"There is no 'try'!"

Whether you're a Star Wars freak like me or not, you've got to see the truth in Master Yoda's wise words! "Trying" something, anything, is basically a safe word meaning "maybe" and "halfway". Where does that even get you? Nowhere! You're either in, or you're out! Do it, or don't! "Trying" keeps you stuck. Get out of the "try" trap! Just DO it! DO that exercise program. DO make better choices to eat well and stay healthier. DO! Or, do NOT and stay where you are....but there is no "try". 

This is what goes through my head every time someone says they want to "try" a Team Beachbody program (or Shakeology). As a coach, I KNOW that there is no "trying". You either want it or you don't. Just THINKING about a change isn't what is going to MAKE the change! It all starts with a decision. That's part of the Team Beachbody motto: "Decide. Commit. Suceed." Once you make that definitive choice, you're on your way to moving forward (or going backward if you decide to do nothing. Not to decide IS to decide). 

I know deciding can be tough, but that's why I'M here! Having support is crucial, and that's why I'm a coach! I want to help you take that next step! I'm on the same journey as you are! I know how you feel! It's tough, but you can do it! 

So, what have you been wanting to "try" that you haven't made the choice to "do" yet (and what is holding you back)? Let's start with Shakeology. After all, that is probably the biggest thing that most people tell me that they want to "try" but they never follow through with; even though it couldn't be simpler! Here are your options: 

1. You purchase a 7 day sampler . - In the 7 day sampler, you will get a week's worth of Shakeology; one serving of each of these flavors: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, greenberry, cafe latte, vegan tropical strawberry, and vegan chocolate. This is a GREAT way to see what flavor you might like (and how good you will feel) when you decide to buy a full month of Shakeology! If you're starting with the simplest and smallest decision, this is it! *NOTE* I updated this from the "sampler pack" to the "super sampler pack" on 3/17/15. It's now the "7 day sampler" and I updated this blog to reflect that on 2/1/17.
2. You buy your first bag of Shakeology. - The perk is, you REALLY don't have anything to lose! Shakeology is GUARANTEED! If you don't like it, send it back for a refund (less s&h) - even if the bag is EMPTY! Team Beachbody customer service is hassle free (I've dealt with them before, and they are awesome)! No worries! Just think, you can basically get a nearly FREE BAG of Shakeology! So, if the risk of trying something and not liking it scares you, this will make the cost VERY minimal for you! *If you want my person opinion, the chocolate is the tastiest and the best! It's my favorite!*
3. Continuing to buy Shakeology. - You bought it. You love it. You can't live without it now! So, now you might be trying to figure out how to factor it in with your monthly budget. Your BEST option is to become a coach and get your Shakeology auto-shipped (home direct). That way, you get your 25% coach discount on Shakeology (and all Team Beachbody products) plus lower-cost shipping by being on home direct. Plus, you will earn income as a coach through commissions when others buy products through YOU! Getting just THREE people on Shakeology home direct will cover the cost of your own Shakeology expense! Everybody wins! Or, if you don't want the discount, extra income, or the thrill of helping others right now, your best option is making sure you are on Shakeology home direct so you can at least get the lower-cost shipping. 

There you have it! No excuses!! :) Actually, the same goes for the workout programs too! They are also guaranteed! If you don't like it, send it back within the time frame specified with that particular program and get a refund (less s&h). I've done that before, and I didn't have any problems getting my money back! And, like with Shakeology, you get your Team Beachbody programs at a discount when you're a coach (I LOVE that perk!). Or, if the discount and extra income still doesn't interest you, you can still just buy the programs outright (or wait/hope for a sale on what you want). I'll keep you updated on those things! Make sure you're on my team! Click here to sign up for FREE (click "not a member?" at the top of the page) and I'll be your coach! :) 

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I hope that this post has helped you get a step closer to deciding to "do" something for yourself instead of just "trying". You CAN do this; and I'm here for you! Be infused! God bless you! 

Do You Want to Be Blessed or Cursed?

