 I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the amazing things you can accomplish with tiny choices and efforts over time. David and I are coming up on our 9th anniversary next month, and it’s insane to see the life we have built in that time. It’s nothing terribly extraordinary...we got married, completed degrees, had some kids, found some debt, bought a house...it’s a pretty typical suburban lifestyle story. 🏡 But it’s OUR marriage that we work on everyday. They’ve been our struggles, our triumphs, our memories. 🏡 They are OUR degrees. The ones we worked hard to earn and lost lots of sleep to receive. And who knew that the crazy combo of Elementary Education + Spanish Teaching + Piano Performance + Composition + Business would be the perfect formula for opening and running a successful music school. That wasn’t our plan. But it’s been our path. 🏡 They are OUR kids. They’ve taken a lot of care, patience, sickness, medication and exhaustion to get here! I’ve had pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, edema, depression, postpartum depression, hemorrhages, blood transfusions, bed rest, kidney problems, autoimmune problems, and more. It was our effort, sacrifice and endurance that got them here day by day, and hopefully our love, teaching and protection that will raise these boys into the men they can become. 🏡 From the outside, our life looks pretty dang normal. But we are in the details of it. We experience every trial and success; every heartache and joy; every mundane moment and all the exhilarating experiences. 🏡 What are the small and simple things you are doing daily to build your life? What will you have to show for your efforts 9 years from now? What are you making YOURS? 🏡 Grab one of these beautiful canvases to remember where it all started! Last Name Sign @canvasvows  It was like the equivalent of my 'nutritional awakening!' I have never enjoyed cooking, and honestly, despite the basic nutrition class I took in college, I grew up with pretty limited understanding of nutrition as a whole. I knew veggies were good for me, I should drink water, blah, blah, blah. But I had some pretty bad misconceptions about "healthy" foods. I first heard of Autumn Calabrese in 2017 when some of my friends started talking about her programs and her containers (what?) at our weekly girls' nights. They stopped referring to food in meals like the rest of humanity, and began speaking in colors: "Do you have any yellows left today?" "No! I ate bread AND rice earlier! I still need two greens and a blue though." Such weirdos. And then I joined them. I'm a weirdo too now, I guess! Let me explain… Before those little color-coded portion control containers, I was basically clueless when it came to nutrition. With all the fitness or nutrition programs I had done prior to 21 Day Fix, I never really understood the accompanying nutrition systems. It was like reading Chinese to me! Autumn’s approach to nutrition simplified it for me and gave me consistency over how I was fueling my body! The Portion Fix system was a LIFE CHANGER! Aaaaand, the fact that I hate cooking doesn't matter! Even I can handle the simplicity of this system. It’s crazy to think that it’s been almost five years since the launch of the uber-popular 21 Day Fix and portion control system. So many lives impacted. So many pounds and inches shed because of this simple approach to eating. Beachbody took note of the impact the portion control containers were having and they incorporated them into nearly ALL of the nutrition plans for Beachbody programs that have launched ever since. BOOM! What Exactly is the Portion Fix System? For those of you new to Beachbody and the portion control containers, let me break it down for you. Each color coded container represents a specific food group.
