Society's View on Body Image Is NOT okay..

So I wanted to do a quick blog addressing the view that society has on body image and how distorted it is. Yesterday a fellow Team Beachbody Coach posted a link to her blog to share with us. Writing this blog wasn't something that was easy for her, but she realized it was because she was so worried about what others would think of her. So she bit the bullet, shared her feelings, and posted. Well since she did it's gotten a lot of attention. Yesterday I read her post and it really hit me hard. One because I wonder often why we care so much about what others think of us. And two because I thought a lot about why do others opinions matter so much to our feeling of self worth? They shouldn't! How we feel about ourselves and our bodies should not rely on others thoughts. We shouldn't value ourselves on others opinions. Our self worth and self value should only be based on how we feel about ourselves and if we're comfortable and confident in that. Today there are so many diet plans, programs, and workouts marketed every day. The industry is booming on how to help people "lose weight quick". They're always marketing on "feel your best" and "look your best". Yes I am a Fitness and Health Coach, but I've never told anyone that it's to help them "lose weight quickly". When I talk to my customers and work with them it's because I want to help them realize that they matter. That there is more for them in this life. That they are worth changing their life to feel their best and build up that confidence in themselves to know that they are "worth" changing their life and living healthy. I don't ever claim that what I help them do is going to happen quickly. It's going to take time, effort, and there will be ups and downs, but that's because nothing worth having is easy. Living a healthy life is a lifestyle change. You're breaking habits and making new ones. You're accomplishing goals that you may never have thought possible. In return it all builds confidence, strength, and self discipline. That is what I LOVE about Team Beachbody and what we do. We work together and lift one another up. We help each other realize that we matter. It truly changes your life and we come together because living a healthy life takes support, encouragement, and strength and all that doesn't come easy. We support one another through challenge groups where we are educated on healthy eating, fitness, personal development, and self worth. We GROW together. Society today isn't happy with anything...it's never "enough"...people are told you're too fat, you're too thin, you're too short, you're too tall and to me...that's NOT okay. Together we're here to say don't listen. What is important is knowing that you feel good about yourself. That the accomplishments you've made are YOURS and it's not for anyone else. That your health and fitness matters. That your setting goals and CRUSHING them with the support from family, friends, and your team. That it's not just about the weight you've lost or that you've gone down in clothing size, but that you've built yourself up. That you've grown to LOVE yourself and how you feel. That you're growing inside as a person spiritually. And that you're comfortable in your skin. Know that. Remember that. And move forward today in believing that you're doing this for YOU and no one else!

Here's the link to her blog post. I hope that this helps you today in knowing that you matter. That it's not the number on the scale or the number on your clothing tag. It's about you growing in who you are. It's about you knowing that you are beautiful inside and out and that you're doing this for you.

http://taratrulytransformed.blogspot.com/2015/04/living-after-myth.html

Much Love,

Chrissy
Fit Mommy of 2 Health & Fitness
xoxoxo

It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint so Dig Deep!

Hi everyone! So it's been quite a while since I've posted and shared with you my thoughts. I will say that things for a while got very hectic and crazy in my life with finishing up my classes for my Master's Degree, being with family during the loss of both my grandparents in a 6 months time, and meeting with my sons teachers and doctors trying to figure out what he's dealing with and helping him. I'll say, being a Mom is a very busy job! However, with all the things in life that I've been going through the experiences are certainly teaching me a lot about myself as well as life. I've been doing a lot of soul searching and reflecting through these experiences and I feel it's teaching me a lot and I'm growing from each one. I truly think that's the most important piece of it. Reflecting on ourselves and learning from whatever trials, tribulations, and fortunes that come our way. Today that is what I want to share with you and reflect on. 

I am training for my second half marathon that I'll be running with my sister and mother on May 9th (it's so close!). As I run I always think to myself about life and reflect on it. I try to use this time as "Me time" to work through whatever I'm struggling with personally. Yesterday as I was running on my lunch break (yes only time during the week I can run, sorry to coworkers if I'm sweaty and stinky lol) I started thinking about how life isn't a sprint to the finish line, it's a long slow marathon where you have ups and downs, moments of strength and weakness, and times that you think you want to quit, but you don't because you know if you keep pushing through you'll reach that goal that you've been working your butt off for. Through life you have these moments, A LOT OF THEM! You face moments of weakness where you want to give up and throw in the towel and say I don't want to do it anymore, but you don't, because you know just around that corner and over that final hill you will see the finish line within your grasp. So why give up when you know that you can push through that burning in your legs to reach that finish line you've been busting your ass off to get to. 

