This is the last week to register for the TC........and look new and improved for the holiday season

• Posted by Elisaon July 28, 2008 at 6:48am

It just occurred to me. The holiday season is just around the corner after the TC ends. Thanksgiving, Christmas parties, and the season of getting together with friends and family and share WARM thoughts. For those on the other side of things , it kicks off the beginning of the warmer weather and the upcoming summer season. What a PERFECT time be having and participating in the Transformation challenge. To walk into those celebratory occasions with a strong mindset focused on support nutrition, enjoying yourself, and looking healthy and fit all in one.

For me, I will be done the TC just before Thanksgiving and before my birthday and I think it's a perfect way to ring in a new year of my life. With the ground work for many healthy ones to come as best as I can live it. I will be looking my best, with increased wisdom and knowledge not just from my experiences, but from the choices I have made and the ones I will be making during the TC. WOW, and it will also mark the date (just over a year in September) when I first found and contacted Holly and received my first download and the start to what is now my FYM lifestyle.

These are exciting times ahead and with a plan of action and the fun and support that will be shared along the way, I plan on loving every minute of this TC experience. Let's do this!

Moving forward after the camping trip....week 2 in review

• Posted by Elisa on July 27, 2008 at 8:30pm

Well, I can definitely say it was an eventful and good weekend even without a whole lot of sleep (Note to self for near future reference: Get a bigger tent!) It was a nice, humble group of about 10 families from church in the Drumheller area of Alberta. Now it wasn't raw woods camping, but at Dinosaur Trail Resort. It was a pretty nice spot and there were loads of little bunnies hopping and running about and they were SO cute!

We went to see a few sites in the area and mark having done and enjoyed as much as we could in the time that we were there. No radio while we drove....loads of fresh air and going with the flow. My hubby and I enjoyed a lot of quiet time as well as conversation and it was a pretty relaxed time. EXCEPT when it came to food ARGH!!! But in all the freshness, I expressed my mind fully about the way that he eats and that I was concerned for him. I packed foods that would not require any cooking (except smores, eggs, steaks and sausages.....all hubby food) and we travelled with it everywhere. So there was no reason to go hungry or be frustrated with food choices. But on the Saturday while we were out and about, he had in his mind what he wanted to eat, but couldn't find it anywhere. So he had a slurpee. Me and the boys had a snack mix (almonds, dried fruit and pumpkin seeds) I prepared, pre-cooked chicken, carrots and peas and water. Which was a good thing since we decided we would go hike to the top of this hoodoo hill (quite scary considering how it crumbled and slipped out from underfoot....too many close calls for a mom to experience). We then went across a suspension bridge with the kids and then when we got back to the resort, hubby took the boys swimming. We also got a surprise visit from a couple that came from the Calgary church and it was great to share the weekend with them. The wife is a very ambitious, and kind hearted woman. She has her own company and would classify as an FYM. She went back to school and became a nutritionist (one that helps with emotional eating habits and childrens' nutrition as well) and can I tell you that I made sure to ask about meal planning. How often do you get to do that face to face, with your dietary restrictions in mind?
As it came time to set the fire, cook dinner and then enjoy smores (lots of people brought smores stuff for dessert for the weekend) I pulled out my granola and pure dark chocolate chips and I was complimented on my efforts to help my children enjoy the "treat" without causing them the discomfort from allergies (also for having the "healthy" version available). It helped me to realized that I am definitely "on track" as best as the situation calls for when it come to eating. Even on the way back today and we stopped at a truck stop, I ordered hashbrowns and a side of veggies with water and even though the canned green beans with mystery meat were choked down (I picked around the meaty bits) and when the bill came it was more than the food was "worth", I stated that at least we learned how to order in the future (as we have a few days before we our away from our home again ) and we won't quite be doing it that way again ( I am definitely asking a WHOLE lot more questions such as portion size, quality of "freshness", and what it will really cost when you "modify" the menu as we order stuff that was not exactly listed).

What did I learn over the last week?.......I am a big fan of FYM and especially the club and all the wonderful women here. What a great opportunity I have had and have applied such great advice given to help in my life situations. Thanks again for your encouragement and support.

