Focus T25: The Workout for Busy People

Hey, all you busy people out there! This new program from Shaun T (creator of Insanity) requires only 25 minutes of your time every day. Ask me more about Focus T25, or sign up for it today. Why delay toning your body any longer?

www.beachbodycoach.com/AMELIA486

60 Day Beachbody Challenge

Raise your hand if you’ve never struggled with your weight…..anyone…anyone?  Didn’t think so.  It seems like as soon as I hit 27 (back in April) I’ve been putting on the lbs.  I DON’T know why, and it’s super frustrating.  I had to take action, and quick! 



 

Perhaps my weight gain is related to my Paris Vacation.....oops!

A little over a month ago, I began a 60 day weight loss challenge, affectionately called the BEACHBODY CHALLENGE, where I drink 1 Shakeology shake a day and pair it with a Turbo Fire workout video.  At first, I was a bit timid about committing to drinking 1 Shakeology a day, but now, I LOVE IT!  Sometimes, I have one for dinner too if I get home late from work. 

Shakeology is super healthy for you, chalk full of essential vitamins and power-foods.  I definitely feel more energized than ever.  (For serious, I had a cholesterol bump next to my eye that has been there for at least a year, and it’s completely gone.  I noticed it started going away when I began drinking Shakeology.)

Paul (my meat eating husband) has even started requesting a Shakeology shake daily too!  So, because we both love it so much, I became a Coach, so that I can share my love for the BEACHBODY CHALLENGE & Shakeology with all of my friends and family.  (On a family vacation, I made it for my FIL a few times too—and he enjoyed it.)

As far as the diet’s going, I’ve noticed I’m more toned than before.  I weight about what I did when I started, but I think that’s attributed to the fact that I’ve gained more muscle (and muscle weighs more than fat…and I’m only 1 month in.)  The Turbo Fire workouts came with a 90 day class schedule, so I have decided that instead of just doing the diet for 60 days, I’m going to do it for 90 because I’m loving it so much!

If you are interested in the BEACHBODY CHALLENGE or in trying Shakeology, click here to order it.  You can do a “Challenge Pack” which is for a workout program and a month’s worth of Shakeology, or you can just get Shakeology on its own.  If you have questions, I’m more than happy to give you my honest opinions and answers. 

I don’t mean to be all “sales-pitchy / infomercial” about this, but I really am happy with the results I’ve seen so far, and I’m not depriving myself—which makes this whole diet thing 100 times better.

Tippi, of Africa

I recently came across this story of a little girl, Tippi, who grew up in the African desert.  Her parents are French photographers who captured images of her growing up surrounded by some pretty amazing animals. 

In the book her parents published, Tippi of Africa, with images from her childhood, Tippi said that because she rarely saw other children, the animals became her friends. 

Read more about her story here!

Wouldn't it be so amazing to have grown up like Tippi?  It's hard to fathom what her imagination is like!  I'd be so interested to meet her today to hear about her childhood firsthand!

Death by Comparison

Lately, I’ve been struggling with the spirit of comparison.  I mean, I’ve been overwhelmed by it.  A majority of my thoughts center around how I lack compared to others, and quite frankly, it’s depressing.

Do you ever catch yourself comparing yourself…either negatively or positively?  Neither is good….you’re either bringing yourself down—diminishing all your positive attributes (I’ll never be as eloquent as Jim), or you’re being bombastic, stroking your ego (I’m so much luckier than Lucy—I have great style and she…well, she could use some help).   

Perhaps Dallas is just a breeding ground for comparison.  So much of my daily life swirls around materialism, and talented people, and well-dressed people, and beautiful people, and wealthy people.  Who has the nicest car in the parking garage?  Who has the best wardrobe?  Who has the latest and greatest “it” item?  All of these things totally drive comparison.  They also drive me totally INSANE!

In an effort to rid myself of these thoughts – no, lies – roaming in my head, here’s my “Death by Comparison” list. 

• I am not creative.  I really wish I was, but I’m not.  My blog posts aren’t creative either.  There are a ton of people I know that are incredibly creative.  I only know Excel.....
• People don’t care to hear what I have to say.  Some bloggers have tons of followers and readers…I only have 9 (who are willing to admit they follow my blog).
• I am not as “trendy” as some girls I know.  I really try to be and I wish I was, but I’m not.  A lot of my friends are wearing Palazzo pants, and peplum tops.  I haven’t even tried this stuff on.
• I don’t have a big group of girlfriends.  I wasn’t in a sorority.  If I’d been in a sorority, I might have a big group of girlfriends.  Oh, I’m so jealous of girls that have a big group of girlfriends to socialize with.  Hell, at this point, I’m not even sure if I have a “BFF”.  What’s wrong with me!!!
• I work out daily, but I’m not skinny.  I’ve never seen my abs.  I know girls that NEVER work out and are in great shape…their thighs aren’t big, their tummies are taut…  I love the sun, but I hate putting on a bikini.
• I started a small business, and it failed.  I could never get my “friends” to help me promote it.  Why don’t I have friends that would help me promote my business?  Why don’t I have friends that would be excited about this?!
• I so desperately wish my husband would take me to Galas and Balls.  But, we’re never invited to them.  I know so many people that get to go to Balls and dress up.
• I don’t think I’m pretty.  Honestly, I don’t.  I see beautiful, pretty people all the time---why am I not as pretty as them?

