It's About Time - October 7th!!!

I am STOKED about Focus T25!  Seriously!  This program is a game changer!  I created MomTime Café because life is always a juggling act and what mom isn’t on the quest for more time?? THE biggest hurdle is NOT working out. What I hear from busy moms is “I don’t have TIME to work out”.  And, I’m with you!  I used to say the same thing!!!  Plus, we tell ourselves lies like "now that I'm a mom my body will never look good again".  But, now there is a program designed JUST for you and one that will get you the results you’ve been longing for!

So, it’s time to answer all the questions I’ve been getting about this new program and what can it do for you. 

Here's the lowdown.

 
What is Focus T25?
 

T25 is the newest in-home fitness program designed to deliver an hour’s worth of results in just 25 minutes!  The program includes 9 different workout DVDs. Each workout is 25 minutes long and you work out just five days a week!   Can I get an "amen?"  The program is 10 weeks long. 

What are the workouts like?
The workouts are fast-paced routines that are jammed pack with dynamic, high-intensity moves designed for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

Do I need special equipment?
No.

Who is this program designed for?

Busy people who want to work out in less time, but still get GREAT results.

I'm a newbie. Can a beginner do this program?
Yes!  Each 25-minute workout includes a person doing a modified version of the exercises.  This “modifier” takes out the “high intensity” from the exercises.  So, for example, if you have knee trouble, you can watch that person do the modified move which keeps the exercise low impact.  This is designed to keep you safe and gives a beginner a good place to start.

I am a seasoned workout pro. Will this program challenge me?
Absolutely!  Any time you mix up your fitness routine, you are confusing your muscles and creating new change for your body.  

Only 25 minutes?  I’m used to longer workouts.  Can I get a good calorie burn with these workouts?
Yes!  If you are a woman, you can expect to burn on average 300 calories or more per workout depending on your level of intensity. 

This program sounds cool, but how can I trust I can get results?
Great question!  This program was designed by Shaun T, creator of Insanity and Hip Hop Abs. All the workouts are designed to give users the best possible results.  Shaun T’s personal training and coaching take the guesswork out.  He tells you EXACTLY what to do and when to do it.  Plus, you get me as your personal coach supporting your journey!  Did you happen to see my fellow coach's results? 

 
So I know working out alone doesn't get someone killer results, so what do I eat on this program?
Glad you asked!  How about a dense daily dose of superfood nutrition?  Yes!  Shakeology is the vital component to your results. Replace one meal a day with Shakeology and curb cravings, increase your energy and give your body the fuel it needs!  The program also comes with a no-nonsense nutrition guide with ideas for the busy person in mind!  Shakeology flavors come in Chocolate, Tropical Strawberry, Greenberry and just out, Vanilla which I’m calling Vanill-Amazing!

T25…Where have you been all my life?  I like what I’m hearing. What now?

I invite you to join my exclusive T25 virtual challenge group!  I’m accepting no more than 10 people to join my virtual group starting on October 7, 2013.  The group will fill up FAST so if you’re thinking on it for a few days, you might get left out.  Don’t get left out!

I’m in, sign me up!

Wait, not so fast!  Just fill out this form for more information and I’ll follow up with you in less than 24 hours. Don’t order anything yet!  Let’s talk to make sure this is the right choice for you! 

In The End, How Will You Be Remembered?

Morbid question alert!  Have you ever thought about your own funeral?  Have you ever given thought to who might be there?  What the service would look and feel like?  Who would stand up and speak about you?  More importantly, what your spouse, parents or children might say about you during the eulogy?  What about your friends or people from your church?

As part of an exercise from a book I am reading, I went through this visualization.  Ironically, it was quite a peaceful, eye-opening experience to walk through the details of this moment.  I have been to plenty of funerals in my lifetime, but I think out of human nature, I have never allowed myself to think about what it would be like to sit through my very own.

After I viewed my lifeless body and took my seat, I began to imagine what my husband, kids and parents would say about me.  Ultimately, their parting words about me are all that truly matter.  This is what I heard:

“Lindsay loved life!  She was a woman who always lived for the moment - actively living life and always having time to find beauty in the simplest places.”

“She was one of the rare people who was never too busy to stop what she was doing and be with anyone who needed a listening ear. She was a great comforter.”    

