Hey everyone!

I am so excited today!! Today I am starting a series on my blog called “Fitspiration Friday!”

Since the beginning of the year I have changed my eating habits and have been working out on a more consistent basis. My goal is to make my body the best that it can be. For the first time in a while I feel completely focused on my goals! I have a picture in my head of where I want to be, and I am not stopping until I get there!

That being said, there are always those days where you feel like you’re alone in your health/fitness journey. So, I wanted to start a series on my blog, where every Friday we will hear from a “Guest” about their fitness journey, and get inspiration and tips from them!

I have some really amazing ladies lined up for our “Guests” and I am so excited to read what they have to say. I know they will be so motivating and encouraging.

So every Friday in May we will have a “Guest” to come in and answer a few questions I have asked them, that will motivate us! Please leave your feedback and let me know how you’re liking the series (as it goes). If everyone loves it, then I might just extend it into June. :))

So to kick it off, you’re going to hear from ME and my fitness journey. :)) Enjoy!

> What motivates you to eat healthy and work out?

For most of my life I have always been on the chunky side. Sometimes I was a lot chunky, sometimes a little bit. One day, I just got sick of it. Why cant I be one of those people I see that look fit and healthy? Answer: There’s NO reason I can’t!

I am motivated by the picture I have in my head of myself. Not anyone else. Just me. For the first time, I have allowed myself to envision me as a person that is healthy, fit, able to go and run with my husband for a few miles and not die. :)) I never thought of myself as being able to do that before. Sure I thought “I wish I could be thin,” but I never envisioned myself being fit and healthy. And now I do. That is what motivates me, the picture in my head of where I am capable of being.

And for the record. FIT & HEALTHY is way better than being Skinny and Unhealthy.

> What advice would you give to someone that wants to change their lifestyle into one that is healthy and fit?

 You have to make up your mind for yourself. No one can do it for you.

I have a couple friends that I have tried to motivate, and help. I would go to the gym with them, count calories with them, measure with them, give them incentives. And sometimes it would help them, but not for a long period. The reason? They hadn’t made up their own mind to change.

So your friends and family can’t do it for you. You have to decide to change. No. It’s not going to be easy. But since when was anything amazing in life just given to  you easily? We have to work hard for those things, but you know what? Once you make up your mind to do it, you wont regret it. The changes in your body will make you feel better, be happier, and want to keep going.

As I said before, I saw the other girls and wanted to look like them. When I did that, I didn’t stick to anything for a long time. It wasn’t until it dawned on my of how my life would be if I was healthy and fit (not just skinny), that I am now sticking to my new healthy lifestyle. Don’t compare yourself to others, only envision yourself as healthy and happy.

> What is your “go to” healthy snack?

Honestly. An Apple! I love them. Here are some ways I will eat them.

– Plain!

– Sliced with two tablespoons of Smart Balance Peanut Butter.

– “Baked”

     > Wash your apple, and place in a microwave safe bowl with 1 inch of water.

     > Cover with saran wrap, and place in the microwave for 4-5 minutes. (until soft)

     > Take of the saran wrap and drain the water from the bowl.

     > Cut the apple off of the core.

     > Top with 1/4 tsp of Cinnamon, and 1 tsp of brown sugar.

     And there ya go! A yummy healthy dessert for 100 calories!

I hope you enjoyed this first blog in my new “Fitspiration Friday” series! Let me know what you think, because this series will keep going based on the feedback I get from you guys! :))

Happy Friday!!!