When it comes to whether or not we want blessings or curses in our lives, the answer to that is really a no-brainer. I can't imagine anyone saying, "Yes, I want to be cursed!" No. We all want good things for ourselves, our family, and to have a wonderful life.

If this is true, WHY do we still choose to be cursed? I have been pondering that ever since the other day when I was reading Joyce Meyer's daily devotional on the WONDERFUL Bible app on my phone. She mentioned that Deuteronomy 28 describes a blessed life and a cursed life. The difference between the two is obedience to God. Read it and see the huge contrast between the two! The one who listens to the Lord is BEYOND blessed and life is good, prosperous, and abundant. Then, it goes on to say how difficult, disastrous, and calamity ridden a disobedient life is. It's a very bleak, distressing, and depressing picture! Seriously, take a moment and read it for yourself!

After I read it, it really got me to thinking about my own life. I had always tried so hard to please God and be a "good girl". The closer I walked with God, the better my life truly was and I can honestly say, those were always the happiest times. Any time I wandered astray, that's when I saw things in my life fall apart and bad things happen left and right. I've never saw it more plainly than in these last three years. I've always had my faith, but I'll admit that it was by a thread for a good while. I'll tell you what, I've never had a more heart breaking, miserable, lonely, depressing, and horrific time than when I was so lost and losing hope in the Lord. My worst moments of my life have been during these past three years when my faith was so weak. However, I have noticed that my life truly began to get better again due to the profound and simple choice I made on Easter Sunday of this year to rebuild my faith. That day, I was talking to the boyfriend I had at the time. Our relationship was very new; we were about two weeks into it (I think). Unfortunately, that was all the further it would go because he decided that he didn't want to renew his faith. I had told him that I was watching church online and asked if he was going anywhere or doing anything for Easter. That's when he told me he believed in God, yet wanted nothing to do with Him. It was a heartbreaking thing to hear; especially when that is not the kind of thing he had originally told me when we got together. He assured me that he wasn't going to change his mind on it, so I had to make the painful decision to let him go because I knew that being unequally yoked never works and that anyone who chooses anyone over God isn't worthy of Him (2 Corinthians 6:14, Matthew 10:37-38).

It was that choice that started changing my life all over again; this time, for the better. I started out by watching my brother's church online and committed to doing so each Sunday until I found a local church home. Later on, I started watching Blackhawk Ministries instead and was considering attending there (even though it's a 45 minute drive from where I am). I hadn't been to church in a long time and even though I tried a few churches, I hadn't found one in which I felt like it was "home". Yet, I knew it was important to find somewhere local, so I went to a few churches last summer. It's funny where you end up because the place where I finally felt like I belonged was the one that my parents' go to. I have went a couple times, but didn't feel like I connected (and mostly because I think I just didn't want to). However, I feel like God wanted me there because on the Sunday that I went back, it was due to the fact that I missed the service of another church. I was driving to it, but couldn't find a way to get there due to the road construction. It was like God was literally road blocking me lol. I didn't want to just give up and go home, so I figured I would surprise my parents and show up at theirs since it was about time for it to start anyways. Not only did I surprise them, but God surprised ME. The church was welcoming, the worship was full of heart (it always gets me teared up!), and the people there just have an attitude of servanthood (as evidenced by the testimonials they were having from the youth group that day; it really blessed me and melted my heart). The church is all about love, serving, prayer, ministry, and missions. It's so genuine and does EXACTLY the kind of things a church SHOULD do!

Over the next few weeks, I realized that I knew I belonged there. Not only that, but my kids love it there and they have a sign language interpreter in the service that my son loves to watch. I was also able to jump right in and start getting involved when I heard about the Steps of Faith Walk that they were going to have. I was very blessed to take part in it (she ended up getting well over 600 pairs of shoes to send to Africa!). I love getting connected with people that I already know, as well as getting to know new people. This church family makes it so easy! I am so grateful for them and look forward to getting to know them all more!

