My Breaking Point!

I believe that everyone will have that one day where you are just at that breaking point during this pandemic we are in. I had mine last week! I hate thinking about it, talking about, reading about it, yet here we are. Each day goes by and it seems to get worse. I hear this will be the new norm. NO! Why would we want this to be our new norm. I do not like to admit my weakness but let me share a back story. I have never liked anything on my face. I can't tell you why but on very rare occasions have I put on makeup of any kind. I did wear lipstick for my sisters wedding but even then felt so uncomfortable. As I was recalling memories of basic training though, is where I can start to feel the anxiety over something on my face and that was a gas mask. It's not the mask itself but the feeling.  Let me take you back to that moment.

I was in a gas chamber with other soldiers and we had to endure the smell of gas going up our nostrils, feeling the sensation of the burn in our chest, our eyes started to burn, snot came running out of our nose, we started to gasp for air, we searched for our your voices but the words didn't come out at first but finally as the drill sergeant was madly yelling for us to speak out our name, or our last 4 of our social, I honestly don't remember exactly what his madness was asking of us because I felt like I was going to pass out, and just then the doors flew open and we ran out, hands popped up over our heads, franticly waving, like we were hoping for something to save us from up above, around a big circle we raced, feeling the sunshine beam down on our faces, the air filled back into our lungs and as we gained our senses we slowed down and once back in formation, our drill sergeant said,"Now, you will learn how to dawn your gas masks in less than 9 seconds because if you don't and your ever in a situation and gas is the culprit, you will die. We just showed you what it will feel like." You can bet I learned how to dawn that mask with each memory of the gas chamber implanted into my brain! As I share this memory with you my heart is racing, as I stated before it's not easy to admit this weakness. I have shared this before with my family and friends and they may have not known when I did tell it, I fought so hard to be strong in the memory and not let my heart race too fast and give in to the anxiety.

You may wonder how then can I wear a helmet when I ride my motorcycle? I have vents in my helmet and it doesn't touch my nose or mouth. Don't get me wrong, in the beginning I felt a small memory pop in my head as I first dawned the helmet but it soon went away as I got on the motorcycle and felt freedom take over! There were times that I put a bandana on over my nose and mouth but I felt constricted and so uncomfortable, with that small wave of anxiety as I struggled a bit to breath, trying not to show my weakness to my husband. It was then that I went for the full face helmet.

So today, as I cringe of putting something over my nose and my mouth, touching my face for a period of time gives me anxiety.So if you see me out in public without a mask, don't judge me. If you feel comfortable in a mask and you feel that will protect you from this virus that they say has no cure then that is your choice, because as of today, it is still our choice. I know this may not be for long. The powers that be want to see how far they can take their orders until it is mandatory and until such time I choose not to have that freedom of choice ripped out from under me. As I said, when you have memories pop up that make you feel weak and get your heart racing so fast you feel like you're having a heart attack, why would you volunteer to concede to something that is not proven without a shadow of a doubt. Why are we so quick to give up the rights of the constitution? Why are we so quick to believe what is on the internet or in the news? As my daughter shared a memory of one of her teachers in high school, he shared something and it was so believable, and the kids took it as truth yet he said it was not the truth and told them to never just accept what you hear as truth immediately, to always do your own research. That was a life lesson and great advice especially now! My son also stated that he doesn't know what it true or a lie anymore and I totally agree with him, so yes, we should do a little bit of our own research instead of just handing over our freedoms in which we may never get back!
Why are we buckling to people we voted in to do a job that is for the people? Do you see in many aspects how this virus has taken over more than death? Why are criminals getting set free? Why are people being thrown in jail for standing up for the constitution? Why can't we go to church, but we can go to Coscto, Lowes, or Home Depot? Why isn't the science of the virus that has came from two Dr's in California not being taken serious, they have done the research, they have the numbers. Why did YouTube shut them down?

 Yes, I do believe there is a virus out there, what I don't believe is how crippling it is making it's wave in every nook and cranny of our lives. I only have one place to go and that is to God. I trust and believe in Him, that this too shall pass and my faith is stronger than fear. I like Pitbull's new song, "Believe"
FEAR- Forget everything and run or Face everything and RISE! I choose the later!

My Happy Place

My Happy Place is the moments first thing in the morning when I wake up and get my coffee, then read my devotional in the quite, being still in God's word, getting my armor on and getting ready for the day!

