Where to start?

As I sit here, having been sick for a week, I ponder. The latest diagnosis is strep, double ear ache with one perforated ear drum, double pink eye and sinusitis. Overall, I feel horrible.

But it’s not just this sickness that has been feeling bad. I’ve been generally feeling crappy lately. And I’m not talking mood.

Confession Time …

Looking over these last six months, I can see how I got to this point. Don’t get me wrong, life has been great. Like really good. I’ve got a great family, love where I’m living, I have a great job. I have amazing friends who lift me up and make me smile. I get to do so many things that I love.

But I’ve let being busy take priority over taking care of me. When it comes to Me, there’s been no consistent workouts and eating habits have slipped. And when I say slipped, I mean plummeted. I’ve been fooling myself into thinking it’s all working, when it’s really not. I’ve gained weight, weight that I fought hard to lose.

I’m “supposed” to be a mentor, a coach. One who lifts others up and helps them reach their goals. But I have been failing miserably at that. I have withdrawn and ignored that area of my life.

I know better.

I know what it feels like to be fat and out of shape with a dependency on sugar and food in general.

I also know what it feels like to be fit and to eat to fuel your body. The difference is amazing. When my body is fit, I am able to push through the rough days and bounce back from illness. When my body is fit, it craves the things that are good. When my body is fit, I breath deeper and fully appreciate the good things in my life. When my body is fit, I have more to contribute to my family and those around me.

I know that this is never something that will just come to me, it’s something I have to work for.

It’s time to stop faking it.

No more pretending. Hoping it will change on it’s own. Hating myself. No more giving into the “inevitable”.

It’s time to decide, are you in or are you out?

Last night I was watching the opening episode of this season’s Biggest Loser. Jillian had 3 teammates who she was ready to send packing. One girl was especially not getting it. Jillian told her that she had to choose. She had to choose to workout or walk out the door. This girl chose to walk out the door, she admitted defeat, she couldn’t do the work (not just physical, but mental).

I realized this is me. This is each of us. Everyday we make decisions, choices, that determines our path. But there are a few times in life where we have big decisions to make. Pivotal. And those choices will greatly change the course you are on. There’s no straddling the line. It’s all in or all out.

Here’s my choice, I choose me. I am all in for a healthy me. I know what I need to do, I know what it takes and I am in. I am creating a future where I can live this life I love, not just endure it. Here’s my motto for 2013 …

That says it all right there. Here’s to 2013!

What is the #1 thing that is on the mind of most women I know? Probably more often than you might think it’s: their body OR (lack of) fitness OR self image OR that number on the scale …

Well, you get it.

Everywhere you turn, there’s a new product with HUGE promises. Lose weight NOW, Get the body you deserve, only 3 minutes a day!! And on and on. But let’s face it, we all know the steps we need to take, we may have even succeeded in the past. But it just doesn’t fit. This is where Boot Camp comes in.

I’m hosting a 30-day FROM HOME Boot Camp. You see, I’m a mom with a busy schedule. I don’t have tons of extra cash (and most traditional boot camps cost several hundred $$$ EACH month). We’ll focus on nutrition, fitness and with the support of the group (and ME!), you’re not alone.

Want details? Send me an email: CarrieKeele@gmail.com or message me on FB: www.facebook.com/carriekeele.

Okay people, it’s time to put up or shut up! If you’re tired of being overweight, STOP complaining and DO something about it! My next Beachbody Challenge starts Monday, May 7th – are you ready to join me and change your life for the better? ) If so, comment below & I’ll contact you via Facebook, Twitter or email with detail!

Oh A to Z Blogging Challenge, how did I fall off the wagon?? You see, today I should be on H. I could tell you my reasons, I could really convince you of why I neglected to follow through. But this year is about NO EXCUSES and I am just going to pick up where I left off and keep going strong!

For lunch today, I tried a wonderful new recipe using quinoa. This is exactly the second time I’ve had the grain (have you tried it yet?) The first time I had it, it was so bland and weird tasting. But, since I bought the bag at Costco, you can imagine how much I have. And I don’t like to waste things so I had to try it again.

This recipe is definitely one to keep in the books and I think it may very well become a regular favorite. Try it and see for yourself:

Spinach Garlic Quinoa

1 tbls Olive Oil
1/2 Yellow Onion, minced
2clove of minced Garlic
1/2 cup uncooked, pre-rinsed Quinoa
1 cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth
1/8 tsp Pepper
3-4 cups fresh spinach, chopped OR 2.5 ounces frozen chopped Spinach, thawed and liquid drained
1/4 tsp fine Sea Salt

Heat the oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced onion and garlic, stir and cook until onions are clear, about 23 minutes. Add the Quinoa to skillet. Cook while stirring frequently until Quinoa starts to turn golden brown. Then add the chicken broth and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.

Cover the skillet and simmer for 13-15 minutes.

Stir in the chopped spinach. Cover the skillet and let the rest of liquid get absorbed, about 4 minutes.

Season the Quinoa with salt and serve!

I’m a day behind in blogging from A to Z, but that’s no reason to quit, right?

When I was a kid I had the most vivid dreams. I was often caught daydreaming and acting out my dreams. Most often my dreams were filled with wonder, anticipation and hope. Anything was possible and it was exciting to imagine the possibilities.

