Body Image

Quit worrying about what other people see when they look at you. Start seeing yourself as God sees you; his beloved, priceless work of art.  I read those words this morning as I was reading my word.   It couldn't have come at a better time.  

Here's a little background on myself and my weight.   I've always been "skinny".  I used to get picked on all the time in my younger days.  No matter what my grandma used to cook for us I just couldn't gain any weight.  She even put me in martial arts to gain weight.  It got worst in High School when I was picked on because I was the girl with BIG BOOBS and a tiny waist.  I was called mean names and bullied.  There was a time that girls thought I liked their boyfriends and wanted to fight me over it.   It caused alot of pain and I even made some mistakes due to my low self esteem. 

Fast forward 15 years or so and as I sit here and type this I can honestly say hearing those words "You are skinny" "You look skinny" still affect me.  I truly know that when someone tells me that I know it's coming from a nice place.  But until this moment not many know my story.  Not many know my insecurities.  Not many know that I struggle just like them.   Being skinny is sometimes just as hard as someone that is overweight.  I too struggle with finding things that fit.  Sometimes an XS is big or just doesn't fit my body right.   I struggle finding a good sports bra.   I often have the thoughts of I can eat whatever I want!  LOL!  (That's my FAV excuse).  Since I am breastfeeding, working out and eating right I still find myself picking out my flaws.  For instance, I'm noticing that I can see my collar bones more and my chest bones are more visible (Alex says that's normal) HA!  Bless his heart!  But that ugly word stands out: SKINNY!!   All then all the insecurities arise!  WHY!!  Why are we so hard on ourselves?  Why do focus so much on the negative?  Why can't we see the masterpiece that we are?   Why can't we embrace our inner beauty more?   

I know that I am fit especially after having Max.  I know I work hard in my workouts.  I know I am strong.  I know I am fearless.  I know that my body is made different.   I know all those things!  So, when I was reading Psalm 139:13-18 it showed me God made me this way.  Instead of trying to recreate what God created I need to start embracing it.  I need to walk with my head up.  I need to embrace my skinny-ness.   SKINNY is the NEW STRONG!!!    

As I closed out my prayer time with God I left all those insecurities at his feet.  I am no longer going to let that word affect me no more.  I am going to continue to work hard on the inside cause that is what truly matters.  If you are reading this and you are letting something affect you, I pray that you just let it go.  You are a masterpiece.  God designed you just the way you are.  Love Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Walk with your head up.  Keep pushing through your journey.   Be YOU!  

Happy 8 Months to Maximus

Today we celebrate another month with Maximus.  8 Months! 

Fun Facts About Me: 

I weight 17lbs

I have 6 teeth

I am Sitting up

I am attempting to crawl

I love eating scrambled eggs, avocado, strawberries and Plum pureed foods

I am still breastfed

I love drinking water out of my sippy cup

I am still sleeping in my crib but love to snuggle with Mommy and Daddy

I am always smiling

I love to read books with Mommy and Daddy

I love The Chica Show

I still run with Mommy

I love going on walks in my wagon with Daddy

Max brings me so much joy!  As he continues to grow I just fall more in love with him.  He has def stole my heart.  I'm proud of myself for breastfeeding this long.  It's a blessing!   In four months we will be celebrating his 1st birthday!  I just can't believe how fast time is going.   But for now I am going to continue to enjoy his slobbery kisses, his 4am feedings and seeing his excitement when daddy comes home.  

Mommy Loves You Max! 

Being Appreciative

Happy Tuesday!  What a beautiful Fall like morning.  Winds are blowing, leaves are falling and enjoying a nice cup of coffee on the deck.  Max is sleeping and I'm taking this time to lay my thoughts out. 

 

Past few days I've been doing a lot of thinking and praying about my family.  Growing our family and possibly relocating.   Our hopes are to try for another baby end of 2014 - praying for a little girl hehehe!  But of course she'll "need" her own room.....like how I said NEED!  That is where my talks with God have been coming in.  Does she really need her own room? Do I really need this? Need that? Get my drift?!   We recently paid off a chunk of debt and working on a few more things. Hopefully we can relocate to a bigger home with a backyard and more space.  Yesterday Alex and I took a look at possibly renting a house and WOW! Not what we expected.  We saw hundreds, more than what we pay in mortgage and not even that nice.  We went from EXCITED to DEFEATED!  Thinking why would we give up our nice condo, affordable payment for a run down high rent place?  Quickly the enemy was putting these bad thoughts into my mind, I tried to brush them off while exercising but it just wasn't working.  Finally Alex was like STOP! Let's Pray!  As we were praying I could still feel the bad spirit on me, mind was racing and I just couldn't grasp what Alex was saying.  We get back to our routine, he was pushing me in my squats, I kept laughing and then finally he said: Every Rep is Every Dollar Saved!  You want to expand our family? Then push it! You want to pay off the debt, stop buying.  You want a bigger home then you'll get it!  Before I knew I was crying and my last set was done!  Now talk about punching FEAR IN THE FACE! Gotta love a man that encourages his wife!   