My family THRIVES on fresh air. My boys didn't wake until after 6am every morning, regardless of noises and I woke later as well (4:30 - 5am) and enjoyed starting my morning with a breath of fresh air. I am even more determined to get moved before winter begins (by the end of the TC prayerfully).

I love "dreaming" with my hubby. Being that we are similar, I need to open up more with my imagination and thoughts with him and we can enjoy them together. We had so much fun with creating scenarios and "what if's" and he is truly one of my best friends.
I really just wanted to drop down and do pushups at random this weekend (but there was no way I was going to in the company of about 4 fitness pros, that would turn into a competition in a bad way LOL). I missed working out and i am looking forward to my workout tomorrow.

Good company encourages good character. Being surrounded by our friends this weekend and people who have faith are are successes in what they do was very encouraging. I even had a friend comment that I appeared to be smaller than her now (she's a PT), but I also reassured her that she was made with curves that I was not and it was good to know that I had really reached where I set out to reach from a year ago and beyond.

Now for a week of packing and prepping for 2 weeks with friends and family and as it sounds, everyone is looking forward to having us. I talked with my MIL today and she said we will be doing a family photo again while we are out there, so I am happy that I will look quite different from the last time =D. Positive change is good.

It was a great experienced had by all and was a great time spent. I even had a few marshmallows

Tags: travel

How do you make smores healthy? Don't eat them HAHA

• Posted by Elisa on July 25, 2008 at 12:34pm

We are going camping this weekend and as promised (from over 2 years ago), we will have marshmallows when we go camping. My hubby bought loads of chocolate and he is looking forward to smores. Again, I am grateful for my allergies and health restrictions as I can't do graham crackers due to being celiac, and I can't go heavy on the chocolate since it's high in copper and oxalic acid which trigger a whole mess of complications for me, including a hyperactive thyroid. I am planning on having granola on hand (WOOHOO.....I just had an A-HA moment)

Ok lemme share the idea, but keep in mind this is a TOTAL CHEAT ITEM, and will not support the goals of a fat loss program. I was going to bake some of my cookies (heavy in protein and fiber) so the boys could have smores too, BUT what I can do instead for them is to take the roasted marshmallow (ok, the ingredients of marshmallows now are just so unappetizing) and then roll it in some hemp granola and pure dark chocolate chips........so they get the appeal and flavours of smores, but they don't have to suffer with eating wheat (as it tears them up ....we suspect they are also celiac). I bought a SMALL bag of marshmallows as I know my hubby would just cook smores the whole weekend long, so it will be a limited experience and the kids won't have too many since they can't handle sugar (woohoo for clean eating). I just had a small amount of granola (1/2 a handful and it's too much for me, so I know that I will be able to maintain a pretty supportive diet while out in the bush (almonds, dried fruit, apples, bananas, oatmeal, roasted chicken, broccoli, snap peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, tortilla chips...that pretty much it.....and plenty of water).

So here is to surviving! Living on the basics.

OH and next week I will post how it goes as I prepare for our trip across the country for 2 weeks.......now that will be more a challenge than being out in the bush HHAHAHA.....gotta love in-laws.

Tags: cheats, eating, supportive

Ok Rachel, as I promised......

• Posted by Elisa on July 25, 2008 at 12:00pm

The XS bottoms still are snug, in a way I am not quite comfy with and my hubby wants to go swimming this weekend during our camping trip, so now I've gotta run out a find something before he gets home tonight.....bah!

But my pecs look good =D.