Oh. My. Gosh, see!  Death by comparison is real!  How can anyone feel good about themselves with thoughts like this!

As I thought about this post, I knew there must be some reason I am so inundated with these thoughts, and then it hit me.  Social media is driving this.  I look at people on Instagram and Facebook and Blogs, with their fabulous lives, and their beautiful friends.  I think “Wow, how lucky for them!  If only I had that!” 

You know what's completely crazy?!  I bet people look at my life and think "How lucky is she?!"  I do have a beautiful life.  I am lucky to have been blessed with everything I have.  So, my comparative thoughts are just lies.  They are lies I'm telling myself.  They are lies that I have to make sure I don't believe.

Do you catch yourself scrolling through social media comparing yourself?  Or walking around comparing yourself?  How do we find a healthy balance and stop comparing ourselves to others---aside from moving to an island where we are all alone with no Internet? 

How are you breaking the spirit of comparison before it becomes the death of you?



Cheatin' on 7-Eleven with The Pearl Cup

Ya'll, about 15 seconds ago, I got my daily email from the Dallas Business Journal, and 1 of the headlines Made. My. Day.

"The Pearl Cup Coffee sets up shop in the AT&T Performing Arts Center."

Oh. My. Goodness,  I am so excited about this!  I work in 1 Arts Plaza, right across from the AT&T Performing Arts Center!  Do you know how easy it will be for me to pop in there?!

Let me clarify about cheating on 7-Eleven.  Here at 7-Eleven Headquarters, we have a strict "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" policy on outside coffee.  So, that means absolutely NO Starbucks or outside coffee.  Like, seriously, if you walk into the building with Starbucks, people instantly start staring and pointing.  While I do love our coffee (and the fact that we have a 7-Eleven convenience store right downstairs), I can't tell you how many times I've just wished for a coffee shop where I could run into at lunch and enjoy a Chia Tea Latte and people watch.  I've wished so many times that the Pearl Cup further in Downtown Dallas was within walking distance because they serve my favorite Chia Tea Latte. 

Technically, I'm not cheating on 7-Eleven because we don't offer Chia Tea Lattes.  So there, I already feel better about my future visits to Pearl Cup!

Dear Pearl Cup, thank you for being awesome and opening up in the Arts District.  I'll be seeing you soon!

Surprise Trip

Later today, I am taking my momma (Honey) to London and Paris for 7 days!  SURPRISE!

Honey is from England (Cambridge to be exact) and I can't tell you how excited I am to take her back.  She hasn't been back to Cambridge in 12 years!  And, she's never been to Paris.

We fly out this afternoon, landing in London on Friday morning.  I've made reservations for us to have Afternoon Tea at the London Hilton hotel.  It's a Confessions of a Chocoholics tea, where everything they'll serve has chocolate in it or on it. 

Also during the trip, I want to take Honey to the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Worlds greatest museum of art and design.  I love love love this museum and can't wait to see all the fashion pieces!  (Plus, it's free to visit!)

On Sunday, we'll take a day trip to Cambridge and March to visit where Honey was born as well!  Luckily, I have a friend getting his Master's degree in Cambridge, so I'm hoping we'll be able to visit over a cup of tea!

I also hope to make it to the Theater while we're there (I've heard the Book of Mormon is great), as well as one of my favorite stores, Harrods!

On Monday, we are taking the Speed Train to Paris.  I am excited about this because it goes under the English Channel---getting us to Paris in just 2 hours!

Once in Paris, I plan on showing Honey the Champs Elysees, the Museum Orsay, and one of my favorite places to view the Eiffel Tower, Trocadero.





I can't wait to share all the details with you once we return!  Au revoir!

It's that time again, my BIRTHDAY

So, have I mentioned before that I work with all guys?  Well, I do. 

For the most part, guys are pretty unaware of things, like when I get a hair cut, or when I get new shoes, or when I have a birthday, but NOT. THIS. YEAR. 

I was so happy to get an invite in my Outlook earlier this week.....a birthday lunch for me!  How sweet, huh?!

Take a look at this screen shot of the invite. 

Sure, I'll be Princess Amelia for the day!  Thanks for the permission guys!

