We create our own destiny.
I refuse to read my horoscope.
Someone told me that Mercury is in retrograde. After Googling to see WTF that meant, I called bullshit. There are times where life gets more challenging, time is short, motivation is lacking… but in the end we decide how we handle it.
Right now my struggle is on the superficial side, but a struggle nonetheless. It’s diet. I’m supposed to compete in 8 weeks and I’m struggling with getting back on track. However, I’ve decided to allow myself to be flexible. If I don’t make this show, there will be one the next weekend. And the next. And next year. I came to that realization by being honest about where I am. I talked to my therapist trainer Monday night and he reminded me that a lot is changing for me. I got married. It’s a new life. I don’t have to do EVERYTHING at once (insert shocked face). Doing stuff like enjoying dinner with Vegas on her birthday is more important right now.
That’s not to say I’m giving up. But whatever happens… I own this!
One thing that helps is treating myself with healthy buys… like a haul from iHerb. Beet powder (which I love in pancakes and Red Velvet protein shakes), Cocoa Cardio (Red Velvet Waffles!), peanut flour, and gelatin are daily staples. If you have any digestion “issues” I highly recommend it (here’s a post I did on it). I’m trying the collagen version for the first time with this order.
Another motivator is energy. I was thrilled when I received the two-10 discovery pack from FRS®. The pack includes a big bottle of FRS concentrate, a sample pack of soft chews, and 2 cans of their energy drink.
My favorite thing about FRS is their ingredient list and why it was developed. It was originally created by health scientists to provide chemotherapy patients with natural, sustained energy. The FRS patented Healthy Energy formula has the all-natural antioxidants quercetin (found in blueberries and apples) and green tea extract, plus seven essential vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C and E). I’m all about immune system support after getting the plague.
Not only are these drinks more delicious than the junk from the gas station, but they also doesn’t rely on chemicals, sugar and massive amount of caffeine to give you the shakes energy.
So, I’m challenging myself to go with the flow and not be so hard on myself. At the same time, I’m committed to doing my best and staying active. It’s what makes me happy! #iownthis
Learn more about the FRS two-10 discovery pack, and check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
This post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of FRS.
This WIAW is 8 weeks out from my competition. See above.
Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!
Meal 1:
The usual morning cocktail, followed by my morning sludge.
Breakfast is the new standard – basil and garlic egg white scramble with a whole egg dropped in for #yolkporn. Toast with coconut oil and cinnamon.
Meal 2:
I baked Sizzlefish trout with lemon and Italian herbs. Eaten standing up with red bell pepper slices and kabocha.
Meal 3:
Chicken with sugar peas. Simple… but a perfectly cooked piece of chicken is actually one of my favorite things. That and hot sauce.
Meal 4:
Rice cakes with Nuttzo nut butter. I probably look forward to this meal a little too much. I had one with chocolate protein “icing” too.
Meal 5:
Rinse and repeat from last night. A giant peanut butter-sweet potato pancake made with Japanese white sweet potato.
Peanut Butter-Sweet Potato Pancake
- 2T peanut flour (an iHerb order)
- 1/2 C cooked sweet potato
- 2 egg whites
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp no sodium baking powder
- 5-6 drops liquid vanilla stevia
Blend and cook!
Meal 6:
I love yogurt. Really. I’m just as happy with bowls like this as I am with *most* regular desserts. Well, average regular desserts. Oh man, I love dessert.
This dessert bowl was 1/2 scoop of Growing Naturals vanilla rice protein mixed with plain Greek yogurt, cinnamon, almond extract, and vanilla liquid stevia. Then I mixed up 1/2 T cocoa powder and 1/2 T coconut flour with stevia and just enough water to make it a fluff. Topped with crumbled leftover pretzels from the plane. Sweet ‘n salty perfection!
***
If Mercury means being impatient, then maybe I am a believer… ha!
Do believe is horoscopes and Mercury and all that jazz?
What are you owning right now?
Your food looks amazing and I love FRS!