Tags: suit, swim

Start of week 2.....Week 1 in review

• Posted by Elisa on July 20, 2008 at 6:38pm

Well, I have shared about my health issues before, but over the last few months have been extra challenging. At first, I thought I was pregnant, but as results would have it, that is not the issue. I am experiencing some major discomfort and spotting and it's getting worse each passing month. I'll be going to the doctor this week (LOL she'll really get to know me now) and I am hoping it's nothing too serious. Also my hubby is experiencing transition resistance (no mid-life crisis.....he's 27) and he is becoming a bowl of Jello under the pressure as he refuses to look for help. For those of us that have gone on the "find myself" voyage, this is what he is experiencing....coming into his manhood. He has reverted to beating himself up, cutting himself off, and now wants to escape it all (any advice would be greatly appreciated). So as I fight to be positive and focused, I can't help feeling very alone in my situation. I have talked with others and I know the situation is beyond their experience or understanding. I personally would ship him off to the Alaskan wild for a few months so he could "connect" with nature and God and be mentored by a dear friend of ours, but I need his help. I need his input. (LOL I need to win the Lotto....desperation speaking) I have been struggling with the idea of going back to work, but that would be very hard on me and my boys at this time. I had to leave my workplace on disability as the fragrance was crippling me and unfortunately it is everywhere. So my questions to myself are "How can I earn a sufficient income and still be at home for my boys and safe away from exposure to fragrance? What venue or talent can I use to do it? Who can I go to for help?"
I have had little sleep this week, but great revelations and mental connections. My mind has been sharp and I have been encouraged to share my thoughts here. Shoot at the stars.....or is it shoot for the stars....LOL was a blog that I read over again and am encouraged by remembering what God HAS done for me so far.

Now on to the TC. I am glad that this is a separate entity to itself. It's going great and it's been a week! Holly, you are a crazy lady, but your combos in this book are great. Hahaha....the super sets are really nice.....what great "burn" I had from my workouts. And my skin is all loose again! Nutrition wise, I thought I would try out the "diet" that came with the FYM system as I have a swimsuit goal that needs to be met in about 2 weeks LOL. I thought it would be on the difficult side, but with the online menu planner to help me track what I am doing, it has been super helpful. I'm going to be moving on to the Beginner workouts this week and I am excited. Week to week from this point on. I'll be done done week 12 JUST before Thanksgiving (Canada) and just over a week before my birthday. I should throw a party then!

Plans for this week....get ready for camping trip on Friday, study for my learners permit, and remain focused on the TC, my eating, my positive attitude and moving forward. OH, last but not least, encouraging my husband (anyone got skills with subliminal messages? heheheheh....jk).

Tags: challenge, progress

Potty training and supportive eating

• Posted by Elisa on July 18, 2008 at 9:00am

Do you remember the last time you wet yourself? I'm serious! After the fun of pregnancy (what a laughable thing to share with other pregnant women) and with the pleasant side effect that comes after delivery, for some, the memory might be closer than others. A comment Holly left on a post just recently about challenging herself to eat clean for as many consecutive days as possible came back to mind and triggered a connection when I gave a "high-five" to my youngest son for only having one accident the other day. Eventually (hopefully soon) he will be into the cloth undies and out of diapers. Soon he will be using the potty/toilet on a regular basis and it will become second nature to him, but until then we will now celebrate every time he chooses to listen to the cues his body tells him and uses the potty. We will also celebrate going through the day with fewer accidents than the day before.

My journey to cleaner, helathful, supportive eating has been a steady progression, improving with each meal I choose to eat. The potential to gauge success in this area is HUGE. 5 times a day at least! So many opportunities to celebrate success. LOL and to be rewarded with healthy, delicious food (if you are into that "reward" thing......I know I am!) I reward my healthy choices with happiness, satisfaction, and more healthy choices, and in turn, I am rewarded with the ability to move (as I could barely walk before) and do things, loads of energy, and enjoying the time spent in the company of my active children even more. Now, if I have an "accident" in the way I choose to eat, I just choose to do better for next time. I don't get any rewards out of it, so it's not something I would want to continue in on a regular basis. At this point of where I am at, I may not be fully "trained", but I know I'm "wearing the cloth undies" more often than not, and that gets a "high-five" in my book.

