That Girl/This Girl

Have you ever posted a past photo of yourself that was thinner or more athletic or dressed better or whatever? I have done it a lot of times. I thought I was inspiring myself with comments like "that girl had her crap together and this girl is working hard to get back to being her..."

My Honest Prayer

Reading other people's honest words is very therapeutic for me. I have been praying all day long and basically the words have been the same. I thought I'd write them as they came. I hope and pray someone else is encouraged by the honesty and openness in this prayer. I hope that whoever is reading this knows that God is always there for us no matter how much we're struggling or how much pain we're in at the time. Just be honest with Him and ask for His help. Praising Him in the Storm is a lesson I've been trying to learn for years, but today I realized sometimes I need His help to even do that.

Be the Change

Great quote. Like, for real, AMAZING QUOTE. 

So why aren't we living in a better world?

Because we sit by and we let others do the good works, make the right choices and just smile and be happy for them. Or worse, judge them. 

The people that are seriously changing the world aren't doing it for their friends, they aren't doing it for an innumerable amount of likes on Facebook or hearts on Instagram. The people changing the world are doing it for the world. The people changing the world don't judge, don't sit back and silently make fun or talk behind your back. The people changing the world are moving so quickly and sometimes so quietly, they've come, changed and gone before you even learned their name. 

I have a few friends I think will change the world. One is a mom that has changed my beliefs on everything from breastfeeding (in public, GASP!) to leading me to actually consider an alternative to an induced, hospital, "painless" childbirth - should we choose to have another tiny - no, we aren't pregnant.

I've been thinking a lot about these things recently. Then, last night at the restaurant I manage, I was approached by a server. Their guests asked to pay for the table next to them. I spoke to the guests and explained how it would work. The lady then explained that her father was also a vet and the elderly gentleman wearing a veteran's ball cap reminded her of him. I asked the guests if they'd like to approach the man and tell him what they're doing or if they'd like me to say anything or deliver any type of message. They smiled and said no thanks. Upon their leaving, I got to deliver the news to the couple. The man, bless his heart, was hard of hearing so his wife explained it all to him. She was so touched she held my hand and cried for a few seconds. They kept looking around as though they might see the couple that graciously paid for their dinner. They asked me to tell them thank you if I was ever to see them again. In this industry, even if I do, I may not recognize them. But I will be watching for them every shift for the foreseeable future. 

Just being on the outside of the good deed felt incredible. 

But I'm not going to stop there. I may not be able to afford to buy dinner for strangers or 

set up homeless shelters. But what I can do is SOMETHING. 

I can be the change I want to see. 

I can positively affect the lives of those around me.

I can make people smile.

I can hold a door.

I can wave to my neighbor.

I can lend assistance to a person struggling to load groceries into the car. 

I can do... SOMETHING. 

I encourage you to watch this video. It touched me to the core. 

DO SOMETHING. BE SOMETHING. 

-God Belss,

Rachael 

Let's Get Healthy Together!

Melissa and I have been a part of monthly weight loss challenges for a year now. We have seen some great successes and we have both had failures. We have both fallen off the wagon and we have both educated ourselves and learned to lose weight the right way, eating right and working out. 
Since the weight loss challenges have ended, Melissa and I have created our own group on Facebook to help support, motivate, inspire and educate anyone looking to lead a healthy life. 

If you're on a journey to healthy living, feel free to join us here!

We wish you health and happiness!
Rachael and Melissa 
-SisterSpeak

A Quick Lesson in Grace

Have you ever had a bad day? Even been offended by someone? Betrayed by someone? Hurt by someone? Well, of course, we all have at one point or another.

(hashtag) I'm a Runner Ya'll

I was in the hospital a couple weeks ago. I had a surgery, blah blah blah. Maybe one day I'll post about what really happened, but for now, just believe what you've been told (wink wink!) 

 This photo screams "share on a public site" doesn't it?! ;) 

Our Deepest Fear

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

-Marianne Williamson

Am I Weak or Am I Strong?

Before you read this blog post, I want you to think of two people. I'm sure most, if not all, of us know these two people.

The first person would be someone you know that's weak, someone that can't handle the curveballs life throws at them, someone that buckles when adversity, pain or troubled waters affect them.

The second person is one that is strong. This person is someone you would be happy to lean on when you're being tested and tried, that person that seems to be able stand strong when life becomes tumultuous - that person that you know would hit that curveball right out of the park.

I'm Proud Enough to Do THIS:

From the time I started forming memories until I was 20 years old, I was SKINNY.

