P90X3

OH EM GEEEEEE!!! I ordered P90X3 yesterday and I am tracking down the shipment to the minute haha!

In case if you haven't heard about P90X 1, 2, or 3 - it's basically the mecca of home fitness! P90X seriously revolutionized bodies getting fit from home! I have P90X but never finished the program due to time constraints (excuse? probably) so I'm so relieved that P90X3 is only 30 minutes a day! Each workout is half an hour! Oh my gosh! You get in. You get out. BOOM! DONE!

That was the biggest factor in why I chose to commit to X3 instead of X2. I love that its consistent and I can rely on fitting it into a certain time frame every single day. Game changer!

I'm planning to do the first week of doubles since my toe infection has put me out of working out for a couple weeks and I'm eager to see and feel results!

When I get the program I'll give you an update, review, and results as I go along! 

How To Get Over Your Excuses

    I hate to say it, but we all know whats really holding us back in life. And that is - EXCUSES. I've done a couple other blog posts about excuses but this one is dedicated on how to GET OVER those darn things! It's time to let go of them and get the body/house/boyfriend/career of your dreams! Why not?!?!


#1. "I'm too busy!"
No, you're not. "No really! I am!" No. Trust me, you're not.  Instead of letting your mini items on your to-do list take priority over something big and important you need to set your priorities! Cut TV time, set a schedule, plan ahead, and COMMIT. This is not rocket science. It's simply a matter of moving things in your schedule that don't need to be there (Ahem, Big Bang Theory) and making room for the things that do! Trust me, you will thank me later! You might be less caught up on Penny and Leonard but your abs sure will feel good. 

#2. "I'm exhausted"
While thats a very real feeling, it's usually never true to the extent that you can't work out and get your booty moving. I know how tired you feel after a long week of work and only getting 6 hours of sleep last night, but don't let that stop you from getting your workout in. Low energy = you NEED the workout even MORE! It'll help you sleep better, you'll be more functional, and you'll have more natural energy. Don't skip it! It's okay to exercise at a lower intensity too, anything is better than nothing. Just promise me you'll do 5 minutes & after 5 minutes you'll want to continue. If not, thats okay! Just promise me 5 minutes. 

#3. "I'm too broke"
While it's definitely hard coming up with the money for a gym membership, beachbody program, healthy food form the grocery store, shakeology etc, hear this -- YOU ARE WORTH IT! You are SOOO worth the investment into YOU! You are the best thing you can take care of, and this is an investment that will give you MASSIVE return on your money! Abs, toned thighs, non-scale victories.. are those worth it? Heck ya! Make some changes in your budget,  cut some fluff out, and make the small investment! At the very least, just start with walking or jogging outside. Totally freeeeee, YAY!

#4. "The Gym is intimidating"
Um, YEAH! I know. Honestly, thats why I workout at home. Including the fact that I'm clueless in a gym and usually spend more than half of my time on either the treadmill, bike, or elliptical LOL. Anyways, gyms ARE intimidating. Unless you're a bodybuilding male with popping muscles, the gym is scary. On the real though, EVERYONE there is worried about how THEY look. So no one is really looking at you. Everyone there has a starting point in their past. No one is born with muscles and major gym-knowledge. Get out of your hermit cave and embrace being outside your comfort zone!

#5. "I'm bored"
If you do the same workout everyday you're gone get bored, stuck and definitely - in a rut. I've been there! Thats why I like to change up my workout programs after a couple rounds. If you workout at the gym, try taking a new class, try a new cardio machine, or take a hike outside instead of the gym on saturday! If you do beachbody programs, change it up! The possibilities are endless and they always keep them new exciting. I LOVE Turbofire but I have to change it up every now and then in order to stay amped up! (I'm starting P90X3 next week, hehe.)

#6. "I'm focusing on my diet"
This is good news! But it's not enough to get you to your goals. Nutrition IS 80% of the battle, but dieting without working out will only make you look good in clothes and not naked ;) Boo! Exercise also has way more benefits than just looking good --> You'll sleep better, you'll have more energy, you're skin will be glowing, you're immune system will be boosted, you'll feel better, you'll be more productive - will all those benefits, why would you want to rely on an excuse?

