Enrollment is open for my Summer Sweat It Out Challenge!!!

I'm just about to finish up my current Back to BASICs program this week, and won't be starting a new Back to BASICs group until August.  In the window in between, I am excited to announce my SUMMER SWEAT IT OUT CHALLENGE running July 10 - August 7. 

The purpose for this challenge is simple:
1- Help you receive accountability in a faith based private Facebook group for your workouts and foods before Summer ends and School is back in session
2- Motivate and encourage you to workout at least 4 days a week, for 30 minutes each, during the 30 day challenge.*
3- Help you stay healthy this Summer!

*If you workout 4 days a week, for 30 minutes each, during the 30 day challenge, your name will be thrown into a hat for the chance at some freebies!

The Summer Sweat It Out Challenge is a mini-challenge for any women who need a little extra accountability in the middle of Summer.  The challenge will run July 10-August 7. 

The best part? It's only $20 to join!!!!!!!!

Yep.  Why is it so cheap?  Because this is a scaled back group in the sense that I won't be sharing all the workout tips and recipes I share in my full blown challenges, but I'll still be giving you weekly devotions, my coaching, and accountability.  It's one notch up from my free 5 day challenges because this is a 30 day challenge with loads of accountability and encouragement!

Check out more details and FAQs below:

What does it Cost? $20

What is included in that $20 cost? 
You get access to the private Facebook group for the weekly devotions and daily accountability in your food and workouts.  You'll also receive my personal grocery list and my Menu Planning Sheet to help you tackle what foods to eat/avoid and meal planning.  You'll also get access to me: my coaching and encouragement.  I'm going to be going LIVE, inside the group, at the mid-way point to answer any and all health and fitness questions challengers may have!

I don't have much time in my day.  Will the Facebook group be time consuming?
NO! All I ask of challengers is to hop in at least once a day to see that day's devotion, and check-in for their food and workout accountability.  This isn't meant to add more to your to-do list.  It's mean to simply serve as daily accountability and encouragement.

Who is this group targeted for?
Any woman (regardless of age or fitness level) needing:
- A little push to stay healthy this Summer. 
- To end Summer on a great note, and be in a good place with your health and fitness for the Fall.
- Encouragement in their health and fitness goals.

What if I have a vacation or trip planned during the Challenge?
That's perfect timing!  The vacation does not need to keep you from joining!  This group can help motivate you to choose wisely on vacation (while still enjoying your self) and come off of vacation guilt free!  I'll even share my Healthy Vacation PDF with you! 

Does this group have a workout plan?
The short answer is no.  The $20 doesn't include a workout plan.  Since this is a mini-challenge (and for me to be able to keep the cost low) I'm just offering the accountability of the group to complete the workouts you already own/have/are doing.  HOWEVER, the long answer is yes.  If you're in need or a workout plan, I can offer you a 4 week plan that's made by me (4 days per week) that will target your Full Body (weights needed) for an additional $30 (total $50).

How do I sign up?
Complete the contact form below and I'll be in touch ASAP!  We start Monday, July 10, so don't delay!!!

Let's SWEAT IT OUT and finish Summer strong! 

Recently a girl I follow on Facebook shared a blog post that included 20+ pictures of women - all different shapes and sizes - rocking their bathing suits (mostly 2 pieces). One of the girls in one of the photos made the comment "Life is better when you're not sucking in. I promise." Meaning, just be you. Don't worry about what others think. I immediately wrote it down because I loved it so much.

A couple Summers ago, I read a similar blog post written by a Mom talking about how she was sick of being ashamed of her body in a bathing suit, and therefore, missing out on having fun and making memories with her kids, in the pool, each Summer. She had vowed that she was done and was just going to put on her bathing suit and have fun! (themomcreative.com)

Yes, yes, yes.

I've always said I want to be the Mom going under the water, not trying to keep my hair dry/pretty/makeup on, and playing Marco Polo, and getting drenched because my kids are jumping off the side as I catch them a million times over. That's when the memories are made. I realize my kids are young and need constant adult supervision in the pool. Your kids may be older, know how to swim, or not need that constant supervision. It may be easier for you to sit back, read a book or chat with your friend while your kids play and swim. Maybe your challenge is to remember when they yell "Hey Mom, watch this" or "Hey Mom, come play this dive game with me" you put the book down and hop in.

One of my favorite memories from last Summer was at a pool with one of my best friends and her 2 kids. We were all in the water and our kids were all in their puddle jumpers floating around having a ball. I was holding Landon's hands and playing one of our favorite pool games that my Mom always did with me as a kid. My friend's kids saw us having fun and joined in. You'd have thought I gave them all a $100. They had a BALL! And all because I refused to be the Mom who sat on the side with my cover up on, or on the step with my feet in because I didn't wear my suit.

