nrenees21-blog

[nrenees21-blog]

If you don't have time to do it now, you certainly don't have time to do it over

Sasha Mariolo 

[nrenees21-blog]

I have always struggled with my weight...at least in my eyes.  I am sure if someone else looked at my past self, they would say otherwise.  I have never felt comfortable in my own skin, and often heard and felt the words that others said about me.  I don’t know that they were meant to be cruel, but they felt it to me and stuck with me.  

I never thought about food as fuel to my body.  I never thought of exercising as something enjoyable.  I did, however, enjoy playing sports.  The team camaraderie was something I would strive for.  The feeling of my parents cheering me on from the sidelines was/is without compare.  

I don’t think I would be who I am today without the support of my family and teammates.

But when it came to food choices, man was that a challenge.  I can remember eating a huge bowl of ice cream, fast food dinners, quick meals on the go, school lunches.  Then, in college, traveling for games, we would stop a gas station or fast food a lot of the time just to get back on the road quicker.

When I graduated and had to manage food choices on my own.  I was a lost pup.  How could I possibly know how to cook or where to start when my life was always “on the go”, so in turn, so were my food choices.  

I still struggle with food choices.  I still struggle with fueling my body.  I am thankful for the family and team that I have through Beachbody that has given me the tools to make those changes for myself and my kids.

We still go out for fast food or eat quick meals, but majority of the time, we are making balanced, healthy meals and sitting down as a family to eat--even if it is at 8:00 pm.

My daughter has always been health conscious.  She’s only 8 but has a good grasp on the balance that I so dearly struggle with.  Recently she was reading the label of her juicebox and declared that it had 80 calories.  As I was trying to respond, she quickly said, “Calories are bad for you.”  I tried to explain that there are calories in everything except water, and the differences in the good and the bad.  She went on to tell me that a girl that she knows told her that calories are not good for you.  I was deeply concerned.  

I know healthy choices, positive body conversations need to continue.  Good choices have to be demonstrated.   I want my children to know how to make the right choices, and know that there is a balance with their food choices...starting at home...making positive memories together.

[nrenees21-blog]

I am ready...

Fitness is an ongoing journey for me.  It’s often a love/hate relationship.  I love the way that I feel after a work out.  I sleep better.  I have more energy.  But I have a hard time staying motivated and actually wanting to work out.  

After finding the Beachbody community, I realized that fitness doesn’t have to be dreaded...it’s meant to be a journey.  There is no destination, you have to keep going.

I am always learning new ways to incorporate new foods, clean eating into my family’s diet and routine.  I am drinking Shakeology daily to balance my belly, help with cravings, and boost my energy. 

The support that I am provided from the team environment exceeds measurement.  I am able to admit defeat, ask for support, and be given encouragement when I am ready to give up.

I am ready to help others while learning to help myself.  I am ready to help my family earn extra income to provide those extra things in life.  I am ready and I am no longer afraid to fail.. because I will learn from my trials and learn from the community of people that are behind me and supporting me to succeed.

“Failure that you learn from is progress.”

[nrenees21-blog]

Oatmeal Cups

I made these oatmeal cups and despite my children turning their noses up at them, they are pretty good.  I was expecting a stronger banana taste so at first I didn’t like them, but after a few days, I really liked them.  I would definitely add more banana next time.

Total Time: 45 min./Prep Time: 15 min./Cooking Time: 30 min.

Yield: 12 servings, 1 cup each

Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 2 large bananas, mashed 1 Tbsp. raw honey 2½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon 1½ tsp. baking powder 1½ cups unsweetened almond milk ¾ cup chopped raw walnuts ¼ cup raisins

Preparation: 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. 2. Prepare twelve muffin cups by coating with spray. Set aside. 3. Combine eggs, extract, bananas, and honey in a large bowl; mix well. Set aside. 4. Combine oats, cinnamon, and baking powder in a medium bowl; mix well. 5. Add oat mixture to egg mixture; mix well. 6. Add almond milk; mix well. 7. Divide oat mixture evenly between prepared muffin cups. 8. Top evenly with walnuts and raisins. 9. Bake 26 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Tip: Pecans, cashews, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, or dark chocolate chips can be substituted for walnuts and raisins.

Recipe credit: https://www.teambeachbody.com/teambeachbodyblog/nutrition/baked-oatmeal-cups-with-raisins-and-walnuts

[nrenees21-blog]

As I watch my daughter play soccer, I can't help but feel excited that she is finding a love for the game that consumed my life for over 20 years.

The anxiety when the ball goes near my little goalie, the excitement when she scores a goal....boy, the game as a mom, including cold weather on the sidelines, is truly a different experience.

My parents always said to me:

"It's not about whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game."

I never truly understood what that meant until yesterday when I watched my baby girl become frustrated and then later disappointed when her team lost.

We talked about working hard, believing in yourself and your team, and always trying your best.

I can only hope that my words and support resignate with her like my parents' did for me.

[nrenees21-blog]

Inspiration in the Mirror

My inner voice screams louder than any other noise in my surroundings.  When that voice tells me to help someone else, I do it.  When that inner voice tells me to stand up for someone who can’t for themselves, I do it.  When I sense someone needs a hug, I give it.  When someone needs support, I lend an ear.  

When that voice tells me to look in the mirror and love the person I see, a wall remains.  A wall that is not there for others.  

I think we could all look at someone who has climbed Mount Everest, run a marathon or faced the unthinkable and think “Wow.  They are inspiring.”  What I have recently discovered is that I, too, am inspiring.

The daily struggle of being a full time, working mother and wife is overwhelming.  I am not perfect.  I lose my temper way more than I should.  I fall asleep on the couch.  Take out and fast food are sometimes the norm.  I don’t cook from scratch...who am I kidding? My husband is the one that cooks!

I am perfectly imperfect and I am learning to be okay with that.  

I don’t need to have an “unthinkable” achievement.  Everyday that I wake up and take on the thoughts in my mind, and overcome the wall of overwhelm that the need for perfectionism creates for me...I am inspiring.

It’s time we all took a good look in that mirror and gave ourselves some love.

[nrenees21-blog]

Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we'll ever do.

Brene Brown