Comparison is the thief of {JOY}.

I’ve been receiving some messages/e-mails lately from some ladies in my “fit-fam”. {I’m in a TON of fit mom, bodybuilding, fitness, healthy eating groups and meet TONS of ladies who now earn the title of my “fit-family”} They are asking, “How are you losing your baby weight?” and “What exercises are you doing?”, “Do you have stretch marks?”, “How do you have energy to workout?”

I think it’s great that we as women can encourage each other by sharing our tips and tricks to getting the baby weight off. Talking about how we can get a workout in when we are BEYOND exhausted or what we can do to lose weight without losing our milk supply. What’s NOT great is when you compare your body/story to mine or vice-versa. Losing baby weight takes TIME à a concept I didn’t quite understand until I had Moses. I thought at {3 months Postpartum} I would be close to where I was before I had him… Not realizing the havoc pregnancy throws at your body. Not only your “physical shape” but your hormones, your motivation, your lack of sleep AFTER baby gets here, the stretch marks, the mommy brain {They never told me that “pregnancy brain” lasts BEYOND the pregnancy}.

What is working for me, may not work for you. You may lose 10 lbs. in the time it takes me to lose 2 lbs. Maybe you can go on a juice cleanse, well I can’t because I get a farty/unhappy baby. Maybe I’m up walking a couple miles a day and you are still icing it on the couch… The list goes on in ways we can compare our journeys to others, but what’s important is that we LOVE our bodies at whatever post-baby stage they’re at.

The honest truth is that ALL women {and men, but I’m speaking mainly for women} can let judgment and jealousy into our lives and it can steal our happiness.  Moms, you’ve had a beautiful child GROW inside of you. YOU provided life for that child you love so very much. As important as it is to me to get rid of the baby weight! It’s MORE important to me to enjoy my son and his amazingness. Also, to realize how magnificent it is that my body made him and is now feeding him and keeping him healthy. HELLO???? Not everyone gets that gift!!

I’d LOVE to share what I’m doing to shed this weight, where I’m getting my motivation, what I’m eating. But don’t compare. Look deep inside who YOU are and be happy with your journey. We ALL start somewhere and wherever you start is beautiful. You are beautiful!

XO

Hannah

::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

Hey! I'm still here :)

This summer FLEW by!

The last month and a half, I’ve been spending QUIALITY time with my husband. Getting everything ready for Baby Moses {who is set to arrive in +/- 4 weeks!!}.

So glad we got to spend this time together, just enjoying the TWO OF US <3 Work was super chill, we ate breakfast and had coffee on our porch every single morning. Chatting and laughing with each other is the best. {Mushy alert} I absolutely adore my husband and I’m so blessed by his love for me. We’ve been married almost 7 ½ years and he still makes my heart melt! I have so much love, respect and honor for this man that the Lord has blessed me with, words can’t even express!! He will be the best daddy to our little man – from setting up the crib with me, buying Moses’ first outfit, installing the car seat, feeling all the baby’s kicks, and listening to the heartbeat every night, I’ve seen my husband tear up, laugh and express such love and joy for this little baby he hasn’t even met yet. It’s so wonderful and I owe my successful marriage to the Lord- He is our rock, our bind and the One who has taught us how to love each other.

Now that summer is over L ß Actually I’m not totally sad about it, it just means I don’t get to see the hubs as often, our schedules are crazy opposite, school is back up and running {And YES, I’m taking TWO classes this semester and expecting a baby… It’s going to be interesting!} Dave’s continuing in his pursuit to complete his nursing degree so his schedule is off the chain… And we are trying to get organized, prepared or whatever else you want to call it that we need to do before baby comes!!

Life is good though. I hate being home alone while Dave is gone during his long days {Wed & Thurs}—Blah, boring! I chat with my dogs, but they are always napping so it’s hard to hold full conversations… {Crazy dog mom- That’s me} So, in my times alone at home I’ve been trying to keep busy organizing our budget, creating schedules, trying out new recipes, cleaning ---NESTING---, looking into new health/fitness/wellness ventures {Because I need MORE on my plate ;)}. It’s nice to have such flexibility, but when you spend a whole month and a half with someone NON-STOP and then they leave, it’s sad. I tell ya, I love my hubs, 24/7!

Anywho, this is just a post saying , “Hey, I’m here” Still pregnant, still enjoying life. Trying to get back into the groove of {Fall-Time} before I have to get into a whole new groove of {New-Mom time}.

Hope you had a FABULOUS summer!!!

XO

Hannah

Getting Rid of the "Debbie-Downer" Mentality!

HELLO!!! This is a confession/learning situation post... 

This morning I was totally struggling with being content, or the lack of... Uugghh! Most of the time I look to the positive things in life and live “glass half full”, but for some reason I let the small {insignificant} things take over my mind. Negativity is like a poison to me, some people can live their whole lives being a Debbie-Downer and letting life get the best of them. Not I! I thrive on positivity and endorphins!

I woke up and was super irritated with the smallest little issues, some say to blame it on pregnancy hormones—But I take full responsibility for my negativity in this instance. I was just letting these issues become an elephant when it was really only the size of an ant.

