Those Words You Don't Ever Expect to Hear

Hello my blog friends - today's post is a little different than my normal run of the mill fitness / clean eating / Beachbody post. I am writing this blog post because the next few weeks will be a little tough, I may be a little tired, and a little bit not my normal self and I felt like I should share why - I want to share my story and I just felt this was the best way to let family and friends in on what is going on and keep whoever wanted to know in the loop and updated.

These words have been my motto over the past week especially:

A Little Background

Earlier this year in April, I went in for my yearly check-up with my doctor, she is awesome, amazing and takes care of everything for me from my diabetes to my lady issues. I was so lucky to find an MD like her (she actually spends time with me and talks to me about everything instead of rushing out of the room quickly, as I have experienced in the past). So I had my check-up and that was that, she said she would call me if she had to discuss any results. A few days passed and then my phone rang "Dr. Robinson" popped up on the screen. I thought one thing, "Uh oh, my HbA1C must be high" - and that is exactly what I said to her when I answered. She said nope, that test was perfect. I need to talk to you about your pap, it came back abnormal... what is called cervical cell dysplasia.  I had been down this road twice before, once in 2000, and another time in 2003.  So I was used to the treatment. I went in in May to "take care of" the abnormal cells, and scheduled my follow up in June.
At my follow up they showed no improvement in abnormal cells, and since I was moving out to Crested Butte, the referred me to a doctor closer to my new home.

So I had visited my new doctor, who is equally as awesome (and is a total yogi/Pilates girl too!) and she ran some tests and did a biopsy and an ultrasound. The results did not come out great. They asked me to come in for the results.  I went in on a Thursday. The 17th of September. I just knew, when they asked me to come in that the results were not going to be great, but I think I was still totally in denial.

Then they said the words that no one ever expects to hear. "You have Stage 1 Cervial Cancer. You are lucky, you are proactive about your health and we believe this is going to be very treatable."  I don't care who you are or how proactive you are or how early it is caught, "lucky" and "cancer" do not belong in the same sentence. Like EVER.

So after meeting with my team, we set out a treatment plan to be initialized on the 19th of October... Then I got the flu. Bad. So they pushed back my first treatment by a week.

The Plan

• Cold Knife Cone Biopsy to remove the cancerous cells. Since it was caught so early it is only in my cervix, it has not spread at all, so they will remove a large portion of tissue, examine that tissue to make sure there are no cancerous cells in the outlining tissue they removed. If there is not any then that will be that for surgery. If there is then we may talk about a total hysterectomy. (I really really do not want to go that route, but we'll do what we have to do to keep me healthy.)
• 3 rounds of high- dose radiation each one week apart from each other. 
• Cannabis Oil 
• No Chemo is needed! Yay! 
• They said my nutrition is THE BEST they have seen in a long time! (Thank you Shakeology and Autumn Calabrese!!)

So I had my surgery and the first round of radiation on Monday. All in all I am doing OK, I am really tired, and had a few unpleasant side effects all of Monday into Tuesday morning, but am feeling much better as of today. 

My family and friends who already know have been completely supportive. I am so lucky to have a great team behind me. Brody has been great too, telling me I need "the hydration" and getting me anything I need. Corey is also wonderful and has been cleaning the house, doing the dishes, cooking dinner, keeping the fire stoked, and all of this while working 8am - 11pm every day.   

I will come back and update often and I am totally open to any and all questions you have. 

<3 Leanne 

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Priorities - A Challenge

So much of changing your lifestyle is all about your priorities. I budget Shakeology into my monthly expenses. Well actually 2 (sometimes 3, sometimes 2+ supplements, or the 3-da refresh.... you get the picture) bags into my budget!! OMG IT'S SOOO EXPENSIVE..... yep that's what I constantly hear..... day in and day out. Let me tell you something: 

👎Cigarettes are Expensive
👎Alcohol is Expensive I don't care if you drink at home or at a bar.
👎Seven (they happen to be my favorite) Jeans are Expensive
👎Fast Food is way Expensive
👎Daily trips to 7-11 or Walgreens for snacks are Expensive
👎Eating out is Expensive (Duh!) And you never know what exactly is in your food at that point!

