How to deal with stupid people

Yes, stupid people suck & I had the opportunity to deal with quite a few today.

But I didn’t let them get to me for too long.

Thank goodness for my random craving of banana walnut bread (The recipe is the bread they serve at Starbucks!)

and my ability to pick up what has become my go-to stress reliever when I just wanna punch people workout.

I’m glad I found my stress relievers. Baking and exercise. Go figure.

What keeps you from punching people?

Please share!

~Alisha

My LIVE workout with Tony Horton, Shaun T, & Chalene Johnson!

Hi!

I went to the Team Beachbody Coach Summit in LA last week and it was AMAZING.  I cannot even begin to describe it to you.

There were trainer led workouts  (3 days) and a huge workout in the middle of LA LIVE (they had to close down the streets!)

Lets just say, Shaun T with his Insanity workouts made me cry.

Like full out cry, because I was pushing myself so hard. It was a good, “I want it” cry.  Something I have never had happen to me working out to the DVDs before (or any workout for that matter).

He kills you in his DVDs, try having him in person, in front of you, IN YOUR FACE.

Plus, when you see how ripped he is, that alone makes you go hard as hell.

I was seriously crying though, I was pushing so hard…then…I remembered…oh SHIT…ALISHA!!!  YOU ARE PREGNANT.

My self talk kicked in (a little too late!) “You do NOT have to be this insane!”

 

So yes, I used my pregnant card (5.5 months!) to get out of the insanity workout.   (No worries, baby Aiden is fine and healthy, doc says.)

 

But man, oh man, if you like the sport drills type workouts and really want to shred down to your lowest body fat percentage then you really need to do Insanity: The Asylum.  (This is only for serious athletes.)

 

So other than realizing I am pregnant and that the trainers are awesome and REAL and are just like they are in their dvd workouts, what else did I get out of the Team Beachbody Coach Summit?

 

TONS but today I want to share with you something that Tony Horton said to us in a personal team meeting that I was fortunate to be a part of.

It is something that I NEEDED TO HEAR and maybe you do too?

This is straight from the funny, quirky, but extremely intelligent and effective trainer, Tony Horton.

“Many people tell me, ‘Tony, I can feel the muscle coming back, but I’m not seeing results, nor pounds down, no inches lost & I am 2.5 weeks in.” Or, “I have a wedding coming up, what should I do to look good for it?”

Tony said, “Figure out your why.”

and then he said,

“Why do you want to work out?”

(this next part is MY FAVORITE)

“If your answer is a cruise, a wedding, a high school reunion, etc. then his answer to this is, “have a lot of weddings, or cruises or reunions scheduled!”

(ha! okay, his answer made me chuckle because it is SPOT ON.)

How about this for a why?

To improve your health, your digestion, your immune system. To help everything in your body work easier and more efficiently.

To take stress off of your body and your life.

To pass on your genes to your children and have them be healthy genes not genes of diabetes, obesity or other health conditions that are brought on by lifestyles of poor nutrition and exercise choices.

He also said, “working out 3 days a week is like throwing yourself down a set of stairs” you are sore the next day but it was not effective and did not do you any good.

When you are over weight, you are over whelmed.  Plain and simple.  So be consistent with your health choices and your health will improve.

Focus on improving yourself TODAY by what you put in your mouth today.  By working out TODAY.

Know that the workout you do today and each day after is improving your health, your digestion, and your immune system. TODAY! And each day forward!

No drug can do this for you as well and effective as YOU choosing to do this for yourself.

Focus on being where you are today, and not on dwelling about where you want to be, but making better choices today and each day forward, taking one step and one bite at a time.

That is the secret weapon to a long healthy life, straight from the mouth of Tony Horton.

Oh, he also said this, (This makes you think) “You are the CEO of your own body. Are you making good decisions or should you have fired yourself a long time ago because you are just running your body to the grave?”

(Yeah, this made me take a real honest look at my personal  food choices and workout plan and I did not like what I saw.)

