to bless Dave and I again and I'm excited to see everything come to pass!

More updates will follow!!  

xo,

Hannah

Re-focusing My Goals & Priorities for 2013

This morning I woke up to the warm sun blaring through my bedroom windows. Such a gorgeous day outside here with blue skies and hot sun!

Yes! That is the ocean in the background--Bright blue.

 














I woke up knowing today was going to be a “heart to heart” day. There are SO many things I am wanting to do, I’m being pulled in so many directions. It was time to take a break from my busy-ness, sit down, breath and focus on what my goals, priorities and desires were. Weeding out all of the mess and sewing in good seeds of productivity. So I got out of bed, made myself a green shake, and sent my hubby off to school {He’s currently in the UH Nursing program}. 

My "GREEN" shake!

  After sipping my shake & grabbing my notebook, I found a quiet place to sit and relax. I really focused and prayed for direction in my life, that my goals and priorities would be on track with the big picture. I thought about ALL of the things I want to do and love to do and decided which ones I have space for at this time in my life and which ones I can focus on in the next season of my life.

Ahh, writing everything down suddenly makes life so much easier. It’s like my brain isn’t swirling with “what if’s” and “how can I’s”. It’s just focused and knows exactly what step to take next. It’s amazing to have a plan, and though life doesn’t always go to plan and craziness is always around the next corner. It makes it so much easier when you know where you want to be and that you ARE going to get there.

Now that I feel totally free after that life planning sesh-- I’m off to garden or should I say, WEED! It’s a beautiful day outside & I’m taking full advantage.


Do you ever take a {Priorities} inventory? Weeding out all of the wants and to-do's that are just getting in the way of your clear goals?

XO
Hannah