👎Diabetes is Expensive
👎Heart Disease is Expensive
👎Doctor Visits are Expensive
👎Hospital Visits are Expensive

Shakeology is not expensive when you invest in your health and take time to look and see where you are wasting $5 a day!

I challenge you to right down every single PENNY you spend for one week and see where your $$$$$$ goes. I have been taking a good hard look at my life lately and living in a SMALL town without a single fast food restaurant, without an affordable convenience store, without a Wal-Mart or Target nearby and was SHOCKED by how much money I didn't realize I was spending on BS.  We flush so much $$ down the toilet on unnecessary things. I know I'm not the only one out there. Everything lies in your priorities.

Drinking Shakeology has SAVED me $$$ not cost me more. No more spending $8 a morning on Starbucks, yep my grande cafe mocha with an extra shot of espresso and a croissant; or stopping into the gas station or 7-11 for a diet coke  or a Burger King (yeah, I prefer BK to McD's) Value meal ( Hahaha Value)!

Trust me when I say YOUR HEALTH IS WORTH MORE!!!

So next time you are debating weather or not to get that bag of Shakeology you have been wondering about or that fitness program that looks like fun, try saying this to yourself: 

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Yep, I have Type 1 Diabetes.... Here is What You Should Know and Why Shakeology and Beachbody Helped me!

I am a Type 1 diabetic and I want you to know a few things about me as a diabetic and as a faithful Shakeology drinker. It has changed my life as a diabetic and all I want to do is reach others with T1D and help them too!!

Here are some facts about Type 1 first and foremost: 

1. Diabetics try their best to live the most normal life possible. We can do anything anyone else can. We are in a lifelong struggle to define themselves in any other way but diabetic.

2. People with Type 1 Diabetes can’t make Insulin. Insulin, in people without diabetes, is a hormone made in the pancreas. It allows glucose in the bloodstream to be converted for use in the body as energy.

3. Excess glucose in the bloodstream damages body systems and is the root of diabetic complications. Having too much, or too little glucose in the blood is dangerous and can ultimately cause death. Keeping blood glucose levels within normal levels is the ultimate goal of people with diabetes but can be affected by food, exercise, illness, stress, and a whole bunch of other annoying, unpredictable events.  

4. They are not allergic to sugar. They balance what they eat by testing their blood glucose levels and taking insulin through injections. Yes, injections and finger pricks often hurt at first but we get used to it. 

5. Type 1 Diabetes is occurs when the Islets of Langerhans (insulin-producing cells in the pancreas) are attacked by the body.

6. Nobody understands why their bodies attack themselves. They did not get diabetes from their mothers who gained too much weight during pregnancy, from eating too much sugar, from exercising infrequently or from any other known reason. Please be careful not to confuse Type 1 with Type 2 Diabetes. People with Type 1 cannot exercise away their diabetes or eat better to "cure" it. 

7. We hate it when you offer the rest of the room cake and tell them they can’t have it and offer them a diet coke instead. They know you mean well, but you make them feel alienated and inherently different. Let them refuse cake if they want to, and let them eat cake if we choose. We know more than you about what we’re living with.

8. There is no such thing as ‘having diabetes really bad’. People with Diabetes choose to take care of themselves or not, or somewhere in between. Your uncle who ‘had diabetes so bad’ chose not to take care of himself and he lost his leg or went blind as a result. That being said, even the most tightly controlled diabetes reduces life span.

9. The cost of living INSURED with type 1- for me- is anywhere between 50-150 a month. (A few months ago it was 225 a month) The cost of living uninsured with diabetes can easily be 400 dollars per month or more.

10.  Preventative healthcare and education are the ideal weapons in the fight against diabetes. 

Here's what I can tell you about being on Shakeology and having Type 1 Diabetes:

1.  Since starting Shakeology my HgbA1C level has consistently been in the 5-6 range. Before using Shakeology it was in the 9-12 range. 

