U.S.of A. Day 25: Getting "Unstuck"

"Whether we realize it or not, we are speaking into each others' lives. what a powerful thought" ~Me
And maybe by "chance" I may just be sharing a very similar experience with someone else.  What if what I am going through or have gone through in my life is very similar to what you may have or are going through?  What if I never shared these very personal experiences and thoughts with you? I think people need to see not just that I am a changed person or now have a positive attitude, but see "HOW" I did it!  We all go through different processes to resolve our unfinished business or even how long it takes.  We travel our journeys at the speed of "you".  I've felt like I was a slow learner, but when we look at those that have the resources made available to them and they don't even take that step...those are the "slow" ones!  So if you are here and are taking even baby steps, you are doing more than many many other people!
I see "stuck" people all around me in my daily life.  Sometimes I look in the mirror and I see a "stuck" person.  But what I am learning from Carlos is that I DON'T have to be a "stuck" person.  And so I share my very personal life experiences in hopes that maybe one person will identify with my story and it will help them to get "unstuck" as I share how I am getting "unstuck" myself!

I've had some "stuck" moments this past week.  I haven't worked out all week last week.  But, you know what?  That's ok!!! I do have a massive goal of gaining 8 lbs of LBM, and I WILL get there!!!  That goal doesn't change!  What does change is ME!!!  I AM changing!  I am growing!  I do not have to get down on myself because I have not moved forward wholly with this goal, YET!
Am I still living an Unstoppable Summer of Awesomeness?  YES!! 8 lbs of LBM is nothing compared to how I am growing personally, spiritually, mentally, emotionally.

"Why Delay Amazing?" isn't just about fat loss (muscle gain, or whatever your physical goal)..It's about BEing Amazing...from the Inside out!  The physical is just an outward result of Inner Amazing-ness!

I AM Unstoppable!  no matter what "life" says!
As Carlos tells me, "We can make our own reality!"

U.S.of A. Day 23: What is the Truth?

"Be careful about what you think and what you say during your times of trial and tribulation. The attitude you have while in the wilderness determines how long you stay there."~ Joyce Meyers

I read this quote this morning,  And I think about my own times of trial and tribulation and reflect on my thoughts during these times.  For years my thoughts were negative.  I focused on those things I could not control and I "allowed" them to control me and my attitude about myself, my marriage, my life.  By doing that I felt like I wasn't good enough.  I couldn't do anything right.  Success was only something other people achieved in finances, in marriage, in relationships, in life.  Somehow I didn't "deserve" success.

As I type this, I am having a light bulb moment of one time in my life where this "lie" had a small root. Let me insert the story, in hopes maybe someone can relate.
I was a sophomore in high school on the Junior Varsity volleyball team.  The Varsity coaches felt I had enough skill and talent to be "pulled up" onto the Varsity squad.  As a result, some of my classmates were (in my perception) jealous of this move by the coaches.  A couple of those girls quit.  I believed that to be them thinking I wasn't good enough to be on the Varsity squad and they should have been.  This left me feeling/believing that maybe I didn't deserve to be on that Varsity squad. 
Another story of when the "lie" that I wasn't good enough had it's root was on my 13th birthday.  I had planned a birthday party and invited many girls from class at school.  It turned out only 2 girls showed up for my party.  I was devastated!  I remember crying, thinking, "What's wrong with me?  Why don't they like me?"  I can still "see" that day clearly sitting in my living room, crying as I opened the few gifts that were given me. 

The result of this thinking was adding 90 lbs of extra weight on my body over the course of  nearly 19 years.  My husband would say to me many times, "do you even hear yourself?"  And so I wandered in this "wilderness" of mine for years!  I was living under the "lie" that what others thought of me determined my worth.  And somehow I "proved" this by believing that when people entered my life and "left" (either by way of moving away or losing contact, etc.) that it just "proved" to me that I wasn't good enough.
So in watching the movie Carlos posted(The Final Cut"), I could "see" myself in that movie.  My beliefs about those early memories determined the course of my life up to this point in my life. 
And so I am challenged again with something similar. 
I am in the middle of a divorce.  My seven year old wants to live with his dad.  I am unable to communicate with one of my best friends.  Some issues rise up at work.
Those 'old' feelings of not feeling good enough well up.  This has been my challenge this week.  I have not worked out all week. I have eaten pretty good.  Not where I want to be, but not bad either.  (probably not enough)  So where has MY focus been?  I can "hear" Carlos' words, "here we are going along merrily and then opps, something shows up and gets us off track."  So what do we do about that?  We have to get to the truth!  We have to dispel the lies. 
The Truth is...those girls not coming to my party more than likely had nothing to do with me!
The Truth is...those girls quitting probably had nothing to do with me being on the Varsity squad, but was about THEM not being pulled up.  I DID deserve to be on that Varsity squad!
The Truth is...I do deserve success in all areas of my life.
The Truth is...I am the best at my job.
The Truth is...I am the best mom I can be.
The Truth is...divorce does not define me.
The Truth is...just because I can't communicate with my friend does not mean I have "lost" them. 
So what is an affirmation all about?  It's about taking charge of what you are thinking and saying in your times of trial and tribulation.  An affirmation is giving your attitude direction and focus on the truth.  It is saying to those lies we tell ourselves or hear from other people, "No, I will not accept you!  I accept and believe the truth.   the Truth is.."
In 2006, I started my journey of Affirmations.  I have lost 90 lbs along the way.  But it's not about fat loss or losing 90 lbs or even 9 lbs.!  It is about what you believe!  Are you believing the lies or are you believing the Truth?  If you believe the lies you do all you can to cover up the pain of those lies you are believing.  If you believe the Truth, you are set free from the pain of those lies and you live Success in every moment.
As Carlos shares with us, something will always show up!!  But, it's what you think and believe about those things and learning HOW to think in those times that will determine your success and your future outcomes.  This journey will never end.  The day you stop affirming those Truths is the day you revert back to those old ways of thinking.