It is pretty obvious to me that Deuteronomy 28 is right on! I am seeing how blessed my life is again now that I have renewed my faith and started making choices for Him again. As you've read in my recent posts, He has blessed my children and I with a new house and so much more! I just can't even begin to tell you all the ways that he has provided for us and how wonderful my life is becoming more and more each day! I'm leaving the life full of curses and entering a life full of blessings when I choose Jesus!

In Joyce Meyer's devotional, she says: ""you can get free from one thing and go on to another thing and another thing and pretty soon, you'll start to realize that you have some real authority in Christ." I am definitely finding the bliss and freedom of working on all the things I need to work on in my life. I'm embracing each stage and step; learning, growing, and changing (even if it's uncomfortable, painful, or difficult). Joyce says, "Don't live your life without the thrill of growing and changing or you'll miss out on the good things God can do through you." Amen! She couldn't be more right about that! She also suggests to, "Take some time today to visualize the person you want to be and start pursuing God's freedom. Because one day at a time, you and God can do anything!" Amen to that too!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! Take it from me, it's a lot better to be blessed than cursed; and it's within YOUR power to decide which of the two you want to be! Your heart, attitude, and willingness to lay down your pride and be submissive to the Lord is what will bring forth transformation, renewal, and blessings into your life! So, if your life is a mess, full of stress and turmoil, etc. pause for a moment to think about whether your choices have invited curses on yourself due to issues of disobedience in some way/area to God. Do you have an addiction? Do you fear/worry to much instead of surrendering control and trusting God? Do you hold onto hate and unforgiveness? What's the condition of your heart? Be honest with yourself and then bring it before Him and make those issues right. Make a choice to be a better you and have a better life through obedience to Christ. There truly is blessing and freedom in abiding in Him! Be infused! God bless you!

When You Don't Feel Like It

When it comes to working out, there are a lot of days where I don't feel like it. In fact, I would venture to say that I don't feel like it at least 80% of the time. That being the case, it's a wonder I ever workout at all! I think I would also venture to say that there's probably at least that high of a percentage out there that feels the same way!

Most people say that they aren't motivated to work out. They wait and wait until they "feel like it" before they decide to do it and commit (which often never comes). Generally speaking, people are so ruled by emotions and feelings that there are so many poor decisions that we make (or don't make) just because the feeling isn't there.

The true power is in choosing rather than feeling. Feelings are so fickle and you cannot trust them or bank on the fact that they will lead you in the right direction. Go with what you KNOW! That's how I look at it every day when I workout (and in regards to life in general). Therefore, I CHOOSE to workout even though I don't FEEL like it because I KNOW that it's the best choice. I also know that sometimes I "feel like it" once I finally make the choice to just DO IT and get it done! One thing is for absolute certain; I've always felt like the choice to workout was a good one vs. the choice of deciding not to.

One thing that will make it easier to choose to workout is choosing the right workout in the first place. If you hate your program, of course you are liable not to stick with it. But, if you do something that you enjoy, you'll  follow through a lot easier! I found that out the hard way over the years. I did LOTS of workouts that I hated and I always abandoned them eventually because I got bored. Usually, it was because I had chosen a machine. I had an elliptical, a gazelle, ab gadgets, and things of that nature. I finally realized I'm not a machine person and once I figured out that I really loved things like Turbo Jam, Turbo Fire, Hip Hop Abs, I had a LOT more success! I started really enjoying my workouts. Even if I didn't feel like exercising, I usually ended up feeling that way by the time I got started!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! Please, don't hesitate to talk to me about what program might be right for you so that you can do something you enjoy and get results! Exercise doesn't have to be a chore! Fun and fitness CAN go together! Even when the workout is tough, just remember that choosing to do it and get through it will always make you "feel" better when you're done! Be infused! God bless you!!

Putting One Foot in Front of the Other

One of the biggest questions everyone has when they decide to commit to a healthier lifestyle is, "How do I get started?" Often times, it seems overwhelming because you sometimes feel like you have to change everything at once.