2.  Since exercising daily and drinking my shakes daily I have more control over my blood sugars and see less spikes in glucose levels. 

3. My LDL (bad Cholesterol) is at 110 and my HDL (good Cholesterol) is 50. 

4. I do not get sick as often at all. Being a diabetic, this is extremely important - most times when I get sick, I get really sick and a simple cold can turn into an upper respiratory infection or pneumonia. 

5. It is low on the Glycemic Index: Which means that carbs enter the blood stream at a lower rate than foods higher on the GI.  This keeps blood sugar levels steady and allow us to use those carbs as energy more easily. Any number under 55 is considered low - Shakeology is at 24.  

Low GI diets help people loose and manage weight.

Low GI diets can increase the body's sensitivity to insulin.

Low GI carbs help improve diabetes management. 

The reduce hunger and prolong physical endurance. 

Here is an old video I did while raising money for Tour De Cure in 2008 to educate people on Type 1 diabetes. Forgive me... this was 7 years ago. 

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Beachbody Super Saturday Registration

Registration Form



When: Saturday July 25th 2015
Time: 8:00AM
Where: Mt. Crested Butte - my house

WHAT IS NATIONAL SUPER SATURDAY?

It’s our quarterly get-together, where Coaches from across the USA come together at hundreds of events to prepare for the next quarter, recognize success, share tips, and MAKE THINGS HAPPEN!

WHEN IS THE NEXT SUPER SATURDAY?
July 25, 2015 — save the date!

WANT TO ATTEND AN EVENT?
Don’t be shy! Get out there and support an event near you.

Find an event to attend using the map below:

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Get a Little More Sleep in Your Life

Wow, I got home from work today - did homework with Brody, fed him dinner, read him a book, put Paw Patrol on ..... and fell asleep for 2 hours! My body was craving some much needed zzzzzz's.  Maybe it is the fact that my new workout has me so sore I have trouble getting comfy, maybe because I am studying a lot these days, or maybe it is because I have a hard time sleeping when Corey is gone, but whatever it is I have got to start trying harder to get in my 8 hours. I know I am not the only one. So today, a little branch off from fitness posting, to tell you why sleep is a major necessity!

First there is an increased risk For Depression And Anxiety: People who are consistently sleep deprived experience greater difficulty regulating their mood, increasing the risk for depression and anxiety. It’s not always clear what triggers what--in some cases insomnia is a symptom of depression, while in others, it is one of the contributing factors. What the research is clear about, however, is that chronic sleep deprivation significantly aggravates your ability to get and stay happy. Interestingly, even if you aren’t experiencing depression, researchers have found that the signs of being sleep deprived (such as a drawn face, colorless or dull skin, and under-eye bags) make you appear depressed to others. I know that is not the way I want to be perceived!

 I left my keys, where...?!?
Part of the process of making a memory last a lifetime happens when we are sleeping. If you aren’t getting in enough hours, your memory starts to suffer. But I don’t have to tell you that. You already know that when you have more hours awake than sleeping, you misplace your keys, forget to meet your friend for dinner, and wander around the grocery store aimlessly, unsure of what it was you thought you desperately needed.

 My skin could use a lift!
 In addition to feeling not-so-cute because of the under-eye bags, chronic sleep deprivation also manifests itself on your skin as acne, lines, and dullness. Not getting enough sleep interrupts your body’s regenerating abilities, resulting in less collagen production and compromising your skin’s elasticity. In other words, if you aren’t getting enough sleep, you might start looking your age (and then some) at an accelerated rate. Additionally, when your body’s ability to regenerate is interrupted, you can either develop or see a worsening of conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and any skin-related allergies.

 Say good-bye to a lot of hair :( 
I’m already dealing with hair loss due to my Type 1 Diabetes,  But having your hair fall out in chunks or thin suddenly also indicates bodily stress--and ongoing sleep deprivation is immensely taxing on your system.

You may wake up with a tummy-ache
 The number-one sign for me of a really poor night’s sleep is a huge, relentless stomach ache in the morning. Sleeping resets the gut, and without this break, your digestive system can end up seriously angry.

