5 Helpful Trainings for Aspiring Health Coaches

Starting a business is hard work. The time,energy,and money that goes into a dream that you believe in can feel like it can make or break you. Late nights, blog posts, social medial planning, and time spent researching can leave you longing for your 9-5 back,but I am here to encourage you not to give up. Working through this process has been the most frustratingly sweet challenge that I have encountered within my 28 years on this planet.

First things first, as a wellprenuer you receive a ton of information from a billion different resources at all times. Promises of building your e-mail list from 0 to 1,000,000 in 30 days, ways to make $1M dollars in one year, or the invitation to pay a small fee of $3,000 to join a Facebook group all marinate in your mind, and leave you wondering which way is the right way to go. Let me also say that this post is not sponsored in any way shape or form. I truly want to inform starting out Health Coaches

the most helpful training’s that I have attended and what I decided to spend my hard earned money on.

Check out the top 5 Training’s that have decreased my stress levels, and reduced my state of overwhelm. All of these programs offer free and paid for resources- so they can fit for any sized budget.

1. Marie Forleo “How to Start a Business with No Money or Tech Knowledge”: This is awesome informational video that gives you the foundation on how to start a business with what you currently  know or have. Marie sends out consistent e-mails with free resources on how to motivate yourself toward success, and actionable tools and tips that you can put to use right away. She also offers  B-School Training Programs which are definitely worth your time and investment. She is highly rated, down to earth,and professional.

2. Jenna Kutcher “5X Your Traffic Using Pinterest”: This webinar helped me tap into the power of the mega search engine of Pinterest. Jenna offers information on how wellprenuers are missing out on clients on this social media platform and provides information on how you can get started today creating a Pinterest for business purposes. The webinar is interactive and allows participants to answer questions. For more in depth training she offers a self- paced Pinterest Lab Class for a affordable rate. These tools are great for beginners wanting to gain a larger Pinterest audience.

3. Hilary Rushford “Instagraming with Intention”: Hilary offers a informative and interactive webinar that walks you through the minefield that is Instagram. She gives tips on everything from how to construct your bio to monetizing your Instagram. I actually paid for this self paced training class. I believe it was well worth the money. My Instagram following has increased which has increased more traffic to my website (win,win).

4. Tailwind’s Training: free training on how to use Tailwinds’s. Learn multiple ways to automate your social media,which gives you more time to create.

5. Shannan Monson’s “How to Take Amazing iPhotos”: Shannan is super down to earth. The way she introduces herself is enough to make you want to listen. She takes your average Joan like myself  and gives step by step instructions on how to take great photos with your iphone. This is a good webinar for any wellprenuer who loves to take food and lifestyle photos.

Sound off! Tell me what training’s were the most helpful when you started off as a blogger or entrepreneur. Let’s get some tips on how we can all help each other through this crazy thing called entrepreneurship.

Cheers,

AV Subscribe

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Health Coach In Motion

I am so excited to share my health coaching journey and health + wellness articles with everyone! I finally published my first heath related article about 5 Simply Sweet Sugar Alternatives and I would love some feedback!

Some awesome things that have occurred while getting my business up and running:

1. I have started to get more of a following on Instagram, and more engagement from followers. I did this by sticking to a self created Social Media schedule. The schedule outlines the 3 Social Media avenues that I am focusing on and action items to get them completed. I plan on sharing this with everyone on the future via webinar.
2. I am learning so much awesome information from free webinars, and I even paid for a class called Instagram with Style by @HilaryRushford. I find that with being a new entrepreneur you can never get enough solid information. I attend three 60 minute webinars a week. Knowledge is power.
3. I created a website that I am very proud of and I have changed it four times. I am constantly thinking of ways to make my members experience better- and I love working on this every day.

