Different challenges call upon a different YOU

I saw this quote this week and it really made me think. We are always saying "be the best version of you." But being the best you might not work for all situations. With every new challenge, you might need to modify and be a different best version of you.

With my regular day to day life, mom, wife, health coach, I feel like I have the best version of me pretty well figured out. I need patience, I need to give love, I need to show respect, I need to be helpful, I need to eat well and live well, I need to be active, I need to be focused. Okay, that chick has it figured out. I know what being the best version of the mom, wife, coach means. Do I struggle at it daily, you betcha. Mostly with Momming. Momming isn't easy. But at least I KNOW what I need to do to be best.

When I'm thinking about the people who I coach into starting a new lifestyle, I think about helping them to adapt. It's a new challenge, one they've never done before, it's going to take a new version of themselves. I tell my fitness peeps, be the best you that you can be! But what does that mean from a health and fitness standpoint? Well, I believe it means trying, failing, trying again. Believing in yourself. Making smart choices when it comes to food and nutrition. Being active everyday. Forgiving yourself when you miss a workout or when you scarf down a chocolate bar. Choosing to live healthy. Choosing to plug into the challenge group daily, to be accountable. Choosing to ask me for help if needed. These are all practices that can be done daily to be successful at this new lifestyle.

Now, where I struggle is my new norm. For those that don't know, my husband and I are welcoming a baby boy in a month. We tried to get pregnant, succeeded, and I was looking forward to this perfect and beautiful pregnancy that I had with my daughter five years ago. NOPE! WRONG! This pregnancy has been a hot mess. I never really felt "glowing" from the very beginning. Truth be told that's how I knew this was a boy! So different from the look and feel I had with my daughter. But then, at 24 weeks, placenta abruption. Not good. Bedrest. Not good. I had 4 weeks of bedrest and then things were looking up. I was able to get up a little. Still pelvic rest, no workouts, no standing for more than an hour, no walking long distances, but hey, I got to get up. Then bam, short cervix. Back on bedrest. Pre-term labor is flipping scary guys. False labor every single day, flipping scary. This has been extremely challenging for me. I'm an active person. Even if not working out, I'm always on the go. I hate to be bored. I thrive on busy-ness. I thrive on being a mom and wife (see number 1!) That's the best version of me! Momming, wifing, fitness coaching. And now, bedrest. I felt like I couldn't even promote my fitness because I don't have any! You guys, I can't do anything, how I am going to LIE HERE on my bed/couch and encourage you to get up and move!?!? How am I going to encourage home cooked meals and show you what's going on in my kitchen when there's NOTHING going on in my kitchen cause I can't cook!? I'm a REAL person. I practice what I preach. What you see is what you get, what you see is really what's going on over here. So I struggled. Bigtime.

Now, I've managed to re-vamp my best version of me a little bit when it comes to coaching. I've got some great new fitness groups going on, I'm working on a HUGE project that you'll soon see, and I've given myself a break. I have a medical reason not to be able to practice what I preach. But I promise you, I will be back at it soon! For now, I'll be your cheerleader, I'll focus on helping you! Even from my couch. The rest, the bedrest, how to be a mom while sitting on my booty, how to be a good wife without being able to move, cook, go on dates, how to deal with the fact that I've gained more weight than I like because I've been on bedrest since 24 weeks, how to do all that... I haven't figured that out yet. But I do know that the most important job I have right now is focusing on the child who's HEALTH is at stake if I move. And keeping this sweet little guy inside is the best thing I can be doing right now. So maybe, just maybe, I should give myself a break and rise to the challenge of sitting (or laying) here cooking a baby and keeping him inside. I mean, I grow humans, that's a pretty big superpower right?

The next level of my life is going to require a different version as well! Eeek, so many changes!!! I would like to see advances in my business, and I will be focusing on being a new mom again while trying to lose weight and to build muscle back (read a little about what bedrest does to muscle tone, you'll know my struggle). But NEXT LEVELS are what propels us, what builds our future, what defines our lives. The next level is a good thing, and requires you to be flexible, and RISE to the challenge!

Do you have a challenge that is calling you to be a different version of yourself? I would love to hear about it!

7 Things Every Woman Needs To Know

'nuff said.

Failure IS a word in my vocabulary

The word "fail" really freaks people out. Instead they'll say "don't succeed" to be politically correct and less harsh. Failure has always been a struggle of mine because I am a major perfectionist. Major. Perfectionist. But I have to say, since I've added the word back into my vocabulary, I've learned a few things! First, EVERYONE fails. It's true, everyone fails at something. No one is perfect at everything. You're going to do great at some task that someone else is going to attempt and fall flat on their face doing. And vise versa. I joke that my husband is great at everything he does! It's maddening! But there are failures and challenges that he faces as well.

And the second thing I've learned is this... Failure is NOT a bad thing. Failure means you're trying. You're stepping outside your comfort zone and trying something that you aren't perfect at! Failure means there's room for progress, and progress means you have achievements to reach for! Congratulations, you won't be stagnant! Go You! Progress is IMPERFECT. There are going to be failures along the way. I'm reminded of a quote from one of my favorite Proverbs 31 ministry gals...

So FAIL, FAIL MISERABLY! Then tighten up that ponytail (a nod to all the powerful woman reading this) and jump back in! That's where you're going to see your biggest achievements, stemming from your biggest failures.

To all the perfectionists out there, I'm with you. I know how difficult it is! If you're a perfectionist and you want to chat about this, send me an email (jalenecabralesfitness@gmail.com) or message me on Facebook!

