Spring Is Here And I Am Changing

In the last year, I have really been struggling with my nutrition and my fitness.  This time last year, I was getting fed up with a job that I felt over used, unappreciated and under paid.  I interviewed for a new job and turned in my two weeks notice.

After months of being in my new job of constantly moving and doing a lot of sweating and getting a lot of walking in for my daily exercise, I was not seeing a change in my body.  I thought I was eating better at home and by moving all day long I thought that the weight I had put on from suffering a back injury would start to melt off but it didn't.

MAKE A CHANGE!

In September I dug out my Insanity DVD set and started reviewing the meal guide.  I blew the dust off and decided that I needed help.  I knew that there was no way I could possibly do this on my own.  One night while surfing on Facebook, I found an friend from the past.  I saw that she is a Beachbody Coach so I reached out to her in a message telling her that I had never heard from my coach and that I wanted to see results.

After a few messages back and forth, I took her advice and started with a new program called 21 Day Fix.  I lost a few pounds and several inches over the course of three weeks and was simply blown away!  Before I had even finished the program, I signed up to be a coach myself!  I wanted to continue to share my journey.

At the end of January I woke up with terrible hip pain and have been unable to workout since.  I have a slipped disk in my back that is still causing me pain two and a half months later.  In that time, all the hard work I had put in for over four months has gone.

I HAVE MADE A COMMAND DECISION!!!

I may not be able to work out but I really need to focus on my nutrition.  I need to hold myself accountable.  I am taking pictures of each and everything that I eat and I will be posting it for everyone to see.  Who will be joining me?

Until next time!

The Hits Just Keep Coming

When I woke up on the morning of Friday, January 23rd, I had some soreness and stiffness in my back.  I figured as the day went on, it would loosen up and I would be fine.  Within an hour, I was telling my supervisor that my back hurt.  Within two hours I was telling a co-worker that it hurt so bad I thought I was going to throw up.  After lunch, it hurt so bad I was in tears and hyperventilating.

I spent about two and a half hours in the emergency room, was given pain killers, muscle relaxers, anti inflammatory meds, and steroids before getting two large syringes full of a nerve blocker injected into my hip joint.

I've been seeing a chiropractor for almost two weeks now and started physical therapy this week.  My doctor finally got back to my boss about what light duty would consist of for me and how long I need to be on light duty.

***BAD NEWS ALERT***

My doctor has recommended six weeks of light duty.  No bending, climbing, twisting, or kneeling.  Unfortunately that means that I cannot do my job.  I have been told to file for Short Term Disability and that my job is not protected and that if needed, it will be posted and could be filled before I am fit for full duty again.

Now how does this all tie into a #ThankfulThursday post?

• I am healthy (minus my back/hip pain)
• I have a wonderful boyfriend who loves me
• I have the unconditional love of my dog
• I have a roof over my head
• Food in the fridge and pantry
• Friends and family to support me

That is why I am thankful today.  It may have been raining and gloomy today but knowing all that I have when everything seems to be going wrong makes me feel blessed!

Tell me three things that you're thankful for!

Until next time!

Breakfast Energy Balls

I got this recipe from my mother.  I think she said that she created it by combining a few different recipes.  After some trial and error, she settled on this recipe.

Breakfast Energy Balls

Yields: 7 - 8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Freeze Time:  2 hours (overnight is the best)

1 8oz container of dried dates
1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
2 tbsp chia seeds
2 tbsp raw sunflower seeds*

*Optional to add raw pumpkin or sunflower seeds or raw nuts.

STEP 1.  Remove pits from the dates (you will not like the finished product if you do not take these out first!) and add to a food processor.

STEP 2.  Measure out the coconut and chia seeds (and optional raw seeds) and add to the dates.

STEP 3.  Pulse until combined.  Mixture will be sticky.  If it is too sticky, you can add more coconut and pulse.

STEP 4.  Form into balls (this is why they need to be sticky).  Depending on how many dates come in your container, you should get anywhere from 21 to 24 balls.

STEP 5:  Place balls onto a cookie sheet (I use a mini cupcake pan for mine so they do not roll around in my freezer) and put into the freezer for at least 2 hours but overnight is best.  Putting these in the freezer only ensures that they will maintain their ball shape.  They will be soft and chewy straight out of the freezer.

STEP 6.  Enjoy!

3 balls = 1 serving
1 serving = 210 calories (calories will vary depending on if you add raw seeds or nuts)

When you try these, please take a picture and post it on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #TastyTuesday and tag me.  I am on Twitter @Myranda84 and Instagram @Myrr84.

Until next time!

Find Your Inner Peace

Today is Motivational Monday and I want to focus on inner peace.  I love this quote from the wonderfully funny and talented Ellen DeGeneres.

"I get those fleeting, beautiful moments of inner peace and stillness - and then the other 23 hours and 45 minutes of the day, I'm a human trying to make it through in this world."

This really made me think.  How often during the day to you really find yourself at peace?  I feel like mine is the first 15 minutes when I wake up.  I stumble out of bed, get ready for my workout and the real world does not creep in until I am brushing my teeth.  That is when I start worrying about everything.

OMG...I just made a $150 payment on my credit card and the balance still looks the same.

I have less than $200 to last me two weeks and I have not gone grocery shopping.

I swear I just had my hair colored like a week ago and I already see several dozen gray hairs peaking back through...

One of my goals for this year is to eliminate my debt.  That will also eliminate a lot of my stress.  Since I know it is going to take time to get rid of that balance, I plan to extend those "fleeting, beautiful moments" from about 10 minutes to a couple of hours spread throughout the day.

I have never meditated before and have a really hard time shutting my brain down when I am in corpse pose at the end of a yoga class but I downloaded a meditating app for my iPhone.  I am going to set aside a few times throughout the day to play some calming music, focus on my breathing and try to rid myself of negative energy.

I know that if I am able to focus more on myself and not on my problems, I will be mentally prepared to for my goals and have better success at achieving my goals.

Now I have a little bit of homework for you.  Over the next couple of days try and figure out when you have reached your inner peace and how long it lasts.  Is there a specific task that you do or do not do that allows you to channel your inner peace?  Is it something that you can duplicate throughout the day?  Share it with me when you figure it out.

Until next time!

Choco-Orange Shakeology Recipe

Happy New Year Everyone!  How about we kick off the year right with a healthy drink recipe?  What do you think!  Today's recipe is a Chocolate Orange Shakeology Shake.

I cannot take credit for the creation of this recipe.  I got this recipe off of the Shakeology calendar than came with my first order.  I keep it taped to my counter behind all of my products and my blender.

Here is what you need:

1/2 cup 100% Orange Juice, 1/2 cup Water, Ice, 1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

I didn't have any orange juice in the fridge BUT I had two oranges and my juicer attachment for my Kitchen Aid Mixer!  Those oranges gave me exactly 1/2 cup of juice.  You can use as much or as little ice as you would like.  The more you use, the thicker the shake will be.  I used 1/2 cup of ice and it turned out thinner than I liked so just add a couple more cubes.

Step 1.  With the desired amount of ice in the blender, add Shakeology.

Step 2.  Add juice and water.

Step 3.  Secure lid for blender and blend until your shake has reached the desired consistency.

Step 4.  Put into your favorite cup and enjoy!

Try it and tell me what you think!  For more Shakeology recipes, see Beachbody.com!