The Scar

Flash Back Friday: “The Scar”

If you read my story a while back, I mentioned a visible scar under my right eye, and said it was a story for another day. Some of you have probably noticed the scar before and may have wondered what caused it. Some of you were actually present at the time it happened and remember the incident very vividly. Either way, whether you know the story or not, I’ve probably never told you how it impacted my life.

There is a saying that says: “Sometimes Life Hits You In The Head With a Brick. Don’t Lose Faith”. Well, that happened to me in the most literal way possible! I can laugh at it now, but at the time it was not so funny. 

You see, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was end of my Junior year of high school and it was tradition for us to trade pranks with the Seniors. As the pranks went on for hours, I resisted the urge to participate. To be honest, my parents knew I was spending the night out, but did not know about all the pranking that would be going on. However, as one of our friends pulled up with his truck bed full of water balloons, at 2:00 a.m., I made a split-second choice that would change my life. 

I climbed in the back of that truck with several of my peers and we headed towards the Senior’s party. We drove by, and threw our water balloons, but were then faced with a dead end. We knew that we would have to pass the Seniors, once again, so the driver decided it would be best if we sped by them, not giving them a chance to retaliate . I remember everybody shouting “DUCK!” But the next thing I knew, I was laying in my friend’s driveway waking up from being completely knocked out. I would learn later that I had been struck with a chunk of concrete, a brick of sorts. 

Reconstructive surgery was necessary, due to a crushed cheek bone and cracked eye socket. I also underwent months of physical therapy to stretch my jaw and enable me to open my mouth a considerable amount again (I am still limited in this area). Not to mention the emotional trauma a teenage girl goes through when she sees her face completely deformed! 

However, despite the trauma, what changed my life was knowing what COULD HAVE been. If the brick would have hit a quarter inch to the right, it would have hit my temple and killed me. If it would have hit a quarter inch higher, I could have lost my eye!! Now you may be thinking that I was just participating in a little innocent fun, but I wasn’t. I knew that I was making a poor decision. I knew that I was deceiving my parents. Yet, I did it anyway, for a few seconds of fun. 

Through this experience, I learned that every little bitty decision counts! Every decision leads to good consequences or bad. And we will eventually look back to see how far forward we’ve progressed or how far back we’ve regressed. Your life can change in an instant! I made the decision that I was going to life live to it fullest, after that. I was going to strive to be my best in every area of my life, and I wanted to help others do the same. Being a Coach gives me the wonderful opportunity to do that! Do I still make bad decisions? Of course!! But I have a scar, to look at daily, that reminds me that my choices matter. 

What about you? What “scars” do you have? Have you allowed them to shape you in a positive way or a negative way? It’s never too late to make a change! You either push forward or go backward. Which will you choose?

There is another saying that says: “A successful woman is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at her”. I pray that can be said of me! 

21 day fix, drumroll please

I made it!!!  I made it through my first round of 21 day fix!!  I know, I know it was only 21 days. But it was 21 days of being disciplined, 21 days of fueling my body with only the healthy foods it needs, 21 days of waking up early to push my muscles to their limits everyday, 21 days of HARD WORK.

21 days of RESULTS!

I lost 5 pounds and 5 inches!!!!

That may not sound like a lot, but I have been trying to lose those 5 pesky little pounds for a very LONG time.  I was spending hours a day at the gym, and eating what I thought was healthy.  I had almost given up hope, but the 21 day fix program was just what I needed to MAKE it happen.

Here are my before and after pics.

The change may not be that obvious to you, but it is obvious to me! For the first time EVER, I feel confident in a bathing suit, plus I feel so much stronger and healthier.  Its amazing how great your body feels when you are feeding it the right foods and exercising each muscle group.  I couldn't be happier and I want you to experience the same.  

I don't know if I could have achieved my goals if I hadn't been a part of an amazing challenge group, which included an awesome coach and other members who encouraged me and held me accountable. I formed new relationships and we cheered each other on during the entire 21 days.  

Now I get to coach my own team!!!  One week from today, we start a new round of 21 day fix.  7 people have already committed to the challenge.  Will you commit as well? Do something good for yourself!   Let me help you achieve your goals!!  

