Thursday, December 31, 2015

Excuses are Just That

"I'm too tired"


"I am so busy!"

"I am sick"

"I don't feel like it today"

"I'll start tomorrow..." 

Tomorrow turns into about 3 more weeks and then the "I'm too tired," "or its not the right time" excuse pops in again. 

These are excuses are STRONG and they are an easy way out! Its hard to get up every day and do a 30 min workout, its discipline! But your goal is still floating in the back of your mind. That 5-10lbs you want to loose is still just a thought, and that family history of heart-disease is becoming an issue for you, not just your family. 

This was my 2015 up to October when I made a commitment to change. I decided that I needed to get up off my booty and work it out daily. It wasn't easy but my excuses diminished. I did have time to dedicate 30 minutes to the 21 day fix workout, I did have the resources to cut out my 500 calorie daily latte  at Starbucks and replace it with a healthy shake that is full of 70 superfoods, probiotics, and my daily dose of fruits and veggies :) 

2016 is YOUR year! No more EXCUSES! This is YOUR time! 

If you need some help, some motivation, some inspiration, I am here to help ya! I am offering a FREE 21 day Fix workout with the purchase of Shakeology! Don't let 2016 be the year where you have every intention of betting yourself, DO IT! 

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

New Years Resolutions

Every year people make resolutions. Every year 70% of people quit in January. Why is this? And how many times have we fallen into that 70%? Are intentions are always pure, we always want to succeed. But life gets busy and excuses are made and its easier to stop then to stick with it. 


How do we make this year different? How do we actually succeed? How do we ensure that our busy lives do not get in the way of our goal? How AWESOME would we feel if we reached it!? 

The thing that is MOST important to sticking with your resolutions is accountability! Having someone EVERY DAY checking in with you for a quick second to make sure that you are doing or will do what you need to reach your goal is critical to success. 

My main resolutions this year are the following:
1) To get fit and toned! All I want for christmas 2016 is toned arms and a flat stomach :) 

2) Healthy! I want off my blood pressure medicine!

3) Save, save, save!

How will I get there!? The accountability groups I run! I run 30 day accountability groups for people with fitness goals in mind! I also can help people find a workout and nutrition plan that best fits them! Every. Day. I check in my with challengers. We motivate each other to get our work out in, to make good choices, and the main rule is that we only indulge 20% of the time! 

Its not a diet. We can eat anything! If its in moderation. 
The workout plan is made for you. JUST FOLLOW IT! 
We get daily motivation and tips to help us to live a healthier lifestyle! 
No monthly gym membership!
Just workout 30 minutes in your own home!
Participate month after month! 

My last group lost a total of 26lbs between 6 people! 

Who's in? who is going to stick with their resolutions this year!?




alyssagoesbang

Monday, December 28, 2015

Birthday and Christmas Shenanigans

Please. Please don't make me eat any more!!! I CANT EAT ANOTHER SWEET! And believe me, I never thought I would say that! 

Here is a little recap: 

C and I (C is my boyfriend in case I never mentioned that before, he's the greatest!) drove from the base he is stationed at all the way up to Chicago! A nice 15 hour drive.... 

The long road trip went very well! Besides the fact that I am the annoying girlfriend playing constant sing a long songs, the ride was quite fun! C even downloaded Pitch Perfect on his phone for me to watch...He knows me :) 


When we got to Chi-town we spent a few days with C's family. My favorite night was our trip to the Water Tower for shopping and the delicious meal we had at Rosebud's on Rush. Seriously the best Italian food EVER! I had every intention of photo-documenting this meal but it was just to delicious! 

On Christmas Eve, my birthday, C drove me back to my parents house so I could spend me 26th birthday with them! He spoiled me with a personally designed necklace that is SO cute and means so much to me :) I also got a new tea pot, because apparently ALL adults have a tea pot...who knew ;) 






Christmas was great! Santa brought me a brand new TV that was much needed! I currently have a TV from the 80's in my living room so I can't wait to try this bad boy out! 

Now I am sitting here. Regretting every cookie I put in my mouth this past week along with the plethora of cheese and crackers I ate! haha it was a great and delicious week :) 

Now my 26 year old body is headed for a relaxing massage after the torture I put it through this morning! You know what they say, Never miss a Monday! 


Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Wedding Recap

It's safe to say that I have the MOST beautiful friends! Especially this lovely lady on her wedding day! 

I had such a fun quick trip back home for her wedding! She was absolutely gorgeous! Its so awesome seeing two people so madly in love with each other, and that is what this wedding was, full of love! 

