Self Image Victory

This post may really be girls only, but I'm going to make it appropriate for all. If you're a girl and you want to talk deeper about this stuff, get in touch with me and I'd be happy too!

Today I had an amazing experience in the fitting room while trying on dresses for my friends wedding this coming Saturday.

For the first time in my life, I tried on several dresses and didn't criticize my body.

Typically when trying on dresses, I say in my head things like, "if only your hips were smaller you could fit in this dress" or "your stomach looks fat in this" or "why are my legs so stocky" etc etc.

Girls, relate?

Today my head voice said instead, "nah, that's not the right style for you" and "this dress just isn't cut right for your figure"  and gasp... "you look totally cute in this, it just needs to be cut differently!"

This may not sound like a big difference, but it is! I've spent hours and days searching for the right dress that covers up all the right places and that "doesn't make me look fat" (insert unwelcome yet influential negative head voice)

But today, I was confident in my body. Why?

Well...I have no idea! But I will think about it.

I'm not currently in the best shape of my life and my weight is a bit higher than I'd like. I'm still fit, healthy, and strong, don't get me wrong, but there are so many factors that can mess with your self image, especially when it comes to buying and wearing clothes that are outside your comfort zone (I wear gym clothes, not dresses everyday!)

The only 3 theories I have are this: 

1.  I'm 31. Is that why? Does getting older (not that I'm old!) really affect your self image to where you care less about being body perfect?

The only comparison I have to this shaving your legs. Girls, remember when you first started shaving your legs and for about 10-15 years after, you wouldn't dare wear shorts or capris or a skirt without shaving your legs that day? Once you get to a certain point/age/personal comfort level, you don't care as much and you'll go to the gym without perfectly shaved legs! (and you still survive)

2. I've worked on my self image for years. Reading books, listening to motivational audios, and pursuing a dream that's bigger than how my butt looks in my jeans truly helps me to be more comfortable with who I am and how God made me.

3. Seeing it: Today I watched a short vid that I saw on yahoo's home page about photoshop transformations with celebrities, actors, etc.  It really hit me, that no one has the absolute perfect body, skin, etc. The crazy thing is, I think some of these chicks looked better before they were "transformed!"

This may be the reason I was confident in the dressing room today, from watching one video... a 1:37 minute video that someone put time and effort into, but that helped me (after a lifetime of personal criticism) realize that no one is perfect, no matter what the pictures say.

I watched this video this morning at about 7:30 am and it's now 5:22 pm, so obviously I was affected by it. Something about it, made me more accepting of the small bags under my eyes (when I get up close in the mirror), the little crease in my love handle area, or the shape the God blessed me with.

If you struggle with what you see in the mirror--

1) know you're not the only one--in fact, I bet we could recruit millions who feel the same way, but

2) know you are lovely, and beautiful and important and that what you have to contribute to this world is not dependent on how cute your toosh is, how flat your stomach is, how perfectly balanced your skin is, how thick, curly, straight your hair is.

3) your curves or non curves are perfect and someone is gonna like them! 

We are all made unique and we all have something different to contribute to this world.

One of the biggest things that holds us girls especially back, is being comfortable in our own skin, our own body, to make an impact.

I don't care what you look like, how much you weigh, what your education is, how much you have or haven't done toward your dream...You are important. You have value. There is something in you that the world needs. Don't waste it by being consumed with your own beauty self image. This holds a lot of us girls back, and it shouldn't. We become attractive by our passions, by that look in your eye of the pursuit, the look of resilience, the look of "I'm on a mission, don't mess with me." Yes. This is more attractive than what you think is a perfect figure.

Girls, the world needs you to step up and do what you are called too! Look in the mirror and see a strong, successful, warrior chick who can change the world.

:-) 

New Year's Resolution Tips

Although I'm not a huge fan of telling you what not to do, I am a big fan of helping you be successful for 2014! 

For one, rename your "New Years Resolutions" ..... "New Years Goals" 

Please :) 

Setting a goal has so much more potential power, than planning a resolution. 

We must set goals that have a plan, a purpose, a "yes I have an idea of where I am going" feel.

Goals have to be specific. 

"Get out of debt" is not a plan...it's a wish. 

"I am putting aside $20-$100 from my paycheck every 2 weeks" is a goal! 

"For 30 days, I only buy groceries (on a modest budget), pay my bills and fill my car with gas when needed" is a goal!

We must have a plan to get what we want, otherwise we will be at the same spot at the end of the year 2014...and I am not ok with that. I hope you aren't either. 

Your life may already be awesome. I have no complaints about mine. But...we can all be better people, give more, fulfill our dreams more and be better people.

So let's go over some generic resolutions that may need a little tlc/tough love to make them actual goals. 

Develop a "why" and a "what" to your goals, as well as a plan to achieve them!

Let's examine general new year's resolutions further:

1. Lose weight. How much? By when? Is this realistic? (check with someone who knows AND will support your goals). What do I need to do to accomplish this?

