What are you doing the next 30 days?

If you had told me that I would be 21.2 lbs from my goal weight, have competed in my first figure show, competed in a triathlon, the worlds largest 10K, several 5k's and was only just getting started this time last year, I wouldn't have believed you. I would have hoped it were true, but at the time my belief in myself wasn't strong enough.
I have been trying to lose weight for more than a decade. I tried everything too. Phentermine, carb blockers, cabbage soup diet, Dr. Ians fat smash diet, Atkins, smoothie diets, I even tried to be anorexic but I loved food to much.. lol But, you name it I tried it. I lost weight on some of them but as with any quick fix diet I quickly put the weight back on plus a few extra pounds when it was over. I like so many people wanted the easy way out and when I couldn't find the answer I became more and more hopeless and depressed.
Not anymore, I finally love getting dressed up again. I love my body and how it's changing. I wore a two piece for the first time in my 40 years the other day...something I never thought I would be able to do. I stop and look at the image in the mirror I am passing now. I want to kick myself when I think of all of the years I've wasted. But here I am 21.2lbs from my goal and I plan on losing 15 of those in August. So what are you doing for the next 30 days? I have been so inspired by how far I've come that I am going after this goal and I am looking for 2 women to do it with me.
We will cover meal planning, support, recipes for you and your family, accountability, travel tips, restaurant guides and behavior change tips.
Drop an "I'm ready" in the comments below to grab one of the two spots left or send me a private message.
This train is leaving the station for a 15lb weight loss come tomorrow morning. I'd love to have you on it, but it's leaving either way

Garlic and Herb Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

I absolutely love my crock pot for meal prep cooking. I cut this turkey up for several meals and the following week before what little was left went bad I made a yummy soup. Perfect meal prep recipe.

1 whole Turkey Breast (Bone In)

2 teaspoons garlic salt

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon cayenne 

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Combined all spices and place turkey in a crockpot and then rub all over the turkey breast. Cook on low for 8 hours. Preheat oven to broil at 500 degrees F. Remove turkey and place in a roasting pan or in a oven safe baking dish. Place under the broiler for 10 minutes or until the skin of the turkey turns golden brown. Let meat rest for at least 10 minutes and then slice or shred and store. Enjoy!

Slow cooker balsamic pork

 This is such an easy recipe to throw in the crock pot before you leave the house for work or on a Sunday morning for meal prepping. It tastes amazing and is a big hit with my family.
Ingredients: - 2 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast (sirloin roast) -  sea salt, pepper to taste

- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- garlic cloves  

Directions:  
- season pork with salt, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes and place into the slow cooker.
-  Push garlic cloves into the meat.
- Mix together the broth, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and pour over the pork.
- Drizzle honey over the top of the pork.
- Cook 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low   

Marinated summer veggies and sausage

One of the things I've missed having during summer are grilled sausages and bratwurst. They are so loaded with sodium and fatty. But this recipe allows me to bring a healthier option back to the table. Make sure you pick a chicken sausage that is all natural and low in sodium.
Total Time: 58 min.
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: 8 min.
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
 
2 tsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
1 lb. green beans, ends removed
2 medium zucchini, sliced
2 medium summer (crookneck) squash, sliced
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
1 medium red onion, sliced
4 cooked chicken sausages, sliced
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
Preparation:
1. To make marinade, combine oil, vinegar, lime juice, and garlic in a medium bowl; whisk to blend.
2. Season with salt and pepper, if desired; whisk to blend. Set aside.
3. Place green beans, zucchini, summer squash, tomatoes, bell pepper, and onion in a re-sealable plastic bag (or large bowl). Add marinade; shake to blend. Let sit for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat grill or broiler to high.
5. Place veggie mixture on a large sheet pan (or broiler pan). Add sausages; mix well. Spread out evenly.
6. Grill or broil for 4 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
7. Sprinkle with basil before serving.
Tips:
• Look for all-natural chicken sausage that does not have preservatives and is not high in sodium.
• You can start with raw or cooked sausage, just make sure it’s cooked when you add it to the veggies.