Of course God wasn't done with me!  In between our sets we were setting new goals, revising our current ones and set out a 6 month plan.  I decided to check my IG and BAM! God hits me again with this beautiful photo from our shoot:

I immediately starting bawling and came to my knees!  Here I was being selfish and wanting more more more and in front of me was what exactly what I NEED!   I have a beautiful son, supportive hubby and the three of us make our HOME A HOME! 

Immediately I felt that bad spirit leave my heart and I was given peace from Gods comforting words and a push from Alex.  

It's perfectly OK to have goals and want more - but through it all I just need to appreciate what I do have.  Continue to count my blessing and enjoy my life every single day.  Make those memories, stick to our budget and let God take control. 

So, as I sit here on my deck I'm thankful for His new mercies. I'm blessed to be given another day of life.  Have peace in my heart and YES LADIES INAM SORE from my workout yesterday! LOL!

Alex: Thank You for pushing me, yelling at me and reminding me of our beautiful life.  

Max: Soon you'll have a brother or sister but I want you to know the true meaning of life.  Not about material things. Simply knowing Gods love and His plan for your beautiful life.

Thank You & God Bless ❤

Happy Friday

Can I just say I am so THANKFUL that this weekend consists of a whole lot of nothing.   A weekend where I will NOT be running around with my head cut off or doing a million things.  Yesterday I was hit with exhaustion.   All of a sudden I just felt tired and bleh.  That is not like me.  I didn't even have the energy to teach my bootcamp - Thank goodness Alex was able to fill in.   SORRY LADIES I wasn't there for the extra breaks!  HA!!!   But as I was relaxing God spoke to me on a few things but one that really stood out to me was:  Slow Down.  I can't always be busy.  Can't always say YES to everything/everyone.  Because if I do then I end up getting tired, headaches and feeling blue.   And that I don't like to feel.   So as I was praying I just keep crying and I kept asking is there more to this?  What is so heavy on my heart.  I kept getting:  Rest in Me.   Don't have fear my child.   You have all the time in the world to do it all. But for now I need you to rest. Stay in prayer, keep your eyes fixated on me and let me counsel you.  God never fails me and He always comes through when I need to be reminded.

Often times we get so caught up that we forget to focus on the important things.   We are juggling multiple tasks, wearing multiple hats and always wearing our Superwoman capes.   Yeah that is all dandy until you get hit with tiredness, fatigue and even a slight dose of depression.  All women go through this especially us mothers.   I don't know one woman that doesn't go through this - shoot if you are reading this and this is YOU please let us know your secret!   Let's just keep it real being a Mom is one of the hardest job we will ever endure.  We no longer get a good nights rest, we are constantly on the go, our children always need us.   BUT!  In order to give our best we have to be sure to rest and let certain things go.  I was told yesterday that I make being a mom easy.  I told her my secret was being organized.  I've found that works well with me being a Stay at Home mom and a Work from Home mom.   I'm constantly using my planner, writing To Do Lists and having structure.   With organization, accepting help, praying and daily exercise it makes Motherhood rewarding.   I always feel PROUD knowing I did my best.  I gave Max everything he needed (not material things) and ending my day spending time with Alex.   Just requires balance and rest.  We can all do this - we are capable.  Just have to take it one day at a time.

With that said I finally got some good nights rest - aside from Max sleeping with us and the 2am feeding.   My spirit feels rested and I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend.  It's a go with the flow type of weekend.  My pictures came in so I can plan on working on Max's baby book.   Reading my book.  Enjoying an evening with some Fit Mamas and Sunday spending the day unplugging from social media and just hanging out with my boys - Making Memories.

What exciting plans do you have?

Be sure to rest, smile, spend quality time with your family and most of all ENJOY LIFE!

6 Months Later

6 Months ago - February - I stepped back into my workouts FULL FORCE!  I remember going to the gym with my Bestie and I felt great!  I knew I had to modify because I had a C-Section.  I came home and all of a sudden I felt sad.    I had myself a pity party of all the things that I "used" to be able to do - Such as running, lifting weights, box jumps and so forth.  But I was very limited.  I decided to take my BEFORE picture so I can move forward.  I remember texting it to my Bestie crying because I never seen my body look like that. She encouraged me and told me "Bestie, Calm down! You just had a baby!!" HA!  Yeah talk about a reality check!  I knew from that moment I was going to break all the chains of being a lazy mom or not having time to get my body back in shape.  Plus I looked super tired and just not the Angela I knew.

