Failure isn't an Option

Last week, I started doing the new Beast Up schedule for Body Beast which includes two new workouts.  I have been riding the struggle bus for a few months trying to fit workouts in with school, motherhood, and life in general, and I wasn't enjoying the workouts I had been doing.  Body Beast is my heart and soul.  There is something about lifting really heavy weights and pushing my muscles to the point of failure that I find incredibly therapeutic.  

I had been doing really well sticking to my Paleo eating plan before I started my summer classes.  Then while on campus 3 days a week, I found myself not packing my lunch and eating more quick, easy things for lunch.  When I would get home from being in one class for 8 hours a day, working out and cooking a nutritious supper were the last things I had on my mind.  By the end of my class, my body was showing and feeling how bad I had slid off course.  So last Sunday, I decided it was time to drag myself back up, and get back to what my body loves-Paleo and lifting. 

After one week, I am already feeling better.  Stronger.  Last Monday during Beast Up Chest/Shoulders/Triceps, I attempted to go up to 25 lbs for my super heavy weights on the Military Press super set.  I failed miserably.  I got out 3 of the 6 reps in the set.  So this morning, I was facing a decision when the Military Presses came up.  Do I attempt 25 lbs again and possibly fail again?  Or do I lighten the load, but potentially hinder gains?  Muscles aren't built and fat loss isn't maximized when you don't push yourself to failure in weight training.  So I decided what the hell.  Let's go for it.  I grabbed my 25's, and away I went.  I poured all my energy and focus into those 6 reps, and you know what happened?  I DID IT!!  I completed all 6 with 25 lbs of weight in each hand!  

The way I see it, you have two options when you fail.  You can lay down and not get back up or you can jump back to your feet and kick some ass.  I choose the latter.  So far, I have a 100% survival rate.  ;)  

Paleo Wings?! What!?!

Mmmmmm....buffalo wings....wait.  I can't have those.  They aren't Paleo.  Or ARE they?

They can be!  If you make them with the right ingredients!  They can also be DELICIOUS!  Better than the deep fried ones you get in a restaurant.  Don't believe me?  Make THESE yourself!!  Then come back and tell me how much you love them.  ;)  Oh, and if you're doing Whole30, they are compliant!!

But I have kids!

The one thing that gets on my nerves more than anything in the world is people who use their kids as their excuse to not eat healthy or work out.  Dude.  Your kids should be your REASON, not your excuse.  

I started working out daily when my children were 8, 6, and 1 1/2.  Anyone who has children knows that at 1 1/2, kids are in to EVERYTHING and do NOT want to sit still and watch a movie so mom can get a workout in.  Right off the bat, I worked out WITH my youngest, and always welcomed my other two if they wanted to join us.  I would let Emy sit on my stomach for crunches, on my back for planks, use her as my weights, give her one lb soft weights to use, whatever.  It allowed me to get my workout done with minimal interruptions.  Two years later, she joins me on most days.  She LOVES our workout time. 

When you work out in front of or with your children, you aren't taking time away from them.  You are teaching them the importance of being healthy from an early age.  You are teaching them how to take care of themselves.  Taking care of yourself, working out, and eating healthy is not being selfish.  It is being smart.  The more you do this, the higher your chances are of staying in your children's lives for a very long time and being around to hold grandbabies and great-grandbabies. Let them be your reason, NOT your excuse.  

Welcome!!

Hey, thanks for stopping by my blog!!  Let me tell you a little about myself and my blog.

I am a mom of three, a full-time RN student, and Independent Beachbody Coach!  About a year ago, I discovered the world of Paleo and found out that my body LOVES it.  Through Paleo eating, I have been able to curb a lot of health issues that I was having that eating healthy in general and exercise weren't quite taking care of.  Over the last several months, I have gone completely Paleo, and I am constantly coming up with new recipes which I will share here along with some fun stuff like fitness tips, family fun, and more!

I look forward to getting to know you better, and please feel free to shoot me a message any time!