I love your attitude! There is something about love and happiness that makes it hard to focus on other things. I know you will own whatever you decide to do.
Weird, sounds exactly like a convo I had with another type-A friend the other night – we can set ourselves all these plans and dreams… and then freak about it… but then, if it doesn’t all happen? That’s OK! It really is. But I literally need to remind myself of that every day. That, and enjoying the ride.
First serious comment I’ve left over here? Now that’s really weird…
You got this girlfriend you are a superstar and you know it! I can’t wait to seethe pictures of your progress and hard work!!
Thanks friend 🙂
Not going to lie, I LOVED reading the line “Doing stuff like enjoying dinner with Vegas on her birthday is more important right now” is awesome. If we go back even a year, I’d never have expected something like that from you in prep mode.
Now as for the statement about looking forward to RICE CAKES.
Oh man… isn’t that the truth?! I couldn’t be happier. 🙂
P.S. Where’s this mystery email you were to send me???
I love your attitude Laura and I couldn’t agree more. Just because you put something on the back seat, doesn’t mean it’s still not important or you aren’t going to achieve it…it just means that you are adjusting to other priorities for now. And when the time is right, I have no doubt you will compete and probably be more focused than ever :)!
I am so freaking proud of you. I know how hard it is especially when ‘new’ in a realtionship. Do what’s good for you and Vegas, will ya? Even if this is eating Rice Cakes with way too much Nuttzo.
I love desserts too. I can never decide if I love booze or dessert more and then I end up with both.
Horoscopes are perfect excuses if you suck at things. The stars, the status of the moon and the hormones – my favorite excuses.
Deciding between booze and desserts should be illegal. That’s like choosing a favorite child. If I liked children…
Hormones are clearly to blame.
Love your attitude! There will always be more competitions out there and if you’re not feeling the diet, then you shouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself. Unfortunately, I have to lose almost 15lbs in the next 10 weeks, but having a concrete goal is doing wonders for my motivation. I also don’t have a lovely wife to have dinner with, so that helps haha
Hahaha! She doesn’t get in the way… but in the best ways. 🙂
You can do this!!! A little over a pound a week!
I’m exactly the same way when it comes to doing all.the.things immediately!!! I don’t believe in horoscopes or the boogie man but I believe in myself and absolutely owning it. My husband is always telling me not to “over think” things so when I get stuck I think about how much it’s really going to matter in the big picture. It’s a tough pill to swallow sometimes but makes life less complicated. 🙂
I hear you Laura! I believe we put ourselves in a path that allows ourselves to create what we want the most. You will get it together, I know it. I have been struggling to stop overeating during this marathon segment so far, and it is frustrating, but like you said, just let it happen, the more you fight it, the less likely you will be able to do it!
“I believe we put ourselves in a path that allows ourselves to create what we want the most. ” <-- I LOVE this! Thank you, Tina.
As a former athlete, I used to have all of these good luck things–certain scoks, certain shirts and jackets and little rituals.
Until one day, I decided that I create my own luck, dammit.
I love it – I used to be the same way, but I think luck looks more like hard work these days.
So you want to do everything at once. Wait are you talking about me? Haha! Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Be good to yourself, you got this! I haven’t been the best with my diet. I was doing well and have fallen off the wagon. Need to start focusing again and make it a priority. See you’re not the only one. Hang in there!
Why is it so much easier said than done?! I am actually in a place mentally where I can stick to pretty clean eating, but the competition part… I just can’t right now. 😛
i don’t “believe” in horoscopes, but i do think they’re fun to read 🙂
Yes, you are only a newly wed once (hopefully) and it’s meant to be enjoyed! This is an exciting time and a change, one can only handle so much!!
Curious, what do you do with the beet powder? Im intrigued!
Everything! I added a few direct links above (thanks for the idea), but I use it most often in chocolate protein shakes and pancakes.