I'm not sure what my weight was since I don't get on the scale but you can see I'm bloated, flabby, tired and not smiling: 

Feb 2013

Now what did I do?  I attended the gym 2x a week. Did weight training, yoga and plyo. I also started running again and taking Maximus out with me.  I cleaned up my eating, drank my Shakeology, breastfed and prayed daily.  I started to see changes in my body and on the inside.  I was finding my groove again.  Of course somedays I wanted to not exercise or eat that extra cupcake but I knew in order to break the chains I needed to set the example - Be the example. 

Fast forward to today and I feel AMAZING both body and mind!   I'm blessed to be surrounded by other Fit Mamas, I'm eating new foods, staying accountable to a group of ladies, living in balance and most importantly I feel FEARLESS!   Right now I'm in Week 5 of T25 and I have to say this workout program has helped me so much.  I'm able to exercise at home for 25 minutes.  It's great because Max is more active and requires me of my attention. The workouts challenge me. I'm stronger in my Core - I dislike doing ABS! And I have to say  in the best shape ever!!!!   Plus with Shakeology it's perfect for a post workout shake.  I don't use protein powered because I can't due to breastfeeding.   

As you can in my AFTER picture I look EXCITED! Excited about life!  Excited to be a Fit Mama!  Excited to have ABS - 7 months after a C-Section!   

Anything is possible Mamas!  We don't have to be overweight, depressed, tired, run down and unhappy about ourselves. We can be STRONG, Toned and feel GOOD about ourselves!  Plus our kids need us to run after them. Enjoy walks. Enjoy healthy foods together. Laugh together.  Have a home with love and happiness!   Plus our hubbies love it when we feel good about ourselves.  

So, it's not just what we look like on the outside....it's about our overall lifestyle ~ HEALTH & HAPPINESS!!!!!

Don't give up. Take one day at a time. Find a support group. Pray. Be Fearless. 

House or Home

Twice a month Alex and I participate in a marriage Home Group from our church, Jubilee.   We've been in a group for the past year and a half.  How we got started was by attending a 6 - week class called: Love and Respect last February.   From there we have been fully engaged in our Home Group.   It has truly helped our marriages especially now with Maximus.  It has shown us that just because we have a child doesn't mean our marriage ends.  Doesn't mean the romance stops.  Doesn't mean we can't have date nights.   To us having a child just means it's going to require more work but it's also going to be rewarding.   We want Max to learn the true meaning of marriage - Marriage that is a covenant made before God.  Not just a piece of paper.  Not about the size of my diamond.  It's about the years spent together.  The times we've come together in prayer.  The memories we've created.  Being an inspiration to other married couples.  Most importantly:  Showing Love and Respect to one another.   Not arguing in front of Max.  Always letting Max know how much I love his Daddy.  

Right now we are reading the book: House or Home by Chip Ingram.  It's been a good lesson so far.   This past Sunday we discussed marriage being a Holy Covenant. We've made a vow together. Our  vows are serious.  Divorce is NOT an option. Adultery is serious and many other deep topics.   But the one thing that really stood out to me was adultery.  Why?  Because it just saddens me when you hear couples cheating, make lewd comments about their spouses or thinking it's OK to say that the opposite sex is cute, hot or whatever.   For instance Alex to this day thinks NO OTHER WOMAN is attractive.  Esp in Hollywood.  For years I used to think Yeah Right!  HA!!!  But overtime I've come to realize that he is genuinely honest about that.   But when we were going over our scripture:  Proverbs 6:20-29 I got total conviction.  The reason being is yeah I may joke around that some guy in Hollywood is cute or whatever but in reality I'm not respecting Alex.   Yes I am human and others might think that is a justification but it's not - Not in Gods eyes. So, as the scripture was being read I got teary eyed and had to quickly apologize to him.  Now that wasn't easy to do but when I looked at him and said I am sorry for disrespecting you, I knew exactly how he felt all these years. He's right  - He doesn't think no other woman is attractive. I finally understood.  I thank God for that.   

The lesson that we both learned was even a slight comment can lead into something BIG such as adultery.  We know that sacrificing our Sundays to be in Home Group pays off.   We can manage a child and still keep our LOVE alive.   Why should we conform to what the world thinks or does?  Why don't we break the chains of divorce?  Why not be the couple that Max aspires to me?   I know that our marriage isn't perfect.  We have our daily struggles but what I can tell you is that I am Truly Madly Deeply in Love with Alex.   We've gone to hell and back but standing here today I am PROUD to be his wife.   I take pride in our home, marriage and family life.   All the effort is our marriage pays off.   