Tags: eating, improve, supportive, training

Shoot at the stars.....or is it shoot for the stars....LOL

• Posted by Elisa on July 18, 2008 at 7:30am

In the warmth of summer I remembered a New Year's Eve morning that I went outside to clean my walkway. It's only 8 ft long and it was blowing snow, but I am not a fan of allowing the snow to accumulate and it didn't support my "open door" policy of having a hospitable home. It was still dark (probably 4 or 5 am in the morning) and as I swept the blown snow, my neighbour stepped outside for a smoke. He asked me what I was doing and I said "cleaning the walk". He said it's only going to pile up in a few hours and my response that day set the tone for the rest of my life. I said "Practice makes perfect!" It then clicked to me and I was so overwhelmed by my joy and excitement that I was in tears as I continued to sweep and repeat my new mantra.

You see, I have made a "cross of the line" going on 7 years this December when I chose to be baptized and live the life of a disciple of Jesus. It is my greatest moment and choice in life and all other wonderful things and blessings have since followed. Until then I had no set goal for my life and many times I wished I could just waste away as I was so very tired of the constant fight against everything in my life. I have been through quite a bit (constant racism and discrimination, a difficult childhood with even more difficult siblings and relatives, and a lot of rejection) and I am still encouraged to know that there are so many peoples' lives I have touched as they remember how happy and helpful I was. So after making my life long commitment to living life to the full, and following in the example that Jesus has set, I realized that night that Jesus strove for perfection. And in his example (that I have chosen to live by) I am to do the same. Now there are constant reminders that I will never be perfect in the Bible, but the point is I am to strive for it all the same. So I get the relief of knowing that I am not perfect or expected to be, but I AM expected to aim for it. I am to "practice" it for the rest of my life and in the PRACTICE of perfection, I will be made perfect. That was what came to me that night. So I have no excuse for not trying to succeed in all I do, knowing that not only in the practice of doing what is good, right, healthy, positive, and forward-focused it becomes easier, but it IS easier when I chose to practice towards "perfection", because in making the choice, I am made stronger.

"Any time you are tempted by immoral, unhealthy, unwise behavior, you have a strengthening choice or a weakening choice.
It's about choosing the hard right over the easy wrong.
The beauty of it is that exactly when choosing the hard right is toughest, that is exactly when your power grows.
Instead of looking at such options as a temptation to overcome, I want you to right now begin looking at those moments as blessed opportunities.
Think - if you make that strengthening decision just once, the pain of it will be only very brief, but the resulting strengthening will last you for years.
Say to yourself, "As I choose the strengthening behavior now, I am making myself more powerful, and my life easier, from this moment forward".

(The above excerpt was taken from the "Virtuosity Book" of a program called simple.ology 101: The Simple Science of Getting What You Want)

I think the above shares perfectly........about making choices, making your life easier, and ultimately being strengthened just by the ACT of practicing these habits.

So we may not be perfect, but we aren't expected to be. Just by practicing (participating in the act of) the behaviors of "perfection", we live a worthy life that will bring us happiness simply through making those strengthening and powerful choices and help us to live the life we want to be living.

"Do as I know. Know as I do."

Tags: choices, perfection, practice

Food habits

• Posted by Elisa on July 15, 2008 at 9:05am

Nice response Jennifer.
I too am into the full fat foods as I had my cholesterol checked in December and my cholesterol and especially my good fats were really low to me, so since then it's been full fat for me and my kids (in moderation of course =D).
I have been struggling with the concept of breakfast for just over 10 years since I discovered I was allergic to eggs, but I can't do without eating breakfast as it was the only MEAL I really had until dinner and I feel severe pain if I forget to eat it. I am not used to eating a traditional lunch since I used to have a "dinner" for lunch and a "snack" for dinner and be in bed by 7:30pm. And sometimes I would eat leftovers or what I didn't finish from dinner for breakfast. But my energy has shifted to being more consistent throughout the day (and there is less damage control), so now I am eating a different balance of meals throughout the day.
I guess my point is that I get about half of my days calories at the first part of my day.....before lunch. Depending on how early I wake up, I have breakfast and 2 snacks before lunch (it used to be snack, breakfast, snack, but now it's breakfast, post workout drink, snack). I have always taken a nap in the afternoon (or a mental zone out when I was working outside of the house hahah), so a light snack and small dinner seems to do well. If I feel hungry before I head to bed, I have a couple almonds and some water and then hit the sack.
Also upping my water intake to about 5 pints (10 cups, 2.5 L) a day has helped with feeling full as well. If I don't have enough, I feel hungry. So I drink a pint first and if I am still hungry then I have a little something. OH, also I notice that if I am up past my bed time or I am pushing with little sleep, I eat a whole lot more. So I try and stick to my bed time or sleep when I am tired, and if I have plans for a late night, I try and take a nap beforehand.

