So I know its been a few days, I've been going through some things and can't even really figure out how to talk to people about it. I know in the end it will be a great story of survival.
“Sad words are just another beauty. A sad story means, this storyteller is alive. The next thing you know something fine will happen to her, something marvelous, and then she will turn around and smile.” ― Chris Cleave, Little Bee
Everything that happens will change us, its a scare on our soul and the person we are. But I cling to this quote (thanks to my fabulous sister for reminding me!)
“We must see all scars as beauty. Okay? This will be our secret. Because take it from me, a scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, 'I survived'.” ― Chris Cleave, The Other Hand
So for now, please send any and all positive thoughts our way, remember you never know what is behind someone's smile. Be kind life is hard enough without others making it harder.
I hope you all are having a fabulous day!
~Amy
Monday, July 23, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Smoothies
I would love some help from ANYONE out there!
What is your favorite smoothie recipe?
I know there are million different variations available with a smoothie.
Juice, water, Milk, Coconut water, Almond Milk, Coconut milk, Rice milk, Green Juice, Vegetable juice, with yogurt, without/yogurt, Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, frozen fruit, chocolate, peanut butter, cashew butter, almond butter, and on and on this list could go.
Lately I've been stuck on this smoothie
Herbalife French Vanilla Protein Powder
Unsweetened Almond Milk
All Natural Chunky Peanut Butter
Frozen Strawberries
Obviously I have MANY variations on this one smoothie as well
But I would LOVE to hear your smoothie recipes.
So let me know what's your favorite.
Have a blessed day!
~Amy
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Let's Get Physical
Get up, Get Moving, & Make a Friend do the Same!
While driving home this morning from my spin class, I heard a very sad news story.
A new study was released today that physical inactivity causes as many deaths as cigarettes. WHAT?!?
Check out the Article in USA Today
First reaction:
How Sad! When did we get so lazy we stopped moving?
It is recommended to have 150 min of activity a WEEK. 2 1/2 hours a week, that's it!
Second Reaction:
How can I help people get moving?
SO this is my first attempt!
Take 30 min a day to do something.
Go for a walk after dinner (it will help your food digest better and you'll sleep better)
Dance like no one is watching
Play outside with your kids
Come take one of my classes.
There are many many many more ways to get moving and I want to hear from you.
Give me your brilliant idea on how to get moving or your favorite ways you already move.
BE CREATIVE!
OK Go
Check out the Article in USA Today
First reaction:
How Sad! When did we get so lazy we stopped moving?
It is recommended to have 150 min of activity a WEEK. 2 1/2 hours a week, that's it!
Second Reaction:
How can I help people get moving?
SO this is my first attempt!
Take 30 min a day to do something.
Go for a walk after dinner (it will help your food digest better and you'll sleep better)
Dance like no one is watching
Play outside with your kids
Come take one of my classes.
There are many many many more ways to get moving and I want to hear from you.
Give me your brilliant idea on how to get moving or your favorite ways you already move.
BE CREATIVE!
OK Go
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Sunday Morning
I went on a walk with my girls.
We Dance Walked (if you have no idea what that is, Watch This!!! )
They Posed....because they are AWESOME!
We Had Breakfast at Barnes & Noble......
Mine
Ava's
Malia's
Highlight of my Day, Week, Life!
Yep that sums if up! Love my girls and our time together!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Be Kind.... You Never know
We cross paths with people every day.
The Barista at your local coffee shop were you stopped in to grab a cup of coffee,
The person who didn't say thank you when you held the door for them at the store.
The cashier at the gas station.
The receptionist at the doctors office who you got a little "smart" with when your appointment was 5 minutes late.
Your waiter on your lunch break .
The smelly person on the treadmill next to you.
Tons and Tons of people we cross paths with every day and make snap decisions about them as a person from mere seconds of interaction.
We never know what these people are really going through. Maybe that person didn't say thank you for holding the door for them because they just received awful news and can only hold back tears.
I notice way too many people rushing around never taking the time to think of people as well, People. Some people are asses and rightfully deserve that title. But does it hurt to be kind to others. Are you having a bad day? I bet others are too. Let's be kind to one another.
I read this story on Facebook and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I will leave you with it and my kind request to be kind to one another. You never know how your kindness will affect someone else's day/life.
A sweet lesson on patience.
A NYC Taxi driver wrote:
I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard
box filled with photos and glassware.
'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'
'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive
through downtown?'
'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..
'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.Let's go now'.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.
'Nothing,' I said
'You have to make a living,' she answered.
'There are other passengers,' I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly.
'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life..
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day,I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
A NYC Taxi driver wrote:
I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard
box filled with photos and glassware.
'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'
'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive
through downtown?'
'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..
'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.Let's go now'.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.
'Nothing,' I said
'You have to make a living,' she answered.
'There are other passengers,' I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly.
'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life..
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day,I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Push-Ups
The Push-up Challenge....Are you Ready?!?!
Here's the challenge
7 days of Push-ups
50 Push-ups a day
(They can be split through out the day & done the many various ways)
Starts July 16th
That's it plain and simple.
The challenge was actually started on FB, "Push-ups Against the Trend of Obesity"
If you are a Facebooker, Join the Group
I'm not one to really jump on the bandwagon for silly Facebook games and such. However take something I am passionate about, (i.e. fitness & heath ) and add it to the fact that the town I live in was just named the 2nd Fattest City in the country ( Check out an article here ), In the Fattest nation in the developed world ( 10 Fattest Countries in the Developed World ), and I am IN!
