Happy Halloween

As so many suffer on the east coast today, I am extra thankful that my boys are healthy and that we have a roof over our heads. It's  funny to me how we make such a big deal {me included} about it not being ideal conditions. Yes, its freezing and snowing. Yes, I would like for it to be sunny and 70 like last week. Like I said last night, I am sure there are many families out there who would love to be running around with their kids all dressed up with not a care in the world. It makes complaining about the weather a little silly. Today I am thankful. From our family to yours....

Happy Halloween

A Rite of Passage

One of my greatest memories of my childhood was looking out our big bay window in our family room. I would sit on the couch and look out that window everyday. Our family would all sit on that couch and open up Christmas presents each year. I have a lot of memories there. The anniversary of my dad's death always brings up unexpected emotion. It's one thing to think about him but it's another to know that the anniversary of the day when you said your last good bye is quickly approaching. 

I find myself trying to occupy my mind so it doesn't go there. This weekend I was taken back to when I was sitting on that couch doubled over laughing at my dad. In school my sister and I had some really good girlfriends and some really good (but pranksters) guy friends. If you knew my dad, you pretty much loved him. He didn't know a stranger. The first time we got toilet papered my dad chased the guys down the street in his boxers. Seriously, who does this? I remember going to school and they guys thought it was the best thing ever. My dad would joke with them all the time and tell them he would get them. So, of course, they would do it again. He chased them again {yep, in his boxers}. 

Which brings me to this weekend. I decided to go to bed really early {yes, I was acting like I was 90 years old} I was in mid dream, drooling and all when I hear "get up, quick... get up." Well, let me stop just to say I thought we were being robbed or something terrible had happened. I am blind as a bat so I ran to the bathroom to put in my contacts. I ran downstairs and saw my husband running out of the house and jumping into his car. He goes on a chase. I realize someone had snuck up and smashed our pumpkin. {Side note: Seriously, is it really that fun?} I was SO mad because it was Brady's pumpkin he took to school earlier in the week. He wrote a story about every detail of that pumpkin and there it was, smashed in the road. I am cheering Chris on to catch the 'punks' who did this. As mad as I was I immediately couldn't stop laughing. I felt like a kid again when my dad went chasing the HS boys. I mean lets get real, if you catch them what are you going to do? Plus, the fact that it was my husband {who is the nicest guy EVER} going after the 'punks' makes me laugh even harder. 

That night I talked to my sister and we laughed about old memories of my dad. He would have been so proud to see Chris go after the boys. He would have camped out and hid in the bushes with my sister and I just to see if they would come back.

 I miss him. 

I told Chris that I'm pretty sure this is a rite of passage for every dad. He told me stories of his dad doing the same thing. We laughed a lot that night. I can't wait to hear the stories from my boys of the first time they go chasing after the 'punks'. 

Are You Radiating Beauty? {Day 17&18}

Every woman longs to be feel beautiful.  We spend countless hours every week in the endless pursuit of beauty. We try and cover our freckles, lose weight, tone -up, hide our blemishes and extend our lashes. As woman you and I are created in the image of God, our longing for such approval I believe is natural.  I believe it's actually healthy if it was not for the way human sinful nature has distorted it.

Psalms 34:4:5
I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.

What I love about this verse is that NOTHING {no hair highlights, working out, plastic surgery, make-up, fake eye lashes, work outs, tanning,} can change that. Because of the cross--We are radiant.  What makes us radiant is simply looking to Him. Fixing our eyes on the cross. I am thankful that the work is done, not by me, but by my Jesus. 

When you and I look to the cross, we radiate because we reflect Him. We radiate peace, love, kindness, truth and gentleness. What are you radiating today? Are you radiating beauty? It can be easy to look to so many other things to make you feel beautiful. I challenge you to look to the cross!

I’m sharing A Journey of Health each day during October as a part of the “31 Days” challenge

 

More Than Words: Day 16

I knew throughout this 31 Day process I would learn some new things about myself. I knew it would stretch me. I just didn't think it would have this much. Who would of thought that learning how to eat better, starting a new business venture could create such growing pains? What I do know is that growing pains are never fun but inevitably a part of life. It's part of being healthy and having healthy relationships with not only food but people.

