What if failure was impossible?

I have been thinking lately about my goals and how differently I look at them now verses a few months ago…

A few months ago I was afraid of setting goals. When I did set a goal I had no plan of action on how I was going to get there. I was just setting it to set it. No really any intention of actually reaching it. I remember starting to workout daily. Going to the gym and running on that darn treadmill. I had no goal for myself really… I was unhappy with my body. Not because I was overweight by any means but because I knew that I could be more. I knew that there was something more for me. 

This is not just in the area of fitness either. About 6 months ago I was extremely depressed. I am not going to even lie- I was depressed about my life. I felt like a complete failure at everything I did. I tried working out of the home and that didn't work well, I tried doing daycare and that DEFINITELY didn't work well.. ( I give mad props to anyone out there that runs a daycare.. offta ) So there I was.. STUCK. Just absolutely stuck with no idea how to get unstuck and how to live out my life to its fullest potential. I remember being SO frustrated.. because I really had a feeling that there was something more for me but I just didn't know what that was exactly and I couldn't find my purpose!!

Anyways… Im starting to ramble :) haha.. Setting goals is not about just setting it.. its about coming up with a plan of action on how you are going to actually reach it. And not being afraid to fail!!! If you fail.. at least you are THAT much closer than you would be if you wouldn't have set a goal in the first place.. right?! I mean what if we never ever set goals for ourselves.. we would go no where.. 

So why not start today!? Why not jump on board and start goal setting for yourself! You don't have to know where you are headed.. all you have to know is that you ARE headed UP and in the right direction! Just take it one day at a time. One small success at a time! One hurtle at a time.. you will get there, promise! 

I will get through TODAY.

Here I am… sitting here thinking about what agony these next few weeks are going to be and how HARD they are going to be to get through. I sometimes want to cry.. why you? Why does life have to be so hard at times?! This is not fair!! You are doing so good and then your life has to be shattered yet again. You are my idol. After all that you have been though and now you have to go through one of the most terrifying things in your life, you are still holding together strong. I don't know how you do it.

I was sitting in my bed last night thinking of you of course. I couldn't sleep because I could picture you- uncomfortable, lonely, cold, and scared. I thought to myself there are only 2 weeks left of this.. but yet two weeks in this position seems like a lifetime.. an eternity! Then I realized something. If I continue to think of things this way.. of course it is going to feel like an eternity. You are only promised today, so why not take it one day at a time?

This goes for everything in life. It for sure goes for working out and in your fitness journey. You can't look at how far you have to go. You should be paying attention to how far you have come and focusing on TODAY. Today I will workout. Today I will eat healthy… Don't tell yourself that for the next 6 months you are going to workout. Man does that seem overwhelming!? Just promise yourself today…

I think this is worked into all areas of our lives. We can't promise ourselves that we are going to get through the next 2 weeks.. its much to overwhelming and terrifying to think of it that way. But we can make a promise to make it through today. Today is a short period of time. We can go through our routine throughout the day and make it through one way or another.

So lets just make it through today first. Tell yourself that you are going to stay strong today, you are going to get your workout in, and eat healthy.. for today ;) You are another step closer to your goal!

Beat the Holiday Bulge!

If your anything like me, this is the time of the year that you start to go in the wrong direction with your health. Let's face it, its easy to do when its this cold out! You probably have a lot less ambition, your stir crazy in your house, and that cupboard filled with snack food is just calling your name!
Did I get it right?!

I refuse to let that happen this year. Think of it this way.. if you let yourself go now or let yourself go even MORE, its only going to be THAT much harder to get back on track after the holidays. So why not start now and BEAT the holiday Bulge?!

This Holiday I have something SPECIAL to offer you! You can do 2 things!
1) Get yourself in incredible shape
2) Win some $$! Yes, Im serious!

I have a group starting up where you can literally win money for losing weight and staying on track. Soooo who wants in?! Contact me through my blog or find me on Facebook :)

BRING ON THE HOLIDAYS!!

Mason Jar- Baked Oats & Berries

For the longest time I have been bringing you new dinner recipes so this week I decided to switch it up a bit. I am a huge breakfast eater. It is my FAVORITE meal of the day.. and your know whats weird? I eat the same TWO things for Breakfast.. I don't switch it up much and I am ok with that because I just love the food that I already love.. if that makes sense :) haha BUT I decided that maybe it was time to switch it up just a TAD. And when I say tad… I mean that yes, I am still using oatmeal and fruit, some of my favorite things!!

This recipe is SUPER easy.. I would recommend maybe making it the night before? That way you can just heat it up in the morning.. It takes about 35 minutes total to make though so thats not bad. And that includes the cook time. The prep time takes only a few minutes! Yay for simple meals!!  You could always throw it in the oven while you get ready or whatever, and then eat afterwards ;)



I hope to maybe bring you another recipe this week also! I feel like this one was so simple I just got the easy way out haha. Comment below if you have something in mind that you would like to see! I like ideas :)










Here is what you will need:
1/2 banana
1/4 cup oats
2 tsp. Peanut butter
honey to taste
1/2 cup berries of choice- fresh or frozen (I used frozen this time)

Mason Jar

Lets Cook!
Mash the 1/2 banana in a bowl. Add the peanut butter and honey. Stir. 
Add the oats to the banana mixture and stir.
Put the 1/2 cup berries at the bottom of the jar. Add the banana/oats mixture to the top.
Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

How to "FIX" it: 21 day fix approved
1 yellow
1 1/2 purple
2 teaspoons
honey allowance




Hope you enjoy this! I know I will in the morning.. cause I tried it before I put it in the fridge and it was GOOD. Like I said- let me know if there is anything in particular that you would like me to post for my next recipe!