If you do not like your honest answer to that, do not worry.

Just as Tony would say, “do your best and forget the rest.” from this day forward.

To your health and your child’s health!

Alisha

Your Stories & Your Health~Are You Stale?

Do you ever have those moments where you think to yourself, “I hope I never remember this”?   I’ve had a few of those moments and ironically they are the ones that have taught me the most. Some of the moments I remember: the time my mom decided to have my little brother Aaron on my first communion (I know she didn’t really have a choice!)…I had to have my dad help me get ready for church & wear a dress (something I despised, the morning went like this, “Dad, I can just wear jeans. No, Dad, you don’t need to attempt to braid my hair. No, dad, I should just wear jeans!”). I had to be on time & speak at church. Now I was in 2^nd grade at the time, and my dad was a nervous wreck.  I was so mad at my new little brother for inconveniently arriving at a bad time. Dad, you did great. You did really, really great staying calm, getting me to church & helping me with my little white dress (even if I still had jeans on). =)

Or there is the time when I trimmed my dad’s toenails with the riding lawn mower.  Who new, our quiet, saint like neighbor Theresa could drive so incredibly fast?  I still can see the horror of the pain on my dad’s face from him screaming and limping on one foot as I see a part of the shoe he was wearing under the lawn mower. Ugh. Then there’s the time I suffered from 5^th degree burns on my thigh & privates and had to endure skin graft after skin graft on my 15^th birthday. That pain in itself just set me up to endure all the back pain I’d have a year later from scoliosis & a back surgery.

See the thing is, even though these were moments that at the time I wanted nothing but to FORGET them, have become some of the pivotal learning experiences for me. They are the memories I don’t want to forget but also don’t like to think about. It hurts my heart to think about these times because I physically hurt.

There are the memories that are great that I don’t want to forget either.  Like the time I served 8 aces in a row in a high school volleyball game, the night when I successfully pulled off a surprise party for my dad’s 50^th birthday and the night that Josh proposed to me!  There is one memory though that has impacted my life in a way that I can’t really figure out how to explain.

My cousin and friend, Eric passed away over a year ago.  I watched him die and in fact helped him let go to this life and start his new adventures with God.  It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life – confirm to him that dying would be okay, that he really wasn’t done living yet, that he would live in other forms (our memories and create my motivation to get fit & help others do the same).  The ending of Eric’s life led to my life having a deeper meaning to me.  I feel as though I have more of a purpose now.  I felt kind of lost before hand but now I have a passion that goes straight to the heart, my passion for health & fitness so that we can be around to enjoy our family and friends. My passion is to enjoy life and help others reach their dreams whatever they may be. I want to help empower people.  :)

I’ve come to understand that in order to be healthy and fit it will only happen if you truly want it, it won’t happen if you want it for someone else. I know this first hand because I can’t get my own family to understand my mindset.  They “don’t have time” to understand nor have time to workout.  Not even 10 minutes.  Their prescribed medicines keep them “healthy”.  My parent’s are dairy farmers and I know they work hard. They are the most dedicated, hardest working people I know. There are no vacation days for them. There isn’t a PTO bank building for them.  They do physically tough labor all day long. However, their work breaks their body down. If they added strength training, cardio, and yoga to their days their farm work would become easier their health issues would be reduced, and their stress would decrease.  Studies have proven this; I’m not just on a sad mental trip.

I know this because I didn’t have this attitude about fitness my whole life.  I took it for granted when I was in high school.  When I was in college I didn’t have a fitness routine, it was more of a “social run” when I did workout.  Now that I’ve made fitness a routine, life has become easier. Things that used to stress me out don’t anymore.  I’m a better person. I’m overall happier and have more energy.  And probably one of the most important, I’m a much better driver now (more focused-clearer brain!)  I’ve become addicted to my workouts because I love how good I feel afterwards.

