Good 'ol Atkins....

How many of you have tried the Atkins Diet? How many of you got throught the 14-day carb depletion without 'cheating'? How many of you successfully lost weight & have KEPT IT OFF since?

Really, if you did...contact me, I'd love to know how, because to this day, I have not yet met 1 person who has kept off all the weight. This is why I call the Atkins Diet a fad diet! You can't deprive yourself of carbohydrates forever, so why even start. What happens? You go down, you go up...you lose weight...you gain the weight back, plus some.

David's weight loss attempts following high school was just this. He went on the Atkins Diet...loss a good amount of weight...and then (because it's so hard to sustain), he went off it...and gained back all the weight and then some.

I have a theory that if many people would not 'go on a diet'...they wouldn't have as much weight to lose. Isn't this true? I see people all the time DEPRIVE THEMSELVES...only to go back to the old way of eating and then have some binging, because they cut so many healthy foods out of their diet, their body is deprived & then they fill themselves up w/ junk food, fast food, dessert foods .


1 whole egg has:
70 calories, 4.5 gms of fat &
215 mg of cholesterol!

 Now tell me, how is scarfing down a ton of cheese, red meats, ranch dressing, bacon, whole fried eggs good for you?

This was taken from MayoClinic.com:

If you are healthy, it's recommended that you limit your dietary cholesterol intake to less than 300 milligrams (mg) a day.

If you have cardiovascular disease, diabetes or a high low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") blood cholesterol level, you should limit your dietary cholesterol intake to less than 200 mg a day.

Look at the 'cholesterol' content in 1 egg - that's all you need for a day. Research the amount of cholesterol by reading the labels on the sausage, meat, cheese, and milk in your fridge. No wonder everyone's on cholesterol meds...get rid of the cholesterol foods & you won't need them.

Now, I never read the Atkins books from start to finish, but I've come to my conclusion that this diet doesn't work by meeting a ton of people who have tried it & not been successful at staying at a healthy weight!

Now back to Dave: David finally got a roommate in 2004 that got him to go to the gym...but here was a 26 year old young man who had never really worked out before, let alone at the gym. Here he was trying to figure out the machines.

David did a ton of cardio and stuck to the treadmill, stair-climber, elliptical, etc. He was trying to use the weights, but never really got instruction on how to use it to lean out...just get strong.

And yes, I guess you could say he was 'fat strong'. You know these people...they don't eat healthy. They kill themselves at the gym trying to power lift, yet a 5 year-old could outrun them. Again, out of balance.

I appreciate Dave's efforts of trying. He did his best with what he had. And he totally gets an A+ for effort.

When I met Dave, he was in the midst of these efforts to lose weight. He had lost about 70 lbs. At the point he was around 290 lbs. The most he had ever weighed had been 350/360 or so, up to this point.

The day we got married, he was about 285 lbs. And me personally, I didn't mind the fluff. In fact, I am grateful that many women Dave had met along the way disqualified him based on that. Harsh? I know. How could they disqualify such a wonderful man? I don't know, but he was available to me because they had & I was veeeeeeerrrry glad they did.

When I met Dave, his honesty, integrity, love for God, service to God, commitment to the Word of God, his hardworking ethics, compassion for people, faith to pray, and those gorgeous brown eyes & dark hair were enough to win me over. I knew at 28 that it those qualities that would help a marriage last...not buffness, a lean cut body...it's character you marry a person for, right?

Now when we got married, I didn't do Atkins. To me, I felt it wasn't healthy....needless to say, I brought carbs in the house and Dave ate 'em. And within first 3 months of us being married, Dave went from a 2X to a 3X. I said, "HOLD THE PHONE".

I realized at that point that Dave would gain weight if he wasn't on this so-called diet. I called it 'set yourself up for failure' eating plan. Really? How could some gain so much in just 3 months. And he wasn't eating bad. Just some noodles, bread, and sometimes rice. I realized that I had to support him in this 'diet'.

We got married Feb. 20th '06, and by May we were doing the 14-day carb depletion TOGETHER...and on day 9 - I found out I was pregnant. So much for a ZERO-carb diet for me!

From May '06 to Feb. '07 - David gained.....140 lbs. Soon he was a 425 lb. man! I was devestated along the way of my pregnancy. Dave never weighed himself along the way. I just knew that he had gone from a 2X on our wedding day to a 4X by the time Daniel was born. I had cried over his gain, begging him to stop gaining to avoid leaving me as a widow at age 40...but my tears fell on deaf years. That summer, I knew things had to change...or Daniel would not have a DAD to raise him through his childhood.

My only solution....to go to the ONE who could change his heart. And that's just what I did!


.....more on this tomorrow....

My Husband's 200 lb. Weight Loss Story!

Check out his blog @
http://www.thislittlepiggywenttothegym.com/
for some Before & After Pics!

Many of you know Dave and knew him as a 300 lb. man...and some knew him as a 425 lb. man.

Sharing Dave's story is heavy on my heart. Perhaps it's to discourage the HOLIDAY BULGE. Perhaps it's to discourage the PROCRASTINATION.

Or maybe it's to ENCOURAGE YOU

that no matter how much weight loss you have, it's possible!!!

I'm going to start from the season I met Dave and our friendship days. The days that he was doing that dreaded Atkins, fat & protein/low-carb diet. The meals we shared: salad w/ ranch, fried chicken & NO FRUITS, little veggies.

I'm going to recap what happened the season we got married, when I got pregnant and how a 285 lb. Dave went to 425 lbs. w/in a 9 MONTH PERIOD.

Then I'm going to share the year that things changed when our first son was born. How the desire in Dave's heart was for Daniel to NOT know him as an OBESE DAD was so strong & was his motivation.

