Standing Ovation

 

As many of you know or have heard, I was invited as Complete Nutrition’s Honorary guest to their 2^nd Annual Company Award Ceremony.  I started using their products after I had read numerous articles and books about women not getting enough protein in their diet and decided I wanted to make sure I got on the right stuff for ‘my’ body.  I kept my eyes and ears open and accidently came across my friend Seth’s Facebook status that mentioned something about protein. 

After many times of conversing with him, we developed a plan for my half marathon training and what supplements would support my body and the training I was enduring.  My first blog written was actually about my success I had with my run and the supplements I had taken.  I finished the race in 2:04 hours, shaving 30 minutes off of my previous ½ marathon time exactly 5 year ago.

With all that said, Complete Nutrition invited me as their guest to meet the president and the many wonderful people who work for the company.  I was invited to be a part of a video shoot where I shared my success story and the video was shown as I was invited on the stage.  As my story played on the large screen and I was recognized for my success, everyone rose to their feet.  Standing ovation.  It was such a humbling experience.  I didn’t do it for the recognition that I had received. I did it wholly for accomplishing a goal I had set for myself. 

That is where I challenge you.  Have you set a goal for yourself or for others?  Do you desire to do something that is outside of your comfort zone?  If so, I encourage you to embrace your challenge.  Do it for you.  You owe it to yourself because only you can measure your own success.

BeBlessed

A

Blooper>>

Control Freak!

Alright, I’ll finally admit it, I’m a control freak!







This past week has been rough for me.  I didn’t think I had over trained, but as the week began on Monday, I had no energy.  We were releasing our new track for Group Ride on Monday evening and I needed to learn the track.  I practiced the track several times last week, as well as over the weekend.  I also worked over the weekend at the store and so when Monday rolled around… Whew… Exhausted!

However, I think what exhausted me the most was that I chose to weigh myself Monday morning. WHY THIS IS AN ISSUE ALL THE TIME… I don’t know! But I thought I needed to because my jeans were feeling tighter.  I wanted to make sure I wasn’t gaining weight!

INTERLUDE: Yes, I have the “I NEVER WANT TO BE FAT AGAIN SYNDROM”

Anyways, I weighed myself and I had gained 5lbs!  I freaked out.  Came home and took my measurements.  My stomach was the same, which is my main concern.  The more weight you carry in your stomach, the greater your health risks.  So where was this weight coming from?

Well… I added a whole inch to my calves.  I added a ½ inch muscle to my arms, but the most surprising… a whole 2 ½ inces gain of muscle for my butt!  NO WONDER my jeans were so dang tight!

So let me recap, since I started teaching Group Ride, I hadn’t taken my measurements.  Why hadn’t I thought my legs and butt would gain muscle?!  As much as I have come to learn, I thought with all the cardio, I wouldn’t add inches in those areas.

BUT, I was still hung up on the issue.  After expressing my concern to another trainer, I figured out where I had gone wrong.  I lacked a goal and vision of where I wanted to go in my next step of training.  Dangerously, I’ve been going through the motions of the gym, and haven’t had a focus.  My only focus has been a number on the scale and found myself greatly disappointed, even with gains of muscle which is what I desire.  It was just an unexpected surprise because the added muscle added to my overall body weight.

This brings me to my point in life.  WHERE IS OUR FOCUS?

Are you wondering around with no purpose?  If so, where are you headed with all that vision not packed away in your suitcase?  Just like in my training, I found myself frustrated and disappointed, you may find yourself there in life if you haven’t taken time to set goals. 

Successful people have a vision.  Successful people seek feedback and insight from others.  As my 24^th birthday approaches this Friday, I’ve taken time to reflect.  I’ve reflected on where I’ve come from, but where I want to go.  I accept I can’t control everything and I need to relax! 

Prescribing myself a double dose of a Chill Pill daily.

This week’s success: understanding I didn’t fail, but I didn’t meet a goal because I hadn’t set one.  I encourage you to take time this week to look at your past, but don’t remain there.  Pick yourself up and embrace who God created to be.  Then move forward by first setting short and long term goals.  Ask yourself if they are attainable and reasonable.  Then share them with someone who can hold you accountable. 

Lastly, know that you are loved.  I appreciate you greatly, but know Christ never leaves your side.  No matter how many other individuals fail you out of their human nature, He will never.

BeBlessed

A

Chasing Happiness

Without direction, there is no life...

Since I can remember, I’ve always viewed my current position as desiring to be at the next level.  Now don’t get me wrong, the deep desire to always do better or go bigger has it’s advantages.  It keeps me accountable to never become complacent.  However, there are disadvantages.

Lately, I’ve found myself in a state of frustration.  I want to be here.  I want to be there.  I want to be doing this… just like ‘so and so’ and I’ve become unhappy.  This last month, even though I’ve remained upbeat, I’ve had a down in the dumps attitude.  At work, I haven’t been giving my all.  At the gym, I’ve been going, but not giving my whole self.  My relationships with others, ehh, they just exist.  It’s like I’ve become a shadow of a person moving and doing everything, but without passion and purpose.

It wasn’t till my recent trip to Topeka, Kansas where I had a video filming with Complete Nutrition that I was able to have some tough love thrown my way.  No one else besides my brother can do this.  So I was telling my brother about my frustration and he bluntly put it, “Why can’t you just be happy?!”  I paused for a moment and said, “I Am!”

He then spoke some of the wisest words I so badly needed to hear.

“A, no your not!  You always are looking for something bigger and better.  You can never just be happy.  You don’t sleep at night because your always stressing about small things.  You need to be thankful for what God has blessed you with.  You show God that you don’t trust Him when you are stressing and worrying and trying to make life happen.  Enjoy what He has given you for just one minute.”

All that could come out of my mouth… UGH, your right!

What was the last time I just said ‘Thank you Jesus’?  It’s been a while.

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.  They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Leading up to now, I wouldn’t change a thing.  I’ve gone through so much transformation in body, mind, and soul.  It has built character.  Every step after this point, is planned out for His glory.  My job is to honor Him and NOT myself daily.  I need to take a step back and remind myself that the success I’ve had is only and souly because of Him.

So my success this week is found in tough love.  In the fact that taking a step back is needed for onward growth.

What about you?  Have you lost yourself in trying to achieve something?  What are you chasing?  Are you chasing your own worldly happiness?  Or are you chasing after Him and thanking Him for every speedbump in the road? 

Thought to remember… Our finish line is when we die.  Our awards await us not here on earth, but with Christ.  Maybe we all need to change how we are viewing our thoughts on success.

Success is trying, and pushing onward to glorify Him. 

What will you do to bring Honor to His Name?

#BeBlessed
-A