Day one off to a rocky start

• Posted by Elisa on July 14, 2008 at 8:00am

Woohoo!
I woke up with a lot of energy I was feeling lean and focused on getting my first workout done.......LOL. That is what would have happened. Here's what has really happened.

Last night I didn't cook dinner and everyone was snacking away on something. So I had some leftover sweet potato and parsnips, some hummus and then hubby put in a movie, "Spiderman". As we are watching the movie we get to the scene where he wakes up after passing out the night before from the spider bite, looks in the mirror and he was all ripped. My DH goes, "That's what I want to look like!" He goes to rewind it and shows it to me. In my head I was thinking, ok, easy enough.....all he has to do is workout and cut the crap out of his diet. I crashed on the sofa with the kids all over me and then I finally got up and started bringing the kids to bed. I went to turn the fan on as it was warm and the fan was messed with ......I love kids for the fun they get into heheh. So after fixing the fan and getting the kids in bed, I hopped into bed. Then DH came to bed at the same time. Tossing and turning, and then he mentioned that he did some bench presses and wasn't able to do what he used to do (it's been over a year since he stopped working out) and that he should start a water diet. I thought he meant he should drink more water in the day. He meant to starve himself to get ripped. So I said "Well, let's start tomorrow." He set his alarm earlier and then it was a toss to get back to sleep. As I was drifting off , I realized that I needed to print off some info for him to read before we get into another discussion on nutrition and fitness as I am seriously concerned about what he might do to get the outcome he is looking for.

As I woke up (3 am) I was revving to go. I would get my workout in BEFORE he woke and then help him out with his workout. I had a little something and then chilled for a little bit. DOH! No chilling for me. I have to make breakfast for the kids so they are occupied while we work out, I needed to prep the fruit smoothie so it was ready for when we finished working out AND I needed to print off the info (TT book and nutrition info) and have that ready for my DH to read at work on his break etc. So the time for my workout rolls around (4 am) and my oldest is up asking for food and I haven't finished printing yet. Well, my hubby won't be waking up till 5 am so I can still squeeze in the workout. Well, from there the time flew by with prep and clearing the workout space, it was about 15 min to 5. Not enough time for me to get my workout in and I was getting hungry. SO I made DH's lunch and then he came down. Then my youngest starts to cry. He was up and fussing. I ran upstairs to put him on the potty and then back downstairs to get his breakfast. I got him all set up and then I was heading downstairs saying "Let's go" and he was not following. DH decided he will start tomorrow. ...................................................................................................yeah. I remember him saying something about wanting it, but not having the ambition, blah, blah, blah.......And I said, "Well, it's a matter of priorities. If you want it bad enough, you will make it happen." I handed him the booklet to read and then went to get breakfast.

See, I can look back on the events of this morning and laugh, but OH WELL! There is now an emphasis on the CHALLENGE part of the summer TC. I will be working out in about 30 min, but with an added edge to it ;). So here is to getting started despite the obstacles and with focus and determination on getting great results that will last!

Tags: challenge, going, keep, obstacles

Swim suit shopping update

• Posted by Elisa on July 13, 2008 at 6:28pm

SO I found a swim suit at my local grocery store heheh (it really does pay to shop the perimeter). I tried it on Friday and came home and told my hubby. We went today to pick it up today and the size small bottom was nowhere to be found. My hubby helped me look, but no luck. All that was there that was close enough was the medium and the x-small. SO I grabbed both and went to the fitting room. I put of the medium bottom first and it was loose, gaping at the back and everything. I was actually getting sad as I really wanted this suit. Then I tried on the x-small bottom. Hmmmmm, snug, but not pinching and a little bit of the muffin action, but not uncomfortable. So I called in my hubby to look and he said it looked good (I love that he tends to be quite honest =D). Guess what? We bought the x-small! When we got home, I grabbed the bottoms, ran upstairs and washed them and then tried them on properly. THEY FIT!! HAHAHA...but now to get a little of the jiggle out of the way. But I am pleased with how it looks. =D

