Shaved, Plucked, Toned, And Ready

Whew! I’m still so full of emotion, but excitement for this show is right under the surface. I’ve been reflecting a lot last night and this morning about all of this. Like I’ve said so many times before, it is so much more than sweating in the gym and stepping on stage. I’ve learned so much, but the thing I will value the most is the confidence I have gained in my strength as a person. I will never ever be able to tell you all how much the connection with others and the deep relationships I have gained along this process mean to me. I opened myself up. I was vulnerable. I shared my extreme excitement and I have shared my lows and you all have responded and I’m richer for that. We are richer for that! I’ve already won a million times over with the responses I have received from so many people about how my willingness to share my journey has inspired and motivated them to start their own journey. Maybe it isn’t a path to clear heels, a tiny bikini, and spray tans, but it is a journey they will travel to say they are living THEIR BEST LIVES. That’s all I could wish for. If I don’t place, if I never even get called out for a closer look, I’ve already won.


I’m stepping up there and representing you all. The ones that have had my back and cheered me on and let me know it and the ones that kept silent. I wanted my biggest audience to be those moms out there that are at their wits end with how they look and feel and crushing under the intense pressure of what comes with three little letters, M*O*M. I wanted you to know that if I can do it, you can too. You can make it work. You can find immense JOY in YOUR life. You can be YOU and still LOVE them. You can get behind on things, let the laundry, dust, and dishes pile up and it is OK! Your best YOU makes them the best THEM. Just keep trying, moms. Every day you are blessed with, just keep trying. Embrace the hard crap and praise the Lord for the opportunity to grow stronger with EACH and EVERY struggle. Then go freakin dance in the rain when that spontaneous thought hits your mind because that is living. That is living your life with intent and purpose, joy and love. It absolutely does not mean everything is perfect and everything is ok. We all know that isn’t life. We all have a choice of how to deal with what we were dealt.

Along the way I’ve realized it isn’t only moms. Everyone deserves that chance to love their life. Just this week while I was at Wyatt’s field day a little girl in his class came to me and gave me a hug. I don’t know this little girl other than seeing her in Wyatt’s class for parties and field trips. Later she says to me, “I saw you on facebook” I really didn’t know how to respond other than to say YOU did?! Her mom mentioned that she saw my gym pic. I can only hope my image sticks in that little girl’s mind and she grows up knowing that she can be strong and successful if she works hard at it. Maybe she has no clue now what is behind that picture, but maybe someday she will get it. Wyatt also had a play date with a friend who offered him a cupcake in which he responds that I don’t let him have stuff like that. Mind you, that is totally not true, I do let them have stuff like that on occasion, but you better believe they know exactly what is in it and exactly what it does to your body. But him telling his friends that and actually talking about my show coming up means that he is getting it. He is seeing me work hard and running towards goals and I hope my example gives him the fire to do the same things! Even some men have reached out to ask questions and get advice. It’s just awesome! That is all I can say! AWESOME!!!

Last night my mother-in-law shared her thoughts about it with me. It meant so much and was so humbling at the same time. Last year when my sister won her pro card at this show and trained for World’s I really couldn’t have cheered louder. It was such a big deal to me and I was on top of the world excited for her. What a BIG thing she was doing. Now that I’m in the trenches of my own journey it doesn’t seem like SUCH a big deal. I mean, it is something I never thought I would do, but I still get all embarrassed about it when people bring it up and try to play it off like it really isn’t all that big of a deal now that I’m in those shoes. BUT, I have finally gotten to the point where I can say it kind of is a big deal. This was a huge goal to chase after and I did it! (I don’t know of any other way to describe that and I probably didn’t communicate what I wanted to. HUGE awesome deal for others/not so big for me because it is me and I’m just doing what I know to do with some help)

I should be proud of myself. I am proud of myself. This morning I opened one of my devotionals and it started with a little phrase my grandma taught me when I was little:

Here’s the church.
Here’s the steeple.
Open the doors.
See all the people.

I remember her hands as she did the motions. I will never forget her hands and her tiny frame. It was just that little nudge I needed (to send me into an ugly cry) to realize it is ok to be proud of what I have accomplished in a “don’t get so full of yourself” type of way. Her and my grandpa were always so proud of us as kids. I really can’t even imagine how they would be now.

My sister… she is the reason for this. If it wasn’t for her throwing that fastball high and tight (literally taking my boobs off) and challenging me with this goal I can be pretty sure I wouldn’t be at this place right now. She offered her time and has been there for me the whole time coaching me through. It wasn’t always easy and we went through some tough times that brought back some old wounds, but we grew. We learned. I hope we are both better because of it. I really can’t thank her enough. I hope to reward her with getting my ultimate diva on and continuing my pursuit in being the best me for the rest of my life with her love and encouragement by my side. I couldn't refer a better personal trainer who truly cares about her clients (sister aside).  Look for ZenFit coming soon.  She's a pro at transformation!!!