“Lindsay oozed the love of Jesus from her pores and that love was felt by anyone who was around her.”

“Mom loved us fiercely.  She gave us the freedom to find our own inner voices.  She never doubted us and gave us the confidence to find our purpose.” 

“Mom believed in us so much, fostered our God-given gifts and gave us strength to follow our dreams.”

“Mom always gave more than she received. I only hope I can be the same kind of mom to my kids.” 

Sounds nice, doesn’t it? 

Going through this exercise of watching my own funeral really allowed me to see that those comments ARE REALLY what I should be striving for in life.  Those comments, rolled up, have now become my new “life vision.” 

What I learned is that my constant desire to achieve and run the perfect household may give me some sort of control and sense of order, but those things are just temporary and ultimately do not give me ultimate happiness.  I have learned that my current way of life is incongruity with the life that I want to be remembered for.  Some things need to change.

Today, I encourage you to go through this exercise.  Think about every little detail.  What things need to change in your life to start living the life you want to be remembered for?  Do you need God in your life again?  Do you need to redirect your focus from material things to the intangible gifts of life?  Are you like me and need to take the “business” out of your family life and start being in the moment?  Whatever it is, I encourage you to try this…and see what is revealed.  You might learn something new and that my friends, is a true gift!  

Rainy Saturdays and Happy Summers

A random visit to the library on a rainy Saturday sparked this post.

I enrolled my daughter into the summer reading program at the local library. My 8-year-old daughter HATES to read.  It’s like pulling teeth during the school year. Twenty minutes isn’t all that long, but for her, it’s an eternity. 

Teachers encourage summer reading over the summer which I wholeheartedly agree with. But to be honest, six weeks of summer had passed and I was at a loss at what to do with her.

I can relate. I never REALLY liked to read as a kid.  I loved the Boxcar Children, the Babysitter Club series and maybe a few other random books, but I didn’t have a desire to read and it felt more like a chore than a pleasurable activity. 

So we BOTH enrolled into the summer reading program.  Can I just tell you it’s like watching a miracle happen in my house?  My daughter is motivated to read.  She took the time to find a few books that she might be interested in reading and completed her first chapter book in 2 hours.  Who is this kid?  

 

Who knew that a little challenge could be such an awesome motivator?  I’m a fitness coach who runs successful challenges. Why didn’t I ever think that a challenge like this would have the same effect?  Magic!

What about you?  Do you like to read?  I have to admit, I really enjoy reading as an adult!  It’s very relaxing and the excitement of being in a good book is FUN!  I’m on Goodreads and follow recommendations of good books from friends who are more avid readers. Truthfully, I don’t make time to read fiction books much anymore.

However, I do make time for personal development.  10 minutes everyday!  What is personal development?  Well, most of you might think of personal development as the “self help” or even the “business” section of the bookstore.  Personal development books focus on improving ones self.  Making us better. 

Do you have areas in your life that you’re struggling to work through?  Maybe it's effectively communicating in a relationship, finding your life’s purpose, discovering more time and life balance, dealing with a difficult person, or acknowledging your strengths so that you can be an effective leader at the office?  The possibilities are endless and all it takes is jotting down a few areas of struggle on a piece of paper and then searching for a place that can speak into them. For some of us the struggle might be so intense that you already know where you want to start and where to go. Others might still be on the fence or even unsure of why you might want to focus on yourself like this.

Why do this?  Why is personal development so important?  It's an investment. It's an investment in yourself , an investment in something new. Personal development can be a way to discover a different way, a new perspective or option. Too often we repeat the same cycle over and over again. And you know the definition of insanity...doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Personal development is a place to stop the insanity and give you a new perspective and sometimes a solution. 

Personal Development can be for you!  Go to Amazon, type in a key area you need some help with and find the most popular books to start. Read the reviews, flip through the sneak peeks.  Then just do it! Commit to yourself. Begin the investment. 

You can borrow from your local library, get the audio version or try a subscription audio program like Audible.

I highly recommend audio books! On my way to the office, meetings, or my way home, I’m always listening to something.  Right now, I am listening to “Just Listen” by Mark Goulston.  I am learning how I can be a better listener and help others feel heard. I LOVE IT!