Confessions of a Former Addict: The Scale No Longer Defines Me

How much do you obsess about the number on the scale? Does it consume your every thought? Does every bite of food make you wonder if it's the reason you're not losing enough weight? Do you skip meals or limit calories to crazy-low amounts? Have you considered or acted upon skipping all meals for days, throwing up after you "cheat" or taken laxatives to lose weight?

What Permission are You Giving to Others?

So, I just spent several days in Indianapolis, IN for the Scentsy Family Reunion 2013. We had several speakers and they all spoke to me. The lessons that I learned will not only help in my Scentsy business, but will help in so many aspects of my life. So, on that note, I would like to share with you something that's been permeating through my heart and soul ever since I left Indiana.

We'll say this is a follow-up to the post I wrote about Self Image (see it here if you missed it).

Speaker, Brené Brown, spoke on vulnerability. (Learn more about this amazing speaker here) One thing she said has been resonating with me ever since. She said (and I'm sorry I can't quite it verbatim) that unless someone is in the arena, fighting their fears of vulnerability, with you, they don't have permission to criticize, examine or place judgment on your own journey. In other words, don't give them permission to pass judgement or criticism on you. So, that seems pretty cut and dry. However, I had to figure out how to make that jump into practical application. 

It's not just about giving or not giving permission to pass judgement on your life. It's about what permissions you're giving those in and around your life. If you have a public Facebook page, I guarantee you've experienced the negativity from those around your life. If it gets you down, hurts your feelings or has a negative effect on your life, unfortunately I have to be blunt here, you are giving them permission to hurt you. You're giving them permission to have an affect on your life.

Now, we can easily understand the aspect of negativity and how we allow others that power over us. However, it's harder (at least for me) to see it from the flip side, the positive side. What permissions are giving people to bring positive influence into your life?

I have a hard time accepting a compliment, that means I'm not giving them permission to others to compliment me. Do I give others permissions to compliment or affirm me in any way? I am down on myself, I don't see anything good in myself, so I don't accept that others can see those things in me. I know I'm working very hard on my working out and eating right, but I cannot accept that my work shows. I don't give myself permission to feel any pride in my work so I cannot allow others to express any pride in my doings. It's not just about my working out and eating right, it's about every single aspect of my life.

So, what permissions are you giving those around you? Start giving permission to yourself to feel pride in your accomplishments and living out the life that God has blessed you with. God has given you gifts, don't be ashamed to use them, express them and live them! And then start giving permission to those in and around your life to express their love, adoration, pride and affirmations. When you start granting permission for the positive things; the corrections, lessons, exhortations or criticisms are so much easier to accept because you know they love you and fill your life with more positive influences than negative.

It's your choice, you have the power to start granting permissions today!

So I leave you with the question: What permissions are you giving to others?

God Bless,
Melissa

Change is a Scary Word.

So many times, we blame our circumstances, we blame our parents or our upbringing, we blame other people or the fact that we don't have time, money or means. We BLAME because we are too afraid to change. But we live a life that is unfulfilled. We are unhappy and, when it comes down to it, we're the only people that can do anything about personal happiness and inner peace.

If you're unhappy in your current situation, change it. Make the big move,  take a chance, make a change.

#idontdietijusteatright

So, this morning I wanted Sonic. I passed one on the way to work and all I could think of was the sausage, egg and cheese burrito I used to to eat (4-5 days a week) and I was drooling! 

As I passed the sonic, I began to think about what I was going to make for breakfast. It's my go-to. Egg whites, turkey sausage, avocado and salsa. NOMNOM!! (Much to my chagrin, I have learned that turkey sausage is not paleo. Looks like my favorite breakfast needs a makeover!) 

Anyhow, it's not that I CAN'T have a burrito from Sonic. I just choose not to. Hubby and I have talked a lot about can't vs. don't. If someone asks if I want pizza, I won't say "I CAN'T have pizza." Instead, "I don't eat pizza." 

So much of our own failures and successes are decided in our own mind. But I'm only talking about food, today :)

My breakfast was 291 calories. Everything was healthy. Protein, healthy fat, vegetable (yes, you can count salsa as a vegetable!) and a big glass of water. 
The Sonic burrito I wanted was 500 calories. And I'm sure I would have added a very unhealthy super sweet coffee drink. That would have added 430 calories. That's almost 1000 calories FOR BREAKFAST! 

I'm pretty sure I made the right decision :) 

It's one decision at a time. I DON'T DIET, I JUST EAT RIGHT! (and I hashtagged it because that's how I post my food on Instagram!)

My yummy breakfast

Make good decisions.  

R

I am Touched

Today I received a text from a friend saying I inspired her. "Thank you for the push", she said. "You're one of a kind." 

