Growing up

Cant sleep and I'm absolutely stinking delighted.

Some of my best memories are of a totally quiet house (check), no lights on (check), only sunshine and a cup of coffee in front of my computer back when we had a big computer armoire in the kitchen.  Remember those!  They are about like having rabbit ears now.

Now its a laptop and a hot tea and its pitch black, but it always starts out the same.  I have a blank screen, all the thoughts from the last few days (mostly from in the shower, when Im cleaning, cooking, working out, or the car) and no idea what is about to happen.

All of the sudden, like 2 seconds ago, Ellen grew up.  She made Santa look like an elf when she sat in his lap.  She cooked banana bread from scratch totally solo today.  She texted me.  She had a friend over recently and it struck me how young Ellen is by comparison and that is because we choose to treat her that way and keep her that way.  But in reality, I don't have this baby anymore.

I was looking back at old Facebook statuses from 1 and 2 years ago (highly recommend this by the way, nothing else has ever come close to giving us a living autobiography) and I was amazed and what a beautiful and funny little girl I had based on those statuses. All the moments we captured, all the things we have done!  Jesustakethewheel, both the in-laws are right, we GO. ALOT.  And incidentally, I was totally amazed and how funny, inspiring and enjoyable I found myself, too.  True story!   I really fell victim to my own insecurities when the 4,510th person said "I see "ALL" your posts on Facebook "ALL THE TIME" when we ran into them face to face.  "you are on there ALL THE TIME' they would say.  "I love reading ALL YOUR POSTS" they would say.  I was embarrassed for some reason, like I had been busted!  I guess because I enjoy it so much and because its really like the new blogging, which was the new journalling, which for me is a hobby, but I digress.

I am way too critical of myself.  And sensitive.  And driven.  Kind of volatile, or at least stressful for me, since unless you are under a rock never attempting anything, you are going to get criticized.  And knocked down.  Both can paralyze me.  "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face" is taped to my keyboard because I can be so easily and deeply hurt and question everything I've done, my judgement, others' motives, the list is endless.  Mostly I question if I should go on, keep trying at all.   Thats probably everyone if I had to guess, but at some point you have to get over all of that and be proud, and confident.

So my thoughts are that I have to stop letting someone's OPINION of what I do or enjoy affect me.  From Facebook, to work, to writing, to fitness, to parenting, I will be judged and my thought is that its time that stopped having any affect on me.   My other thought is that (other's opinions aside) every sacrifice I've made in the business world and even the fitness world or even just plain old having fun world to spend more time with Ellen Rose was worth it.  I don't feel cheated.  I don't feel like I wasn't there, not even a little bit.  Wealth is really freedom, and I've got that.  A lot of it.  And I've chosen to "spend" most of it on Ellen.

People said to dive into parenting because it ends and you can't get it back; they were right.  So much of the heavy lifting is over and I have the space in the work, fitness and fun worlds now that I didn't have for a couple of years.  I affectionately called those years "parenting prison" to my dearest friends.  This is also why I am in awe mothers who raise children over 10s of years or have several kids.  Running a country would be easier and less stressful.  No question.

But had I given in to others or just my desire to do more, I would have regret.  So its worth it.

To close - What kind of  new years day post would this be without a list of resolutions?  I can hear David Letterman's top 10 background music in my head for some reason but I don't know what I am about to write so here goes…

1.  I resolve to write more and not care what anyone else thinks about it, or where I do it.
2.  I resolve to focus on Ellen every day knowing the next 10 years are all I have, really 4 since she will be a pre-teen alien.
3.  I resolve to focus on Mike because he is constant when everything else changes, and that is priceless.
4.  I resolve to enjoy the journey with faith instead of fear for the professional goals I've set for this year.
5. I resolve to meet a 10 year old fitness goal and compete (April contest planned)
6. I resolve to use my gifts and confidently and tirelessly connect with others.
7. I resolve to stay calm, no matter what.
8. I resolve to faithfully stay connected with my family and friends instead of working around the clock.
9. Did I say I resolve to let go what others think of me, at all, ever, in any way? OK. that deserves 2.
10.  I resolve to stop underestimating myself and my instincts - I resolve to be proud of me.