My Happy Place right now is stepping in front of that camera and going live as I train my Tactix workouts 3 days a week, also having one of my best friends Diane Ellsworth train a couple days, doing her COMEBACK workout, and getting Michelle Cross to come in once a week and get her POUND on! We also have a challenge my sister Monica Workman has us doing that is about to wrap up doing SQUATS/PUSHUPS! I also have been blessed and so grateful to have guest come on and show us different workouts, YOGA with Chrissie Samuel and BLT with Amy Hodge!
 I may be alone in the room but I am not lonely in my environment. I had a friend talk about this and it's so true! I love knowing that as I am training, others are sweating it out with me at that exact moment! In the near future I will be able to be in front of my favorite people again and the energy will be strong!

My Happy Place is when I am riding my motorcycle and feeling the wind and the freedom that envelopes me as the two wheels carry me along. I love when I hear my husbands voice as he communicates or just says, "I love you honey, I just love this!" You see so much more on a motorcycle than you do in a vehicle. The sounds you hear are more pronounced, the smells fill your nose with sweet, vibrant, crisp air, flowers, hay, water or wherever I may be at that moment in time!

My Happy Place is when I am camping with my husband and my family, the enjoyment of a nice bon fire, the closeness of being with my loved ones, the memories we create. As you can see I have a few Happy Places. Everyone has those places. Everyone creates memories if they can. Some are not as fortunate as others but you don't stay stuck if you are, you don't stay in a situation if you are capable of getting out of it, you rise up, you take one step at a time and you soon run. What is it that keeps you from making those spaces your Happy Place? What is your Happy Place?

Short and sweet blog this Marvelous Monday! Enjoy every moment you have. Be positive in your space! I always say there is always something to be positive about, even if it is the air you breathe, the breath you take. To Be Positive Is To Be Successful! Go out and spread it today!

Force For Good,
Brenda Lee :)

This past week has been another rollercoaster in America and around the world with the Covid-19 pandemic. I went to the store to get groceries and the fear in peoples eyes was heartbreaking, not one person smiled as I passed them, not one person made eye contact with me, heads down or their eyes darted somewhere else. It's sad to me because the love, the laughter and the nod of a stranger with a smile has been taken away because of this uncertain virus that is sweeping through every city and town as a silent killer. They shut us in hopes of us not getting or spreading it, however, if it's silent and it's in the air.  The main difference is that there is no cure and they say that the hospitals are overwhelmed and that is really the reason we are to stay in and do the social distancing and have our economy plummet. I could go on and on, but you are all living this with me, you know what is being said and seeing the news or social media. I am so sorry for the people who have died because of this virus and pray for their strength in the coming days.

Here is what I know for a fact: GOD is in Control. GOD will never leave us nor forsake us.
When you feel anxious, pick up the bible. It is the only place that has all the answers. Our faith shall not waiver in these times. It's now that we must stand up as strong as ever and let everyone know that we are powerful in his word. I am not a religious freak if that is what you are thinking right now as you read this, but I do have a strong relationship with GOD. As I see hate I see more love even though our world has been turned upside down, I see so many people talk of God and I see how powerful prayers are. Many prayers are being lifted for all our doctors, nurses, police, firefighters, military, grocery workers, truck drivers, and so many more people out their choosing to take on this fight against this silent killer. GOD will envelope us and keep us safe, we only have to trust in him and have faith as this plays out. We have to practice patience, which is so hard for me and for most people, especially today when we have been so accustomed to the fast of everything and the convenience in which we had. Now we are finding new ways to adapt and overcome. But, we are doing it and we are making the best of the situation we are put in. We do live in America and as a veteran of the U.S. Army, I will fight for my family and friends. What I mean by that is I will pray for each of you EVERY SINGLE DAY! Prayer is the ultimate winner in any fight, and this is no different. So as you read this, stop, be still and pray.

I could hear the planes overhead, I lay there wondering, what in the world had I done?! I had completely stepped out of my comfort zone and here I was in a place I never thought I would be, a place I thought just weeks earlier I could do, yet I had a deep seed of doubt now as I was here, in the darkness feeling all alone and abandon from all I knew, family and friends miles away and here I was with this sinking feeling of regret! I closed my eyes for what seemed only a moment and shot my eyes wide open so fast to the clanking of something so loud hitting the bed and the voice of a boistrous voice yelling, "GET UP YOU LOW LIFE PRIVATES!! YOU HAVE EXACTLY 5 MINUTES TO GET DRESSED, BRUSH YOUR TEETH, GO TO THE LATRINE, DO YOUR BUSINESS AND GET OUT IN FORMATION! NOW GO! GO! GO!" I don't think I moved so fast in my life, my heart was racing and my mind was locked in gear to GO!