A week ago, I received a Facebook message from a friend's sister. "Since I am following you on Instagram and I see all of your posts, I just wanted to let you know that I think you are awesome. You are an inspiration to me! Just when I think about picking up something that isn't good for me I usually check instagram and see one of your posts. I am really trying to turn my life around." 

Another friend commented on my photo documenting a family bike ride. "Rachael you look amazing!! Great job you motivate me every day to go to the gym when I see your posts! Thanks."

A while back, I posted this on my Facebook. I got so many "atta girls" and a few jokes. But I mean it. I am not sorry that I check in at the gym or show off pictures of my food, juices and smoothies. This is important to me. This is my life. 

Learning that I am inspiring people has touched my heart. I cannot express my joy in knowing I have impacted someone's life and fitness/weight loss journey. 

Hubs said to me, "Way to go, baby. Changing the world one life at a time." 

I'm not, by an means, tooting my own horn or patting myself on the back. Truth be told, I do this for me. I document my workouts, check in at the gym and share photos of my meals because I LOVE when people "like" it. I LOVE when people comment and tell me how good my food looks, how undesirable my juices look, make jokes or just cheer me on. I'm not an attention addict, but it fuels my fire. 

So, for people that are annoyed by me: I'm not sorry. I do this for me. And, as it turns out, I AM changing lives. 

G'Day ;) 

My First 5k - I'm doing this for me!

So, I'm headed to Indianapolis for the Scentsy Family Reunion this week and Wednesday, I'm participating in the Scentsy 5k Fun Run. I know it's not a "race" or timed, but I'm still super excited and nervous. I did a Virtual 5k last month around my neighborhood. Can you say HILLS!?!? Well my goal was under an hour and I did it in 53 minutes. So, this go round my goal is under 50 minutes. Now, I must tell you that some people have made me feel silly for that time goal. I was getting my feelings hurt at first when people would look at me like I was an idiot for setting that goal. Then I realized, who cares what THEY think!?!?! I don't need to please ANYONE. I am not a runner by nature, but I'm learning to love the feeling of being out and walking/jogging. I may not be as fast as you, but I'm pushing myself and that's what really matters. For me to run at all is a push, for me to set a time goal is a push - so I'm going to celebrate no matter what my finish time is. And I'll be proud, no matter if no one else sees the greatness of my "slow" time.

It's funny that people feel like I am doing this 5k for them. Don't they understand that it's for me and me alone? If you can do a 5k in 10 minutes, more power to you! I'll be proud of 50 minutes. Also, if you can do a 5k that fast, why aren't you pushing yourself for a full marathon or triathlon? Fitness is about pushing yourself, challenging your body to do what it was designed to do, no matter how hard it seems. This time next year, I hope to have completed several 5ks and if I'm still trying to get under 50 minutes, I'm ok with that. I'm proud if I push myself. If it's easy, I didn't try hard enough.

I believe that in every aspect of life, we should be pushing ourselves. Every muscle atrophies if not used. That includes your brain and (in my opinion) heart and soul. If I don't challenge my brain by learning new things, if I believe I have nothing left to learn or just don't want to put any effort into it, I've put myself in a sad place.  If I feel like I've done all the charity I can do, I won't touch another person in love; again, how sad! If I think I know all the Scriptures and their deeper meanings, I won't grow Spiritually or get any closer to God; that's just too sad a thought to me.

Everyday, I aim to grow, push, strive and move forward. Be it fitness and health, knowledge and education, charity and serving others or in my Spiritual walk with my Creator, Father and Friend. I am, in no way, saying that I grow leaps and bounds everyday. Sometimes I just move a minuscule amount, but forward movement is good enough for me!

I know I got off on my soapbox a little bit there, but I truly believe that every single aspect of our lives affect our entire being, physical, mental, emotional and Spiritual. When I run (jog) it's hard for me, but I know that if I can do that, I can do anything I set my mind to. You don't have to be a natural runner to push yourself to run, you don't have to be a natural giver to push yourself to give to those around you and you certainly don't have to be naturally "spiritual" to have a Spiritual relationship with God. (*Note: I am not implying that you have to "work" for God's love or relationship, but you do have to put effort and focus on learning and growing everyday)

So to sum up this "rant" post, I feel like you should be pushing yourself to be better at whatever it is that you are doing. Do it to the Glory of God and you'll want to push on even more.

Keep an eye out for my "After my First 5k" post!

God Bless,
Melissa

Self Image

I have recently come across some old photos of myself. Most of them are about eight years old. I was incredibly saddened by these photos because before looking at them again, I would have sworn that I had always been obese. I literally cannot remember a time in my life that I didn't feel like the biggest girl in the room. In these photos I am certainly not "skinny" but I am also not the "big girl" that I felt like.