Dedicating time each day to yourself and your health even when you’re tired is like charging your batteries every day.  I see my parent’s and my 17 & 21-year-old brothers as tired and burnt out.  I don’t mean to make them sound negative.  I’m very concerned for them.  I want them to truly enjoy life and I want life to be easier for them and I know it would be if they took better care of their health.  I’ve told my parent’s that I want them to be around. I want them to be able to play with their future grand kids down the road.  They said they will but they didn’t seem confident, they just seem really, really tired.

My brothers seem to think that they are off the hook because they are not 50 years old.  Everyone they know is over weight so why in the world should they start working out?  Why has settling and obesity and relying on prescriptions become the popular way to live?  I wish I could just go up to people and shake them.  I feel so out-of-the norm with my mindset to want to be healthy & be the best that I can be.  To want to enjoy my life which means actually enjoying my job.  I feel as though the American people have been stun gunned.  It’s as if we’re all robots, just walking through life caring more about fake “reality” TV shows then the health and relationships around us in our real lives.  Does it really have to take death or severe health scares to wake us up; to give us the jolt that we need to take control of our own lives?

I want to help wake up America.  I especially want for my family to hear me.  I want my family around. I want to recreate good and bad memories with them.  Right now we’re in the lazy pool just lounging through life yet they are working like hell but only in destructive ways to the physical & mental health.  I hope to get through to them.  I can tell that they are hurting mentally & physically. I’m not going to give up on my mindset & my love for fitness and feeling good on the inside and outside.  Is it too much that I want that for my family?  I know that even though I want health for them that they can’t change on my behalf, they have to want it themselves.

If you haven’t been focusing on your health and fitness, can I ask why?  Are you okay with spending all of life lounging in the lazy pool?  Have you gone off the high dive lately?  Meaning have you done anything new, different, maybe even crazy?  Have you made any new stories lately or are you just telling the same old ones?   Have you been stun gunned?

If someone asked your family members about your health & fitness would they have a good response or a negative one?  What do you want them to have?  What kind of future do you want?  Do you want to be around for your grandkids?  Granted, we have no control of when our last day is here on earth, but if our chances of being here longer were higher if we take our health & fitness serious wouldn’t you take the higher chances?   Why don’t we try to live each day consciously?  Why do we wait for an “event” or a certain date or age, or for the divorce to happen or for the kids to leave the house, to start taking care of us first?

Let’s start with taking a night off from watching reality TV (gasp!)  and  get back to creating memories or fresh new stories to share.  Lets step back and really focus on ourselves & our families first. What if we work on ourselves instead of talking about how things should be, or “some day be”, or complaining about the media, the government, co-workers, neighbors, etc.?  The world just may improve for everyone, if we each individually take action instead of waiting on someone else; to some day make the change.

If you’re reading this and can relate at all please let me know.  Whether you see life from my point of view or my parent’s please share with me.

Let me know if I got under your skin. Maybe it’s time for you to make a change for your own self. I’d love to help you.  I want to help as many people reach their goals whatever they might be.  If you’re too busy to workout, do you at least have 10 minutes to help your ticker out.

Thank you, for reading.  I really appreciate it and wish you the very best!

Alisha

What I Think About While I’m Running & Tricks that Keep Me Going

I love to run. I don’t run for time or speed but merely just to clear my head and to try to get rid of my little belly pooch and well from letting it become a  bigger belly pooch .   Recently, I’ve decided to up my mileage just to see how far I can go.  I was surprised to see that physically I can keep on but mentally the couch starts calling my name. My mind thinks this idea is absolute crazy talk so I’m out to change it.

I find myself thinking about:

The time when I was 13-15 years old. (This is such a bad memory the age is blurred…) I was a candidate for the Watermelon Queen of Kellogg, MN (a town of maybe 400 people?).  I still think over and over in my head what I SHOULD HAVE said to the judges for this particular question: A family with a blind child is thinking about moving to town; what would you tell them to help persuade them to move to Kellogg & why?  

