Fitness Setbacks - When Life Gets In The Way

I haven't been as visible on this blog as I would like. My intention was to share my fitness experience and help encourage others along the way. In all honesty, time isn't always on my side. I never realized how much time it took to research clean eating, plan out meals and focus on my work-outs (even though I have a trainer who puts a comprehensive program in place for me every week) and I'm not even going to mention my full time job (not in fitness), family, friends, social engagements and daily/weekly social media presence (Facebook, Twitter and IG, Google Plus, Snap Chat, Periscope etc etc...). It's amazing how much health has consumed my life and I have no regrets with that being so. 

Unfortunately, I've fallen off focus over the past month. On top of not being as focused, which is really disappointing, I've re-aggravated a previous back injury. So I've been in quite a bit of pain and not able to work out like I have been in the past year. I've discovered that when I'm in pain or feeling down about having to slow my pace down, I do what most people do - reach for comfort foods. So I have put on about 15 lbs. - which makes me feel more disappointed and makes me want to reach for more comfort foods. Now my idea of comfort food isn't Mom's Chicken noodle soup. I have a ferocious sweet tooth and have been cheating on my clean eating. Which is probably why I have gained the weight. 

You see this is a vicious cycle. With the re-introduction of the high amounts of sugar, it effects my chemical balance in my body and causes me to feel a little depressed (sugar is to be respected and not abused). So I'm struggling right now. As I am typing this, I am at my 9 to 5, multi-tasking full of Advil pain medicine and an ice pack on my lower back. Not a pretty sight for me to share. But this is my real life and it if I'm going to share the wins with you, then I need to share to loses and ties as well. What I hope to accomplish here is to let people know that when you are in transition, there are going to highs as well as lows. Right now, I'm in a low (right really, but it sure feels like it), but all of that can change and will change eventually. So even though I have to work twice as hard to get back to where I was just a few months ago, I'm willing to do the work. I'm far from defeated. 

So it may take me a little longer to get to my goal, but that's okay. I learn so much about life and discover new strengths everyday. It's been a roller coaster of sorts at times. So I will dig deep and start over again, not from the very beginning, but from where I am now. Let's see how long it takes to me slim down and tone up. A lot can happen in 4 months. I am aiming to get to my goal health by August 2016. Thanks for reading. Hoe this helps you as much as it helps me to share my journey. 

Peace and Blessings to All!

This is me on St. Patrick's Day 2016

You Are What You Think!

Time to check your thoughts! Are you frustrated with your weight loss/fitness goals? What are your telling yourself about your success? Have you decided that you can't accomplish it before you even try? Is it too hard? Or too expensive? Do you love food too much?

All of these thoughts can be defeating. You have to clear your mind of "Can't" and replace it it with "Will". It can be just that simple. Believing in yourself and capabilities will allow you to get to your goals and exceed them if you choose. If you have faith that you can get to the goal, you will get there (along with taking ACTION). Now, I'm not saying that it will be easy, but it can be done. You will need to also implement some discipline as well.

When you wake up tomorrow, start small by drinking an 8 oz glass of water along with a cup of green tea instead of coffee. Then take a multi vitamin along with a low calorie breakfast like a breakfast smoothie:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/4 cups orange juice, preferably calcium-fortified
• 1 banana
• 1 1/4 cups frozen berries, such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and/or strawberries
• 1/2  plain Greek yogurt
  Stevia, or Splenda Granular (optional)

For many people it may be more effective to ease your way into clean eating and fitness versus going cold turkey. Maybe the next day you can swap out lunch or dinner with a low calorie/lean protein meal as well. Baby steps can take you far until you are ready to leap. However, the first baby step should be the belief that you can DO IT!

My Thoughts Coming Towards The End of 2015

First let me start this post by offering Gratitude and Thanks for this life. My intention is to share and hopefully help others with these words...

2015 had many ups and downs for me on a personal note. I had a serious reality check in January 2015 which allowed me to take a hard look at my life. What I discovered was I had lost my joy and happiness. I took a hard look at myself and my surroundings and knew it was time for me to stop hiding behind my ton of excuses and begin to LIVE in LOVE. What came from that was an internal and external transformation. I began to put Ashley first for the first time since I was 16 years. It wasn't easy at first. However, little by little, my path began to reveal itself. I forgave myself for neglecting myself to the extent that I lost my joy (and no longer could recognize myself in the mirror). I started to take the energy that I put in all of my external relationships and secular career and transferred that into ME. When that happened, everything inside and outside began to change slowly over time.

Fitness and Nutrition gave me a platform to spearhead my life to heights that I had never dreamed of. I know that sounds corny, but it's my truth. I forgave myself for neglecting my body for so many years. I forgave myself for all of the excuses as to why my life wasn't working for me the way I wanted. Once that happened, it seemed out of no where,  people and situations showed up to support me in positive ways that I never would have thought would happen. I put in the work everyday!!! Every single day, I got up and focused on creating the life I finally wanted to live. Losing weight is a great first goal. That was one of many goals that I had at the time. The biggest goal I set was to to be healthy - both mentally and physically. That perspective allowed me to to reach my weight goals (and exceed them). Now, by US standards a size 14 for a women is a little above average. That was my dress size as of 1/1/2015. However, I didn't want to settle for being an average person. I knew deep down inside that I wasn't living up to my Authentic self. As of today, I have shrunk down to a size 2. That is not to boast or brag. It's not my ego in the way. It's what really happened. That is my truth! I didn't do it alone. Many people helped me along the way. I am so humbled by the love that I received.

I have reached my fitness goals in a healthy way (in my perspective), by eating clean, working out on a consistent basis and keeping my mind focused on becoming the woman I knew deep down inside that I was destined to be.  I am sincerely thankful to all of the people who continue to support and encourage me. I am even thankful to those who have negativity and judgement towards my blessings. When you love yourself enough to  make a commitment to your happiness with mental and physical health, you will start to feel the love, freedom, strength and power that a lot of you probably desire deep down inside.

In 2016, I hope to be able to enter my first bodybuilding competition (and win some hardware:-)). I'm not 100% if I can do it yet, but I will continue to do my very best to see it into fruition. There is no limit as to where this can go with hard work and dedication by staying in love and gratitude. Peace and Blessings to you all! Until 2016.... I'll leave you with this..