Drinking….and I don't mean water!

      So many people want to commit to losing weight and getting healthy, but don't want to stop or scale back the bad habits that we have. When your ready you will want to cut back….. so until that happens yo yo dieting or giving up will most likely happen sorry to say. I know that sounds harsh but its the truth. If you don't care well then thats fine but if you want it then you need to be committed to change your lifestyle in order to get healthy. Its a saying I hear all the time, "you won't get where you want by doing what you have done", thats the truth!

      Touching base on just one topic today. DRINKING….and no I don't mean water. I have talked to I can't even count how many people about healthy habits, them committing, helping as much as I can and a huge concern most have is consuming alcohol. Many ask "can I still drink and lose weight" and while the answer is kinda of yes its always isn't the right mindset to be in. I am by no means a non drinker, I love drinking wine, I occasionally will have a micro brew beer and I stopped drinking a lot of mixed drinks when I stopped drinking soda. Many of you are social drinkers, still in the "party" phase or for other reasons drink in excess. I am no one to judge because I as well as many others have had my share of those nights/days/weekends etc. When you want a certain goal to get healthy one things that needs to happen is changing those habits as well. Drinking in excess every weekend isn't on that path. Having a drink or two well then thats a better choice! I love my wine with dinner and I drink it when I'm not training, if I feel like beer I have one or two but keep it to that, and while I loved Malibu and Sprite I don't do soda anymore! I made choice when I decided to get healthy that if I'm committed I'm doing it all the way! We all will slip up, there are occasions out there that everyone likes to over celebrate and thats fine but like I said 3 nights a week will not help you achieve your goals. If your working on it in baby steps here are a few ideas that may help you drink less or make better choices.
-Drink less on weekends (less drinks each night, one less night a week)
-Drink mixed drinks with water, not soda or juice
-Choose wine instead of mixed sugar drinks and shots
-Choose a lighter beer and drink less
-Drink less shots
-Choose to make each week better and work on you self control

Again I love my drinks, however I just choose when I want to celebrate and know when to stop because my commitment to healthy living and my family is more important then the fun in the moment drinking, its amazing what you can appreciate when your sober!

Are Children an Excuse...Touchy Touch I Know

Our little Booty!

      Everyone has their own priorities and I understand that, but my opinion on this is, don't use your kids as an excuse on why you cant get something done, why you cant be healthy and why you cant achieve your own goals. Instead teach your kids, learn and grow with them, show them how to be strong independent kids and to grow up to reach their own goals.

      As I have come to realize there are many things that change when you have kids and although I'm no pro, as I only have one child, I would like to think that my life experiences give me some in site on this topic that some of you may not realize but thats something not needed to get into at the moment. A few things that I see and notice, people complaining no time for friends, effort in other aspects of life, health, fitness and so much more. I wanted to address a few of those today and why your kids should not be an excuses to not do things or to say no to the things you want to do.

      Our priorities as parents are different for everyone and it may seem like you are  saying no to your goals, time with friend's, special time with your spouse,  or many other things. Yes this will happen from time to time because family and children should come 1st but why not involve them in the things you always decline? Everyday things and weekend fun will slow down but dosent need to come to a halt. After Tesla was born we were home for a week or so alone to adjust and get on a schedule, after that life was back to our new normal. I took Tesla with me everywhere I needed to go, grocery shop, friends, the gym, house cleaning, had friends over for weekend games, hiked and so on. He has learned to fall asleep without complete silence, he goes with the flow in every situation, when I clean the house we play music and I sing and dance to him while doing it so we are still interacting, if I can't make it to they gym for my cardio... Well then we gear up and do sprints with the stroller. While I cook for Chris and I....I cook for him to and we play with his dishes like they r drums and jam to music. We just went to a NFL game to see the Titans play and took him with us...I truly believe the more you do with the children the more they enjoy the same things, are more easy going to change and are not as fussy in different situations. Even tho Tesla does all this stuff with us, we still have normal play time, he still gets his naps everyday, goes to bed at night and wakes up normal time in the morning, doesn't take a passifier to nap or to sooth, he is always happy, friendly and an all around good baby. Yes he has his moments like every baby but they are few and far between and I really believe his attitude and behavior have a lot to do with how we are on a daily basis. If we were to shelter him, keep it silent in the house, never do things with friends and live different then the way we do then I feel he would have a hard time with change, would need certain things to sooth for bed, would be shy around people he don't know and would not handle other situations well. Remember again this is just my opinion. 