After Dave left for work {He was eager to leave me to my issues, I’m sure!} I knew I needed to do something to get out of this funk! I sat on the porch as he drove away and started writing down all of the things that were bothering me. I read them over and over and it suddenly occurred to me; I was creating this victim attitude towards these small issues that, in the BIG picture, mean NOTHING! I was bringing down my husband, totally ignoring the pups, causing a fuss over absolutely nothing… I felt like a total loser.  So, I laced up my shoes, grabbed my water bottle and headed out for a walk –FRESH AIR- exactly what the Doctor orders in these situations. After my walk, I came home and turned on a prenatal yoga video {STRETCH}, sat and took deep breaths. Thinking about that list and cancelling out all of the situations I wrote down, with positive thoughts instead of negative. I know this sounds all new-age-y and spiritual, but it really wasn’t.

I needed solitude, where I could be alone with my thoughts, focus on the blessings that will come out of these situations that seem “bigger & badder than life” and MOVE THE HECK ON! Sometimes you have to give up the good to get to the great!

Thank you Lord for helping me see!!

What I learned: We are all dealt certain situations in life that totally suck! Some worse than others—WE are the ONLY ones who can either look at the positive through these situations or focus on how horrible they are. There is no one who will do it for us.

Dwell on the negative or positive? It’s totally your decision, but when I took a few deep breaths and got rid of those negative situations, I felt like a MILLION BUCKS. The hubby cam home to a HUGE apology, clean house and dinner. The pups got their pettins, and I got my “happy” back.

Have you ever been in this situation?? Do you let the "debbie-downers" take you down??

XO,

Hannah

Definitely look a happier than I was, LOL-- Sweat out your issues! It works!

Haven't Been to the Gym & It's Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday Dolls,

WOW! This week has been a really weird blur... I'm either fighting a cold, flu or just in a major funk! Super tired, dehydrated & my left eye is twitching {have no clue if that's good or bad, but it's here this week and it wasn't last week}.

This afternoon I seemed to perk up a tad-- I slept in this morning, maybe that's what my body needed to "rejuvenate". I haven't been in the gym since Friday, busy weekend
& not feeling well so far this week. Honestly, what I SHOULD BE doing is heading to the gym-- I preach the health benefits of fighting fatigue with fitness, yet am home feeling fatigued and not heading to the gym, lol... What shall I do with myself?!

Anywho, now that I've convinced myself to head to the gym tonight... I wanted to give you an update on what's happening here! Ha!

My garden is starting to show some signs of life. It's so exciting to watch the seeds turn into little sprouts. Below are the only things growing, so far. Radishes! They are so cute, I'm proud of how tall they've grown in 6 days!

Baby Radishes

Other new things-- I've started {as of today} the 30 Day Push by Chalene Johnson. She is amazing, SUCH an inspiration to me! I've done this program 5 times & every time it teaches me something new about setting priorities and goals. It's such a great way to start the year, so I'm doing it! I have the book as well and am going to do the online program alongside the book. Good stuff right here :)

Grizzly is a Chalene fan, as well :)

Another exciting thing for me is this...

A Pomegranate!

I NEVER buy these, but love the taste. My neighbor had purchased too many, so she brought me one. I love these seeds on salads and such. I may even find a new recipe to use my pomegranate in. We shall see.

Well, I hope you are feeling AMAZING and full of energy and love! I'm headed to the gym after dinner & determined to FEEL BETTER.

xo
Hannah

Live Abundantly in Ephesians

I am a Christian. Christ is my first and foremost passion. As Christians or anyone really, it's so hard to get caught up in the things of this world! What we want others to see us as, our worth, our bank account, our looks, our stuff... All of these perishable earthly things. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against ANY of these things. I want to be worth something, I enjoy swiping my plastic knowing there is money in there, I love feeling healthy and having a body that shows it. What I often forget it is Who gave it to me. Who gave me these earthly blessings, my looks, my heart, my passions, my physical/spiritual wealth. Jesus did.

The world is constantly trying to trap us into thinking we are in charge of our own "beings" and the universe is what centers us, while yoga balances us and herbal tea restores us. PLEASE don't get me wrong, I enjoy yoga and drink tea like crazy!! But those things are not what fills me. The ONLY reason I am here right now is because of my relationship with my Lord and the ONLY reason I have the things I do is because of my relationship with my Lord. He is where I find peace, love, harmony, balance, restoration and my center.

This past week was a re-focus week for me. Getting right and remembering WHO I serve! Saying, "My Will for Your Will". There is nothing better. Period.

Having my father-in-law visit last week was great, he is a pastor and has a passion for Christ I have never seen in anyone else! Even though he is my father-in-law and has, over the years, done those "father-in-law" kind of things {I will leave it at that, LOL}... He remains my pastor and someone I respect very highly in my Christian walk. It was because of him 10 years ago, sharing his passion for Christ with his youth group that I began my {serious} walk with the Lord. So spending time with him this week was so nice and refreshing.

I'm currently doing a study through the book of Ephesians.

Do you do a daily Devotional? Tell me about it! Let's connect!

XO ~ Hannah