We’ll be on the TODAY Show Monday and ending the year

I’m really excited to tell share with everyone that Willie and I will be on the NBC Today Show on Monday morning. I do believe we will be on the 4th hour of the show talking about our weight loss and running. We are really excited to be able to share our story with more people. This will be a great way to start off the new year.

Today is the last day of 2015 and it’s been a learning experience. Ending the year is a time for self reflection and to see how far we’ve come or didn’t. The year started off as a very trying time but somehow I managed to end the year way better than it started. That is what I am most proud of this year.

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This year I’ve found my place and a cause I really believe it. I can’t wait for the all the great things I get to share with you through Team Healthy Kids. I’m truly passionate about making this world a healthier place and bringing awareness to such a great cause. Action for Healthy Kids is making a America healthier by providing children and adults education and resources to make the healthy choice. To help spread the word about the cause, I would like to get people to run a marathon with me this year in Chicago and/or New York City with Team Healthy Kids. Is running a marathon on your bucket list? Or do you just want to run for a great cause? Here is your chance to run with me.

My first full year of my quest went really well. I completed my 15th state this year. I’ve reached new fitness goals with running a few ultra marathons and just being able to run all those marathons this year. The quest is much more than running it’s about getting out there and enjoying life; meeting new people and pushing past my comfort zone. I can honestly say I met some great people this year and I can call some of those new people friends. I’m definitely learning to communicate and have conversations with others. I know it sounds like a weird thing, but I’m usually the person to stand on the side.

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This year I was able to share some of my knowledge with a lot of people. I’ve been able to motivate and inspire people by sharing our story. AND I’ve been inspired by hearing your stories too. Conversations can truly change your world and I’m honored to be able to have those conversations.

This year I’ve grown as a fitness instructor. I’m coming on my 3rd year of being a fitness instructor and I’ve really enjoyed this year. It’s not glamorous but it sure is nice to be able to help people reach their fitness goals. It’s a rewarding experience and I’m glad I was randomly plucked from the crowd to teach. I’m wicked excited to keep growing and improving.

Most importantly, this year I learned that I’m a constant work in progress. There is no change without change and I want to keep reaching new heights. I’m not really sure what is in store for me in 2016 but I know the year will be what I make of it. And the same with go for you, 2016 is a time to start new and try some new things. The world is at your finger tips, you just have to take a chance and make the first steps. You can do anything if you work hard enough for it. Don’t forget that!

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We were blessed with so many things this year like being in Runner’s World, being able to travel to many places and even having the Surgeon General tweet about us. It’s a great thing but being able to just LIVE life is a blessing, especially being able to live the healthy active life we have now. I never would have thought this would ever be my life. I’ve been maintaining my weight now for almost 3 years and it’s been a struggle. Keeping the weight off is scarier/harder than losing the weight and I’m just glad that I’m winning the good fight.

Now it’s time to end 2015 and move into the new year. Don’t forget to watch Willie and I on the NBC Today Show on Monday, January 4, 2016!

Be safe tonight. Drink responsibly. Don’t drink and drive. Happy New Year!

Start new year goals now

Start new year goals now

It’s almost the new year and people are trying to get their stuff together for the new year. Developing new routines and joining the gym are top of the list for the new year but you don’t have to wait until the new year. It’s only a few days away, why not start now? Don’t say you’re going to start meal prepping next week? Start your new years goals now. Why start now? It’s best to start now so that when the new year comes there isn’t PRESSURE to succeed and stick with it. Now is the time to test…

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Recipes: Stay healthy and indulge over the holidays

Recipes: Stay healthy and indulge over the holidays

It’s coming on Christmas and there are tons of treats and foods in your face.  It’s impossible to escape.  You know I’m a big fan of moderation and deprivation.  If you deprive yourself of the things you want, you’ll probably end up binging on those foods later.  Enjoy them now with moderation and portion control. There still is a way to stay healthy and indulge over the holidays. I will indulge during the holidays but I’m ok with it because I am keeping active. I try to keep my activities holiday themed too because it’s just so much more fun.…

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Giveaway: Big Slice Apples make a great snack