Honey's Run

Y’all, I have been so blessed with wonderful friends.  They never cease me.  The other day, I got an email from my friend, Ashli, asking a group of us if we wanted to do The Color Run in Austin, TX on May 4^th.  She said that it was a 5k fun run she’d wanted to do for a while, and finally decided to do it and get a team together. 

In doing more research about The Color Run, Ashli found out the sponsor for the race is ColorCancer, which raises funds to support cancer related community events and causes.  In her email to us, Ashli said that she wanted to name our team in honor of my mom, Honey, who is currently undergoing treatment for Stage 4 Colon Cancer.  Thus, Honey’s Run is our official team name!  I can’t tell you how excited I am that we will be able to run in honor of Honey. 

If you are in the Austin area, or want to use this weekend (May 4th) as an opportunity to take a mini vacation to our state’s great capitol, I’d love for you to join our team!  I think it will be so fun for all of us to do this run together!  And even better, the more people who join the race, the more money will be raised to support cancer causes.

Wanna sign up?  Go here! Sign up under our team name, Honey’s Run.  (The password is honey.)  You save $5 by signing up under our team! 

I can’t wait to see you all in May!

PS- did you know the color for colon cancer is dark blue?  Me neither!



Oh My, Tory Burch

Y'all.  I about died when I saw these amazing heels from Tory Burch's 2013 NYFW Runway Show.

 

Source: suburbansparkle.blogspot.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Honey, I'd love these as a gift....hint hint, wink wink!

Honey - A lot can change in 1 month

My sister, me, and Honey, on my wedding day

Today, Honey starts her 2^nd round of 3 day back-to-back chemo treatments.  Her first round was 2 weeks ago, and only a few days ago did she start getting her energy back.  During the first round, Honey lost her energy and spent a good amount of time throwing up.  I’ve never been around anyone going through chemo, so I had no idea what to expect---every day is a new learning. 

2 days ago, on January 7^th, Honey’s hair began falling out.  I find this so crazy because that was EXACTLY 1 month after her surgery, when we found out she had colon cancer.  She pointed out big clumps on the kitchen floor, and you can see it falling out of her head as she walks around.  I took my hand, gathered her hair, and tried to pull out all the loose hair.  After gathering a fistful, I walked to throw it away.  When I came back, I could see more hair falling out.  The doctors don’t believe she will lose all of her hair so I asked Oh, so she’ll have a patch here and a patch there?.  They told me Not exactly, it will just be very thin.  If her hair does all fall out, I think she should get her head tattooed—something cool on her head to serve as a “hidden” reminder once her hair grows back….maybe the name of her favorite child Amelia, or a cross, or some other kind of symbol. 

This whole experience has been so taxing on me, and any time that I am away from my mom, I feel guilty.  Not only has it taken a physical toll on me, but it's taken a deeply emotional toll too.  NO CHILD should have to see their parents so sick, but yet I find myself there every day.  Chemo has been much worse than I could have ever imagined.   

For one week every year, my church, Trinity Church – Dallas, does a Corporate Fast, where you give up at least 1 meal a day and spend that time with God.  It started this past Sunday.  There are prayer services every day from 12-1 pm and church services every night.  In the past, I've kind of half-heartedly (but with the best intentions) participated in the Fast, but this year, it just feels different.  It's good for my soul to attend every event possible.  I went to the prayer service Monday and I can't tell you how good it was for me.  The theme for that day was "Prayers of Thankfulness" and how important it is to be thankful to God during times of trial and struggle.  I started praying "God, what can I say that I am thankful for at this time?" and I realized that I am thankful for his POWER TO HEAL.  Just think about it, God heals all, and it's because of this power that each of us has the ability to face tomorrow during difficult times.  God didn't give my mom cancer, the Enemy did.  But, MY GOD can do what the Enemy cannot—HEAL HER.  I am thankful that MY GOD CAN HEAL, and that HE WILL HEAL Honey of this disease--whether it be here on earth or when she ascends to His throne.

The overall theme of the Fast this year is Spiritual Family and it's like Pastor Joe picked that theme just for us.  Without our Spiritual Family, my mom wouldn't have as much care as she has.  The support from her friends from church has been unbelievable.  And while our spiritual family has been helping Honey get to appointments, or to shower, or bring dinner, they've also been supporting me....encouraging me.  Which is weird, because I feel like I don't deserve their kind words of encouragement, I'm just doing this because she's my mom and that's what children do for their parents but they remind me that I'm not on my own.  I don't have to walk this sad journey silently by myself.  I can call on them when I need to. 

The first day of the Fast, as we were studying Revelations, this verse shone like a bright star flashing off the page:

Revelations 2:10

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

AMEN TO THAT! And AMEN that my God will heal Honey!