Tags: fit, shopping, suit, swim

Day one for me tomorrow.......and I am nervous LOL

• Posted by Elisa on July 13, 2008 at 8:35am

Hello ladies.
I start my first workout for the transformation challenge AND of the FYM 16 week lifestyle system tomorrow (and I know many thought I had the system, but I used the free workouts on youtube at first and made the most of it hehe). I am excited to be part of this experience, but now there is that extra edge of accountability that has settled on my shoulders and it's quite......hmmmm.........daunting hehehe. I have also enlisted a friend to join me (she is getting married in just over a month ....crunch time) so I can help her with the workouts and nutrition and at the same time remain consistent. I am very glad that I have a face to face friend to share this with as well as the other FYMs. I am also glad to finally have this valuable resource in my possession as I have been blessed to share in the wealth of info that Holly has provided me since September of last year and I have made such changes in ALL areas of my life with the help of what I have learned (and some day will thank you personally).
Tomorrow is a BIG day for me as I have set in my mind some personal goals that I wish to achieve and I am hopeful they will come to fruition. After our big goal of moving into a DETACHED home of our own, traveling will be the next option. But for now, getting into that 2 piece swimsuit without the "extras" will be my first goal hehe (less than 3 weeks Rachel). And I DID find a suit I liked along with a price I can live with hehe. It's dark blue with with trim (so now it's your turn Wendy heheh). And although their sizing chart suggests a medium for me, it was the small I tried on and liked. Which means to me that I was meant to be a size small =D. So although I didn't put a size along with my measurements on the registration page (as I am more about fit than size......especially with my muscular build......and every store is different), a size small is what I fit, and at the end of the transformation I will fit it well.
So I will enjoy my rest day today and get ready to go for Monday (making my end date just before Thanksgiving dinner in October WHOOPEE!). Summer transformation challenge here I come!

Tags: encouragement, support, transformation

Your trash-talker ain't got NO game! Who's doing the work here? Who's holding the ball?

• Posted by Elisa on July 11, 2008 at 7:00am
  

The proof is in the pudding. Ever play basketball? It almost seemed as though trash-talking was written into the way that the sport was played. I guess being one of the games that you get to play and talk (or be able to) and the opponent always seems to be talking down to the one holding the ball. Hmmmmm, the one that is holding the ball......Isn't THAT the one who has the opportunity to score? They always seem to have that focused look on their face too, as they are looking towards getting the ball into the basket to score.

So what the lesson? Get the ball, FOCUS, push past opposition and score. MAKE THE SHOT! The one holding the ball is the one who gets to make the shot and has more opportunity to win the game. Get the ball in your possession! And keep taking shots at the basket. It's the best way to win......Play the game.

(As a note you don't have to go and play basketball. Feel free to apply to other areas in your life. ATM I am focused on the Transformation Challenge. Are you in?)

Tags: challenge, hype, mindset, preparation, transformation

I AM joining the Summer Transformation Challenge

• Posted by Elisa on July 10, 2008 at 7:29am

And am I glad that I gave myself the time. For me, mental focus and preparation is as important to accomplishing what I want as nutrition is to exercising and getting the physical results of slimming and toning.
I have been preparing my mind towards success in all areas, making sure to maintain the links between all of them so that as I am successful in one it encourages continued success in the other.
Things to set into place: Make a list of breakfast, snack, lunch, and dinner options so I have an idea of what I can pick from to eat. More detailed meal plans so I can try new things in relation to my nutrition. Food journal so I can be prepared for traveling to the in-laws and keep notes of what I have eaten and how it has affected me as well as how I felt when eating certain foods. Post my goals and goal images on my inspiration board. OH, and take my before picture.