Daddy and Mr. Booty!

      I have noticed (I'm guilty of it as well) that we tend to lose focus on things that were once important to us. Things that we enjoyed and maybe we chose to give up or just forget to do once children come. Example: Effort in our home, in our appearance, in our love life, and our friends.

      Effort in our home, When we have children we tend to let a lot of things go, and while this is bound to happen it does not need to become habit. The first few weeks Tesla was home our home was a disaster, nothing got done, we were to tired and I was recovering from a C-Section. After we got back into the daily grind we started to go back to normal. I knew when T would sleep and while I wanted to, laundry couldn't wait any more, dishes were needed, the floors looked bad, so I found my groove and made an effort each day to tidy things up, do more laundry and make healthy food choices and before I knew it BAM everything was getting done, I was sleeping more and Tesla was being cared for all at the same time. I made a choice to remember the way we lived before, wanted a clean home for T, Chris and I and made it happen! Living is clutter is different then living in filth and if you make it a point to take 2 seconds to put an item away when your done then doing your cleaning will take much less time.

      Effort in you appearance, trying to take the time to get ready is nearly impossible when you have kids but can be done! If you don't care when then….you don't care, but taking a second to put yourself together even if its just a quick fresh pony and some lip stick can make a hugh difference on how you feel about yourself and will help with the next topic I talk about (love life). Taking 10 min to quick brush your teeth, wash your face and spruce up your appearance will make you feel better, will show you spouse you still want to be attractive to them and that you care about yourself. Its not selfish to want to take 10 to 15 min to make you feel attractive, I think its a healthy way to keep your self esteem up.

      Effort in your love life, this goes hand in hand with the above topic (effort in your love life). When you feel attractive, you feel sexy, when you feel sexy, your spouse desires you and although it may never seem like a good time you need to keep that fire going! You need to remember why you fell in love, you need to keep dating your spouse and take that time for each other. sometimes all it takes in just 15 mins to have a good heart to heart to let them know your still thinking of them. Make a date night each month, even if its just at home. Put your cell phones down, rent a movie, play a game, have a glass of wine, spend the night in the bedroom, what ever you feel you need to do to keep your passion for one another there. We lose focus on that when kids are in the mix and when its lost its hard to get that back.

      Effort with our friends, again something we lose track of when children come into our lives. It will happen, many people understand that and know when you have time you will see them. however making it a habit to always say no is a good way to lose a friend, to lose your social life and to make you less happy. There is no reason you can't go to the park, a sports venue, camping, card night, BBQ, ETC with your child if your invited. Pack it all up and go! It will teach the children to be social beings, teach them different activities in life, teach them to be comfortable in different situations and i think be better with other people and not so clingy:). 

      Remember it is ok to say "no not right now", or "maybe another day", but making that a habit I feel is very unhealthy to you, your family and your happiness. We all tend to lose site of the whole picture and focus so much on the child that everything gets swept under the rug, and to be honest while that is most important,

Isn't the whole picture of life, happiness, teaching your child and love just as important?

Balancing Work, Home Live & Healthy Living

      Balancing work, home and health can be hard for many of you. You may feel like you are neglecting some part of your everyday life by spending time doing other things. I can understand that, and I want to help if I can to try and balance your time a bit better. One thing you need to understand is that it IS OK to take time for yourself and not feel bad about it! I truly believe that if you get that small break everyday, week or month that you will be much happier and the things you want to balance and enjoy in life will be much easier to do!

      There are a HUGE and growing number of things that pull us in every direction each day from the morning hassles of waking the kids up, getting ready for work, home stresses, work stresses, fitness, cleaning, reading, sports, school events and so much more. Some things to consider when you have all this going on, you can not do it alone (I struggle wanting to, so I understand) so ask for help if you need, no one is a super human so realize what you can and can not do, and plan ahead so at least you know what each day will bring. Surprises may show up from time to time and you just deal with them as you go. This link Remember it takes time, is to a blog I did earlier that may help you understand how to set you goal and make it happen and you can apply this to your family life, so please read.