2. Exercise....  Where? What time? (schedule it!). What is my workout schedule/goal/progression? Etc...

3. Drink more water. What does that mean? How much? How am I going to do this? Do I need to buy a water bottle and refill it "x" times per day? Do I need to buy disposable water bottles and drink "x" per day? 

And so on...

Ask yourself questions about what you want to accomplish and make a plan for actually achieving it. 

You can do it. 

It just takes: 

Focus, determination, discipline and a little faith! 

NY Goals--Simple Steps

Merry Christmas friends! We've got just a couple of days until 2014 and I for one, could not be more excited to run toward it! 

I want to encourage you to set goals for this year, if you haven't already. 

Simple steps:

1. Sit down and think about what you want, close your eyes and visualize your life at this time next year

2. Write down what you see

3. Find pictures and phrases that keep those goals in mind.

4. Place your goals, pictures and phrases somewhere that you will see everyday (backdrop of your phone, on your laptop, hanging on your wall, in your car--or all of the above)

5. Review your goals daily, don't write them down and put them in a drawer!

In the bible in Habakkuk 2:2, it says simply: "write the vision and make it plain."

Write it, see it, start to believe it, take action toward it and your goals will be achieved.

In health & prosperity,
Monica

Simple "get it" Motivation

Maybe this will inspire you on a daily basis!

Start Ambitious
Stay Consistent
Finish Strong

and...

Never give up
Never give up!
NEVER GIVE UP!

Why I'm Trying Intermittent Fasting

My life and schedule is crazy (in a good way). I don't have a routine, per say. I have things I do everyday, consistently and I have a schedule that I'm very good at planning and keeping, but it's rather all over the place. I get up and go to bed at different times every single day, although I'm usually up before 7. I often get less than 7 hours of sleep. Personally, I don't plan on changing that because there is a lot I want to accomplish. I exercise consistently, but when it's convenient (I am changing this though). I am in the car a lot. I have a lot of responsibilities (many are self imposed). Etc, etc. You get the idea, right!?

Can you relate to any of this? 

As such, my eating is all over the place. To be transparent, I've been struggling with knowing how much to eat, and when and how to plan my meals to keep myself healthy. Somedays I can tell that I haven't eaten enough, because I can tell my blood sugar gets low and I start saying weird things :) There are some days I am on the way to the gym, but haven't eaten enough to get a good workout in, so I have to go home, eat and then workout, which is kind of a waste of time. Other days I feel like I'm overeating, and it's frustrating.

That said, I'm not complaining, but merely telling you that, because there may be someone who reads this post who struggles with the same thing.

Let's talk about a solution (possibly).

Now, this is a solution that works for me. It may be good for you, it may not. You may read this and think, "YES!" this works for me too, or you may think it's silly.

I'm only on day 4, so I'm not considering myself an expert, obviously, and I haven't even been perfect in the last 4 days, I'm merely writing this post, because I am planning round 2 of a 30-Day Lifestyle Challenge, and for me, this is part of what I'm doing and want to explain why with 1 source!

Just like anything having to do with nutrition, there are a few methods of intermittent fasting. I'm so thankful for detail oriented people who can explain things and give solid advice.

A great resource: Three Methods of Intermittent Fasting. Nia uses her personal experiences with each method, plus the pros and cons for each, plus she refers you to other resources, which I love. She also has a beautiful philosophy: "No two people are the same, and therefore there’s not one universal approach to nutrition, or strength training, that will work for everyone" (totally agreed!)

Monica's "Method"
Eat between 10am and 6pm or 11am and 7pm (depending on my schedule for the day). Drink as much water, green tea, coffee or XS during the fasting time, as desired!  

2 Reasons I'm doing this:

1. Simplicity!
I'm not organized and this is super simple! Tracking, counting calories, and planning what I'm going to eat a week in advance is not for me (although this works for some!)

For example,  my good friend offered me a cookie at 11pm (we are actually both new to intermittent fasting and my conversation with her this week sparked me to take it seriously!). Anyway, I'm not a cookie girl, but it was a pumpkin cookie, and that's pretty hard to resist :-) But because it was 11pm, I said no (and so did she!) My expectation is that these types of decisiouns will snowball into positive health choices everyday, because who knows how often we say yes, we when we really shouldn't ;-)

2. Routine!
It's a way to regulate my routine and hopefully keep my body in a bit of a rythmn. If nothing else is consistent in my routine, this is. I don't want to have my brain focused on food for a significant part of the day (8 hours will do!)

It's easy for me to plan around time, because my routine is so different everyday. That may or may not work for you.

So there you go, hope this helps and provides a bit more detail, if you were wondering about this topic. Like I said, you can tell by reading this, I am not an expert in this area, but I will update you on my experience as I go along!

In health & prosperity,
Monica

6 Signs You're An Entrepreneur

 

These are a couple basic concepts I learned over time, as I moved from working for someone else to working for myself! You may relate, you may not :-)

1. You don't view your boss as having control over you and you stand up for yourself when asked to do something that is against your beliefs/values/ or whatever the heck you think is right!

