Choose Hope

✨When the world says you can't, Jesus says YOU CAN.
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me ✨

Be the Good

Be the good. Be the change. Be positive. Be uplifting. Be still. Be yourself. Be brave.

I refuse to believe this world has more bad than good. So when I can't find the goodness, I'll be the goodness. And if everyone did this, instead of conforming and participating in rotten behavior, we would see good people EVERYWHERE.

Quick Workout Circuit

Okay y'all! Here's a quickie! 5 moves, first 4 moves are 30 seconds, then a side plank hold for 30 seconds on each side! Then try to get a full minute out of the 6th move, but it's difficult so just do what you can!

Set a stopwatch on your phone! Let me know what you think 😍

Reese's PB Cup Shake

#ThirstyThursday Breakfast!
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
1 tbsp Peanut Butter
1 frozen banana
10 ounces unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/4 cup ice
Blend well!
Garnish with peanuts and sprinkle PB powder on top! Enjoy!
I didn't add any greens today, but not to worry 'cause shakeology is more than just protein, it's a blend of 70 superfoods, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, adaptogens, digestive enzymes and yummyness!

Where have all the hairties gone?

Trying to get ready for my workout like...

Lemon Chicken with Creamy Spinach

Recipe: Lemon Chicken with Creamy Spinach


Coat chicken breasts in 1-2 tablespoons of chili powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. You want it evenly coated.
Add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to a skillet, brown the chicken on both sides. Remove chicken and set aside. Add 3 gloves of garlic, 2 teaspoons butter (optional) 1/2 cup of half and half, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon wheat flour, juice of one lemon, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, simmer for a few minutes, then add 2-3 cups of baby spinach, simmer for 1 minute and coat all the spinach in sauce. Add chicken back to the skillet and cook in the oven on 400 for 25 minutes.

Keep Pace or Keep Peace

Keep Pace - compare yourself with others. Try to keep up with the Jones's

Keep Peace - compare yourself with no one and just be you!

It's so easy to get stuck in a rut of comparison. One person is doing better in business than you are, doing better at fitness, losing that baby weight in a snap, their marriage might look better, her children eat vegetables like your children eat cookies, you can't run a mile, your job stinks, you can't cook like she does, your mom bun looks like you rolled outta bed, hers looks like she's on the red carpet! You know what I mean? You just feel inadequate... because you're glancing over your shoulder at someone else.

Don't do that to yourself. Don't keep pace with anyone, instead, do your thing! Embrace your journey because it's special and in your own time.

2 Corinthians 10:12 When they measure themselves with one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

Why not you

Omgosh I LOVE this quote posted by a gal in my fitness group!

We have a group of almost 30 ladies, all committed to having a healthy & balanced holiday season! Goals are flying left and right! Lose weight, NOT gain weight during the holidays (for real, who doesn't agree?!) build muscle, run a mile, etc! Their energy is infectious! So darn motivating!
This week, we're checking in with motivational quotes, checking in after we've done our work out, sharing encouragement, and we've all been sharing our meal prep tips and recipes. 🙌🏼
Want to be successful? Wonder why some people are and some people struggle? Biggest piece of advice-- Get accountability and surround yourself with people who are like-minded. ✨it's the SECRET SAUCE, and one of the biggest reasons I became a coach, to surround myself with people who would challenge me to be better, and that's exactly what I found. I became more positive and optimistic! Score!

You don't have the perfect scenario to start, and there will NEVER be a "right" time, you just have to start. It's a lifestyle, you'll still have an awesome holiday season, I'm certainly not giving the things I love most! And I don't have to, neither do you!
Cut out the negative, fill it with positive, and go for it! Be the woman you WANT to be. Just ask yourself "why not me?" There's not a good answer to that, am I right?!

Flashback Friday

6 months ago... 4 months ago... 1 week ago... now!

Yes, it's difficult to find the time, and the motivation. Yes, it's difficult to skip the comfort food and opt for a smarter choice, yep, working out on zero sleep sucks. But sitting around and WISHING things were different would be so much worse.

If you really crunch the numbers though, I workout about 2-3 hours a week. That's a drop in the bucket! I eat clean 80% of the time, that's totally doable!
I'm just so grateful to have the opportunity to focus on me as my JOB! And fortunate that I have tools that deliver these kind of results in such a short time. And so thankful for the support I get through challenge groups!

See what YOU can do with your body if you have the right tools and support.

Results

What the what?!?! I was not expecting this! ONE WEEK ON CORE DE FORCE! One week. I'm using the core de force workout program, no equipment. I'm using the meal guide with the portion control containers, which I've modified for nursing. And I'm drinking Shakeology.

