Turning Point

On December 28, 2016 I went to the ER.  I was having heart palpitations for over a half hour before I finally asked my boyfriend to take me.  For a few weeks prior to that I had gradually increased frequency in hot flashes.  Up until that night, I accepted that I was peri-menopausal and that I was entering a new stage in my life.

That night, the ER doctor told me that my blood work showed an elevated TSH, which meant my thyroid wasn't working hard enough so my body was over producing hormones. Between that and the irregular beats of my heart, he ordered a chest x-ray and to have me admitted to the hospital.

By this time, we'd been at the ER for over 4 hours and I told my boyfriend he needed to get home and get some rest.  My xray came back normal and I waited to be transferred upstairs.  The general practitioner came in later that day and told me that I would see a cardiologist.  When the cardiologist came in, he ordered an echo cardiogram, which would be performed the next morning.  He also believed that the GP would recommend/refer an endocrinologist to come in to see me about my thyroid.

The next day, my echo was done early in the morning.  The GP came in after that and said I was good to go home, if the cardiologist said I was OK after reviewing the echo.  I asked about the endocrinologist referral and he stated that my TSH level wasn't of concern.  When the cardiologist came in shortly after, he was surprised by that.  The nurses were surprised by that.  The cardiologist said he could give me a blood pressure medication, that I could take to regulate my heart beats, even though my BP was fine.  And...if it made me light headed or dizzy, I could just stop taking it.  SO...that made me feel like I didn't even need it.

But, my echo was good and I was cleared to go home.  There was a bunch of phone tag throughout the day and by 8pm it looked like I wasn't going home.  By this time, I was irritated and insisted on leaving.  I signed myself out and decided to follow up with an endocrinologist in the near future.

But, I'm not one to sit back and just let things happen to me.  I prefer to be proactive...

So I did some research and made some changes...


To be continued

You Gotta Live in the Forward

You Gotta Live in the Forward 

From the movie I posted below, these are the things that stuck out to me.  The thoughts, the words, the phrases that SHOUTED to me.


Take 30 minutes and be in a quiet place and IMAGINE.

Do it DAILY.

You have to see the person you want to become. Who is she in 10 years? In 20 years?


Don't focus on the now or the how.

Focus forward to the woman you will become.

One day, is going to be your day. Believe it.  See it.

Have FAITH in it.

You may not see it just yet, but if you believe it, it will come.

FAIL FORWARD.

 Every mistake, setback and challenge is an opportunity to learn and move forward.

If you lose your job, your money, your business...

DO NOT GIVE UP.

You will only reach your goals and dreams if you use your imagination.

KEEP. MOVING. FORWARD.

Fear is a CHOICE.  Fear exists, yes.  But, if you let it own you, that is your choice.

You can choose differently.

Your life is an occasion; RISE TO IT

Joy

This Is A Test

Life is full of tests.  I think that every day, we face some kind of test.  Whether it's to see if we are committed to what we believe or to who we love or a test of our character.  Everything in this life seems to be a test.

The other day, I was stressed.  An idea came to mind and all of a sudden I was running full force after that idea.  I literally dropped everything to pursue the concept.  It made total sense.  I did the web page, the email, the graphics, etc.  I was feeling like it was the right thing for me and it would yield the results I craved.

Then...BAM.  It hit me.

A traditional business is said to take 3-5 years to become profitable.  And, many businesses fail before they hit that mark.  I did the math, figured out the start-up costs and the business plan for the next 3-5 years.  I would work about 16 hours, trekking around town to make a couple hundred dollars a day.  I started to work on the schedule and realized that at no point would I be flexible enough to see my kids.  I believe in the idea, and I think it's a needed service in the area.

BUT...

The one thing I want most in this world is to be a F/T work at home mom.  And, the concept I came up with created the exact opposite scenario.  It may put money in my pocket daily, but in the long run, I'd lose time with my kids.  And, when I calculated each child's age, plus 3-5 years of me barely seeing them...I CRIED.

Those calculations meant that 3 of my 5 children would be on to college or beyond.  I'd barely get any time with them then, that's for sure.  And, the youngest two, would be in school full time, one of them would be a teen!

Nope.  I was making a grave mistake.  It literally gave me chest pains.

So, I'm considering it a test.  Yes, I chased the shiny object for a couple of days.  But, when I sat back and really thought about the end result I wanted to create, I realized that the path I had been on just a few days ago, was the RIGHT one for me.  I would be able to provide a valuable service that is needed, and at the same time own my own business, create time and financial freedom, all while being the F/T mom I desire.

If you feel that the path you are on, isn't quite right....don't beat yourself up about it.  And, don't stay on that path.  Look at what end result you crave, desire, need, want...and find the path that leads to THAT end result.  It's only a test...and it's a learning & growing experience.

Create a life you love by allowing your passion and purpose to guide you to the path of your heart.

Remember...

Your life is an occasion; rise to it!

Joy

Reset Your Mindset

Reset Your Mindset

Sometimes, it is hard to get out of a certain frame of mind.  If you are upset or worried about something, it seems to snowball and everything goes "wrong."

Times like that, I need to reset my mindset.  I have to start journaling or listening to encouraging & inspiring music.  I need to intentionally shift my emotions from upset, angry or frustration to grateful, thankful or creative.

It's not always easy to make a quick shift, so the key is to continuously surround yourself with positive energy, people, words and thoughts until the shift happens.  Read daily affirmations or a book that you enjoy.  Watch a comedy or a few videos that make you smile and make your heart feel at peace.

Do it with intention so that you can go from a negative place to a positive one.  Everyone has different "go-to" songs, books, movies; methods that will make them feel good.