You may get to see your Dentist more regularly
 It turns out that part of nodding off gently for most of us involves some gnashing and clenching of our teeth. It’s only when we enter a REM cycle that our jaw relaxes and we cool it with the teeth grinding. But if you’re not staying asleep long enough to progress to REM, you are experiencing higher amounts of dental stress. Lack of sleep can be a contributing factor to your pearly whites degrading or your TMJ flaring up.

So, What Can You Do About It?
 Whether you’re an insomniac or life circumstances don’t permit you much time for rest, even the best sleep hygiene won’t always work. I’ve learned the best thing I can do is not stress over it. You will sleep eventually. In the meantime, rest when you can, drink lots of water, do some yoga or Pilates, and some deep breathing techniques.

 Good luck and goodnight!

 www.beachbodycoach.com/leannemarie1081

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3 Yoga Poses to Help You Sleep Like a Baby

Forget your to- do list, worries, and troubles and let your busy day go with these 3 incredibly relaxing yoga poses. Do them right before you climb into bed .... Deep sleep, here you come. 

1. Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose

Sit on the floor with one side of your body grazing wall. Swing legs up against the wall and slowly lower your back and head to the floor, keeping legs straight. Allow your hands to fall out to sides, palms facing up. Breathe deeply, relaxing into the pose. Hold for 1 to 5 minutes.

2. Child's Pose

Kneel on your mat with your big toes touching and knees spread mat-width apart.

Lower torso between knees, bringing your forehead to rest on mat and extending arms. Breathe deeply, holding for up to 1 minute or even longer.

3. Happy Baby Pose

Lie on your mat and pull your knees to your chest.

Place hands on the outsides of your feet, opening knees wider than your torso. Press feet into hands while pulling down on feet, creating resistance. Breathe deeply, holding for up to 1 minute.

That's it! Do these poses before bed nightly for a calm and relaxing pre-sleep routine and you will be drifting off to dreamland before you know it!

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Normal vs. Organic vs. Non- GMO - How to know what to choose!?

This weekend I had the chance to watch a great documentary on GMO's. My husband and I have been into organics for the past, oh, 7 years or so, but hadn't really dived into the whole GMO- Free issues until recently.

Well watching GMO OMG has opened our eyes to how bad GMO's really are for you.

So I did a little shopping and cost comparison as to the difference between buying regular old food, to organic, to non-GMO. The cost difference is NOT that much!!  I would rather see my family eat healthier and live longer lives then feed them the regular "whatever is on sale" items.  We live on a budget, day to day, week to week. We are not rich by any means(besides rich in life and love), but this is important!

(Please excuse any spelling errors above, I forgot to spell check my document!)

To be totally honest - we SAVED $5.00 by going with the Stretch Island Fruit Co. Fruit Leathers vs the Angry Birds Fruit Snacks at Costco! But even if we don't count that (they were on sale) - for my total it was only $2.79 more for my items I compared.  My conclusion : Do I think my families health is worth $2.79? UM Of course!!!  That is a crazy question. Everyone always says Organic/eating clean/finding GMO-Free items is hard on the wallet and such. Well I am here to prove that so wrong. Yes, they may be a few cents more at times, but far healthier in the long run. 

I think I will be taking the GMO-Free/Organics route for a long, long time! 

For Money Saving tips on shopping clean on a budget visit my previous post here: 

Eating Clean and Healthy on a Budget

This information is taken directly from the website from the Movie GMO OMG:  http://www.gmofilm.com/faq.aspx

What is a GMO?

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. Genetic modification involves the mutation, insertion, or deletion of genes. Genetically engineered crops are crops that are altered with inserted genetic material to exhibit a desired trait.

How common are GMOs?

The United States is the world leader in genetically engineered crop production, with 165 million acres, or nearly half of global production. Currently in the United States, approximately 85% of all processed foods contain GMOs.

Are GMOs bad for us?