I almost let this program pass me by, I wasn't into it at all at first glance. I always look forward to the program released in the fall, but when I saw this one, I was bummed. Bumming hard! I wished that a different program, more my style, would be released. Thank the Lord I did the sneak peek!!!

Gosh I so wish I could share this with everyone I know who has a goal. I truly believe this program can work for ANY GOAL. I'll give you every tool you need plus all the support in the world!

Mom Guilt

Um, wow. Saw this verse and loving it!

Lately, I've been feeling it. Like ALL moms do. That nagging guilt that says "you're doing it all wrong!" And I've been trying to push forward and hide this weakness. Well, yippee, not needed! Today's mission: Confess weakness to God and be still, because He will use his infinite power to give me rest, clarity, and direction.
It's okay to be vulnerable. We don't have to be strong all the time, we're human. Right? And we've all got some struggle going on!

12 Days of Fitmas

🎄🎄 The countdown is ON! Join me in a free and private accountability group to Countdown to Christmas with Healthy Holiday choices, mini challenges, and simple at home workout circuits.


Starts Dec 12.

RSVP if you're in!

Missing in Action!

Gosh, new momming is hard! My son, gotta love his sweet face, does not sleep well. And I've had the most difficult time adjusting to my mom schedule, my workout schedule, and my work schedule! I'm always very active on my Facebook, so catch up with me there if you haven't seen a post in a while! I apologize, I cannot blog from my phone, and it seems that these days, I can only tackle my social media from a handheld device! Moms, you know the drill! Baby in one hand, work in the other, never two hands for work! But, how blessed am I that I can coordinate my work around my baby, instead of the other way around!

This is how we usually end up!

Arm Workout

Chicken Parmesan with Zoodles

Do you Zoodle?!? !

Chicken Parmesan with Zoodles

2 chicken breasts
2-3 Zucchini
1/2 cup panko
1/4 cup wheat flour
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1-2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 egg
Marinara sauce
Olive oil
1 garlic clove
Pink Himalayan or sea salt

First, slice chicken breast into thin strips. Mix the panko, flour, Italian seasoning and cheese in a shallow bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the egg. Dredge the chicken first in the egg wash and then evenly coat with panko mixture.

Heat olive oil in a skillet and fry the chicken breast for 5 minutes on each side until golden brown. You can also bake it, but we like it super crispy!

Spiralize the zucchini. Toss zucchini in 1 tbsp of olive oil and season with diced garlic clove and a dash of salt. Cook in a skillet for just a couple minutes, stirring frequently.

Use a clean spaghetti or marinara sauce. We use Victoria White Linen marinara sauce. Top the chicken and zoodles in warmed sauce and garnish with Parmesan if desired. Enjoy!

Fight for Fit!

She loves to workout with mama!

Hey moms, I've been LOVING the new Core De Force kickboxing and MMA style workout! Lemme tell you, if you are a mother, you NEED this. Let me explain.

1. Empowering 👊🏻
2. Fun - doesn't feel like a workout 👌🏻
3. Fast 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
4. Non-traditional core workouts (great for c-section recovery)
5. Get out some pent up aggression 😂 Step on a Lego recently? 🙋

This program is led by some super cool trainers that are just so likable and there's new moms and dads leading the workouts! They said they are sleep deprived! These are my people 😴 If we can do it, you can do it! And you'll get me as your personal coach to help you CRUSH your individual goal. Any fitness level welcome to participate, there's a modifier.

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL GET BY JOINING!
❤️ PREP WEEK to get you totally hooked up and on the right track to succeed.
💚30-day CUSTOM MEAL PLAN with recipes and easy-to-use color coded containers
💙SUPPORT + ACCOUNTABILITY + MOTIVATION + ENCOURAGEMENT
💛FREE access to our challenge tracker APP that helps you log all your info/stats/workouts
💜FREE 30 day access to digitally stream your workouts from any device with wifi via a free app!
❤️ AMAZING home workouts
💙 NO COST TO JOIN! 😍You're only paying for the program itself!
💚 OPTIONAL but amazing 3 day reset detox to get you ready to hit your goals after a Thanksgiving full-o-food. 🍗🌽
...AND
🎂 ICING ON THE CAKE! Weekly giveaway prizes for you to to win! And not some huge pool of people you're competing against either, I'm only taking TEN participants max into the group! Pretty good odds right?!

Sounds AWESOME, right? 30-45 minute fun, fast, results driven workout, all the support you could ever want, easy to understand meal plan and you even get a TREAT MEAL each week! 🙌🏽🍷

WANNA BE ONE OF MY LUCKY 10?
Email me jalenecabralesfitness@gmail.com and I'll give you all the details!