I will share the journey from Weight Watchers, thru Trainer Tom...and up to now. We are going to be transparent on the struggles...and how people who told Dave he was getting 'too skinny' had adverse affects on his motivation.

One thing I've learned is that for the obese person - FOOD is the drug. They have an addiction. They have overcome it...yet it still wants to haunt them and creep back in and take over. But if you have the mindset that you are NEVER going back, and you let people help you - YOU DON'T EVER HAVE TO BE BIG AGAIN!!!!

I'm excited to share this info! As a wife, the role I played will be shared as well. When a man & woman get married, the 2 become 1 - And I had an active position as Dave's helpmate to help him reach his goals. I am going to share how I continue to be that voice of reason, truth, and encouragement in Dave's life. We're in this together - join me as I share!

I hope you join me as share this story of a real weight loss struggle and the truth of what food can do to a life, a marriage, and a family! Join me in this journey, as it is my hope that you will receive truth to motivate you to lose weight, yet give you the hope that it is possible!

Coping with STRESS!

What do you do when you are stressed out? Do you get yourself even more worked up about 'being worked up'? Do you go for a walk? Do you grab a drink? Do you go for a drive? (Hopefully not after you've had a drink.)

I'm a 'deep breather'. And I have taken many deep breaths this week.

I am a person that can't keep many secrets, by the way. I'm also a person who shares what is bugging me. I cannot keep things bottled up. Why? Why do that to myself? If something is a burden, or I don't agree with something, why just leave it all captive to hurt my gut? I agree that we have to 'be sensitive'...however, being silent and just 'hiding how I really feel' is more stressful for me.

P.S. I hate stress.

In the midst of some decision-making, worrying about what others would think, the financial implications, and wondering if 'it would work'....I got a headache this week. Not the kind that a couple of Tylenol would take care of....not the kind that anything would take care of...but time.

So in the middle of all the emotions running a little high...I'm dealing with a splitting...really, a splitting headache. Hmmm. No wonder I was moody & grumpy yesterday. And in the middle of it all, feeling even more frustrated with a few things that were in my opinion, so petty compared to life & eternity.

At the end of the day, I looked in the mirror and I saw myself...a human.

I think sometimes that many of us/you forget that we are all human. One of my goals in life is to be real, transaparent, and honest. I cannot be fake. I cannot pretend that I am fine with things that are not okay with me. Do you relate?

One of the things I am always intrigued with is the facade that we can hide behind with texting and social media. We can post things that are always positive, portraying a picture that everything is wonderful ALL OF THE TIME. The days that I post I am having a wonderful day...I really am having a wonderful day. The days I have nothing good to say...are days that are rough and tough.

And I think it's safe to say...we all have them. Not one person on this planet has it all together all the time, is perfect, or doesn't need improvement. I'm relieved in this fact, are you?

So next time you feel like you're losing it,

you were unreasonable,

you failed,

you made a mistake,

you need to change...

take heart in knowing...YOU'RE NOT ALONE!!!

I'll be the first to admit that I'm there with you.

For me personally, in those moments of feeling overwhelmed...I take some deep breaths. I breathe deeply until I feel some new life & renewed energy. There's something powerful about getting oxygen to that brain of mine. It can sort things out a lot better. My breaths are usually followed by prayer. Because I know that without the Christ, I can do nothing. So grateful that 'the Lord is my Helper'. Do you need a helper? Let me know & I'll introduce you to Him.

I NEED TO BE REMINDED OF THIS DAILY!!!

Me being a 'high-energy' person...makes sense that I tend to be a HIGH STRESS person...But I'll keep taking deep breaths. You continue to go for long drives, long walks or whatever else helps you cope.

I'm going to embark on some research on stress. My hypothesis is: IT'S NOT GOOD FOR THE BODY...AND IT'S WHY WE HAVE SO MUCH ILLNESS. What do you think?

Happy Monday!!!!

I am a person who loves seeing results, whatever it is! I love seeing $$$ in the bank, a clean room, empty laundry baskets, people loving on me (healthy relationships), and 'down 1 lb.' on the scale.

Love seeing pics of myself &

seeing that my hard work is paying off!!!

We did the Fit Test just 3 times, (didn't quite follow the directions.) Had the thought "I just want to get in & get out"...but, I'm guessing I would've pushed myself harder during my workouts & each Fit Test, if I had done them more often. This is why it's important to follow directions, right?

This week marked the end of the Insanity program for Dave & I. Below are my ending results compared to the previous 2 tests.
FIT TEST RESULTS & IMPROVEMENT:

Exercise/Move                         June 25th               July 18th_____Aug. 22nd
Switch Kicks                              80                           88                         94
Power Jacks                               50                           65                         39
Power Knees                             106                         103                       102
Power Jumps                             34                           40                         42
Globe Jumps                              12                           18                         12
Suicide Jumps                           17                           21                         19
Push-Up Jacks                          13 (knees)             20 (feet)               19 (feet)
Low Plank Obliques                 56                           82                         70


(Each move is all done w/in 1 minute. Similar to a drill. Some numbers are better, some the same.)

This program really strengthened my upper body. This is a great regimen if your goals are to:

• Totally condition your entire body
• Increase cardio ability
• Tone your body (especially upper)
• Get your core in shape

                                                                                                                                                                               
One thing that stands out as a difference with my body is my arms. I didn't do any lifting of weights, yet my biceps appear bigger, my shoulders are more defined.

I dropped 8 lbs....but kept off 5. :) My goal was to COMPLETE the program remember? Love the results I got w/ this for sure!!!!!

This week we start our TurboFire week. I really missed it.

It's so important to find a workout that you love,

that way you don't have to work extra hard

to talk yourself into working out!

You just want to!!!

Today is the last day!

Try this!
Are you tough enough?

