Since I go on and on about music being my motivation, I love finding other people's playlists for inspiration or to add to my collection. I would like to share a few of my "POWER SONGS". These are the songs I will turn on when I feel like I am sort of giving in or I am feeling out of breath or whatever...I switch one of these babies on!

1. In The End- Black Veil Brides
2. Edge of Glory- Lady Gaga
3. Cuckoo- Adam Lambert
4. Dragula- Rob Zombie
5. Get Through This- Art of Dying
6. Hair- Lady Gaga
7. I'm A Machine- David Guetta ft. Crystal Nicole
8. Super Villain- Powerman 5000
9. Turn All the Lights On- T-Pain
10. We Will Rock You- Queen Vonlichten Version
11. Mirrors- Natalia Kills
12. Troublemaker- Green Day

What are some of YOUR "Go To" songs to give you energy or get pumped????

Continued.....

This post in sort of a to be continued of my prior post. I was talking to my boyfriend yesterday about our INSANITY program and we was venting to me about his frustration in not physically seeing any progress. He told me he hadn't lost weight and that he should be losing it based on his caloric intake and exercise, he figured he should be losing about 2 lbs. a week (not that he needs to honestly) but I support whatever goals he has...and I was thinking to myself....we ALL have that same problem. When we start a new journey to better ourselves and we want immediate and PHYSICAL results. But what people forget, are there are smaller things progressing in order to achieve those bigger goals. I don't think my boyfriend (or myself) realize the progress we HAVE made. We both can survive the workouts and do a little more each time. I think we are both slowly becoming more stronger than we realize. Like I said, I am able to push out a couple more reps than the last workout, I am able to pause less, stop less frequently and go on. A lot of the important results are over looked. The mental results. I don't know about you, but when I workout I feel more confident and alert. I feel more energized and I feel like I can do whatever I set my mind to. Even when that stupid voice chimes in on being "tired, done, over this workout" I refocus. I think of everyone who has ever told me I can't, that didn't believe it me and told me that I fit in a box with labels or that I will never be able to reach the starts...and boy do my feet move faster, my punches and kicks harder, my pushups increase, my jumps higher, etc. I honestly workout harder when I am mad lol. I push harder to prove everyone that told me that I couldn't. And just beacuse my results aren't immediate or aren't physical sometimes, I know that I am stronger, faster, healthier, and happier than someone standing on the sidelines. PERIOD. That is enough for me.

Rough Day

Boy.... what a day yesterday... Like I have said before, Tuesdays hold a bad omen for me. Murphey's Law is in FULL effect on Tuesdays for me, but all you can really do is understand that things go wrong and move on. Don't dwell on it! It gets you NO WHERE. Today I had a really hard time with my workout, and I am getting a little annoyed with myself. I have been doing Insanity for 2 and 1/2 weeks. I am a little better, but I still find myself constantly struggling to barely make it through. This is good because it means I am challenging my body to become stronger in a weaker area. But like every perfectionist....we want to be a master at everything, on the first try. I was constantly pausing, resting a little longer on water breaks and not able to perform up to par of what I want. I was so close to just giving up and quitting 20 min in to the workout. But I didn't and I am so glad I didn't. I know that if I just give up and walk away, I don't earn anything, I don't grow, I don't get stronger..in fact its the complete opposite on all accounts. ANY and I mean ANY effort you give into making yourself a better, healthier, happier you is all apart of building character, strengthening your relationships, making you stronger to face bigger challenges, etc. We ALL (even our beloved athletes and super fit models or slim celebs) have our days where we don't really want to face the challenge, we want to just let thte opportunity go by because it is easier. But is taking the easier road going to help you grow or provide any benefits to you or your loved ones? Just remember when you feel like you are crawling in the trenches and it's real tough, its all for a purpose. The purpose to improve, strengthen, and benefit you and the life you lead

Keep It Interesting

Now we have all heard those horror stories of people getting sick of the repetitive and mundane tasks that can (NOT ALWAYS) accompany a more health conscious lifestyle. Whether it be repetative intake of the same foods, same boring workouts, etc. Well, then its an easy fix, try something new. If you're tired of running, go biking or swimming or take an aerobics class. Try incorporating weight lifting or interval training. If you LOVE your workout but you can tell it's getting too easy or needs some pep, ad intervals. I love run on my elliptical, but it can get mundane after the billionth time or less challenging and so I incorporate short and intense drills in different spurts and lengths to shock my body. Tired of salads and water with the occasional card board tasting rice cake? Well, make it a goal to try one new food every week. I will tell you I used to religiously eat broccoli and carrots. Especially carrots! I loved those veggies and I'd dip them in salsa and eat them with every meal. Sadly, I ate them so much that I probably will never be able to eat look at carrots & broccoli for a very long time. Try a new veggie, fruit, protein, or whole grain food item every week. Tired of wheat bread? Switch it up with rye break or a sprouted grain bread. Go hiking or skiing, or snowboarding for a workout! Make it fun! Turn an activity into something that benefits your body as well as challenges you and is fun! It's not hard people, you are not chained to any routine or type of food or tool in your healthy living lifestyle. Play with it, make it fun and enjoyable, make it challenging, make it for you!

Motivational Monday!!!

Hello my beautiful peeps! I hope you all had a WONDERFUL weekend celebrating our amazing fathers! They truly are the best! I know that I am EXTREMELY blessed and grateful for my father. He does SO much for my family and sacrafices soooo very much to make sure that we are all happy, healthy, and loved. I am so very very lucky to have such an amazing man as my father!

Today, I know it's a little tougher to get back from the celebrations, the bbq's, the breaks and all that jazz. But get yourself pumped for your workout today by making it exciting. I find myself on days like today needing some musical motivation! What is your favorite song that gets you MOVING!?

Today for me, its Timomatic's Set it Off (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLack_YOTwA)  I heard this song off So You Think You Can Dance? and I just fell in love with it! It's got a good beat to it and makes me wanna dance!!

Oatmeal Fruit Delight

This is a really nutritious, quick, and hassle free recipe. I learned it when I was watching a nutritional show when I was younger...I think it was Zonya's Health bites? But I adapted it a bit and made it my own to fit more of my own nutritional needs and what I prefer! This is super easy! You make a big batch and then you just deplete it by eating a serving each day. Just think! You only have to make it once and it could feed you for a couple days! WOOT WOOT!

This recipe makes for 4 servings.

2 Cups of Steel Cut Oats

2 1/2-3 cups of whatever fruit you want! Fresh or frozen!

1 2/3 of almond milk

1-2 Tbl of cinnamon (depending on your taste buds)

1/2 a scoop of chocolate shakeology

(Yes you can add stevia or honey to put a little sweetness in it, but I don't really think it needs it)

Stir it all together and let it sit over night. BAM! Breakfast for for days!

Be Proud Of Who You Are

Don't ever compare yourself to other people, it gets you nowhere and gives you no progress. They aren't you, and you aren't them. They don't have your abilities, characteristics, dreams, and unique qualities. Everyone has something new and refreshing they offer to the world. That is their own and you should be proud of what you have and what you earn with your own strengths and trials as well as your weaknesses and flaws. OWN up to them, be proud of them...be proud of you. Comparing yourself to others all day only makes you focus on what you don't have. Last time I checked, seeing what you don't have doesn't get you any closer to achieving your own goals. Be proud of who you are and don't beat yourself up for being different or not being someone other than you.