Happy Friday Beautiful People

No.1 thing ppl say to me is if I didn’t see your transformation pics I’d never believe you were “overweight” followed by what did you do to make it click? When and how did you find your motivation to be so consistent.

Short answer: 
I got tired of my own B.S and what I was doing to my body.

Long answer:
I was always "active" but looking back I didn't really watch what I ate. After having my two children it became more difficult to stay motivated to do anything else other than work a job I didn’t love, tend to my home & family of 6, & keep up with the kids long list of activities.

So btw life happening, falling into a bout with depression something I never dealt with after having both of my children I didn’t make time for self care. I didn’t even know what that consisted of. I didn’t believe there was time...for me. Struggled with high cholesterol, had a Lyme disease scare so I knew enough was enough I needed to take care of myself so I could be a better parent, wife and person for them and most importantly for myself. 

First I changed the way I ate. A little over 9yrs ago for Lent I gave up meat and from there eliminated all meats with the exception of fish. This jumpstarted something in me but other than that I had no limitations. This was also combined with lots of late night eating, unhealthy snacking, drinking. I’d get a run in here or there or do a Pinterest workout. Nothing consistent. So there was still major work to do.

I’m much more conscious of what I eat more so how my body reacts to the things I eat. Since introducing my daily super foods shake March 2015, and making necessary changes in my nutrition and daily movement my high cholesterol dropped considerably! From 258 (2014) to 212. Still high but the drop gave my dr & I hope that I was finally on the right path. 
Right before my Primary Physician was going to make me take cholesterol.

At 5’3 being 160+ lbs was not okay FOR ME! Non pregnancy weight was at a all time high and my self esteem, motivation was at an all time low. So I had to make a decision...and quick! Plus these blood tests were costing me $$ every 3 months.

That's when I went ALL in & haven't looked back since. I was introduced to at home workouts which made sense for my lifestyle with small children. I than became an advocate for health, joined the Beachbody family the following month to pay it forward to other moms who were like me. Tired, seeking more. Just wanted to find something that worked, have support to stay consistent w/ ppl who knew what they were talking about & actually lived the lifestyle themselves.

Since than I've completed multiple at home workout programs. I’ve studied at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition to further my education to really hone in on my passion to empower women on their wellness journey. To be able to touch the places that need to be healed in order to truly shed the weight.
To date I've gained some much more than I’ve lost. And I’m grateful for it all. Cause now I get to pay it forward.

These incredible programs, my support system (hubby & kids), my 4eva coach, my growing team and this entire community for keeping me accountable & showing me that there’s so much more work to do. I’m grateful for investing in myself all while being able to help others do the same for themselves. It’s a beautiful process watching women win! As a mom sometimes we tend not to make these sacrifices but in the end my family now has the best version of me each and everyday. So much more goals to attain!

•If you’re to b/c you’d like to start your health and fitness journey and want a friend/mentor to coach and support you..I’m a message away.

•If you’re here just for the motivation! I’M ROOTING FOR YOU!

•If you’re here to hear more about the coaching opp’t

•If you’re searching for a judge free zone and looking to live a more vibrant life free of postpartum depression, anxiety, emotional eating ect fill out form below https://goo.gl/forms/AAIK6FfQ1ILG11373

Happy Rising Beautiful People,

Realizing just how far you’ve come should be that motivation you need to keep going. What are some of the things you say to yourself that rejuvenates you? Maybe something your younger self, you at your low self need to hear? 

I did this exercise with a group of people and what I’ve learned is that we ALL have some stories within us that need healing. Some old stories that we carry into our adult lives.

Today,
I pray that you take what you need. 

I’m so proud of you. 

•••••

I love you. 

•••••

You are so beautiful.

••••

You’re doing a great job. 

••••

You are more than enough. 

••••

You’re so smart. 

••••

I’m so happy to see you. 

••••

You deserve more than this. 

••••

I’m sorry.

••••

I hope you accept my apology.

••••

I forgive you. 

••••

I’m here whenever you need me.

••••

I’m rooting for you. 

••••

It’s going to be okay don’t cry. 

••••

Crying is okay but you’ve cried enough.

For some of us these may be simple. 

For others this would’ve meant the world years ago and still very relevant now. 

Sis take what you need… My Brothers this is for you as well. 

For more affirming, please click play on the image below. Find a quiet place, close your eyes. play it whenever you need to hear the words. Namaste.

“I’m not afraid to say. I ALMOST talked myself out of it. But I suddenly realized that was a lie...a test rather. It was a voice that was so foreign to the person I am becoming that I shut it down with the quickness and proceeded. 