The effects of eating genetically engineered (GE) foods are still largely unknown. The studies that led to the market release of certain genetically modified seeds were conducted by the same companies that manufacture the seeds themselves, and the raw data for these tests have not been released for the public to see. There have been independent, peer-reviewed studies that suggest that there could be harmful effects to human health caused by the use of GMOs and the chemical pesticides and herbicides that go along with them, but again, there has not been enough research done and the jury is still out. Also, without labeling GE foods, we cannot associate any health problems with people who ate them — because we do not know who ate them. Since the FDA has no way to track adverse health effects in people consuming GE foods, and because there is no requirement that food containing GE ingredients be labeled, there is no effective way to gather data on health problems that may be happening.

What are the environmental effects of GMOs?

Genetically engineered (GE) crops usually use more pesticides and herbicides than non-GE crops, and they can easily contaminate organic and non-GE conventional crops with unwanted genetic material. Roundup Ready crops (which are engineered to tolerate application of the weed killer Roundup) are known to increase Roundup (glyphosate) use. Glyphosate has been linked to kidney and reproductive difficulties, allergic reactions and blocking mineral nutrients essential to human health. Now, superweeds and pests like the rootworm that have become resistant to GE-affiliated herbicides like Roundup and pesticides and require many more toxic chemicals to be applied to crops. There are also significant ethical and economic concerns involved with the patenting of living organisms and the rapid spread of GE crops has increased the corporate consolidation of the seed supply.

What is the difference between genetically engineered plants and plants altered through natural hybridization processes?

Plants altered through natural hybridization processes crossbreed plants within the same species. This process can happen naturally through cross pollination, but gardeners, farmers, and horticulturists have created the bulk of modern hybrids, often over the course of many years. The genes of genetically engineered (GE) plants have been altered by the insertion of genes taken from unrelated plant species, animal or bacterium that would not otherwise not occure naturally.

How can I avoid GMOs?

Until there are mandatory GMO labeling laws in place, the only way you can avoid eating GMOs is to eat food labeled as organic and/or food that is labeled as “Non-GMO”. Organic food prohibits the use of genetically modified ingredients in its production, and “non GMO” means that that product, although it may not be organic, does not include genetically modified ingredients.

- See more at: http://www.gmofilm.com/faq.aspx#sthash.ImtnmgDw.dpuf

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Eating Clean and Healthy on a Budget

I get a lot of questions about how you can make clean eating affordable. Today I have a few answers. 

Eating clean can be hard and expensive. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle actually helps everything in the long run. Less doctor bills, less prescription medication costs. 

If you do away with your daily Starbucks, or fast food meal on the go, you would save SO much money right off the bat. You would be surprised as to what you can get for $50 a week at your local grocery store.

Here are a few tips to help you eat clean and maintain your budget.

1. Get a Rewards Card at your local supermarket

2. Look for coupons in the mail

While couponing is addictive and can be time consuming, the deals are incomparable. - My advice, clip what you KNOW you will use and on the DAY you plan your shopping trip take those ones you want to use. 

3. Plan out your meals for the week

If you plan out what you will eat for the week, once you get to the grocery store it’s easier to get what you need and not be distracted by the countless aisles of processed food.

4. Eat local and in-season

Local produce is usually cheaper than purely organic because it requires less money and gas to transport, while in-season produce just makes more sense…who wants to eat something that couldn't naturally be growing during a certain time of year?

5. Organic does NOT mean better

 

The USDA bylaws for what is considered organic are unclear and unregulated. Fruits like bananas, oranges, grapefruit... anything with a harder peel, especially do not need to be organic. Save your money and just go with fruits and vegetables over processed garbage, regardless if they are organic or not. 

6. Avoid packaged or pre-made foods

These foods are often almost double the price of what it would cost to make in your own kitchen and oftentimes have high sodium content.

7. Always eat your leftovers

When you throw away food, you are throwing away money. Think about that!