Oh and hey mama, you're a FIGHTER! I believe in you! If another program suits your personal needs, you can still join in the group. Just let me know that you'd like to try a different style workout. I've got you covered. Group starts November 28th, 25 days and then break for Christmas 😘

Core De Force Giveaway

In it to win it! ✨

This program has completely taken my life by storm! Before every workout, I'm excited to press play, during the workout, I'm empowered! And after, completely peaceful and positive energy vibes ✌🏻️

So, I can't NOT share the ❤️love❤️

🌟One random, super lucky, winner will get a copy of the Core de Force DVD set!! 🌟

To win it, head over to Facebook and enter the contest!


*winner chosen at random and will be notified by Thanksgiving.

More about the program? Check out the details for my exclusive support group coming up 😍 👉🏻

Motivation Monday!

1. Set a CLEAR goal.
Set your goal, make it reasonable but challenging, and write it down! Make it known that this is your goal. If your goal involves weight loss, for example, be clear and concise: “My goal is to lose 10 pounds by December 30th.” Boom, clear, concise, time sensitive. I won’t take credit for this, I heard it somewhere else but it stuck with me: Your goals should be SMART… specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely (S.M.A.R.T.)
2. PLAN ahead.
Once you have your goal, you really need to devise a plan of attack. How do you plan to reach this goal? Which tools will you use, which benchmarks for success will you set for yourself, how are you going to get there?
3. Be CONSISTENT
You need to be prepared for set backs. It’s going to happen. So plan for consistency, not perfection. Goal reaching is consistency over time. You need to be consistent, for a long period of time, to reach a big goal. Life happens! Live it, enjoy it, you only get one! 😍
4. Go ALL IN.
This goal you set needs to be forefront in your life. It’s not on the backburner. It’s there, every day, consistently, and you are totally devoted to it. Yes, you’ll have set backs, but winners don’t quit. Be all in.
5. Have a support system.
Not only for support but for accountability. These people may not be people you even know. Reach out to others who have the same goals as you. If it's fitness, surround yourself with fit friends, people who are striving for the same thing. If it's business, surround yourself with people who empower you. Your support system is going to be the secret sauce!

Breakfast of Champions- Chocolate!

I don't always get to have a chocolate milkshake for breakfast... oh wait, yes I do! #winning!

My recipe today:

Chocolate Shakeology
Unsweetened almond milk
Spinach
Peanut Butter
Rolled Oats
Frozen Banana

BLEND!

Flawsome

Well, I did not want to press play this morning. I hardly slept, I'm tired, my house is a mess, we have a play date this afternoon so I really need to get it cleaned now, and I have just 40 minutes because my son has been sleeping awful due to teething, so my regular 90 minute nap break has totally been slashed! But you know what, I deserve this! This is MY time to make ME better.
So, workout done! And looky there, I had fun!
Don't ever forget that you're awesome, despite any flaws you may have. Those flaws make you human, make you real, and make you unique.

Tip for Tuesday!

Tip for Tuesday!

I'm trying something new today... typically I get up and shower in the morning and get ready before we head off to school. Today, got up, put on gym clothes, laced up my shoes, hair in a bun and shades on! Dropped off Bella as a hot mess! My effort is to be ready for my workout the minute Nixon goes to sleep, instead of ready for the day and then I put the workout off because I'm dressed, showered, hair done and makeup on.
This goes against the grain for me. I don't ever leave the house not being "ready." I believe my mama is responsible! Back in the day, it was popular to wear sweats to school. Oh no way, not in my house. Mama says no pajamas to school, get up and get ready! She's relaxed a bit, I see my little sis in some sweats now and again.

And yes, we always need some cute meme on the workout apparel!

And in case you didn't know...

New Workout

You may not have a fancy gym in your house, or the space to really spread out, you may not have equipment, and you may not have TIME! But neither do I! The best thing is, YOU DON'T NEED ANY OF THE ABOVE!


I did my workout this afternoon while my daughter was home, my baby was napping, in between work from home, being a stay at home mom, and I did it from the bedroom that my two children share! Under 30 minutes, total body workout!

I'm so super uncoordinated, and this was Day 1 of this program for me. So if I look confused, it's cause I am! But I'll get better every time I press play! The important thing is, I DID IT. And it was FUN 👌🏻

Preview some moves from the MMA style workout that I'm doing 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

Keeping Milk Supply While Losing Weight

How to maintain milk supply while getting fit and losing weight? Workout for C-Section? What to eat? How much to eat?

Here's my TOP TIPS for losing weight after a c-section (or vaginal delivery) while breastfeeding! I'm currently 6 months post partum and down 40 pounds, so excited!

4 steps to choose joy daily

1. Start the day with prayer or meditation. Give thanks to God for all you have, reflect on the day ahead, ask Him for guidance today.
2. Take care of yourself! Spend some time on your personal development and health, 'cause you can't pour from an empty cup.
3. Cultivate relationships with those around you, even your children.
4. Reflect on what you have done, not what you need to do. Give yourself credit!