      So, how do you go about balancing life as a full time worker and parent while trying to stay healthy you ask? Simple.....well maybe ;). You have to take the time to adjust and make it happen. If your having a hard time now it wont come in a week so lets be realistic and take small steps towards it. If your managing it ok but want some more direction then this may be a bit easier for you. First, you need to lay out your day, what do you do on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Second, what do you want to do on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Do they match up, probably not. So what can you take out that is taking up and using your precious time that you don't need, get rid of it! This is something you need to do as a home or family. Get them involved in the decisions, spouse especially so your on the same page to make the transition easier. Now, PLAN your day, week or month. Pick one day of the week to take an hr or two to plan your week. Know what events are happening, what you will eat ( have a back up plan and prep your foods weekly, make a lot in advance and freeze), how many days you want to workout, if you want a day night and so on. Schedule ME time. If you work early, get home late and have to make dinner, do dishes, get the kids around for bed and feel like there is no time left well then we need to time manage and see what we can do to change that. If your children are old enough give them the task of helping out with dishes, getting clothes around, cleaning up after themselves and get them in the habit of putting their things away so that frees up your time, daily chores never hurt anyone. Get your spouse involved, have he are she help with dinner if they can or pick up the kids. Delegate the duties so the whole burden is off you. If fitness is important to you and you just cant find the time, well thats what your scheduled me time is for. Get up early and go for a run, do some HIIT training at home, get a gym membership to a 24hr gym, wake up early and go (bring things to get ready there or go back home). Join the gym as a family and do it together. Learn and grow together. Make time for the things that are important to you and not what everyone thinks you should be doing. We live in a world where everyone judges on what kinda of things you do and how you spend your time, Example: Fit mom judged, saying she is making bigger women feel bad. Really has it come down to this.....do what makes you happy. Ultimately it comes down to what are you willing to do and what are you doing to achieve your daily goals. If your not planning and making an effort it will be stressful and you may give up. If you plan and get in the habit of a daily system it will be less stressful on you. You need to choose the things you can manage, let the things go that you can't and enjoy your ME time because when your happy, life is much better!

      I know I'm not a working parent at this time so you may not take what I say to heart and thats ok, you may think that I don't understand whats its like to work all day and take care of kids and balance fitness along with it. I think its exactly the opposite! I may stay at home now but I have had so much experience is so many aspects of life and managing time, I have worked 2 jobs and went to school part time at the same time (3 hrs of driving everyday to and from), I have worked full time, volunteered my time and had a social life all at the same time, I have worked full time, trained and managed my home full time, so just because Im home for the moment doesn't mean I don't understand. What matters is that I do what it takes to make the family life happy, me happy and manage my time to be able to. It took me TIME to realize it all and to be organized but once you get into a daily routine, it runs smoothly (most of the time)!

Much Thanks,
T. Anderson

Remember...It takes time.

      Something I want to address today is time. There are so many people out there who either don't want to take the time to reach their goals so they give up, people who expect it to come way faster then it should, people who don't realize that slow progress IS progress and being patient and taking the time is worth every painful, hard, tasty and bitter sweet second!

      I was one of those people  a few years ago so I understand. When Chris got deployed I wanted to lose weight and get healthy but was lost. Didnt know where to start and thought it was never going to happen. I was never an athlete, never a health nut and the gym was a place I didnt feel comfortable in. Then one day it hit me....if you want a goal, and you want it to stick, to last and to live life as you hope to, you NEED to take that time! Time to research, listen, work and prep! Once you realize that you will stop being in a vicious circle of bad "diets", habits and you will finally succeed! Something I have learned over the years of research is that if you don't understand why, you wont learn, you won't get it and you will be more likely to give up. Here are a few things you need to make TIME for to achieve and make it happen, and yes making the TIME to do this is just as important!

                                         
                                       

                                          Taking the TIME to know your goal
                                          Taking the TIME to understand your goals
                                          Taking the TIME to research your goals
                                          Taking the TIME to plan your goals                                                                                  
                                          Taking the TIME to live your goal

Time to know your goals- You need to know your reasons why you want your goal to happen and the desire to make it happen needs to be stronger then just giving up because its easier. Just wanting something isn't enough, you need to know your reasons why....which leads me to

Time to understand your goals- Understanding why you want something will make that goal more realistic and you can put into action the next step!

Time to research your goals- Researching you goals is a great way to know and understand how to achieve what it is your looking for. Having an clear understanding is important. You can either ask someone how to do it, they can tell you and you give up because you don't understand the importance of something or you don't ask how to do something. Everything I have done to reach my goals has been thru my own research, asking questions, taking the time and knowing when to ask a professional! Just asking for the info and not wanting to put in your own time is setting you up to fail I fell, because you don't appreciate that work, time and effort it takes to reach your goals. Once you research then its...

Time to plan your goals- A goal without a plan is again setting you up to fail! If you know everyday what you need to do, if you understand and research you will succeed! Make a daily, weekly, monthly plan to help you succeed!