I didn’t do this alone. I had help. I had support. There were times I felt like I asked for help too much and maybe I did. That was probably the hardest part for me is the guilt and stress I put on myself around asking for help. As a mom of small kids we all have to do that sometimes and it is ok. There are people out there wanting you to ask. Actually, even if you don’t have kids and you are trying your very best, it’s ok to ask for help. I could go into a long rant about a lot of people out there that do nothing but take, take, take and never give back, but I won’t. This post isn’t about them. The ones that are jealous because they see me succeeding and they aren’t doing their best in their own lives and accuse me of being “phony” well, this post isn’t for them. The only things I choose not to share about some struggles in my life deal with other people and it isn’t fair to anyone if I sling my side of the stories around dragging someone through the mud. As much as I’ve wanted to sometimes, it isn’t fair and I’m not about that. I want to encourage and lift others up. I want to be true to MY story and the way I live MY life no matter what kind of drama you try to put in it.

Where was I? Oh, this Saturday… I’m ready. I have put in the hard work. I have followed my diet, sometimes not eating as much as I should have, but I was clean. I’m shaved, plucked, toned, and ready. My last workout was yesterday with some finishing touches to the bootay, so it is rest and relaxation until Saturday. Tonight I start my tan. Tomorrow is my day off to pack up, get my food ready for the day, tan again and mentally focus on why I am doing all of this. I’m gearing up to shine. To shine for me and to shine for you! Once I slip my athlete’s meeting dress on it is DIVA t until I wake up Sunday morning and run 12 miles, sweat, stink, probably cry, change at least 2 poopy diapers, check the underwear of the middle one, wipe snot from my son’s nose, pick the booger out of the other one’s, hear about 20 farts, break up fights, feed hungry mouths, clean up 10,000 messes, and pick up a birthday cake all before Wyatt’s birthday party. I’m sure I’ll say hi to my husband sometime in there.

If you are thinking of me, think “carriage, smooth flow, chest up, butt out, smile, lower tummy in, pose until it hurts”, please?!  I will be updating Facebook (my personal page and 5 Sharp Lives) as much as I can and I will also be posting to Instagram (tsharp12) but the reception in the building isn't the best, so I will do the best I can. 

You are probably sick of me saying it, but I don’t care…. THANK YOU SO STINKING MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART THANK YOU FOR SO MUCH LOVE AND SUPPORT!!!!  I wish I could run and jump into each of your arms right after the show. 

THANK YOU!!!!

THANK YOU!!!!

THANK YOU!!!!

6 DAYS!

It’s here… peak week. I feel like I’ve fixed enough food for the entire month only to realize that it will maybe last me half the week. My goal for the week is to EAT and be present in the moments that are in front of me. To say the last few days have been a mental struggle is probably an understatement. I have doubted myself so much. I’m not really sure why I have beat myself up so bad. Maybe I’m just scared out of my little bikini bottoms. I got stressed just thinking about how stressful this week is going to be. I look at my calendar and just shake my head. But, why? The Lord has got my back. He’s sent the down pour of rain that will cancel my sons’ baseball games which means I have evenings free to make sure my food is ready, my bag is packed, and my time with my family is enjoyed to the fullest being all together and able to get things done at home that I need to get done. I don’t mean that to sound selfish. The baseball games will get rescheduled and I love every minute of them, but this show and this prep will not be rescheduled and I need the focus time.


I am getting better though. I think part of healing, working through stuff you are feeling is being honest about it. Normally when people ask me how I am it is the usual: great, I’m excited, good, etc. And, I started to do that with some of my closest friends on Saturday night. Then I stopped myself and thought what am I saying? I’m standing in front of these girls that have known me my entire life and I can’t tell them how I am really feeling? BS… So, out with it right over the red onions I was chopping up for our meal. “You know what, no, it isn’t going well… I HAVE NO SELF LOVE right now.” I think it shocked us all. That’s all I needed, to say it and move on with it. And they responded exactly how I needed them to, with love and stop being a dumb ass attitudes. Then we went about our business and my eyes got all teary… from the onions! Man, I love them. Ladies, how do we not get one picture of our kids together or us that night?!

I got another great reminder from a dear friend this morning when I decided to be vulnerable and open up. God does have my back and He has blessed me with the ability to do this and to care for my family and inspire and motivate countless people along the way. He has allowed me to spread my wings and sent the wind to direct them.

I’m a strong girl, I will get where I need to be. I’m almost there, but part of being me means that I beat myself up from time to time when I really shouldn’t. It’s like climbing that long hill where every moment of it sucks, your legs burn, your stomach cramps, your pace slows, and you feel like you can’t really go on, until you get to the top and you feel more alive than you have ever felt and stronger than you will ever need to be because of what you just got up without quitting. Things are coming together and once I have that tan sprayed on my DIVA IS ON. Look out, KC!!! Little t’s coming for you!



This weekend:

Dale’s athletes did an awesome job at state! So, so proud of him and them. But, I missed him big time!

I had a girl’s run with my high school girlfriends. This is the first time that we all got together to do something like this. We did it for our special little Madi that will always have such a special place in our hearts. We are so proud of the little lady she is growing into. I really wish I could go into that story, but now isn’t the time. Just know, she’s one little miracle. Two of my friends had never ran a 5k before. I asked the group about 9 months ago to set a goal and get a race on the calendar. They were all willing to do so and started training for it. It didn’t matter what speed it was, but we all did it, together. Love it! Such a great day.

Shelly, on the far left ran awesome!  I think she was chasing after her little bro., so proud of her.  She runs much faster than I do!!