21 Days of Gratitude

Find your Happy! Focus on an attitude of gratitude with short daily messages, thoughts, or ideas to help you choose gratitude this November. This challenge will take us right to Thanksgiving, how appropriate!

Join me in this Facebook event!

I'm Human, are you?

Halloween Fit Tips

Fit Tips for Halloweeen

Oooooh! It's that time again! Candy as far as the eye can see! Here's my top 3 tips for a fun and fit Halloween!

1. Eat! Make sure you have a balanced meal plan all the way through dinner, plenty of protein to keep you full. This way, you'll not crave a ton of candy because you're already satisfied, or just full so you can only pack in a few!

2. Bring a water bottle trick or treating! Water also keeps your tummy full, but we want full hands too. So, water in on hand, kiddo in the other, no hands for candy!

3. Plan ahead for how much candy you're going to have! I'm not saying have no candy, sheesh, have you met me? If you haven't, I have the biggest sweet tooth ever! But here's my strategy, I'll tell myself how much candy is allowable for me. And then I have a plan I can stick to. I'm not going to just eat right out of the candy bucket, I'm going to set a few pieces aside and that's my candy for the evening.

Bust out this workout before you head out this evening!

Core De Force

What is CORE DE FORCE?

CORE DE FORCE is an explosive mixed martial arts-inspired total body workout designed by Beachbody Super Trainers Joel Freeman and Jericho McMatthews to blast fat and carve your waist in just 30 days - with no equipment.

Who will love the program?
Anyone who wants to tighten up their midsection, carve a stronger core, and sculpt total-body definition. Core De Force is great for weight loss and any fitness level!

It's also a great choice for people looking to try a workout inspired by mixed martial arts. Trainers Joel Freeman and Jericho McMatthews packed CORE DE FORCE with Boxing, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai moves that are both effective AND empowering. Those who want to see results fast will also love the program. The high-energy mix of combinations, bodyweight training, and cardio is designed to get you into knockout shape in 30 days.


The Workouts MMA Speed Upper body and core-focused, this Boxing-influenced workout is short-but packs a serious punch. MMA Shred Kick things up a notch with Muay-Thai-inspired elbows and kicks for a head-to-toe shred that'll lean you out fast. MMA Power Using explosive and defensive-style movements, this fast-paced cardio conditioning workout will help you carve a tight lean body. MMA Plyo What happens when you combine Boxing, Muay Thai and plyometrics into one workout? You get a total-body shred designed to knockout hundreds of calories and spike your fat burn into overdrive. Power Sculpt A total-body burner that uses explosive power and interval training to help sculpt lean muscle and build next-level endurance. Dynamic Strength Low on impact, but high on intensity, this no-equipment, bodyweight throwdown helps carve impressive definition. Active Recovery Recharge for the week ahead with this rest day workout that focuses on form and technique to fight muscle stiffness and soreness. CORE DE FORCE Relief The quickest stretch ever. Do this 5-minute session before bed to help relieve tight and tired muscles - and keep you at the top of your game. Core Kinetics Strengthen your powerhouse with unique MMA-inspired moves that help carve flat abs and tight obliques. 5 Min Core On the Floor The ultimate core finisher-5 challenging plank movements to help burn the belly and define, flatten, and tone the tummy. How much will Core De Force Cost? The price of the program will vary. What I suggest is purchasing the challenge pack as that is the absolute best value! You will receive the program for a fraction when you purchase it as a challenge pack! The challenge pack will cost $140, and that's a special intro offer. It will include a 30 day supply of Shakeology, the full Core De Force program, as well as a meal guide to follow! You can also purchase a challenge pack as a DIGITAL option with no DVD's required! Email me anytime to discuss! Jalenecabralesfitness@gmail.com What are the Portion Control Eating Plan details? The Portion Control Eating Plan is not a recipe-based plan like other Beachbody nutrition plans. Here’s how it works: Start by calculating a calorie level based on starting weight. Next, find the calorie chart that corresponds with the calorie level. This will indicate the daily allotment of color-coded containers. From there, the Eating Plan shows a list of foods that can be eaten with each color-coded container. Then, just fill the containers with the foods from the list, up to the daily allotment of the containers. No required recipes. No required number of meals. No required foods or ingredients. If it fits in the container, it can be eaten! Are you doing anything special to celebrate the launch? Heck yea I am! I'll be hosting an EXCLUSIVE challenge group, open to a very limited few! You'll have access to the program and my private accountability group to guarantee your success, and coaching from me! This group will be be starting November 14th, and of course we'll break for Thanksgiving! Before/Afters- Just a few of many!

smile

It's Monday! Anyone else have RBF??