Society has given us an image for what we should strive to attain. I am not going to say that everyone should just embrace their weight/size and not change. Some of us are not healthy - whether you are skinny or big. The number on the scale certainly does not reflect someone's health. From the doctor's office to the magazines to the weight loss commercials/shows; everyone is telling us that to be healthy, acceptable and happy we HAVE to lose weight. I beg to differ. There are so many people that are so consumed with a number on a scale that they become addicted to it. They lose too much weight, they restrict their diets until their hair falls out, the skin sags and turns ashen in color, their eyes yellow and appear sunken - in all, they are not healthy. We've all seen the stories about the anorexics and the bulimics - they're not obese. They usually didn't even start out that way. Then there are the people that couldn't care less about the number on the scale. The obese people eat what they want (usually to fill a void of some sort or because they've just not been taught proper nutrition and just don't care) they suffer from obese related diseases, they sit when everyone around them stands, they struggle walking up a flight a stairs or putting on their shoes. Do you realize that there are people that look "normal" to you but are actually unhealthy? Maybe they are a size 4 or 8 or 10 and you think they are "normal." You strive to be like them, but they eat garbage, they aren't active, they don't do anything to better their health. To you, these people are just "lucky" because they don't have to work to be "normal." The problem with judging by outer appearance, is that they are not healthy either. Some of these "normal" people have body fat content that puts them in the obese category.

Now, I'm not saying, let's all just eat what we want and however our bodies turn out, that's just the way that God intended. Actually, what I'm saying is that to judge a person by their outward appearance can give us unrealistic goals and cause us much more harm than good. The Bible calls our bodies, "The Temple of the Lord." In my opinion, that means that we should care for our bodies. We should eat foods in moderation, we should be active as our bodies are intended and we should stay aware of what things we're allowing into our bodies.

In the photos that I was looking at, I weighed about 80-90 lbs less than I do now. I had dieted, in some cases to extremes, to achieve a particular number on the scale. I never got closer than 30 lbs over my goal weight, the number on the doctor's chart. However, today I feel healthier than I did then. I workout and make healthy choices. I do not let myself get drawn into the extremes that lower the number on the scale but reek havoc on the health and workings of the body, as God created them.

Some Christians maintain a strong stand against good self image as they feel it leads to pride (the self serving, arrogant nature opposite of the humility God desires from us), but I am learning that a healthy self image is not self serving or arrogant. We truly must be thankful for the bodies with which God has blessed us. Both arrogance or self promoting and self loathing can cause us harm. God created our bodies to be a blessing to Him and to those around us. If you hate the body that God has blessed you with, you are saying that He created something not worthy to serve Him and others. If you believe you are above all others because you weigh a certain number or you look a certain way, you are also saying that you are not worthy, or in this case lowly enough, to serve Him and others. Either way you are so consumed with your self that you cannot serve God and others around you. This, to me, is the wrong kind of self image.

Healthy self image comes from acknowledging that God created our bodies to run a certain way. To eat healthy foods, but to enjoy His blessing of food. He gave us taste buds so that we could enjoy food; if we were only to eat foods for nutrition, what was the point of taste buds? Our bodies are designed to be active, our joints and vascular, digestive and pulmonary systems all perform better when we engage in an active lifestyle. Do you think that's just a coincidence? I certainly do not. I believe that God created these earthly bodies to perform well when given proper nutrition and engaged in an active lifestyle.

I am working, not to be "skinny" or to fit someone else's mold for my body, but to Glorify God through the taking care of His temple, my body. Would I like to weigh a certain number? Sure. Will I fall apart if I never reach that number? Absolutely not. I will strive daily to eat properly and to lead an active lifestyle because I feel like God has turned on a light inside of me that shows me what caring for His temple, my body, really is.

Yes, I really did get all this from a silly photo of the not-so-big girl that I once was. I've included that photo at the end here, so you can see what started it all. Again, I know I wasn't "skinny," but I certainly wasn't ready for Biggest Loser like I remember feeling. It's funny that, today, I feel better about myself weighing nearly 100 lbs more than this. Accept your body, accept that you were created to be only what God Himself desires from you, but don't settle for "almost good enough." Eat right, stay active and thank God for blessing you with the body that He gave you. Remember, it's not the number on the scale that makes one healthy or unhealthy, it's what foods you choose and whether you're active or not.

June 2004 - 23 years old

Approximately 80-90 lbs less than I am today - embarrassed about being the "big girl"

June 2013 - 32 years old

Just finished my first 5k in under an hour.
Standing tall for the world to see that I'm an "active girl" no matter my weight.

God Bless,

Melissa