Transformation Tuesday: Success in Setbacks

Two years ago, I began a journey.
I left behind the dieters mindset.
I transitioned my focus on health not weight-loss.
I knew with the proper balance the weight would come off.
I always knew that the yo-yo dieting was becoming harmful.

It took devastation for me to invest in my health.
It wasn't overnight.
Or even in the first 21 days.
It was in that first year.
Seeing the progress, seeing the strength goals.
Something was changing.

I wish I could say it was all roses and butterflies.
But the truth is, that first year I found out I was sick.
I had a life threatening mass that forced me to have three surgeries.
It forced me to have setbacks with my health and fitness.
It mentally brought me to a level of disappointment.

But, I knew, that in 9 months I would be cleared.
And 9 months and one day later I was. It was all a scary blur.
My focus truly became a healthy mentality.
Losing weight wasn't enough, dropping pant sizes just wasn't it.
Sure, it was great to get out of the overweight category.
It was nice to no longer hear the words borderline pre-diabetic.

But, again, I knew, that something greater had to happen.
So I became a coach and started focusing on inspiring others.
I knew that it was my mentality that had to change.
Losing weight isn't a difficult concept.
It happens over time with balance when we change our ways.

So why do so many people have setbacks with their journeys?
Life. It happens. Death. It happens. Heartbreak. It happens.
We tend to comfort ourselves with food.
We tend to stop what we are doing and consume ourselves with our problems.
Yet, even in the most difficult time of my life, I didn't lose focus on my health.

Honestly, watching my loved ones pass in such a quick time.
Truly made my health even more of a priority.
Each day that my feet hit the floor, I am blessed with another opportunity.
One more day to right the things I did wrong and crush goals.
I went from the scale checker to packing it away and embracing myself.

Success came from setbacks for me. Watching my life fall apart enabled me to do two things:
1. Realize I wasn't living a fulfilled life
2. Make my mission to inspire strength in others.
These quick setbacks made me realize I needed to reach more people, sooner.
Thus, success, focusing on the controllable and focusing on what I have versus what I lost.

It took time. A lot of personal development and many tears.
But a year later, I am here, stronger, more inspired. On a serious mission.
So if you're someone looking to live a healthier life whether it's energy, endurance or weight-loss.
I'm here to inspire you to NEVER give up. To know someone is in your corner.

My five quick tips to find success in setbacks with your health and fitness are as follows:

1. BREATHE-legit, take a moment to accept what you are experiencing.
2. MINDSET- adopt the fact that you need to change the way you are seeing life. Accept there is value in learning from failure. There is value in every endeavor you encounter.
3. RE-DEFINE SUCCESS- stop thinking that success can only come from one route. Realize that success is truly your decision, your vision, your intentions. Don't allow other's to steal your joy by comparing yourself to them. Put your blinders on and define what you truly want in life <-that is your success level.
4. DREAM- Give yourself time to dream, to envision a different path. If what you are doing does not bring your heart happiness then realize it's time to make a new plan. That doesn't necessarily mean you abandon your current life, but it does mean that you need to let your mind wander and picture a different future. It's time to find balance.
5. IMPLEMENT- So you've had a setback. Make a list of what happened and then break down what you did and what you could have done better. Than re-engineer your goals to yield success. Break it down and work your way through your setback to establish success.

Whether you're on a health and fitness journey, spiritual journey, or you are like me and on a life journey fill out the application below. SWEATING FOR THE SOUL- my health and fitness focus group is open and you are more than welcome to join! Fill out the app or shoot me an email and I will get you set up: ginamariefit@gmail.com.

Life is too short to allow setbacks to prevent you from success.

Fill out my online form.

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Mantra Monday: The Person Behind the Sweaty Selfie

Ever notice the increase in these things called "sweaty selfies?" You know the sweaty pictures after a workout, the pre-workout post with the motivational quotes or the workout stat pics with updates? It's easy to look at them, scowl, make a comment... but do you realize that you do it too?

I know right...you're thinking "no I don't." But you're on social media too, you're sharing your life, your sharing pictures of your children, your job, your trips ect. When you're on social media, there is always the possibility of what some call "over-sharing." What I started to realize when I was sharing my daily sweaty selfies, there were always two sides to the comments.

One side supporting, encouraging and being motivated but there was always the other side, the one where people felt the need to judge, ridicule and even openly post about how stupid we are for sharing.

But....honestly, there is something so much deeper than sharing my fitness results, there is something more important then just flexing muscles, there is a story behind the sweaty selfie.

Two and a half years ago, I wasn't the fit person posting the selfies. Instead, I was the person judging the fit person posting the selfies. I was the person overweight, unhappy with myself, disappointed in the journey my life was taking. But instead, I was overly judgmental.