Over the years I've had SO MANY doors slam in my face and so many times that I thought, why is this happening to me. I've wanted to give up. I've cried. I've had moments where I said is this all really worth it? I know it is though, because I know in the end where all this hard work, sleepless nights, and sweat and tears will get me. I'll share with you a little bit...When I went to undergraduate school at UMass Amherst I got my Bachelors Degree in English. I had thought of applying to the School of Education because I've always known I've wanted to be a teacher. I decided however to not apply and just graduate with my degree and go on to finish my certification later. The reason I didn't apply to the school is because I was afraid of Failing. I didn't want to be that girl in my Sorority house that didn't get accepted. There were many other girls that were applying to the same program and I was afraid of being that 1 girl that didn't get accepted and being a failure and be embarassed. So I just didn't do it. After graduation I went on to be an Early Childhood Teacher for 9 years before getting up the courage to apply to graduate school and finish my certification. Now through out those 9 years I've learned a lot and had experiences that have definitely taught me a lot about being a teacher. Every experience you have is one to learn and grow from. The point is, I didn't go for my dreams because I was too afraid of failure. I didn't even want to try, I just took the easy way out. So many people do this, and then they never find their true potential because you are too afraid of what others might think of you. But WHY?!?! Why are you basing YOUR life on what others will think about you when in the end you're only hurting yourself and YOUR dreams. 

Believe in yourself, you're your biggest Fan!

Fast forward now to today. I applied and 3 1/2 years ago I was accepted to the Masters program at Southern New Hampshire University for Elementary Education and Special Education and I just finished my LAST course for the program. I'm going to be student teaching in the Fall. I set all my fears aside and went for it and I'm graduating with High Honors as a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. A dream I've always had to be a National Honor Society student, and I did it in GRAD SCHOOL as a mother of 2 young boys working full time and running a part time health coaching business! A lot harder this time around than when I was a young 20 something Undergraduate student. I just had to believe in myself and know that I can do anything I set my mind to. I've failed so many times. I've had doors shut in my face when I've applied for public school teaching jobs as an assistant or aide. I've taken the state tests and had to take them again, and again, and again because I've missed passing by only 1 to 3 points (yes that was frustrating). But, I've not given up. I've kept pushing along when I've just wanted to quit again. I know that in the end I'm going to make it over that final hill and I'm going to see that finish line in the distance and I'm going to cross it. I'm going to reach my goals and my dreams. I'm going to look back and know that all the sleepless nights of studying and homework and endless hours that I've put in is going to pay off. I look at my husband and my children and know that there is a better life for us. I know God has a plan for our future, and I can feel it, I just have to believe in him that what I'm doing is right. A future where I'm going to have time home with my kids and be able to not stress about what to do with them on vacations. I'm going to have more time to focus on my health coaching business to help others start living a healthier life, which is a true passion of mine. We all face struggles. We all feel at times that what we're doing isn't worth it because we don't see the results quick enough. But it is worth it. Every single little thing you do each day culminates into the end result. It ALL MATTERS! You just need to think of why you started. What was your reason for taking that first step, and don't forget that. You will get there. It's not going to happen in the blink of an eye. You're not going to lose 10 pounds in one day. You're not going to earn that degree over night. You're not going to make a million dollars in a year, BUT if you keep pushing forward every day. You keep growing personally. You learn from each experience good or bad. You will grow. You will make a change. You will eventually see that all your hard work is 100% worth it and you'll be successful in whatever it is you dream of. Don't give up! Don't quit! Don't walk off of that road. Focus on that finish line, hold it in your sights, and keep pushing through that burning feeling. Dig Deep, Hold on, and enjoy the ride. Because you will get there, I PROMISE!!! 

Much Love, 

Chrissy <3