 I have always been a words person. In fact, one of my main love languages has always been words of affirmation but what I am learning about myself is that-- words are not enough. Words to me are like markers, they mark specific moments, life events, memories and lessons I have learned in my life. Words are so powerful. They can change the course of your day/week/year. Our words have the power to lift others up or tear them down.

 They have the ability to spread love and hope.

As I have learned over the past 16 days, words are not enough. I always knew that but it is every so clear to me, the phrase that I have heard my entire 32 years, but only now am I truly starting to grasp it. "Actions speak louder than words!"

This is ringing true in every area of my life. It's not good enough for me to say I want to my family to eat healthier and go to the store and buy tons of junk food. It's not okay for me to say I want to grow in my walk with the Lord but not be willing to get up early and spend time in His word. It's not okay for me to say I want to not raise my voice at my boys but the second an opportunity comes to show self control and hold my tongue I don't. It's not okay for me to say I want relationships to grow but not be willing to put the time in making them watering them. You get what I am saying don't you ?

I  want to leave you with one of my favorite verses...  

                                                       Source: underthecarolinamoon.tumblr.com via Maria Woodall on Pinterest

I’m sharing A Journey of Health each day during October as a part of the “31 Days” challenge

Yes. Yes. Yes. Day 15

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Yes to teaching some serious zumba dance moves. 

Yes to not giving into my fear of failing. 

I say yes to laughter and enjoying my family.

I say yes to enjoying the beautiful colors of Fall!

I say yes to God.  Yes to prayer.

I say yes to playing Super Mario Brothers with my boys.   

I say yes to getting down and dirty at the pumpkin patch with my boys! 

I say yes to helping my sweet Mason be 'Scientist of the Week'.  

I say YES to tall boot socks and hooded sweatshirts.

I say yes to soccer tournaments. Yes to loud cheering from the stands.  

I say yes yes yes to a heart of gratitude. YES to saying THANKS to you!

I say yes to encouraging others and helping others around me get healthy.

I say yes to believing in myself. Yes to believing what is true. 

Yes to encouraging my man as he continues his 24 Day Challenge.

What do YOU say yes to this week?!

As a special thank you to all of you for continuing to read my 31 Day Health Journey I wanted to offer all of you FREE shipping on any order over $200. {that is pretty much a challenge and a bottle of catalyst}. Before you place your order on my website. {this will expire at midnight tomorrow 10/16} Email me at maria.woodall3@gmail.com. I will also be sending you a free gift as a special thank you for believing in me and most importantly yourself!!  I appreciate you all so much! xoxox

I’m sharing A Journey of Health each day during October as a part of the “31 Days” challenge

Photography & Food: Day 14

Happy Sunday, Friends!

 This weekend I was preparing for another fun family photo shoot with the lovely Nikki James Photography that was scheduled for tonight. I have this love/hate relationship with family pictures. I love them once they are done but hate the crazy that surrounds it. Guess what? It rained today so our family shoot got postponed.  I thought it would be fun to look at a few from last year. My sweet babies look so little. 

These pictures fill my soul with joy. As I look back on these them I realize why I do take the time to go through all the crazy. Why I run around and try to get everything prepared before hand. Why I bribe my boys to smile and be good. {Please tell me I am not the only mom who does that.} This is similar to how life is with eating healthy {yep, I just went there} It takes time and it takes a lot of effort. It takes preparing ahead of time. It takes doing things like exercise, preparing meals, when we would rather grab a cheeseburger and fries and call it a night. If you could get a little snap shot of your life a year from now if you start taking the steps to become healthy TODAY I would bet your pictures would fill your soul with joy like mine have!

 Why are you doing today that will change the way your life looks in a year?

I’m sharing A Journey of Health each day during October as a part of the “31 Days” challenge

Results: Day 11

I am by nature a results oriented person and I would venture to say most of us are.  As my 10 day cleanse comes to end, along with 4 others, I am giddy about sharing the results with all of you. If you don't believe that this can work, here is proof. 

After 10 days completed my girls and I lost a total of over

31 LBS and 35.75 INCHES ! Two of the girls lost over 10 inches each. Friends, this is why the scale doesn't always indicate how much you are losing. I think this is why so many get discouraged. They look ONLY at the scale. I would encourage you to please measure yourself. If you don't know what to measure email me {thebmcreport@gmail.com}. I will send you a template that will outline it for you. I will walk with you through this!