Some things that I would advise others to do differently would be:

1. Be picky about which webinars that you choose! Not all webinars are made equal. Read reviews, research the coach, and plan your time wisely. Don’t feel obligated to buy, and find a coach that you relate to on a personal level.
2. Don’t get wrapped up in the social media hype. Everyone struggles with this. Followers are not your value or self worth. If someone wants to unfollow you and leave your tribe- it’s all good, you want the people who want to listen.
3. Learn about Pinterest. There is so much opportunity out there about using this tool. It’s so different from Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I took a webinar by @JennaKutcher and it was awesome and informative- she offers a course called the Pinterest Lab. It is definitely worth your time.

Sound off! Tell me what you struggle with as a blogger or entrepreneur. Let’s get some tips on how we can all help each other.

Cheers,

AV, http://www.avhealthandwellness.com

🆕 Check out my Blog post : 5 Natural Alternative Sugar Substitutes

I want to get to know you!

Let’s Get It Started…

I want to offer all of you wonderful folks my 5 Day Clean Eating Plan for FREE. It is an awesome way to start on the road to a more health focused daily routine, which will help you prepare for your “big day”.

When you sign up today, you are saying “YES” to a more healthful and well balanced daily life. Progress is made by taking small steps on a daily basis to get large results in the end. Sign up for my e-mail list and get a colorful and insightful Free 5 Day Clean Eating Plan. Let’s also set up a “20 minute Free Getting to Know You Session” so I can learn more about how we can best work to meet your goals.

I respect and honor the fact that no one person is the same-and I love that! 💕

Let’s get it started today, together 🥂

Join our mailing list, and book your free 20 minute consultation today!

Let’s get going into your happily ever after.

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Ready. Set. Health Coach? – Update

” They call us dreamers, but we’re the ones who don’t sleep”

My goodness, it has been such a long time since my last post. I want to give a short update on the current state of my life and how my venture into health coaching has been going.

First things first. I am now currently 8 months pregnant, and am starting to feel the wrath of fatigue. For the past month and a half, I have been working 40+ hours a week, while studying for my Health and Wellness Coaching certification for 5-6 hours a day Monday- Friday. I am glad to say that I am 75% of the way there. Most importantly, I feel like I have absorbed so much new information in regards to healthy practices and health trends in the U.S. that even if I were not to start my own business- I have gained so much.

Second. I received another promotion at work. I will now be a Area Sales & Operations manager over two locations! I was able to hire 4 new employees (who are doing awesome), and have finally found time to actually use my free Pilates membership through my company to work out. Work life balance has never been better.

Lastly, after many napless afternoons and late nights, my website for my first business venture is up and running! AHH! I can not hold in my excitement. I have been talking about it with everyone I know.  It is geared towards Health & Wellness Coaching for Brides and individuals who are looking for guidance to prepare for special life events. I am so proud of the content and the meaning behind this. Helping others transition through life phases has always been a passion of mine, and to be able to live out my dreams is unreal. Even if you don’t fall into those categories please feel free to join my mailing list and grab my 5 Day Clean Eating Guide as my gift to you for reading this.

I plan to blog more about my challenges about being a small business owner and how I am overcoming these roadblocks. Stay Tuned.

Cheers,

AV

Check me out! www.avhealthandwellness.com

Follow me on Instagram @ ashley_vipond

No Longer Working for the Weekends

“When people go to work, they shouldn’t leave their hearts at home.”

I started my day at 4:30am. I haven’t been able to sleep very well as my pregnancy progresses, so I tend to start my day at unfathomable hours. As I sat in my bed I could not helping thinking about how truly blessed I am. I don’t want to sound cliche, but I have truly come so for from where I was even three months ago. When I came here with no job prospects, or any friends locally, I had a lot of time to spend learning about myself. I decided that I was going to make the conscious choice to start doing more things that I liked versus doing things that I thought other people liked me to do. Now let me explain, for a large portion of my life I followed “the rules,” and worked hard at trying to be what I thought would make other people happy. I spent 7 years running track in middle school and high school because that made my Dad happy, I went to college and became a business major because I thought that being in corporate America and having a rock solid job would make my Mother happy, and even I took a job that I was not to thrilled about because I though that’s what would make my husband happy. I was morphing into someone who hated waking up on Sundays, and would be physically sick by Monday, and would just pray to make it to Fridays. Having to put on the facade that I had everything together was getting hard, and I knew that now that I was going to become a Mom myself that I would be telling my own child to take sometime out to think about what he truly loved to then to just do it- I knew deep down in my heart that I needed to be a better example to my future son, and I needed to learn how to do it sooner rather than later.

