One Step Closer to Myself- How I Became a Mormon

So, I had asked earlier if anyone was interested how I decided to become a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. More than a few were interested, so here is the story. I will title it, "How I Became a Mormon" or "My ENTIRE Life Story"...HAHA Read if you'd like. If not, scroll on, my friend.
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I have the wonderfully unique opportunity to be the "baby" of five siblings. What makes it so unique is that we are spread out in age and most of my siblings were adults my entire childhood. I LOVE the fact that my parents have been married for SIXTY years!  My parents were both raised in separate religions pretty strictly. My father is the son of a Baptist Army Chaplain and my mother was raised Roman Catholic, which produced a lot of "fireworks" with their parents when they fell in love.

Imagine what THAT was like when my older brother met a Mormon in high school and decided that was the religious path he wanted to choose. From what I've heard my parents were very supportive. I was a baby so his decision didn't have much of an influence on me. However, my middle sister, was affected by his conversion and began learning about it for herself in her teenage years. Along with great friends, an obsession with Donnie Osmond and a blossoming testimony, she decided to get baptized when she was sixteen. My brother was called to serve a mission in Scotland and my father still says that was the most blessed two years of their life. At that time I was still very young, so I remember two things....talking on cassette tapes to send to Elder Drake in Scotland and the cutie missionaries coming to our home to teach my teenage sister.

From then on I really did not have much to do with any sort of religious experiences. My parents had taught me about God, Jesus Christ and prayer but going to church was never anything we did. I really had no idea if I was Baptist, Catholic or Mormon-by-association. But I was busy living my worldly, social and MTV driven life and really didn't give it too much thought.

Of course, late teen years are when we are trying to "figure it all out". I headed to Southern California, Fullerton College and later to Cal State Fullerton, where I only knew one person. I chose that area because I could go to the beach during the day and go to parties at night. I quickly began having one college experience after another and, looking back, it WAS a great time of my life. Being a character at Disneyland, a passionate romance, changing my major FOUR times and learning that I loved working at a hotel were just a few of the highlights. I met some very great people who I'm still very close to. I cherish those years!

It was in my senior year of college that the LDS Missionaries came into my life. My roommate began seriously dating a Mormon guy (and they got married YAY!) and they began knocking on our door. I felt this incredible need to defend the Mormon church when it came up, because my siblings believed in it and I often got into controversial dialogue about it. One time when my roommate was "dodging them" I said, "Hey, I would love to chat with you. BUT I will never cook you dinner AND I AM NOT getting baptized. I really just want some questions answered so I can defend your religion to others." HAHAHA

I am a firm believer that there is a "missionary" out there for everyone. "My" Elder Hatch had just converted a year prior and did not judge me for all my exciting lifestyle choices. Even though I was NOT looking for a life-change, I was very happy with where I was going, I asked them to come back because I wanted to know why my sister wore different under-clothes and we hadn't gotten to that yet! The next time they came over they brought me a copy of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, but I went over to my bookshelf and took one my brother had given to me before his mission.

Now, at that point in my life I had been doing quite a bit of reading for school. When I opened the Book of Mormon and began to read something felt very different. Not different in an unfamiliar way, different in a feeling way. I didn't understand much of it, but I knew right away, without a doubt, that an unlearned boy COULD NOT have written these words. I knew that what I was reading was divine and the word of God. That was the moment where I decided to listen more clearly to what it was that was written. I had learned about the Bible and Bible stories and never doubted them. When I read the Book of Mormon it was like the Bible all made sense to me. They complimented each other and it felt right. The missionaries asked me to pray about what I was reading to know if it was true...I already knew.

