Be Realistic

Making a lifestyle change like this to eat healthy and start working out doesn't just happen at the snap of your fingers, I really think the key to it all is being realistic.

We all have a certain celebrity or friend that we may think has the ideal body.

For me (Allie) personally I really love Jillian Micheals body

I think she has the perfect mixture of tone and still has curves like a woman.

But let's be real here. Will I magically have her body after just working out for a 30 day cycle?

NO.

Jillian and I are completely different. She has been working out for years and years.

I have been working out for going on 3 weeks.

I have had 4 babies stretch out my stomach whereas Jillian has not yet had a baby.

She does fitness for her full time job, I chase children as my full time job.

She is a professional, I am not.

So therefore how can I beat myself up over not looking like her.

I can't, and neither should you.

This whole journey is about being realistic with what works for you, not anyone else.

Your friends may find it easy to eat salads every meal, the thought of salads might make you gag.

Your friends may be able to go without ice cream, but you can't ever imagine that.

Your friends may be able to workout for an hour straight while you are dying after 10 minutes in.

This journey is about making it work for you and your life, not anyone else.

So jot down your goals, and be realistic.

No one looked like Jillian Micheals over night.

I will get there, one day :::I hope::: and along the way I will enjoy the ride.

(with ice cream and starbucks still being allowed in my diet)

If working out makes you miserable stop and think about what part is making you miserable.

Do you hate running? Well then take that out of your workout, no one said you had to run. Try walking.

Do you hate jumping rope? Do jumping jacks instead.

Are the pushups too hard for you? Do them from your knees.

You can't lift 20 lbs? Start with 5 and work your way up.

You don't want to give up chocolate? You don't have to, eat as clean as you can in all other aspects!

Do not beat yourself up, progress is progress even if it is just baby steps! 

Jamie and I are not the same type of person as far as fitness goes and that is fine, we both can still support each other the whole way. You don't have to do everything just like your friends because how boring would that be. You guys would probably not like us as much if we were exactly the same on every single level (like our husbands hahaha) But in all seriousness this journey is about you and making the choices that fit your lifestyle while STILL supporting others who have different choices on their definition of healthy.

To add onto Allie's thoughts, I have gotten caught up in the celebrity hype from time to time. All of the "who is wearing what...she lost this much weight..." blah blah blah... We all see it every day. This information is right at our fingertips waiting to be read. How does this make our lives better? Perhaps some of these photos and stories are inspirational, but many of them just cannot be realistic.

Workout and eat right for YOU! YOU look at yourself in the mirror every day...YOU have to carry your own body weight around. Are you a number on a scale?? Nope! That number is not publicized for all to see (unless you blast it out there yourself). On the other hand, be your own personal billboard of self confidence, love, and motivation. At the end of this life, you should be able to say you gave it all you had because YOU are worth it!

Jamie is ROCKING her abs!! We send pics to each other a lot and really encourage eachother, I cannot wait to take the after pics at Easter!!! 

What are your struggles and how can we help you!?