U.S.of A. Day 5: Affirmations

I want to share with you my affirmations I have come up with for My Unstoppable Summer of Awesomeness.  Maybe it will help some of you.  I know it helps me to see what other people come up with.

Suzette's Unstoppable Summer of Awesomeness Affirmations
1. I am gaining 8 lbs or more Lean Muscle as I drop the same in body fat.
2. I will do this in 8 weeks by August 31
3. My diet is perfect for building muscle.
4. Every day I eat good quality protein and veggies.
5. I eat just enough to feed my muscles for growth and strength.
6. I choose peace within my personal relationships and recognize those things I have no control over.
7. I workout with intensity and push myself to work harder with each day.
8. I am better in mind, body and soul now than I was at the end of my first muscle mission.
9. I am stronger with more lean muscle and less body fat.
10. I am tighter.  I am leaner.
11. I think like a Champion.
12. I do daily what ordinary people only do once in a while.
13. I maintain a positive attitude and outlook on life.
14. I only focus on those thoughts and actions that will propel me towards my goal of adding 8 lbs. lean muscle and losing 8 lbs. body fat.
15. I am in the best shape of my life; mind, body, soul.
16. I love the way I feel inside and out as I reach my goal.
17. I feel empowered to help others because I have done it.

I have printed this out and check each one off every day. several times a day.
I will these outloud to myself with conviction and emotion.
these affirmations are not just about my physique goals but also personal and life goals of having "healthy" relationships and "healthy" mindset overall.

Today was another day at my brother's pool with my kids!  such fun..and more sun!  Another perfect day!  Loving life!!  playing with my kids and even my mom played with us! (if you'd like, stop by my facebook page for some pics from yesterday and today with my kids poolside! some fun pics in there of yours truly! LOL don't want to miss those! LOL)

Got in a great Muscle workout!  Did the whole thing through as yesterday I only made it through the first movement!
Eats must get better.  not terrible but I need to get my food plan together for muscle growth to take place!  I really don't know where I ended up today with calories but I am sure I am under...
It will happen!  Muscle growth will not take place if I don't take in what I need.

today's pic, again poolside!  I NEED a tan!!! lol.




LOL!!!  My mom and I "posing" and my 12 year old doing his thing! lol..love it!  I think my mom is having fun!!  but she needs to work on those biceps!  I told her they are going the wrong way! LOL.

I AM Unstoppable!!

"U.S. of A." Day 1

U.S.of A.  = Unstoppable Summer of Awesomeness!!

This day is a New Beginning for me.  I believe I have come to a great place in my mindset, despite all that is going on around me.  True transformation starts in the mind!  It has taken me literally years to come to where I am today.  It hasn't been an easy road, but it has been worth it.  I am worth it!  It has finally sunk in that my worth is not dependent on what others think of me, or whether certain people are in my life. Nor does what I have been taught as a young person by way of example from others around me define who I am or my worth.   Nor do my circumstances define my worth.   My worth is found within.
I truly feel I am able to "Let Go" of those thoughts that have been contributing to holding me back, to truly believing in myself and achieving my dreams.

Today I feel relaxed and ready in mind and spirit.

My goals for the next 8 weeks. (Participating in Elaine's Transformation Extravaganza)
I have really been thinking a lot about this.  I don't want to focus on scale weight.  But, I do want to work on reducing both my hips and waist measurements by at least 1 inch.  I also want to reduce bodyfat.(at this time I do not know what my BF% is. )  I did weigh myself tonight and found that I have lost some scale weight in just the past few days.  But my work load is different at work now, so I am walking a lot more throughout the day!
I weighed in at 158 lbs. today (I am 5'8" for those that don't know) I would like to weigh in at 150 lbs but with increased lean body mass that will be visibly evidenced by my before/after pictures.
I am "tempted" to attempt what I nearly accomplished last year in a previous Muscle mission of gaining 8 lbs LBM and losing 8 lbs fat.  and if i can do that in 8 weeks, that would be awesome!
I believe I can do it! 
and so that is my goal:  Gain 8, Lose 8 in 8 weeks. (Triple 8's)
How am I going to do this?
I decided today that I will do the Muscle program.
I have  yet to determine my calorie requirements but will do that over the weekend.
Obstacle #1:  of course the obvious one will be July 4th festivities.
Strategy:  take chicken to grill instead of eating hot dogs.   I will drink my green smoothie before I go, to make sure I get my greens in.
Obstacle #2:  my birthday on August 11.
Strategy:  choose healthy options to 'celebrate'.  I  don't need cake! or ice cream to celebrate.

Why am I doing this?
Because I can!  why not?
I want to regain the physique from Feb. 2010.
I want the inner results that it will take to achieve this goal...the Mind of a Champion!  I want to think like a Champion.  I want to act like a Champion.  I want to be a Champion.

Some bit of "history" from me.
As I was cleaning up my bedroom today, I found a copy of a "scale print out" from when I weighed myself back in 2006.  I don't know the exact date on it as that part has faded..but the rest shows clearly!
Here's what the print out says:
"Your weight 238.8 lbs
(allow 5.5 lbs for clothing)
Ideal weight: 143.6 lbs.
You are overweight 95.2 lbs"

Here's to  an Unstoppable Summer of Awesomeness!!

and the story continues!