I figured it out guys...

Walk around with a smile on your face, you may just be a ray of sunshine for someone. And if nothing else, your smile will cheer YOU up!

My gratitude journal group concludes today and our focus of study was how to train yourself to be more grateful by a shift in mindset. I think my biggest "take away" from this mini gratitude study is that LIFE IS ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR MINDSET. So we can be mad, or we can be happy, and the CHOICE is ours. And it IS a choice. Your choice. Because guess what, no one has a perfect life. You take your circumstances and you roll with it. You don't let those circumstances rule your happiness. YOU rule your happiness. And happiness comes from realizing the things you have going for you and being grateful for them. Happiness does not come from focusing on the have-nots or the rotten circumstance you might be enduring chronically or just in this day.

I encouraged my group to write in the gratitude journal at minimum a few times a week so as to make the "attitude of gratitude" a permanent mindset. It's not natural, it's going to take daily work, like showering! For best results, shower often!!

Other People's Success

In regards to business you might hear "why her and not me?" or how about "well, she must have cheated her way to the top." In regards to fitness "oh, you must have edited that photo" or "it's just the camera angle" or "must be nice." People either don't realize the amount of HARD WORK that goes into success, or they just want to discount anything someone else does, no credit is given where credit is due!

I feel like there's always so much comparison "out there" in the world, and especially on social media. It seems that some can't be happy for others who are succeeding. And I've always said, Comparison is the Thief of Joy! Try to resist comparing your journey through life to someone else's, we just never know what they've got going on in the life that you don't see on social media.

When you find the right TRIBE (your people) you'll find that some people don't want to compete with you at life! This tribe of people have a love for others, so much so that they love to see other people succeeding, winning at life! Those are the people you need to surround yourself with! Your cheerleading squad, the ones that will always lift you up and be happy in your success. And push you in a GOOD way to be the best person you can be. Sometimes guys, we gotta let the negative go and just pour ourselves into those people who want us to be happy and healthy! Life is too short to compete with others, be genuinely happy when you see success in someone else! And always try to be your personal best, which isn't going to to be the same as anyone else's, cause you are so uniquely YOU, and you rock!!!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

 

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins 

Muffin mixture 

1 cup oat flour (finely ground some rolled oats) 

3/4 cup coconut flour

1 can of organic pumpkin purée (15 oz)

1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice 

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1.5 cups coconut sugar

1 tablespoon stevia or Truvia

2 eggs 

1/2 cup melted coconut oil

1 tablespoon vanilla extract 

Cream Cheese Mixture

8 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup coconut sugar

1 teaspoon stevia or truvia

1 egg yolk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon maple syrup 

Preheat oven to 375°F. 

In large bowl, whisk together pumpkin and sugars. Beat in eggs, coconut oil and vanilla extract. Slowly whisk in the flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda and salt until well combined.

Fill muffin tins 3/4 full.

 

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add in coconut sugar, stevia, egg yolk, maple syrup and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.

In your muffin batter, top each muffin with about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture and use a toothpick to swirl it into the batter. 

 

 

Bake muffins for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

You'll love these for dessert or for breakfast with a your pumpkin spice coffee! 

Cheating your meal plan

Let's be real for a second here. Cheat meals are great and can actually help you to stay on track with your healthy lifestyle. But, if there's too many, those cheat meals add up in a big way. We have to be honest with ourselves about how many cheat meals we have... and when the cheat meals become more common than the healthy meals, uh oh, that's not the way it's supposed to work!

If you're feeling like this just happened, and you pulled out those jeans with a not so fun surprise, let's get cracking on a nutrition plan that WORKS for your lifestyle! Nothing restrictive, I want you to be able to stick with it and love it!

I'm here to help with what work has worked for me for 3 years. And I would love to spend some virtual time with you Halloween through Thanksgiving in my FIT AND THANKFUL group. In a month where people traditionally pack on pounds, let's shed some, while still enjoying life! Cause food is my buddy, I love it too much to make it boring.

Meal Plan Hacks and Crock Pot Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Hey guys! I've got some easy meal planning/prepping hacks here for time effective meal prepping! And a recipe to get your breakfast for the week prepped and cooked while you get your beauty sleep!




Crock Pot Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal


1 Cup Steel Cut or Coach's Oats
1 Cup Pumpkin Puree (organic tastes better!)
3 cups water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*Sweeten and add toppings once cooked.

Add all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours. See Video for more details!

Live Sneak Peek Into Coaching

Eeeek! This is exciting! My Mentor, Kim, and myself will be hosting a LIVE LIVE LIVE Sneak Peek into coaching this Wednesday on Facebook. You can log in and see us LIVE on video and also be able to ask questions in real time. The videos are saved and you can then access them at any time, and still comment with your question even after the event has concluded.