Who's with me?!?! I'm not ok having my kids grow up where obesity is the normal and the quality of life is compromised because of it. If I can do something to encourage even one person to get moving then I will scream it from the roof tops (or in this case my blog).
So Starting Tomorrow Push-ups for EVERYONE. No excuses YOU CAN DO THEM, there are always options! What have you got to lose?!?! :-)
Who's with me?!?!
~Amy
Friday, July 13, 2012
And We Have LiftOff
I Love Sleep. I mean LOVE IT. I am the grumpy one when I don't get it, sick to my stomach tired. I love sleep, need sleep, and want sleep.
Last night was not a night of sleep. It was filled with bad dreams, tears, and lots of hugs, but not sleep. I believe my head Finally hit the pillow at 2 only to be woken up 2 times and then the alarm went off at 4:30am! So I took a brief cat nap as far as I am concerned. I am pretty certain it will be VERY difficult for me to realize that his is a new day and not simply an really long extension of Thursday.
I was very Thankful this morning to be able to walk into the kitchen and drop one of these into my water to help make up for my lack of sleep. Liftoff by Herbalife has become one of my favorites, even in place of coffee. I don't get the shakes from it like coffee gives me and I consume more water with one meaning I am hydrating my body instead of dehydrating it with coffee ( Can drinking too much coffee bring on severe dehydration? On Live Strong ). Now the Liftoff does have some caffeine (72mg), but it also has Vitamins B6, B12, C, Ginseng, & Ginkgo. I don't feel let down after a while like coffee makes me feel. It may be a mental thing in my head but anytime I get extra vitamins I am ALL smiles!
So Thanks Herbalife for the Liftoff this morning! I have a VERY full but fun day ahead filled with fabulous people and I hope you do as well!
~Amy
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Hello Thursday
Happy Thursday to everyone.
I currently am sitting trying to find inspiration for the day with my daughter asleep on my lap due to a bad dream. I'm so glad she is still young enough that a hug from mommy can still fix most things.
I currently am sitting trying to find inspiration for the day with my daughter asleep on my lap due to a bad dream. I'm so glad she is still young enough that a hug from mommy can still fix most things.
I'll be honest I love Thursdays, this is typically how the day rolls....
6am P.T. Client
Who ROCKED it this morning was able to pump out push-ups on their toes for the first time! Great Start to the day!
9:15 am Body Attack Express
If you have never heard or seen body attack this is a clip of it.....
I LOVE this workout. Such a hard workout and awesome results. Lisa (the woman in the video and director of Body Attack ) completely inspires me! She looks amazing and had a baby about a year ago!
10 am Cycle Express
I have the BEST crew to ride with on Thursdays. Since the class is only 45 mins long we can't crank it up enough for this group. Going into a class knowing we will be going hard non-stop and everyone in the room is as excited as I am is the best energy!
After classes I have perhaps one of the best parts of my day.....
Coffee with this Hot Mamma, one of my favorite people in the world!
The rest of the day is filled with paper work for my job, spending time with my girls and getting things done. Then to end the day off right.....
I HAVE THE NIGHT OFF!!!!
First night of the week I'm not at work and I get to spend an evening at home.
So Good Morning Thursday, Let's make it a good one!
I hope you have a fabulous day!
~Amy
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
A Fighters Core...
This morning I woke up with a brilliant idea for my Ab's Class I am teaching this evening..... What group of people regularly have their shirts off and most ladies are especially glad they do? No I'm not talking about the cast from Magic Mike however.....
What I am talking about is Fighters. So tonight I am taking the class to the ring. I have a fabulous plan for class tonight ( which if you were there last week you may want to bring some animal noises back .... insert evil giggle)
But I wanted to throw it out there, What killer core moves do you know that a fighter may use?
I'm open to suggestions, so please let me know, train like a fighter to look like this.....
Don't mind if I do!!!!
What I am talking about is Fighters. So tonight I am taking the class to the ring. I have a fabulous plan for class tonight ( which if you were there last week you may want to bring some animal noises back .... insert evil giggle)
But I wanted to throw it out there, What killer core moves do you know that a fighter may use?
I'm open to suggestions, so please let me know, train like a fighter to look like this.....
Don't mind if I do!!!!
Time to Make it happen!
I have been wanting to have a blog for quite some time so why not take advantage of the gift of the present I am currently living in and make this a reality.
~Amy
I plan to use this blog to capture my journey through life with tidbits of fitness tips, healthy eating ideas, and all things related to exercise.
So a little about myself.....
I am a mother of 2 precious girls and have been married for almost 9 years. I am the group fitness director at Gold's Gym in Richmond and love nothing more then a good hard sweat session with fabulous people! I've been teaching group fitness classes for 3 years and am a personal trainer and I love it!
I have an amazing family and fabulous friends and am blessed to have them.
So here's to the journey that is now captured for forever. I hope you'll enjoy this story as it unfolds.
I am a mother of 2 precious girls and have been married for almost 9 years. I am the group fitness director at Gold's Gym in Richmond and love nothing more then a good hard sweat session with fabulous people! I've been teaching group fitness classes for 3 years and am a personal trainer and I love it!
I have an amazing family and fabulous friends and am blessed to have them.
So here's to the journey that is now captured for forever. I hope you'll enjoy this story as it unfolds.
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