Be sure to follow me on my blog and find me on Facebook for future recipes!

Find more recipes here >>

http://brianacitrowske.blogspot.com/p/my-recipes.html

Workout for only 30 minutes a day?! Kidding me?! Yes please!!

I have some REALLY exciting news!!

How many of you have done Insanity before or heard of it? I happen to have done this program before. Love it! But its gets long doing those workouts for 60 minutes a day the last month :/

December 2014 Insanity Max 30 is coming!! 30 minutes a day! Thats it… My favorite programs are the ones that push you to your MAX for only 30 minutes and give you BOMB results.

oooo Did I mention that I am HOPEFULLY taking this along with me to Mexico in December?! No equipment need = AWESOME travel material. EXCITEDDDDD!!!!!!!

I am putting together a list… Would you like to be on my VIP list and be the first to find out when this is released and have an opportunity to be in my FIRST EVER Insanity Max 30 trial group?!

Shoot me a message or connect with me on Facebook to be put on my VIP waiting list!

Maggie's Journey so far

I want to share a amazing success story with you!! This program CONTINUES to amaze me! One success story after another.. people are losing weight and feeling great about themselves in only 3 weeks.

The reason I love this program so so much, is because it is a lifestyle change you are creating! This isn't a "temporary fix". This is all about fixing the way your body looks and feels.. How YOU feel about yourself and recognizing that working out and eating healthier can be fun and rewarding.

This is Maggie>> She started her fitness journey back in October! She was at a plateau with her weight and didn't know where to begin. I invited her to my challenge group and she agreed! The rest is history :)


Maggie agreed to share her story with you guys! I talked to her about her progress, what was easy, what was difficult, and where she plans on going now since she has finished her first round of the program.














Here are Maggie's measurements throughout her three weeks:












She said that with her knees, the squats were really hard for her but they got easier and easier every time. She also said that she started with the modified version but worked up to doing the workouts full out and they also got easier over time.

Maggie says that since finishing the 21 day fix she finds it easier to avoid junk food, especially salty foods. Her clothes fit better and she feels better IN them!! <<That is awesome!!! She also said that her flexibility has improved.

Maggie said "I love that the workouts are only 30 minutes and that I actually have time for them!"

She said that she plans on continuing with the workouts and is currently on her second round. Eventually she wants to go on and try another program and keep improving herself. She told me that her end goal is to feel more confident with the way she looks all the time and to not worry about it!

Maggie lost a total of 11 lbs. in THREE WEEKS with her first round of the fix!!

I can't wait to continue watching her journey and see where she goes from here!!






Thanks Maggie! <3 Your story is inspiring!!

Follow me on Facebook for more stories, motivation, and inspiration! >> Feel free to contact me if you would like through my blog or message me on Facebook!


The picture below is the latest picture of Maggie! 11/12/14 to be exact. She is feeling awesome!! Looking good girl!! <3

Chicken Lo'Mein.. family HIT!!!

Here is another recipe for you! And I know I tell you that a lot of them are quick and easy.. and this one is also quick and easy ;) I think it probably took me no more than 30 minutes to make! The hardest part was cutting up the veggies.. which didn't take long either!

Last night while I was cooking, Neil was out working in the garage so I had to find a way to entertain Chloe. She tends to get clingy when I start cooking. She wants me to play play doh with her, push cars around the house, etc.. and I just can't do that and cut up veggies and fry food at the same time sadly. I am not super women haha.. Wish I had that power but I don't :( Anyways.. I turned on nursery rhymes on youtube while I was cooking and she LOVED it. She watched them and sang along with it! It was really nice to have her occupied with that while I cooked. Not ideal to have her watching videos, I know.. but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do in order to maintain your sanity and put food on the table!!

When I started making this I was a little concerned that it wasn't going to be a hit for either my husband OR Chloe. It has a little different taste than your regular soy sauce. BUT Neil actually said he liked the flavor better. He said he thought it had more flavor! And he ate a bunch.. so that a good sign!! Chloe also ate a lot of it.. and she loved the coconut aminos sauce! The entire pan was GONE. So that says something being there are only 2 of us and a toddler!

 Here is what you will need:

- Chicken, cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds
- 1/2 cup water chestnuts
- 1/4 cup green onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 1 Tbsp. minced Ginger
- 1 Tbsp. minced Garlic
- 2 cups broccoli
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- Toasted sesame oil
- Coconut Aminos
- Sesame seeds to garnish




Directions:

1. Add about 2 Tbsp. sesame oil to frying pan and fry chicken until cooked through. About 5 minutes.

2. Add water chestnuts, celery, and broccoli. Cook over medium-high heat for about 2-4 minutes until veggies are softened.

3. Add green onion, almonds, minced ginger, minced garlic, and shredded cabbage. Add a splash of coconut aminos- about 2-4 Tbsp. Cook for 3-4 minutes until cabbage is softened.

4. Add sesame seeds for garnish (I skipped this step)

5. ENJOY!



Enjoy this recipe and of course, let me know if you have any questions about it by leaving a comment or contact me through my blog or find me on Facebook! Let me know how you like it!

Follow my blog for future recipes.. a new one coming soon.. BREAKFAST recipe this time :D