In The BelieveFit Empire, we are a team of women, moms, sisters who strive to build one another up, encourage & serve others, and build a legacy for our families. Together, we set goals, commit to the process, persevere, and change lives!

Wonder what it means to be a Beachbody Coach? This is where we will share a "sneak peek" behind the curtain. You'll get insight into how a coach earns income, what a day in the life of a coach looks like, and we will even share what our concerns were coming into this business (i.e. No, you don't need to be a salesperson to be successful!)

Check back this Wednesday evening, for a LIVE one hour glimpse to learn about an opportunity that can change your fitness, your finances and your life. The event will take place right on this page, and we are opening spots for 5 go-getters to personally mentor as new coaches on our team!

Fit tip

 

When there's an elevator, always take the stairs! Easy enough right? Make small changes to benefit your health. 

Reacting to Circumstances and Choosing Joy

I often got annoyed when people would say "choose joy." Like, what the heck do you even mean you optimistic weirdo?!?
Then, I lost some joy, and I started studying how to get it back! I learned something...

Choosing joy can happen in two ways... It happens proactively and reactively. Making choices for the day, at the start of the day, to count my blessings and focus on the eternal is proactive. Reactive joy choosing happens once I’ve ended up in that place of stress, frustration and anger. It's all in how I choose to react to it. And I know, sometimes it's hard to choose, sometimes we just react with a snap! It happens. But more often than not, we can try to control the reaction and choose to be joyful rather than let the circumstance get the best of us.

Just this morning, at 4:30, I had a "why me?" moment. My daughter is sick, my son is needy, I am awake taking care of both of them when I really just want to be asleep. I had to just snap out of it! Choose joy!! Choose to remember why I'm up at 4:30, cause I have two amazing small children who need me. Boom. Lucky lady.

Joy comes from God. From knowing how blessed we are. From knowing that "He's got this!"

Lemme share a passage I read... Check out Acts 16:16-40, I'll set it up for you...Paul and Silas are in prison... tortured, without trial. Verse 25, Paul and Silas are singing hymns to God. Like, what do they have to sing about?!?!

This is their reaction to their circumstance?!?!

What can we learn from them?

I think we can learn HOPE and that's intertwined with Joy. Paul and Silas know who won! God wins, every time. You already know the ending to your story.

The struggles of this life CANNOT affect our joy. It's a choice. You can let the struggle define you, you can give in to a freak out moment, you can choose to REACT to your circumstance, or you can CHOOSE JOY. The joy is based on the spiritual reality of who God is and what He has promised. God is good, regardless of your situation.


James 1: 2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.


Romans 8:28 God works all things together for good for those who love the Lord, for those who are called according to His purpose.

Limiting Beliefs

We have to get rid of limiting beliefs, and practice positive self talk! Mind over matter.

Truthfully, I don't enjoy working out. It's not my thing. Why do I do it?

1. I know I need to do it to be healthy and happy!

2. The endorphins are real and they help me in many ways.

3. And I get motivated by doing something I didn't think I was capable of!

You CAN do this. It might not be your cup of tea to sweat and grunt and work yourself, but just do it. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you! And you'll NEVER regret a workout, but you'll ALWAYS regret not doing a workout. Especially as we age...

Priorities

What can we do to be a better mom? Sheesh, probably a million things right? That's what you're thinking. That's what I would be thinking. I want to challenge you today to think about your priorities. And pick FIVE. Only five. These are your 5 priorities for this week. You get these 5 done before you do anything else. And actually, you probably won't get to anything else, and that's okay. Before you start thinking of your 5, let me elaborate... read on...

Moms, we are overstretched!!! We commit to 9 million things and we don't have the time for 9 million things! And most those things, we put before our kids... I'm guilty. I have a hard time saying "no." to other people and to myself, but it's easy to say "no" to my kids.

Check out this excerpt from the eBook "Mom Enough."

"Years ago, before this generation of mothers was even born, our society decided where children rank in the list of important things. When abortion was legalized, we wrote it into law. Children rank way below college. Below world travel. Below nightlife. Below physical tness. Below a career. In fact, children rate below your desire to sit around and pick your toes, if that is what you want to do. Below everything. Children are the last thing you should ever spend your time doing...Motherhood is not a hobby, it’s a calling. You do not collect children because you nd them cuter than stamps. You do not raise children if you can squeeze the time in. Motherhood is what God gave you time for."
OUCH!!!! What have you put before your kids?

Read on...