People often ask me how I went from drinking alcohol, coffee and doing a variety of other worldly things to NOT doing them OVERNIGHT. I stopped a plethora of things, "Cold turkey", because once I knew that the words I was reading were true and divine, it was very easy to change my actions. The missionaries asked me to come to church. They really wanted me to go to a college congregation so that I would be with people that I had things in common with. I chose not to since I was so far from my family, I was interested in the congregation that had families in it. This decision changed the course of my life. Sitting in that church I looked at the families. The dads in suits, moms with diaper bags full of snacks and little kids with runny noses and I KNEW that I wanted to be in a building just like that, every Sunday for the rest of my life. That day I called my parents and said, "Will you come to my baptism?" They said, "Into what church?" and when I told them which church they, again, were very supportive of my choice. As a matter of fact, almost every single member of my family (including my Catholic Nana) traveled to Southern California to be a part of my baptism. That day I didn't feel different from myself, I just felt closer to the REAL me.

If you are looking for the "next season spoilers"...hahaha...here are some quick highlights. THE VERY SAME MONTH that I chose to get baptized Elder Bottom, far away in Kobe, Japan wrote a letter to his father saying he did not want to go to University of Utah and, that for some weird reason, he felt he should go to Cal State Fullerton. Looking back, it was very clear WHY he was inspired to change his school. I continued on with my studies and became active in church life. When Elder Bottom returned from his mission he quickly began dating another girl. He and I became friends and I really, REALLY didn't think anything about him. He was cute and a surfer but I had Mormon boys to date and a plan to return back to Northern California to get my teaching credential. I did not have TIME or A NEED to meet a husband. But, everything happens for a reason, and the next thing I knew I was telling Mark that he needed to dump that girl and date me because I would treat him so much better...the rest is history!

Hey, if you even made it to the end....thank you for listening. I don't regret ANYTHING I did before those missionaries taught me because I learned how (first hand) our Savior, Jesus Christ, forgives us. If His Atonement works for me, it can work for anyone. I have been active every single day since I made the decision to get baptized. I AM THE strict one with our teens because I HAVE SEEN IT AND DONE IT. I love knowing that we can be together after we die. I love the fact that I can know that I can see my ancestors again. I love focusing on the good in people, instead of all the scary things we are presented with. AND I LOVE knowing that a loving Father in Heaven has a plan for EACH of us and wants us to be happy. 

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to chat me up...HOWEVER, no haters please. 

Excuses? Yea, I got 'em! SO WHAT?

TRUE STORY!

We rent our house, therefore, we use 3M products to hang our pictures...above our bed! Yep! Last night one came CRASHING down on my HEAD while I was snoozing soundly.I NOW know what it is like to be punched in the side of the head. IT HURTS! 

**TIP OF THE DAY** Never decide NOT to workout in the middle of the night...my instinct was to abandon my plan. But when I woke up (after FINALLY falling back to sleep) I was ready to go! 

BONUS TIP! Use nails!

STRONG is the new SKINNY

WHY I love Les Mills Pump!
* The bar gives me good form which leads to GREAT results
* It sculpts my jiggle like no other
* I feel STRONG
*Awesome music!!!!
*GREAT if you have lower body injuries like ME
*My favorite instructors

I wasn't always the athlete you see now!

One of my worries is that you see my posts about running, eating healthy and exercise and you think, "I can never do what she does. She has never been where I am at."

I want you to know that I HAVE BEEN THERE. For well over a decade of my life I was very overweight. Food controlled my actions and thoughts. I was depressed and miserable. It affected my relationships, my spirituality and my job. The consistent happiness I felt came from food and, even though t was temporary, I used it more and more often. My children brought me great joy, but that was quickly masked with doubts about deserving THEIR love.

The person you see now, posting and motivating you is that same person. Over time, I have peeled away the layers of self-doubt and with every step in the right direction I have become the person I am today. It does take the decision that YOU ARE BETTER than a life of misery. We ALL deserve happiness, TRUE happiness that comes from inside rather than a pastry.