The best way to start changing your life is to take it one step at a time. Think about your ultimate goal, and then break it down into smaller ones. Think about the things you want to change and then make a step-by-step game plan. Evaluate your habits and identify patterns. Figure out what is and isn't working for you.

Make simple changes and work your way up! Take the broad goal of "eat better" and start with "today, I am going to choose a salad instead of a burger" or "I will drink water instead of soda." Then, see if you can turn it into a "streak". See how long you can drink water instead of soda each day! Clean out your fridge and cupboards and stock them with good things for your body. There's all sorts of things you can start doing little by little; adding them to your life gradually. Even with exercise, you don't have to start out by working out an hour a day seven days a week. How about just five or ten minutes today; even if it's just a walk? Just get moving SOMEHOW for a least a few minutes each day and work your way up!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! As you begin to make more and more choices, you will notice how much better you look and feel inside and out. Keep it up and be patient with yourself!! You can do it!! Just put one foot in front of the other (remember the old Winter Warlock lol!). Just step forward and start moving! Also, remember that I'm here to help you too! Sign up for a FREE Team Beachbody account and be a part of Infusion 413 so I can be your official coach and help you do whatever you need to do to reach your goals! Be infused! God bless you!

What Are We Learning?

If you've ever watched Veggie Tales, you're probably familiar with the "What We Have Learned" song. It's played at the conclusion of each Veggie Tales lesson (and in various styles; much to the dismay of Bob who dislikes the song for some reason lol). It's a simple and catchy song that reminds us to think about what we have learned and how to apply it to our lives.

So, what have we learned? Well, yesterday we learned a humorous but important lesson from Cookie Monster about impulse control; which is one of Dr. Phil's 7 keys to weight loss freedom that I have been sharing over the last few weeks. Dr. Phil says: "There's only one reason why you haven't changed the bad stuff in your life. You're getting something out of it. I'm not saying that you're getting something healthy or positive, but people do not continue in situations, attitudes or actions that do not give them a payoff. This key helps you identify those payoffs, unplug from them, and replace bad habits with healthy behavior."

How much did that lesson sink in? I think it's a very vital one because without self-control and discipline, there's no way that we're going to succeed! What are our habits (whether good or bad) and what are we getting out of them? What are our payoffs? We need to evaluate our behavior patterns and determine whether or not they are truly beneficial to us or not. If they're not, we need to make the necessary changes in order to get positive results in our life. As Dr. Phil would also say, we don't "break" habits, we "replace them with new ones." It's not enough just to stop a behavior. You'll go right back to it if you don't have something else to do instead. Even Jesus warns against vacancy like that. Once you clean house, you better fill it up with good things or the bad is going to creep back in and be even worse than before (Matthew 12:43-45). That kind of explains why a person can lose weight and then gain it all back and THEN some, doesn't it? Think about it!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I hope that this blog is helping all who are reading and that it's being applied in your lives! I would LOVE to hear from you! Please, don't ever hesitate to comment on here! I would love to have this blog become a place where people interact and support one another! Be infused! God bless you!

The Best Decision of Your Life!

Every day, we make hundreds of decisions; from the simple to the complex. We are constantly making choices that are going to shape our day and ultimately our lives. Therefore, it's important to make the best choices possible so that we can live the highest quality of life possible.

One of the most common and frequent choices that we make each day is what we're going to eat for each meal. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and of course there are probably snacks thrown in) we have the option to fuel our body with things that will help or hinder the functioning of our internal system. These days, I don't think many people think too much about what we're putting into ourselves. As a result, we are often slowed down and not living up to our potential.

The choice to be at optimum health is the most important choice we will ever make! If our health is poor, then our quality of life (and the duration in which we get to live it) is shortened. I don't know about you, but I want to LIVE! I don't want to just "get by", exist, and feel mediocre. I want to be the best I can be; not just for me, but for my kids, family, friends, and to be able to serve others. My life has purpose and if I am to live to fulfill what God has planned for my life, I have to take care of myself if I'm going to have anything to offer the world.