Ladies, JUST PUT ON YOUR SUIT!!!

Make this the summer that you pull out that suit - or buy a new one - and HAVE SOME FUN!

Now, I know most of you read this and think "yes, I so want to, but......" I GET IT. I have so been there. Believe me.

Let me push back on those thoughts and remind you of a few things:

- Unless you're a 20 year old Victoria Secret Model who hasn't eaten anything but liquid diet, nobody looks perfect in a bathing suit. NOBODY. So know that. We all have our jiggly or dimply parts. We all have those areas with more cushion than we'd like. We all have those areas we wish looked different or have changed over the years. ALL OF US.

- Nobody really cares what you look like in your bathing suit. I've learned this fashion lesson in general (not just bathing suits) over the last several years. There are SO MANY different fashion styles/trends out there that nobody is looking at you thinking "oh my word, look at her!" And honestly, if they are....who cares!? That's their issue, not yours. You're the one with the freedom to have fun and enjoy your Summer judgement free! If I bend over to play with my kids at the pool and my belly pooch isn't sucked in perfectly, and another woman notices and thinks "oooh look at that, ew" in her mind. I SAY KISS IT, Sister!

MY IDENTITY IS NOT IN MY WAIST SIZE AND NEITHER IS YOURS. Your identity is in JESUS CHRIST!

- We're all different shapes and sizes. God made us that way. If me and my best friend wore the EXACT same suit, we'd look totally different. You're not going to look just like her. You are YOU!! BE YOU!!

- If you've had a baby and your body is different......guess what....so is mine! So is every other Momma who has experienced pregnancy and birth out there! If they aren't, they're depriving themselves of some of the foods that you and I are enjoying and LOVING! :) (hello, bread)

- Find the suit that fits YOU. Feel more comfortable in a one piece? Wear it! Like tankinis or bottoms with boyshorts or skirts? Fine by me. Want to wear a 2 piece? DO IT. There are so many different suits out there now, by SO MANY companies. It's possible to find the perfect suit for you!

Because I love yall, and want your Summers to be a BLAST, here are a few places I know of that have awesome suits for all shapes and sizes and styles!

Athleta.com
LimeRiki.com
Cupshe.com
Target.com
Albionfit.com

AND - I can't finish without saying this. Yes, you should wear whatever suit you feel comfortable in. Just make sure you're doing it in a way that honors and glorifies the Lord. I have a couple different suits I wear for different occasions. Pool parties with lots of people (males present), backyard kiddie pool with Ben and the kids, Water Park fun, pool day with friends. Each scenario warrants a different suit for me. We can't help what other people think or do, but we can help how we present and handle ourselves.

Just like the blogger said, You'll remember the splashes more than your jiggly belly.

I'm excited to announce my Shape Her Running Group!

Oh, did I mention it's free?!  :)

Since I shared that I'm training for my first half marathon, I've gotten lots of tips and encouragement from a lot of you.  (thank you!!) Plus, a good amount of you have told me that you, too, are training for a race later this year.  If that's you, and you'd like some added motivation and encouragement, join the Running Group!  It's free and open to any woman who is currently training for a race, no matter the distance: 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, or more!  The group link is at the end of this post!

You know how most running stores have local running groups that meet weekly to run together, encourage each other and support one another?  Well that's what this is, VIRTUALLY.  We live in all different place so we can't actually meet in person to run and support each other, so we'll do it online!

I'm not new to running, but I'm new to half marathon training and I'd love to create a space with runners of all ages and fitness levels, to gather to share our daily/weekly runs, encourage each other, get tips from each other, and support each other in our training!  Race training is involved and I know we can spur each other on and get some added accountability and support!  Come join me!!!  I need it and I hope you do too!

This group is free because, honestly, I don't feel good charging for it.  For one, it'll be different from my other groups in that there will be no devotions, tips, recipes, etc. from me.  Since I'm no running expert, and I'm training for my FIRST half marathon, I don't feel good asking you to pay for any tips from me.  I don't have any to give!  I need them myself!  That's what I hope this group is - a place to share in this training journey, with each other.

*NOTE: I'm really wanting this to be strictly for ladies who are training for a running race.  For that reason, please only join the group if you are indeed doing that.  I have other free groups throughout the year for other purposes like my Water Challenge and Sweat 30 Challenges.  I want this group to be focused on those of us training!  I'll be editing the group throughout to ensure it stays that way, just for the better of those of us training!  Thanks for understanding! :)

Request to join the closed Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2320200244871058/