How? By taking small steps today in the right direction. You don't have to change everything, all at once.
1. Today, decide, that YOU are worth it! Struggling with that? I can help. Message me and I will personally talk to you about it. Because I have been there. And I know how it feels.
2. Once you have decided that you ARE WORTH IT, choose to step on that path. Scared you will fail? Yep! We ALL are! But you won't know if you can succeed unless you take that first step.
3. Take someone's hand. Support was the magic for me to keep me going when I wanted to fail. Who wants to fail? I did! When it got hard and I wanted that instant gratification that food gave me my support helped me to remember WHY I was on this journey. I can be that support for you! I am grateful for a friend that told me she believed in me and didn't know that she was changing the course of my life!

I have been there. Don't ever doubt that! I can help you!  Jen

Don't Be PERFECT this Labor Day Weekend!

This morning I did Les Mills Comabt after a break from it. My feet were fumbling and my rhythm was way off, but I got a GREAT workout in and had fun!

**BEST WORKOUT MUSIC EVER IN THAT PROGRAM**

Especially on this holiday weekend, don't try to be perfect in your health, but try to be BETTER! 

* BETTER than yesterday

* BETTER than last weekend

* BETTER than last Labor Day weekend

JUST BETTER.

Answer below! What is your "Plan of attack"?

 What things WILL you do to be BETTER on this holiday weekend?

To Feed The Craving or Not Feed The Craving?

CRAVINGS? 

Ugh, we ALL have them! Some are salty, some are sweet, some are on certain days of the month, some are certain hours of the day. Guess what? There is NO secret potion to make them go away...although Shakeology CERTAINLY helps with them, have you noticed? That is because your body craves what we feed it....more on that later!

Often times a "craving" is merely our mind suggesting something to us. Maybe it was from old habits (ie: going through drive thru on certain nights of the week) or traditions (ie: passing around See's Candy while opening Christmas presents). Either way, very few times our body is ACTUALLY needing that food item.

Case in point...at the beginning of the summer I did Beachbody's Ultimate Reset, which is a 21 detox and cleanse program with 100% clean eating. As mentioned earlier, I ALWAYS crave sweets a few days before I start my period. **LIKE "GIVE ME CHOCOLATE OR YOU DIE" CRAVE** Well, of course part of the Ultimate Reset included those days and guess what? I did not NEED sweets at all!

So, when we CRAVE a burger, ice cream, chips or cheese...ask yourself these questions:

1. Am I bored, tired, thirsty, hurt or angry? And is that why I want this?

2. Is this a "mind suggestion" (like seeing a commercial) or do I really NEED it?

3. If I eat this WILL I be able to bounce right back to my meal plan immediately? (BE HONEST! You will ONLY hurt yourself in you aren't)

4. Is this something that is special and "one of a kind"?

If, after you answer these questions honestly, you still want that treat...

I SAY GO FOR IT!

*EAT IT

*OWN IT

*ENJOY IT

*MOVE ON

We ALL KNOW deprivation does not work! This is NOT a diet, this is a lifestyle! And if you saw my In N' Out Double Double post yesterday you saw that A) I don't want a life without Double Doubles and B) I learned that running the day after was HORRID! You will find that a lot of the times you will learn it is NOT worth the splurge and you will be stronger from it!

Have you had a craving that you were strong through?

Have you indulged in a craving and learned from it?

SHARE BELOW!

What Beachbody Workout Programs Have Taught Me

One of the greatest things that Beachbody programs have taught me is how to get comfortable being uncomfortable. I call myself a "recovering quitter" because I just never spent time doing things I didn't want to do. I didn't see the purpose of it...this behavior was as recent as when I lived in China and just didn't see the purpose in hiking The Great Wall. Sometimes this attitude still perks up...but A LOT LESS than it used to!