Then life happened.
A pivotal point in my life honestly.
A choice.
To succeed and overcome or fall behind and fail.

My life now has everything to do with my life then.
I'm no longer overcome with depression and anxiety.
I no longer feel alone in this world.
But it's because of fitness that I am on this mission.

My mission to inspire hope and strength in others through a healthier lifestyle comes from a difficult past and unexpected losses. My mission to help others establish a healthy foundation to elicit strength mentally and physically.

Over the last year, there have been moments where the need to dig deeper than I thought humanly possible became necessary. I haven't always been this strong, inspiring person. I was actually quite different honestly. My entire life I have been a perfectionist, I have fought to do things according to the way they were meant to be and anything short of that was considered failure to me.

When I started to lose control of my life, I knew I had to do something about it.

For me, that was sweat, that was fitness, that was pushing myself beyond my comfort zone and doing the things I couldn't before from poor choices and lack of activity.

On the morning of my grandfather's funeral, I took to the mat.
When my father passed away unexpectedly from heart failure, I took to the weight room.
When my best friend passed away, I took to my fitness community.

Every day, I posted my sweaty selfie to my health and fitness accountability group.
Of course there are the benefits we all know, more self confidence, improved strength.
But those wonderful endorphins...those babies brought down my anxiety.

As my body grew stronger and more powerful, so did my mind. I went from being down and out depressed to motivated and inspired to help others struggling with depression and anxiety to overcome life's limiting factors.

Sweating became the reason for getting out of bed.
My fitness goals became my life goals and enabled me to push outside of my comfort zone.
It enabled me to appreciate life.
And forced me to realize, I get one shot at this, I have to take it seriously

Today, I am stronger than ever. My health is in it's prime. But the biggest transformation fitness gave me was mental. I went from questioning my worth, my actions and my abilities to owning my past and creating my own future.

I went from comparing myself and my body to others, to accepting that some days required rest and other days required a push. We can only control the controllable and for me fitness and health were in my control.

Now, I make my mind and my body one of my top priorities. It works for me. It's what's kept my sanity through this last year and gave me the platform to reach others struggling with similar issues.

You don't have to find strength through a workout.
Maybe it's faith, or baking or gardening.
But we all have to find the thing that motivates us to push past adversity.

For me that just comes in the form of sweating.

Mantra Monday: Your Health Bet Invitation

TRUE STORY: During the month of September, Beachbody is so confident that you can lose 5-15 pounds, feel more energized, be happier, healthier and more confident while falling in love with fitness that they are BETTING up to $3 million dollars to prove it! 

There are ONLY THREE required commitments from ALL participants in order to receive your portion of the Health Bet pot.

The Bet will take place September 5th through October 2nd. 

Guidelines:
1. Work out 30 minutes a day.
2. Drink Shakeology daily.
3. Log in daily with the free challenge tracker app for motivation and support.

Complete these easy steps throughout September and part of the Health Bet pot upwards of $3 million dollars is guaranteed to be YOURS! No gimmicks, games or catches here. You do the work you win the cash! 


Complete the application below to be part of the virtual Health Bet Challenge or leave your email for more details!

Again. I emphasize you earn the money by simply:

1. Working out 30 minutes a day.
2. Drink your Shakeology daily.
3. Logging in daily with the free challenge tracker app for motivation and support.

DO THIS ---> GET PAID.

• No catch. 
• All levels of fitness needs!
• Results are guaranteed. We are betting money on it!

YESS....it's that simple.

--> Workout

--> Fuel your body

--> Rock your newly found confidence 

--> Win $$$

So you ready? Complete the application below or email me directly at: ginamariefit@gmail.com

Fill out my online form.

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Mantra Monday: What To Do When You Realize You Didn't Believe In Yourself

Are you someone with that voice in your head...


You know the one that tells you can't do something... The one that says you're not good enough... The one that continually tells you that you're going to fail.

This voice never leaves you, it taunts you and makes you question your actions and worth on a daily basis.  It criticizes your judgment, it makes simple decision making difficult. It breaks you down when you think you can't break any more. It's full of endless negative commentary.

Self-doubt can be your biggest set back when you strive to achieve the greater desires in life. There are times when you can block it out but more often than not if you are like me there are more times that it consumes your being and establishes a barrier to your goals.

Self-doubt isn't kind and it steals your joy. It can devour your happiness and strip you of every ounce of confidence you once built. It can take your logical reasoning skills and establish craziness. Yet, instead of building you up, it leaves you empty full of fear and insecurity.

You try to do the right thing. You read the right books. You go to church. You pray. You celebrate other's success. You set out every day to be a good person. You force yourself into thinking positively when underneath the surface you hate yourself.