That is a memory of my first day at basic training back in March of 1988. I did feel a bit of regret a few times during basic training, but it turned out to be the best experience of my life and one of my biggest growing moments in my life too. I would never have met my husband had I not joined the Army had I not stepped out of my comfort zone.  I would never have gotten to go over seas to Germany, had I not stepped out of my comfort zone. I met the neatest people over there, and we got our first german shepherd dog over there! There were so many things that I did not regret and that is what happens when you step out of your comfort zone. If you stay in one place too long, you get complacent. You don't necessarily have to move to another place to step out of your comfort zone but there are times in your life you may have to.  It can be the scariest and most craziest thing you do at that moment, but if you can see past that fear, that uncertainty you will come out so much stronger. I have trusted God time and again in my life and he doesn't want me to be complacent. As I grow older I feel I become wiser and I am thankful for all the moments God has granted me and will grant me.

My son is about to spread his wings and go to another state and in some ways I feel it is out of his comfort zone but I know he will grow to be stronger and more independent. I am sad and feel a tug on my heart, however, I know how it is to want to go explore new things and to break away, so I support him in going. I am proud of him for working through so much and finding his way. He is going in a time of uncertainty, a time where we don't know what tomorrow will bring, but it's for his job and he agreed to go. He will have God with him the entire time and he will be safe.  My daughter has stepped out of her comfort zone time and again as well, just recently by posting on her blog and being so vulnerable yet knowing that she had to get her message out there, because someone needed to hear it, feel it and know that it's ok. Yes, I am blessed with two wonderful children that God gave me. I do not take them for granted and feel love so deep for both of them.

Today as you sit and read this what is it that you will do next to go out of your comfort zone?

WOW! I decided to see about getting into doing a blog and realized that I had one already!! Look at that last entry, 2015! My how time does fly. Well since then I have progressed and evolved. Today in 2020 I am creating my own workouts for Tactix. I have been creating my own workouts since the beginning, which was Jan 2011 for Tactix. I stepped up the workouts and designed them different now than the original Tactix, so I call it Tactix 2.0 however,I do not have the rights to that name, at all. I am certified in it though and I love teaching it! I sit here writing this blog in April 2020. This time we are in is CRAZY, to say the least. We are on a stay at home order, because of a virus that has no cure. There are good and positive things that can come from this. I for one am saving money by not going out to eat so much. I used the time to clean out my closets and do some rearranging, some deep cleaning! We got a great annual percentage rate on our refinance! So yes, that is what I choose to focus on during this time. I also started doing live workouts in my private facebook page, Bootcamp Rockstars. I have my friend doing a couple of her's as well which gives us options for those who might not like Tactix. I do not have the bag and partner of course but still the moves are the same and you can get a great workout. I am going to have guests on as well do their workouts for even more variety in the coming weeks! I do miss everyone and look forward to being back together again in the gym! Right now is NOT the time to give up on your goals of fitness and health. There is no better time than now to stay active or get active and eat better. When your immune system is strong then you will be able to fight the viruses out there. This one today, coronavirus is deadly, all indications are that the people who have died had a low immune system with respiratory problems, overweight, asthma or diabetes. It has been affecting the older generation the most, not to say other ages have not been attacked, just that the majority has been older people. The thing you don't want to do is be glued to the t.v. Take 5 minutes in the morning, at lunch time and before dinner and then move forward with tasks that fill your mind in a healthy way. What is going on out there is out of our control. You on the other hand can control YOU! When this is all over will you be happy with your success in moving toward your goals or will you have submitted to the fear and chaos they want you to? Be in control of you. Trust me, when this is over you will be one step further ahead, you will be stronger and able to overcome any obstacle. They have set boundaries for us and in some ways that is good, it gets you used to setting your own boundaries, such as saving money, not making any unnecessary purchases, spending quality time with those closest to you and most of all being still in Gods presence. Start a journal if you haven't and write down your feelings, your ideas, what you want to accomplish in one day, every day. This is so helpful, especially now. One day you will look back at what you wrote and see where you have come and know that you did all the right things at the right time. Ok, that is it for now. Stay tuned for more as I am back to blogging!! :) I am here to serve you should you have any questions. Thank you for spending these moments with me. BIG HUGS! Brenda Lee Force For Good

In my last blog I asked you a few questions? Were you able to answer them? These questions are about having prosperity in your life. The first step in doing so is being positive in yourself and knowing that you do deserve what you seek! It's not always a good idea to share your financial success with others as they may give you negative vibes and put doubt into your thought process thus hindering your progress. Everyone has that one person who you can trust to give you the support you need if you get down and doubtful as in life, we unfortunately do. We wonder, as it gets hard and we don't see the results we seek in the time we think it should take, why do I feel I can get to that point? You then need to ask, WHY NOT ME!?!?! Keep that in the forefront always! You so deserve whatever it is you seek. It's when you feel it's to hard, that you push just a little harder and get through that bump in the road! You give it to God and then focus on what you need to in order to be successful and have the prosperous life you seek. I hear and read about people who take big risks, they fall prey to the fancy videos, the fancy email words, the excitement builds and then instead of really researching they fall victim to the scam. We have all done it in some form or fashion. That my friends is called learning! That is something we can put behind us and take it and build what we really want. That is the key, to know what it is you really want in life. Once you have it, visualize it, write it down, know that it can be yours! Then set the wheels in motion and on a daily basis and work towards it!