So, what would be the next logical step? At the time for me it was getting a job and working 50+ hours a week, and then freelancing my marketing skills on the side. I joined two Bible study groups in order to invite some conversation in my life and hopefully to make friends, and I also took on two completing to health online certifications as well. I have never been busier than I have been now, but I am happier than I had ever been. I wouldn’t trade my new hodge podge life for all of the money or high power executive jobs in the world. My parents always ask me when I am going to take a rest- and my answer to them is that when you find something that you are passionate about you wake up thinking about it, and you can’t help but be excited about seeing where the day will take you. I am nearing 28 weeks pregnant and am showing no signs of slowing down (well maybe slowing down walking up and down the stairs) I have a fire in me that has not been lit in so long, and I have to keep pushing.

No more are the days of dreading Mondays, crying in the car, or coming home and falling asleep at 6:00pm. There’s a new woman in “town” and I think I like her more and more each day.

Cheers!

AV

 

Ready. Set. Health Coach?

 

“Some days it storms, some days it shines. This is how flowers grow” – Mazadohta

Hey There!

It has been quite a while since I have written on my blog. What have I been up to since then ? Well for starters, I moved across the country, bought a new home, will become a mom this February, and have traded in my regular 9-5 for managing boutique fitness studios. I would have never thought in a million years that I would be on the brink of starting all over again, when I was under the impression that I had everything figured out.

Upon my arrival in my new home in Alabama, I had no job prospects, no friends, and started my journey living in a hotel with my husband which was paid for my his work since we moved here due to his work promotion. Day after day for 3 weeks he would leave for work, and I would hit the pool with Koby (my dog) searching for a job opportunity. I spent hours upon hours replying to job postings. On day #13 I stumbled on a Sales Rep job for a fitness boutique that was very under my pay grade, but looked to have flexible hours and offered a free membership. I had no intention of ever accepting this role if offered it, but received a call 2 days later for an interview. I was hesitant to go in this direction for a career, and had to do some serious soul searching to see if I had the strength to start my career all over again. Here I was new in town, unemployed, and 16 weeks pregnant what was a girl to do? Well, I took the job- as crazy as it sounds, I declined two other offers, and took a chance on myself. Every day that I went to work, I did my “small” job to the best of my ability, I pitched marketing ideas, made membership sales, and to my suprise, 5 weeks later was offered a managerial position over 3 stores.

I wish I could tell everyone that I had this all planned out, or that I even knew which direction that I was going in right now. What I can say is that I have found what my heart truly loves. I love the fact that I get to trade in my business casual attire for a pair of Lululemon leggings and gym shoes, I love the fact that I see people come in every day and make a commitment to change the way that they live, I love that I have the opportunity to watch not only their pounds disappear, but their inhibitions and fears as well. This is a feeling that I can truly not describe. After speaking with my husband about what I had been feeling, and how watching others change has truly changed me, I enrolled in a Health & Wellness Coaching Program through AFPA. My new journey to create a secondary venture starts today, and I couldn’t be more excited that I have the oppurtunity to help others as an occupation.

I am interested in hearing more from current Health and Wellness Coaches, and eventually taking on clients of my own.  Follow me on my new journey to create FindingtheHappyHour Health & Wellness, and feel free to pitch in with any words of wisdom or guidance.

Cheers to us!