Then it was on to posing practice – thank God my sister took some video. I needed to see it no matter how much I didn’t like it. Gotta make tweaks and that’s what it was for.

ZenFit girls!!!

Later to dinner with my girls and their families. I love this group!!! I just wish we could do it more.

Sunday was a day full of me trying to catch up and set my mind right. I had a lot to do and of course didn’t get half of it done. Dale was home, but had yards to mow and invited us to go along. The fact that I hadn’t seen my husband in what seemed like forever made me forget about the laundry and go anyway. It all worked out well and we all got some time together. It wasn’t all joyful, but I’m glad we did it. It took me a little while to release my stress of just up and leaving all I had to do to find ways to entertain a 2, 4, and 6 year old in restricted space while their daddy was busy, but once I did we all enjoyed ourselves.

LOL, telling some story!

Dirty grump!

Yep, spontaneous push-ups.  Love that kid!

Sunday’s are usually my long, endorphin flowing, epic runs, but I had to rest Sunday. That probably had a lot to do with my state of mind as well.



So, here we go… 6 DAYS!!!!

10 Days

10 days out

I feel stronger than ever and sore. The area I'm still concerned about is my lower abs. They are as stubborn as Weston. Sure they are solid and sure, I have a 6 pack, but dang I want those lines deep and it just isn't happening. It also likes to stick out despite the above. I’m not overly concerned about it. I’m happy with what I will be stepping on stage with regardless.

There is something that just isn’t right this week. All things are not peacefully coming together. I’m behind in a lot of things at home due to ball games and food prep and grocery shopping and Dale working every night when he comes home. Plus, he has a sinus infection. I know that stuff can wait but that area is off. There is laundry in baskets all over my house. Most of them are folded, which is a miracle but I have yet to find the time to put them away. The only time I could actually find the time is when those little monsters are supposed to be asleep.

My head is a little off too. Just old wounds coming to surface. I know the issues, I just have to find a way to deal with them in a healthy productive way.

Speaking of wounds, I was at Wal-Mart last night with Weston and Waylon. We passed an older man who had bibbed overalls on. We never saw his face, but as we were passing him Waylon says, “Hi Papa”. He wasn’t expecting a response. The guy never turned around to address him and Waylon didn’t need that. It was just his 4 year old little way of saying that man reminded him of his late grandpa. My first reaction was sadness. I wanted to cry right there by the light bulbs, but I knew that wasn’t healthy to do. I think once I start crying I may not stop.

Exercise is way more than just making your body physically strong. It works your mind as well. In the process of getting your body fat down and leaning out it searches every part of you. Even those little crevices in your brain where you like to tuck things away to deal with another day.

The workouts are crazy. I think I literally felt every bit of energy drain from my fingertips as I was leaving the gym yesterday. I have given up on doing my hair. No point in doing my hair for the morning when I will soak it over my lunch hour and it will end up in a ponytail the rest of the day anyway. Two more weeks, my work peeps are just going to have to deal with a less attractive, smelly me. Oh, hi, new president that just joined our company! What’s that about first impressions? Oh well.

I know I said I wanted to blog every day, but as you can see that is hard to do with everything going on right now. I will do the best I can. Tonight it is a rush home, eat dinner, and rush out the door to travel about 40 minutes for another ball game. It’s going to be a long night! But, it is Wyatt’s very first machine pitch game and I’m really excited to see how he does.

This is Waylon from his game Monday night.  His uniform is so big and his portly little body just screamed Babe Ruth to me.  So stinkin cute.  His team did awesome for their first game!

The Countdown Begins and my Momma's Day

It’s killer week…. The show is in 12 days. This week I’m hitting it hard in the gym. Well, that’s no different, I guess. I’ve been hitting it hard. But, 12 days. Only one Saturday in-between. I know this is a big commitment, but I want to try to blog every day. It might not be much. Maybe a line or 2 just to check in and let you know how I’m doing/feeling. This week is a busy week if we can actually get some baseball games in. It’s a busy week at work as well. And, Dale leaves for the State Track Meet on Thursday, so solo-parenting it is for me! Yay – ha!


Speaking of, I’m so happy for Dale. He had a small team this year, but a great group of kids. They ended up qualifying 6 kids for State for 4 events. When the 4x1 team found out they qualified they were so excited. One of them was standing my Dale and the other coach when they delivered the news… priceless moment right there. They were so happy. I’m glad I caught a glimpse of that moment. My husband is an awesome coach. I felt you should know. Track State is a pretty special time and one the athletes won’t forget. So proud of them!  They love our boys too.

Mother’s day – I felt loved and appreciated. How a 4 and 6 year old know it is important to make me feel loved blows my mind. They were bringing me “flowers” all day. Waylon came in with some dandelions and some of my mom’s tiger lilies later. So sweet those boys! Dale had to work. That’s what happens when you start your own little business. You have to make sacrifices. I wish I could have helped him, but I had my hands too full. We all had a great lunch together and then went to do our own thing. I missed him, but I was ok with it.

Yes, he looks like me!