(sometimes you can't explain why you rebel--whether verbally or in your head--but you just do!)

2. Based on #1, you act on this and you do what you believe, even if it's the opposite of what's asked of you. You still have integrity, you just don't conform because "the boss said so" (oops!)

Often you get promoted for this type of action, but you could also get fired ;-)

3. On that note, you may try to get fired because you're frustrated

You have a good work ethic, so you most likely won't outright quit, because you don't want to let other people down....But while you're "trying to get fired" you're planning out your own business, not looking for another job. I've been there!

4. And speaking of, you work harder and have a better work ethic than most others that work around you

For example, I knew I was an entrepreneur at 18 when I worked at a sporting goods store in the apparel department--I worked my butt off, harder than anyone else at that store. I found out that one of my co-workers who worked in the fishing department and smoked pot on his break and had like 1 customer a day made $0.75 more per hour than me. It wasn't a money thing, it was the principle. Moving on...

5. You have ideas that others think are crazy and you are constantly dreaming up new ones

Let's face it. You think outside the box, while most stay inside the box. As an entrepreneur, you have to control yourself and focus on 1-2 ideas at a time, and write all the other ones down to potentially use at a later date.

6.  At work, if there's nothing to do, you create work (productive work) that will benefit your industry or it's clients & customers.

You aren't afraid of work. You like to contribute. You want to make a difference.

These are my top 6 "signs of an entrepreneur" There are plenty more, and I'll post more in the future. Just wanted to post something fun that would 1) make you laugh, 2) possibly make you think I'm nuts, 3) make you mad if you are an entrepreneur, but not yet,  and you want to pursue something on your own ;-) 

In health & prosperity,
Monica

Monica's Christmas Traditions

At first I thought this topic may be a little off-base for the purpose and goal of  thewellwithall. Then I realized that joyful traditions are healthy and that contributes perfectly to the season and what I want to share with you.

My family has 2 real traditions..that's it. One was instigated by my mom and one by my dad. I'm thankful for both and I anticipate the delivery of each, when the time is right.

Tradition #1: 10-year b-day cards

Every year, around our birthday, my dad writes each of his kids a letter...to be delivered 10 years later! It's amazing. Now that I am 30+, I remember 10 years ago, but when we were younger it was cool to read about what we were doing & thinking and how we were developing. It's amazing how the dreams of a 5-year old can be similar to a 15-year old and a 15-year old dreams & personality is similar to a 25-year old. So that's #1-- if you have kids, I encourage you to start this tradition--your kids will totally appreciate it!

Tradition #2 : Tis the Season!

My mother loves Christmas, and she passed it on to me. Growing up, we could not pass by a Christmas store without stopping. She loves it. My mother has a collection of angels that she puts out every year; as an adult it's been fun to add to this collection. She also loves nativities.

For us kids, my dad, and Grama, she gets us an ornament every year that relates to something we've either accomplished that year or something that is a goal. It is always positive. Every year I love opening up my Christmas box and decorating my tree with the positive memories of my past and the even more exciting visions of my future!

One of my favorite ornaments is a light green glass ball, with etched white Christmas trees on it. It represents one of my goals, to own a Christmas tree farm, where I can cultivate Christmas trees and then give them away, along with a Christmas dinner for families who can't afford to buy a real tree. I want to build a mini-barn on the property, where others can come to cut down their own Christmas tree and enjoy hot chocolate and healthy snacks ;-) while doing so.

Another is simply a gold ice skate. I have a dream to train for 6-months like an Olympic figure skater. I have no talent regarding coordination and I will first have to learn how to skate semi-properly. But...this is a dream I've had for a long time, to push myself to the limit in that capacity. Why? I have no idea--it's just there! My mom bought me a figure skate ornament as a reminder of that dream.

I share this to tell you: 

1) Please keep your dreams in front of you, and encourage those around you to pursue their dreams (and tell them they can do it!)

I believe that anyone who puts their mind to a goal or dream can accomplish it. I don't care where you came from or what you have or have not accomplished. You can.

2) My life is not a fairy tale. I'm sharing with you one aspect of my life. Please don't read and think that this is fake. It's not! It's also ok for you to do something like this for your kids, your siblings, your friends, or even your parents. If you don't have supportive people around you, keep it to yourself (especially the 10-year card thing--you can keep it to yourself til then!)

One day, if you are still following, you can read my story and know that it's not all snowflakes and ornaments! But I choose to focus on the future (and trust me, this is a daily, sometimes minute by minute decision). I choose to focus on positive memories. And joy. My family has experienced tragedy (a couple events at Christmas). But I won't let this get in the way of my joy. God wants us to experience joy. He doesn't want our lives to suck. He wants us to live in abundance and to teach others how to do the same.

Merry Christmas!
If you'd like, I'd love to hear your traditions too.

In health & prosperity,
Monica
thewellwithall