So, how has Beachbody programs done this? Well, first there is a program for anyone, at any stage they are at. My first program was Les Mills Pump because I wanted to add strength training to my running. Immediately I felt muscle strength and saw definition that I couldn't achieve after years of doing my own thing at the gym. THAT feeling pushed me a little farther and soon I wanted to do P90X...who was this new person ? Before I knew it I had completed the entire 90 days of P90X, P90X3, Les Mills Combat...and TODAY I COMPLETED INSANITY! If you would have told me a year ago that I would do Insanity...I would've admitted you! That was the scariest, craziest sounding and looking program out there for me. But when I completed each program the reward, strength and empowerment I felt propelled me to move a little bit farther out of my comfort zone that I didn't even recognize how far I had come! So...what is next for THIS INSANITY GRADUATE? Well, I am now training for a FULL marathon and using P90X3 as my cross training. A full marathon is not something I EVER wanted to do...but after getting half way through my half marathon training I felt confident enough to step over that comfort line yet again! It has been ONE YEAR since my first Beachbody program and I cannot believe how far I have come in that time! I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE what the future has in store now that I am comfortable being uncomfortable! WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE IN ONE YEAR?

I am a Recovering Pessimist

If you like this, you SHOULD read "Failing Forward" by John C Maxwell! Completely turned me into a recovering pessimist!

My Super Scary Summer Plan ~ 2014

I wanted this summer to be different. 

Even though I am working hard in my health and fitness I knew I needed to be pushed harder. 

So this summer I am tackling my top three fears when it comes to my health and fitness. 

Here is the plan.

1. Beachbody Ultimate Reset- 21 days to reclaim, release and restore. More than a cleanse or detox program. It is a reset on the inside. Supplements and strict eating plan, WITH ONLY WALKING, scares me. But I am ready! It came today and I am excited to see some drastic changes in my energy, clarity and fitness. May 1- May 22. Stay tuned for daily Reset Blog Posts.
2. Insanity- This is the only workout program that FREAKS ME OUT. I don't know why. I know people who've done it and they've survived. I have done a few isolated workouts from the program and it was tough, even during the warm up. My calves ached after each time. But it is time to face. this. fear! I will start on Monday, May 26th. 
3. Run my second Half Marathon- This will have been my fourth half training, but only my second half marathon. Why? I hate running races/events. I love the training because it is only myself. My mind gets all messed up on race day. BUT it is something I have needed to do, to see the commitment through again. So I gathered some friends together to keep me accountable (you can join in too) and I have picked the race. It is on Labor Day in San Pedro! I will use Insanity as a cross training program with my training program.

With these three steps I will be in the best shape OF.MY.LIFE this summer! Each step relies on the previous. I set it up like that on purpose to help me see each phase through. 

NOW, if you know me, the more the merrier is my motto! If any of these above appeal to you, I am looking for friends to join me in any of the phases or all three! Not near by? No problem. All of my support groups are on Facebook. Just ask to join me in the comments and LET'S FACE OUR FEARS TOGETHER!

80-20 Rule and Mary Poppins

I LOVE the 80/20 Rule ALMOST AS MUCH as I love this picture! Mary Poppins was my idol while I was a young mother and BEFORE I figured out how unrealistic my expectations of myself were!

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I love the 80% healthy 20% not-healthy rule, especially on days like today when I had a piece of my daughter's birthday cake. It was lovingly made by a good friend and was three layers of coconut yumminess! WHY would I ever want to miss out on her sweet 16 cake? LIFE is full of celebrations that involve indulgent treats! THE TRICK IS....DON'T CREATE CELEBRATIONS DAILY JUST TO EAT TREATS! Let's face it....life is so cool we COULD find something to celebrate multiple times a day if we really wanted to....SO the 80/20% rule is the way to go!

Mental, Emotional, Cognitive Health and our Physical HealthSi

Zig Ziglar

How do you keep yourself emotionally, mentally and cognitively engaged?

For me, this was HUGE to my physical transformation. I learned that whenever I felt down, verbally attacked, bad about myself I searched for food to comfort me. As a matter of fact it happened yesterday! Hubby and I got into a disagreement and all goals flew out of my head and wanted FAST FOOD FAST! But, knowing that about myself, I stayed strong...I redirected my uncomfortable feelings by crossing things off my to do list! I got engaged in progress and I felt better. By late last night when I saw hubby I had completely forgotten about our "tiff" and I hadn't gone down a path to lead me to more negative feelings! 