I started my day with an outstanding run. I was supposed to do a 15k race, but who can find an actual race at that distance? Not around here. So, I decided it would be my own little race. I ditched my water bottle and GU in my driveway because it would turn out to be my half way point. I ran my hilly 4 mile route as the sun came up. I’ve fallen in love with that way. I got up the steeper hills chanting “plump that bootay” I crack myself up. I added a little extra to it because of the distance I needed for the day. I said hi to the cows and I was feeling great. I got back to my driveway and jogged for a little bit so I could eat my GU and then drink some water I took a picture too.

4.88 miles down

 This was my slowest mile, as expected. I ditched my water bottle again as I headed into town. Holding the water bottle when I run just means long and slow to my mind and I wasn’t in the mood to run long and slow. My legs were feeling so good I decided to go with how I was feeling and not really hold anything back worrying about having enough left for the miles ahead of me. I didn’t get anything in on Saturday other than being on my feet the whole day, so I had a lot of stress and frustration around having 2 rest days in the week. Plus, my eating and water intake on Saturday was poor!!! I didn’t eat enough and I didn’t drink enough. I feared Sunday’s run because of that.

As I headed into town I decided to take the routes I liked the best. That worked out well. I saved the cemetery for my last couple of miles. I thought maybe I wouldn’t have the emotional breakdown if it was in my later miles instead of close to the middle. Worked like a charm! I ran up the hill with a smile on my face and I ran through there feeling awesome. Somewhere along the way I muted my app which usually tells me my mileage and my pace every mile, but he shut his mouth long ago so I didn’t know where exactly I was or how my pace was going. Instead of stopping to try to figure it out I told myself I feel good, just go with how well you feel. Don’t worry about the pace. BEST.DECSION.EEEEVVVVEEEERRRRRRRR! I tried to check it coming out of the cemetery and I was around 8 miles. I had 2 miles at the least to get back to the house.

So homeward I went. The good feeling just wasn’t going away. I really couldn’t get over the way I was feeling and I knew my pace was good just by my form. The last hill before the bridge usually has me running like I’m pushing a walker with a broken hip or something, but I flew up it Sunday. I had to stop and get my hidden water bottle in which it hurt to not be moving and back up I went. Down shifted, I had about 800 meters left. Homestretch, literally. I found myself sprinting to my driveway. Felt so stinkin good!!! I did not tell myself one negative thing or doubt myself the entire run. The last 4 or so miles I was chanting Strong Legs, Strong Mind, Strong Core and going through my favorite running verse, Isaiah 40:31.

I stopped my app and was beside myself when I saw that I had just completed 10.34 miles at a 8:26 pace. That may not sound fast to some, but I’m only running twice a week. I’m not in full blown half marathon training and I’m running better than I did at my peak last year.

Breakdown:
Mile 1 – 8:46 – It was 36 degrees and dark
Mile 2 – 8:30
Mile 3 – 8:45
Mile 4 – 8:16 – up the longest and most hated hill. The kind of hill you forget you are even going uphill except for how your body is completely bogged down. It seems flat when your feet are moving. Long incline – those are the killers!!!
Mile 5 – 9:24 – drink, GU, picture
Mile 6 – 8:30
Mile 7 – 8:30
Mile 8 – 8:04
Mile 9 – 8:27
Mile 10 – 8:01

I got my Maddox and stretched in my favorite spot and then headed in to hug 4 jammie wearing sleepy heads (my nephew spent the night). A great start to Mother’s Day. I was feeling it later. I was a little more tired than I expected through church and got cranky because I was hungry right after, but all things that were fixable. I ate a nice big plate of chicken, shrimp, and rice and headed out to celebrate my momma.

Throughout the day my left foot/ankle was hurting. I think it was just tired. It feels a lot better today. I’m not worried about it at this point. I’ve had the same pain in my heel last year, but it isn’t anything worth quitting for.

We stayed too late at my parents and it was loads and loads of laundry to fold and 3 really dirty boys to get showered up and in bed once I got home. As I was getting Wyatt’s bag ready for today I found a Mother’s Day card he had forgotten to give me. I took it back to him and asked why he didn’t tell me about it. He got a really familiar embarrassed smile on his face and said, “That picture… oh my Gosh, it is so stupid. I didn’t want to do that, but teacher made me. So dumb.” As he shook his head.

I laughed hysterically and could NOT get over how much of his personality is just like his daddy’s. He would look at the picture and just shake his head and laugh. I love him. I love that sweet middle one too. And that little one that makes me earn every single bit of this title of Mommy!

Hope you all had a good one too. I’ll check in tomorrow.

Ripples In The Tummy - How To

I woke up exhausted. This week like the weeks previous has been crazy. There really isn’t a break in sight. I’m tired. I can feel my mind getting weak. Weaker moments are slipping in as far as doubts, abilities, just negative stuff. I realize it is my choice to pull it all together and make it happen. Things are getting harder. It is harder to balance. It is harder to have a positive attitude. Our days are packed with things to do right now. It is just an all-around busy time of year for us and packing 2 huge goals on top of that makes the chaos almost unbearable. My mind is playing tricks on me as we are coming down to seeing the light and the finish line. I have a choice to kick or give in. I have to find yet another gear. Kicking used to be one of my specialties!