AV

The Mindful Diet—Week Six: Notice and celebrate!) changes

“I challenge you to make your life a masterpiece. I challenge you to join the ranks of those people who live what they teach, who walk their talk.” -Tony Robbins

Happy Monday! I mean that in the most serious way. This Monday means a lot to me. I have finally completed the Yoga Journal Mindfulness Challenge. I can honestly say that it has truly jump started the beginning of my year. At the beginning of this challenge my goal was to lose weight, find a hobby, try some new recipes, and maybe start a blog that I could be proud of. Within the past six weeks I have not only learned ways to feed my body, but I fed my soul. As I take time to reflect on the past six weeks, I can tell you that I do not regret waking up at 5:30AM to start my days with some yoga or meditation. I do not regret starting to cook more meals at home. I do not regret thinking about all of the good things and people in my life to which whom I am eternal grateful and thankful for.

I used to think of myself as somewhat of a rain cloud. I used to wake up angry, I would blame other people for things that would go wrong, and sometimes I found it hard to be genuinely happy for others—when I was not seeing results. All of those things are

flat out spirit killers. You know that little voice in your head telling you things like “I was not smart enough”, or “I’m not flexible enough”, or “Shame on me that I did not have a plan for my life written out in stone” my soul would retreat a little.

Today, when I wake up, I am grateful to see another day because I know that so many people did not. When I drive on my way to work–I don’t just space out–I notice the little boy who starts at the bus stop everyday at 7:15AM waiting to start his day at school . I notice the sun–and say that even if the I am having the day from hell–that I still have the sun to be grateful for. I tell my husband that I love him everyday, not because I saw it in a movie or a magazine, but I now know that I need to show appreciation to the person who always believes in me when I don’t believe in myself. I accept my friends for who they are and their choices–not because I always think that they are right, but I realize that when you are truly at peace with yourself—you can just love others for who the are.

On the first day of this challenge I quit my job, changed careers and was undoubtedly  lost. I decided to do this challenge as a hobby just to pass time while I got acclimated to some of the changes in my life–but in turn realized that change is life. If we are not constantly changing, growing, learning, and helping others we are truly not living.

Cheers to the Mindfulness Challenge, and all good and tough times that it brought!

I am excited to see what I will come up with to challenge myself with next.

AV

THE MINDFULNESS DIET: HAVE MORE FUN WITH YOUR FOOD 29-35

“My own prescription for health is less paperwork and more running barefoot through the grass”  ~Leslie Grimutter

Here we are again ready to start a new week, and getting towards the finish line of this Mindfulness Diet!

This week had a heavy focus on “having more fun with your food.” Now, when I personally think of having fun with my food my brain automatically wanders off to all of the amazing pasta, cake, and ice cream dishes that I view on my Instagram about 3o times a day- but in reality I am honestly not the best cook in the world, and after getting home for a long day of work the last thing that I want to do is create “fun” on my plate. So, before this challenge started I had received the idea from on of my work friends to try a 4 week cleanse. My friend had recently purchased and printed out the E-book for the challenge and arranged the recipes and tips in a beautifully kept white binder. Being the curious and impulsive individual I that I am read through the binder—and without considering what type of discipline that a “cleanse” really takes–declared at the top of my lungs to the world (aka: my husband, and dog) that I was going to be partaking in a meat free ( which is easy for me since I don’t eat meat), dairy free, gluten free 4 week challenge. So, I grabbed my fancy white binder, and list and proceed to hop in my car and run to the nearest grocery store.

