those humbling moments.

About two years ago, I was able to follow my dream & go dance for a company outside of the country. I was able to visit beautiful places and learn from beautiful cultures. One of my favorite places we were able to visit was CAMBODIA. I have never experienced such genuine and amazing people. People that were so happy and yet, had almost nothing. This truly opened my eyes and made me realize how much I take things for granted... how we all do. We live is such a fast pace and demanding world right now...and we forget to take a step back and look at all we have. Many of the people I came in contact with in Cambodia lived in small shacks and worked so hard each day to just put dinner on the table that night. Teenagers were working to put their younger siblings through school & family sacrifice took on a whole new meaning over there. I realized my life was full of "first world problems", and that I needed to change things up a bit. Our world is full of iphones & technology, fast cars, and worldly cares.... over there... it's just family & the moment. They don't have houses, they don't have cars, they don't have electricity or cell phones... they just have each other... & I thought it was absolutely beautiful. I felt a different spirit in Cambodia that I can't explain. People were so giving & slowed down to enjoy life and each other.

... so instead of looking at all of things you don't have, take a minute to look at everything you DO. We are so blessed & sometimes we let the world get the best of us. We are told we need to look a certain way or have a certain thing to make us happy. Well if we live like this, we are never going to be happy. Someone gave me great advice about this in regards to my body. If you are always hating on your body and always trying to change it, you are never, ever going to be happy with it. The same concept can be applied to life. You aren't ever going to be satisfied if you are always trying to look for the next best. You need to LOVE right where you are... & if you know there are necessary changes that need to be made... then do them. 

...so take a minute to put down that cell phone and smell the roses. There is much to be learned away from that screen. 

your book.

This week.... make a list of GOALS. What are some things--big & small--that you would like to accomplish? Write them down & put them somewhere where you can see them everyday. A written goal is half the battle & it is more likely to get done when it is there in front of you... The next step is going out and DOING. "You get out of life what you put in it". Take those baby steps, everyday, to the fulfillment of your goal. Life is a book with blank pages & you get to decide what goes in it. So many of us are blessed with the freedom to choose what we want to do and who we want to be..so dream big & go for it! Write your story and enjoy your journey. We are blessed with so many resources to get us there...so dive into some goals. 

out of the box.

Healing can take a long time. It is not just our bodies that need to heal, but our minds and our spirits. A lot of times we forget that these three aspects are linked together--body, mind, and spirit. We may feel like we have overcome something or have healed, but a certain aspect may need a little more time. This is something that took me a while to realize. After eating more healthy, my body was beginning to heal rather quick, but my mind and my spirit took longer than I wanted. It wasn't until my mind started to change that my spirit followed... but how do you get your mind to change? When dealing with something that is so mentally poisoning, it seems impossible... but there are ways. 

Lately our coach has been talking to us about getting "outside of our boxes". You represent the box and there are several triangles that frame your box. The triangles are aspects that make you up as a person: talents, your family, goals, etc. Being focused on yourself and your problems means that you are inside of your box. You become more focused on what you don't have and things that are going wrong. This can quickly turn into a negative attitude and make you forget about others. You don't view people as people, but as objects. Traffic and long lines become the biggest pain and everyone else doesn't seem as important as yourself. You are your biggest priority. When you are focusing your attention this way, it is so easy to forget about all of the good in your life and the beautiful people around you. It makes it easy to become stuck and to feel down... this is what we don't want... 

When you focus your attention outside of your box, you are more focused on others and helping them use and accomplish the things in their triangles. When you have this mind set, and serving others is on your main focus, your life seems to become more positive and your triangles seem to get accomplished easier as well. Life just seems to be a little bit brighter and run just a little smoother. Lines and traffic don't seem to be as big of a deal, and you are more grateful. I feel like this "out of the box" tactic is a great way to switch your mind set and give you a greater perspective. 