21 Day Fix, Home Stretch

I always hated Wednesdays as a kid.  I even remember telling my mom that "hump day" was my least favorite day of the week.  The beginning of the week was new and exciting, and the end of the week meant that we were almost to the weekend.  But that stinky ole Wednesday, stuck right in the middle, was such a struggle to get through.

Well.... I kind of felt that way last week.

The first week of 21 day fix, I was pumped up and wasn't going to let anything get me down.  I was committed to following the nutrition plan to a "T" and I did.  I jumped out of bed every morning and didn't blink twice before starting my workouts.  I splurged only one time, and that was to enjoy a few Valentine's treats with my family.

This past week, I was still disciplined.  I still did all my workouts.  I even impressed my brother when he challenged me to do an Insanity workout and made it through (Probably bc I am too hard-headed to quit).  But, I would be lying if I said this week, was not a little more challenging than the first.   Partly bc I had a few more distractions and partly because it was hump week.  However, I kind of think the smart people at Beachbody planned it that way on purpose.

Because, now I can say: HELLO HOME STRETCH!!!

I have only 7 days left of the program and I plan on going hard!!!  I can not WAIT to see my results and I am going to make you wait too.  For now, let these results from other 21 day fixers inspire you.

(after 3 rounds of 21 day fix)

And if you are wondering what happens after I finish my first round of 21 day fix.... well,  I give myself a couple of days to regroup and then I start again!!  I might eventually add calories to my nutrition plan so that I do not lose anymore weight, but eating healthy, minimally processed food, and exercising daily is a lifestyle.  The 21 day fix program is a GREAT guide for that lifestyle.

Oh!  I can't forget about SHAKEOLOGY!!!  

Yes, that is me getting every. last. drop. out of my blender.  It has become a very important part of my diet which has helped to increase my energy level, decrease my caffeine intake, decrease my sugar intake, and I have even seen improvements in my hair and skin complexion.  It's an easy way to get all the nutrients and antioxidants I need, not to mention all of the super-foods I would have to travel around the world to get.

So, make the decision for yourself and join my March challenge group!  6 amazing people have already made the commitment.  Message me for more information! :)

21 Day Fix, the start

In my last post, I shared a little bit of my story and my new adventure as a Beachbody coach.  I started my first Beachbody program on last Monday and as promised, here is short update on my first round of the 21-day fix program:

-In 7 days, I am down 3 pounds.

•  I am not really focusing in on those numbers, bc I know I will be gaining muscle mass and those numbers might go back up.  However, it is really encouraging to see results so quickly.  Hard work really does pay off!!

-I have gone from drinking 4 cups a coffee today to 1-2 cups of coffee

• Anyone who knows me know I am a coffee fiend!  I  honestly never planned on drinking less coffee because I love it so much.  I always say "It's my thing, ok!"  However, I had developed quite a dependence on it.  If I didn't have 2 or 3 cups by mid-day, I was getting a headache.  Plus, I was putting quite a bit of creamer in it which are sneaky little calories I liked to try and ignore.  After the first day of drinking Shakeology, I actually didn't crave my coffee as much and I didn't get a headache.  WHAT??!!  I couldn't believe it!  I had one cup of coffee in the morning and one in the evening and I was completely satisfied.  Now, I feel like I really get to ENJOY the few cups of coffee I drink rather than NEEDING it.  Think of the money I will save!

-I am getting more sleep

• I love going to the gym, but it was taking at least 2 hours out of each day.  By the time I loaded up my kids, dropped them off at childcare, went to an hour long class, picked the kids back up, and headed back home, I had lost 2  very valuable hours of my day.  We wouldn't get home until 6:00 or after, so the kids were starving and I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get dinner prepared when I got home. Doing these 30-minute workouts in the morning before anyone else wakes up has been life-changing!  I feel energized the whole day.  I don't have kids moaning and complaining about having to go to the gym.  I feel much more organized and prepared for the day ahead.  And the workouts are really transforming my body.   And having an extra 2 hours each day means I have more time to do daily duties and I get to bed earlier.  SCORE!!!  Oh, and I am thinking of canceling my gym membership, so I will definitely be saving a pretty little penny!