You see fear CAN still catapult the leap of faith.”

Earlier today I was asked how did I find the courage? Actually I’ve been asked this a number of times since my decision was made a reality in March to became my own boss and coach and mentor women on their wellness journey. To leave Corporate America then teach clients who work in executive/corporate positions how to find that work life balance.

What people don’t know is that for almost 8yrs I too couldn’t find that courage. 

I STRUGGLED with the idea of letting go.

Cried nearly every time I dropped off my kids to school because yet again I was leaving my dreams behind in a journal and having a notebook full of ideas, goals, affirmations and request books and not truly working towards them.

Faith without works is dead. In James 2:22 it says “You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.”

I was wishing and hoping on a miracle and not really working in alignment with my faith and towards my assignment or life’s work. I had to put my faith to the test. I HAD to. But it was not easy. 

I’m not afraid to say it’s still not easy some days I have not come to grips with my decision because I rely on..well me for a paycheck. While there is a beautiful FREEDOM to it I’m put to the test every single day. Growth and rejection is painful and sometimes the people who need your help most reject you and you have to learn to let them hit rock bottom no matter how much you want to help them avoid that.

Luckily each day I find a word to keep me encouraged and my Fit Fam and my mentors and circle of sisters some of which I’ve gained while on this journey. Blessed as I am I keep people in my circle who are constantly challenging me and who I can bounce ideas off of but still I have to do the work.

I’m not afraid to say. I ALMOST talked myself out of it. But I suddenly realized that was a lie...a test rather. It was a voice that was so foreign to the person I am becoming that I shut it down with the quickness and proceeded. 

You see fear CAN still catapult the leap of faith.

While for so many years like myself it held onto my dreams I realized I was not that person anymore and that while the mind chatter crept up it had no strength over me and my faith in God and my faith in ME.

This is not even about being scared of quitting a job or about leaving a position or situation it is a story about starting over and how stifling that can feel.

I put every excuse in front of each dreams and goal like chess. There was always a great excuse or reason why this time wasn’t the right time. To think of it when I finally made the decision I could think of over a handful of times when there was a better time. Funny how that works.

But it was time. When it’s time you know. You ALREADY know.

On my last day of that chapter, I had so many talks with people who either asked the question when did you know OR I too had a dream to go into ______ add your dream here.

We all have dreams. We all have deterrents. We all have pros and cons and hurdles and obstacles but how long can we fight our true assignments or sit wondering what our calling or passions are if you don’t just take the chance.

This is MY story, what’s yours? Do you have a decision that you’ve been struggling with? What’s stopping you? What’s holding you back? What have you already overcome? When did you come to the realization that there has to be more than just....?

Often times when we need to be our biggest fans we can be our worst enemy. 
We tell ourselves stories, same stories that sad and broken people use to tell us. Same things hurt people use to say when they wanted to break us down. 
After hearing it for so long maybe we began to believe them and live up to them. 
The closest most intimate relationship we can have other than the one with the divine is with our very selves.

Build YOU. Before you build anyone else. You can’t help anyone until you help yourself. 
Lovers, what are some of the things you say to yourself? When I took this pic I picked it apart!

I even went on a tangent until one of my sister coaches in my accountablity group said girl you look amazing" then I was awe thanks, you're right cause I actually felt good and super strong when my hubby started snapping these pics right after on of our couples workout together.  But because of my bloating and the fact that I’ve been eating more of the things I’d don’t normally eat while celebrating family and life. I let that insecure feeling creep up.

I had to correct myself real quick because I’m literally the strongest person I know. I know this because I know what I’ve overcome. I started mentally saying you are one bad woman Cat!!! Bad as in good 😊

We all have our moments? Does your self talk sound like kind and loving words? Are they encouraging and uplifting? Are they empowering? Do you affirm yourself? OR do you indulge in unhealthy self talk and mind chatter. Do you focus on limiting beliefs, self doubt and pick yourself and your body apart. 

Even as a fitness influencer sometimes I find myself in the sunken place.  But luckily I've learned that this is part of the journey and that I have unlimited power to get over myself and the ideals of perfection when that is not what I'm striving for when ultimately I'm striving to be better than the girl I was yesterday. 

Let’s honor ourselves today and everyday by saying all the things you need to hear. Start with you. Need support. Start with you. Need to feel loved. Start with you. Invest in your mental health and wellbeing.

POWER UP REMINDER: this week I’ve done my very best. Next week I vow to do better. Each day I level up building towards the person I’m destined to be!

Be Good to You Lovers, we are all doing and trying our best at adulting, parenting, boss thing and leveling up.  Be mindful of how far you've come.