I declare a successful day full of blessings bestowed upon me by the opportunities that will be presented to me. I declare to have prosperity in abundance and give as God directs me. These are just a couple of my declarations. What is it that you declare? What is your voice inside your head saying? What you are your visions? You must have positive and belief in the good things you want to happen in your life. When you think prosperous of yourself, you will become prosperous. When you think you will be healthy and fit, you will start to take the steps to do so and it will be easier. It's when you let doubt slip in to your thought process that hinder your outcome of what you are trying to achieve. Would you like to have money to pay all your bills? Would you like to take a vacation and not worry about money? How about giving to a charity or better yet, to God first and not have any regrets? There are steps in this process that will get you to the point I am talking about. Stay tuned as I list them in my next blog. In the mean time write down what it is you DECLARE! I would love to have you share. :)

Prosperity

I was listening to an audio book about prosperity. I found it very interesting and found myself nodding yes and feeling great that prosperity is positive in the bible. God doesn't want us to be poor, he wants us to be rich in his name. When we believe in this and we know it to be true we are going to prosper as we should. As we go along on this road, we must remember to give to the poor and help them get out of that place if it is what God urges us to do. Our time is not our own. Just as the quote states. I have been in places that held little money, living from paycheck to paycheck. I had the stress, the worried moments, the fighting arguments. I have felt like a failure when I lost possessions. Have you ever been in the same situations? I didn't stay down or feel sorry for myself very long. God always gave me that nudge, that push I needed. When I had those things, those possessions, they were not a blessing, and as I see now looking back, God took them to show me what it was like to be humbled. He also gave me peace and I knew that everything was going to ok, and as a matter of fact, much better. From then on, whenever I bought something of value, I thanked God and was blessed to have it, knowing it was not by my own in which I had it. I also pray to God now before making a big purchase. I don't let my wants over rule my following of God's wishes for what I am to have. If he wants me to have it, then it will be so. I will be prosperous! I like to think of myself as his money manager. The money is not mine after all, it is all His, and I pray in his direction on how I should transport it out. (Job 21:16) What is it that you want to be prosperous in? In what manner do you plan on starting on the road to prosperity? Are you ready to move on the wish you have been wishing for and make it a goal with reality!?! These are all questions to start your system. If you do not have a system, your not going to hit your goal very fashionably. Another thing your going to need is to surround yourself with successful people in the field you wish to excel at. I have read, heard and seen this to be true. One last piece of advice, give yourself 90 days to begin to truly prosper! Make sure you have done your homework, aligned yourself with those who are on the same road, have accountability coaches and believe in yourself! Again, know that your time is not your own, but if it's meant for you to prosper in the area you seek, you shall prosper. Deuteronomy 5:33

DO YOU? We are all going through something in our lives. Just when we think that things are running smoothly, there will be something to give you a hiccup. What matters here is how you handle an obstacle. Do you stop and just give up, do you look at that obstacle as a challenge and run over and through it? Do you ask God for help, for Him to take it from you? Do you think you can handle it all on your own? I can tell you that doing it on your own is not going to go the way you want it to. As a matter of fact it will become worse. You have to stay on track, you have to give it all to God and proceed in the direction you know you are to go. Where is it that you’re going? What is it that you’re trying to achieve? Have you taken the necessary steps in order to fulfil your success, your dreams, you’re hopes? Do you have a plan? Do you have a system for the plan? Answer these questions and see what they say. Do you have direction? Do you have organization? Do you have a positive mental attitude to get there? Do you take the time needed to fulfill your passion? Do you know what is most important to you in life? Do you see yourself as successful and happy or do you see yourself tired and broke? It is how you look at yourself, that will become your outcome. You have to be careful not to let negative drive you down, you must turn that positive corner and keep climbing, until you’re at the top. Then help others get to where you are! Do you see where I am going? DO YOU?