So here we go......

Tags: challenge, preparation, transformation

Motivating statements

• Posted by Elisa on July 9, 2008 at 6:30am

Energy manifests itself in the intensity, enthusiasm, quality, or drive behind all of your actions.

"Do as I know. Know as I do." - Elisa Sterling-Cowan

Anytime you are tempted by immoral, unhealthy, unwise behaviour, you have a strengthening choice or a weakening choice.

It's about choosing the hard right, over the easy wrong.

But Why?

* Posted by Elisa on July 8, 2008 at 7:00pm

I love this question!
And of course, being a mom, I get the privilege of being asked this often, and I LOVE it!

Why do I want to exercise and get fit and be a fit yummy mummy?
- Because when I was 17 and I saw the belly of a co-worker I said I wouldn't have that and I want to keep my word.
- Because my children are beautiful and I want to represent our family well ;D.
- Because looking like a frazzled mom brings pity and I don't want/need to be pitied.
- LOL it's harder to discipline your children in public if you don't look good heheh.
- People are always watching me, so I better have something positive for them to notice.
- I like having my clothing fit well and hang right.
- Because I like being fit and knowing that I am strong.
- I like it when my children say and KNOW I am strong.
- I enjoy laying in bed and looking at my body and seeing that it is fit and sexy to me.
- When I am sexy with my 6 pack or fit tummy, i want my husband to be inspired to make positive changes in his life and have a healthier body image of himself.
- I want to live a long, healthy life.
- Because I was tired of being delicate and ill and the first one getting seriously sick from a cold.
- Because I don't want to put myself on the other side of death if I ever get pregnant again.
- Because with all the health issues I experience, I want resolution to come quickly and being as healthy as I can be really helps to pin point what is going wrong with me.
- Because I already get noticed for being a happy, positive person. I should look good too!
- I want to be an example of ACTION! Putting to work your wants, wishes and desires to accomplish what you set your mind to.
- Because being fit requires commitment and discipline and I want to be a living example of it.
- Because I love myself, and more so, I love God and I know he wants the best for me.
- I want to be an advocate for whole body fitness (mind, body, emotions, soul) as shared through FYM.

LOL, I keep adding to this......I guess that's a good thing.

Don't own it!

* Posted by Elisa on July 8, 2008 at 5:00am

If you don't want it, put it back. If it's not who you want to be, don't own it!

I can't remember when and where this phrase came about, but it has been a while now. As a young girl, my mom would hear us say something negative and counter it with the opposite. For example, if my sister was getting down on herself about not understanding something and call herself stupid, my mom would intercede and say "Oh NO hunny! You are smart! Don't let anyone tell you different!"

So I would begin to OWN the things I wanted. "I AM beautiful!" (that's my big time "OWN" statement) "I AM smart!" "I AM fit!" And everyone believed it as well. Not only was it believed, but I also lived it out. It became part of me and who I wanted to be.

Many times I catch those around me making statements about the things they want to change, but the way they speak of the things they want to change about themselves are "Own it" statements......'I will never get this',..... 'I am always messing things up',....... 'I am a failure', etc. And as my mom did for me and my sisters I have paid forward in the statement "Don't own it!" If you don't want to be that, then don't own it. It's not who you are or who you want to be. Own what you want to be.

"I am not lazy!" "I AM considerate!" "I AM humble!" "I am loving!" "I love myself!" "I have a great smile!" "People want to get to know me!" "I make a great friend!" "I really DO care about my health!" "I care about others and the influence I have on them!" "I won't poison myself!" "I am fun to be around!" "I am a leader!" "I ENJOY the life I live~!"

There are so many little things in who we are that we can apply this to, and as we keep owning the things we want, it only gets better and better.

I want my children to love who they are and be confident about the life they are living. The one way children learn the best is through the example of their parents. "I am setting positive examples for my children to model in their own lives!"

I had enough of beating myself up and have others do the same to me and around me......I had to BREAK that mold and step out with a new pair of shoes....made for walking forward and not kicking me when I was down. Let's be mindful to positively go after the change we want in our lives. Let's strut in these new shoes! "I AM a positive, radiant woman!" ....Just OWN it!