OK, thats what I had, so that is what you get!

Good night and HAPPY NEW YEAR,
Anna

For anyone who feels stuck

First I should start with the goal.  I've set a goal to do my first physique competition on April 12 next year so I've started training for that and because I'm getting results, I want to share what Im doing, what I've changed and what's working in case what Im experience speaks to or helps one of you on your journey.

For years I felt stuck.  Despite hard workouts, food planning, reading and investing in myself to keep myself motivated I felt like I was just one step away from the dreaded rut.  I knew for years I wanted to find something that got me out, but I also knew the timing was wrong.  So I grinded it out.

LESSON 1: FOCUS
Turns out, I was using a great technique called focus, it just wasn't any fun.  I was just focusing on other goals and its a good thing I did.  Now that so many of the professional and parenting goals I was focused on have been met, its my turn.  So the timing is right.  I thought I was in a rut, but I was just just making a conscious decision to sacrifice being great in my fitness journey so I could achieve a great goal in other places. Now I know not to be so hard on myself.  I have to sacrifice greatness in one area to achieve it in another AT THE SAME TIME.  Reminds me of an old quote "You can have everything you want, just not at the same time."


LESSON 2: Its the LITTLE THINGS

-I added 12 minutes of sprints to 2 workouts a week.

-I added 1 metabolic workout consistently to my 3 weight wo a week.

-Ive invested in a trusted friend who is also a trainer to do some thinking for me, to design a couple workouts a week, keep me accountable for not lollygagging through workouts and looking at my meal plan for tweaks.  A small but effective change is meticulously timing WO rest periods.  I can't chat, text or make notes.  I have to stay FOCUSED.

-Im eating 30-40 grams of protein 6x/day each meal instead of 10-25.  It matters.  Its requiring eating from tupperware more and a cooler most days.

-Calories haven't drastically changed and Im eating the exact same foods.  In fact Im eating more.  I am eating a full 2 cups of veggies with a lot of meals I would not have eaten before.  I think mostly the calories been replaced - starches for protein and fiber calories.

-I stop eating when Im full and the planned meal is over.  I walk away.  I still don't wanna.  But there are no extra bites and this takes focus and water.

-Speaking of water, Im drinking 1 FULL MEASURED GALLON of water.  Which means Im drinking 20 oz of water before I eat and at any sign of hunger.  I was closer to like 90-100oz a day and the added water makes it hard to overeat.  I thought I was at a gallon.  This is a game changer!!!

-Im on plan for 2 days then I have a post workout off plan meal.  Im not "relaxed" on the weekends.  If I do, its once and then Im right back on it.  Last weekend that meant I worked out at night, had the off plan meal after, went to bed, then woke up and ate giant chicken breast and cauliflower for breakfast.  I figured I better get right back in before I convince myself peanut butter on whole wheat toast and a protein shake is on plan :).

-Ive started taking 12 fish oils a day and Calcium at night.

-I've added Clear Mood all day and especially at night to help manage anxiety/procrastination eating.

-I force myself to get up at 4:30-5 even if Im not training so I fall asleep on time and don't spend those Wed and Friday so sleepy.  I overeat and blow off workouts when Im sleepy and when I stay up late.

So…..Nothing drastic!!!!  I've noticed the workout pants have lots of room but I haven't weighed or measured.  I can tell this next 2 weeks will be noticeable because the momentum is strong and we are nearing the 8 week mark where things really start to happen.

Reminds me of that video about how water boils at one temperature and then add 1 degree and it creates steam.  Steam can power a train!  This really has been the 1 degree that is making all the difference!

Hope that helps someone today.

Thats all I got!
Anna

Fitness Hack - Protein

Portable Protein Ideas

Fact:

If there’s one thing that you must be making sure that you get enough of as you move along with your nutrition plan, protein is it. Its high satiety, high metabolism, good hormone response qualities mean protein is going to be a key requirement for success.

Fact:

It's not easy, obviously. 

That is why we focus on helping our tribe with solutions to finding the time and the sources for protein on the go.  Her are a couple of low prep and no prep portable protein solutions.