Go out there and kick some butt!!

My 'AHA' Moment Of The Week

I have to take a second to call myself out on something important...

    That being... I have NOT been living up to my potential. I've been living off of this idea that I'm "apart" of the greatest business in the world, and thinking that alone was enough to accomplish my dreams. But looking back on my behaviour I realize that being APART of it isn't enough. I need to actually take FULL advantage of it (which I haven't been doing) and WORK HARD.

    I regularly quoted to myself and others "true success happens when you spend a couple years living like other's WON'T, so that you can spend the rest of your life living like others CAN'T." Yet I wasn't living like other's "won't"... I wasn't putting in 10 hour days, and giving my all every. single. day.

    Looking back it's like WOAH, how could I miss this?! Being apart of this business is so different than actually taking full advantage of it. And all this time, I thought I was the 1%! Haha! Boyyyy, was I wrong.

    Thank gosh for personal development for giving me the ability to self reflect and actually take notice of where my compass is directing me. Seeing an opportunity is not enough - you need to SEIZE it. Just like reading a self-help book is not enough either... you need to IMPLEMENT what you read.

BIG wake-up call this morning.

WOW!

"Whatever your 100% looks like... give it"

October Goals

    Well, it's that time again! Goal setting. Last month was much less successful and I think it's because I didn't PLAN. I set some great goals, but I didn't make a plan of how to get it done. So this month I tweaked some things that will make things a bit different. 

    Instead of just writing "SC 10" I wrote "100 Challenge Group Invites". SC 10 is less concrete and less controllable than "Invite x amount of people." Now that I've set a goal that's concrete, measurable, and in my control - I feel like I've made the GOAL of "SC10" more attainable. Same with "Get 100 no's". I'm embracing failure as apart of this journey, and I'm gonna feel GOOD when I get to add another name to my list of "No's"! So when someone says "No", thats OK! I get to write them down on my list and I'm one step closer to the goal of getting 100! Along the way of 100 "No's" there are BOUND to be some yes's. 

    I hope some of this made sense to you, and I'm excited that I've planned for October month ahead of time and made a PLAN for achieving these goals. For example, if you have a goal for losing weight, don't make the goal "Weigh 130 lbs," make something measurable your goal like "Workout 15 times this month". You'll be amazed at how much more motivated you are when you're in control of your goals and how simple it is! Keep you posted! xoxoxo

No Excuses to Success

    
    I just wanted to do a quick post about the amazing momentum I feel in my business and health since starting the book "No Excuses" by Brian Tracy. This is my first book I've read of his so I'm completely unbiased. His writing is impeccable! It's like a mix of Chalean Johnson and John Maxwell combined into one. The steps are clear, simple, and concise. I did the first assignment in the book today and felt so refreshed!! 

    The thing's I haven't come across yet (but I'm seriously counting down the pages) are the 3% formula,  the 40+ formula, and antidote for anger or worry, harnessing the power of "mind storming" and MUCH, MUCH MORE! This book reminds me of my first personal development book, "The Compound Effect" and it's reigniting my love for these books! I've been reading some stale ones lately but this one is SO invigorating!

    Self- discipline is my biggest hurdle in my life right, owning a business at the age of 21 is a challenge to say the least. I know the opportunity I have at my fingertips, I know the possibilities that lay before me, and I know the daily steps I need to take, yet I feel so compelled to finish laundry, watch TV, make some food... basically anything OTHER than work. I picked up this book for this reason exactly - I WANT to make my business work, and to do that I need to sharpen my weakest characteristic. That is, self discipline. So far, this book is DEF addressing that issue. 