Brilliant me answered with: “I would tell them Kellogg is an excellent choice for a blind child because the town is so small & family oriented, everyone knows everyone including their puppies, so if your kid gets lost, they will know where to return it, and there is a fabulous American Legion in town if you’re looking for a good watering hole.” 

NOTE: Never compare a blind kid to a puppy.  

And, yes, this is honest truth, I’m not making this up but I so wish I was because this haunts me still even though everyone else probably discarded it seconds after I sat down.  I hate when this pops in my head while running. 

The funny thing is everyone laughed when I said the “watering hole part”, which gave me the idea to do stand-up, no worries; I haven’t taken on that venture.  ;)  And no, I did not win Ms. Watermelon Queen but I still do the Watermelon Crawl EVERY August!

I also find myself thinking about:

• Blogs to write
• Conversations that I’ve had or should have…
• People that I miss or want to get back in touch with
• The body that I want to have
• The life that I want to have
• My goals, dreams

I’m a big fan of affirmations.  I use them daily even while cleaning my home. I know some people have difficulty with affirmations because they feel they are deceiving themselves when they make statements about something that may be true in the future, but is not true now.  The Tao philosophy states, affirmations are not self-deception but self-direction.  I think this philosophy knows what’s up!

I like to affirm accomplishments as indicators of who I am as an athlete.  I think things like:

• I’m fast, light, explosive!
• I’m quick & light on my feet.
• I can handle anything!
• This is fun! It is easy to run!
• Centered & strong, I run right along!
• I’m tough, I’m buff, I strut my stuff!  (Yes, this is in my head A LOT!) hehe!  (and no, I don’t believe I come off cocky, just confident.)    
• I love my thighs. I love my thighs! (I also think this while going up LOTS of stairs!)

 

• I think about what my cat, Cider, may be up to at home…He is probably laying on the bed with the sun from the big window shining in on him sleeping away, relaxed.  Or he’s sitting on top of Mark’s (gold fish) tank trying to plan an attack.  Maybe he’s sitting in the window turning his head left, right, left, right every time a car goes by at the intersection; or he’s sitting staring at the bathroom shower rug wiggling his butt waiting to attack the rug (he likes to do that often).  Thinking about Cider is silly but it relaxes me, makes me smile, feel calm and forget that I’m running 5 plus miles.
• I think of random quotes like…
• I’mmma I’mmma be …be…be…be (whatever comes to mind)!  (inspired by the Black Eyed Peas!)
• This quote by Mary Baker Eddy, “We are all capable of more than we do.”  I repeat this over and over in my head. 
• I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me!
• I will mount up with wings as eagles and soar…I will run and not be weary!
• When all else fails, I resort to the movie, Finding Nemo and instead of “just keep swimming,” I think, “just keep running! Just keep running!” 

I hope this gives you something to think about when you’re out on your next long run, walk, or tough workout.  One of my favorite aspects of exercise is not only the physical strength that I gain but also the mental roadblocks that I conquer along the way.  I love that feeling when you just don’t think you can go one step further or do one more rep, and all of a sudden you get a second wind and you CAN.  I love the mental rush, the “high” I get from running, lifting, and well, living to my highest potential!

I’m excited to grow and I’m excited to hear from YOU!  Please feel free to tell me what you think, maybe try some of these affirmations, and please SHARE what you think about!  What get’s you moving & keeps you moving through those times when you just want to be done?  What floats around in your head?! I’d love to know.  Thanks for reading & sharing!

 

How the Little Things Can Change Your Life

Note: I focus this blog on weight loss but it is about life in general. Everyone can benefit!

I love helping people reach their weight loss & fitness goals.  However, when some reach their goal weight or get close to it, they are not as “happy” as they thought they would be.  Even though they fit into those cute Buckle jeans that they’ve been dying to buy for the past year, those Buckle jeans don’t give them that happiness factor they were looking for. You may be thinking, duh, that’s because it’s an investment in a materialistic object that doesn’t give you anything except for make your butt look good.  (Which is pretty sweet!)