The Solutions

Chicken or Tuna in a Pouch

Add an apple, or grab a whole wheat 100 cal or less tortilla and youre off!

Pre-made hard boiled eggs

These are sold where you buy the cage free eggs in my grocery store, and I've even found the smaller packs at the convenience store!  

Supplements are a great option:

Rather than relying on whole food sources of protein, consider preparing protein rich foods using protein powder supplements. Protein powder is incredibly fast and easy, and if you turn it into a whole food, it’ll still offer that great satiety that you’re after.

For example, consider preparing some home-made protein bars.  You’re far better off making these yourself rather than turning to high calorie, commercial protein powders that are often far too high in sugar content to be considered health.

Here’s a sample recipe to get you started.

Vanilla Peach Snack Bars

Ingredients: (Makes 4 Servings)

1. ¾ cup oatmeal
2. ¼ cup oat Bran
3. 6 egg whites
4. 1 scoop AdvoCare 'Muscle Gain' vanilla protein
5. ¼ teaspoon of baking powder
6. Pinch of stevia
7. 2 peaches, diced
8. Drop of vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a blender, mix all the ingredients (except for the peaches). Blend until the mix gets thick and pour in a big bowl.
2. Add the peach to the mix and stir (with a spoon or a spatula).
3. Pour the mix in a baking dish, and cook at 350oF until cooked
   (about 30 minutes). Cut in 4 equal bars.

Nutritional Breakdown:

Calories: 149
Protein: 17 g
Carbs: 18 g
Fat: 1 g

Another great option is whipping up these high protein brownies. They’re a great change of pace for anyone that suffers from a serious sweet tooth.

Brownie in a Cup

Ingredients: (Makes 1 serving)

1. 1 Egg
2. 1 Scoop Chocolate Protein Powder
3. 1 Tbsp Natural Peanut Butter
4. 1 Tbsp Water

Directions:

1. In a coffee mug, mix all the ingredients. Mix well so the powder is completely
   mixed in.
2. Cook in a microwave for 1 minutes
3. Using a knife, remove brownie from the cup, place in a plate and enjoy!

Nutritional Breakdown:

Calories: 261
Protein: 33 g
Carbs: 3 g
Fat: 13 g

There are some pre-made options right at your grocery as well that are perfect to keep in the house to grab as you walk out the door or in your desk drawer at work.So there you have some of the many different ways to get your protein needs met. Don’t think that you have to be eating chicken or steak 24/7. Get creative in the kitchen and you can whip up some home-made treats that will fit the bill perfectly that you can take with you wherever you happen to be going.  Plus, you know that since you’ve made them, they’re going to contain the sound nutrition that you’re after to help promote an ideal body composition.

And as always,

ITS ALL IN YOUR HEAD,

Anna

PS - Like us on Facebook or join the newsletter for more!  Top right corner:)

Killer Humans - GoRuck Light Class 136

I have witnessed AUTHENTIC BADASSERY.  <-----Definition here.  (There are embarrassing pictures below so I will post that again if you are interested.)  

I got to hang out with some killer humans this weekend in an event put on by Goruck, an organization I had no idea even existed a few months ago (as my classmate and lawyer John so eloquently put it in his blog post here)

It is not a race and the first rule of GoRuck is to look cool.  The second is not to get lost.  The third is if you get lost to look cool.  You also have teams who are responsible for getting through challenges as a team and autonomously establishing leadership and completing tasks or being penalized.  One is that the flags and various team weights go with you and they cannot touch the ground.  The other is that you wear a weighted ruck that cannot touch the ground.

Mike carrying one of the "Team Weights" in addition to the weighted Ruck 

The day started with mountain climbers, flutter kicks, burpees, and some fun special games called "Tunnel of Love" and "I am a pretty Star" and somebody definitely went through the dog poo.  Flags are being held by volunteers who want to witness the event called "shadows".  The team weights are on the necks of those who volunteer to hold them!  Shadows cannot hold team weights.