While in walking in the grocery store I began contemplating my plan of action. I would work my way from the frozen section, and head toward the produce section. So as I am flinging items into my cart left and right, a banana here, a bag of frozen blackberries there, and not to mention all of the items that I had no idea where they were located– I mean do people really buy chia seeds every time they shop? And, if you were to ask me what turmeric was–I would probably before this challenge told you it was the type of algebra that you learned in the 11th grade.  After, navigating my cart like I was in the Indy 500 throughout the store–it was finally time to cash out. As the cashier loaded all of my items on to the belt, and I watched my total go higher and higher–the pat of the back that I thought I was going to give my self, turned more into a smack of the forehead. When I loaded all of the groceries into the house–and finally looked at all of my endeavors—I realized that I had no idea what I was going to eat. Literally, I was surrounded by food and overwhelmed. It had hit me that I didn’t want to eat beet soup, or not have eggs, and I sure didn’t want to give up a morning coffee. I then asked myself the age old question “Why can’t I have my cake and eat it too?” Who said that you can’t make a bomb ass quinoa salad one day and then have whole wheat pasta the next—I mean who makes the health rules… and I came to the conclusion that– I DO! We make our own rules, rather it be how you spend your time outside, what exercises that you like to do, who your friends are, or even who do you want to be.” I personally have found out in life that the times when I excel the most is when I take what I have learned from others or books, and put my own spin on things—seriously, when I don’t feel like I have a say on something–I may do it well, but I use less effort. So, I returned my friends white binder, headed to Google and looked up recipes on how to use the healthy ingredients that I bought and some of the foods that I liked to eat and started to work my magic in the kitchen, and I can honestly say that this is the first “diet” that I have been able to stick to because I had a say in what was going in my mouth. No, I don’t have cookies on my list–I don’t even have dairy at all–but that I was my choice and I can honestly say that I feel great. I have increased my water intake to 1 liter a day as well–and I have been slimming down, and fitting into my clothes from sophomore year of college. The main take away that I got from this week would be not to force anything in my life–don’t force diets, friendships, relationships, or ponytails–because honestly at the end of the day if you aren’t happy on whichever path that you are on–you are the only one who can change your direction.

Here’s to the week, may it be a awesome one indeed —Cheers!!

AV

 

 

 

 

The Mindfulness Diet: Managing Obstacles–Days 22-28

Happy Wednesday! The end of the work week is almost here. The past few days here in Michigan have been a beautiful 60 degrees, despite it being the middle of February. This past week has really reminded me that I have a lot to be grateful for– I can’t even believe that I was sad to actually see the sunset–it has been a very rewarding past few days. It feels like the weather not only brought out the animals, and plants return to some type of life–but all of there other Michiganders around me did as well. There were people riding their motorcycles, kids playing basketball in the streets, heck–I even saw someone in shorts–( which is pretty normal here because in Michigan once it  hits 50 degrees all clothing options are fair game). Watching everyone around me coming out of hibernation really got me thinking. Why do we wait for a “good” event to occur before we really start putting ourselves out there? Why did it take a nice day for me to get to meet my neighbors, or not look at Facebook twenty times ( or read the comments, which is a HUGE no no, but I can’t help myself), or even take my dog to the park.

I have come to the conclusion that some of the obstacles that we face on a day to day basis may not even be recognizable to us. That maybe we as “people” have gotten so accustomed to obstacles looking like a issue at work, or a break up, or a financial loss–that we are desensitized to the biggest obstacle which is ourselves. This week really helped me take a look at what I prioritize and how I handle stress in situations. In the past I have struggled with obstacle and stress management. Dealing with the combination of the two would typically cause me to have an anxiety attack or generally shut down–at one point I had even turned to prescribed medication to decrease the amount of migraines and anxiety. At the beginning of this year I decided that I was not going to let my poor obstacle management get the best of me, that while I was looking for external fixes. The only way that I was going to see change is by taking a look at what was going on within. I stopped taking the medication ( please consult your doctor–this was just a personal choice) and started a full self evaluation. I set a meeting with a life coach (which I would have never done in 50 billion years). I started practicing yoga again ( which I would always make excuses that I didn’t have the money to pay for–but would drop $90.00 at Ulta like it was no problem), and I decided to “put myself out there” by being more open and honest with the people closest to me. Actually listening to understand–not listening to give my own response, and by choosing to put my self care first ( because I am a firm believer that–it is difficult to help others, if you struggle to help/understand yourself). I can say this new way of living has not always been easy, but it has been truly rewarding. I still have a long way to go in terms on mindfulness and managing obstacles, but by deciding to get out of my own way–I have realized that I am in control, and that no obstacle is too big for me to handle the holistic way.

So when you find yourself struggling to hurdle over your next obstacle, remember to ask yourself this one question:

1. AM I REALLY THE OBSTACLE?

Cheers, and onward to Friday!