I encourage you to get involved in your local church's marriage ministry.  Plan weekly date nights.   Engage as a family.  Always show Love and Respect.  Say I'm Sorry.   Always tell your spouse I LOVE YOU.   Encourage.  Pray for him.  Stand up for him.  Never go to bed mad.   

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it - Ecclesiastes 5:4-5

Hello August

It's been way to long since I last blogged.  Summer has been keeping me busy creating memories with my family and good friends.  But my new goal for this month is to keep up with my blog and keep you all posted.  I'll TRY to keep this post short and sweet!  

I'm sure most of you are aware that I am a Team Beachbody Coach - makers of P90X, Insanity, T25, Shakeology and many other great workout programs.  I have been with the company for about 3 years. What started out a personal journey for me has lead me to incorporate TBB with my bootcamp, The Pink Ladies.   I first started TBB with Shakeology and wanting to jump start my fitness goals.  I was doing kickboxing, running and started to go to the gym but it just wasn't doing it for me.  My eating was clean but I knew that my body was still missing the extra nutrients.   I won't bore you with all the details....instead click in the link to learn more about how I started with TBB -----> My Story.

From there the rest is history.  Fast forward to today - Well I participated in what we call a Team Cup Challenge.  You team up with fellow Beachbody Coaches and you work your butt off in helping people get started on a new fitness challenge.   T25 and Shakeology was a HIT!  The promo pack was prob the BEST ever.  The newest workout T25 is 25 minutes of HARD WORK and you sweat 5x a week.  Perfect for this FIT MAMA!   I'm PROUD to say I have reached my ULTIMATE GOAL!!!  I never worked so hard in this business to reach such a goal.  I learned alot about myself, PLBC, TBB and many other things.  I'm very thankful to all my ladies who supported me and are now doing T25 with me.  When I woke up this morning I knew that I could take my business with TBB to a new level.    Meaning I can help ladies all over my community, California and across the states.   I've become a "Product of the Product".  The bonus is I am able to incorporate PLBC Strong and Fearless.  I'm able to help ladies feel good about themselves physically and mentally.  I'm able to share my story.  Share my trials, triumphs and crazy workouts.   The sky is the limit and with my determination and faith I CAN DO ANYTHING!   I'm just really EXCITED to take my career to a new level.  I believe in the Company and what it stands for.  Shakeology has changed my life and I want to see more lives changed.   It's going to require hard work but I know I can do it!

So, with that all said and done.....I've set out my goals for this month.  I usually focus on the physically aspects but this month I am really going to focus on self development, spend more time in prayer, complete my marriage course and embrace all the knowledge.   Our Pastor suggested that I start a Life Journal for the next year.  Since I love to journal I knew this was right up my alley for me.   I been waiting for a good time to start and with a new month approaching and how things are turning out in my life I wanted to start in August.   I can't wait to see what God has in store for me.  What lessons I am going to learn.  The beauty of it is I will be able to document it all and have it as a reference for later in life.  Or save it for a rainy day where I can go back and see my growth.

My other goals are to continue to create making memories with Max.  Yesterday we went to Happy Hollow with our Mommy and Me group.  Even thought Max is still kinda small for the rides we were able to get on the Carousel.  I wasn't sure how he was going to react but he was just full of smiles and cooing the whole time.   It's those special moments that melt my heart.  It truly makes me appreciate Alex so much because I am able to stay home with Max.  He gets up everyday and goes to work with gratitude.   Even though I wish we could be rich (Kidding LOL) and not have him work so he can have fun with us, I always make sure I send him pictures of us.  We are currently in the stages of teaching him baby sign language.  It's so cute!  He just smiles!   But it blesses me knowing we are laying the foundation of education for him.   Being a SAHM is a blessing - hard work because I do work from home but I wouldn't have it any other way.  If you are reading this Alex I just want you to know that I APPRECIATE all that you do for us.  Working overtime, sacrificing by getting up early to exercise and going to work for more than just a paycheck.   WE LOVE YOU!!!!

August, I am READY for you!   Lord knows my heart and I leave all my dream and worries in His hands.  What will be done will be done.  God is in full control.  I'm just here for the ride.  I pray that you all continue to follow my journey.  Again, THANK YOU for allowing to be your Fitness Coach and let's continue to be STRONG & FEARLESS in all areas of our lives.  

God Bless <3