Made to Crave

So I have been studying this book with one of my accountability groups this month and I must say it is really eye opening. I decided to do this because I had been lacking a connection if that makes sense. I have been feeling so unconnected to everything especially God and his presence that I needed something. When I saw that another coach had done the same thing on her spiritual and physical journey I thought... heck yeah, that may be just what I need.

Well it has really been eye opening and I am really enjoying it. Tonight's lesson was about "TRIGGERS" oh man does that hit home for me. I don't know about you but this is the story of my life. I love the analogy of algebraic variables and triggers.. I am always doing so good..... until I am not.. My triggers just like hers can range from something my husband didn't say or do (usually he has no idea he was supposed to do or say anything...lol) or a bad day, feeling overwhelmed, ungrateful children or quite frankly it could be as simple as things not going my way. Or that feeling of jealously, I get the "it's not fairs" when I see other people getting to eat and drink and do things I can't.. OH Man that is the worst... talk about wanting to eat your feelings. I want to eat them more when I think other people are getting to have fun in ways I am not allowed to. Just the other day I was having a pretty good pity party for myself. I was feeling defeated and like why even bother given just how long and how far I still have to go. But those thoughts and feelings are all lies that I have gotten used to repeating to myself. It is so refreshing to have that reiterated to me, especially now when I am in a place in my journey where I should practice remembering this truth, replacing those lies with truth and adjusting accordingly.  My favorite part of tonight's passage was the prayer. I am going to repeat this daily and maybe even have it mounted in my kitchen somewhere "FOOD CAN FILL MY STOMACH BUT NEVER MY SOUL". I pray I will remember that when I am looking for something to stuff into my mouth even though I know I am not hungry. I am going to add this to my prayers.. for God to help me see what it is I am truly hungry for when I find myself wanting eat to no satisfaction. And then I will ask for direction on how to find it.  But first I will have to PAUSE... isn't that Christianity and dieters 101. Pause and wait on God or Pause and think about how you will feel after you give in to that moment of weakness. Pause and see if your really hungry or just thirsty. Pause and wait on God for direction....I have never thought about triggers in this way before. As a matter of fact, I don't really give much thought to triggers and the truth of what they really are. I am so used to feeling like it is always my fault, flaws or my character defects that make me do it when I give in to a temptation. I have never taken a moment to think beyond the surface of that temptation or trigger before. The deeper issue is, it is a trigger to which at the core is my need or desire for something far more profound and can only be fulfilled with the help of God and only his knowledge and strength can help me defeat it and cure it.

My Transformation

I put together a video of my journey and I cried as I watched it because I remember being at my lowest point in my life and now I am so utterly happy. Even on my worst of days I'm happier than I was on my happiest of days 2+ years ago. I am eternally grateful that God brought BeachBody and my fellow coaches that inspire me into my life. I hope you enjoy it. 

Becoming me

Today I ran the worlds largest 10K and I had the time of my life. The Peachtree road race was like a 6.2 mile party.  There was music, people in costume, radio stations, pure comradery and love. I finished in 1:38:24 minutes a little over what I wanted but it's ok, it gives me a place to work from for next year. I cried a little as I got close to the finish line. To be here, to be this person is a true blessing. 2 years ago all I could do was dream of doing the things I do today as I recovered from being shit-faced the night before. I never thought I would do the things I used to dream about. I never thought I would quit smoking cigarettes, I never thought I could give up drinking and I never thought I would get sober and doing all of the things I used to talk about doing. To be here is a blessings. I am so in love with the new me. I am in love with my new love for life and desire to be and do better with every passing day and I thank God for getting me sober. I thank God for allowing me to see that I truly am capable of doing anything and everything he put in me and that I put my mind to. I do what I say I am going to do now. I train for races and events and I stay true to my convictions. I eat clean and I take care of myself better than I ever have before. I am finally growing into the person I have always wanted to be. I am finally becoming me, not the me I want people to think I am, but the real..... true to my core me :)