So in the next few minutes, I will do my last Max Cardio Conditioning workout of the Insanity program. Can't believe I made it to the end!

I did miss about 3 workouts in the middle when my son was very sick w/ his asthma. However, I've stayed committed & will have this thing completed.

Tomorrow is the final fit test. The beauty of this program (and most) is there are fit tests along the way to show you where you start from and how much you improve toward the middle and at the end. Those are the numbers I've been looking at.

To be honest, I didn't start this with the desire to drop 10 lbs. I did this workout program for a variety of other reasons:

1. To see if I could even handle it.
2. To get in the best shape of my life.
3. Get more definition.
4. And to "complete" a program.

I've started P90X before...I've started the calendar on TurboFire, but for some reason I could not complete it. Probably because I was not setting myself up to succeed. With Insanity, (which was only 67 days) I did some things different to enhance my chances of finishing:

1. Got a workout partner. (accountability)
2. Woke up at dark:30 a.m. to work out. (scheduled workouts/plan to succeed)
3. Posted up the calendar. (looked at GOAL daily to stay focused/on track)
4. Logged in my workouts daily. (more accountability/track success)
5. Shared with people that I was doing it. (more accountability)

My schedule, accountability, and the goals posted

together created a plan of attack to succeed at this!

The end result, my shoulders & biceps have really got more defined (all those push-ups, planks, and drills). And I've kept off 5 lbs. I will confess, I didn't follow the nutrition plan completely. I've eaten healthy, but maybe a bit more than the recommended number of calories. But I am super happy with my results!!!!

This week being the last week of the program, I already have a plan in place. I have 8 days of August left, which is going to be Turbo Fever around here. I'll be honest, I miss working out to Chalene Johnson, she is amazing!!!

Starting Sept. 1 tho' it's on like Donkey Kong. A P90X/TurboFire hybrid!!! If you have a couple of the Beachbody workouts, you can hybrid them together. The website has workout sheets for a schedule of when to do what workout!!! (See bottom of the page to check out TurboFire!!!)


Do you want to start your P90X journey with me???? Order your P90X HERE!!!!

Or cruise thru my site at www.beachbodycoach.com/JenniferMorin to find the one that best fits your need. If you want accountability - I'm here for you!!! Let's complete a program together & then celebrate together!!!



P.S. All workout are 'Risk Free" with $$$-MONEY-BACK Guarantees!!! They are guaranteed to work WHEN you do them according to the plan/schedule!

Do your kids get enough exercise?

Look who was up early to work out! Amazing boy I have. Yesterday, he got up at 5:45 a.m., got himself dressed, fixed his water bottle & was ready to work out. And he did it again today! (Voluntarily w/ enthusiasm!)

I'm realizing that my attitude toward exercise totally affects my kids' attitude. Last time I worked out when the baby (19 mos. old) was awake, he was trying to jump and swing his arms.

My kids only know me as someone who works out. I started my Turbo Jam routine before Daniel was even 1. And picked back up with the routine a month & 1/2 after Jacob was born.

Kids absorb everything, right?

They absorb healthy habits too!

Daniel is the soda patrol for sure. When Dave decided to give up the occasional soda, Daniel was quick to rat me out, hence I no longer drink them. (I didn't drink them all day, every day...just on those days I wanted something sweet, but no calories...especially when the central valley heat set in...they were refreshing. Great justification, right?) I can proudly say that my kids have NEVER had soda. I love that, they willingly drink water all the time!!!!

When driving around town, Daniel is quick to point out the smokers in their cars and says, "Look mom, they're smoking - yuck, that's not good for them, right?".

It's no secret that my son will blurt out that 'doughnuts are junk'...Why? Because when he's seen other kids with that sugary/fat laden stuff & asked for it, I told him, "No son, that's junk & it's not good for you".

I am devestated that people continually feed their kids the fast food fries,

and let them have sweets daily.



How many things in this picture
do you and/or your kids eat????

Last week, a sweet parent gave out 'goody' bags at school. It had a bag of CHIPS, a COOKIE, 2 Dum Dum SUCKERS, SMARTIES, fruit chewy snacks, & a granola bar. I grabbed the bag as soon as I could to inspect it, I took out the candy a.s.a.p., Daniel had grabbed the chip bag & managed to open it (130 calories & saturated fat galore). And of course this interfered with his appetite for dinner.

The fruit chewy snacks are really candy in disguise, you know this right? He managed to get to the cookie & ate half of it after dinner. But I tossed the other half when he wasn't looking. Crazy enough, he forgot about it too...because that's not a mainstay in his diet.

No wonder 33% of our children are obese in America!

It is NOT OKAY for kids to eat junk food like this regularly. Unfortunately, many eat it for multiple meals/snacks per day. When they are putting this junk in their bellies, there is no room for the good stuff like fruits & veggies. When they eat salty food regularly, veggies don't seem appealing unless smothered in cheese or butter.

For some kids, their butter and cheese intake needs to be watched because they're on the border of being overweight. Some kids, like Daniel, need some extra calories because they run off everything they eat.

So what does your diet look like? What does your activity level look like? Good? Healthy? Or sedentary?

Your kids' activity level and diet probably looks like yours...Are you setting them up for childhood obesity, diabetes, and heart disease risks? Or teaching them that healthy food & exercise leads to a healthy body?

Do your family a favor -

get healthy & active...and they will follow!!!

Do you count the calories in your drinks?

Frequent Friday
Hangout

Do you work out hard throughout the week, or when you can? Diet all week long? And then what is your fave activity on the weekends?

I myself, frequented Bar & Grills, restuarants, and clubs on the weekends many years ago. I did this routine...gym Monday thru Friday, parties Friday & Saturdays...hangover on Sunday...only to beat myself up at the gym the following week with no real progress. Totally counterproductive for my goals of weight loss.

