"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." ~Winston Churchill

I think I should write this quote on a few post-it's and stick them all over the place.

Real talk: My 22 month old has decided to quit napping (she has been down to only 1 nap since 11 months old).  Sure, it could be a phase. Yes, I am giving her "quiet time".  Thankfully, she is going to bed a little earlier too.  After throwing myself a pity party for the last week or so, and having the opening line be "Hi, how are you? My toddler stopped napping!"  "Hey, how's it goin? My toddler stopped napping!!!" *womp womp womp* I decided that I need to get my mind right and focus on having a better attitude about this new change. #ownit Motherhood at it's finest.

You know what they say, "expectation is the root of all heartache"  (and by "they" I mean Shakespeare).  That's a hard lesson I keep re-learning as a mom.  Heck, as a human being.  Expecting things to go as planned, or as I envisioned.  In other aspects of my life, this is something I continuously struggle with.  Expecting a certain person to be a particular way.  Expecting to be "bikini ready" the summer after I gave birth.  Expecting my daughter to take a nap after play time, swimming, and being awake since 6am.  Expectations can be tricky.  The key is to have realistic expectations.  Hope for the best, but expect the worst.  Amen to that!

I also believe the universe is telling me to slow down, I have been sick with a sinus infection since hubby got back from his trip (welcome home babe!)  So I have been resting and putting my pride aside and asking the grandparents for help.  Truly blessed to live near my parents and in-laws, they jump on any chance they get to see their grandbaby. Hopefully I will nip it in the bud ASAP! **listen to your body**

So that's what I have been up to!  Pity party is over....for now. ;) On a happy note, maybe she will wanna snuggle her dearest mama more often

Watching "Finding Nemo" for the umpteenth time ;)

 I've been working on a post about FITspiration Lifestyle Tip #6: Eating clean in moderation. My goal is to also post another recipe.  

As requested, I am also starting to post some of my favorite exercises.  These can be found on my Instagram: FITspiration_Mom and on my Facebook page.

Here is an example:

If you have questions on how to do a particular exercise, check out www.bodybuilding.com

Hope everyone is having a great day

 TGIF!
Lex

Tilapia with Kale and Tomato

You know I love me some Shaun T. ♥

This recipe is straight from the T25 recipe booklet. It's not only healthy and full of flavor, but super easy and quick to make. Yesssssss!

Tilapia with Kale and Tomato

Ingredients(for 2 servings):

2 (6 oz) raw tilapia filets

Sea salt, to taste

Ground black pepper, to taste

2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

4 cups fresh kale, chopped

1 can of diced tomatoes, with juice

Directions:

1.  Season both sides of tilapia with sea salt and pepper.  Set aside

2. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat.  Add garlic and kale, stirring frequently for about 1-2 minutes.

4. Add tomatoes with juice. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low.

5. Place tilapia on top of kale mixture and cover to cook for about 1 minute. Gently turn tilapia over and cook for additional 2-3 minutes (or until cooked through and flakes easily with a fork)

6.  Remove from heat and ENJOY!

We always make a side of quinoa to compliment this amazing dish, and usually end up using diced tomatoes with green chiles to add a little kick (and maaaaybe some cholula)

And yes, even my *almost* 2 year old loves it.  This makes me super happy, because I'm always worried about her getting enough healthy fats.

That does it for today's post, until next time!

Lex

FITspiration Lifestyle Tip #5: Accountability & Progress

Well, hello, hello!  Today I want to talk more about FITspiration Lifestyle Tip #5: Accountability & Progress.

If you have decided to set some health and fitness goals for yourself, the first thing you want to do is share them with your support system!  If you keep it to yourself, you are more likely to give up and change your mind.  *confession* When I decided I wanted to make a goal of doing ONE pull-up...I didn't even tell my hubby for at least a week!  I kept thinking to myself "Is this really possible?  What if I can't do a pull-up and then I will feel embarrassed."  Don't let your thoughts get the best of you, it's about trying your best.  Even if you don't achieve it today, you will become stronger and learn new skills along the way.

Last fall, I remember looking in the mirror one day and feeling depressed and exhausted from being unhealthy(no exercise and 20/80 rule!), I turned to my hubby and I pleaded with him, "Please, please help me stay on track! Even if I get mad at you in the moment, remind me this is what I want.  This is what I need to feel better about myself."   When I wanted to skip a workout or eat something unhealthy because I was having a "bad day", I turned to him for that reminder. Support systems are amazing!

The next thing you want to do is get a fitness/food journal!  This can be a small notebook (I like writing things down) or you can download a free app like My Fitness Pal.  Or both!  This is a great way to track progress and to hold you accountable with your goals.  I mainly use it as a food journal, so I can see what I am actually eating.  What a wake up call! I did a lot of "Oh, one extra oreo won't hurt" and "What's another handful of chips gonna do?" or how about "I deserve this bowl of ice cream since I worked out today!"  Boy oh BOY, do all these little things add up in the long run. 

#truth

You can also use this to track your workouts.  It's nice to be able to look at last week and aim to do at least 1 more rep, go up in weight, or add more time to cardio (or plank challenge!)

I also used my journal to write down my goals for the week and put down my "stats"  Which included my weight and measurements (waist, hips, chest, biceps, and thighs).  When I first started out, I only allowed myself 1 weigh-in per week (the same day I took progress pics).  Do not, I repeat, DO NOT obsess about the scale.  It is not what defines your success in this journey.  You will most likely lose inches before pounds.  The scale tends to be a distraction for us ladies, don't let it define the way you feel about yourself.  The weight loss will come in due time.

 Most importantly (in my own opinon): take pictures!  This has been my main tool of measuring my progress, because the scale does not tell you that you have lost inches or built muscle.  You won't even see the difference some days, because you see yourself every day!  Ask your hubby, a close friend, or family member to take these for you.  Make sure you do a variety of poses (front, side, & back.  regular posture and flexing).  You will be happy you took these pictures to compare along the way. It's also a great motivator to help you stick with it, or to work harder.

Make sure you pick a room with good lighting, a blank wall, and try to wear a similar outfit each time. There is no scale in the world that can compare with seeing a side by side of all the smaller changes. I remember when I first took a "before" picture after I gave birth.  I wanted to delete them right away. I had tears welled up and I started to feel defeated before I even began. *cue support system*

After seeing fit moms like Natalie Hodson take these same photos and being real about it, I was inspired to keep the pictures and to use it as motivation to start feeling good about myself.  A year and a half later, I can still look back and reflect on where it all began.  I am "that" girl that loves pizza, cheeseburgers, ice cream, chocolate, twiced baked potatoes with all the fixin's, home cooked enchiladas with rice & beans.  I know what it feels like to look in the mirror and wish for the self confidence to wear a tank top or shorts (or a bathing suit).  It wasn't easy facing the music and making the decision to leave my excuses behind and get the wheels turning forward, but I did it. One day at a time.

Celebrate the small victories, because before you know it, they will add up to a BIG change.  Share with your support system what your aspirations and goals are, and ask them to hold you accountable. 

A lot of these tips tie in together, especially when it comes to accountability.  Use your support system to help you stay on track.  Find a workout buddy and put it on the calendar; you will think twice about skipping a workout, I promise you! Take the time to write in a food journal, so you can be honest with yourself and maybe even notice a bad habit that you can replace with a healthier one.

I hope this post helps you on your journey to a healthier, happier you.  Remember, it doesn't get easier; YOU just get stronger.

Next blog post will be a recipe, pinky promise.  I have been adapting to "Terrible Two's" and sporadic nap times with my little one, so working on my blog has been a crap shoot.  C'est la vie right?

Until next time!

Lex