Here is a typical daily meal plan that is easy to stick to and has many health benefits while also being affordable: 

Breakfast:

½ cup of oatmeal with 1 cup of milk and a handful of frozen berries

3 egg omelet 

Morning Snack:

1 apple, 2 tablespoons of almond butter

Lunch:

Shakeology (at only 4/serving, this is less than the cost of any fast food lunch even a packaged salad from a grocery store. 

2 hard boiled eggs; salad with greens and tomatoes; 

Afternoon Snack:

½ bell pepper/ 1/2 cucumber / mini peppers + 1 tablespoon of hummus

Dinner:

1 Chicken or Turkey Breast (4-6 oz.), 1 cup of a green or brightly colored vegetable (these are often cheaper if frozen), and a 1/4 cup quinoa

While this meal plan may seem boring, it is economical, healthy, and can be tailored to your liking by adding spices, fresh garlic, or fresh citrus for flavor.

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Shakeology - The truth about the cost and how I afford it & Being a Shakeo Lifer

So if you follow my blog you know I am a Beachbody Coach. You know I love health, fitness, the outdoors, Crested Butte, my Shakeology, and most importantly my family. I coach because I want to make a better life all around for my family. That started with going on Shakeology and getting healthy to set the best example I could for my 5 year old son and my husband. We started drinking our shakes on Oct 30th 2014 (WE DIDN'T TOUCH ANY HALLOWEEN CANDY LAST YEAR!) We shared our first bag as I became a coach and ordered my Turbofire Challenge Pack. Our 30 day supply lasted us about 16 days straight since we were both drinking it. I kept telling Corey {my husband} that he had to order our next bag. Over and over I told him. Day 6- I told him. Day 10 - I told him.... but he procrastinated and day 16 rolled around and he had not ordered. So on the day we ran out I ordered our next bag. Now I tell everyone I learned from this experience: If any of my customers wonder if Shakeology really has the benefits and effects that it claims - Go off of it for a few days after being on it.  We were both sluggish, tired, and craved sweets again. I learned that yes - it truly makes a difference in how I feel on a day to day basis along with keeping me satisfied and my weight down at a steady 115 lbs since Feb 25th.  (I lost a total of about 32 lbs on Shakeo and while doing Turbofire + clean eating. Cor and I both also won the Beachbody Challenge and $500.00 each for winning!!!)  So I knew early on that I not only wanted to carry on this healthy lifestyle, this was not a diet, this was a lifestyle change - but I also wanted to do it with Shakeology.
I am not going to lie - Shakeology is not cheap. It retails for $130.  About $4.00 a day. So I had to figure out a way to afford it. Becoming a coach was my first step. So now I pay $115 for it.

Ok, great so now I save $15 - but there had to be more ways, as a coach, to lower the cost. So I talked to my coach. It was easy - All I had to do was to help people get healthy in the way I had found and truly coach them. (I haven't paid for a bag of Shakeology in 10 months - and I get two bags a month). My commissions for helping others pay for my shakes and can do the same for anyone else with the heart to help.

Now to really break down the cost of Shakeology - I will break it down while making my favorite shake:

Indgredients: 1 medium banana ; 1 tbsp. of natural pb;  1/2 cup almond milk

Monthly Cost: Almond milk - 7.76
                        Natural PB - 1/2 container per month 2.33
                        Bananas - 5.20
                        Shakeology - 115.00 
                        Total =   $4.34 per day

** Non coach price = $5.10 per day **

 

So I am a Shakeology lifer. It makes me feel great. Seriously curbs my sweet cravings and I use it as a complete meal replacement for lunch - which in the long run saves me money!! Plus I get to coach people to a healthier lifestyle and in my world there is nothing better than helping others get healthy and fit!

 

 

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Do You Ever Have One of Those Days?

Oh My GOSH!

Today was one of those days. 

Busy to the max. Stressful. Fulfilling. Challenging. Rewarding.

The day started with happy tears. I got to announce one of my best friends as she rank advanced as an Emerald coach. 

As soon as I posted her rank advancement - I immediately teared up. I am so proud of her! 