Some topics inside:

Give Up Your Suffering
The 4 Questions You Should Ask
The Fatal Flaw in Dieting
The Law of Control
The Nine-Step Method For Solving Problems Effectively
Start Today
Managing Your Time

OH MY GOSH, it's just endless. I could go on and on, but I'm only on page 43 and I already know I'm going to re-read this one after I'm finished. If you're struggling to get your finances in order, your body where you want it to be, or your business isn't taking off, PLEASE look into this book! Its 7.95 at Barnes & Noble right now, and amazon has it too!. BEST. INVESTMENT. EVER!!!

A lil sneak peek!

It feels like every page is filled with information worth GOLD!! Definitely my PD book of the year! Do you have any personal development faves?!

2014 Engagement Ring Trends

    Wink wink ;) Do I even need to put a wink there? I think most of the female population in North America is ECSTATIC at the thought of getting proposed to and wearing a sparkly diamond on their ring finger, right? RIGHT?!

    Well, assuming that is true I'm kind of shocked and excited that Matt and I are going ring shopping this weekend! WHAT?! I know, it's very soon and we won't be getting engaged until next year at the soonest but HEY he needs to know what kind of ring to get right? Haha, anyways... after talking about it I've been obsessing over rings lately! For the LONGESTTTT time I knew I wanted a princess cut, but as time's gone on I feel myself super attracted to styles other than the princess cut. 

This was the original dream ring -- Princess Cut, Tiffany Grace Setting

Actually, that is QUITE the stunner. I may retract my statement and say that's the dream ring. But just incase, here are some of the other options that I've recently been swooning over.

Cushion Cut, Tiffany Novo Setting

Round Cut, The Tiffany Setting (classic solitaire ring)

Okay, so I know my choices are safe but I'm a classic girl! Here are the actual TRENDS for 2014 engagement rings -

1. Oval Cuts

2. Colored Stones

 

3. Heart Shaped Stones

    At first I was SO opposed to the idea of a heart-shaped stone but it's actually growing on me! Its romantic and cute, and pretty new in the world of rings. I wonder if it will still be trending a couple years from now? If I had my choice of rings I would probably choose cushion cut or princess cut, however on the day that I do get proposed to the ring won't matter nearly as much as the man who's down on one knee for me. Much love!! 

I Believe in PINK & You Should Too

    Audrey Hepburn said "I believe in Pink." Well, growing up I thought it was beautiful and I loved the girliness that it represented, so I used the quote often. (I even had it as one of my facebook descriptions back in the day when facebook had the quote box under profile pictures #embarassing) 

    As I've gotten older I'm starting to think it runs much deeper than it appears on the surface. Pink typically represents girls, who turn into women. Is it possible that Audrey was saying she believe's in women? 

    As silly as it may seem to try to uncode such a simple saying, the more that I think about it, I feel in my soul that she WAS saying "I believe in women." Audrey was more than an actress, she was a humanitarian. She was a film & fashion icon. Women looked up to her. Her elegance and style made her more than a "sex goddess" and instead she had a wholesome beauty and aura that attracted devoted fans. Why was Audrey so special? Her talent, of course, but she never stripped for the silver screen. She never exposed her body to get an oscar nomination. She withheld her standards throughout her whole career despite cleavage making it's way through the 60's-70's. I look up to Audrey and her movies with such admiration. She was beautiful, capturing, and mysterious. 

    I think Audrey behaved in such a way that she expected women to be seen as more than a visual delight, but as a true contribution to society, the work force, etc. She believed in women and the potential that lays inside each of us. I think if Audrey were to give advice to any woman going after her dreams it would be to believe in yourself. Believe in pink. Don't be embarassed by the natural girl attributes that you have, be proud of them! Women have so much more power, strength and wisdom then society often gives us credit for. I'm not a man hater, nor a society hater, but I DO believe that women aren't given enough credit for our natural abilities, mental and physical, that we have inside of us. 

Be like Audrey. Believe in pink. Believe in women. Believe in you.

Jessica's September 2014 Goals

Hey pretties! As you know, I like to dream BIG, and setting goals is the only way to accomplish those dreams. Well, August was a rough month for me so I wanted to make my September goals clear cut so that I could focus on them with intense clarity.