"Christian mothers carry their children in hostile territory. When you are in public with them, you are standing with, and defending, the objects of cultural dislike. You are publicly testifying that you value what God values, and that you refuse to value what the world values. You stand with the defenseless and in front of the needy. You represent everything that our culture hates, because you represent laying down your life for another—and laying down your life for another represents the gospel.
Our culture is afraid of death. Laying down your own life, in any way, is terrifying. Strangely, it is that fear that drives the abortion industry: fear that your dreams will die, that your future will die, and that your freedom will die. Abortion tries to escape that death by running into the arms of death.

But Christians should have a different paradigm. We should run to the cross. To death. So lay down your hopes. Lay down your future. Lay down your petty annoyances. Lay down your desire to be recognized. Lay down your fussiness at your children. Lay down your perfectly clean house. Lay down your grievances about the life you are living. Lay down the imaginary life you could have by yourself. Lay them all down.
Death to yourself is not the end of the story. We, of all people, ought to know what follows death. The Christian life is a resurrection life, a life that cannot be contained by death, a life only possible when you have been to the cross and back.
The Bible is clear about the value of children. Jesus loves them, and we are commanded to love them, to bring them up in the nurture of the Lord.

We are to imitate God and take pleasure in our children.

The Question Is How

The question here is not if you are representing the gospel, but how you are representing it. Do you give your life to your children resentfully? Do you tally everything you do for them like a loan shark tallies debts? Or do you give them life the way God gives it to us—freely?
It isn’t enough to pretend, though you might fool a few people. That person in line at the store might believe you when you plaster on a fake smile, but your children won’t. They know exactly where they stand with you. They know the things that you rate above them. They know everything you resent and hold against them. They know that you faked a cheerful answer to that lady, only to whisper threats or bark at them in the car. Children know the difference between a mother who is saving her face to a stranger and a mother who is defending her children’s lives with her smile, her love, and her absolute loyalty.

Live the gospel in the things that no one sees. Sacrifice for your children in places that only they will know. Put their value ahead of yours. Grow them up in the clean air of gospel living. Your testimony to the gospel in the little details of your life is more valuable to them than you can imagine. If you tell them the gospel, but live to yourself, they will never believe it. Give your life for theirs every day, joyfully. Lay down pettiness. Lay down fussiness. Lay down resentment about the dishes, about the laundry, about how no one knows how hard you work.
Stop clinging to yourself and cling to the cross. There is more joy and more life and more laughter on the other side of death than you can possibly carry alone." Again, this is an excerpt from the book Mom Enough, and you can find the entire article here


Do you see what I mean about priorities now? Your priorities are probably going to be more focused on PEOPLE, and less focused on TASKS. There are some things we are going to have to let go. Maybe you buy store bought cupcakes instead of spending hours baking them yourself. They are just going to get eaten anyways! How important is it? Now, this is just an example, if baking them yourself is something that makes you a more joyful parent, and your kids love it, by all means. But think about other things that you might need to let go of, or say no to...

So, my 5:
God
Husband
Kids
My business
Family/friends

That's it. What's your 5? How about an exercise to apply this concept to real life... cause we all know we are busier than 5 things...





Think about something with me... the last time you snapped at your child, what were you doing?

The last time you felt completely down as a mother, what were you doing?

The last day when you struggled to be joyful, what was going on?

I'm going to argue that we are just too darn busy. When I snap at my child, I'm distracted. I'm focusing on something else and she is getting in the way. She has "annoyed" me in that moment. Eeek. That's harsh. But yes, I'm reading something, I'm scrolling through Facebook, I'm cooking dinner, I'm tending to my other children, I'm BUSY on something and she's tugging at me. Snap!

And THAT makes me feel completely down as a mother. I've let her down. I've let myself down. I just treated my child as an annoyance. I suck. The voice in my head is fierce! Mama, give yourself a break first off... second, how can we ensure this doesn't happen?

So for me... The last day I struggled to be joyful, I was feeling overwhelmed!! It's hard to be joyful when you're inundated with your to do list!

But if I can put her in my top 5, I mean REALLY put her in my top 5, not just say "yea my kid is my number 1 priority..." be honest with myself and really put her at the top, it helps me to feel more fulfilled as a mother. She's taken care of! So I feel more successful.

Check out this blog post... https://mom.me/kids/32518-only-thing-i-didnt-give-my-kids-one-thing-they-needed-most/

Could it be your child asking "are you even happy to be a mom?"

My take away message from it: The truth is, the one thing that I had been forgetting to give my children all this time was a mother who genuinely enjoyed just being a mom.

I've got my Priority Planner here for you to download if you want to try my system!