I don't always have success like that, but the key is to learn about ourselves so we CAN see progress in changing those mental and emotional obstacles.

T0 Moms with Little Ones

This morning I saw this picture. This is my baby girl who is TURNING SIXTEEN next month, is having surgery during spring break and is starting to date! 

I must be hormonal because it really brought tears to my eyes...this pic brought me RIGHT BACK to this moment, hearing her voice and being showered with "mommy"'s over and over and over every day. I MISS IT!

At this time of her life I was struggling....I had low self-esteem, major health woes and it spilled over into my marriage AND my parenting of her. I am NOT saying this to look back and REGRET at all! I was doing the best I could.

****BUT if I can just applaud all of those mommies out there, with little ones, who are NOT waiting to show their babies healthy example. KUDOS to you! It will pay off because TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF will help you TAKE CARE OF THEM! Just make sure you hug them ALL THE TIME & RECORD their little voices, because ALL TOO SOON they will be grown.*****

Life Is Too Short

I want you to ask yourself if you are excited to wake up in the morning? Do you LOVE doing what you do? Don't feel guilty if the answer is no! I felt that way for a long time. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE being a wife and a mom and I LOVED teaching cuties, but still something seemed to be missing. Becoming a health coach changed ALL OF THAT! Now I am a better mom and wife because 1. I am healthier, happier and have more energy and 2. helping others do the same is SO EXCITING that I literally hop out of bed to hear the success stories!Oh and the extra $$$ makes for a happy hubby too! Comment if you want to ask me questions about any of this. I LOVE TO SHARE MY PASSION, as you know 

photo creds to Dayton Bottom (proud mama moment)

My unhealthy relationship with MY SCALE!

I am learning I have an "unhealthy" relationship with the scale...Do you? 

Here is what clued me into this.

1. I weigh myself every day.
2. I am usually disappointed, despite progress in measurements, clothes, etc.
3. That number dictates what I do next (eat healthier, have a treat)...can you say sabotage?
4. Though I feel awesome I strive for "that" number.

The reason I open up about this is because I know many of you are giving the scale WAY TOO MUCH POWER! I have vowed TO NOT weigh myself for the duration of the ‪#‎21dayfix‬...and you know what? That task is HARDER than the eating plan AND the workout program (for me) combined.
Why do I do this? I work hard and I want instant feedback? How can I change it? Look for other ways to get that feedback....
Do you weigh yourself often? 
Do you have a healthy scale relationship? 
Share below....

Monday Motivation

Feeling unmotivated?

Check out these tips! 

Comment to ADD yours!

My GREATEST Passion!

I know I share A LOT on here and I want to thank you for a. CARING and b. your SUPPORT! Although, I am passionate about health and nutrition, I never want to mislead you about what is the MOST IMPORTANT thing I am passionate about. That is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you want to hear how I became Mormon, have questions or are just curious please feel free to message me or visit my page.  

Jen 

Visit my Mormon.Org page here.

From the BOTTOM of my heart

From the BOTTOM of my heart~

This quote is why I do what I do! It is the fiber of this page, my job and my LIFE. I feel like God has given me the gift of "putting myself out there" and I do JUST THAT. (See yesterday's post on @Behindtherefrigeratordoor:) My goal is to inspire, help and teach you to be the BEST YOU CAN BE!

I have made this my full-time job now, as you know, YAY! I take it just as seriously as when I taught kiddos. My whole heart is in it.* NOT TO MAKE MONEY OR SELL YOU ANYTHING* But to share my story, transformation and skills to help and inspire YOU. Please know that I will share my passion with you and offer you great deals. I will ALWAYS give you opportunities to grow, change and SUCCEED!

I LOVE what I do and feel so BLESSED to have found my passion! With that being said, I have THREE spots left for my next challenge that begins on Nov 4th, you ready to change your life? Grab those spots quick!

