What I GAVE to GAIN.

I was pretty depressed in this pic. This was taken January 2010. I was a size 13 and around 150lbs. I was tired all of the time and constantly wore the baggiest of clothes to hide my body. I decided to make a change...I had totally hit my own personal "rock bottom". It was not as easy as just waking up and deciding to exercise. I had to completely overhaul my lifestyle, which meant that I had to give up a lot of things to gain the body and quality of health that I so desperately wanted. Here is what I gave up so I could "gain".

What I gave, or gave up :)

late night eating

alcohol

salt

sugar

starchy carbs

poor self talk

my baggy clothes =D

fried food

diet soda/soda in general

depression

negativity

syrups

mental weight gain...i.e. baggage

hiding

fear

pain

low self esteem

FAT

What I GAINED for my SACRIFICES:

Self LOVE

Confidence

Muscle

My smile

mojo :)

energy

beautiful skin

positive outlook

skinny jeans

tight fitting HOT clothes! =D

the confidence to model again <3

ambition to try new things

spiritual enlightenment

hope

trust

the I can do anything, don't try to stop me, I will always find a way or get out of my way 'tude. It's called "Lindsay Power". =)

a strong desire to show other people they CAN feel this way and have all of these things too. :)

I FEEL ALIVE

happiness

creativity

being a positive example to my children

Abs

sexy shoulders, butt, thighs, back...you name that body part and it has been transformed! ;)

lifestyle change.

**What I gave to gain the lifestyle I needed, wanted, and was craving...was hard to give at first. I fell off that wagon. I complained. I veered off track. I binged. I hit plateaus. It took a hell of a lot of blood sweat and fuckin' tears to get here. It's still not over. I bitched at some people who love me. Then I put my big girl panties on and did it. I'm still doing it. I have dreams. But the point is I have gained so much by giving so much. No one hands it to you on a purdy silver platter. You want it, go get it. The equation is easy, we make it harder by making excuses. If you want to change yourself mind, body and soul you have to get HONEST with yourself. Stop enabling yourself to make bad choices. Stop telling yourself "well I would workout but it hurts." Or "I don't have time." Or "I can't give up the foods I like." Do you think people that have incredible bodies have all of the time in the world? Do you think it wasn't hard for them to give up the foods they love (which btw, you don't have to totally give up) =) In order to change you must be willing to get uncomfortable and make sacrifices. Successful people aren't smarter, perfect or better...successful people have failed many times, they just NEVER quit. Give.

Day #4...

Today I admit I didn't want to work out. I was very tired for some reason. I did it anyways. It wasn't pretty but I did it. I still have some more cardio to do this evening. Shooting for 2 magazines this weekend, so it's game on!

~Never regretting the things that are making me a stronger person inside and out...this is character building~and sometimes this foundation was built on blood sweat and friggin' tears baby! Day 5 here we go!

Under Construction

So just like my ever changing body, this blog is also "under construction". I want it to be kind of my fitness diary painting a picture of both my triumphs, struggles, helpful tips and more. I think that a blog should be informative but REAL. I want this to be a no nonsense approach to my life.

So today's entry..."Under Construction." ;)

I am officially Under Construction. Mind, body and soul. December was one hell of a month for me. I won't say it was "bad", because what's bad? Having no food is bad. Not having a home is bad...cancer is bad. So I won't say last month was bad, I will say it was a bit of a challenge for me. It was not my best month. Between modeling gigs that went awry to the craziness of family issues and the stressors of the holidays...when January 1st rolled around I admit to feeling fried.

All I really wanted was an umbrella drink and a beach chair far away. However, the reality of it is, that I'm a mommy with responsibilities. I have a home to take care of, meals to cook, bed time stories to read. I also have customers and friends seeking my fitness advice. I have photo shoots to go on. I have dreams. An escape would be nice, but not possible. So the first of the year, I found myself stressed and about 4lbs heavier due to the holiday indulgences. Instead of hiding under that rock that I wanted so badly to befriend, I decided to challenge myself to a 6 week body transformation. I really want to track my fitness progress on this blog as well as facebook. It helps me to hold myself accountable and hopefully it will inspire others as well.

Right now I'm on Day #3. I am holding my own, sore as hell though. My hamstrings are the culprit of me walking like I just got off of a horse. But I love it, every single second. I am pushing myself harder than before. I feel less stressed and December is barely a memory, more like a learning lesson. I have a potential photo shoot this weekend. Fish and veggies start tomorrow to lean out my core. I'm taking it day by day. Organizing all areas of my crazy life and appreciating even the parts that are less than perfect. Fitness gets a girl to thinking. Definitely, "Under Construction." Day #4 can you handle this? ;)