What is the secret? That is the question we all ask no matter what area of life we are in, whether it is to success, to happiness, to health and to wealth. I have learned that your going to endure some trials along the road of success. You might not hit it the first time out, you might think you did, however, you still feel something missing. What we do is a process. Since I am a personal trainer, my main focus is staying healthy by eating healthy and keeping my fitness in check. I also have another job now in the insurance industry so my mind needs to be sharp and the key to that is keep it full of positive thoughts! There will be times you just want to give up, when it seems so hard that you wonder if its worth it. You never know what lies ahead, so don't quit. When it seems the hardest, that is when you push harder, dig deeper and move forward with more determination that you ever have before. The secret is to be consistent, be motivated, believe you can do it and never stop! When a negative thought comes to you, immediately put a couple positives in it's place! Be thankful for what you do have, for how far you have come, and if you are at a bump in the road, just know that it will smooth out just ahead. I have a friend who is on the Paleo lifestyle path with me and I tell her, just stay LASER FOCUSED! We both have started around the same time, not knowing we were on the same path! It is always easier when you have someone to keep you accountable, to know they are beside you as you move along, to encourage, to give you those words you need to hear if you had a hiccup, to make you feel worthy of your goals. So your first step is going to find someone you trust to share your visions with. Someone who will be honest and not keep you down by telling you can't do it, or that it won't work. Everyday you should fill your mind with positive thoughts, words, and visions. So go out and start working on the secret! :)

The faith you must have when entering into a new journey is such as this. It develops from a small thought, you think about it, then it grows, and you believe it to be possible. You know it's about to be something more than just a dream you had, more than a thought, more than an idea. That is when you start to plan. The details, the work involved, the time. You then start to prepare with the items it will take to make your journey start to spin and finally you prosper because you have put in the time and the work to finish. When you are all done, you have met your goal, or your dream has become a reality, you realize you didn't do it alone. There is no way you could have possibly known the exact time frame of your idea, your goals or your dreams, however, if you get there at the time you had planned, thank God, because it is his time and only HIS that you will accomplish anything you do in life. There is nothing in this world that you can do alone! You will fail, and continue to do so until you realize you are not in charge. Yes, you are given the idea, but God gave it to you in the first place. HE will decide when it will come to light, if at all. HE will only give you what you can handle and if you don't get to realize the dream, or the idea you had, it's not because you didn't try hard enough, or followed what you thought you were supposed to, it was because HE felt you could not handle it if you did finish that particular thing because it was your idea, not his! So STOP, TAKE A DEEP BREATH, FOCUS, and ask HIM what is it that you are to do next. Once you feel something stir inside, that is the Holy Spirit giving you the answer. It could just be a season of rest, it could be that your now ready to move forward. Whatever it is, PLAN, PREPARE and PROSPER and know that it is only through him that all things are possible! 2 Kings 19:29-31

I wanted to do another blog to just let you know my progress with the paleo lifestyle so far! I have lost about 8lbs in over 4 weeks but more important lost inches, back into my size 4's!!!! I not only eat better, I get my 7 to 8 hours of sleep, I get my exercise at least 5 days a week and most important I wake up each morning and spend time with God! :) With this combination I have felt more energy, more focus and more alive than I have in quite awhile. One of my favorite paleo recipes for breakfast is the Banana Pancakes! So easy with just 3 small ingredients!! Almond butter, banana, and egg!! I will then put blueberries on top instead of syrup!! Yummy!!! The other favorite of mine is the Almond Paleo Protien bars! I have enjoyed sharing my journey with a few friends who have either been on paleo or just starting. It's nice to be a part of a great group that wants to better their lives with 4 keys to life as we know it today! :) Keys To Life: 1. Spend time with God first thing! 2. Exercise at least 3 to 5 times a week. 3. Eat nutritionally sound foods! Respect your body and it will respect you! 4. Sleep at least 7 to 8 hours! Once you get into this pattern and mindset, you will start to feel better and you will see changes all around you. Always be positive in your journey and believe in yourself. You can do whatever it is you set your mind to!!! Thanks for stopping by!