Time to live your goals- Put your plan into action! Make your goals come true! Surround yourself with people who will help, dedicate their time, and let you live your dream!

2 years later I am about to reach one of my goals....2 YEARS it took me to get where I wanted to be. The only thing from here is to know, understand, research, plan and live out that goal and learn from it, pick another one and run with it! DO NOT give up because its to hard....because yes it will be, but it will be worth it in the end.

Today's thoughts

      Today while on Facebook I came across a story written by Pauline Nordin from Fighter Diet <----Link to article. While some people may dislike her, I however LOVE her no nonsense attitude toward training and dedication! She lives, eats, breaths, sleeps and trains everyday to possess what it is her concept is! She always says "discipline you dedication". When your dedicated no matter what falls in your lap you will do what you have to do to achieve your goal, no motivation needed. Now that people is true dedication. She doesn't have cheat meals, she listens to her body, she fuels her body with TONS of foods, she lifts heavy and she inspires men and women to do the same! She tells you straight up like it is, either like it or don't, follow her or don't and be true to your reason you are dedicating yourself. She has and amazing webpage set up for Fitness and Athletes alike, http://fighterdiet.com. This may be extreme to some people and you may not want to train like her but she has some amazing reads, testimonials, and workouts that will get you thinking. I LOVE following her and reading her articles!

      Take this and apply it to everyday situations! Happy reading, Go like her page and give her some love!!!

Much Thanks!!!
Tasha A.

Web pages I LOVE:)

Here is a list of some pages I love to follow, get e mails from or enjoy for motivational pics!

Seeing other people succeed, helping and posting always gets me pumped to do the same so these are the ones I look at most often! Some of these are not for everyone but they are all great sites!

www.fighterdiet.com -no nonsense approach to eating and healthy life

www.eatcleandiet.com -clean eating guide

http://hungryhappens.tumblr.com -clean eating recipes

www.fullcircle.com -organic one stop shop

www.thegraciouspantry.com -clean eating recipes and info

www.cutandjacked.com -blogs, articles, health and fitness

www.flagnorfail.com -clothing, motivation, DLB

www.staggsfitness.com -personal training and nutrition ( who i use )

https://www.facebook.com/FemaleGymMotivation -motivation

http://www.choosingraw.com -raw recipes and info

http://www.mynewroots.org/site/2011/04/the-raw-brownie-2/ -a TASTY treat

http://www.muscleandfitnesshers.com -women's fitness

A day in the life of.......

    One of the things a few of you asked was what is a typical day like for me. I'll give you a prep day and a normal day so you can see both. The prep day is most important!

      Sunday is usually prep and clean day. If you don't plan and prep you run the chance of slipping during the week or being stressed about time to do things, so to avoid that just make it a point to do it all in one or two days . T usually wakes us up around 630am or so and then the day starts! We get up, I make T a bottle and Chris changes and feeds him while I make our breakfast. We sit, relax and drink coffee for a while and then about 8 ill clean the up the kitchen get ready for the gym and head out for my workout around 830. Once I get back around 10ish I'll eat my next meal and play with T for a bit again. He will take a morning nap maybe around 11 and I'll get to work. So from about 11-2 I'll make my chicken, rice and sweet potatoes for the week. In that block of time while cooking ill eat another meal around 1 and do my dusting around the house along with sweeping and mopping the floors. When the food is done I'll let it set out in containers to cool before putting in fridge. (Since I'm home everyday I just measure out my food when I have each meal. But if you are not and don't have time for that I suggest you measure yours and put them in their own individual containers for each meal each day. When I know I'll be gone for a while I'll pack a cooler and take it with me.) I'll eat again around 4. After that is all said and done from 3 till around 430ish or so I'll play with T some more, hang with Chris, watch football, go for a walk etc. T will take another nap and I'll finish cleaning and prepping for Monday. Example - set up coffee pot, get Chris food around make sure laundry is done and put away, refill all dry goods in their containers (I'm a organizing nut), do dishes and bottles and wipe the kitchen down. Chris will help with T while i do that and then about 8 T will go to bed for the night and Chris and I will relax till we go to bed.

