I am sitting at my dining room table while my
daughter sits next to me practicing her name.
While I may not get a ton of work completed, I love being able to sit with my daughter and help her, while I work; I love that I have the choice.
This
wasn’t the plan
I never envisioned myself working from home. I always thought I would have this successful career as Counselor and work with children.
In fact, I am in School
now working on my Master’s Degree in Clinical and Mental Health counseling; so
being a Counselor is still very much something I want to do, but I needed
something better in the interim.
So
why am I writing?
Honestly, the idea
regarding freelance writing first came to my mind about 5 months ago. At the
time I was about 2 months pregnant with my 2nd child; knowing I had
another child on the way I quickly felt the anxiety surrounding leaving my baby
and returning to the work world.
Although that bridge
was a way down the road, I couldn’t stop those same emotions that I had after
my daughter from resurfacing; the feelings that I was abandoning my daughter
and neglecting to spend adequate time with her.
I couldn’t believe
these feelings were coming back up so soon, and I knew I didn’t want to be faced
with that decision again!
I had to figure out a way to elude these feelings. I was beyond determined to find a way to stay home with my babies and still be able to make an income – because not working was not an option for me and let’s face it, not working is not an option for many mothers.
Both websites are jammed packed with so much helpful information for beginners like myself!
Although what works well for one writer won’t necessarily work for all writers; I appreciated the knowledge and personal feedback/experience shared on both of these websites.
Hundreds of websites
offer up some valuable information to get anyone started on their writing
journey.
Where
am I now?
Not
too far – haha
To be honest, I am not writing this after becoming some sort of success story – I am still in the early stages, and I am still learning a lot from research, trial and error!
I have learned a lot over the last 5 months, but I
did not actually put my self out there and start launching my career until
about 2 months ago.
I woke up one morning told myself it was time! It was actually beyond time to get started – so I did!
And honestly, it was the best choice I could have
made.
No I am not rolling in money from my 500+ freelance gigs and offers, but I am getting tons of experience, and I happened to land a few clients within 30 days of starting my business – not for free either!
But you see this is only the beginning for me!
While only doing this for such a short amount of time I have been successful. That statement does not make me cocky or conceded because I know that I have not reached the top!
I am continually re-evaluating my goals to push myself for greater success!
Are you are a freelance writer? Are you a mother? Or even a Father?
How
do you juggle wiring and taking care of your littles? Please share your story –
maybe someone can learn from you!
Let’s be honest pregnancy
is not always this beautiful, blissful experience that everyone wishes it was.
It is
okay to acknowledge its truths, no matter how ugly they may seem.
Social media
The
thing is social media has put this distorted view in our minds regarding
pregnancy, parenting, fitness and so much more. We see perfection everywhere
that we feel it’s a requirement; we feel like what we see on Instagram and
Facebook must be what real life looks like or what real life should be.
The
reality is, that perception and that image you see on Instagram isn’t everyone’s life –
and that’s okay!
Reality
Although
I would love to be a fitness guru at 8 months pregnant, while running my
business, tending after my 4-year old,
keeping a spotless house, cooking healthy meals daily and having plenty of
energy left to hang out with my girlfriends…. the reality is that isn’t my life!
Big props to the women that can do just that; whoever
they are! I am not speaking anything negative on their lives; but I am stressing the fact being that image, that lifestyle
isn’t for
everyone – and that’s okay!
Hey lady you are still winning!
The
reality is your probably 30 pounds heavier than before you were pregnant. You
are either going to have a clean house or have dinner cooked by 8pm. Energy these
days seem to be non-existent, and you can’t
remember the last time you took a moment out for yourself!
The
reality is you probably hide from the camera because you don’t feel comfortable
in your own skin. You smile when people joke about how big your belly has
gotten, but in the inside, you just want to slap them. (No, just me?)
The
reality is you may act as if you are 100% prepared and have it all figured out,
but secretly you are probably scared out of your mind and hope you are doing
everything right; whether this is your 1st or your 5th
pregnancy, we still have fears and concerns at some point.
Be
Real Be Happy
Ladies
we have to understand that everything we see isn’t right; it isn’t real.
Our
want or need to be perfect, the perfect mother or just the ideal human, makes
it so much easier to take these things that we see and allow them to imprint on
us and ultimately drive us crazy because we strive for the impossible.
One
photo, one post, one video does not tell the entire story. It is only a piece
of someone’s life. Most of the times it is the piece that they want us to see
or that they create to promote the idea that they that have it all together!
And
maybe she does!
But you
don’t have to; you don’t need to!
Don’t
break yourself trying to be perfect when all you have to do is live life and
take in the experiences you are meant to have.
You are
still great! You are still winning.
Your
Journey just looks different than mine and hers!
I know what you are thinking, “Not another Beachbody post?”
Am I right?
Believe me, I know, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to
let you in on a few secrets!
So keep reading.
Yesterday while trolling Facebook I saw quite a few status
updates about being “summertime fine,” and it made me realize that
summer is right around the corner.
Yes, yes, it is already that time!
If you have not already
started to work on your summer bodies, you
might want to get started!
Now, with all the workout, nutrition and general health fads available right now, I figured I would talk about one I know reasonably well- Beachbody
What is Beachbody?
I am glad you asked!
If you are not familiar
with Beachbody, it’s a program that offers work out plans like 21day fix, P90X,
Insanity, and many others. Beachbody has over 30 workout plans, and they all
vary by intensity and your overall goal.
However, Beachbody is not just a program full of workouts; it
also provides supplements, such as Shakeology, BeachBar, and other nutrition
programs.