This voice is strong, it's resilient and it will fight back. It has the deepest knowledge of your true desires and it's fueled by your fear.

For years, I spent my life giving my all but falling short, or so I thought. I have never been the overly popular one, the pretty one, or the smartest one. I came from a world that until I openly shared about it, made me feel like I was an outcast and alone. For the majority of my life, I compared myself to others, wanted what others had and tried to be something I am not. For years, I stopped myself before I even got started because I never thought I was good enough.

I am the product of a world full of negativity, I grew up in a different world and I have the long term memory loss that forever leaves me feeling afraid to share the truth. I have been afraid all of my life about what other's think, when people whisper by me I wonder if they are judging me. I was afraid to share my artwork, my love of fitness, my desire to do more with my life through charity work and honestly my desire to not be alone.

Fear is like self-doubt, it grabs you, it's cold hand wraps around your throat and makes it impossible for you to speak the truth you want to express. It takes the things you love and diminishes them to the lowest levels making you feel unworthy. This infectious hold can consume you to the point you unconsciously question your daily actions, intelligence and abilities. If you're like me, you strive for the strength to release the grasp to breathe again.

One day, life took everything that brought me stability and forced me to establish a footing to stand on that only I could define. This road was broken, it had many dead ends and was dark but there was a small light...it was dim but it was there.

If I wanted to reach it, I had to believe in myself. I needed to crush my self-doubt, build my strength to not only speak from the heart but speak with the passion that I so desperately knew I had in me. It was time that I pushed past all of my fears, all of the ridicule to thrive in my own light.

Fast forward to now. Gina post Summit. What's different?

I now understand that it was my lack of belief in myself that's prevented me from truly succeeding in the world I desire to thrive in. I now realize that being critical is a beautiful thing because it makes me strive to present to the best of my abilities. Most importantly I realize that my self-doubt is my soul crying out for help.

I've accepted doubt as part of the human system. It's a regular emotion just like happiness, love and anger. Instead of trying to define it and then defy it, I have accepted it so that I can understand it. Thus enabling me to improve myself and realize you cannot fight with fear instead you must establish a strength that in times of criticism can openly view all sides without bias.

No longer will I allow myself to be limited by the fear of others thoughts, no longer will I allow myself to be limited by my own self-doubt. Now I will pay attention to the voice that initially starts with a whisper before it eventually begins to yell. Each day I choose to set out to be my best, with my blinders on, not comparing myself to those around me.

Perfection is not my sole goal anymore. Instead I strive to achieve my personal goals in life, love and business to live a more fulfilled life. I will do this by checking off my boxes daily on what's important to me, I will trust and love myself, I will stop listening to those who are toxic and tell me I cannot do something I love and I will identify self doubt in a way to establish success.

If you're like me, give yourself permission to fail. But fail forward.
If you're like me, give yourself permission to share your passion daily.
If you're like me, give yourself permission to rest when you are weary.
If you're like me, give yourself permission to go after your dreams.
If you're like me, give yourself permission to breathe.
If you're like me, give yourself permission to try...and try again.

Shakeology Sunday: Peanut Butter Fudge Pops

Recipe from the Team Beachbody Blog

Serves: 4 servings

Prep Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup reduced-fat (2%) milk
• 1½ scoops Chocolate Shakeology
• 1 Tbsp. all-natural peanut butter

Instructions

1.  Place milk, Shakeology, and peanut butter in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour evenly into four ice pop molds; freeze until hard.

Country Heat: What You Need to Know

Hey ya'll!!!!

So you've heard the hype IT'S COMING!!!!!

COUNTRY HEAT IS LAUNCHING ON

So I wanted to answer ALL of your questions and make an easy place for you to fill out a quick application if you want more information on my exclusive test group launch!

Question: What is Country Heat? What kind of workout is it?
Country Heat is a low impact, high-energy dance workout that is simple but fun and easy to follow. Each 30 minute workout is jam packed with easy to follow dance moves that are set to the latest country music. It's a fun way to burn calories and shape your body while achieving improved health! BONUS you get a really easy to follow meal plan that works with the container system.

Question: Who is Country Heat for?
ANYONE...literally ANYONE who is: looking to lose weight, get fit, and follow a simple but fun workout routine. Country Heat works well for beginners who are looking to get started and for anyone looking for a great cardio based workout. It's also great for anyone who likes to dance but feels challenged by complex choreography. There are no complex moves or equipment required.

Question: What is the program like?
Country Heat is a 30 day program following 20-30 minute long routines. One workout a day for 6 days a week. You need approximately 6 square feet of space.

Question: What is needed to successfully complete the program?
No equipment is required. But you should utilize cross trainer or tennis shoes.

Question: What is included in the program? 