                                           

In a short 6 hours we went from strangers to people who worked together, carrying each other, equipment, our injured casualty, the beer, whatever.  Teamwork at its BEST.  Here is one of the team weights, Kling.  Kling finished GoRuck Selection.  He would be a Killer Human practicing Authentic Badassery. You can go check Selection by GoRuck out here, but "its probably not for you."

 We spent some quality time in the fountain in 40 degrees at 8am after a few lunges across the park
                                               

                           We began our leisurely afternoon tethered jog 3 miles to piedmont park.  Our Cadre chose to share stories of his friends in combat.  Below Mike is reading about a man who low crawled 90 feet for hours under fire to tend to wounded…please note no bags, flags or team weights are on the ground.

 We then low crawled using only our upper bodies, as a unit. for 50 feet.  It took us a little while.

Then we had "casualties".  The 3 miles back to the start we had to carry our rucks, flags, team weights and now 8 casualties.

There were breaks along the way. Here is mountain climber break.

 More walking and carrying…not sure who looks more pained here, me or Mike.

Oh!  Almost forgot.  Here is synchronized lunge break!  Since we couldn't do it in unison, we were told to lock arms.  Cadre Jake said "there are 2 ways to do things.  The right way, and AGAIN."

6 hours later we had done the human inch worm, overcome a tragic accident and witnessed bravery and leadership in action.  There is a common thread of awesomeness in awesome people.  Those who have faith, integrity and grit tend to behave in the same ways and it tends to result in things that make me have major hope for the human race. I could not be more proud to be a part of…
                                     

                                       

                GORUCK LIGHT CLASS 136!

My permagrin has just now started to wear off.  Just a little.

                                     

Thats all I got!
Anna
PS:  The AUTHENTIC BADASSERY definition is a few posts down, just scroll.

BIG THANKS TO JOANNA JUNE AND 

LaTavia Savage-Bowens for the pictures and bonus points for being their awesome selves.

You should be fat (and the zero compensation game)

The 2 things on my mind are unrelated. Maybe. 

(1)  You SHOULD be fat
(2)  The Zero Compensation Game

(1)  You SHOULD be fat
I wrote about this a while ago in one of the most read posts I've ever had.  This may not be much different just from a different place today. We had big wins at the 6-wk client assessments this week and also had some frank conversations about getting more results with some of them.  And sometimes there is this sheepish head-hanging…as if they feel like they shouldn't need the continued coaching, or like just because they know what to do now, they shouldn't need help doing it.  But look, nothing works for EVERYONE in terms of how they approach their fitness. It is normal to need help, coaching, and encouragement along the way. Consider the following true statements.

--->OUR WORLD IS SET UP FOR US TO BE FAT. 
---> WE SHOULD BE FAT. 
--->BEING HEALTHY IS NOT NORMAL. PERIOD. PARAGRAPH. 

Our high stress lives and convenient cheap food availability combine to give us the most widely used drug and killers in our country. Food abuse and obesity. The sad thing is we see people everyday who say “I shouldn’t need a trainer, or I don’t know why I can’t just do this on my own.” As if their weakness is why they are struggling.  They feel like its abnormal to need help and a plan!!! Its not only normal, its required. Everything around you is against you just being HEALTHY. So if we know that we *SHOULD* be fat then we know that nothing about it should make us feel like we are fitting in or normal. Quite the opposite. Everything about it makes you the outcast, the freak.  Bottom line: Accept that paradigm and quit expecting to go it alone.

(2)  The Zero Compensation Game

People are drawn to confidence. I am definitely drawn to confidence.  Sometimes intimidated or threatened by it, but always drawn to it.

Many people make big decisions like choosing mates and making purchases based on another person's confidence above all else. Confidence is great. But its easy to confuse with ego,which is an insidious killer.  Its biggest trick is that it makes you think the problem is the other people around you. From a few interactions I've had personally that kicked up enough dust in my mind that it took all day yesterday to settle, I came to a conclusion. 

 Wouldn't it be cool to be one of those people that is so accomplished, so intrinsically awesometastic that once people meet you, they have no idea what you may do, know, have done, accomplished, or stand for because you are so focused on them and grounded that none of that ever needs to come up. I love these kind of people. 

