It's so hard to say no...

It happens, once a month. And then the cravings get a little out of control. I crave cake, ice cream, cookies, and more than anything chocolate. On most days it's easy to say no, that my desire to be fit is so much greater than the temporary satisfaction of my sweet tooth. But then there's time where I give in, it's not always planned and it certainly doesn't fit into my meal plan. & then the regret! It doesn't have to be this way though, by trial & error I think I've found my fix! The best way to cure a sweet tooth is with fruit, they are full of natural sugar & do the trick every time for me. With fruit a decent serving is under 100 calories and filling. That goes without saying that I still miss chocolate & cookies and I will probably never get ride of my sweet tooth but I have to realize that doesn't get me to my goals. I want to beach ready all year round, which is so acceptable in Florida! The biggest struggle is not having vegetables, fruits, lean protein on hand. I preach it but sometimes I fall short, some weeks my work gets in between me & my love affair with the grocery store. I need to remember where my priorities lie...grocery shopping, meal prepping, & meal planning set me up for success while not planning leads me down the road of failure. For the last couple of days, I haven't planned, & in my eyes let myself down. Not horrible but none the less processed & they weren't vegetables...double negative! My metabolism is going all day and I'm hungry all the time but without packing my foods or even eating those food I seriously will eat anything in sight. Well, and then I get hangry! Lol I just can't stress enough how very important it is to plan ahead, but even more important is following through.

The rest of this post is for my dear friend Amber, she has just started her journey & I am so excited that she reached out to me with questions! Once again, I am no expert just a girl trying to get fit & sharing what works for me :)

Q:I don't know when to eat at night do I eat before or after working out?
A: Pre-workout fuel is the answer! I usually eat a small banana, 2 egg whites, an apple with almond butter, edamame, or a veggie snack. Just something healthy that gives me fuel to push through my workout!

Q: So what do I eat after working out?
A: Lean protein & steamed veggies :)

Q: I don't know exactly what else to be doing besides cardio either!
A: Definitely want to incorporate some strength training & if possible staying in your fat burning heart rate target so that you maximize fat burn. Light weights &
high reps with get you off to a great start

Q: What supplements do you use:
A: Advocare, Advocare, and more advocare! This is my lifeline! Spark for energy, thermoplus as my thermogenic, catalyst for muscle preservation, & a cleanse every 90 days to help my body become newly receptive to nutrients!

Q: What motivates you?
A: Cute neon workout clothes, new shoes, & results! But I'm constantly motivated by the idea that I don't want to be the "fat bride or the "fat" mom! & my health, that's so important!

Life is full of lessons!

I've learned to surround myself with only those who positively impact my life and even though at times it is hard, dismiss those that bring me down. I am extremely social, my circle of friends vary from cities and different parts of my life. Carlos laughs at me all the time because friends I haven't talk to in years will contact me so we can hang out while they are in Orlando! I love it because I feel like we never missed a day. While on my trip to Dallas, I was able to catch up with 2 of my greatest friends, Angel & Marcus! They have always supported me on this journey & are two of the most determined people I know. I was so excited when both of them told me I have motivated them recently to live healthier lifestyles and continue working on their degrees. Often times we don't realize how we truly impact those around us and how in return they impact us, they can influence decisions and indirectly motivate you! It's been a long couple weeks
to say the very least. I've learned alot about myself; I've cried, I've grieved, I've laughed, I've loved, & I've made memories. But today I'm a new person, I've learned that life isn't about minutes or completing a degree or partying it's about whatever makes you genuinely happy. Health, fitting in a beautiful dress, and motivating people I love is what makes me happiest! I haven't and will never take a second for granted! My grandfather lived 93 long and beautiful years but who am I to say how long I have to live so I will continue to make my wildest dreams a reality, love those who love me with every inch of my body, travel, & encourage those who are at their lowest. My challenge for you today is to reach out to someone, someone who you don't talk to everyday, and let them know that they have a friend in you. Be kind, be passionate, & don't let anyone dim your shine!