With a little help from some bartender friends, I've come up with a list of common alcoholic drinks & their calorie content.

• Bud/Coors Light Beers: 99-110 cals.
• Bud Select 55: 55 cals.
• Glass of Red Wine (3.5 oz = 1 glass) 120 cals.
• Glass of sweet/dessert wine(3.5 oz. = 1 glass) (ex: Moscato): 165 cals.
• Chardonnay: 120 cals.

• Martini: 150 cals.
• Appletini: 160 cals.
• Sangria: 190 cals.
• Hard Lemon Zima: 231 cals.
• Bloody Mary: 140 cals.
• Bicardi Breezer (Berry):  220 cals.
• Margaritas (depending on flavor/on the rocks): 300-520 cals.
• Pina Colada: 320 cals.
• Jigger (1.5 oz) of Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey (before adding juice/soda): 97 cals.

Now, looking at the calorie count, 1 drink ever so often is not going to send you over the edge of calorie counts. However, I remember, when I went out to dinner I had at least 2 margaritas at Que Pasa (that's anywhere from 600-1000 cals.) What about when you meet people for a drink after work? A couple glasses of wine: 300 cals. And what about a big BBQ where there is an ice chest of Coors lights & you have at least 3 (300 cals.), but more like 4-6 right? That's 400-600 calories of beer & this is before you started eating the chips, dips, ribs, macaroni salad, chili beans, etc.

No wonder we struggle with our weight, huh?

Here's where it gets scientific. There are words like 'lipid oxidation' and 'acetate' used in the explanation of how your body's ability to burn fat is slowed down/decreased/hindered by alcohol consumption.

Check this out if you want the whole story: http://www.fitnessquestonline.com/EffectsofAlcoholonFatMetabolism.pdf. Basically, ALCOHOL SLOWS DOWN YOUR METABOLISM!!!! You can't burn fat efficiently!

Infamous for Beer Belly!
Do you have Homer's Physique?

So in addition to dumping in 300-1000 calories or more into your body of stuff that blocks your body's ability to use needed vitamins & minerals...it slows down the body to burn fat!

No wonder people get a 'beer belly', huh? Remember Homer Simpson? He loved his beer!

With this info, you have to do something about your consumption. Some reading this have no goals to lose weight and may not see the point of limiting their intake of alcohol...google 'effects of alcohol on liver'...that's a sobering thing.

If you feel you 'just gotta have something to relax'...limit it to one. If you have a problem, seek help. I have someone dear to me who got help through AA. There are resources for you if you have a problem.

If you need motivation, think about how much money you will save each day/week/month/year if you kicked the habit all together. And then think how productive all that sweat & labor at the gym, working out would be! Some of you are trying to figure out what to give up to drop that last 10 lbs.

Voila - here's your answer!

Do yourself a favor & give up the alcohol...

your body, your liver, your family

will greatly benefit from it!

You can do it!!!!!

Waiting until it's too late...

Why do we wait until it's too late to get disciplined?

Why do we wait until we are behind on our bills to get on a budget? Why do wait until we're diagnosed with diabetes to start watching our sugar intake? Why do we wait until a presciption for high cholesterol, high blood pressure is given to try to watch what we eat? Why do we wait until our spouse is ready to walk out on us to change? Why do we wait until our kids have no desire to spend time with us, to make time for them? Why do we wait until we are dying to pursue God?

Why do we wait until it's nearly too late?

• There are 20-something year olds that I see eat a ton of sugary foods. I warn them to change now so that they don't get diabetes in their 40s.
• There are 30-something year olds that I see drink alcohol liberally. I warn them to give it up or cut waaaaaay back now, so that their liver doesn't fail them in their 40s.
• There are people who have been smokers of 10+ years. I warn them to give it up now to avoid lung cancer in their 60s....COPD in their 50s.

There are warning labels on every thing. Why do we not heed the warnings?

I have finally come to the point of wanting to cut back on caffeine (2-3 cups of coffee in the early a.m. + a tea most afternoons). I don't drink the Monster, Rock Star, Red Bull drinks. I don't drink sodas all day. I'm not as bad as some, but am looking to the future realizing how delicate my kidneys really are.

What about your heart? Are you taking in too much fried food now? You may not have any health problems now, but if you don't give up the fries, pizza, burgers, and chips now...a heart attack may really be around the corner for you in your 50s, 60s, or 70s.

In terms of your finances, do you have plan in place to get out of debt? Are your credit cards maxed out because you refuse to tell yourself 'no'? Are you living paycheck to paycheck w/out an emergency fund? I was blessed to hear a friend's plan of paying off their home a.s.a.p. Is that a reality for you?

I heard this weekend that the gov't says we may go BACK into a recession. Did we even get out of it? Did unemployment really drop??? Or has it continued on the rise? 

Why can't we just admit that our country is really in a depression??? The country's credit rating was even dropped in the last couple weeks right? If it was declared we were in a depression, would that affect your spending & saving???? Or is the gov't going to wait until it's too late & half the nation is starving to declare a depression?

I want to sober us up in the fact that WE CANNOT WAIT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE to make changes!!!

• We have to stick to the budget TODAY!
• We have to stick to the diet TODAY!
• We have to stick to the workout regimen TODAY!
• We have to give up the alcohol/drugs/junk food TODAY!
• We have to pursue a relationship with God TODAY!
• We have to make time for our spouses & kids TODAY!

This is my plea for you to make healthy changes across the board: in your finances, your church attendance, your nutrition, exercise, and family.

Any goals you been procrastinating to pursue, pursue them today!

Stop procrastinating TODAY &

make a change while there is still time!!!!

 

Is this you??? Putting off until tommorrow to stop the procrastination?
Don't let one more day go by! Get serious today!



