FAILURE ISN'T FINAL...LEARN FROM IT...KEEP GOING!

There have been so many times that I started something and quit because I didn't do it right, didn't get the outcome I wanted or didn't pass a test, etc.  I felt like a failure so I thought why bother even trying.

I have struggled with this mindset for years and still do. 

 BUT the difference is I am learning how to change that mindset and learn from my failures.   I keep going and finding different ways to improve INSTEAD of quitting.  One way doesn't work...then try a different way.

 IF YOU WANT TO REACH YOUR GOALS AND YOUR DREAMS BAD ENOUGH...YOU WILL KEEP TRYING!

There are famous people who failed over and over and over....did they quit?  Did they give up?  I am sure they felt like it BUT they didn't.   They have bad days and hard days just like you and me.  But they refused to give up....they learned from their failures and kept going!

So...I ask myself every day..."How bad do you want this?"  "Are you going to do what it takes to reach that goal?"  "Are you going to do what it takes to reach that dream?"  

My answer is yes and even if I have a setback or a hard day...I need to dig deep and keep going! 

What do you choose?

IS THIS FOR YOU OR FOR THEM?

When it comes to making changes in our lives whether it be fitness, eating healthier, an addiction etc. 

 Who are we doing it for?  

Are we making those changes to impress our friends, boss, family or just people in general?  When we look for that gratification from others sometimes it can be very rewarding other times it can be very painful.  

There is nothing wrong with getting compliments or high fives or others being proud of us BUT if that is the ONLY reason you are wanting to change or begin a journey because people want you to...ask yourself this...

Who am I doing this for?  

I have been down that road of wanting to change and please others but it was never fulfilling and I was never truly happy UNTIL I CHOSE TO CHANGE FOR ME!  I had to make that decision because I wanted to and I felt in my heart I NEEDED to.  

There were so many times I tried to change for someone else and each time I wasn't ready.  I thought that if I changed for my husband or for someone else it would be okay but I wasn't making that decision for me...I was making that decision for them.  

When you make the choice to change or start a journey...PLEASE remember to ask yourself and be honest with yourself...

IS THIS FOR ME OR THEM?

FLUSH THOSE FEARS AND DOUBTS!!!

Do you ever have your fears and doubts keep you from your dreams and goals?  I know I do.

They are like roadblocks stopping me in my tracks.  When those fears and doubts start consuming my thoughts...I freeze.  I start to get worried, scared and question what I am doing.  

I stop living and believing in myself.  And the only one it hurts is me...I put up a wall and want to run and hide.  My family and friends wonder what is going on and I worry about what they would think.   I throw myself a little pity party and then just shut down.  

BUT WHEN THIS HAPPENS...

I dig deeper...I remember my "why" I started this journey in the first place AND I look at how far I have come.  WHY would I want to throw away what I have worked so hard for?  WHY would I want to go back to the way I was feeling before?  I was miserable and felt so alone.  

So...when those doubts and fears hit you like a ton of bricks....STOP, TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND FIGHT!  Flush those thoughts and fears down the toilet because you are stronger than you think and you CAN do this!!! 

INSTEAD OF I CAN'T...SAY "HELL YES I CAN!"

MORE OF MY STORY....I AM A SURVIVOR!

This wasn't easy but I wanted to be real with you...

KEEP BELIEVING AND KEEP GOING! HELL YES YOU CAN!

BE SOMEONE ELSE OR BE ME?

TRUTH...

There are times when I look at myself and wonder... "What if I was like that person?" "What if I did what they did?" "What if I started acting like them?" "Maybe I would be happier?" "Maybe people would like me more?" "Maybe I would feel better about myself?"

The "Maybe's" and "What If's" that go through my head aren't helping me at all. What they are doing is stopping me from being the person I CAN be.

BUT what can I do when those thoughts, worries and fears come creeping into my mind? CHANGE MY MINDSET! I am only hurting myself and not accepting who I am.

So I have a choice...

Do I want to be like someone else?

OR

Do I want to be me?

Even though it can be hard at times...even though I fall into that mindset of wanting to be like other people...even though there are times I let the worries and fears stop me from being who I am...ONE THING I DO KNOW IS...

DON'T EVER STOP BEING YOU!!!

WHAT DOES FREEDOM MEAN TO YOU?

When I think about this question...Freedom means to me to be able to be my own boss, take time off when I want to and make my own schedule.  I don't want to have to worry about answering to someone else...I want that freedom.

BUT was that kind of freedom out there?  

