Sharing Equals Success!

This has to be one of the top scariest thing I've ever done.

Oh, I've taken "before" photographs in the past.....many......many, times.

And I usually hope that no one sees them. I keep them until I've hit my "goal" or my "after", and then I share....and then if things don't go as planned, then I delete, delete, delete!

But, this time is different!

Honestly, the only thing scarier than taking "before" pictures and hoping that no one sees them is actually knowingly and willingly sharing them!

Yes, that's why it's one of the top scariest things I've ever done.

Why is it SOOOO scary?

It's scary because there in no "after" picture.....yet!

Why would I want to share my "before" pictures before I have my "after" pictures?

My Top Reason- There isn't anything in the world that will make you more accountable than knowing that you're sharing your story and pictures in real time!

I am SO sure that I will have amazing results that I'm not waiting until the "after"; I'm sharing the "before" and the "currently"....

I am ready to complete my programs the way they were designed to be completed. And that means for me:

• Working out when I would rather not

• Making smarter decisions and eating cleaner

• Realizing when I am hungry vs- stressed, bored, tired, thirsty

• Making time instead of trying to find time (If you're looking for extra time, you'll never find it....Believe me, I've looked for it everywhere!) 

• Sharing my successes and failures with others who may have been in the same situation before or are currently struggling.

 I know I've been personally guilty of looking at "before" and "after" pictures and wondering if they have been altered, re-imaged; if they were really done in the time frame they said; or if the pictures were even the same person.

I'm hoping that when I have my "after" pictures, I won't be the same person.
I won't be the same person who is tired of being tired.
I won't be the same person who is asked by strangers if they are pregnant.
I won't be the same person who is told the only way to lose their belly fat is to get a tummy tuck.
I won't be the same person who is destined to be a certain shape.

I am ready to work hard and see REAL results in REAL time!
If you want to follow my journey, and see my daily pictures....starting today 1/1/15, then feel free to follow on instagram at: instagram.com/in.shape.forever/

Don't be afraid to share your journey from start to finish!
Don't wait until you hit your perfect "after" pictures to share your story!

 No matter where you are starting from....or where you want to go.....success will happen when you share!

Even if you're not ready to share pictures, don't be afraid to:

• Share your ideas
• Share your goals with family and friends
• Share inspiration
• Share motivation
• Share recipes! 

Thanks for joining me on this mission to become #inshapeforever!

Happy New Year! 

2015- Dream Big!

The fireworks went off, the champagne was toasted. You may or may not have made New Years resolutions. Maybe you know that your resolutions will only last a few hours, days, or even a month of two before it becomes just a thought, or a wish. But, I want you to dream big this year! I know I am! I have a lot in store this year and I can't wait to make this year....the best ever! Let's make it happen! No matter how big or how small your dream.....Make this year YOUR year! Happy 2015! Glad you are here!

Need help coming up with a resolution that you will be able to keep the whole year through? Comment below and I'll help you!

What a Number Really Means

You may have heard people say, "You're only as old as you feel" or "age is just a number." But, today, for me, my age means so much more than just a number.

You see, when I was half the age I am now, I remember sitting with my best friend on the volleyball court stretching before practice and games talking about what our lives would be like when we were the number on our jerseys. When we were 17, the number 34 seemed soooo far away. It seemed like when we became 34, we would have everything we ever wanted.

I remember saying that when I turned 34, I would be married, have a career teaching, and I would have two children. I described the new car I would be driving (a convertible of course!), and the dream home I would be living in. I planned to live in the same town I grew up in.

A lot has happened in those 17 years and it has happened sooooo fast! I don't live in the fancy house of my dreams; my car isn't new nor a convertible; I never married nor do I have two children, and I don't live in the same town I grew up in; I moved away to follow my teaching dreams.

It's funny how conversations stick with you over the years. You have dreams, hopes, and ambitions, and you can be so focused on achieving them, and then when they don't pan out as planned, especially over the years, it can be really disappointing.

I've accomplished a lot over 34 years, and maybe I don't have everything  I've ever wished for or wanted. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

But what I do have, is family and friends in my hometown that love me for "me", and I have friends who have become like family to me where we live now. I also have my health, a car to drive, and a roof over my head, a job that I love, a church that is like a family to me, and a new positive outlook on life. For all of these things, I'm truly grateful.