The Power of Transparency

I am always saying, "There is power in transparency". When we just confess the junk we give into, whether it's food, alcohol, overspending, or whatever the bad habit is....we are freed up. We acknowledge that some things need to change. When we share those things, we let someone in to help us, pray for us, and hold us accountable. Transparency, it's a powerful thing.

And today at church was an amazing example of that. The pastor had a few people share on suffering. People who were willing to throw their hands up and surrender to the Lord and let Him help them.

The first suffering that was discussed was the 'suffering in relationships'. He had a married couple talk about how they were on the brink of divorce (a couple of times), but as they sought counsel and drew closer to God, their marriage began the process of restoration. One family continues to ask for prayer over custody battles and the suffering that follows divorce into a newer marriage. They all continued to seek God over it, peace has followed.

After these folks shared their stories of relationships suffering, the pastor asked for people to stand if they had their own broken relationships. Then he asked others around them to pray for them. Tears were streaming down faces...hugs been given out as people were transparent to say, 'I need help', 'I need God to intervene'....

The second topic was the 'suffering in circumstances'.  You ever hear those stories of Job? Real life stories of a Job tragedy? A man stood up and shared how his first wife came to him and said "You're a great husband & I love you...but I just can't stay married to you..." He was abandoned by her. After a few years (of healing) a second wife comes into his life...the same year he was married, his mother and brother die...then a few years later, his wife died from a battle with cancer. Tragedy...But now with his current wife, he has renewed hope and joy because he remained in the Lord. And his step-daughter is grateful that he is in her life to show her the godly example of what a man can be.

His words were: "There is pain and tears. But the thing is: God loves you. And in those darkest moments, He has his hand extended to you, telling you He is there for you...It hurts right now, there are scars, but His grace will see you through."

The final story of suffering was a family who lost everything. The financial devestation story. But the wife, with tears rolling down her cheeks said she would go through it again because her husband (who she had been praying for 20 years) came to the Lord and is now taking the role of a spiritual leader.

All stories were stories that can make people throw in the towel! But these families & people are having victory over their sufferings because they have remained in the Lord. They continued to serve Him, praise Him, and love Him despite their trials.

We went on to pray for others going through circumstancial trials, those needing endurance.

And then the pastor asked people to get gutsy. He asked anyone who did not have Jesus as their Lord & Savior to stand and ask Him to be Lord of their life.

---------------------------------------------------------

As you're reading this, if you feel your heart racing...tears rolling down your own cheeks because you are enduring suffering, I want you to know that you don't have to go through this alone. You don't have to feel powerless over the circumstances. Right now, at your computer, your desk, your ipad....just throw your hands up where you are - Ask God to save you. Save you from your life, your decisions, your struggles, mistakes, and trials. Ask Jesus to be your Savior today...ask Him to be center of your life. Tell Him you will pursue Him, and ask Him for the strength to do so. He loves you and will help you. He is there with His hand out to you...waiting for you to reach out to Him.

Just do it now...and the death you feel on the inside will disappear and become a calm sense of security...life and peace. You don't want to go another day without it.....give Him a chance today to change your circumstances...your life! Let Him in to take over & surrender to His love....there's nothing better than what Jesus has to give you through His grace, mercy and forgiveness. He's just waiting for you to let Him in to love you...

What's next? Personal Workout Update

Read his story @
http://www.thislittlepiggywenttothegym.com/

My husband and I are in this wilderness. We have seemed to always struggle with our weight. He, obviously more than I, but nonetheless, we both have always been on this mission to lose the weight. We often have said over the last few years of marriage, "I gotta lose some/this weight". (And we really did.)

Recently we started working out at home together, with the Insanity dvd workout program. We both have eaten good. In fact, often times I tell Dave, our splurging is better than some people's diets. Needless to say, and honestly, we did not follow the Nutrition Plan to a T. However, our bodies have still transformed, our strength has definitely increased, and our endurance has seriously improved.

Don't get me wrong, we watch what we eat. We eat the right foods, and don't over indulge. And we're pretty satisfied with ourselves.

But something has happened mentally in us. Our minds & attitudes are not obsessed with the numbers on the scale.

Be honest, there are some of us who want to weigh in daily to see if what we ate yesterday has affected us...and then we plan our eating for the day, based on the number, right? Just admit it. But Dave and I are in this place of that thinking shifting. We have reached destination: satisfaction!!!!

Today is our last day of week 7, with one more week of Shaun T.'s butt kicking Insanity left. So we're now looking ahead to "what to do next?" What is our goal?

We talked and have come to the conclusion that we're happy with our weight. We have finally met the goal & most common New Year's Resolution of 'lose weight'. Weird feeling I tell ya!

It seems like a lifetime of struggling, a lifetime of always eating and working out to LOSE WEIGHT NOW! But after this season of life of being determined to lose the weight...we've finally arrived to that point of a healthy weight, healthy cardiovascular health, and contentment with reaching this goal.

Now, I'm a big proponent of goals and have seen in my own life and others' that if we are not progressing toward a goal, we are probably digressing, right? So Dave and I cannot go into cruise control with this contentment. We cannot eat what we shouldn't, miss workouts, and lose the success we have had over our bodies.


I told Dave that we now need to push our muscles and body to change, grow, and transform as much as we can. We've lost most of the cushion that hides the muscles, now let's beef up the muscle to lean out more.

So how? A new workout regimen is around the corner for us. I feel like some P90X w/ a side of Turbo for cardio & some Insanity every now & then to challenge us. The strength training of P90X is what our bodies need to grow in strength & muscle. The cardio & calorie burning of Turbo will lean us out to see even more definition. And physically prepare us for P90X2 releasing in January 2012!Finally, we're no longer at the defeated place of 'if I could just lose 5 more lbs.' We were both there most of our lives. And it has taken us time to get here (Dave - 3 years, me - 19 mos.), but we finally got here. Now we get to 'have fun' & push our bodies to the limits w/ endurance & strength training. I'm so excited!!!!

