Draw a Line

I know you have heard it before.  Probably you have heard it 100 times.  “Draw a line in the sand.”  Maybe it was when you decided to get out of a relationship.
Maybe it was when you decided it was time to move forward in your career.
Maybe it was time for you to go back to school and get the degree you have always wanted.
Maybe it was time for you to take a leap of faith to push yourself and in turn , take your business to another level.

Well, that is where I am.  The other day I listened to a “Team Call” from Danielle Natoni of Fit N Funky.  She had a guest speaker on named Courtney Swissman.  She talked about building your business and being real.  She discussed our personal transformation.  “When was your last transformation?”  That made me think.  Not just think, but literally some soul searching.  I was thinking about what programs I have done and the nutrition that I have followed.  I leaned in on the question and even went back through my IG account to see pictures that I had posted and even looked through my blog for before and after’s.  I was shocked and disappointed in myself.

I’m an Online Health and Fitness Coach and I don’t have the transformation pictures and discussions.  Transformations are not always about a number on the scale or the size of your newest dress but can even be in your mindset, relationships, spiritual transformations.  Ok, Pam so what is your point? What is your goal in all of this?

I made the decision after listening to the call 2-3 times, it’s time for me to do just what I said in the beginning.  DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND and be the Coach that shares before and afters and the struggles that get you to the “After” pictures.  Those split screen pictures are great but when you know the back story about how they got those results is where the honesty, the integrity, the grit and the sweat lies.

Today, December 16th, I started probably the hardest program I have ever done.  I literally thought I was going to throw up.
Here are my promises to you-
1-Be Real
2-Share every day
3-Sweat and workout
4-Sharing food
5-Sharing ALL the photos in the process.
What can you do?
-Encourage me
-Call me out
-Hold me accountable

I’m so excited about MOVING FORWARD to a TRUE TRANSFORMATION!
Are you ready?
Ready to go with me?
We Can Do Hard Things and get a TRANSFORMATION!

That Smell

Have you ever noticed that a smell can bring a million memories back to your mind and heart?
You know what I am talking about.  Maybe they are really good smells or maybe they literally stink!!!
Those smells like......
-Your Dad’s cologne
-Your husbands aftershave
-You Mom’s perfume
-Grandmother’s body powder
-The cinnamon rolls that your Mom used to make
-The smell of fresh bread
-The horrible smell of the paper mill factory going to the mountains
-The smell of the biscuits in the oven.

I have so many of them.  I know when I was little, my Daddy always wore Brutt cologne and Right Guard deodorant.   Those are smells I will not forget and the memories of all the fun that we have and are still having.  My Mom’s perfume, Chantilly was always worn on special occasions.  My Grandmother always had some type of body powder.  Typically Estée Lauder  and it was amazing.

Yes, I even listed the not so pleasant smell.  When I was little we would go to the mountains.  We would go through Canton Tennessee.  There is a paper mill there.  The smell.  It was sooooo bad!  Like 10-15 miles of trying so hard to hold your breath because it would make you nauseous.  We would laugh about it and try to get Daddy to drive faster!

I picked up groceries early this week because we were going to be so busy and bought Pillsbury cinnamon rolls.  You know the ones in the can that you pop open.  I offered to make them for Kaleb on Thursday morning for breakfast which is completely OUT OF THE NORM!  I put them in on Thursday morning and the smell just filled the house.  It was AMAZING!!!!!  The memories were flooding!!!!!!  When my oldest was about Kaleb’s age, I would make these.  It was always a contest to see who could get to the pan when I would call he and his sister to breakfast to see who would get the middle one.  You know the one in the middle.  All the edges are soft and the extra icing from the ones around the edge has run to the middle.  EVERYONE wanted the middle one!!!!!!
I snapped a picture and sent it to him.  He asked if Kaleb got the middle one.  I said, Uh, NO!  Mama got the middle one!!!  Kaleb doesn’t make a big deal about the middle.  He just loves them!!!!!

What are some of your favorite smelly memories????

Finish What You Started!

Yesterday was a BIG DAY!  I knew what day it was.  I knew what was waiting for me when it was time to work out.  It was day 100.  Day 100 of a 100 workout program called Morning Meltdown 100. I knew it was going to involve tears.  I am one who can cry anytime, anywhere and with anyone.  It can be happy, sad, or any other emotion for that matter.  

I headed to the basement after procrastinating by talking to my Hubby about pointless things.  Finally made up my mind and went down to the basement.  I lifted heavy and PUSHED.  I knew it was my “last” workout and I needed to really PUSH.  So I broke out the 15’s, 20’s and even a 25 pound weight for squats.  I knew that I was going to need my Recover when I got finished.  The sweat was pouring.  The idea of doing a workout that combined a few exercises from EVERY workout was exciting.  Even the yoga and the stretching workouts were included.  By the time it was over I was so excited. I was so proud of myself and a complete sweaty mess. 