Then, go back to whatever you were doing that frustrated you and see if you can't approach it from a better place.

Do What Works

Do What Works

One thing I have learned over the years is that you have to take a step back sometimes, and look at what's going on.  When you're knee deep in a situation, you don't always see everything that is going on outside of it.  But, when you take a step back, your perspective changes a bit and you can see things you've never seen before.

You have to do what works and what gets you results.  And, you have to move beyond the things that are not serving you.  Sometimes, this may be physically moving, other cases, it may be moving away from people.  If you are not seeing the results you want, then take a step back and look from a different perspective.

And, do it now.

Let's say you want to get physically fit.  Are the workouts you are doing, giving you the results you want?  If so, then continue doing them.  If not, find some variations or other exercises that do.

If you want to find the perfect person for you, are you mentally and emotionally ready for a relationship?  Are you hanging around the places and people where you could meet this person?

If you want to make more money, are you open to receiving more?  Are you doing everything you can in your current job or business to receive the income you deserve?  Are you careful with the money you already have?  Do you have a financial plan in place?

If you want success, in whatever way that translates for you, are you doing everything you possibly can to create success?  Are you mentally, physically and emotionally willing to achieve success?

Take a step back and look at what you are doing.  Do more of what works.  Release or replace what doesn't.

I'm looking forward to sharing more content with you every single day.

I'm looking forward to creating a kick-ass program that will help you transform your life, one step at a time.

I believe in myself.

I believe in you.

I'm rooting for you,

hope you're rooting for me too.

Joy

PS:  Have you joined the community yet? 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fabfitfine/

Stay in Your Own Lane

Stay in Your Own Lane

I heard this phrase today and it got me to thinking...

So often, we let what other people think and what they say, deter us from doing the things we truly want to do.  We also worry about what other people may think, even though we don't necessarily have proof that those people are even thinking about us.

Where does that come from?

It's not from "them", it from inside of your head.  It's what you think about yourself that allows those fears and insecurities to blossom.  Somewhere, somehow, the fear of being rejection or not good enough, set roots in your mind and in your heart & soul.  And, as I've said before, what you think about, you bring about.

So, when that teacher said your work wasn't very good.  

When that friend chose her boyfriend over you.  

When that manager promoted the other woman in your department.  

When that family member told you that you've put on weight. Etc, etc, etc.

You bought into it.  

You absorbed it and you allowed it to take hold in your mind.  

Like a weed, those words grew quickly and infected your whole being.

And, then you started to beat up on yourself, too.

After all, "they" must be right.  "They" have this item and that spouse and those clothes and blah, blah, blah.

But "they" do NOT live your life.  "They" probably don't even think about what you've got going on nearly as much as you worry about "them."  Because humans are selfish, by nature.  And we think that everything is about us.  It's true...and that's the human nature.

Guess what...by giving time and emotion to "them" or what you believe "they" may be thinking, you feed that nasty weed inside of you.

STOP IT.

You have an inner beauty that requires nurturing, love and sunshine.  

You are a beautiful woman.

You have a purpose and we need you.

You have a light inside of you and we need it to shine.

I'm just like you.  

Most of my life I've struggled with being "good enough."

And, I have doubts and fears, just like you.

I have struggles and challenges, just like you.

The thing is, you need to focus on YOU.

You need to stop worrying about who thinks what, what they're doing and so on.

You need to stay in your own lane.

Don't compare yourself to anyone; there is no one like you.

Don't listen to negative people; they don't walk in your shoes.

Don't let others narrow-mindedness affect you; you've got a purpose to fulfill.

Don't concern yourself with what other people own; you are blessed and highly favored.

Spend a little time today with YOU and have a chat.  

• How do you feel?  
• What do you need?  
• What are some things you want to achieve during your transformation?  
• What action steps can you take today, to get closer to your goals?  
• What challenges are you coming against? 
• How can you resolve these challenges?  
• How will it feel to resolve these challenges?

And, above all else, take time for gratitude.  I talk about that HERE

I believe in myself.
I believe in you.
I'm rooting for you,
hope you're rooting for me too.


Joy

PS:  I'd love to have you join my new Fab Fit Fine Facebook support group.  A safe place to get encouragement for women, like you, who want to feel fabulous, fit and fine...it's a state of mind, hon.

<3

Walking the Walk...Literally

Walking the Walk...Literally 

It's one thing to say you're going too do something; open declarations and intentions. 

But to follow through on what you say is where your true character shines through. 

I began my transformation journey 5 days ago and I stated that I was going to work on my mind and body. Every morning I work on my mind, doing my daily journaling and listening to recorded coaching calls during my commute. Today, I began my daily walks. Now, I've tried to walk everyday but I knew that I'd have to figure something out for work. 

So, I created a new habit today. Small protein-filled snack and some water, then a brisk walk down the road and back to my place of work. I also skipped the lunchtime coffee that I usually have, full of sugar and creamer. I also made sure I drank at least half my body weight in water today...which is a big deal because I'm not typically a fan of water. 

Making small changes helps to create new habits. For example, every time I'm thirsty, at work, I reach for my water bottle instead of my coffee cup. After a week of doing that, one cup of coffee lasts the whole work day now. Meaning less caffeine and sugar, at a gradual decline. 

For me, these small changes, implemented on a consistent basis are the key to creating new, better habits. And following through on what I say it's as important to me as it is important to the people that believe in me. So today, I walked the walk, not just talked the talk. 

I believe in myself. 

I believe in you. 

I'm rooting for you, 

hope you're rooting for me too. 

Joy