Sometimes you have to be honest with yourself and re-prioritize. If you don’t do the comp at all this year even, I don’t see that as giving up at all. It’s being realistic. You’re life has suddenly changed drastically, and quickly, and YES celebrating her bday … just, yes. Life’s short.
Thanks Heather. I really, really need to hear (read) that.
I agree. I really don’t believe in horoscopes even though I’ve had a few friends try and convince me time and time again! All your eats look fabulous, thanks for sharing!!
I sometimes have to remind myself that I can’t fit EVERYTHING in at once. We’re trying to paln our wedding and I’m failing because there are just too many things to do!
Don’t I know it! Good luck with everything… it’ll ll get done. Always does. 🙂
You always have the BEST looking/sounding sweet and salty snacks. I think you are the queen of them 😉
#1, I completely love your outlook on life and your “destiny.” #2 your eats are what I aspire for mine to be, if I only took more time and dedication to plan. So….how does it feel to be a role model? hahaha. Also I love kabocha! Looks delicious, as always.
Awwww… thank you! I never thought anyone would call me a role model. LOL! Cheers!
I like your go with the flow attitude. Sometimes things don’t happen on the schedule we’d like them to. My trainer is my therapist too -LOL
I really needed this reminder today, so thank you for sharing!!!
I’m so glad! I needed to just get it out I guess. 🙂
Love the idea of pretzels in sweet things. I always love it when it is done for me in prepackaged foods, I don’t know why I never do it myself!
Thanks! It’s such an easy add – I anything sweet and salty.
I LOVE THIS!! I just had a version of this conversation with MY therapist (tennis coach*) this morning!! ours was more focused on the “let go and let God” theory, which I won’t get into now, but we touched on accountability and being in control of your own life and what happens in it!
so many different opinions out there, and I for one agree that *I* am in charge of much of it! the things that happen *to* me? I am in control of how I react.
*yes, even though I used to teach tennis, I have a tennis coach. 🙂
Amen to all of this!
And to the coach. Even coaches need a coach. It’s motivation and you can always find something to improve!
You have such a healthy, positive attitude, Laura — it’s what keeps me coming back to your blog! 🙂 That and your food that constantly makes me drool. You make yogurt and pancakes look like a sinful dessert, I love it! : ) I’m overdue for an iHerb haul .. I’m all out peanut flour – not okay!
Emily… thanks so much! Made me smile 🙂
My horoscopes are rarely correct, or even in the right ball park. I’m a Cusp baby and I think I have more in common with a different sign than the sign I am. So I rarely check my horoscopes either. We do create our own destiny and I believe that everything happens for a reason even if that reason is we are not making good choices LOL! Your trainer is right you’re going through a lot of changes don’t be too hard on yourself. The pieces will come into place, keep putting in the work.
I’m a cusp too! I think I’m a lot more like the sign that I’m not technically in. Thanks for the comment… definitely helps to hear so much reinforcement!
that’s why i love you! youre willingness to be real and change things in order to still LOVE life! OWN it! <3
Thanks brother! Life’s too short to make it all a struggle.
Haha! Good post! I am suffering a little bit from the same “disease” (being in love, just married, and wanting to spend all my time enjoying the fun aspects of life with my wife ). It is frustrating to me not to be 100 % focused on other things (hence the lack of motivation at the gym yesterday)….but I have decided it is okay, we are human, not robots. Real love/good relationships take time and nurturing, they take thought, time, and commitment. This takes a little bit away from our focus and discipline on other aspects of our life, but the way I think of it is that we are so fortunate to have true love in our lives to be able to divert our thoughts and actions to a place of beauty and bliss.
I would not worry about the weakness in focusing ability, you will always have focus because that is your personality, but do like I have…allow the beauty in your life and the amazing love you have found to take you away from the grind and discipline sometimes….and be happy finding a happy medium that you can live with. The way I see it….you will own both your marriage and everything else you commit yourself to…although maybe not instantaneously 🙂
The horoscope and Mercury….Can’t say I believe in all that. I think it is a way to allow people to excuse their behavior or to hope for something that isn’t coming. I say make your own reality, that is the best policy.