If you’re on a weight loss journey and your only focus is on the end number it will be more beneficial to focus on the little things on your journey to make it more worthwhile.  I truly believe that you need to invest in yourself, invest in the little things, the quirky things, otherwise that end result will not feel as good as it should.  You may feel empty and unsatisfied when you reach the final destination.  I don’t think you want that and I don’t want you to get there & think, “oh crap, I should of listened to Alisha’s blog”- so start incorporating these little things into your life TODAY.  You will not regret it, I promise.

So what can you do to ensure to not feel empty when you reach your goal?  Simple: enjoy life more!

Work on being confident with YOU. Self-confidence makes you sexy & it attracts people to you.  When you’re confident in yourself (note: not cocky) people want to know you, they want to know your story, they want to be seen with you, they want to be you.  I told myself I would keep this G rated so I will stop here.   

No matter what the scale says, as you get closer to bikini time just get in touch with yourself more. LOVE YOURSELF. Smile More. Laugh More. Tickle your kids! Celebrate the little things! Be QUIRKY! That extra little energy that you put into life will help you burn extra calories.  You burn way more by smiling then by frowning so why NOT??!!  

It may sound crazy, your friends and family may think you’re on something, but why not have more fun, enjoy life & gain a fan club?! Why not enjoy more, love more, laugh more & burn more?!!  

Why not give your kids a childhood full of love, energy and hugs?! Why not create new fun stories with your family and friends daily while working on your goals?  Do it, enjoy it & love it!  

Feel free to share with others, give input, & most importantly share your stories!  I can’t wait to hear about all your fun stories!!!

Are You Getting in Your Own Way?

I love helping people reach their goals and become the person they want to be. I find though, that majority of the time, we are the ones holding ourselves back from being what we want, having what we want and doing what we want.  How so?  Fear.

Fear gets in the way.  We are not as bound and determined to get to what we want to be.  The fear of “I’m not going to get there” is what is holding you back.  If your goal is to lose weight, you need to let go of any fears you may subconsciously be holding such as, “I’m not going to lose any weight”, “it’s going to take too long” or “I might lose it & gain it all back plus some”, or “my friends don’t think I can do it”.  Let go of these fears and you’ll slim up in no time.

Yes, I realize that sounds too easy to be true but IT IS TRUE.  We do this worry thing to ourselves on many topics in life. We worry what other people will think, we worry that we won’t have enough money, be pretty enough, be fit enough, whether or not we’ll fit in, if we should have said or not said something, if “Suzy” will be mad at us, if our boss likes us…we spend so much damn time worrying that it stops us from being our TRUE POTENTIAL.  It stops our dreams & we settle like muck.

Do you get what I’m saying?  You’re going to keep plateau-ing until you get out of your own way. I want you to know how serious I am about this.  If you really want something, you need to get out of your own way.  You may get what you want doing it the way you are, but you could have a lot less struggles if you get the mental worries out of your way. I personally prefer the easier route.

If you’re goal is weight loss, for one week I dare you to forget about the numbers on the scale. Forget about the fears of not losing. Tell those fears and worries to SHUT up.  Do your workouts & love them. Smile when you’re working out. Laugh at the struggles. Laugh at your brain when it’s telling you to quit.  Eat CLEAN.  Laugh at the loser that eats the ice cream.

DON’T feel sorry for your friends that are just sitting in their own pity party. Get that crap out of your way, out of your mind, and watch your life truly unfold in front of your eyes. Watch the weight fall off. Watch the stress disappear. Life will become so much easier and things that used to get under your skin won’t even bother you.  Sound crazy?  I dare you try it. I dare you to forget about the fear of not getting there and just f’ing get there. Grab this mentality & ROCK!!  I DARE YA to LOVE YOUR LIFE!  =)

-Feel free to share this kick-in-the-butt post with your friends!  Let me know what you think!  Thanks!!!