AV

The Mindfulness Diet: Figuring Out the Cue and Experimenting with Different Rewards–Days 16-21

“Whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you’ll find that when you’re free . . . your true self comes out.” — Tina Turner

Happy Wednesday! I know it has been a little while since I have posted, between a nasty cold and Valentines Day, I’ve been a busy lady. The past few days I have been focusing on recording the moments when my bad urges hit me, and then experimenting with different ways of rewarding myself.

I feel like the past few days I have really have come out of my comfort zone. For example, I was invited to play Dance Dance Revolution with my coworkers at our public work meeting area. Usually, I would have made up a excuse that I had to make a phone call or go to the restroom, but instead I dragged my two left feet to the meeting area and joined in–only to find that we were all so into the game, that when we looked over our shoulders the entire company including the CEO were watching our dance moves and proceeded to give us applause at the end. Another example of coming out my comfort zone recently would be when I signed up for a 2 hour and 30 minute Yoga workshop. I usually do 30 minutes of yoga/mediation in the morning and attend 2 classes on the weekend–but after some long thought and soul searching I have decided to work towards the goal of becoming a certified instructor.  Now, while all of these great things are going through my mind, I feel that I am as free as ever and I decided I needed to reward myself.

I want to back track a bit, and mention that when I first started writing this blog that I would not only talk about the joys of my journey but some of my downfalls as well.– Now back to me rewarding myself– I decided that since I was making so much progress (i.e. creating this blog, creating a yoga practice, dancing like no one is watching ) that I could take sometime off and in lack of better terms slack off a bit. In the past 3 days I have eaten pizza, talked myself out of mediation, and my latest offense was grabbing some greasy Chinese food on my way home from work. I can honestly say that if I could go back in time and not reward myself I would. I have a habit of once things get up and going, that I get too comfortable with the progress, and I tend to start slacking off here and there, which turns in to just 1 day, then 3 days, until I would quit writing, stop doing yoga, and decide to go back to watching Twilight Zone alone in my bed.

Well, it stops today. I am refusing to let my bad habits control my progress–I am tired of coming close to the finish line, but never collecting my “trophy”. I have learned that the positive things that I love are NOT chores–they are a part of who I am–doing the things I love IS the reward. I don’t need pizza, or a bottle of wine ( even though a little wine, has never hurt anyone), or a session of binge watching Netflix to prove that I am happy and relaxed. I have a goal and through I may have been temporarily derailed, but I’m back and I’m better– Friends, I have one ask of you. Help hold me accountable. We all know the saying “it takes a village to raise a child“, and from going through this experience I know I can’t do it alone.

So if you have any ideas for positive rewards, or and words of wisdom to bestow please feel free to chime in. I would love to hear from you all.

Cheers,

AV

The Mindfulness Diet: Identify Your “Bad Habit” Routine- Day 15

“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
― Lao Tzu

I woke up this morning with a cold. After trying every remedy in the book, or known to man I decided that I was going to come home and literally fall face first into my bed. I mean I literally, woke up and set a pair of pajamas on my nightstand before heading out to work. I had no intention of writing today, or even thinking of anything creative—Until, I had received a text message from my youngest sister that read ” I love your blog– I check everyday for new posts, it makes the world seem more relate able.” So, as I sat in my bed deciding that I was not going to write, I was going to put off my post until tomorrow–her words hit my soul pretty hard. I almost teared up, and honestly have no idea why. Could it be that I thought that no one would ever read my blog? Or that I could produce something that spoke to others? I have always thought of my self as a non creative person. If you would have asked me what I was good at for the past 27 years, I would have went on a tangent on how my sister Brittany is intelligent. Since birth she was always so dedicated and focused and would cry to mom if she ever got a “B’ on a test, or I may say that my sister Chelsea is so artistic, she can create art with her hands and make people feel the effects with their hearts.–but I could never say anything like that about myself, because despite being the oldest, I had always previously felt that I was pretty ordinary–and in that statement lies my bad habit. I tend to see the good in others, and have a difficult time seeing the good in myself.