This weekend's running schedule was tough.  A 5k race for KC Corporate Challenge, which I actually pushed and my 10.88 miles on Sunday before church, which I felt every bit of. I may or may not have cried running through the cemetery again.  Like an ugly cry that I would be embarrassed of if anyone actually saw me.  Hopefully that car I passed at the stop sign didn't notice the tears running down my cheeks.  Tuesday was my rest day this week and that is just too long ago for me. I just need to breathe. Do the best I can and breathe! We will get there. I WILL do this! I CAN do this!

Week by week, day by day, hour by hour, I’m going to get there. I’m just going to breathe!

So, I’ve had a TON of questions about what I’m doing for abs. First of all, abs and my rear end/upper hamstring have been my slowest to respond and my trouble areas. That is where my fat goes. I didn’t seriously start training abs every day until a couple of weeks ago when I got frustrated at the slowness of their progress. I took it upon myself to do every ab exercise I could think of pumping out about 500 plus abs exercises. It was killer and I think jump started things. Then my sister set a plan for me to do something every night with abs. Because they are made up of so many muscles you can work them every day if you choose to. I’ve asked for her blessing in sharing this information. She was all about letting the cat out of the bag. It’s all about helping our fellow men and women get to their best selves, right?!

Here we go. Take notes, come back here and read often, etc. If you want to do this I highly recommend taking some before and after pictures. You will love to see your progress. Let me tell you though, this is a complete package deal. Don’t expect to keep eating all the same crap you may be eating (if you are on the unhealthier side of a diet) and not work your body out in other areas and see results. All of these things work together. Ladies, lifting weights affects a lot of areas of your body. If you are standing up right curling you should be able to feel some of that in your abs because they should be tight to keep you stable. Lunges? You are using your core to stabilize your lunge down and bring that knee forward to take your next step. It all works together.

Here are some pics of before I started ripping on my abs. 

Those 2 are purely running and yoga and that was after completing P90x as well.  A thing to remember is the look of your abs could change day by day or actually from morning to night.  Don't get discouraged with yourselves.  So many factors play a role in your tummy area.  Food, stress, posture, etc.  Do your best at controlling all of those factors.  If you slip up, try harder the next day.

So, what I'm doing? 

During my workout Tionna usually has me doing some sort of ab workout mixed in with whatever muscle group we are working.  Usually something like hanging leg raises, knees up, or double crunches with a weighted ball.   Later in the night I will take time before bed or when I can get it in to do more.  Monday, Wednesday, Friday I try to do cross body moves to help define the line down the middle of my core.  Tuesday and Thursday I do straight on abs, crunches, heels to the heavens, etc. Saturday and Sunday I do whatever I feel like doing with abs. 

I don't have pictures of all of them but if you have questions just ask away.  I will try to explain the ones I do have pictures for. 

This first one is pure awesomeness and totally hard.  I felt really accomplished when I finally got this one.  Note:  you may fall, you may lose your balance, you may get really frustrated with how badly your body is shaking.  Breathe, control, push on until you get it.  You WILL get it. 

Start out as shown here

Tuck knees

Extend back out to plank and raise up as much as you can.  Really use those core muscles to get you up there.  You want your back straight as if it is up against a wall.  If you aren't there yet, keep trying. 

10 reps - 3 to 4 sets

CROSS BODY

There are 3 exercises in this set.  Do 20 on each before you switch to the next exercise.  So, you will do a total of 60 with your right arm, left leg before you switch to do 60 with your left arm, right leg through all 3 exercises.  

 

1.  Rested knee/opposite elbow  (20)

2.  Extend knee - bring it in to meet opposite elbow  (20)

3.  Straight leg raised - arm extended to meet opposite foot  (20)

Rest, Switch arms and legs, Repeat above!

You want to do 3 or 4 sets of these.

#1 - Start with your leg on your knee and your opposite elbow needs to meet your rested knee

20 reps

#2 - Extend your leg then bring it in to your opposite elbow

#3 - Straighten your leg and bring it up to meet your extended opposite arm

When you are down your leg should only be inches off of the ground as well as your arm raised over your head only inches off of the groung.  Bring it all up to meet in the middle and squeeze!

Go take ridiculous amounts of pictures of yourself in the mirror because your abs be poppin!

Another one I do, I think she calls it Bird Dog or something. 

Start on your hands and knees.

Ball up - Bring your left arm in to meet your right knee

So, your knee and elbow should be meeting around your belly button. 

Extend your arm and leg and REACH as far as you possibly can.  Squeeze that butt and reach with those fingers. 

Do 15 to 20 with right arm/left leg

Then switch and do 15 to 20 with left arm/right leg

Make sure you reach and squeeze

Squeeze when you are balled up and squeeze when you are extended.

3 to 4 sets of those, too.

Take a lot of pictures so you have proof you are making progress when you doubt yourself.

 

BAM!  Rock it, ladies!  Work it, sweat, keep trying and some day you will wake up and not have to try every position achieveable to see one little ripple including coughing or leaning as far back as possible.  Don't act like you've never done it!  You will wake up, lift your shirt and say, "YES!"

Sometimes I forget I have them.  I get to doubting myself and feeling like I'm not good enough to step up on that stage with these girls that have been going through the same things.  Then I lift my shirt and tell myself I'm going to be ready.  I'm so close.  I still have some issues with my lower core muscles.  I'm still working on those hard.  I also need to shape up my lower back muscles and my lower butt/hip area.  I know I am in awesome shape, probably the best of my life, but I have a stage to walk onto nearly naked, so I need a little more work. 3 weeks out, actually a little less than that as far as exercise.  I'm so ready to get this going.  Here we go....