Need more planning? Prep now for my awesome challenge that will start after the NEW YEAR! IT is NOT anything like my other groups, this is an ULTIMATE RESET for 2014! What is it? Ask me! 

Thank you for your support! You make my life have purpose and joy!

Summer Weekly Challenge~ #1

Happy Summer! We've made it!

Now, you have a choice to make. . . 

you can use this summer to "take a break" 

or 

you can use this summer to get healthier! 

Visualize yourself at the end of August. 

Do you want to be a few pounds heavier, huffin' and puffin' as you climb the stairs and feeling awful? All because you had to eat that cheeseburger at the barbecue or deserved an ice cream cone day in and day out? 

or

Do you want to put on your fall jeans and have them feel good, be able to chase the kiddos and feel like you accomplished something? 

I can help you get healthier over the next 12 weeks! We can do it together! 

The Plan

Each Monday I will give you a challenge. Strive to accomplish the challenge five days a week. The challenges will be for any level of fitness and health. 

Your Part

Try your best! Listen to your body. Push yourself, but don't overdo it. Be confident, you CAN do this! Be committed. Don't worry about the big picture, take it one day at a time and one week at a time. Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Check in with me via Facebook as much as you need to, remember that I need your motivation too!

My Part

I strive to make this blog and my Facebook page for and about you! I will continue to support you in these challenges each day. I am not a Doctor or a nutritionist, but I will create challenges for your overall good health using basic strategies. I will participate in each challenge along with you. I will strive to motivate you to be the best you can be. 

No Excuses

If you are anything like me, making excuses does not help you reach your health goals...here are some of my excuses and how I combat them.

• I can eat that ________. I deserve it. I work hard. You are right, you do work hard. You work hard being the best you can be and that ____________ is not helping you in any way at all. Find another way to reward yourself. How about a new article of clothing or a nap or a couple hours reading?
• I can eat ___________. Other people do and they look healthy. You are NOT other people. Unhealthy food DOES affect you. Plus, they may look healthy but that Snickers bar as their lunch is not really making them healthy on the inside.
• I don't want to take away time from the kids summer plans to go exercise. Mommy Guilt! No room for it. Being an example of health is better than most things you do for your kiddos. Get up before them to exercise. Early risers? Do a play date swap or do it after they go to bed. Older kids? Encourage them to exercise with you. 
• It's vacation time! I want to enjoy my entire vacation, including the food. Boy, do I know this one intimately! The problem with this theory is while the junk food tastes yummy on your vacay the bloating and self-consciousness doesn't feel good. Instead, treat yourself once a day moderately and stick to 80% healthy and 20% less healthy. 
• It's vacation time! I don't want to exercise! Are you in it for the temporary or the permanent lifestyle change? The goal is to make it a part of your life, no matter where you are. A big benefit is that hotels usually have sweet gym amenities  Take advantage of it. Also, take advantage of jet lag. Get up early and beat the heat and crowds with a power walk. Taking a vacation from being healthy just equals laziness!
• There is no time, our schedules are even crazier with the kids home. How committed are you? Do you really want to get healthier this summer? If so, MAKE TIME. Schedule it and stick to it!
• It's too hard. I haven't exercised in ages. What if I can't do it? You have to start somewhere. I don't even care what you are doing, as long as your heart is beating and you have sweat on your brow.Work at your own level. DO NOT compare yourself to others! You are not alone. IM me, comment, email me and I will talk you through it. No negative thoughts. YOU CAN DO IT! I agree with Nike when they say, "If you have a body, you are an athlete!"

Week 1 Challenge

For five days this week get moving for one hour each day. Walk, jog, run, zumba, cross fit, spin, bike, swim, jump rope, DVD, sports, yoga, pilates,  (shall I keep going?)...find something you like and DO IT.

Get your heart pumping, blast some tunes, be proud of that sweat and DO IT. 

