Happy Monday team!  

Today I wanna talk cheats/treats/weekends!  

Yep, its Monday, and I KNOW that many of us struggle with them and we tend to indulge or OVER indulge in those foods that we USED to eat all the time without thinking twice, but DONT now.  And chances are, today or throughout the weekend, you felt like absolute SHIT.  

Ass dragging, lacking energy, feeling bloated or constipated......kinda cranky maybe cause you've got greasy, salty, sugary, toxic overload (if you're usually a pretty clean eater) and maybe some headache or muscle tension allover!!!! 

It happens......remember.......this is a journey and its one that is part of what we WANT to be a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.  If you think for ONE minute that eating 100% clean ALL THE TIME is going to be sustainable, youre WRONG.  THAT will simply lead to you binge eating and overloading on crap and maybe even undoing ALL the hard work that you have done.  

That said, it doesn't take away from the guilt that we feel when we DO eat some crap and drink some wobbly pops or soda.  THAT is a real, true feeling that can really toss us into a downward spiral and throw our motivation and drive for change and our commitment to our previous goals for a LOOP!  To get back up and start fresh after indulging is HARD, its true.  It takes a LOT more will power and drive to get up after cheating and when you're lacking energy from food and drink than it does to continue on if you hadn't cheated HOWEVER, cheating is a natural part of the process and one that shouldn't be skipped or eliminated.  

Think of it as a rest day.....its PART of the recovery process right?  and something that is JUST as important as the warmup!  CHEATING......is also part of the process. We work hard, we sweat, we eat healthy food, we bust our tails all week, and having a little cheat, or a food/drink that we used to eat without a second thought, is OK and in fact, I encourage it.  

It's what helps us to stay on track believe it or not, so that when we "complete" a program we don't completely stuff our faces and undo all of the hard work.  

My fave cheat was always Friday night......multigrain tostitos with spicy dip (epicure Louisiana Hot and Spicy, mixed with 1% sour cream and light Mayo) and 2 glasses of wine (which typically turned into the whole bottle - GUILTY).  I would feel like crap in the morning, but I got up and got on with my day and made sure to get a workout in that day!  It helped me to feel more in control after a night of loss of control lol.  

It's EASY to lose control and fall back into our old ways......easier than many of us think.....in fact, those of you who have taken one rest day and turned it into 2 and then 3 can agree with me....THAT is typically when you throw in the towel and it becomes 4, 7, 12 days, and then before you know it 2 months......right?????  

But this is a journey and one that comes with many ups, downs, and inbetweens.  If it were easy, and the road to success was straight, everyone would be doing it.  

What sets US apart from everyone else is that WE ARE CONSCIOUS OF OUR CHOICES and WE FEEL SOME GUILT when we fall into our old ways but the #1 thing that sets the winners apart, is that WE NEVER GIVE UP.  

We may fall down, but gosh darnit, we dust off, we get back up, we FOCUS on WHY we started this whole thing in the first place and we get back at it.  THIS is what makes US part of the revolution that will help to reverse the trend of obesity in our society. WE will continue to lead, inspire, motivate, encourage, and support others and each other through the peeks and valleys.  WE won't give up.  WE will continue creating a sustainable lifestyle for ourselves and our families....and maybe overtime, we won't be so hard on ourselves when we do cheat!   That time may come......but it may not come overnight.  

When you start to really establish a balance, you will know!  The guilt will start to subside and you will just continue on your merry way the day after, not looking back, but forever facing forward, KNOWING that TODAY is ANOTHER DAY to be the BEST version of US.  

<3  

Happy Monday Team!  Love you guys!  

Be gentle with yourselves and KNOW that you will NEVER be alone in this journey!!!! xo

This happens to all of us, especially when you're just getting started and adjusting to a new way of eating....ie. the 21 day fix meal plan.  

So many people are used to OVEREATING or UNDEREATING so that when you actually LEARN how to eat properly, you have all these barriers and negative comments and thoughts about the food.......this is what i hear ALL THE TIME

"its just too much food, there's no way i can eat that"
- my reply......long of the short......you've been undereating and this is likely why you havent seen the results you've been wanting

"there's not enough food.....im starving"
- my reply.....long of the short......you've been overeating, and not exercising proper portion control....your body needs time to adjust, hunger pangs are gonna happen, but this too shall pass.