When we put our bodies in an environment

to change & adapt, it will.

This plan will work when we continue to work out daily & eat healthy foods! Ain't no Thanksgiving turkey & stuffing on the horizon going to derail me! My sights are set on seeing what this body can do! Can't wait!

Do you fear failure? Do you lack confidence? Do you want success????

What do you do to inspire yourself? I like to google quotes. I type in the kind I need & voila - I find a nugget to inspire me for the day. Below are a few I looked up this morning.

I love you and want to see you succeed. I hope these give you wind beneath your persevering wings today!!!

"We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference,

and that a small group of determined people

                      can change the course of history."  -- Sonia Johnson

“You've got to get up every morning with determination,

if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction.”

-- George Lorimer

“Failure will never overtake me if my

determination to succeed is strong enough.” .

-- Og Mandino

“Fear of failure must never be a reason not to try something.” 

 -- Frederick Smith

"There are no secrets to success.

It is the result of preparation, hard work,

and learning from failure."  

-- Colin Powell

It was said at our coach meeting last Saturday, 'when you reach out and get the info for yourself, search for it, read it, take it in...then there is growth'. What are you taking in & learning to nourish your soul to grow?

My brother-in-law heard it asked: Are you goal-oriented or growth-oriented? For some, we reach our goals and stop there. But if we stay 'growth-oriented' than we will continually be setting goals to challenge us to grow!

When I focus on personal growth, my family will benefit, my business will benefit, my life will benefit & will bring fulfillment! What areas do you need to grow in? Think about it today! Share with me if you want some accountability!

Grow in confidence.

Don't fear failure, don't fail to try!

This is where I want to hang out at >>>>>

Join me!!!!

Challenged Myself!

I swear by to-do lists. There are certain things that must be done by a certain time.

 

For me, my early, early mornings are for devo time...followed by a workout, preferably to start no later than 5:45 a.m. Once my workout is complete by 6:45ish, I start on my blog, get to my emails, and work on my business. I aim to be done by 8:00/8:30 since this is the time that both boys are awake and their tummies are growling.

 

This allows me to make appointments at 9:30 a.m. & on.

 

The problem lies when I don't start my workout on time. Then I run late with the workout, run over into my computer time, which is something that I try to keep within boundaries for the sake of my kids. Kids easily becoming whiny when we're focused on this thing...and then we feel guilty over it all, right? So if I do it all when they are asleep or dad is here for them...life is good!

 

Here's my challenge...when things don't go as planned - total attitude meltdown!

 

I premise that all to share that this morning, I tried to start my workout at 6:45 a.m. today. NO BUENO!

My mind is racing over all the things I have on the agenda for the morning with emails & stuff I need to work on! To stay diligent and on time with my goals, I have these 2 hours only in the morning (when the kids are asleep) to do my work - otherwise, it never gets done & I end up not progressing!

 

When this is all on my mind, I cannot stay focused on the workout. As I'm trying to do power jumps this morning, I'm looking at the clock...you ever watch sand run out on the hour glass-- those last bits of sand put pressure on you...pressure you don't want to feel. This was my thinking: my time for all my a.m. stuff is running out.

 
The only downfall is that my husband is my workout partner. So of course I'm trying to hang in there & want to continue to work out with him for his sake...but this frustration over not getting done what I need to is nagging at me! So I just stop & go 'to work'! Now, I will fight to fit in my workout later. (Which will be some Turbo, since Chalene Johnson is my hero & will snap me back into the mood I want.)

 

WE NEED A RESOLUTION!!! 

• The alarms sounds at 5 a.m. - WE BOTH MUST GET UP!!!  No snoozing or dragging butt!
• We must start our workout by 5:30 a.m. - No running late!
• We must be done by 6:30 a.m. - No compromising!

 

See - 1 1/2 mos. ago, I set a goal. As a result, I came up with an action plan of 'pushing play on my business for 90 days'. In this short, but focused amount of time, I can lay a solid foundation for my business!

My obstacles were my lack of time management. So what did I do? I created a schedule to allow myself time to work my business WITHOUT taking from my family.

However, at the same time, I also set goal to complete the Insanity workout program! So, now I have 2 things I have to work on before 8 a.m.

 

All that to say, this morning did not go as planned, so I am challenged. My attitude is challenged! My mood is challenged! Perhaps writing about it will help me release the frustration. Now I have the challenge to work out sometime today. But I'll do a 30-45 min. Turbo as the kids play or something. It's easier to fit a workout in w/ them up & going, than time on the computer...that's for sure!

Thanks for listening. Do me a favor: Keep me accountable to waking up at 5 a.m. daily! Who commit to doing that for me?

YOUR SPOUSE NEEDS YOU...

Aw...marriage. No one tells you how hard it can be BEFORE you say "I do". Right? And then you come home from the honeymoon...and the honeymoon is over. Or is it?

Do you ever see those couples that are still in love? There is a couple that I know...just met them in the last few months...they have little ones and still go on date nights...weekly. They speak to eachother with love, respect, pursuit, and desire. They are ga-ga in love...still! They really minister to me.

I am reminded very often that my husband needs me...needs me to just listen, to just be there. I can get too focused on tasks, the kids, chores, ideas that cover...everything...My passion can take me away from one of my most important priorities: MY HUSBAND. (Obviously, I need to be more passionate about him, huh?)

This morning, I finished the chapter "Managing Your Marriage" in the book I am working through (message me for details). And wow...I walked away from my time with these words of what our spouses (husbands, this is for you too) need from us.