When you are doing this exercise, think of 3 ways you can show your top 5 that they are a priority. And I know what you're thinking... a clean house, you going to work, you cooking dinner, these are things that you do for your children, husband, family. And yep, you're right. But if you asked your child how she knows mommy loves her, I'll bet she won't say "cause our house is clean!" So when you're choosing the 3 things that you can do to show love to your kids, think of the things that you do that make THEM feel loved, comforted. I know you're taking care of your children by cooking them dinner, but shoot, my kid doesn't even like dinner! She sure as heck wouldn't say that's how she knows her mom loves and prioritizes her. What would she say? Mom plays with me. Mom spends time with me. Mom buys me toys. Those are things that are important to HER. So when I'm thinking of ways to make her feel comforted, I've gotta add at least something to the list that makes HER feel good. My older son, he likes his band program. He enjoys playing music, he enjoys being with his friends. So I have to make sure that I'm getting him to and from where he needs to be! He struggles with homework, I gotta help him out so he isn't feeling so discouraged. His love language, words of affirmation. I gotta make sure I'm praising him for the things he's doing! That's how he feels loved. My husband, acts of service dude. How do I make him feel loved? Home cooked meal, clean house, ask him if he needs help with school, his lunch, do his laundry, etc. and being intimate. That's important to my guy. So when I'm making my bucket list of priorities for my husband, I've gotta make sure I'm speaking his language. Not doing things that I think he needs, doing things that HE thinks he needs. If you don't know anything about the 5 Love Languages, check it out!! You can figure out your husband's (fiancé, sig other) and your children's. Knowing what makes them tick, what makes them feel love, what makes them fulfilled is only going to help you. You don't have to be spinning your wheels trying to figure out how to prioritize them, just know what language they speak.

So, how does this create joy in my home? When my family feels comforted and loved, guess what, it takes those awful days down a notch! It lightens my sassy 5 year old's attitude, it removes conflict with my teen over grades and his schedule, it removes conflict with my husband because he feels like he's a priority to me. And the joyfulness, it follows along... less bad days, more joyful mom.

Repeat this prayer for today "Lord, unrush me."

God can refresh your soul

 

People like to say that the only two constants in this life are death and taxes. I beg to differ, God is a constant. The things that God has given us, constant. The sun rises every single day, for example, because He said "let there be light." If we think about that for a second, every single day, we count on the sun coming up, there's never a day that it just fails to rise. It's a sure thing! We can take it for granted though, most definitely.  

In Hosea 6:3, God says that as SURELY as the sun will rise, He will appear. And he will come to us like rain to the Earth. Whoa. So we can count on Him coming to us when we call, without fail, because it's as sure as the sun will rise! Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to Me and I will answer you..." God will listen to your every prayer. Call upon him, and He'll be there as surely as the sun rises. And what will He provide? Rain. Spring rain. The kind that completely rejuvenates and refreshes the air, the soil, all living things. It cleans, brightens, and restores. 

If you're feeling completely despaired, call on Him. He'll refresh your soul like rain refreshes the Earth. It's a constant. It's a sure thing. God does not ever withhold himself. 

If you haven't yet, take a minute to read this blog entry. http://foreverymom.com/mom-gold/exhausted-overwhelmed-depressed-mom/

I just think it's so awesome. And if we dig deeper into Elijah's story (1 Kings 17-19) we learn that Elijah called upon God. But not to refresh him, he asked to die. Elijah was so tired, scared, he was an old guy, on the run from Jezebel, the last of the Lord's prophets, she had all the others killed. He was just done. God came to him, but he didn't give him what he asked. You see, God has his own plan for us. He knows what you truly need. For Elijah, it wasn't death, it was sleep, food, a friend, and moment to refocus, to remember how special he was. God came to him in a still small voice, and Elijah could hear it. Elijah (with Elisha) went on! He came from wanting to DIE, to feeling rejuvenated and moving forward. 

    How can we apply this to our Momlife? Is there a time you can remember when you felt totally NOT cut out for this position of mommy? Take a second to answer in the thread below. For me, numerous times. I think often, moms feel like failures. We have such high expectations when that baby is kicking inside us, but then, it's hard! Your infant doesn't sleep, maybe has colic, fussy baby, there are joyful moments, and there are tough moments. And that trend continues for-ev-er. And in those tough moments, we feel like failures. We want what's best for our babies, and we don't think we're it! These moments of complete feeling of failure happen to EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US GOOD MAMAS! We feel like a failure BECAUSE we want all good things for our kids. By very definition, that's a good mom. 

 

HOW TO CHOOSE JOY: Next time we are feeling this way? What can we do? I challenge you to STOP, DROP, and PRAY. Call out to Him. He's the everlasting spring that can quench your thirst. He will clean, brighten, and restore you like spring rain, He will not withhold Himself, His ability, to the child that calls upon him.

CALL TO ACTION: Today/tonight, I challenge you to call on Him. You can say ANY prayer, He will listen. If it's been a while since you prayed, don't hold back. Say something to Him.