I'm excited to see what the next 17 or 34 years will bring......and it will absolutely go by just as fast, and quite possibly even faster than these years have gone by.......

Maybe some day I'll get the dream house, new car, ring, or another child. But, I'm ok right now at the number I couldn't wait to be......34! Happy birthday to me! :) 

Our Elf on the Shelf Taught us a Lesson!

I don't know about you, but I have a hard time coming up with mischief our Elf on the Shelf is getting herself into.

Today, she taught us a lesson.

The letter she wrote says:

"I heard you've been going to church and I'm so proud of you!
I've been so busy with Santa, but I want to go too!

I packed myself up in your bag with your bible as well.
But, it's our little secret, so please don't run and tell.

I don't want others at church to make a big deal.
But I know just like you that Jesus is real.

Just remember no matter how busy you get
Make time for church and family; just don't forget!

Jesus is our Savior and he does forgive
If you believe in him, then you will forever live."

Just had to share the lesson our Elf taught us and I hope you have a blessed Sunday! Let's not forget the reason for the season....at any age!

© 7 December 2014 JF
#inshapeforever 

Turning Thanksgiving Leftovers into a Healthy Lunch

Let's face it, the majority of us have a refrigerator full of calorie packed, fat-laden leftover which we don't want to waste! Here's one way I've turned my leftovers into a healthier lunch!

Fresh spinach
Hard boiled egg
Corn
Dried cranberries
Ham (or turkey)
Black pepper
Balsamic vinegar

I'm thinking that turkey noodle soup may be in the works.....

How do you use your leftovers?   

Finding the Right Church for YOU

I started attending a local church that ran a series on marriage. They currently are running a series on childrearing, and I have to be honest, it's hitting me hard. I've visited lots of local churches trying to find the one that most resembles the ones I attended back "home."

I grew up in a household in which my mother was Catholic and my father was Methodist. I was baptised Catholic but confirmed Methodist. I grew up attending a large church in which there was definitely a "family" feeling.....or connectedness. Families knew my family, and I gained friends that I still are in contact with today. That "feeling" or "connectedness"   was what I was looking for.... something that I wanted my own child to experience.

After I moved away from "home", I attended larger churches that were Catholic....or Methodist.....but the one I fell in love with is neither of the two.

It's actually the small church that I lived right beside when I lived in the neighboring apartment building. I never went on a Sunday for many years because I never thought of myself as a "Baptist". I was actually kind of afraid that by attending a church which was different than what I was used to would mean I was turning away from my roots.  I wondered if this would displease God? Would I be judged because I'm supposed to be Catholic....or Methodist....would I have to fit into a stereotype?     

It all started when a friend invited my daughter to attend Vacation Bible School at the Baptist church, I remember thanking her for the invitation but saying, "Thanks, but we're not Baptist." She replied, "EVERYONE is welcome to attend."  So we would attend the VBS every summer.... and then we started attending their Wednesday small groups and community meals intermittently....then we started attending Sunday mornings sporadically....until it became clear....The reason that connectedness was missing wasn't because it wasn't there....it was because I wasn't......my family wasn't....I wasn't helping to create that feeling by sleeping in.....or making excuses.

I still love my church back home, and there will always be a place in my heart for my family there, and I can have that no matter where I live. So, don't be afraid to attend that church that you're not really sure about, or you have questions about...or you feel like it's different than what you've been accustomed to.

Don't sell yourself short because God never will!  

FREE Planks and Thanks Starts Soon!

I am SUPER excited to co-host my very own FREE challenge group!

I am excited to put into action my plan to get in shape forever and encourage you to join. The reason why this group is perfect is because ANYONE can join.

I mean ANYONE because even if you can't participate in the physical part, ANYONE and EVERYONE can participate in the thankful part.

That's right- WE all have somethings...... a lot of things to be thankful for! I can't wait for you to join, so don't delay.....head on over to my FB group and RSVP YES! ASAP. Groups starts November 1st and runs through the 30th! 

https://www.facebook.com/freezeframe34

Don't be a turkey....Be thankful!



#PlanksandThanks
#EveryonesInvited
#DoItForYou
#YouGottaStartSomeWhere
#WhyNotNow