There is zero compensation in their game. 

I want zero compensation in my game.  

And there is a reason.  Yesterday I was the victim of a guy's ego and it cost the guy a good bit of potential income (that I would have paid him by becoming his client).

The main ingredient I am reminded of is that of underestimating others and confusing self-respect and confidence with pride and ego. Forgetting that we don't know what we don't know. 

It seems to me that in relating to our kids, our spouse, our client, or a prospect - we're only winning if the size of our confidence and skill in relating to them is superseded by our respect for them. 

I know I have treated people with less respect than they deserve.  We all have. Yesterday, I was on the receiving end of somebody else's pride and ego trying to get me to become a client of theirs.  Aside from the fact that on the specific topic at hand, I could have taught them more than they taught me on the subject matter, I had entertained working together because I always assume I have more to learn. I know I don't know what I don't know. Yesterday, the lack of respect came in the form of soliciting me by assuming the posture that I was a pitiful case who desperately needed their services because I was so lost and inept and needed to be whipped into shape. I was then embarrassed for them, cordial and friendly and hopefully graceful and 100% committed to never doing business no matter what. When the dust settled I realized…. you cannot win someone you do not have tremendous respect for.   I realized that in my experience, its those I respected the most that have been the most successful helping.  In the end, everyone helps me.  There is always something to learn.

I can even relate this to Ellen Rose. We are more successful together when I remember that she has a lot to offer and that while I may have a thing or 2 to teach her, I should respect the intrinsic wisdom she can teach me. I appreciate the object lesson yesterday of what not to do. Maybe it will help you, too. Thats all I got! Anna

CHARITY WORKOUT EVENT (& AFTERPARTY) VIDEO!

for our event coming up, this is the charity we chose and I felt like sharing what I learned after visiting with them today I was so EXCITED!!

"REVIEW DAY"

(Hang on, Im singing loudly and badly and I need to finish this verse before I start writing....)

Good news and bad news.  
Bad news -I have no idea what this post is going to be about. 
Good news - I woke up inspired.  

I knew I had something to write, but felt like I had other more important things to do and yet, I still need to do the 2 big ones and here I sit. 

NOT RECOMMENDED ENTREPRENEURIAL BEHAVIOR. The thing its....I was inspired.

I was inspired by this song this morning....

"Our hearts are hungry for a food that won't come
And we could make a feast from these crumbs
And we're all staring down the barrel of a gun
So if your life flashed before you, what would you wish you would've done?"

(Yes, I just went and looked those lyrics up and am sitting here intermittently singing and typing -  very Stevie Wonder, but I digress...)

I was inspired when Ellen and I woke up to kiss my mother in law before she left at 5am with Mike to have 2 stints put in her heart today.  What a lady who has taught her son such compassion and patience and the difference in right and wrong and mostly how to love and care for me and for Ellen Rose in an awesome way.

I was inspired by how my Ellen Rose woke me up by nuzzling her head in my neck and saying "MMMM I love you Mommy" before kissing my cheek.  

Then today was the day I read our client reviews and started sharing them on Facebook.  I was touched and inspired by every single one, especially since a short few months ago I really thought all was lost - that I had done it all wrong.

Today is also the day I went through a few old planning notebooks and found this.  WOW.  So simple.  But its where we are and we've never been closer.  I wrote this 3 years ago.  There is mold on the paper.  I wrote these words with absolutely no idea how, with virtually nobody close to me really believing in me, that I would ever get it done.  I have been knocked down in ways I've been shocked by and never could have imagined.  I've stood in my own way, and I've been sabotaged by others.  I've been robbed by loved ones and acquaintances.  I've squandered hundreds of hours on ideas that didn't work and lived through that discouragement.  I've started and stopped projects, I've felt lost and betrayed and very alone.  And of course I've been encouraged and lifted and I've invested alot of time and money in myself to learn and grow.  But then 2 things happened today that drew a straight line from when I started this adventure 8 years ago --- to today.  

I saw this piece of paper.  And I read the reviews from our coaches and our clients. I highlighted a few here.  Its getting done.


And that inspired me.