I am so happy for my girls and excited for them to take on the next phase, which started today. What I love about AdvoCare is that once you start to see RESULTS and start to believe you can actually do it, that's when the real change begins. This is why I am so passionate about this right now. It works. It's healthy and can change your life and the way you feel! 

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Why not start today?! xoxo

I’m sharing A Journey of Health each day during October as a part of the “31 Days” challenge

Exercise: Day 10

It doesn't care what your income is. It doesn't care what you have done in the past. It doesn't care that you are tired and overwhelmed. It doesn't care that you don't know what your doing. It doesn't care that you don't feel 'good enough' or 'skinny enough'. It doesn't care that you 'think' your to out of shape. 'It' is EXERCISE. 

You've probably heard countless times how exercise is "good for you." But did you know that it can actually help you feel good, too? Exercise benefits every part of the body, including the mind. For me, that is the best benefit I get from exercising. If you have been reading for any amount of time you know my love for dance and zumba. The 60 minute 'dance party' energizes me both mentally and physically. There is also something to be said about being consistent. I have many women in the zumba class I go to ask me if I miss classes. For some reason that question always makes me laugh. The class is only three days a week. Do I miss? Sometimes, when my family has something that I have to be at or carpool too. However, I do everything in my power to take 60 minutes, three times a week to do something that gives me energy, is great for my body and most importantly my mind. The difference for me mentally is HUGE. 

Did you know... Exercising causes the body to produce endorphins that can help a person to feel more peaceful and happy? Hence the reason you go in the class feeling stressed and tired and leave feeling refreshed. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and helps you to approach life the way it should be approached. Hopeful. 

I have many friends who do all different types of exercise routines. I do think there is something to be said to working out with a group and being consistent. You are then able to establish a sense of community and encouragement. So, whether you take zumba classes, crossfit, spin, run with a friend or go to a gym the important thing is that YOU DO IT. Stop making excuses. I can promise you the rewards will be plenty. 

Do you have a fitness goal? If you don't have one make one. Maybe it's just exercising for 20 min a day during the work week. That's 100 more minutes of exercise you will have done than if you did nothing at all. 

Here is a fun clip from 'The Biggest Loser' to prove to you that 120 lbs or 300 lbs anyone can get moving and actually enjoy exercise. This is one of the many reasons my heart belongs to zumba and I became a zumba instructor! You can't help but smile.  

xoxoxo,

I’m sharing A Journey of Health each day during October as a part of the “31 Days” challenge

Healthy Questions Asked By You: Day 9

I continue to be encourage by so many of you who have emailed me questions in regards to my 31 Day Health Journey. I thought I would share two of them with you today. Maybe one will help you on your journey as well!

Did you know? Toxins can build up in your body and compromise your internal organs ability to eliminate toxins and body fat. 

Why are you doing this specific cleanse?
I have always been afraid to try a cleanse. Why? I have heard so many horror stories about many dumb and dumber moments happening. You know what I am talking about, right? Some have said they have sat in the bathroom for hours while others have had cramping and cause them to feel sick. Honestly, I didn't think it was worth ALL of that. I have tried some 'cleanse' type things from GNC but nothing really changed. One thing I would encourage all of you to do is put in the time to do a little research. I could have saved myself a lot of money had I found this years ago. 

What I love about this cleanse is the systematic approach this 10-day system takes. It guides you day by day through the steps for thorough internal cleansing and improved digestion. This is SO what I need. Something that tells me what to take and when to take it. You can read more about it here. This cleanse is a gentle cleanse. I can tell you there will be no 'Dumb and Dumber' moments happening. 

You have talked about something called 'Lipo in a bottle'. What is that?
This question made me smile. Did you know? After the age of 30, our bodies naturally start losing lean muscle, so our metabolic rate slows down. This is why you start to feel those jeans getting a tad bit tighter. 

AdvoCare Catalyst is designed to feed lean muscle and burn fat. This is why many refer to it as ‘Lipo in a bottle’. It will help you retain muscle and reduce fat for a more toned and better defined look.  What woman doesn't want to have toned arms and legs?! More than anything, I have noticed the biggest difference in my arms with this product. This is by far one of my favorites. When people ask what they will need after the challenge, this is one I say I will personally will never live without! 