My Thoughts Paleo

I have been trying out this new paleo lifestyle for the past 3 weeks. I am in my last week of the 21 Day Challenge and I have lost 5lbs so far. How do I feel you ask? FANTASTIC!! I have found out that everyone has their own way of finding what works for them. I never thought this would work for me. I never thought I could give up milk, my sweets, cheese ect. but I have realized that I want to be healthier more than I want to have a moment of satisfaction of that junk food. Am I never going to eat it again? Are you kidding me? I feel that if I am on track at least 85 to 90% of the time then the other 10% to 15% will be more forgiving. What I love about this challenge I have done is everything is layed out for me. The shopping list for the week, the meals and the recipes! For me the is huge and I know for many of you that are just as busy it would also be in line with your life should you give this a shot too. But, again, it is entirely up to you on what will work for you. My biggest battle has been nutrition. I can work out like a champ, but eating has always been tough for me. I LOVE food!! Who doesn't right. It's crazy to think people out there have an addiction to food, but at the same time I get it. However, my health is very important to me. I don't want to spend more money being sick when I get older. I want to spend it now on good food. Are you with me? :) That is the short of it. I value your time and as you sit and read this I want you to take away the fact that your the most important person on earth. You are not only valuable to yourself, you are valuable to others and they care about you as much as you should care about yourself! So what will your challenge be?

Do you have a pet peeve?

I like to post quotes. You will most likely see this on my facebook page. I recently started an in home workout group which has been rewarding and also helps me stay motivated. It's not always easy to get to the gym and this is a great alternative to moving those muscles! I provide the workouts and my ladies provide the dedication, commitment, and their own motivation each day! I guess it was 6 years ago I wanted to step into a new career and out of insurance. I have come full circle and now I get to do both. I thought that I would give up Brenda's BootCamp but as I reflect I just am unable to part from it, I do still hold onto Healthy Steps LLC, but Brenda's BootCamp still is active in the background! The future is one that is uncertain but one thing for sure is if I can help just one person in life with fitness and health, then I feel I have a purpose in this field! :) I love my job with insurance too, I love the challenge of getting to the root of someones problem, to help them the best I can and to succeed in getting the best results for them that are in my power of course! :) I am the kind of person who will work hard for someone because that is how I want to be helped too! Customer service seems to be slipping in areas in which we really need them. My biggest pet peeve is calling in and listening to prompts! You have to wait and listen forever to find out which number to hit!! Then you figure it out and once you get to a live person, they transfer you because they are unable to assist you! WHAT?!!??! And you then wait again. Although I don't have all the answers in either of my jobs, I will find out for you!!! :) You relax, you take the moments in life on something you rather do and once I find out, I will call you back, or email!!! That is the customer service I wish was in every business!!! Ok, rant over. What is your biggest pet peeve????

Starting over is never easy, and certainly never fun. You will doubt yourself, wonder if you can do it and surely feel like a failure. That is how I felt last year around this time. I felt like my world was crumbling around me. I was at a point I was really struggling financially and mentally. I loved what I was doing and I wanted to keep doing it but God was taking me on another journey and I had to trust Him and walk in faith. I didn't give up on my training. I got a couple early morning days at the recreation center which helped me and then the one thing I didn't expect to happen was going back into the insurance industry. I reached out to a friend of mine who was still a part of insurance and got a few leads so went after it. I landed in an office that has truly been a blessing to me. I don't doubt for a second why God placed me there. I love what I do and I still get to train. I have been struggling with my nutrition again and actually been slacking in my workouts. I go through this about once a year for some reason. It doesn't last long but it is frustrating. I have been researching again for the best plan and I know everyone is different so one plan may not work as good for another person. So I set out to see what is best for me and I look at cost too, just like everyone, I am on a budget and it seems the next best thing always cost way to much whether you break it down to the day or the month. I know if you workout at least 5 days a week, portion control your foods, cut down your sugars, feed your machine 5 to 6 times a day, drink plenty of water, have your multivitamins along with omegas, you will beat the everyday marketing schemes of the world. So when you do feel like pulling up to have a burger and fries your body will be more forgiving then when you use to do it everyday, no exercise, filling yourself up with sugar in every form and just piling up your plate 2 or 3 times!!! Do you follow me? Once you get on a system, it's harder to break it. Will you stumble? Yes! Do you need to just quit and go back to old habits?! No! Always fight the good fight. Your life is worth fighting for! Find what works for you and tweak it until you are seeing results! Know that it won't happen overnight, it's a process and although it is hard to be patient, slow down and figure it out. I am here to help you if you just need someone to listen without judging. I do understand your struggles and your heartaches, your not alone. Many people out there are sucked into the marketing scheme by tv ads, radio ads, social media ads and even when your in the grocery store, they place all the candy and any item right up front for you to see before leaving. Don't give into temptation, be strong, know what your goals are and look straight ahead because together we can win the war on junk food!!! We can over power it for the most part yet when you do dip your foot back in, enjoy it for a moment, no longer, then pull it back out and keep running fast towards the new you!!! Never be afraid to start over. Don't let the what ifs rule your life. Don't let your fears overcome your victories! If you want something bad enough, you will move mountains to get it right? So start moving those mountains today!!! We Got This!!!! Love to hear your thoughts, comment below. I will be checking in daily and I will be keeping up with this blog weekly to let you know how I am doing, in hopes it will help you know your not alone and we are all in the same boat!