 For me audio books seem manageable. You can always find a few moments to listen.  You can listen while taking a walk, grocery shopping or doing chores after the kids go to bed.  You have the time to make it happen!  Make it your August challenge to commit to 10 minutes a day and be ready to see yourself grow!

If you’re looking for a place to start these are great books:

The 5 Love Languages

The Magic of Thinking Big

Unstuff Your Life

StandOut

The Happiness Project

How to Groom the Next Generation for Success

The Purpose Driven Life

Happy summer reading and take a moment to tell me what you're reading!

6 Ways to Improve Your Mood

Most of you know, I'm a fitness and nutrition coach. I help motivate and encourage people to achieve their goals for a healthy and fulfilling life.

I wouldn't be real with you if I didn't let you in on a little secret.  I have down days. Days when I doubt myself.  Days when I don't want to eat healthy.  Days when I want to feel sorry for myself. Days when I feel like my life is so unbalanced that I don't know how I manage to get it all done. Days when I feel like I give more of me to others than I give to my own husband and kids. Days when I let the negative voices creep in and feel envious, selfish and a victim of my surroundings.

You know what?  Down days happen. And when they happen to me, I ask myself the following questions:

1.  Did I spend time with God today? Did I read His word and ask to be open to His will for my life? Did I pray for others? Did I truly listen to Him?

2. Did I work out today? Did I spend at least 20 minutes getting my heart rate up?  Did I break a sweat?

3. Did I have an eating plan today?  If not, why?  How does that make me feel?  Am I making unhealthy eating choices and if so, what emotion is attached?

4. Did I spend some time working on my own personal development?  If not, what could I be reading,listening to, or doing that could be giving me a different perspective and improve my outlook?

5.  Who have I been in contact with today?  Am I surrounding myself with people who love me, believe in me and support me?

6. What am I thankful for in my life?

Chances are, if I'm feeling down, something above is off. I skipped a workout, I didn't spend time with God,  I encountered a non-supportive person. You get the idea.

If you are struggling right now.  I encourage you to ask yourself these same questions.  What one thing could you start doing today to start improving your outlook?

Sometimes getting out of a down cycle can seem downright impossible, but I assure you, you are able to do anything with intention and a desire to change. It's within you. God bless!

Took the leap

He wants us to know ourselves.

I had one of those heart to heart moments tonight with my daughter. She took a big step in the courage and independence department today. She did something that she's been afraid to do for quite a while.

She decided to share with me her fear and anxiety over it and was quite tearful. Her "why" for taking that tough step was deep enough that she was willing to take that step. So cool to see this happen with my daughter...I know it was tough for her.

What did I do?? I just listened. Which is huge for me. For me, it's easy to swoop in, drive conversation and tell my daughter how she should feel or worse tell her to get over it ,but I looked deeper. And felt her emotions with her. Truly.

I know my walk with God continues to mold and shape me and make me a better mom. I felt like He was there tonight with us and leading us together in our talk.

The point. Don't feel guilty about working on you. Fitness, health and even spiritual focused time. The more you focus on you and your development, the more it compounds and shows up in such a beautiful way.

 

For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. - Matthew 12:34

 

It's Coming Unstuffed

Let the unstuffing continue!!! 

 

Many of you have been following my progress with a powerful book called “Unstuff Your Life”.  I focused on reading it for the month of May and it transformed the way I dealt with my stuff in my home…and helped restore some peace and time I’ve been craving for so long!

I implemented some simple ideas like having a home for everything, creating a place for things that I always need to find like my phone and my car keys and transformed my kitchen into a useable, workable space that I now I enjoy!

God wanted me to read that book!  He needed to show me a few things.  I listened and learned.    

My work is not finished though.  As a result of this book, I have some major plans for the rest of the house like going through my room, the closets, basement and garage, and to also save for a much-needed desk.  These are the projects I’m focused on for the summer in between visits to the pool and backyard cookouts with my family.  The important thing for me to do now is to schedule the time to work on these areas.    

If you are struggling to get your house under control and always feel like you are cleaning your house instead of spending your time with the people you care about, I encourage you to check out this book.  The fundamentals have changed my life, given me a structure to be more efficient and given me a peace that I can enjoy life without the nagging guilt of having to clean the house!

Stepping Off the Hamster Wheel

I’m stepping off the hamster wheel…for good!