Baked Chicken with Carrots, Oranges, and Sweet Potatoes

Bored with the same old baked chicken breasts? This recipe adds a citrus zing that gives white meat tons of flavor, while keeping it succulent and tender. Chicken breasts are topped with orange slices, basted with orange juice, and baked with hearty, inexpensive staples like carrots, celery, and sweet potatoes, which also take on the bright citrus flavor. It’s a crowd pleaser, and kids will love it!

Total Time: 1 hr.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 50 min.
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
4 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled, cut in half lengthwise, cut into 1-inch slices
2 medium celery stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium red onion, sliced
4 (4-oz.) each raw chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
¼ cup 100% orange juice (or juice of 2 medium navel oranges)
½ cup water
2 medium navel oranges, peeled, chopped
2 fresh rosemary sprigs
Sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Place carrots, sweet potatoes, celery, onion, and chicken in large oven-proof roasting pan.
3. Top with orange juice, water, oranges, rosemary, salt (if desired), and pepper (if desired).
4. Bake, basting occasionally, for 35 to 50 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle and juices run clear.

Tip: This dish can also be prepared in a slow cooker. Layer all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook for about 4 hours on high, or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle and juices run clear.

Recipe Credit: Team Beachbody Blog

Sneak Peek!

JOIN ME! <--- Click to join the event! April 4th!


It's been put on my heart to reach out to this elite group of women called MOMS!

I want to talk to the moms who are looking for more. The moms who are looking for fitness, but more than that are looking for a way to get more out of life! Maybe you're already a stay at home mom, or you're looking for a way to become a stay at home, or just looking for a discount on fitness programs, because you desperately want to work on your health, but let's face it, you're a mommy and your money goes to your kids! You are the women I'm talking to!

I'm looking for 5, and only 5, women who want build a life by design. Your own design.

** Moms who want to spend time with their babies AND help support their family.

**Moms who want to PAY IT FORWARD and help others.

**And moms who want to invest in themselves and be the best version of themselves.

If any of these awesome moms sound like the type of mom YOU are, then this sneak peek is for you!

I get asked all the time just what it is that I do as a "coach." Can anyone do this? Do I have to be fit? Do I have to be certified? Do I need special training? Do I need to invest my own money? It seems like such an elusive business to most people, including me before I started!

So I want you to come hang out with me for a sneak peek! A backstage pass into my little slice of Heaven that is online fitness coaching. Come see what it's about and how it can benefit you as a mother. Come see if you can do it... secret is... you can.

NOT a mom? But you're a super strong woman and want to pay it forward and work on your own fitness? Or looking to see how you can get your Shakeology at a DISCOUNT? Join us!! All are welcome.

Free 5 Day Clean Eating Group

If you are on Facebook, join me for my April Clean Eating group with Meal Plan! We start Monday! Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Cleaneating101April2016/

Spring Into Summer

*** The date below has changed...Due to the popularity of this group and requests for a later start date, a THIRD group will be starting on MAY 16th. Limited to the first 10 to register! ***

Your health, and I don't mean your appearance, should mean everything to you! Sitting here on bedrest for my pregnancy has made me realize that I DO NOT want to be here later in life. It's time to take charge of your life now. Make healthy choices so you can live your life to its fullest. My Spring into Summer group will focus on health and wellness including:

* Workouts
* Meal planning
* Clean eating
* Superfood nutrition
* Accountability and Support

All from your own home!

This is a 60 day group. Numerous workout programs available to accommodate your own personal style and fitness needs as well as the types of workouts you enjoy.

March 28 is YOUR DAY to start really living. And let me let you in on a secret, it's worth it and so are you!!

Some further details... If you are on facebook, log in and visit the event page by clicking HERE.



The group is going to start on March 28 and will include the workouts, meal plan based on clean eating, your superfood nutrition shake which is Shakeology, a clean eating shake with nothing artificial, to supplement the nutrition and fuel workouts, and also a FB support group where we can exchange support, hold each other accountable, exchange recipes and trade secrets, and have some fun.
You can choose between a few different workouts depending on your own favorite style.


22 minute hard corps: 22 minute workouts that are bootcamp style

21 day fix: 30 minute workouts that are cardio and weight based

T-25: intense 25 minute workouts to work every part of your body in a short amount of time

Cize: 35-40 minute dance based workouts

Piyo: low impact yoga/Pilates based workouts. Most are under 40 minutes

Master's Hammer and Chisel: The graduate program so to speak of 21 Day Fix.

You can choose between 7 different shakeology flavors and the commitment to shakeology is 30 days, but if you want to continue it for the entire 60 that is fantastic and you'll get a shipping discount for continuing the shipment!

The group will run for 60 days and then if you would like to continue, we'll keep it open!

I would love to discuss with you which program you are considering!



FAQ: I have one of these programs, can I still participate?

If you already have one of the programs, awesome sauce!!!! You're halfway there! This group does have a commitment for Shakeology, it's the superfood nutrition portion of the group and will be a main focus. You can choose from 7 flavors and I have many ways to get you a discount!

Rarely do I have a required commitment to a group, however this will be one of those. Tons of research shows that when there's a commitment, the accountability and results (your success) is off the charts! Invest in your health and you'll see big changes!

If you do not want to do a workout, for health reasons, you can do the shakeology and meal planning aspect. I of all people understand that sometimes our bodies can't take workouts at a particular time! And since nutrition is 80% of the puzzle, you'll be able to get great results with nutrition and shakeology.

I will only hold you accountable for shakeology for 30 of the 60 days. I really just want you to use it for a month so you can see and feel the difference as well as kickstart your 60 days of healthy living, fuel your body, and detox your body. The benefits are huge, and worth it.

If you already have a coach, I encourage you to reach out to your coach for similar groups. If you would like to switch coaches, please message me and I will help you. Email me at JaleneCabralesFitness@gmail.com or through Facebook.

Excited to begin!!