Giveaway: Big Slice Apples make a great snack

I’m giving something away and it’s good.  I recieved a really great box of goodies a couple of weeks back and I just needed to share with everyone.  I mentioned it in my video and I was finally able to give it a tray. Big Slice Apples are ready to eat cooked apples, made with real fruit and are naturally gluten free. There is something for everyone because there are 16 great flavors. I haven’t tried them all but I’ve tried most and I haven’t found one I don’t like. It’s a great new snack!  I love apples!  Apples are…

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Willie weight loss update and help me with …

Willie weight loss update and help me with a meal prep guide

Hey all! I should have gotten this up this morning but I’ve been swamped at work. It’s been pretty trying latey. I wanted to keep everyone updated on Willie’s weight loss journey and ask for a little bit of help. I don’t want to spoil the Willie’s weight loss update so you’ll have to watch to find that out: But I am interested in developing a meal prep guide. Is that something you guys would be interested in? What type of things would you like to see in a meal prep guide? This idea won’t go anywhere unless I get…

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Video: This is how I cheat on meal …

Video: This is how I cheat on meal prep

Hello all! I’ve been behind on everything so I took a little break from the blog to catch up on everything. I really needed to pump some videos out because I do have a goal to complete Vlogmas. The video from the other day was perfect content for the blog so I want to share it with you. I needed to make a quick trip to the grocery store to buy a few things because the house was a little bare. I thought this was the best way to show you some of my short cuts in still eating “right”…

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Setbacks of weight loss

Setbacks of weight loss

Weight loss is a tricky thing.  The people who need to lose weight seek it out.  It’s the goal, it’s a state of mind.  Weight loss is your best friend and biggest motivator when everything is going right and your biggest enemy when you just can’t pull it together.  “What works for one person will not work for another,” is what I’m always telling people when they asked what I did to lose weight.  That’s the truth, before, during and after weight loss. Many of you have asked about Willie and his lack of presence and I’ve kind of just…

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Motivation Monday: Be present in the moment.

Motivation Monday: Be present in the moment.

I’m blogging from a hotel room on this lovely early morning and I’m thinking about all the amazing experiences I’ve had this year.  It’s been completely amazing and there has been one take back from it all. Be present in the moment. That is today’s motivation Monday message.  It’s an important message to send, especially at this time of year. It’s Thanksgiving week which means a big meal to made and friends and family gathering together.  It can be hetic and overwhelming, but it’s also meant to be a time to be thankful and enjoy the time.  Don’t forget that…

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Bread pudding for Thanksgiving? I say yes!

Bread pudding for Thanksgiving? I say yes!

It’s November and everyone is thinking about Thanksgiving!  I love Thanksgiving because I get to spend time with family and friends and just have a good time.  There’s running, food and football, what else could be better? It’s just a great time to be thankful for all the great things in life. I am usually responsible for the Thanksgiving meal which is very fun for me.  The not so fun part is coordinating everyone’s taste buds.  Mashed potatoes vs. sweet potatoes.  Turkey vs. ham.  Potato salad vs. mac and cheese. Apple pie vs. pumpkin pie vs sweet potato pie.  It’s…

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Motivation Monday: Be the best for yourself

Motivation Monday: Be the best for yourself

Hey all!  Today’s motivation Monday was sparked by a Facebook comment. I ran a race yesterday. I know you’re shocked, right?  I’ve been feeling way under the weather and I wasn’t expecting much.  The one thing I was counting on that it would be a horrible experience.  I was still sleeping 20 minutes before the start of the race. Something happened after the race that made me WANT to make this video. After I finished the race I posted this: I finished and I didn’t do horrible either. Ran the half in 2:18 and I was sick. Nice way to…

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Five Things Friday: tips to avoid food temptation

Five Things Friday: tips to avoid food temptation

Halloween just passed and we’re on the cusp of holiday season.  There will be comfort foods, cakes, pies and all types of goodies being shoved in our faces all day long.  From home to work to social gatherings, the holiday season has arrived but what does that mean if you’re on your weight loss journey or just trying not to over indulge. Every year I post something similiar because every year I feel like I learn a little bit more about how tempting some foods can be and sometimes those are the foods you just can’t stay away from.  The…

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