-It has totally curbed my sweet tooth.

• Like my coffee habit, I had developed a habit of eating a little too much sugar.  I took it in small doses, a few chocolate chips here and a fun-sized Snickers there, but by the end of the day, those small doses added up to a nice large dose.  I was a little nervous starting the eating plan because I thought I would really feel deprived not having those treats everyday.  But sticking to the food plan and drinking Shakeology has really helped to curb those cravings.  I can honestly say that I did not have any sweets the whole week, until Sunday when I rewarded myself with chocolate covered strawberries.  It's OK to treat yourself every once in a while.  But it should be just that; a TREAT, not a habit.  

-Progress Photos

• I had never taken progress photos before, but my program really encourages you to do so in order to SEE your results.  Like I mentioned, the scale is not always a good indicator of your progress because weight can fluctuate so much based on water weight, muscle mass, and what you ate for dinner the night before.  Photos give you a much clearer idea of your progress.  Now I am a pretty modest person and I almost never show my midriff, but I want you to see how well the program is working for me, so here is a sneak peek of my progress.

So what are YOU waiting for???  I will be starting a challenge group March 7 and I would LOVE for you to join me!  Contact me so I can help you get started!  You will be so happy you did!!!!

My Story..."Chronicles of a Chubby Kid"

Who is that poor darlin' with very unfortunate hair and a horrible sense of style?  

Yep.  It's me. 

Fifth grade me.  

But, judging by the picture, I was obviously trying to be 45.  

Who wears a blazer, laden with massive shoulder pads, for her 5th grade yearbook picture?  This girl right here, apparently!

And the hair, well, I was still learning how to control the curls that just popped up in 4th grade. My method of choice was to "tease" the mess out of it leading to a minor rat's nest in my bangs.   Very unfortunate indeed.  Ahh....it's good to be able to look back and laugh at myself.

Aside from the bad hair and terrible fashion sense, there is something else glaringly obvious about 5th grade me, I was very overweight.  I learned at a very early age that genetics were not on my side when it came to being "skinny".  Eating pizza at midnight and pigging out on cheesy poofs were not in the cards for me.  

At the age of seven, I began to put on weight and was "chubby" all through elementary and most of middle school.  That was the worst!  I spent lots of time in my mom's arms, in tears, because children would taunt and tease me about being fat.  People who had claimed to be my friends decided they didn't want to be friends with the fat girl and began putting me down. Being an overweight adolescent was one of THE most painful experiences of my life.  Even though I truly knew my worth came from Christ, I felt very lonely and sad.

Praise God for wonderful parents!  My parents constantly lavished love and encouragement on me.  They never made me feel any less valuable because of my weight.  And they continuously reminded me of all the unique qualities God had given me.  They also made a decision that would ultimately change my life for the better - they adopted a healthier lifestyle for our whole family.  We joined a gym and began making healthier food choices. I eventually lost 35 pounds as a middle schooler.  

The journey was not easy.  It was hard turning down cake at birthday parties.  It was hard not purchasing anything from the concession stand at my middle school football games.  It was really hard watching my friends eat pizza and cookie dough at slumber parties while I was munching on an apple.  But, in the end, I developed a passion for health and fitness.  I became a more disciplined person in other areas of my life as well. I am beyond grateful for that.  I am forever thankful I was a "chubby" kid who had to learn to make healthy choices at a young age.

Which brings me to my current journey...

I am a health and fitness coach for Beachbody!

I am not perfect.  I do not know everything there is to know about health and fitness.  I have a huge weakness for brownie batter.  I drink way too much coffee. Some days I am just plain lazy and the last thing I want to do is exercise.  I sometimes get discouraged. 

BUT....

I am committed to use the abilities God gave me, and to be the best ME I can be. I am committed to do what I can to stay fit and healthy.  I am committed to setting and achieving goals.  And I am committed to help others reach their goals.  I am way better with a team than I could ever be on my own, so I would love for you to come along with me on this journey!  Whether you are looking  to lose weight, tone up, gain more confidence, or if you think what I do is pretty cool and you have a passion for helping others reach their goals, message me and we can get started right away!!

Love you all!

Amber