Mom Works It Out by Angela Gillis

Stop, drop and smile.

Things haven’t been great lately and I got bogged down in some negative energy. And then work happened and it got really busy and I didn’t have enough time to really blog.

Today’s message: You’re never fully dressed without a smile.

It’s not a completely an original idea. But it’s a theory I want to carry over into this Monday. It’s time to start fresh and to start anew. It’s time to smile, again.  The act of smiling can change your whole world in the blink of an eye. A smile breeds positivity.

Why should you turn that frown upside down? Smiling will change your mood in a snap and will help you relieve stress. And this simple act will just relax you which helps out in so many ways like boosting your immune system OR passing that smile on to someone else.  Smiling is contagious, just like a yawn.  I suggest that you keep your yawn to yourself, but share that smile with the world.

It’s time to stop, drop and smile.

What are three things that make you smile? Here’s your moment to really think about it because I’m going to ask you again after I tell you.

My three things that make me smile:

P71658251. My husband. People say it all the time but he is truly my best friend. We were friends many many many years before we dated and got hitched so I really think that plays a big part in my love and affection for this man.

I'm going home! Bittersweet moment I'm having right now. Thanks for the memories #philly! #rnrphilly

2. Day dreams of the places I will go. I’m always eyeing somewhere new to go and there’s nothing that gets me excited like a new adventure.

IMG_87483. Progress. Thinking back at where I was and where I am today always brings a smile to myself… Among other things like my family and best friends and just the overall good health I’ve been blessed with in life.

#watermelon a great post workout treat! #cleaneats #refuel #fitness #fitfluential #sweatpink #iambft

And watermelon of course. Apparently, today is the National Watermelon Day! Is it me or does every day seem like it’s always some national day that people are “celebrating?”  I never really enjoyed watermelon as a kid or even as an adult.  My love for the watermelon just blossomed a few years ago and now I can’t get enough of it. It’s one of my favorite snacks.

What are the three things that make you smile?  Do you like watermelon?

Donate to Team Healthy Kids and WIN $100 AMAZON …

Donate to Team Healthy Kids and WIN $100 AMAZON GIFT CARD!

Hey everyone! I don’t really want to ask this on my blog but I’m desperate. I need to raise $295 by tomorrow for Team Healthy Kids. I was always the bigger kid and spent pretty much my whole life as being obese. This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. Here’s why you should donate: I’m not asking you to break your bank account, but a $10 donation will go a long way in helping out a kid. Take a stand to fight off childhood obesity. $25 gives a child a healthy meal for a month…

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The loaf that fell apart and mixed greens …

The loaf that fell apart and mixed greens recipe

On Sunday, we actually had time to prep out some meals.  It was nice being able to do that so I guess it’s fine the weekend was pretty uneventful. I’ve been dying to make a curried lentil loaf for a few weeks now, but I never had enough time to actually make one or I didn’t buy the right stuff from the store.  Basically bad planning kept me from making a lentil loaf. Here’s a video showing a little of the meal prep this week and I give you tips!  Watch for the tips! So what exactly is the lentil…

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Eggland’s Best Eggs: protein packed and great …

Eggland’s Best Eggs: protein packed and great for summer

I’ve always stressed the importance of protein after a workout. I won’t let you forget that I love to have low fat chocolate milk after a long run because of the protein and carb replacement. But you also know my favorite post run meal involves eggs. I can never have too much omelet! It’s summer, it’s heating up and I’m putting a lot of stress on my body training for the Chicago Marathon in October.  My summer activities include spending a lot of time outside (playing with the dogs, hanging with my family and just enjoying nature) and working toward…

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You are enough

You are enough

I was kind of stumped at what I was going to write about today.  I sat at the computer yesterday for something, but I was blocked.  Before going to bed, I found this video and it left me speechless. We must all remember that we are enough. There is no mold at to who we should be and who we are should just be enough. I remember thinking if I lost weight then I’ll fit in to the “normal” world. I wouldn’t have the eyes starring at me, taking pity on me or giving me the “looks.” But you know…

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Video: Grocery haul and a lazy meal prep

Video: Grocery haul and a lazy meal prep

Happy Thursday!  I assured you more video was coming and here it is.  Today I’m presenting you with this weeks grocery haul and a seriously LAZY meal prep. Warning this really isn’t how we do it every week but we returned from out of town a little later than planned and this is what you got! And it’s kind of sad that even with a list, we didn’t purchase everything we need. A more complete meal prep session will be coming at you next week but for now, enjoy the video. Just for the recap of what we are eating…

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Speak your fears

Speak your fears

Why does fear always get in the way?  I’ve written many times about fear and how it stops me from trying new things or talking to some people.  Fear is a crazy thing that creeps into my head when I don’t want it there.  Remember being a child and having no fear?  Adult hood has really jaded me because it’s not really the fearful act that gets me; it’s the consequences if I fail. I must always keep in mind that failures are not a bad thing.  Failures are learning experiences for the future. I’ve been trying something new lately.…

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Five Things Friday: “Healthy” foods to eat in …

Five Things Friday: “Healthy” foods to eat in moderation

Hello everyone!  Happy Friday!  I hope everyone is looking forward to a great weekend.  I know it’s not exactly a holiday weekend but it’s still the weekend.  Doesn’t always seem like the days after a holiday are harder than usual? This week I wasn’t interested in being productive at all, but I pushed through. This morning I got up to run!  I got some new shoes yesterday and I wanted to try them out.  I’ve been experiencing some pronating issues and I think right now, new shoes will have to solve the problem. But the shoes are nice and pretty…

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What the kale? Reap the kale health benefits.

What the kale? Reap the kale health benefits.

Are you eating kale? Chances are you’re probably not. Quinoa and kale have become a “trendy” food to eat because of their health benefits, but most people aren’t eating these things at home. Today, I’m going to talk to you about kale because I love it. It’s a tricky green to work with sometimes. If you’re not eating kale, you’re missing out on the kale health benefits like mega nutrients in one little plant. Kale is a superfood! It’s loaded with tons of nutrients. The darker the green, the better it is for you and kale greens are some of…

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We are only the sum of our experiences.

We are only the sum of our experiences.

There’s nothing wrong with a curious mind.  There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be more, see more or do more.  Once upon a time, I thought this made me ungrateful for things in my life.  I have always been that person who was constantly looking forward to what was next. I do credit my weight loss success to being able to visualize the future and look forward to all the possibilities that could come.  I was curious about all the things I would be and all the things that I could become. My curiosity of life has been sparked. I…

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Zip lining is our non scale victory

Zip lining is our non scale victory

Willie and I always said when we lost the weight, we would do some things like go to China, travel more and go zip lining. I’m two years past hitting my goal weight and we still didn’t zip line. Today we finally enjoyed the view from the tree tops at Shelby Farms. The non scale victory really came because it was great to not have anyone question our weight and we were just normal. We actually planned to go in Chattanooga but we canceled those plans and decided to come to Memphis. This was the biggest thing we had planned…

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