In the video below, Carl Daikeler (CEO of Beachbody), explains why Shakeology is the best choice you'll ever make. Yeah, there's other nutrition drinks out there. Sure, you could spend all day eating fruits, vegetables, and swallowing vitamins all day. However, do you really have TIME for that? How about making a simple and easy choice. Drink Shakeology! Not only do you get your protein, vitamins, antioxidants, and all your fruits and veggies, but you get the pro-biotics and digestive enzymes that your system needs to keep you healthy, fight illness, and keep you regular. Then, there's that added benefit of feeling satisfied (instead of crazy hungry all the time) and not craving sugar and fatty foods all the time. Oh yeah, and the weight-loss is the biggest bonus. Did I mention that all those anti-oxidants make your hair, skin, and nails look good too? You're talking to a girl that usually has dry skin, circles under her eyes, allergies, and mild pimple breakouts. All of that is virtually non-existent when I'm consistently drinking Shakeology. My body is looking good inside AND out! Drinking this every day is the best thing I could do for myself; and I'm worth it! You are too!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! If you've been pondering whether or not to take a chance and try Shakeology for yourself, I encourage you to just do it! It's guaranteed and it's the best choice you will ever make for your life! Be infused! God bless you!

No More "Sunday Blues"

The "Sunday Blues". That's what I used to call them. On most Sundays, for at least the past three years, I would usually end up feeling a little down. It was a combination of a lot of things; the past week, anticipating the week to come, and my life in general. More often than not, there had been a lot of busyness and lots of various issues to deal with. Most of the time, I felt like things happened so fast that I didn't have time to think about it until Sunday night when the week was over and I had a new week to wonder about. I can't even begin to tell you about the many times I would just sit and cry due to all the emotions that had built up over the week. I would just sit, think, pray, and feel sad, lonely, and overwhelmed; wishing that my life would change for the better.

However, the Sunday blues happen less and less often. There are a lot of reasons for that. Yes, I'm still busy and have a lot to deal with each week, but my attitude about it has changed. I am more focused, faith & purpose driven, and content. Why? Because I choose to be. It's all about choices! I've discovered over the years just how empowering it truly is to have the freedom and ability to choose to change your heart and mind for the better. Besides, I just don't have the time and energy to waste on the blues. Either I'm doing something productive, or I'm asleep. I don't have time for anything else lol.

I am amazed at my life's journey. Whether things have been good or bad, I've learned from it all and feel that I'm moving in the right direction. I'm finally seeing the changes I have always hoped for because I've done more than just "hope". I've taken action to make my hope a reality. Nothing occurs by just passively standing by. You have to actively pursue what results you're aiming to achieve! There's a lot of patience involved in the process, but it's worth it!

I'm enjoying being present and content in each moment. It's like what I wrote about a few years ago when I was initially in transition: I'm "living the dream"! If you don't remember that blog, you've got to read it! As I read over it myself, I see where I was three years ago compared to now. I see that my faith really has begun to rebuild and that I have overcome so many "bad dreams" on my way to these new dreams that are coming true in my life! Everything that I blogged about then has turned out to be true. I had to endure a lot of nightmares and things were really rough for a while. Now, that time has passed and the "good dreams" are on the horizon! I am a lot stronger, wiser, and more developed in my faith and character than I used to be. Through going through everything I have, I am now equipped to deal with (and receive) the new blessings to come! Praise God for His perfect timing and vision for my life! It was awful to wait and persevere through three tough years, but it was obviously necessary!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! Here's to hoping that you too can overcome any "blues" that come your way! Solomon said that there's a time for everything. If your time is a rough time right now, know that it won't be forever. That time (however long or short) will be over and you will have good times again. Maybe you feel like I did and that things will always be bad or be slow in  changing. Though, when that time finally ends, you will look back on it all and see the purpose in the grand scheme of things. That's what I'm seeing right now and I'm amazed! Live whatever dream you're in right at the moment and pray for God's strength to infuse you, help you be content, and persevere through whatever circumstance you're in. Be infused! God bless you!