"im working out and following the plan by not following the nutrition guide so much"
- my reply.....then dont expect the amazing results that you're hoping for.  You'll still have SOME results, but they wont be the greatest ones that you COULD have if you're not following - TRUST the professionals, trainers, and nutritionists who designed these programs....THEY know what they're talking about.....NOT US......we are in the process of RE-EDUCATING.........be open minded to it and don't be so quick to put up walls and barriers......sheesh!!!!! 

This journey is a process.  If is was easy, everyone would be doing it........yes...there are going to be times that you're uncomfortable......been there, done that.....still doing it.......its part of this.  If you're always comfortable, then you're not changing.......

If you believe in the process and let it run its course you WILL SEE that change will happen.  STOP getting in your way and trying to prove the programs wrong by making your own decisions about them and changing them so they suit you......especially if you're pushing for crazy results.......they're not gonna happen as they should if you keep interfering.  

YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS......

have your water handy.....DRINK IT......suck up the stomach pangs if you're following a program and specific intake bracket.......you're learning how to properly eat for your body and output.......3 days is typically how long it takes to get rid of it........just get through and come out on top ;)  

TOUGH LOVE sometimes helps people to SEE THE LIGHT........

I'm all for being soft and making sure feelings aren't hurt but I also don't want to sit back and watch so many people throw away the full potential of what's at hand cause they think they know a better way.......

if your way was so great.........then........how come you're not where you wanna be????  we all need help in our lives......but if we don't LISTEN.....we WONT CHANGE.  

<3 LOVE YOU guys and wanna see you succeed!  ALLOW yourselves to SUCCEED by NOT getting in your WAY. 

It's human nature......we ALL do it.  We SAY we want to do something, get all fired up......maybe get up the nerve to DO it once or twice, or for a week or two, and then start losing steam....the novelty wears off, and then we're right back at where we started....kinda like the lifespan of a hot tub or cool new kitchen gadget ;)  

AGREED??????  OMG I've been there MORE times than I can count.  Starting and stopping.  Committing then QUITTING.....each time getting more and more emotionally buried in the process.  You KNOW the feeling I mean.....some of you can COMPLETELY relate.  It's like a strong guilt.....a feeling of SHAME or embarrassment with yourself.....not that society doesn't add to it with images of "perfect" bodies and "fit people" everywhere you turn........you know when you're in line at the grocery store and see someone else who was able to lose weight and get in shape with some "magic diet".......it seems when we're in that FUNK....once we've given up YET AGAIN, that EVERYWHERE WE TURN we are reminded of how we FAILED ourselves AGAIN.  

Some people may think I've never been there and that I've never felt that way, thinking I've always been fit and healthy.....NOT TRUE.  I went through the process too and I still struggle with motivation and commitment, but the DIFFERENCE now is that I WON'T give up.  I simply WILL NOT turn my back on this lifestyle.  I have too many people to inspire and motivate and encourage and support.  MY ACCOUNTABILITY is stronger than it's ever been before......I CANT GIVE up now. I would be giving up on hundreds of others if I threw in the towel.  

I hope that your switch clicks....that that day comes where you realize that you want to change MORE than you want to stay the same.  That you KNOW that starting over time after time is HARD.....and that sticking with it is so much easier.  That if you stop giving up that your commitment to getting that workout in and making healthier food choices will COMPOUND over TIME and result in CHANGE......that you don't have to stay stuck in that feeling of shame or guilt.  YOU can BREAK THE CYCLE.  When you're ready, you'll do it.  And you'll quickly realize your increased energy......you increased self-esteem, confidence, positive energy, and zest for LIFE.  

I'm TELLING YOU.........the benefits are SO worth it.  Don't just sit on the sidelines and watch me......JOIN ME......its FUN and you get HOOKED.......and every area of your life benefits :)  I PROMISE :)  

When's the last time you gave yourself credit for how much effort you've been putting in???  

Seriously, you guys......i get so many messages from you indicating that you're feeling frustrated.....you're confused.....getting seriously upset that you're not 100% on your "A" game......that you took too many breaks, that you slipped up with your nutrition, that you skipped a workout, that you're not seeing the results that you want quickly enough......

but you know what I get less of??????????  (I DO get a lot but much less, without prompting ;))

I'm so proud of how hard I've been working
I'm so excited for the results that I'm seeing
I can't believe how much I've changed
Seriously, my energy has improved so much
WOW, i actually enjoy exercising
People are noticing the changes I'm making
I feel so great

One thing we ALL have in common....is how much pressure we put on ourselves....how HARD we are on ourselves.....we have super high expectations and don't give ourselves credit for the efforts we are putting in.  