Let me know if you all have any questions.  Go thank T for the awesome info!  Better yet, go hire her!  She will whip you right into shape!

Feeling Great Doing Great

I have a lot to do and little time. PLUS, I have SOOOOO much on my mind. I have to get some of it out.

So, this weekend was the Warrior Dash as I’m sure you are aware from Facebook and Instagram. I really can’t hold onto pictures for the blog. I feel like I have to share asap! What a blast! I mean really, a stinkin blast. I made my sister come along with me at the last minute as my friend, Mary wasn’t able to make it (love you, Mary). It was cold and rainy, but I think my adrenaline was pumpin a bit too much to keep me geared up and ready to accomplish the course.

We made it up the hill to the starting line and could see across some of the course. Fire, climbing obstacles, barbed wire, crawling, and a lot of people. I was really ready to go through this course. T wanted to be all warrior diva like and take off sprinting. I had to remind her how long we had to go and how hilly the course was. It took quite a bit of convincing for her to follow my lead out there like I follow her lead in the gym. I won’t bore you with all the muddy details, but I will just say, do this once in your life. You NEED to. You will WANT to. You will LOVE it and hopefully you will come out of it with a huge sense of accomplishment and feeling like you can conquer whatever obstacles in your life you might be facing.

People have told me my entire life how strong they think I am. I’m not really sure if they meant mentally or physically or what, but I have to admit I never really believed them. Even after having a natural child birth I didn’t believe them. I just did the things that needed to be done. Wyatt gave me no choice when he came into this world and forced that out of me. I didn’t willingly go into a natural childbirth nor did I choose that route for the other two.

But, when I got off of that course I felt STRONG. Deep down in every fiber of my body STRONG. I had so much energy left it was amazing. I felt like these next 4 weeks ahead of me in this intense contest prep seemed doable without the doubts. It really put things in perspective for me. WARRIOR ON!!! I’m so recruiting everyone I can for next year. Don’t hide from me!

Once I got home I freaked the boys out with all the mud I was covered in and posed for a few pics. You should have seen Weston’s face when I walked in the door. None of them wanted to touch me. I hit the showers and back out the door for the track meet. It was great to take my boys to a track meet this year to support their daddy. They had a great day. So proud of what Dale does for those athletes.

Sunday I woke up for what was supposed to be 9 miles. I was scared. Even after feeling so strong the day before. I was going to go on parts of a new route where I’ve never ran before and I wasn’t sure how it was all going to add up to get me the mileage I needed. I live in a small town and I feel like I ran from one end of it to the other because I pretty much did and then some. The new part of the route was really hilly after coming off some big hills already and there was hardly a shoulder so that scared me. I probably won’t run it again.

Before the 1st mile I started getting a strange feeling in my knee. I hadn’t ever felt it before. It wasn’t really pain, but uncomfortable and I noticed I started limping. Then I told myself to knock it off because that was going to jack things up elsewhere. So I tried to run as normal as possible up and down the hills until it started to move down my leg in which I knew I was ok because it was moving. Apparently just something I needed to work out. I kept running and it eventually went away for good. Thank goodness.

Mile 3 was probably the hardest. It was up a huge hill. I started struggling a little but told myself that I was in new territory with a distance I’ve never gone before and to be gentle to myself, not self-destruct. It worked and I kept running my way through miles 3 and 4 on the new tough route singing Our God Is An Awesome God over and over again in my head.

At mile 2, my absolute favorite place because it is 100% nature – cows, a full river, green grass, chirping birds, squirrels, down a hill, blocked from any wind, and just beautiful. So peaceful and makes me feel so safe and secure. Almost like some other world. As I was headed there I was thinking about this passion of mine. I realized that God gives us every single tool to be our best selves. He gives us the tools, the wisdom, the strength, the endurance. He gives it all. It is our jobs to dig and find how to use them. I’m in such a great part of my life right now. I’m happy, full of joy, full of passion to help others get there too, full of wanting to give, and full of wanting to find how God really wants to use me. I feel like I’m doing what He made me for. Of course there is always room for improvement and the exciting thing is I don’t feel like He is going to be done with me anytime soon. I so want that for others – all of it. I want people to feel what I feel. The love, the energy, the joy, the drive, the security of knowing that falling down leads to getting up and weak moments lead to stronger self (I’m not on any drugs – promise)!

That's not the same muddy tank, fyi

At mile 5 I stopped for some Gu (gel that long distance runners use for fuel). I didn’t want to take it while running because I didn’t think I could choke it down. It’s pretty thick, but tastes ok. I took a few swigs of water and back at it and up another hill of course. I think that is where my app went wrong when I forgot to resume my run. I ran through the cemetery where so many of my husband’s family members are buried. It was quiet, alone, the weather and sunshine were perfection and then it hit me. I was overcome with emotion. I thought at one point I was going to hyperventilate. I just prayed. For those around me. For myself. It took a lot of breathing to get through that.