What is the most important?

This is one of my favorite photos with a saying. As we get ready to head into new year everyone, including you, will start to think that this is going to be the year I CHANGE!! This is the year that I am going to make it HAPPEN! We start to get motivated, excited and even childlike as we think about what we are planning on doing. But wait a minute. Do you have a plan? Do you have support? Do you know what you will do if things start to get tough? Do you know that it is going to take hard work in order for your goals to come to reality? I know that you do, but have you wrote it all down? What exactly are the steps you will take in order to succeed? It has taken me four years to nail down the missing piece of the puzzle in my fitness routine. I always thought that I had it all together, yet the results wouldn't last and therefore that made workouts only half effective. Today however, I have been introduced to the best nutritional company out there! I am aligning myself with the best of the best! My personal results are incredible and I still wonder about it. I dropped those last 10lbs in 30 days, but for me even more exciting then that is my body fat. I dropped 11.3% in just 20 days!!! The more research I do the more I find that I am blessed to have such a great product and I get to share it with others. I get to see their results in just 30 short days and I get to coach them through it and touch base with them often which is awesome! I did ask myself all those questions I just asked you. I went a step further and created a vision board. I want to make sure that I do make that change, that I do take the steps needed to fulfill my resolutions for 2014 and my wheels are already moving in the right direction before it's even here! So when you have everything lined out, feel good and put that somewhere that you will be able to look at it once a day! May all the blessings fall upon you this coming year! I would love to hear from you. What are your New Year's Resolutions!? Whatever it is, you have the power to make it happen! Be the change the world needs.

As you reflect on your life, as we all do at some point in our years of living, remember what you have done to this point. My journey has taken a very sharp turn and I know that God has a bigger purpose for me although I don't know yet what it might be. I have been blessed with so many friends and my family to support me in my decisions. It's not easy after 4 years of trying to build my business and have a place to go do workouts and fitness assessment diagnostics, to shut the doors on final time. Now I go out and figure out my next move. I know one thing, my dream is not going to die. It is taking a different path, but I can't see myself doing anything else. I love to see people's tranformations and I love to be a part of it. So I go back to the drawing board and I write down my goals, I make a plan and I start over. This is my do over! Have you ever had one of those? I bet you have and I bet your stronger and so much happier than you ever thought possible. That is my hope when I look back at this time, this obstacle.

Why Do We Do It???

Hey There! I hope you are having a Wonderful day! I am doing an email series this week on sugar with my members. It is an eye opening ordeal once you start digging into all the side effects sugar has on our bodies. Reading the above facts are staggering, yet, we just keep right on looking for that next sugar high, that temporary fix to ease what ales us. It really is only temporary you know. Some people are even addicts of sugar,in all different forms. So why do we continue to ignore what it is doing to us when it is becoming more and more obvious of it's effects? Well, because we live in a society which is filled with instant gratification. It's true. Think about it for a minute. Why do you reach for that cookie, ice-cream, candy bar, soda pop or brownie? Most of the time you don't even think about it, your in a hurry and you have to get the rumbling of your tummy to stop somehow. You grab you sweets and your off, however, mid day, you crash and burn! And it is even worse if you are not into some sort of consistent exercise routine. Day in and day out you continue to consume massive amounts of sugar without a thought until one day your in the doctors office and they hit you with the worse possible scenerio you can think of. I don't mean to be a downer here, but this is just facts my friends. So why wait until that day comes, why continue to be miserable, sick and tired? There are many avenues to take when you want to cut back on sugar. The one thing you must know in order to succeed is you will be unable to do it alone. You need a support group to help you through it, especially if you are addicted to it. I suppose it is no different than being an alcoholic or drug addict, you have to have your fix before you feel you can move forward. So depending on the severity of your sugar situation, have a buddy or group to support you and then start your journey of cutting back on sugar. You will be amazed at how great you feel. Oh the first couple days will be very hard on you, no doubt about that, but I suggest you wean yourself off the sugars that are bad for you and soon you will be free from sugar. IF you think you can go cold turkey, chances are it won't last because you will find in the future that the very word NO, will set you off and you will go running after what you have been running from. It's a crazy thing, but it is becoming a very large nuisance to society and the obesity rate in America keeps skyrocketing. Very few people realize they are their best investment, but when they do realize it, they take it serious and they spend their money wisely and research the best avenues in order to make wise decisions in that investment. As I wrap up the week about sugar with my members we are going to go on a journey together. IT is a great time to be a member of Brenda's BootCamp by the way! I am only doing this challenge with them and if you know someone that has been coming for awhile and you haven't really seen a difference, your about to! I am including every single member into this upcoming challenge. I am so excited and can't wait to reveal the results to everyone! They are about to triple their investment in themselves! :) Stay tuned to find out what the challenge is as we embark on SUGAR!!!!