3 DVDs with the 6 workouts. Network exclusive workout. Can opt for the deluxe edition with 2 additional workouts. Also, you will receive a quick start guide, Country Heat eating plan, 30 day calendar, 7 portion control containers, Shakeology shaker cup and a bonus free gift by signing up with me!

Question: What is the portion fix container system?
It is a system based off of calculating a calorie level based off of your starting weight. Then you take that number along with the corresponding chart that goes with your calorie level. This expresses the daily allotment of calorie intake and containers for daily consumption. The system has color coated containers that correspond to the food lists to determine what goes into each container. From there just fill, eat and count your containers!

Question: Will I get real results? 
YES---> IF you follow the program, follow your nutritional guide and give it your best effort. Results are contingent based off of effort and the level at which you follow the program.

Question: What are the workouts like? (This is direct from Team Beachbody) COUNTRY SWING               Go a little wild with songs like "Young & Crazy" while you crank up the calorie burn with moves like the Grease Step and 2-Timing Hop. GIDDY UP Stomp your feet as you speed up your heart rate. Moves like Scuff Squats and Saddle Jumps work your legs and glutes, but songs like "Fake ID" help you forget you're burning major calories! DOWN AND DIRTY Get down to the songs "Sideways" and "Footloose" and feel the fire in every muscle, while steps like Rocking Horse and Mule Kicks send your metabolism soaring. BRING THE HEAT Autumn mixes up the tempo to blast your entire body with high-energy moves set to "I Like It, I Love It" and other hot songs that get your heart pumping, so you get fit fast. TRAIL RIDE  Blitz the fat in no time flat! There's no cooling your heels when you're doing the Summertime Stomp to tunes like "Bar Hoppin" and "Be My Baby Tonight." DANCE CONDITIONING Follow Autumn's most effective toning and conditioning moves that use your own body weight to build muscle and sculpt your sexiest body yet. DANCE MASH-UP You'll want to be front and center, because Autumn is cranking up her favorite songs and top fat-blasting moves from Country Heat for the ultimate "best of" workout. WILD GOOSE CHASE Kick your metabolism into overdrive with this pulse-pounding dance routine set to songs like "Save a Horse (Ride A Cowboy)" and step up the fat burn. CARDIO ROUND UP You'll have to dig a little deeper into moves like Body Roll and Savannah Stomp as Autumn works every muscle to tighten and tone your entire body. SADDLE UP LINE DANCE "Cowboy Up!" Autumn's going to teach you her original choreography in this line dance that you can take straight to the dance floor. If you are ready to get your COUNTRY HEAT on and score some AWESOME RESULTS then fill out the app below for a chance to earn a spot in my exclusive test group AND win a free cookbook to go along with your nutritional guide!

Fill out my online form.

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Transformation Tuesday: Post Holiday Bloat? 5 Easy Ways to Detox

Holidays are always fun....until the next day. You return to work, you're tired, cranky and bloated. So what are some easy ways to detox your body from the recent increase in intake? Here are five ways to detox your body. No fads or crazy ideas here. Just a few quick ways to recuperate :)

1. Cut Your Sugar Intake-->yesssss....I know I said it lol

Holidays and seasons come and go. It can be very beneficial to do a seasonal detox to clear your body of toxins to facilitate a boost in your m
etabolism and increase your optimal level of functioning. Simply start cutting your sugar consumption. Be mindful of the small, sneaky ways sugar gets added into your diet like your coffee and creamer. When we increase our sugar intake, it changes the way our body utilizes insulin and strains our pancreas which fatigues our body.

2. Get Moving


Regular activity improves your circulatory system. Thus also improving your body's ability to digest food, improve strength, improve mobility in your joints and decrease stress. Those who regularly exercise research proves that their body functions at a higher level and has fewer toxins.

3. Hydrate

Water has more benefits than I can list. Waking up and drinking a glass of water before eating helps to re-hydrate the system and improves digestion. By improving our digestion and level of hydration we also enable our bodies to rid the waste.


4. Drink Tea

Drinking tea has several benefits including it hydrates your body (herbal tea especially), it has beneficial antioxidants and fills our body up. Thus, this can assist in  being less likely to overate or skip the quick snacks. Caffeinated teas versus consuming coffee is less stressful to our system while still gaining the benefits of a boost.

5. Stick to Your Fruits & Veggies

Adding color to your diet is especially beneficial when you are detoxing. Having a colorful variety of veggies and fruits should always be the main focus to your diet along side complex carbs, beans, nuts and seeds when detoxing. Eating whole plan foods are more beneficial because they are not overly processed and maintain their nutrient content that our body needs.

Hope these quick tips help! If you are interested in going the extra mile and getting into a consistent routine then check out my free event breaking down my next health and fitness focus group:

Summertime Survival Online Focus Group Event