Pre-wedding selfie of course! Loved these dresses and my hair! Did my makeup myself :) 


Check out these cute robes!! Loved getting ready in these! 



Isn't she the most beautiful bride you have ever seen! 

Check out these dresses! So cute! 

Best friend selfie! 

It was such a beautiful wedding with great friends and family! From the ceremony to the party bus and then the reception we had a great time! The best part was seeing my best friend so happy! They are truly in love! 

And they lived happily ever after 

Monday, December 14, 2015

Disappearing in the Clouds

I am sitting here at the airport. Slightly annoyed I must admit because who likes when they miss their connecting flight because the door of the plane is broken and the have to fix. Should I even be concerned about missing the flight? Or should I be more concerned about the door flying open mid flight and my body falling from thousands of feet in the sky? Or how about the guy who pukes on the plane right before take off and now we have to wait to have it cleaned....at least it wasn't in my seat! 

Exaggeration I know! 

Anyway, Im sitting here watching all these planes take off and it made me wonder where are all these people going? 

Flying is a great analogy! Everyone has a final destination. A place they want to get to, a goal! The same is true with your health! We all have a goal! A dream body, a dream weight, dream stomach or arms. There is nothing wrong with that! 

Here are my goals:




Yes you should love yourself where you are at, but you should also want yourself to be healthy. You should want to have goals to work toward. You should work toward them in a healthy way. There is no need to destroy your body to reach your goal! There are healthy ways to get there! 

This is my goal! And i am not there yet, but I am getting closer! I love this journey! I love feeling great all the time! I am loving life and if you want help to reach your goals, I am there for you! I can help you! Just ask me :) 

Even if you don't want to participate in my accountability groups quite yet you can still help me out! If you let me post on your facebook OR on your blog about my fitness challenge starting in January, I will enter you into a FREE Fixate cookbook giveaway!! Just tag me in your post by sharing the photo below and linking it to my page! 

ericaashleyr.blogspot.com



Thursday, December 10, 2015

My Best Friend and Her Fairy Tale

Welp. I've got to suck it up and get on one of those tubes that fly in the sky. Sure I'm scared, sure I my palms are sweaty (knees weak, arms are heavy) sorry for the Eminem reference :) 

BUT....MY BEST FRIEND SINCE THE 6th GRADE IS GETTING MARRIED!! 

I am so excited to stand next to her on her big day! From break ups, to make ups, laughs, tears, awkward stages, puberty, braces, bangs, blue lipstick, dyed blonde hair, mini skirts, and so much more to the biggest day of her life so far! 

Love is such a beautiful gift from God, to be able to spend the rest of your life with your person. The person who lifts you up and encourages you to be a better you. I might have been that person for her for years, but now its time to step away. 



It's hard going from "the person" to the "second person" but I know that her man will fill the shoes of dealing with dramatic episode, wine runs, dance parties in the living room, awful hallmark movies, and many of laughs! 

Cheers to you my best friend! May you have the most wonderful day! 

Monday, December 7, 2015

The Tough Stuff

The holidays can be the HARDEST time for people to set and maintain fitness goals! Even I am REALLY struggling right now! Thank goodness for my challengers and challenge group because they are the ONLY thing holding me accountable! 

All I want in my life is some fried food and cookies!! haha but I saw this the other day and truer words could not be spoken:


Not that fitness is a competition, but I am a competitive person, so every time I don'twant to go to the gym for those 30 minutes or I want to stop for some french fries I just think about all the people who ARE doing it, and how I am bettering my body! 

The struggle is real! However, there is no need to wait till January 1st! You can start now! Even if its just breakfast, or a snack, or walking for 20 minutes! Anytime you do something you haven't been doing, you are making progress! You are making a better, healthier, and happier you :) 

What do you struggle with!?

FRIED FOOD! SWEETS!! HELP! 

Friday, December 4, 2015

I STRUGGLE with drinking enough water everyday! REALLY STRUGGLE! Seriously, all I want is coffee, ALL. DAY. LONG. 

I could have an IV of that stuff! Its SOOOO GOOD! 



So drinking 1/2 my body weight (in ounces) of water a day is a BIG Struggle! Why is this a good thing!?

Well, it keeps the metabolism going! It helps with the toxins in your body! It helps keep you full! It makes your skin all nice and smooth!

Did you know that sometimes, when you feel hungry, you are actually just thirsty!?

Staying hydrated as so many benefits! How do you ensure you stay hydrated!?