We are all seeking something…in my case, it’s time!  That’s why I created MomTime Café.  Because I wanted a place to share ideas and strategies on how busy moms can make the most of their time and find balance in their lives.  By all means, MomTime Cafe isn’t arriving at a particular destination.  I think life is a constant state of evolution.  People change, circumstances change, priorities change and we must adapt…always.

For years, I have really struggled with time.  ALWAYS late.  Taking on too much.  Overbooking myself.  Not allowing myself to rest.  Does this sound like I’m being a little tough on myself?  

Maybe, but all of it is 100% true.  It stinks to type those words…but in an odd way, it’s therapeutic.  My kids and husband constantly crave me…and NOT the me that says, “Sweetie, I’ll be out to play in a second, I gotta load the dishwasher” or the wife that in the same breath says, “Honey, I love you…when are you ever going to mow the grass?” 

My to-do lists are always endless.  Sometimes, I think that I add more stuff to my to-do list out of insanity, but other times, I like to feel accomplished by crossing each task off. With all that I have going on, I beat myself up because as much as I crave to be a spontaneous, fun mom and the wife that can completely engaged and in the moment, it’s been a struggle to get there.  I’m always distracted (see previous post on my phone addiction), overwhelmed and a bit envious at the moms who always seem to have it together.  How can I ever get there if my house is always a mess and I’m constantly feeling disorganized? Hate is a strong word, but I hate that my life has been so unbalanced.

For most of my mom life, I’ve been a walking ball of stress in a “happy, I’ve got it all together” exterior.  I can’t tell you how many self development books I have read over the past several years.  In some shape or form, I have collected a nugget or two of helpful information that I have applied to my life.  Despite my consummate focus on my personal health and fitness and my positive, upbeat personality, I still felt as if nothing seemed to “fix” the unbalance. 

Until I started “Unstuff Your Life!”  This book has been my wake-up call to action.  I don’t like using the overused word “epic”, so I won’t, but it’s been a game changer in my life.  Maybe it might be for you!  You can check the book out for yourself and all the reviews on it!  I’m halfway through the book and I have uncovered several techniques that I haven’t been using that are directly tied to my constant disorganization. 

1. Identifying designated homes for every item in my house.
2. Putting things away promptly after use.

Sounds easy enough, doesn’t it?  I touched on this a little in one of my recent blog posts, but it’s been so revolutionary in these past few weeks that it deserves more coverage on the blog.  For years, I have been guilty of getting things out and not putting them back.  I had read in the past that if you neglect dealing with it promptly, you significantly increase your time later to putting it back.  It’s true!  Tell me you don’t have a mountain of paperwork overflowing in your house that you’re dreading to go through?!  Over the past few weeks, I have dealt with things immediately and the effects have been quite powerful.  It’s like I’ve been added extra time in my time bank by applying these basic principles into my daily life.  Be mindful, this only works if you have a home for everything.  Everything MUST have a home and “like” things should be kept together.

I can’t remember a weekend where I had so much going on with my family – FUN STUFF…where we actually connected and enjoyed each other and I didn’t come home feeling incredibly overwhelmed with what I had to get done before Monday morning arrived or worse harboring resentment toward my husband for not helping me with my bottomless pit of work that still must get done.  This weekend, I had:

• More spontaneous time with my kids playing with no guilt or worries that I had piles of laundry to catch up on.
•  A fun date night with my husband and I wasn’t spending my whole afternoon cleaning for a sitter to come.  I was fully dressed with shoes on before the sitter arrived and I had dinner done for the kids.  Normally, this is sooo not the case!
• More peace knowing that there are no dishes in my sink.
•  Extra time to meal plan.
•  More time to do things that I wouldn’t normally have time to do – like take an hour and organize my daughter’s bedroom and make a trip to Goodwill.

I am seriously amazed at what this book has done for me.  I’m not saying this book is for you!  I’m simply saying that if you need to get a handle on your crazy life and how you function in your home, this might be for you!  Definitely check out the audiobook.  I heard the book, if you’re just reading it, is a little tough to get into.  Good luck…and keep me posted on how it’s helping you!

They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.  Well, I'm stepping off the hamster wheel because I refuse the insanity and doing something different. Won't you join me?

 What are you doing today that’s preventing you from getting to where you want to be?