Somewhere along the way, I began to squash my dreams. Hoping for dreams to come true is just another chance to be disappointed. But what would happen if we allow our inner child to start dreaming again?

When I am working with someone who is newly setting some health/fitness goals, one of the first questions I ask is, “What are your dream goals? As in, in my wildest dreams, I would be ecstatic if …” It is amazing to hear the answers. When you can truly answer that question, it’s a spark that lights you up from inside and propels you forward.

One of my dreams, is to be someone who make a difference in the world. Like really bring change. A big way that I plan to do this, is by supporting people in there health/fitness journey. Just this morning I woke up to this message on Facebook:

Carrie, I am so excited!! I am about to be in the 100s!!! Woot woot! You will be the first to know!! So darn excited!!

Talk about inspirational!

Tell me about your dreams. What is that thing that consumes your thoughts?

P.S. Email me if you want to set up some health/fitness goals … it’s what I live for!

Do you have a soul mate workout? You know, one that you always go back to. The one that pushes you, moves you & excites you?

Mine is Chalean Extreme by Chalene Johnson. I’ve heard it described as “P90x for women”. But honestly hubby has done it with me, so it’s for the men too! It’s the perfect mix of strength training, cardio, yoga, stretching. The whole she-bang. I can quote almost word for word each workout, but man they still whoop me each time! Here is one of my fav quotes:

So tell me about your soul mate …

If you have ever played around with P90x, “Bring It” is a familiar phrase. It’s something that Tony Horton tells you, repeatedly. And it’s amazing how spot on his timing is, it’s like he’s watching me and knows I can give more!!

But what does it really mean to “Bring It?” For me, it means to give it all I’ve got. No holds bar. All in. When you really decide to Bring It, it leaves no room for doubt & no time wasted wondering. That sounds pretty awesome to me!!

Random thought, but I just love how when I am learning and talking about a health/fitness related lesson, it can almost always relate to other areas of life. Okay, enough talk. Time to “Bring It” in the laundry room!!

It’s April 1st and the first day of the Blogging A to Z Challenge. I considered talking about abs, arms or agility … built ultimately the word that I kept coming back to was, “athlete.”

You see I did not grow up as an “athlete.” Gym was the class I dreaded. Give me math any day of the week and I was a happy girl. But sports just did not come easy & I hated running. Why would any want to make their lungs BURN??

I remember one week in 7th grade gym, we were doing a softball unit. To pass the unit, we just had to hit ONE ball. The whole class easily hit that ball, some after a few tries. It was down to me and one other girl. Mrs. Harris threw one ball after another for what seemed like days. I did finally hit it, but man … that was humiliating!

Have you ever said, “But I’m not an athlete?” Believe me, I’ve been there. But what if you changed your mindset. What if you started to think, “I’m an athlete.” If this was something you really believed, how would you treat yourself differently? Would you fuel your body accordingly? Would you make sure to train your body as needed? Would you look at the amazing things that your body can do, instead of focusing on the things it can’t do?

You may still be doubting yourself, but I know you can do this. In 2008 I trained for and ran a half marathon. I was at close to my highest weight at the time, some where around 225 lbs. I was sloooow, but I did it!! Many people say, “Wow, I could never do that!” My reply? Sure you could … it’s a matter of training and believing that you can. If you want it, you got it!! I mean it.

I had every excuse as to why I couldn’t do it and why I couldn’t be an athlete. I was fat, I was out of shape. I broke my hip and pelvic bone just a few years earlier & have a huge pin the size of a pencil in my pelvic bone. I’m busy, not enough time. I’ve never even run a mile.

Drop the excuses. Look in the mirror and say, out loud, “I AM AN ATHLETE.” And keep repeating until you begin to believe it. When you get ready to eat a meal, think, “I am an athlete.” When you are planning your week, think, “I am an athlete.”

How would your life look different?

I don’t know about you, but late night snacking is my “Goliath”. Especially on the weekends (when hubby is full our eating in bed!!) I can stay on track all day, eating small meals every 2-3 hours. But man, when 8pm hits … it’s like the flood gates open and the cravings come pouring out!!

One of the tricks that I found that works for me, is to brush my teeth. As long as I did eat nutritiously throughout the day & am hydrating, brushing my teeth just kind of seals the deal. Afterall, who wants to chow down when you’ve got that minty fresh breath? Here’s a pix I created to add to my pinterest board as a reminder, feel free to pin & share as well!

Tonight I found myself blog hopping and thinking about my own blog. I have blogged on and off for 5 years now (yikes!!). But like most bloggers, my motivation to blog consistently evs and flos (with a LOT of flooooo happening lately!!)

I found a great blog tonight (Eat Live More) tonight and saw that Ro is going to participate in an April blogging challenge called Blogging from A to Z. The idea is, you post every day in April (except Sunday) and each day represents a different letter of the alphabet (i.e. blog about Apples, Backpacking, Crafting, etc.)

I think this is just what I need to help me get back to my roots and renew my love for blogging!! Now, I’ve got to do some brainstorming, QUICK. I’d love to hear your ideas, send ‘em my way.