Then the frustration of working a full - time job set in: Today was Brody's first field trip ever. To the pumpkin patch. Growing up I have this picture: Me in Kindergarten at the pumpkin patch. My parents were chaperons on that field trip. Hence the reason I have that photo and the memory.  Since the day Brody started Kindergarten I envisioned going with him on his first field trip. I found out last week that because of my work schedule, the only day I could not change in the month of October, was the day of his field trip. 

He wanted me to go so badly. This is his "I'll just have to go with my teacher Miss D. then" look. 

Breaks my heart. 

I vow to him - from 1st grade on, I will never ever miss a field trip with him again. 

I promise him, a job will never get in the way of me spending time with him again. 

Sacrifices now = happy fulfilling life later. - This is my current mantra.

His bus was 10 minutes late picking them up this morning which threw off my schedule for the day and if that weren't bad enough as he was getting on the bus I noticed that he was not carrying his lunch bag - So there I was: crazy mom running out of the car yelling for the bus to stop rolling away because my son boarded while leaving his lunch in the park. 

Oye! 

Then I got to do something today that was really exciting!! My first PiYo Live class! LOVED teaching. Wearing the mic, in front of a class: what an experience. I had a blast and although they said it was tough, my class members said they loved it too! (I am SO SORE!!  Maybe practicing release 33 2 times a day since Tuesday was not the smartest thing to do prior to teaching a class! haha!) 

I ended the day with a call with 2 of my teammates and no matter what that always lifts up my spirits and then there's this: 

All in all I can't complain. A day can start rough, but as long as you are positive you'll get through it. 

How do you push through a tough day?!  

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The Why That Makes You Cry...

... It is a saying often heard from Beachbody Coaches. We say it to our customers and we say it to ourselves. Find a "why" that makes you cry. Whether it be to help a customer push play to get rid of medications or to help one of your coaches on your team make that push to help someone - we say it all the time. I have thought about this post for weeks now - how to say it- write it- explain it, wondering what people will think, but the truth is this is MY WHY and I don't have to worry about what other people think. So here goes. People wonder all the time why I am a Beachbody Coach. Why I push others to get healthy and fit and feel good. Why I do what I do. The reality of the situation is that there are a few for me but my "why" really didn't make me cry until this past Monday.  One of my reasons for coaching is so we as a family could re-locate to a tiny little ski town on the Western Slope in CO. A job became available for my husband Corey - a job that NEVER becomes available. Full-time year round work for the resort. The bummer of the situation: I have a really great paying job, we have a year lease on our house still, and Brody is in the middle of his school year. We realized that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Corey, so we took it. I say we because from day one of applying for the job, to the interview, to condo hunting in Crested Butte - we had to be a team.  This means that Corey now lives and works 4 hours away from us. 

Brody and I are sad. We knew it would be hard to leave- and we knew it would be a sacrifice for 9-12 months. In the end it will mean a better life for Brody. It will mean a graduating class of 60 kids instead of 900.  It will mean he grows up in a town where kids still can go outside and play in a safe environment. It means he can ski his little heart out. 

He wants to ski in the Olympics - Big goals for a 5 year old.

This means that I have thrown all caution to the wind and have committed to increasing my team by next year. Becoming a 2-star diamond coach.

As we drove away from Corey leaving him standing there on the steps of his condo, I held it together. Then Brody started crying "Daddy is my first and favorite friend". And for the first time my why made me cry. I need to re-unite my family in our favorite place ever. 

For now, I want to coach to earn enough income to supplement what part of my salary I will loose by taking a job in a small town.... In the future: 

I never want to miss another field trip of Brody's again because of work. 

I want to volunteer in his school. 

I want to open up a PiYo Studio. 

I want to HELP as many people as I can get healthy and strong. Go off of medications because they have changed their life. I want to help the coaches on my team get to financial freedom. I want to help one of my coaches who's job is crushing her spirits to become a full time SAHM. I want to help another mom help pay for her child's physical therapy bills. I want to help a woman supplement their family income so her husband does not have to work so hard..... the list goes on and on. 

So that is my big why. That is why I post daily about my passion for Beachbody and helping others. 

What is your Why?

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