So then I thought I should name this post "REVIEW DAY" which made me think of the movie "Training Day."  And remembered one of my favorite quotes.  

Alonzo Harris: You gotta be a wolf to catch a wolf.

Coincidence?

Wolves don't travel in packs of foxes.  They travel in packs of other wolves.  They attract who they are.  Work on yourself to become what you want to attract, and then commit to working together and learning from the rest of the team.  And most of all NEVER GIVE UP!

I think I started off like a sheep in wolf's clothing.  Too sensitive, too reactive, and acting like prey.  But in the last 8 years I have become, on most days, a wolf and have attracted a pack of like minded people who, together, are quite capable of making an impact.  

Whatever your goal, your dream, your current obstacles, screw-ups or circumstances....

I hope this leaves you inspired.

Im headed to #1 of the 2 biggies I need to work on today.

Still singing out loud.....;)
Anna

RECIPE: Chocolate PB Protein Muffins

Just finished a quick newsletter on how to practice authentic badassery to our reader base about our upcoming charity workout, and now Im about to make these muffins for the local church's fall festival benefitting our community from Metabolic Cooking.....my FAVORITE RECIPE BOOK EVER!  

Thought I'd share the recipe.  

Follow REVOLUTION FITNESS ON FACEBOOK to see how they turn out!

The folks at Metabolic Cooking are actually giving away a Free Fast Start Kit To Fat Burning Foods you should check out!

Happy Saturday Im off to cook!

Authentic Badass

Au-then-tic Bad-ass
     noun
     :one who practices authentic badassery

On your best day, you know one very sure thing: that without a shadow of a doubt you are an authentic badass.

You know the feeling, right?  I know you do.  You've just forgotten it maybe.  Typically, we feel it, we love it, we fear it and then WE IGNORE IT, so its mostly a memory.

Its not a mood like I once thought it was.  It's also not your ego. 

I am talking about that thing in you that is on the level of these folks who I think are totally authentically badass:

Mother Theresa
Ghandi
Bruce Lee
Michael Jordan
William Shakespeare
Albert Einstein
Samuel L Jackson  :)

Its our inner authentic badass. Its that joyful thing that defies us to fall into the trap of doing what is expected, socially acceptable, and BORING.  And I believe right there beside it is that special thing we were created to do.

And you probably know what that is.  I believe its that thing that won't get out of your head and simultaneously scares you to death.  And if you ever find the courage to be HONEST AND AUTHENTIC, you would admit its what you are going to go after.  Then you will have to endure (in addition to your own self-doubt, negative self-talk and deepest fears) repeated and painful FAILURE.

SO that is what it is to be a practicing authentic badass. It means you will fail. ALOT.  That failure will bring a plateful judgement from others that we all fear with a giant side helping of subtle disapproval and a buffet of overt discouragement.

The people who love you the most will say to you "You haven't been able to do anything like that yet, so there is no way you can do it now."  They will point out every mistake and every other route that would take your further away from your dream in an effort to save you from the pain of the path you are on.  Like you, they know it will be painful.  Some of them are jealous.  Some are threatened.  Most are just scared you will get hurt.

Its so much easier to take the path of less resistance, not the path of least resistance, the path of LESS resistance.  We are all guilty of this.  I think most of us work hard and after we mature, we stop running from challenges.  But do we not still hold back from what we REALLY WANT??

In most cases what you really want to do, what you can't get out of your head, is not socially acceptable.  And in all cases its scary.  People will laugh and scoff and people will talk.  They will gossip.  The ones closest to you especially.  And when you fail, they will raise their eyebrows and think to themselves "see?"

I dont know about you, but that is one of my biggest fears.  Statistics show our biggest fears are public speaking and looking foolish to others.  No outlier in this girl, I get that 100%.  They don't come any more sensitive and vulnerable to judgement than me.

But its very simple.  Nobody has ever reached their goal without enduring all of these things.  They are not signals to stop.  They are normal.  