I headed back up town and up another big stinkin hill. This was probably my slowest point, so I’m glad I don’t have record of it. I really got deep with myself here. I prayed that I am actually doing what He wants me to do. Living the life He wants me to live or if I was going off of too much of my own agenda. I prayed that I’m using the gifts that He gave me the way He intended. And, if I’m not, to open my eyes to see the open doors and open my ears to hear His whispers and feel His direction. If I’m there, keep feeding me. Keeping fueling me to do my best especially at work to meet new challenges. I want to be an example of WHAT You can do to others. Let me do Your work wherever you plant my next steps.

I think He is opening these doors. I’m making connections with people I never really thought I’d make. I see 3 doors specifically that I think are cracked and I’m excited to see whether they are slammed open or gently closed. I’m letting myself live and that is a big thing. Fear used to hold me back in so many things.

Such a pretty boy!

I kept on through town with my own thoughts and slushing water bottle, which isn’t fair when you have been trying to increase your water intake and can hardly make it to the bathroom in time as is, let alone have zipper or button problems! I came back home to grab my full of life “Maggot” and we headed across the street to my favorite hill for me to stretch and for him to run and jump into the ponds with the biggest joyful look on his face. I was on top of the world. Heading back home to be surrounded by boys that asked me if I went for a run and if I had a good run is music to my ears. One of those freely flowing patience kind of days.  I just love when things work out that way. 

My run only ended up being 8.2 miles.  I miscalculated my mileage earlier.  I'm not taking anything away from that run though.  It was all it needed to be and I had the physical and mental power to go much further.  That half marathon the week after the show seems in my reach.  I feel amazing.  I would never have thought I would feel this good especially after running high mileage (for me) in a weekend with no running during the week.  Amazing to me.  My energy is through the roof.  I don't dream about laying on my couch doing nothing very often.  Until it is like 9pm then I want to do nothing but wind down for the night and hit the sack.  Right when I need to be doing that though.  I'm just beside myself with how well this training is going.  13.1 miles seems totally in my reach and walking on that stage nearly naked is starting to seem like something I'm ready for. 

Wow!  I can't believe I am to this point.  So much love to all of you for all of the support!  My sister and I have been talking about what I think is making me feel so good.  It has to be the diet.  It has to be the strength training and the good mix of running.  It has to be.  I'm just amazed!  I do all of this and still have energy to keep my house picked up and go nonstop with the boys (with some help some nights).  I've done this eating, training, sleeping, working, mothering, wifing HA!  I have not counted one single calorie.  I have not taken one single supplement other than my Spark drink before long runs, which really isn't a supplement, is it?  I have listened and trusted my trainer and I have eaten until I was full.  I haven't done any crazy dehydrating or severly calorie cutting or anything of the sort.  Clean eating, sweating, working hard, believing in myself and making it happen has been my recipe.

This works.  Sometimes faster for some than others, but totally works.  I wish I could just spread it over the world like butta peanut butta! 

I'm up way past the time I need to be.  Night all!

Food I Eat, Plans to Use This Passion of Mine, and MORE

Today is a day I want to be cuddled up on my couch in the dark, watching tv or movies all day with a soft blanket and absolutely nothing to do and eating whatever I want to eat with absolutely no guilt. Days like that go by way too fast. A nap, oh how glorious a nap would be.


Life goes on. I’m at work plugging away and later I will be at the gym lifting away and sweating out my hair that takes too much of my morning.

I’ve read two inspiring things just this morning that spoke to the deepest and warmest part of my heart. If you get a chance, google She Reads Truth – community testimony Johanna Price. Prepare to be lifted up and blown away. Beautiful words. God has opened my eyes, my ears, and my heart to inspiring women and being inspired. I have such a passion for encouraging others right now (men too). An even bigger passion than living my own healthy lifestyle. You are completely worth it ladies, no matter your past, what you did 5 minutes ago, or last night, or anytime in a moment of weakness, YOU are completely worth being your best and you can start right now. It doesn’t have to be a Monday, a Sunday, January 1st, or any 1st of the month. You can start now. Just take the first step and hold on to it. Say nope to those things that will turn you back. Those steps will take you places you never really dreamed once you start believing in yourself. YOU ARE WORTH IT AND YOU CAN DO IT.

And, on Facebook Galit (love her) asked our opinions of a perfect date. I didn’t have time to read through her wildly popular list of responses, however I entered my own idea of a perfect date:

“A hot dress, smelling his cologne, seeing his ring on his finger, food, and just slowing down together.”

Perfection right there. Complete perfection. Our lives are a constant race from one morning to one night and onto the next. There are nights we barely get 2 words in that don’t involve commands, something about the boys or the dog, questions about the next day’s activities. It is all too rushed and hurried, so nights when I get my husband to myself and have time to transform into my sexiest self and take him in for all that he is are pretty dang special to me. We don’t need a fancy restaurant or an agenda that would romance a troll, just us and slowing down. It feeds my soul.

Speaking of feeding myself, I’ve gotten a few questions as far as what it is I am eating. I’ll try to make this short and sweet. If you have questions private message me, comment here or on Facebook. Whatever you prefer. Your question may be the same as others so if you feel like sharing please do so publicly. First, I really can’t thank Yahu enough for her encouragement and teaching she offered when I was really new at this. She was a tremendous help teaching me what to do and what not to do and holding me accountable. We did this on Facebook. She’s in Florida. I’m here in KC. You can find love and encouragement just about anywhere if you are open to it. There were also others on Facebook that were a huge help. I thank you all so much!