They need:

• Time: Time alone from the kids, time to listen, time to hold eachother.
• Attention: Full on attention, none of this listening while FBing, texting, etc. Put the media AWAY for goodness sakes and give your spouse the attention they need!
• Affection: Hugs, kisses, closeness. And HUSBANDS...affection WITHOUT something else in mind. Just genuine gestures of love & comfort to show you care.
• Help: We are to be helpmates right? So why is one spouse doing it ALL? Doing it all as in housework, chores, working, planning for the future, caring for the kids. HELP EACHOTHER DAILY!
• Self-Discipline: YES! Even in your marriage. Your spouse will be greatly relieved when you lose those few pounds that you constantly procrastinate about losing. They will benefit if you don't OVERSPEND when shopping (men this applies to you too). Your spouse's clothes will be folded, the kids won't be screaming, and dinner will be cooked (and not burnt) if you control your internet time. Practice self-discipline for the sake of removing the burdens off your spouse of frustration.
• Patience: Now while we be frustrating to eachother by our lack of responsibility, there are times that spouses are unreasonable and have NO patience during the times that we need extra grace. If your spouse asks you for more patience, give it to them. See what happens.
• Determination: One of the worst things I think a spouse should have to endure is a spouse who WILL NOT endure. Oh man! A lazy, easily-quitting, never reaching or setting any goals type of spouse (especially when the other is driven) is a wet blanket on a hot fire. Do yourself & your spouse a favor & get motivated, determined & refuse to give up!

Remember when you were dating??? You both were wearing 'rose-colored glasses'. You know what I'm talking about. You were all in love, the very annoying things now were completely overlooked. The emotions were running high and you missed all the qualities that either make or break a deal.

Let's be a blessing to eachother. Let's try harder for the sake of the other. Let's work to help eachother be the best we can. Let's make the other a priority and make sure their needs are met before you set out on a mission to help everyone else. We need eachother. We signed up for life. Let's give eachother our best so that we endure to the end of life!

May God bless your marriage today, give you the strength to do your best with it...and may you stay together with JOY, PEACE, and LOVE everyday until 'death do you part'.

My goal is this...to be nearly 90, ga-ga in love with my husband. It will take perseverance, ability to forgive, the fight to not give into the world's way of thinking. divorce if you decide that 'it's just not working out' or 'you just don't like 'em anymore'. It will take great responsibility to do my best to meet his needs, honor him, serve him, and stay faithful with my heart, soul, mind, and body.




However, the rewards will be great: I will have my best friend there to hold me, love me, and take care of me...when I do all of this! Let's make our marriages strong & make them last!!!!

What is lord over you?

As many of my blog posts are about health, I can come to you from that stand point and ask you: 'is food or alcohol lord over your life?' Is there anything or anyone who is lord over you?

What do I mean? Can you do without that particular thing that is your favorite? Can you skip having a few drinks? Can you skip the dessert? Can you get your meal w/out a giant order of fries?

Is there anything else that is 'lord over you'? Are you a shopaholic? Are you a workaholic? Can you drive around town or on the freeway w/out cussing out the people in front of you, calling them names? Can you have conversation w/out being gossipy?

Does your lust control you? Does your anger control you? Is your disorganization having devestating results in your life? Are you the complainy/naggy spouse that is chasing the other out of the house?

What is your life controls you? What in your life is ruining it? 

Identify it & get rid of it.

Ask God to give you strength to change & change!

On a similar note - this week, I learned of a group of people who have elevated a person so high up in their lives that he has such a grip of control over them. I mean, control...in a way that makes them feel intimidated, and inadequate if they do not carry out the demands/requests! Dear friends, I hope that in your daily going-about, you do not do things according to what 'man' approves of...but you do what God says. When we elevate people so high up (beyond respect), we are easily, quickly, and tragically derailed in our lives (i.e. spiritual walks) when hurt, disappointed, and unappreciated by them.

Keep Jesus as Lord.

Live by what the Word teaches you...and you will have the abundant life. Walk as close to the Lord as possible, walk by the Spirit, and follow God's leading.

Keep HIM #1 & you will be safe on solid ground!

Let's start a revolution against being overweight & obese!!!

Spoke to a gal this week (who reads my blog...thanks!) And she was sharing with me that she is doing this 500 calorie, veggie/fruit diet. Something called the HCG or something diet. She began her story with "...you are going to kill me".

I love that you all realize that I am all about a long-term plan and really making life-long changes. I am adamantly a NON-supporter of quick fixes and fad diets. Why? Because I have seen the obese/overweight person struggle with dropping weight fast...then gain it back. I've seen them deprive themselves of nutrition & a year later (or just a few months),  they end up back where they started. It simply breaks my heart!

My question for her was this: how many years have you been trying to lose weight w/ quick fixes/diets? Her response: 5-7 years!!!! (What if she had stuck with a plan for that long with support and accountability, plus a workout program & great nutrition?)

Here's what I've seen: every attempt that most of you try is short-lived: 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, maybe 3. What happens? You go on a crash diet for 2 months and then go back to the way you used to eat....The goal is to KEEP OFF THE WEIGHT!

It's basic math. No matter what you try, if you eat more than you need, anytime - you will gain weight!

Here's one of my pet peeves with the quick fixes that do not promote exercise (i.e. lap bands & gastric bypass surgeries) - you lose all that weight & then YOU'RE FLABBY! If you were to go on the diet you have to after the procedure, BEFORE, you would lose the weight! You could starve yourself & drop the 60-90 lbs. in 2 months. Think about liquids only for 4 weeks or so???? I'm being passionate again, but when I read stuff like the following, you should understand why.