I look back at some of the memories which had me wanting that freedom more and more...

I remember when I was going to college and I was heading to one of my night classes.  My oldest daughter wanted me to stay home but I couldn't.  As I was driving down the road to town...I look in my rear view mirror and there she was chasing the car.  I could hear her yelling and wanting me to stay home.  :-(
That was so hard!  I remember getting to the college and crying.  Someone asked me what was wrong and I said I don't want to be here!  But I finished college and got my degree.

I have NEVER forgotten that day but what could I do?  I tried doing this stuffing envelopes thing..yeah that didn't work.  I tried looking into other online jobs and most of them wanted A LOT of money and/or taking classes I couldn't afford.  Even though some of them sounded good it was just not something I felt in my heart I wanted to do.  I was not happy!

I worked other jobs....a housekeeper, a receptionist, a nurses aid but when I got injured (3 surgeries in one year) that wasn't an option anymore.  I had to be careful what I did.  What was I going to do?  I wanted so badly to help my husband with the finances.

Then one day I looked at a picture of me and couldn't believe how heavy I had gotten!  This was a BIG turning point for me.  I needed to take back control of my life.

I met up with a friend of mine and starting a workout program and I felt so much better about myself.  Was there a way to pay this forward?  I talked to my friend again and I couldn't believe that I had finally found the freedom I had been searching for!

I am able to be my own boss and not worry about asking someone else for time off!  I LOVE being able to spend time with my family and friends when I want...it is a great feeling!  I can put into my job what I want out of it.   I love being able to pay it forward and help others just like I was helped.  It is an amazing feeling!   I am happy and LOVE what I do!    THIS IS WHAT FREEDOM MEANS TO ME!

KEEP BELIEVING...KEEP HOPING...KEEP GOING!

YOU ARE A BADASS!

There are days when I need a good read to bring me back to reality and to help keep me working toward my goals and dreams.

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!

Excuses keep us from being who we are out of fear and doubt.  

What do you choice?

YUMMY RECIPE!!!...

CAULIFLOWER CRUST PIZZA

INGREDIENTS

• 1 small to medium sized head of cauliflower - should yield 2 to 3 cups once processed
• ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup low-moisture mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon basil or rosemary, minced (or dry)
• ½ teaspoon oregano, minced (or dry)
• 1 cup tomato sauce or paste (mixed with water)
• 1-2 cups mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
2. Remove the stems from the cauliflower and cut into chunks, Place the cauliflower into a food processor and pulse it until it resembles the texture of rice. If you don't have a food processor, you can use a cheese grater or chop it very finely.
3. Microwave the processed cauliflower uncovered in a microwave safe bowl for approximately 4-5 minutes on high. Remove it from the microwave and allow it to cool for at least 4-5 minutes (trust me don't rush this step!). After the cauliflower is slightly cooled, place it in a kitchen towel and squeeze all the liquid out of it. Be sure to squeeze as much liquid as humanly possible. 
4. Combine the cooked cauliflower, egg, garlic, cheese, and seasonings. Stir until a dough texture forms. Spread the cauliflower mixture out onto lightly greased parchment paper or a pizza pan in the shape of a pizza crust. 
5. Bake the crust for approximately 10-15 minutes (depending on your oven), or until the crust is golden and crispy. I cooked mine for approximately 15 minutes. After the crust is golden remove it from the oven and add your toppings, I used marinara sauce and cheese for a simple margarita pizza. 
6. Place the pizza back in the oven but this time turn on the broiler, bake for about 2-5 minutes until the cheese melts. be sure to keep an eye on it because the broiler can burn the cheese quickly. 

You can also add any toppings you want!

ENJOY!

NEGATIVE VS. POSITIVE MINDSET...

Lately I have stumbled in my nutrition and workouts and felt like giving up BUT when I was scrolling through my pics I saw the before photo of my very first day that I started this journey and I realized that I have come a long way.
Not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well.

My mindset used to be thoughts of..."Am I doing the right thing?"  "Will I ever reach my goal?"  "Am I strong enough?"  "What if I fail yet again?"

NOW my thoughts are...."yes I can"  "You are strong enough" "Don't look back"  "Keep going!"

The best decision I ever made was believing in myself and taking that first step.  That was the most unselfish thing I could do and I am thankful I did.

There are bad days but it is my choice on what my mindset will be...

Do I let the negative get me down and stay there?
                              OR
Do I use that as fuel to get fired up and go for it?

I have been in the negative and it was a miserable place...I choose to get fired up!