When I started taking this mindful journey I had only anticipated on maybe losing a few pounds, or mastering a headstand. I never thought that I would have had to deal with my own demons. I never thought I would have to actually think about things that I wanted to do, or contemplate things that I was good at. People told me I was good at sales, and that is what I stuck with and did for the past 7 years. I never challenged the status quo, or myself for that matter. This “journey” as I would call it has taught me more than any paycheck is worth–it has taught me that I may not have everything figured out at this point, but as long as I am breathing I have time to work on those things. I may not be the smartest, or the most creative–hell I can barley draw a stick figure–but what I contribute to the world matters. Even if it never makes me rich, or I never make it into a history book— I want all the other people out there, the “wanderers” as I would like to call us, to keep wandering–because from what I have learned–not all those who wander are lost.

Cheers to Monday!

AV

The Mindful Diet: Cheat Day & Keeping a Food Diary—Days 7- 14

“One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from a horse master. He told me to go slow to go fast. I think that applies to everything in life. We live as though there aren’t enough hours in the day but if we do each thing calmly and carefully we will get it done quicker and with much less stress.” -Viggo Mortensen

I hope that you all had a wonderful week. My week began by starting my new job, which deals with helping children with Autism find ABA therapy services. This was a complete 360 from anything that I have done before. In the past I managed banking centers, and I was also an IT recruiter. I can proudly say that although it has only been one week, I can honestly say that I am so happy that I decided to “go out on a limb” and change the type of career path that I had been on for 5+ years with a degree in (Sales and Business Marketing). For this first time in a long time, I left on a Friday afternoon and breathed a sigh of relief. I said to myself “ It has been a good week.” Things have really seemed to come together. Until Friday night when I got home I “hit a wall”—not a real wall, but a roadblock in my mind. As I have said before, I do not claim to be perfect or all knowing—and from time to time I slip back into my old habits. I can’t pin point what exactly had made me angry, but it ended up with me asleep on the couch by myself at 7pm. I was ignoring my dog, and ignoring my husband—and I felt that all of my hard work on being mindful had slipped down the train. So, I marched from the couch to my bed and went to sleep angry (which I never recommend anyone doing). I woke up in the morning angry at some unknown reason and began my day. I literally could not shake this feeling.  So, I decided to hit the mat, and I was happy that I did. When, I returned home I was able to pit point where I had gone awry. Ladies and gentlemen…I was hungry. Yes, I had been living on a diet of salad and granola bars for the week and had even decided to opt out of Cheat Day for the challenge—which involves eating something that you have been craving. All because I had not received the instant results that I was looking for. After 1 ½ months of working out, yoga, and eating more mindfully, I had realized that I had only lost 4 lbs. In distress I talked to my husband and honestly had thoughts about just going back to eat what I wanted and giving up waking up early to work out. All I wanted was to trade in my mat for a tray of brownies because I had not been seeing the results I wanted.  My husband being the wise person that he is reminded me about how my mindset had changed, how I was kinder to him and others around me, and that all the mini set backs and struggles would make me more appreciative once I hit my goals.

Throughout this week I came to realize that the old saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day” rings true to how I have been living my life. I have always been a pusher; I have been my own biggest critic. Today, I am challenging myself to allow growth at a slower pace. To think about how I am feeling on the inside versus, the number on the scale.  When I am feeling hungry, or tired, or lacking motivation that I come back to the beginning and realize that I am a work in progress. I started this blog as a challenge to show myself and others how important self care is. I want to show others that there is more to life than punching a clock, or catching the $2.99 domestic beer special.  So, the next time I think about depriving myself of foods that I need ( not craving, but foods that are healthy for me), or getting down about myself because I am not losing weight as fast as I hoped. I am going to remind myself “ slow and steady wins the race.”

Here’s to Super Bowl Sunday—or in my case Puppy Bowl Sunday—Cheers!   AV