There you have it, friends! I would love to answer any and all questions you may have for me. I am SO excited that tomorrow myself and a group of fabulous girls are going to be on Day 10 {the last day} of the cleanse! I can wait to hear about all the results and share them with you all. 

xoxo,

I’m sharing A Journey of Health each day during October as a part of the “31 Days” challenge

Pinterest Inspiration: Day 8

I can saw with 100% certainty that I big red puffy heart Pinterest. I love pinning, I love looking at what others pins, I love the outfits, I love the way I can see a picture of a DIY project knowing full well I could NEVER do it but somehow Pinterest makes me believe I can. I love the creativity. The inspiration. 

I though I would share some of my favorite pins. Ones that not only deal with health but just everyday living. Some that inspire me and other that convict me. Hope you enjoy.

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There you have it, friends. Some of my Pinspiration.

 What inspires you? 

I’m sharing A Journey of Health each day during October as a part of the “31 Days” challenge

Day 6 & 7: Saying YES

What if I just said yes? What if I just gave up stressing about or resisting what is {and what may be coming}? What if I choose to embrace it. To simply say YES. What if this simple change in perspective changed your entire week? By saying 'yes' it allows you to view and overcome some of the fear, anxiety, and stress. It allows you to embrace each day of THIS week in a whole new light {at least it does for me}.

This week I am saying yes....

... to sharing some amazing stories from a bunch of ladies choosing to get healthy

... to HIS will and not my own

... being present wherever I am at 

... to picking out Halloween costumes

...yes yes yes to eating clean and finishing up my cleanse

...yes to meeting a friend for coffee

...yes yes yes to planning my sweet Mason's Birthday Party

...yes to wearing my favorite boots and scarfs

...yes yes yes to looking fear in the eye and defeating it

...yes to my heart bubbling over when I see my boys in their feety pajamas

...yes to simply enjoying life

...to soaking in HIS grace

Each week we are given many different opportunities and challenges we will face. Will you say 'YES' to embracing your role? You will speak with, smile at, drive by, and laugh with many people. I challenge you to say 'Yes' to being real, to owning who you are, being proud of who you are and showing grace this week. 

What are YOU saying yes to this week?

I’m sharing A Journey of Health each day during October as a part of the “31 Days” challenge.

Day 5: Art of Enjoying Your Life

Happy Saturday, Friends! 

 Honestly, it has been a pretty daunting task trying to blog every night. Clearly, I didn't do a great job of it yesterday. However, sometimes life gets in the way and my boys just need me So, hopefully you will show me some grace.

 I am still learning what living a healthy life looks like, I am on Day 6 of my Herbal Cleanse and goodness, I am feeling like a million bucks. I was invited to attend a We Care Arts Local Celebrity Fashion Show. It was such a great event. They served lunch and I was actually able to stay within the guidelines of the cleanse. I think to often we fear doing things different-- like eating healthy. For fear of standing out even if it for a good reason. What I am finding as I am walking through this myself is that, you can leave the dressing off your salad, double up on the grilled chicken and guess what? No one cares. I'm pretty sure it's just a mind game we play with ourselves. I often wonder if we are afraid to actually step out of our comfort zones and be different.

To not be ordinary but to truly be extraordinary. 

As I left the fashion show and then headed off to spend an evening with my boys, I found myself proud of the choices I made. Thankfully for the way my body is showing visible changes and thankful for the energy that I have to keep up with my life. 

It's a busy time of year but oh friends it's one of my favorite times of year.

Enjoy your weekend with your families. Love on them, steal lots of kisses and be back here tomorrow! xoxo 

I’m sharing A Journey of Health each day during October as a part of the “31 Days” challenge.

A New Day: Day 4

Every day is a new day. The sun rises again, we eat breakfast again, get the kids off to school again and at the end of the day we will go snuggle under the covers

 only to start it all over.

Every new day is exciting, because every new day is a chance to get fitter, to look better, to make healthy choices and to get closer to your health and fitness goals.

The best thing is that it doesn’t matter what happened today. Thats all gone now. Whether you worked out or not, whether you chose to eat well or not.  You get a whole new chance to try it all over again.

I know that every day is another chance for me to be my best, as a mom, as a wife, as a friend, and as a sister. So, if you are having trouble finding your motivation today, or you have maybe made some unhealthy decisions in your actions for the day then this message is for you, my sweet friends--It's ok. Go to bed tonight and be thankful for all the good things in your life and wake up tomorrow with a clean slate.

I’m sharing A Journey of Health each day during October as a part of the “31 Days” challenge.