      Monday-Friday is usually the same with maybe a few randoms here and there. Wake up at 5 and get Chris breakfast and coffee. I'll sit and relax for a bit before I get mine around 6. If T wakes up Chris will feed him while i make sure everything is around for the day. If he dosent he usually will be around 630 and then I'll feed home after I eat. T and I will play and relax till maybe 8 or so and he will take a morning nap and I'll blog, email, research, sip on coffee and practice posing. I'll eat again around 9 and pick up the kitchen from breakfast. Between 10 and I'd say 2 ish T and I hang, play, read, practice rolling and all that jazz. I'll eat again around 1. T naps again and I'll again research, email etc and do any left over cleaning. I'll eat again around 4. Chris gets home and I had to the gym, get back around 7 eat again, get T ready for bed, hang plan and relax then eat again around 9. Before Chris and I go to bed I'll prep for him for the next day and pre make coffee hit the timer and go to bed to start all over again. Some days I'll run errands or go to the park, mornings or evenings I tan as we'll when I can fit it in.

      So u see. Every week on Sunday I prep for the whole week (only takes a few hrs) and every night for about not even 30 min I prep for the next day. Never a chance to slip and be in a pickle! I make time for my family everyday and break up prep with time with them or we do it together as a family. No time sacrificed away. Doing it together ensures success! 

      I'd like to hear how you plan your days. What do you do to succeed?!

Commitment and Sacrifice.

      Today I wanted to talk about 2 things that we run into during our path to whatever goal we have,  Commitment and Sacrifice.

     Something Chris always says to me, when your committed to your goals then nothing is a sacrifice. I totally agree with him! You learn to work around, live thru and make it work and eventually it is your everyday normal!

      I can understand and see that some people may or may not agree with that. Some people may think you have to scarifice time. Time with your family, friends and job, but when you surround yourself with the people that can help you who will be there to help you with your goals you will get more time with them! Involve your family! Do it together and again no time sacrificed away from them! If you are truly committed to your goals and you live your life to better yourself and make those goals happen, they will!

      How do you get to that point? You learn everyday, you live everyday trying and you do it one step at a time. Everyday commit time to work on your goals. Schedule your time (30 min to an hr) and make sure you take it everyday.  Maybe its with your morning coffee, when your kid is down for a nap or after dinner when everyone is winding down for the day. Its amazing what you can achieve when you make time for it. Get off FB, turn your ringer off and dont text, have your kids to a little extra around the house to free up time for you. There are 24 hrs in a day and 1 of them should be spent learning how, why and make it happen! After you have a grasp of what your goals are and have them written down its time to plan and put into action! This is where you again commit that time to make it happen! If it's cooking healthy make a weekly meal plan. Grocery shop as a family and learn together as you go thru and read labels so everyone understands. Pick a day or 2 to prep and cook food for the week so you have no reason to fall off track and make bad decisions.  If your used to eating really bad do small healthy adjustments each week so its not overwhelming. Again it becomes an everyday way of life. You can apply this to any goal! Health, nutrition, spending time with spouse, volunteering or what ever you choose.

      So, pick a goal, research, write it down, spend time everyday to make it happen and involve loved ones so you are all bettering yourselves! So you see....when you committed and have a purpose and make the time you sacrifice nothing because your doing it together! If it so happens someone does not understand don't try and make them or get mad for mot having their support. Instead continue to work towards your goals and either they come around or they won't.  If their not accepting or bring you down chances are you don't nees them in your life. If someone is there truly as a friend or family member regardless or not if they do it with you....they will be there for you to support and help you with anything you need.

One last thing. If you don't know how to do something ASK! It will only help you!

Small changes everyday can make a Big difference.

Hi everyone,

      Something I wanted to touch base on today, change. I feel like when people say I want to get healthy or I want this for my goal they do a bit of research realize they need to change things either small or drastic and decide to give up. WHY?! Why give you on something that you WANT, NEED or SHOULD do. What is it...to hard? Well here is my advice. SUCK IT UP hahahah! But serious, you need to learn that where you are and the things you have done have made you that way. You need to make changes to see a difference and get you to where you want to be. No one can have the motivation for you, no one can make you and no one can do it for you. Anyone can try to help and give you the tools to do so but if you do not take the step and make it happen you will never get there plain and simple.