Tags: best, encourage, example, love, positive

Here's to the sleepless nights

* Posted by Elisa on July 4, 2008 at 12:30pm

HOT! It was so nasty, sticky, hot last night and when you are used to the moderate coolness of the evening, it can throw you off. I was wiped last night. It's been a week of very little sleep and until last night I have had about 10 hours for the whole week. I had so many loose ends to tie up after dinner, but my body was in full rebellion and walked towards the stairs muttering something like "good night" to the hubby and then I was OUT (at around 6:30pm). The boys climbed into bed with me about an hour later and then hubby came and put them in their own bed. When my hubby came to bed hours later, the boys were back in bed with me LOL. It was funny haahaha, but considering our sleep has become more erratic and longer and even my hubby passing out when he walks in the door after work, we know it's more than the heat messing us up.

As I posted on Betsey's post early this morning about getting rest and sleep, I know I am not alone in my struggle. So I went in search of the resource I had found info on and came across this article I wanted to share. I'll provide the link as it is long (good for a restful read =D) Sleep - The Silent Healer. This was a link in another article on increasing energy How to increase your energy level.

Enjoy!

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!.....and a girl's night out!

• Posted by Elisa on July 1, 2008 at 2:20pm

WOOOHOOOO! A gorgeous day and a holiday too. Canada is 141 years old today!!!!!!! LOL, we are big, influential and young hehehe! We speak French and English and everything else too. We are world travelers and ambassadors of peace and justice. So today I will sport the colours of red and white and walk proudly with a maple leaf sticker stuck to my hat.

Now on to a revelation I experienced last night. I decided it was time for a girls night out. So I hailed up my friend Lisa and we went out to a club last night. We met up with a few others and it was quite an interesting time for me. I used to be a part of club culture in this city (and I guess in this country). I was involved in hip hop and my friends were musicians. I also did promotions through a university group for functions which lead to getting involved in the club scene. I was part of an all-girl sound crew and met many other DJs and performers in that time. So with all this said, being that I haven't really been a part of the scene since I started dating my husband (and plus I was sour to the scene by then), I was not your typical club goer. I knew how things were done and when certain music would be played and the MC that was there was also someone I knew and haven't seen in a long time as well. But my goal was to spend time with my friends and enjoy some dancing. Well, not a whole lot of dancing was done as compared to my former 5 hour dance marathon (as the music that was played didn't catch my fancy at all......lotta "booty" music hehehehe), but I did get to see a few people I haven't seen in AGES and got to share a few laughs with my friends. I got home around 3am (LOL and my body was MAD at me.....I wasn't tired, but my body really wanted it's "repair" time) and I got to bed for 3:30am...........our baby was asleep in bed with daddy so I crawled in with my oldest and passed out . At 5am, he woke with a bleeding nose, we attended to it, and then went back to sleep. 6am my oldest woke up and went downstairs to join his dad and I woke up to give him his dinner from last night to eat (he passed out as I was dishing it out) and then I went back to bed with the baby. 7am my baby was having problems breathing as his nose was stuffed up and I helped to clear his nose........and UP we were. What was my revelation? I really needed a night away from my men (all 3), I really love the life I live now, I enjoy the level of strength and uniqueness I have as a result of the lifestyle choices I made, and although I was happy with what I had, I was never fully satisfied with the body being at a larger scale. It was foreign to me......I had difficulty getting dressed and knowing what I would want to wear and I was not fully comfortable.
Even now, being that my face has changed so much and so often over the course of the last 4 years, I have trouble recognizing myself. The face I see in the mirror is different from what I have ever had and I think that is why I haven't changed my hair since the year began (until now). My face used to change often when I was younger, but I was more accepting of the change (I would wake up with bigger eyes (from my thyroid) or bigger lips (no idea how that happened), so I am hoping to adapt to and accept this new face I see soon since everyone else gets to see it and know it as me.
Now off to get a good nap in before the fireworks tonight. Whoopee!

Tags: accept, celebrate, change, friends