Wait, that’s not all. Beachbody also has an enormous community
of coaches that are around to help push you towards your goal.
All this sounds pretty amazing, huh?
Everything you need wrapped in one program?
Too good to be true?
Not at all – let me explain.
Everyone can be Successful
Whether you are looking
to sculpt your booty, with the Brazilin Butt Lift program, seriously shred,
with the P90X Plus program or maybe you looking for some laid back fun that
will still get you moving, with the County Heat program; there is something for
everyone. You don’t have to be a 5-star athlete to complete these workouts. You
just have to complete them!
Some of these workouts are coupled with specific eating plans to
help maximize your results.
The best example I can
think of is 21-day Fix. 21-day Fix is a relatively popular Beachbody program
that yours truly completed a few years ago.
We will come back to that.
21-day Fix offers a detailed workout plan and portion controlled
eating plan. This program can be used whether you are looking to lose weight or
build muscle.
The workout has six 30 minute programs and a 10-minute ab program.
Upper Fix – targeting upper
body training
Lower Fix – targeting lower
body training
Cardio Fix – targeting your
burning more calories
Pilates Fix – targeting your
abs and thighs
Yoga fix – targeting
relaxation and stretching through Yoga
Total Body Cardio Fix –
targeting burning more calories
10 minute Abs –
targets your abs for 10 mins
The eating plan provides 6 colored containers that are different
sizes. The number of containers you use will vary, depending on the targeted
calorie intake in you want.
Green container: Vegetables
Purple container: Fruit
Red container:
Protein sources
Yellow container: Carbs
Blue container:
Healthy Fats
Orange container: Seeds
and dressing
Now back to me – I started this program in 2015; about 6 months
after I gave birth to my daughter. I was
at the heaviest weight I had been my entire life, so I knew I needed to do
something – and fast. I heard about the 21-day fix, and honestly, I took a
chance.
My primary reason for
choosing this plan was to be able to work it around my
schedule. Being a first time mom to an infant is much work on its own, but not
only was I a full-time mom, but I was also working full time and attending
night school to obtain my Associate’s degree. I needed something that didn’t
have restrictions on workout times, didn’t require two-plus hours in the gym
and didn’t involve me having to chug a shake six times a day for X amount of
weeks.
So it is safe to say when
I started this program, I was completely out
of shape, low on time and determined to be successful.
And I did just that!
Just wait, you’ll see!
So, are you wondering about Shakeology?
Yes, Shakeology was one of the BIG recommendations when completing this program; which leads me to my next point.
2. There is no Magic Shake.
While I cannot sit here and provide you with every nutritional
fact about Shakeology, I will say, it is not the enchanted weight loss device
that you are looking for.
Cinderella, it is not your Glass slipper, girl!
However, with that being said, I personally enjoyed Shakeology.
I order the chocolate flavor. I would usually blend it with a banana and
sprinkle in a bit of cinnamon and have it for breakfast.
Keep in mind there are plenty of recipes out there for all the
flavors of Shakeology; that was just my preference.
The thing about Shakeology is, that it was just that, a shake –
which I used to supplement a meal now and then. It did not miraculously cause
me to lose inches or shed pounds. It did not remove every ounce of hunger from
my body. However, my consistency with the workouts and dedication to the meal
plans helped me do that!
This leads me to the next thing you must know….
3. You have to put in the work.
Most of us just want to
lose the weight; we don’t really want to make
any significant lifestyle changes that will lead us to our dream bodies.
Alternatively, we do want to make these changes, but we don’t want to do the work required, to see those changes unfold.
I am entirely guilty of this!
However, that’s the problem, these programs, not just Beachbody,
provide you with tools and you have utilized those tools to achieve our goal.
No one and nothing can do it for you.
So skipping on the Monday and Wednesday workouts and sneaking
that Juicy Burger has consequences that Shakeology can NOT fix.
There is no sugarcoating it here – you have to put in the work!
Also, no, I’m not saying you will be working to your death; as
we discussed earlier, the plan is flexible and completely obtainable, but it
requires you to come out of your comfort zone and stay consistent.
With that being said I want to discuss the next secret.
4. You can make tweaks and still be successful.
Much, later on, I learned that I can make some alternations and
still get to where I wanted to be or maintain where I was at the time.
As I mentioned in 2015, I had very positive results.
Yes, I am getting to the phots
– patience, please.
However, I was getting bored with the same six workouts every
week for months. I personally prefer to do different types of exercises here
and there. I was scared that if I didn’t follow the plan, I would get out of
the groove and lose progress.
However, I took a chance, and I started replacing my cardio
workouts with nature hikes and other outdoor activities that would provide a
good cardio work out. I also stopped with the Shakeology drinks; they were
delicious, but my bank account did not enjoy dishing out roughly $130 every
month. I also increased my protein intake (red container) even though that
changed my calorie goal.
But you know what? It all worked out fine because I was consistent!
5. It really is a lifestyle change.
Do you know how I mentioned those handy tools that we have to
utilize?
Well, I was successful in this program because I learned how to
take those tools and fit them into my life! Yes, at first I followed the
program to the T, but after learning what worked best for me and discovering
what I actually liked, I didn’t need to follow the plan step by step. I just
needed to stick to the foundation that was provided for me – active living and
clean eating!
Okay
now for my results:
My results in 2015 after completing 1 round of 21 day fix!
Have you used any Beachbody products? If so leave a comment about the product you used and your outcome. If not are you considering trying any of the Beachbody products? Which one? I’d love to hear from you.
Michelle Anderson 