To look back at what was required for this program was amazing.  I committed to 100 workouts.  You can double up or do one a day. I was moving a long really well and LIFE HAPPENED.  We got in the throws of some renovations and some other situations were happening and my brain felt like it had completely shut down and checked out.  Motivation LEFT!  I had officially boarded the Struggle Bus! 

I listen to Podcast and YouTube trainings.  I can remember it like it was yesterday.  I listened to a “training” by a fellow Coach that I truly admire named Julie Voris.  She talked about finishing what you start.  If you start a program- you complete the program.  As a Coach she and I can not ask customers/challengers to complete their programs if we are not doing it.  That was EXACTLY what I needed to hear.  I got up the next day and made my mind up to finish what I started!  I went into my accountability group and talked about it as well as I went on IG to share what was happening.  It lit my fire and off I went.!  

Fastforward to Saturday.  I finished the workout and went on IG Stories and Facebook Stories.  I had to make a decision whether I would be REAL and let the tears go or wait until I was finished with the tears to do my stories.  I chose to be REAL!  I let the tears fall.  It was amazing.  I am so excited and so proud of myself.  It was hard.  It was, well, AMAZING!  To see my workout calendar on the wall and every box is checked off.  The feeling of accomplishment is just GREAT!  Have you ever done a program that more than 100 workouts?  Did you finish? Did you quit?  I have so been there.  I’m not going to lie.  I started P90X several times because I couldn’t life a weight.  I was in need of some accountability!!!!!  Are you ready?  Don’t wait until January.  Start something now.  You will already be ahead of whoever is starting in January.  Send me a message today.  Fill out the app on the right side of the blog page and let’s get you set up ASAP!!!!!!

Christmas Is Coming- Ready or Not!

Yes, it is almost here!  It is literally right around the corner.  Our house is officially decorated with all 4 trees 🌲. Yes, I said 4!!  We have 3 downstairs and one on the 3rd floor in Kaleb’s man-cave.  I don’t have any in my workout space because in my clumsiness I would probably knock it down and have a terrible mess!!!  None the less, we had our outside lights done by a company in town.  Our house is very straight up and goes 3 stories.  The thought of Bo climbing a ladder and going up THAT high was NOT an option.  After all, they buy the lights, they install, they take down, they store.  It’s a NO BRAINER!!!!  

I’m also sponsoring a Twisted Christmas Free Group.  I had a “Talkin’ Turkey” group and it was AMAZING and we had so much fun!  By popular demand, I came back with a Christmas Group.  Absolutely NOTHING to buy.  Just show up, share, enjoy, laugh and gather up some incredible ideas for gifts, family fun fames and of course a ton of food recipes and ideas!  If you haven’t jumped in yet, please let me know I will send you the link so you don’t miss anything.  WE START ON MONDAY!!!!  

It’s Saturday morning and we are at the bowling alley watching Kaleb crush it bowling.  He has grown so much and when he hits a growth spurt, everything with bowling has to shift and change.  It takes a few weeks for it to set it.  All the things from stance, to how you hold the ball, to how far back to stand and what arrow you are aiming for.  Bet you didn’t know bowling was so complicated....😁

I hope you are having a great weekend.  One last thing before I sign off on this post.........Make sure you drop your email over on the sidebar so you don’t miss any new post!!!  I have tons of exciting news and ideas for 2020.  DO NOT MISS OUT!!!!!!  

Pictures are worth 1,000 words

2020 will be a new decade!  Can you believe that?  I’m still amazed at the fact that 2019 is almost over much less we are entering into a NEW DECADE!!!  Where in the world has time gone?

On Social Media there is a new challenge floating around.  I am sure there are plenty of people that have taken part in it.  I absolutely love seeing them.  The best part is to see what people write about their own pictures and some are so very critical of themselves and then you read the comments from friends and family.  On the other had you have people that have had some drastic changes and they are so proud of what they have accomplished and of course the Congrats in the comments.  It’s really interesting to read.  So my question is this....Have you done the Decade Challenge?  Well, I did.  I had an eye opening experience doing the challenge.  It’s something that has “bothered” me for some time but this was the perfect timing for me to be able to share it.

Here is what happened for the Decade Challenge with me.  I’m wondering if may have happened with any of you????

So, obviously it is 2019 and we are to post a current picture next to one that is from 10 years ago.  Simple, right?  WRONG!!!!  My current picture was NOT a problem.  I probably take some type of “selfie” 5 out of 7 days of the week because of my business and/or running.   That was super easy.
I honestly thought finding one from 10 years ago would NOT be that big of a deal.  I would go into Facebook and look through the photo albums.  I scrolled.......and scrolled.....and scrolled.....and scrolled more.  I thought “well this is ridiculous!”.  I went to my Husbands profile and scrolled.....and scrolled......and FINALLY found one but it’s actually not quite 10 years.  It was a moment!  

A BIG MOMENT!