Breakfast –

1. Eggs usually with Quinoa and sometimes salsa. Sometimes with turkey breast and peppers and mushrooms.

2. Oatmeal if I am in a big hurry and didn’t fix eggs the night before.

3. If I’m in a huge hurry sometimes I will eat Kashi Go Lean cereal with Almond Milk – Vanilla

4. Sometimes a protein shake full of Kale, Spinach, protein powder – vanilla, mixed fruit – no sugar added, Chia Seeds, sometimes Steel cut oats, and Almond Milk

5. Or a protein shake with steel cut oats, banana and peanut butter, and Almond Milk

I rotate those as much as possible so I don’t get burnt out.

Lunch –

1. Turkey breast that I cooked and lean with peppers and mushrooms and usually quinoa, salad with vinaigrette, green beans (sometimes), about 3 strawberries

2. Chicken that I crockpotted for the week and broccoli or some other veggie and usually quinoa usually some kind of fruit

3. Tuna with some black beans, quinoa, green beans

Again, I rotate and most of the time I have ½ an avocado in there somewhere each day.

Snack –

1. Celery stick with peanut butter

2. Strawberries

3. Pistachios

4. Hummus with mini peppers or grape tomatoes, cucumber, or celery sometimes with wheat thins, but I’m trying not to eat much of those if at all.

I usually have a snack around 10am with some protein so I can see straight after my lunch hour training session and then again around 2:30ish.

Dinner –

1. More of the same from lunch. I cook my turkey breast or crockpot my chicken usually on Sundays for the week. Much easier. Also do this as much as I can with veggies. No carbs except if I have a small amount of black beans or quinoa.

2. If I need something sweet after dinner I will have a celery stick with a small amount of peanut butter. Peanut butter has been a lifesaver. I love peanut butter. It is so sweet and so filling. I try my hardest to keep my total amount of peanut butter for the day to 2 tablespoons. If I’m desperate for sweet I can take a small spoonful of peanut butter and eat it with nothing. Fills my craving. I know some might raise their eyebrow at that, but I feel like I need it or I will cave to something worse.

The diet has surely been the hardest part. Once you get the hang of how to throw things together it isn’t bad and my body doesn’t crave much of the bad stuff, but it is the fact that I CAN’T have the bad stuff. You all know how I get when someone tells me I CAN’T have something. It’s like a roaring challenge within me. So far so good. Fixing dinner for the boys and Dale is hard sometimes. I have to admit that I have taken a small bite of something I have fixed them, but it stops at one small bite and I’m not exaggerating. Dale can attest to that. I’ve been good and these last few weeks I plan to keep it that way. Dale took me to Olive Garden this weekend. The thought of not having those breadsticks and that cheesy lasagna was tough. I did really well and stuck to a tilapia and shrimp soup and salad, it was so good and I asked to have the very last tiny bite of Dale’s breadstick. Tiny, tiny bite. That was it. It was enough to satisfy me.

This is getting long, so I’m going to try to wrap it up.

Boys – they are good. Weston is asking to be potty trained and is doing well, but I’m not pushing him. I don’t want him to slide backwards and lose interest. Wyatt is doing much better in school and Waylon is still silly, silly Waylon. They have both started baseball and when we do get to have practice they both do well. Wyatt seems so big to me, but when I see him at that plate he still seems so small. Love those turds like mad even when they don’t listen to me and wipe their buggers on the walls. Hearing Weston say, “Where’s brudders” might be the cutest thing ever. And my Maggot (Maddox) still such a perfect addition to our family. We are giving him more and more freedom and he just loves it. He can’t be beside me and stand for me not to be touching him. I’m also keeping in touch with his previous owner and we hope to find a race we can do together and have Maddox join us. So cool!!! Beyond cool how God places people in your life and the timing of it all.

In other news, I’ve mentioned before about my want to give back and use my passion in a way where it glorifies God and can bring others to that point. I’ve talked to my pastor and his wife and we are going to start talking about maybe a Saturday session that we will open up to the community for exercise, tips on what to do at home, healthy eating, etc. Stay tuned if you are in my area. I can’t wait for this to take off. I hope we have a huge following and can spread the love to so many no matter what age or what physical condition. We want to make this for all levels. Look for updates and more info coming after the show. I feel like if I take that on now I would be spread way too thin and I want to give it attention it deserves. Thank you all so much for the love and encouragement. Really, thank you so, so much!

The photo contest starts tomorrow for a spread in INK Magazine for one WBFF athlete (WBFF athlete? That’s me – and no, it doesn’t seem real). I will need your likes and shares and tons of likes and shares from your friends, neighbors and stalkers. Like 5 Sharp Lives on Facebook for all updates pertaining to training and this crazy busy life of mine. Love you all for all that you keep burning in me and what you are taking from me and applying to yourselves! So proud of so many of you that have commented and sent messages from Instagram to Facebook to email. You all are awesome. Awesome. Awesome!!

And thanks so much to my sister and Stacy. Those girls… couldn’t do it without them! Mad love for them!