I do believe in serendipity though… 🙂
“we are human, not robots.” <--- amen to that! I need this on a post it at my desk.
Oh…I as far as “what I own” right now… it would be the strength I am finding to make the best decisions and compromises to ensure that I live a well balanced, happy life.
Ahhh I need to go with the flow more! I will try. Also, that sweet potato pancake looks AHMAZING. I make protein pancakes, but will have to give that one a try soon 🙂
Let me know if you do try it! Thanks!
I like your mindset! You have so many wonderful things going on in your life right now that there’s no rush to DO IT ALL. Like you said…you’ve got this!
Thanks Kaila! It’s time to just enjoy the ride. 🙂
Dinner with Vegas equals happiness and that trumps everything. Good for you.
I will take the FRS with vodka. Please.
That’s actually really good with emergen-C. Not that I would know… 😉
I like your mindset about life and the struggles that come with it. It’s true, life will always throw curveballs at us. But the one thing i remember that always ALWAYS keeps me grounded and reminds me of all the good their is in our lives is my family, my great friends, and my fiance. Those people are much more important.
I can’t find those Lundberg rice cakes you mentioned! It is sad…I think I saw them at Kroger before when I visited my fiance and stayed with him for a while?…I wish we had Krogers near where I currently live. Or Whole Foods.
Weird! they are everywhere here. This is what I buy: http://www.lundberg.com/product/organic-brown-rice-cake-salt-free/.
Your therapist err “trainer” is right 😛 You can’t and don’t have to do everything at once and I think you’re doing pretty damn good so take it easy and be proud of where you are now. 🙂 I’m sure you’ll do just fine and if not this competition, definitely the next one 🙂 You got this Laura! Take Care and enjoy the rest of your week! -Iva
I don’t know why I can’t comment on your blog… but happy belated!!!
Yeha I’ve had folks complain about that for weeks and it’s an issue with caching from what both Disqus customer support and my themes developer folks said. Try deleting the cache on your browser and see if that helps. Unfortunately, nothing else on my end I can do since I have a caching plugin in place and I can’t replicate those errors. 🙁 Sorry that you’re experiencing issues and thanks for the bday wishes! 🙂
I’m owning the start of my weight maintenance phase of my journey.
Good for you! And congrats!
I don’t read horoscopes, either! I think they’re baloney haha. I agree that YOU get to determine how things go in life (or at least how you react to them), not the sun/moon/stars. Also, as a newlywed, I will tell you that I got out of my groove with organization/exercising/healthy eating for a bit after getting married, but as time passed, I got back into the things I’m passionate about and got back onto the train. Enjoy this time and whatever you choose to do! You’re only a newlywed for so long… why not have fun! 🙂
Thanks Allie. That’s great advice. Let the new be new!
MIR can eat a dick. Oh I am sorry, too vulgar. Well I don’t give 2 shits.
Also, I am not sure it’s in Retrograde just yet… The best has yet to come 🙁
Watch your fucking mouth!
Horoscopes actually lead to a psychological effect called the Barnum Effect where we believe that a generalised statement (aka every statement for a horoscope) is individually tailored – thats basically why I am not big on astrology!
You should be control, not some planet alignment 😛
Love your eats this wednesday, especially the egg white scramble!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
YES! The same thing when you read psychology texts. I stay away!
Would love to try that FRS stuff! Seen it around and heard good things! And I love that concept of owning it – owning everything. Our nutrition choices, our movement choices, our attitude…I think you’re in the best spot right now b/c you’ve realized that and are taking responsibility. Love your trainer’s advice too! Cheers to you and Vegas – have a great weekend!
Oh yeah! With their backstory, you guys would especially would love it!!!
Thanks Bonnie!
How do you like the green collagen version vs the red gelatin can? Do you still get the same results with “movement” each morning?
It’s good as far as results, but it doesn’t “gel” as well. I prefer the red one just for that aspect.