... Along with being out of the box and trying to focus on others, really try and focus on getting those negative thoughts about yourself out of your head. We are so quick to compare ourselves and our success to others and those small negative thoughts can spiral into something big and poisoning. For me, the negative thoughts are really hard to get rid of, but something that a sports psychologist recently taught me, has helped... & many it can do the same for you... 

I just want you to think about and incorporate these 3 tactics-- 

1. A "can do" attitude

Don't think about all the things you can't do, or shouldn't do wrong. Think about the 'can do's' and what you can do to improve. For every negative thought you put in your head, it takes three to counteract.  

2. Control the controllable

Some things are out of your hands. You can't control how people feel about you or what they say to you, but you can control you! ...how you feel and your reaction. I am such a people pleaser and I just want everyone to be happy... so when it comes to someone not liking me, I do everything I can to turn that around. But why try so hard to turn something around that is out of your control? Don't waste your time worrying about what others think about you...that is simply all it is...a waste. Control what you can in your own life and just make sure you are being your best self.   

3. Live in the moment  

Fear and pressure do not exist in the moment. Those are things that stem from the past & the future. In the moment, there is only love & fun... so remember to do that a little more often;) 

...Take time to heal your body,mind, and spirit... 

...Think about being outside of your box everyday...&

...Get rid of those negative thoughts. 

Cheers! 

what keeps me going.

Today I stand at 5' 6" & weigh 125 pounds. My thighs touch, my skin and my hair are no longer dry and brittle, and I probably eat way too many sweets! ...(and drink too much diet coke) :) I can't say that I am completely satisfied with my body, but I have embraced it and have found a way to love it. I probably still judge it too hard at times, but who doesn't... I am now able to eat things I never thought I could again and be okay with it. Each day is a stepping stone though and I still have to incorporate certain things to keep me going up and on the right track. Maybe some of these can help you too....they are small and simple, but simplicity just might be the answer. 

1. Work Out 

Even though I used to be a work out addict, I have been able to change things up and incorporate exercise in a healthy way. I am now at a healthy weight, and I try to get in some form of exercise almost everyday to keep that consistent. Sweating it out helps boost my mood and keeps me happy and productive. It's not about losing those pounds anymore, it's just about feeling good! Find different ways to get in your exercise like tennis or a dance class and keep your body happy. 

2. Eat Healthy

Ever since my disorder, I have slowly been able to eat more sweets and feel okay about it, but I still try to eat healthy. Eating healthy keeps me in tune with my body and keeps my mind alert and happy. I have more energy and I am able to get the things done that I need to throughout the day. Some of the nutritional value I try to include are: 

-LOTS of fruits and veggies. 

grab an apple or some carrots for an on the go snack.  

-Green smoothies.

my favorite is a handful of spinach, 1 banana, 1/2 cup of granola, 1 T of peanut butter, almond milk, and ice. yum. After a work out I will usually add 1 T of protein powder too. This is great for breakfast! 

-Grilled chicken and a variety of veggies. 

pull out your George Forman Grill & your veggie steamer for dinner. 

I just try to eat at least 2-3 fruits and 2-3 vegetables a day. Whether in a salad or as a snack, there are a lot of ways to make healthy choices and leave your body happy. 

3. Call Mom 

My mom is my go to. Whether I am needing a pick me up, needing to tell someone about something exciting, or just wanting to talk, she is the one I go to. Keep the ones you love close by you and use them for support. A phone call with a family member or a good friend gives me that breath of fresh air that I need to keep me going. So surround yourself with happy and uplifting people! 

4. Write 

Whether it's writing out my schedule for the day or writing in my journal, writing keeps me sane. It is the best way for me to stay on track and relieve stress. Make small and simple goals--daily, weekly, and monthly--and start writing in a journal! It can be a huge help. 

5. Take Care of You

Make sure that you are incorporating those little things that you love and that make you happy. Life can get super busy and stressful, but you have to take care of yourself! Make time for yourself.