       So what can you do to work towards your goals so it wont be to overwhelming. Do what works for you. What works for me may be the wrong way to go about things. Me, I'm a go getter, cold turkey, make it or break it, I'm gonna do it all right now kinda person. As i work towards my goals i research and find things that make it better, faster and easier. That isn't for everyone. So if small steps work for you, DO IT! Ill just hit on healthy eating because that's what most people are after and have a hard time with. If you are overweight and you goal is to lose weight then you need to re-adjust your way of thinking and what your putting in your body. So small steps. Take a step back and look at what your putting into your body. Make a daily log for a week or two so you can have a hard copy to look at and say man I'm not eating enough, I'm eating way to much, wow that's all sugar, i think i need more veggies etc. Once you see what u can work on, cut out, add and so on u can make a plan. Take it one step at a time. If you Eat out 3 nights a week at a FF joint cut it back to 1 and make smart decisions when you do. If your a soda drinker and do 3+ a day cut it back to maybe a few a week or 1 a day. Do you see the pattern. After a few weeks you will notice a difference. It will become easier to change those bad habits and make good ones! Once you change a few small things and get used to that, start the process all over again! Everyday Research a bit about the changes your making so you can understand why, how and have support and information to help you. Its taken me 2 yrs to get where I am. It will NOT happen over night so you need to realize that! Slow and steady is better then nothing at all and giving up. If set backs would have stopped me i would have stopped when Chris deployed, when we found out about tesla, when I decided to compete again while have a new born and moving half way across the country, while being homeless and eating out of microwaves for weeks while in transition. You have to really want something and want to do it for you. You can not believe how much confidence you can have and how it will change your life for the better. If you have a family do it together! Get everyone involved and get back to being outside, having normal conversations via your mouth and not text, laugh and have fun with everyone. Small changes will make a huge impression on you and everyone around you! 

Again, always feel free to add a comment and ask me anything you want!

How I will set this up and where I intend to take this.

As I am new to this whole thing this will be a growing and learning process so bare with me. 

Blogs will be based on topics: IE Clean eating, lifting, cardio, NPC shows, Post and Pre Baby and so on.

I intend to start doing some video blogs as well touching base on any topic you all would like to see.

I will add sites and links that I find helpful and where I fine info, inspiration, recipes or what ever pertains to the topic.

Please feel free to follow me on here and FB and Twitter as well!https://www.facebook.com/tashakay13. https://twitter.com/TashaAnderson1.

Id love feed back from everyone on what you think. Its important to me to help others succeed and to grow myself as a blogger and as a future nutrition and fitness pro! My motivation for this is not only all of you but my husband and baby boy as well. I want them to be healthy and happy and to teach baby from early life as he grows up healthy habits! Thanks for bearing with me on this new adventure and welcome to my blog!

Tasha 

My goal for this blog

This page is going to be designed to help you and help me succeed in a healthy fitness lifestyle.

Hi, im Tasha.

I am currently looking to get into health and nutrition as well as becoming a PT.
The past few years have taught me many things.
1. How important is is to take care of yourself!
2. Food is not the enemy!
3. Weights at the gym are your best friend!
4. Researching is an amazing tool to grow yourself!
5. Never care what others think and be the positive change you want in your own life.

With all that being said here is a bit about me and how i came to this point in my life.

I have always been a go getter ever sense I can remember. After High school in 2003 I went into hair and had an amazing career at one of the most wonderful salons and spas in Michigan. During that period in my life I had many fluctuations in my weight. I was having too much fun drinking, eating and doing normal things 20 somethings do. Sometime toward the end of 2009 I had a few things happen in my personal life and I decided to life for me to enjoy life as it comes and that 2010 would be the best yr of my life. It was! I traveled to so many places, shopped shopped shopped, ate ate ate and I got married to a wonderful soldier in the U.S. Army and moved to Alaska. Alaska will put on the LB's if you dont watch it! So 6-8 months and 20LBS later i was at my heaviest and Chris was about ready to deploy for a yr. I decided then that he was not coming back to what he had left. Instead i wanted him to come home to a happy new and improved me and i started my way to healthy! Between 2011 and now i have  researched and learned so much about healthy living and fitness that I share with any one who wants and needs help. I lost about 60lbs in the yr Chris was gone and then got pregnant with our 1st (and only) little boy. I stayed healthy during the pregnancy, ate right, worked out and kept researching more and more about healthy living. While I was pregnant Chris won his first NPC physique show and i had to stop training for mine in the bikini devision. Now that we have had baby and moved to a new military base i have started my training again and am now about 70Lbs smaller then my heaviest weight and will compete in my 1st show in Nov! We Both owe the deployment our lives because of it we both are fit, healthy, competitive and love to share our passion with others! Here is to becoming strong in body and heart and to challenge yourself to succeed! I want to help you buy letting you know even a normal everyday person can do it if you have a drive to and you research the positive changes you need to make in life! Feel free to email me anytime with questions! At this moment im no professional but i know what can happen and what work if you have the right tools and people to help!