Be sure to check Facebook for tips and motivation. Let me know when you did it! Remember, I need your motivation too!

You In?

Simplify

Just one of the many loads we have donated.

I have learned a valuable lesson this week as I have had to inventory every single item in our apartment to prepare for it to be shipped back to the US. I dreaded this, even more so than doing it for our home just two short years ago. I procrastinated it as much as I could. 

Nope, the lesson was not about procrastination. . . still waiting to learn that one. The lesson was on simplifying. I really thought we had simplified when we scaled back from our 3,400 sq ft home to our tiny city apartment. But when I went through each room with each kid I could visibly see the load lifting from their shoulders as we added to the donation pile. It was mostly clothes and, yes, there were some sentimental goodbyes (especially for me realizing my kids are not little anymore, what else is new?).

It kind of reminds me of when we only eat what is in the front of our pantry and then realize there is good stuff toward the back. Both of my kids were only wearing the same shirts and shorts because it was the first items they could see when faced with the decision of what to wear. When we inventoried we also had to sort between "shipment" and "suitcase". The suitcase items were all things we needed in our last three weeks here in Beijing and at least eight weeks before our shipment arrives on the other end. 

The bottom line. . . the less clothes they have to choose from the more energized and diverse they have felt about their decisions, it seems strange.  It made me think that when we offer our children the world does it complicate and overwhelm things? Think of our children's toy rooms that are full of entertainment yet they only go back to the same few things. 

Does all of our "stuff" add stress to our lives instead of relief? After living for almost two years with only the things we use on a daily basis, I know the answer is YES. 

But. . . I think it is our human nature to gather and collect. I admit I cannot wait for the treasure trove awaiting me when our giant storage unit is delivered to wherever we will end up. I'd like to fight the feeling as much as I can.

What do you think? 

Collect or Simplify?

Don't Let PMS Derail Your Health Goals

~This post falls under "there's someone else out there just like me who might need to hear this" category~

It's that time again. . . so soon?

 It seems like it was just last week! 

The signs trickle in; growling at car horns instead of ignoring them, struggling to keep my eyes open when I have had plenty of sleep, considering actually eating cocoa powder because it is the only thing resembling chocolate in my home AND feeling like I have brick posts as legs as I try to exercise! 

Can you relate to any of this?

This is how I know that I am about five days away from starting my period. 

When I look back at all the times I have derailed and "fallin' off the health wagon" I am convinced that each time I was PMSing. I know it can be a clichè to use those letters as an excuse for all our woes, but I am sick of that clichè! For me, it IS when I respond differently to life than any other time. . . and not just when it comes to my physical health. It effects my relationships and emotional health too.

Something to help keep it in perspective.

Even though I have been experiencing these exact same symptoms for two and a half decades (!) it boggles my mind that I still can get a little shaken by them each month. Doubt sets in with thoughts like, "Uh-oh, is this the beginning of my downward spiral?" 

Here are some things that really help to power through the temptations and obstacles of hormonal changes:

• Keep telling yourself that these feelings ARE temporary. They will pass!
• Similarly, remind yourself that you WILL be energetic and motivated again soon.
• You've worked so hard, don't let these days allow you to go backwards (gaining weight, losing muscle, losing endurance). You don't want to have to re-work the work you've already done. 
• I always retain fluid, like most, while preparing for my period so I lower my goal for that week/week and a half to maintain my weight rather than lose.
• While still keeping your goals in mind, allow yourself a little bit of slack. Continue to exercise each day, but don't push it as hard. The goal is to keep your habits in tact, not to be perfect.  
• Likewise, allow yourself a moderate treat when you have a craving. Otherwise you will resentfully and bitterly binge and really throw yourself off track.
• Find someone to commiserate with (like me!) that can help you reiterate these things to yourself.

Once I realized that these struggles were temporary, I found I could bounce right back quickly to my plan. 

Do you have anything to add to the list that helps you stay focused during PMS time? 

Do you PMS differently? If so, share!