Won't Read This...

Good Morning! Today I am going to write about training, specifically in running. For many of you I realize that you may be saying… “Won’t read this, Ha! I’m never going to run”… Yep, I said that too and I heard on good authority that one other well-known boot camp member said that same thing at one point in time and now she’s beating her own time with every race she runs! Once I started running I realized that it is hard, but man I feel good when I’m finished. And running the Rat Race, oh my goodness, such a blast not only running but the company. So for when you make the decision that you are going to give running a try and eventually incorporate it into your weekly BootCamp, FitRanX or Tactix routine, here are a few problems that may hinder your success with running. My favorite shoe is ASICS, so naturally I turn to them for advice and without fail, ASICS delivers. Here is what I read… Problem 1: Too Much, Too Often--If you find yourself out of breath, or completely drained, after every run, you could be pushing yourself too hard. For me, it was knee pain, I couldn't walk and of course I couldn't run until it felt better. When I could run, it wasn’t for very long before my knee started acting up again. Yes, it is possible to over train, and it happens when your body gets pushed beyond its capability to recover. If you run too fast, you can push your body too hard, going beyond the body's capacity to deliver oxygen to your muscles. And in my case, I was putting in too many miles. Over-training can cause injury, sleep disturbance, and even depression. ASICS Solution: Take a Step-by-step Approach. The first step is to manage your pace. Identify a comfortable speed and factor it into your training plan. You can calculate your pace with a simple stopwatch, or training apps like MY ASICS. I'm not crediting the competition, but Nike app works too and I know many of you already have it on your phone. There is also another app I was told about, Couch Potato to 5K. The second step is to manage your distance. If you're looking to run long distances, you need to build up gradually over time. Taking too large of a jump in distance will only lead to injury, and set you back in your training goals. Building a training plan is a great way to help you gradually increase your distance over time and reach your training milestones. Problem 2: The Right Fuel--Diet is essential not only in providing the energy you need when you're running, but also in helping you recover and build muscle. Complex carbohydrates help your body produce glycogen which delivers energy to your muscles while proteins are essential to help repair and build muscles, as well as produce hormones. Then there are fats, vitamins and minerals to factor in. ASICS Solution: Balance Your Diet--Think carefully about what you're eating. In addition to plenty of vitamins and minerals, your training diet should be made up of: •60–65% carbohydrates •10–20% protein •10% saturated fats •10–15% unsaturated fats Problem 3: Not Resting Between Runs--If you are going to continue to run at your best, you need to give your body the opportunity to recover between training runs. ASICS Solution: Take It Easy--It might sound counter-intuitive, but rest is one of the most crucial parts of any successful training plan. Getting adequate rest between training runs gives your body time to repair itself and recover in order to build up your strength over time. Problem 4: Not Enough Sleep--Tiredness is another factor that can affect your performance. Sleep enables phases of the recovery process that there are simply no substitutes for. If you are not sleeping, your body cannot recover and your training will begin to suffer. ASICS Solution: Wind Down Before Bed--Make sure you set aside time to relax before you go to bed. Reading, listening to music, or taking a hot bath are all great ways to wind down and calm your mind before bed. There it is, the most common problems, I assume they are common as I've experienced all 4. Don't do what I did and just jump into running 7 miles and not expect your body to protest. Ha-ha! Running is rewarding and, done properly, along with the reward comes fun! Enjoy! Melissa

This is the scene we are surrounded by. The flood came fast and furious and hard to believe we were the 1 in 1000 yrs., that got hit with this kind of devastation. No one could have predicted it. The positive out of all of this is that the human race comes together and helps their own. There is no thought of can or should I, no, everyone just jumps into action. The clean up will be long and vigourous at best, however, roads will be rebuilt, homes restored and the only sadness is the lives lost. That is the hardest part of all of this. Oh I know that losing all your possessions is hard too, but all of that is replaceable, a loved one just isn't. So I pray for all those who have lost a loved one during this time. There are still people missing today, yet the rescue teams are out in full force to reach all those people and hopefully the number will be 0 missing. This is a short blog but wanted to just let all who see this that all of the folks affected in this Flood of 2013 will be stronger than ever as each person will be surrounded by those who continue to pray, to reach out and to be a stronghold for them. Colorado Strong!