Did you care before??  LOOK at what you've committed yourself to.  LOOK at how much you HAVE changed.....FOR REAL......EVERY. SINGLE. LITTLE change you've made is one step closer to a healthier, happier lifestyle.  RECOGNIZE IT.  

Now that said......some of you may be feeling this way because you KNOW you're not giving 110%....you're cheating, skipping workouts, and not really giving it your all....that's different.  

I'm talking about those of you who have really invested in creating a sustainable healthy lifestyle and you're legitimately focused on really making concerted efforts with your fitness and nutrition.  

REMEMBER that you didn't gain weight and feel sluggish over night so you're NOT going to turn it all around over night.  It takes hard work, consistency, and EFFORT....STRAIGHT UP.  

PLEASE...if you've been busting your butt, making sacrifices to get your workouts in and eat healthy food...give yourself credit, dammit.....you've worked SO Hard and are seriously making a difference inside and out for yourself........and its having a ripple effect in your life.....your family, your work...EVERYTHING reaps the benefits of these changes!!!!!  

BELIEVE in yourself and KNOW that your efforts are paying off!!!!  

<3  Don't be so freaking hard on yourself ok.

It's TRUE......it's HARD to create change.  It's HARD to finally do what you've SAID you are going to do......for fear that you'll fall FLAT ON YOUR FACE and fail.  I've been there......I've started...I've stopped.....I've laid in bed and grabbed my tummy rolls and CRIED and CRIED telling myself over and over again that it's OK....that I can try again TOMORROW.  

Tomorrow came and went...night after night.....I KNOW that so many of you are in the same boat cause you TELL me in private messages......we RELATE to each other on so many fronts........I'm telling you, you're NOT alone.  

TODAY WILL COME.  It WILL, when you truly believe in yourself....when you BELIEVE that you're capable and you WON'T FAIL.  Many times we fail to start because of the fear of failure.....but what would you do it you KNEW you couldn't FAIL?????  If you JUST GOT STARTED and didn't stop????  If you make changes and DO THE WORK....you cannot fail.  CHANGE WILL HAPPEN....I promise.  

You may hit a road block....you may need to change things up (I can help with that if you're feeling STUCK right now....message me and we can dig into your individual situation)........but this doesn't mean that you can quit.......HELL NO.....what it does mean is that you've tapped out where you're at and simply need to shake it up....period.  

This is a process.  It's a journey.  It's a LIFESTYLE change...NOT a quick fix.  There is no END or FINISH LINE.....it's a balance that you strike for LIFE.......When this clicks and you stop looking forward to the next binge or party or massive meal......you MAY have had your switch click....you know the one I'm talking about.....where you BELIEVE and you TRUST in the process and you UNDERSTAND that you're worth it and that this truly is a lifestyle change.........IT WILL HAPPEN.........

STOP GIVING UP and START believing in YOURSELF.  If you keep doing what you've always done.....you'll never change.  Change can launch us into incredible opportunities....I've jumped in with both feet (into change) for the past 8 years......and clearly the last 2 months ASS OVER TEAKETTLE LOL if you've been following my journey at all lol.  

I'm RIGHT HERE WITH YOU......I've had to start......I've stumbled....I've fallen....my switch has clicked and I'm never looking back.  Hold my hand and let me guide you.  Let me help you believe in yourself........GET INSIDE YOUR HEAD and TELL YOURSELF that TODAY is the TOMORROW you thought about YESTERDAY.  

Make it count. 

<3 Coach Alida

Another new day...another MONDAY has arrived.... for some this means another new chance to start over and stay committed....for others it means another week into their journey.....perhaps one that may come easy cause you've created a habit out of this lifestyle....or perhaps, one that may be a bit more challenging cause you're not quite at 21 days (takes 21 days to create a habit) and you're starting to feel like you're wavering in your commitment to yourself.  

Either way.....TODAY is a chance to stare your goals in the face and decide once and for all that YOU WILL WIN THIS BATTLE...that YOU are in control and you CAN do this.  

Today, I want you to think back to all the times before now that you've started and stopped.......the times you've given up on yourself and come back to start again.....likely further behind than you were when you initially wanted to start.  

If you STOP quitting you won't have to keep starting over.  Starting is the hardest part of this journey!!!!!! 

This is YOUR life.....your chance to increase your energy...improve your self-confidence, your self-esteem, your sex-drive, your mood......your body image........YOU DECIDE.