They are the price of being authentic and believing in yourself with an authentic confidence. Being who you really are means you get to be that authentic badass everyday, but you also have to be transparent and vulnerable as well.  Neither one of those things are socially acceptable because we are taught fake humility (aka "don't brag on yourself") and fake confidence (wearing confidence like a facade).  THis is the opposite of what we are going to be if we are AUTHENTIC.  

For example, I said a commitment out loud to my Dad at dinner a while back.  Lately we've been sharing more and more personal stuff and something like "I committed to write everyday because I love it and I think I am meant to do it" is just one of those things people who don't deeply, truly love you would not remotely care about.  But its also pretty vulnerable given as adults we don't tend to share our inner selves with anyone, including our parents.  I felt crazy sharing that!  It was just too vulnerable.  So Im here fulfilling my commitment to write and noticed that just revealing that to my Dad was just more of me telling the AUTHENTIC TRUTH.  And I don't think I'm alone when I say our own truth scares us to death.  

Fitting social protocols and doing "whats right" instead of what we really feel starts young.   A funny example is when a little kid gets a gift they hate and we insist on them pretending to like it and thank the person profusely. Awesome intentions there, but dangerous pattern being taught that

a) we are responsible for how other people feel
b) our truth is important
c) whats true should be hidden
d) pretending is good and makes others happy
the list goes on....(more in this post From Tip Toes to Steel Toed)

Being authentic means you are open to your biggest fears.

Being a badass means you are open to failure and criticism from others.

But that is normal.

I get it.  The road I am on scares me.  I'm terrified.  I'm skeptical.  It feels too big. The impact and importance of the task can feed the ego - the very same ego that will prevent any success of real value. I am also afraid of what people are saying and have said about me.  I am scared the sacrifices I have made will not pay off.  But I know all of that is normal.

And whatever freedoms and success I have, I have earned and I will continue to earn as long as I am doing what I am supposed to do.  To keep being honest. 

So whatever your goal, your background, your current circumstances, spend some time digging down to the real brilliance that is you.  Be authentic, badass and vulnerable all at the same time and go for that thing you want.  Whatever it is.

Thats all I got!
Anna

Is Food Logging Just Another Fitness Myth?

This is an amazing post by our XTEAM and Personal Fitness Coach Angie T Willett at Revolution Fitness.  She is an experienced and talented coach in all aspects of getting fitness results and shared her advice on the ever-popular topic of keeping a food log in our closed members-only forum last week.  Read on...


(and CLICK HERE for a copy of the entire newsletter just released today.)

"I think, like everything else, if depends on your mindset. If you are an organized individual that enjoys lists and seeing things in front of you, on paper; If a food journal helps you stay on track and makes you feel good about yourself when you've accomplished your nutritional goals; AND finally, if you trainer asks you for one...then by all means, have a food log! Its a great tool to have to find your nutritional "holes" so to speak. Its also nice to look back and see how much you've improved, and to simply figure out, what works best for you; whether its carb cycling, adding more protein and veggies, eating more/less or whatever your particular case may be. However, if you have the tendency to obsess about your food, have negative self-image about yourself; If you have a hard time being honest when you write down what you've eaten, if looking at the food you've eaten, written on paper, makes you feel guilty; OR if you're already a rock star and you know you're eating clean 80% of the time, then maybe a daily food log isn't the answer for you. Notice I used the word DAILY! This is not an excuse to say "forget it, I don't have to do a food log," We all need to be held accountable from time to time, and I myself will at least make a mental check list at the end of most days, to keep myself honest. On a personal note, I am the type that can obsess and my make myself feel extremely guilty, so I choose to keep the subject of food, and working out as "lite" if you will. (Doesn't mean I don't work hard (Just doesn't take over my life) Here's where our role as YOUR coach comes in. It is our job to figure out for each one of you, as an individual, what is the best route for you?; What is the best way a food journal can work for you?; And I'm asking you guys to hold us accountable for this!! The Rev is most definitely an awesome and amazing TEAM, and its made up of equally awesome and amazing individuals!"

~Coach Angie Willett

(Pictured below, she is the beauty in the middle-wait, that is not specific enough :) ok, long hair beauty in the middle in this awesome sauce sandwich!)

http://conta.cc/16m9MmM

Anna :)