ScienceDaily (May 26, 2007) — Katalin Juhasz Pocsine, M.D., associate professor in the UAMS Department of Neurology, is lead author of the study, which was published online May 22 in the medical journal Neurology. The study concludes that patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, are at risk for long-term vitamin and mineral deficiencies and may develop a variety of neurological symptoms.

(Which by the way, Shakeology is so dense w/ nutrition, if you've had the surgery, this can help you feel great. In fact, anyone who wants to feel great, long-term should try this! Go to: www.shakeology.com/JenniferMorin to see what doctors say, the green superfoods, and ingredients that are truly life-changing.)

So I asked my friend, "What if you had been sticking to a workout program and a nutrition plan that was easy to manage for the last 5-7 years?"

Do you see where I'm going with this? Until you accept the fact that you have to give up the unhealthy foods and you must exercise to have optimum health, you will struggle.

I don't want to see you go up and down with your weight. I don't want to see you struggle with keeping the size 5 jeans and size 13 pants in the closet, "just in case you go back". I hate watching the emotional battle within you.

I want to start a revolution of people making their minds up ONCE & FOR ALL that they are NOT going back to being overweight. I want people to make their minds up that they are going to exercise regularly for a toned and healthy body, healthy lungs & heart. I want people to decide that food will not be master over them!!!!

Are you ready to join my revolution & stop the obesity!

Stop the battle with weight!

Stop the up & down, yo-yo eating/living!

Let me help you!!!!!

Email me: jennifermorin@beachbodycoach.com

FYI:  I am working out my schedule to offer 2 workouts/week in my home. I'm working on a Fit Club here in NW Bakersfield, CA for an evening too! So I'm going to make myself even more available to help you, support you, and encourage you!!!! Message me to get put on the list so that you can be the first to be emailed with the start dates & times!!!!

Sticking TO-DO LISTS help us manage our time!

How many of you struggle with TIME-MANAGEMENT? Have you ever tried using a TO-DO LIST - consistently?

I make my to-do list every night. Last night as I sat down to write it out before bed (so that I can rest with peace), I created a 'template' that I am going to type up & print out. There are a few things that are daily to-dos for me, and then there are 4 areas in which there are items to complete daily.

I thought I'd share what I am implementing. I'll use Word to create a document with 2 columns on my worksheet for 2 days (to save paper, right). I'm practical & systematic. Here's an example of how mine will look:

TO-DO LIST for: ________________(day/date)

Morning Routine:

1. Daily devotional/quiet time (5:15 a.m. @ the start of my day)
2. Workout
3. Personal Blog time
4. Emails (personal)

Work: (Include 3 action items to reach goals)

1.  Emails
2. Add customers to FB list
3. Set appt. with prospect(s)
4. Follow up with advertising co.

Errands: (List errands that must get done today)

1. Costco (completely out of food)
2. Car Wash (Hurricane Cheerios hit the back seat!)

Chores: (List chores that must get done today)

1. Declutter kitchen counter (company coming later)
2. Clean bathrooms (see above)

Activity with kids:

1. Weed out the pumpkin patch (it's looking overgrown)
2. Read some books
3. Wrestle & tickle

Evening  Routine:

1. Start dinner (by 4:30 p.m.)
2. Dinner w/ boys & hubby
3. Clean up kitchen
4. Unwind w/ family outside
5. Bathtime
6. Bedtime (8:45/9ish)

Not sure if your day can look like this. Each of my days does not always include chores AND errands, however, most times it does. Sometimes the #1 priority & the first thing we do in the a.m. is get out of house to the park. This is a template form that I'm going to print out & use w/ blanks under the work, errands, chores, and activities areas to fill in each day according to what is priority.

Arming ourselves with a to-do list, with blanks to fill in will help us be better managers of our homes, and that's the goal, right?

If we use budget sheets to direct our money, why don't we use TO-DO lists to direct our time?  Stick to the list, control your time on the internet & phone, and you will have better days of getting more done! When we use a TO-DO LIST & have better TIME-MANAGEMENT, then our day will flow with greater peace & patience.

(The above is what I typed up for the BakersfieldMom.com blog...but I couldn't wait for them to share...so since it's mine :) I thought I'd share it with my peeps TODAY. Also, I want to add that I have always used a to-do list, all throughout my life. Only after doing Chalene Johnson's www.30daypush.com did I realize that many have no idea about the power of to-do lists, making them consistently & sticking to them. They have the power to change your life!)

Worth Reading....

Found this at the grocery store. Bought it WinCo Foods for $9.99. Saw it at Save Mart too. This is a 21 day journey type book that gives you scripture and words to encourage weight loss & self-discipline. It will challenge you and help you grow in this area. Speaks of rest, exercise, and self-control.

"We live in a world in which leisure is glorified

and consumption is commercialized." (pg. 105)

Now, many of you who know me, may remember that I am not a 'Book-Bible Study' person. My mantra was "All I need is the Word, just give me the Word"...and while that still rings true, I have embraced using this book by Elizabeth George. It's all about Life-Management. I'm using as my guide through the Bible for my morning devotional time. It's really using the Word to speak to my current focus and season in life.

Here's the topics of each chapter in the book:

Managing your Spiritual Life                             

Managing your Physical Life (Body)

Managing your Home Life

Managing your Financial Life

Managing your Social Life

Managing your Mental Life

Managing your Ministry Life

Managing your Time...and your Life

There is a reading book that goes along with this study guide. I didn't pay attention to that when I ordered this off Amazon.com. Nonetheless, I am getting a ton of good, heart-changing info out of the study guide. It totally directs you to a variety & multitude of verses that is leading me to make better decisions!

Who could use some guidance in all these areas?

Raise your hand. I do too!

It's all about going to resources OUTSIDE of yourself to change the INSIDE of yourself! Hope you find these and read them to grow along with me! Have a great day!