I knew that I was one that would hide behind a camera.  Years ago I would just cringe from having my picture taken.  It was before we had all of the fancy cameras and such.  Me in the picture would JUST NOT HAPPEN.  At that point in time, my thoughts never went to the fact that when my children or family looked at pictures for memories, I would not be in them.
 Let me say that again......when my children or family looked at pictures for memories, I WOULD NOT BE IN THEM!  Let that sink in for a minute.  OUCH! Then the tears!
The bottom line......MAMA, STOP HIDING BEHIND THE CAMERA! Your family and children are NOT going to look at your pictures  and pick them apart.  They are not concerned with your messy hair, your 5 pounds that you gained, your postpartum weight, or your menopausal metabolism.  THEY JUST WANT YOU!!!

My challenge for you, especially with the holidays coming, GET OUT FROM BEHIND THE CAMERA!  Be IN the picture.  It doesn’t have to be perfect.  JUST BE REAL!!!!!!

Grandmother and Granny’s Biscuits

THANKSGIVING is coming.  It will literally be here before we can blink.  I think it comes earlier and earlier every year.  At least that is the way that I feel.  Some people made plans for this year last year and some are making new plans this year and haven’t planned their menu yet.

I had a crazy idea to start a Facebook Group for Thanksgiving ideas and just called it “Talkin’ Turkey”.  I thought it would be fun to talk ideas, fun, kids activities and recipes.  Little did I know when I made the group I would have over 100 women!!!  Who knew?? 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️.   It is going to be absolutely amazing.  I have a ton to share and I hope they all enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed getting everything ready!  If you want to join, I would love to have you.  Just drop a comment below and I’ll send you the link.  We start on Monday, November 18th.

I thought I would take just a minute and share one of my favorite memories.  It is really hard to narrow them down but amazing food and family were always the center.  Our family was always in South Carolina for either Thanksgiving or Christmas.  We were always surrounded by Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins and nieces and nephews and anyone else that came.  I always say that my Daddy is from the city and Mama is from the country.  The recipes and the cooking are still the same.  Everything made with butter, whole milk, lard, white sugar, brown sugar, buttermilk and TONS OF LOVE!!!

 Granny’s biscuits were perfectly pinched off, rolled out in her hands and flattened by hand and every biscuit was the exact same size.  Grandmother’s biscuits were rolled out with a rolling pin and cut with a biscuit cutter or a tea glass.  Both were amazing and I would give anything to make them the way they did.  It was one of those things that there was never a “real written recipe”.  I would love to have a dozen of each to have on Thanksgiving.

My Mama’s dressing.  Well, let’s just say, I left home at 19 and today I am 51 and I have come close a time or two making dressing that taste like hers but never comes quite close enough.  There is something about the right amount of sage, broth, the bread combination and the right amount of celery, onions and butter.

What about you?  What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving memories?  I’d love to hear from you?  I could write and share for pages and pages and I just might make a few more post about memories for Thanksgiving.  Treasure your family and the time together!  Be Thankful!!!!

The Tuckahoe 25K

This past Saturday I did something that I had only dreamed about.  This was something that other people would do and it was on my “Some Day List”.  I had every reason in my head to NOT show up on Saturday.  The excuses were just flowing in my head.  This was equivalent to running 5 5K’s all at once on a trail I had never run.  I hadn’t even trained on a trail.  I had only been running on the road and now I was supposed to show up for a race.  I was scared out of my mind.

I had a bunch of friends that were all running and they were so encouraging and of course the “Race Dictator” was in charge and we already knew it would be an epic race.  The night before I got out my shoes......my new trail shoes.....to my surprise, I had come home with 2 left shoes.  SERIOUSLY!!!!!  I was so upset.  My sweet Hubby says, “Run to DICK’S!”  I knew that was not an option and wearing my other trail shoes would have to do.  

The day of the race was amazing.  We could not have asked for a better day.  Cool in the morning and a little warmer in the afternoon but not much.  I had my music, my phone, my friends, beautiful weather and it was time.  I took off and things were going pretty well until around mile 5.  Completely lost power in my phone.  AS IN NO BATTERY LIFE LEFT....5%.  I had 2-3 more hours to go on a course I had never run.  I was in panic mode for about 20 minutes.  I decided I was out there in the middle of this trail/park and continuing was the ONLY option.  I slid on a root/hill and my right knee was NOT happy.  Walking it was.  I knew if I stopped, IT WOULD BE OVER!  

Let’s just say- There was a lot of catch up on prayer time during the trail walk.  He knew what He was doing.  

I was between 2 groups of people.  I would walk with a group and then they would just kind of disappear and then the next.  It was just an amazing day!!!!  I FINISHED!  I walked across the finish line.  I got a high-five and a hug from the Race Dictator.  Yes, I cried.

I am still in shock that I actually did it.  It’s Tuesday and the soreness is gone.  For a lack of a better way to explain it, it’s kind of like childbirth.  You forget the pain after it’s over.  It was a race of determination and grit.  The question I keep getting is.....”Are you going to do it again?”  The answer is a RESOUNDING YES!!!!

Tuckahoe 25K 2020- Let’s Do This!!!!!