Each color coded container also represents a portion size.They give you a visual on what a correct portion should look like on your plate. Every program specifies how much of each container to eat. Every fitness plan has an accompanying nutritional guide which advises you on how many of each color container you should eat daily. This number depends the program you’re following, your calorie zone, and fitness goals. And NO you cannot fill your containers with just anything. The goal is to educate you on what’s clean and what’s not. So, you will be following a list of approved ingredients. If it’s on the list, go for it. If it’s not on then list, then more than likely it’s a NO NO! But there are always exceptions, so if you’re not sure, just ask me! I love the structure this system provides! I love how straight forward it is. This system has truly helped me remain consistent and satisfied with my nutrition for over a year now! So long to 75+ pounds so far! But now, an overhaul is coming! Even though the container system works like a charm, an overhaul is coming with the Ultimate Portion Fix (UPF), releasing in March 2019! Autumn Calabrese has compiled 5 years of feedback, experience, and even complaints by talking with customers about their challenges, helping them use the meal plan effectively to get the best possible results. Let’s face it; nutrition will never be one size fits all. That’s why Autumn is so committed to investing in herself and her knowledge of nutrition. Autumn even became a Certified Holistic Coach to bring more value, depth, and diversity to the program! Lucky us — and she’s taking all that new knowledge and wrapping it up into this brand new premium nutritional program! I couldn’t be more excited to dig deep into this upgrade and go all-in as soon as it’s available in March. More knowledge means power and greater results for YOU and ME! Why Should You Try The Ultimate Portion Fix? THIS IS NOT A DIET – it’s a lifestyle upgrade! This is a nutrition plan and learning experience designed for EVERYONE (and you’ll see why below). The plan will teach you how to eat better, not just provide a bunch of rules. In the end, your mindset and perspective towards food is going to change. The goal is to build a healthy relationship with food making it a sustainable plan that will keep you wanting to eat healthy long-term. YESSSSS! First, let’s talk sugar…It’s no secret that sugar addiction is a huge problem and that’s why UPF is laser focused on helping you crush that addiction. You’ll learn why sugar is so addictive and strategies how to break the habit. It’s something the whole family will benefit from. Finally a nutritional system that is designed for the entire family! I’m sure you’re tired of the complaints and cooking several meals every night. With UPF, there’s a big emphasis on children and how to get them to eat healthy, too! Don’t forget, Autumn is a mom, too, and she’s had to face the same challenges we all have — like the “I want pizza” argument, and she’s got strategies to help you WIN with the family! You are now able to create your own custom meal plan.You’ll learn how to create your own meal plans based on your specific goals and dietary restrictions, like paleo, vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free! What’s included with the program?
Plus, a chance to workout LIVE with Autumn! Okay, unfortunately “live” doesn’t mean “live and in person,” but this is pretty freaking awesome, too, so bare with me! Autumn will be reshooting 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme and you can stream it LIVE and workout with Autumn and the cast as they film the new workouts! How can you get in on the LIVE workouts? All you have to do is invest in yourself and purchase the Ultimate Portion Fix when it launches March 18th (March 4th for Coaches) and you’ll receive an EXCLUSIVE invitation to join — you can bet I’m SO in! But your order HAS to be before April 1st for this awesome opportunity! How much does the Ultimate Portion Fix cost? At this point you might be wondering the price… 
  Take a look around the room you are in right now. Count how many things you can see that are red. Ready go. No, really. Count. Red. Do it. Okay, how many things did you see that were blue? You don't know?! What?! Because you were focused on all the red, right? Alright...take another look around. Is there any blue? Why didn't you notice it before? Our brains are naturally wired to do one thing: survive. Your brain does not care if you are happy or satisfied with your life. It's function is not to motivate you. Your brain does whatever it can to keep you breathing and to keep your heart pumping. Our brains seek safety, routine, ease and repetition. So, if you think about a big, scary goal. You natural inclination might be to automatically shut it down and list all of the reasons it is unsafe or risky or stupid. Remember, your brain wants to protect you. So, it may protect you from failure, embarrassment, or disappointment. If you have a negative stream of thoughts on repeat in your mind, you brain will just keep playing those, because it's the easiest thing to do. It's what comes naturally. Whatever you ALREADY have going on in your head is red. If you are naturally a worrier, all of those thoughts are red. If you want to stop worrying so much, you need to program you brain to see a different color. It will be slow and awkward, just as it would be to switch your pen to a different hand than the one you are accustomed to write with. But, you can do it. I am always in awe of people who experience tragic events like Bethany Hamilton, the girl who lost her arm to a shark, and whose story was turned into the movie Soul Surfer.  I watched her later as she competed on The Amazing Race (have you ever seen that show?! I'd love to be on it! But I'd probably be the girl crying the whole time. Lol!). Bethany was an aggressive and competitive athlete, outperforming others again and again...with only one arm! I am sure it was unimaginably difficult to relearn how to do everything she'd once done naturally, but she eventually taught herself to live life in a different color than red. Default wasn't going to cut it anymore.
Whatever it is in your life that is holding you back, identify it, and find something else to replace it with. If you keep telling yourself you are not good enough (red), create an affirmation you can come back at those negative thoughts with (blue) until blue becomes your new default. I promise, you will find whatever you look for. It's there, just waiting for you to see it. |
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July 2019
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