I doodled around on pic monkey, wrote down my goals, and VOILA! I have these printed and hung up in my closet so I see them every morning when I get dressed. So far, this month is going a LOT better, PHEW!

Check out picmonkey.com and try making your own goals sheet! When you finish something and cross it off... BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD!

5 Ways To Fulfill Your Dreams

If you're like me, then you know that goal setting is AWESOME! The reason goal setting is so dang awesome, is because it's a way of making dreams seems realistic... and setting the expectation that your dreams are realistic will CHANGE your LIFE. The truth is, every dream you have is totally possible. All it is, is a matter of choices and actions that will get you there. If someone gave you a list to complete that would make your wildest dreams come true, would you do it? I bet you would! You would work down that list, happily crossing things off knowing you're going to make your dreams a reality. So, how do you get your hands on that magical list? Simple. WE make it. 

What?! I know what you're thinking... but you CAN do this. Follow these steps below. Start with 1 dream. Ex. Lose 10 lbs. Get a promotion at my job. Get a boyfriend. Buy a new car. Whatever it is, pick one and begin....

Step #1
Start daydreaming. Think about your biggest, scariest dream. Most people don't allow themselves to fully dream as big as they want to for fear of not knowing how to make it happen. So they hold themselves back and block out any dreams of being a famous singer, driving a bentley, owning a business, having their dream body, etc. But, just for this moment, take 5 minutes and remove those barriers you've set for yourself. Imagine anything was possible. If you had a magic genie who gave you 3 wishes, what would you wish for? Take out a pen and paper and write down your top 10 dreams and wishes, of more if you have them!
Take 5 minutes to daydream BIG. Write down your top 10 wildest dreams. 

Step #2
Start envisioning that life. What would it feel like to hop in your range rover and pick up your friend for a coffee date? How would it feel to be excited to go shopping and to feel SO hot in a swimsuit?! Really let those feelings sink in. How would it feel to go to work in a higher position with respect from your peers and a bigger income. How does it feel?
Imagine your new life.

Step #3
Pick one dream of yours, and on another piece of paper write down 20 action steps you can do that will bring you closer to your dream. Hire a personal trainer, read a book on closing more sales, meet your friend who lost 50lbs for lunch, ask your boss what you need to do to stand out & take on extra work? 
List 20 action steps for each dream if you have time, if not just start with 1.

Step #4
Take a look at each action step you made, and break it down into 5 smaller bite sized pieces. This is going to take even more focus and thought, but don't give up! Make sure you list 5 baby steps for each action step. 
Ex. If your main action step is to "Read a book on closing more sales", then your 5 mini steps could be
1. Research good books on "Sales Skills"
2. Pick 1
3. Go to Barnes and Noble this Saturday morning to purchase it
4. Read for 10 minutes every night in bed
5. Reward myself with a massage when I finish the book

Step #5
Now that you have 5 mini steps for each "main action", combine ALL your mini steps onto 1 page. Add 1-2 mini steps (whichever ones) onto your daily to do list. Maybe tonight you'll take 5-10 minutes to research a book and pick 1. Of you can research good sales books, and do another mini step from a different action. Ya feel me? 
Add 1-2 of your bite sized steps to your daily to-do list

When you finish this, you'll see you HAVE the answers. The stairway to your dreams is just that, a staircase. Baby steps taken over time will bring you higher and closer every after every step you take. It's the choice to take baby steps that will get you there. 

SUMMARY
1. Dream big, write down your wildest dreams
2. Envision your life
3. List 20 action steps you can take to make your dream a reality
4. Break down each action step into 5 smaller actions
4. Add 1-2 of your bite sized steps to your daily to do list

Follow this formula, stick with it, and your life will b transformed in as little as 6 months. Imagine where you'll be in a year from now if you do this! 2 years, 5 years...  etc. That bentley doesn't seem so crazy now, right? You can SO do this! Try this out and let me know what you think!
PS. I just started doing this, and so far I feel closer to my goals then ever before. Not because I've made LEAPS in the last 2 weeks, but because I have a clear picture and a clear list of things to do that I know will bring me closer. It feels GOOD :)