My therapist told me when you turn 40, things change. It's when "No." becomes a sentence in itself and there's no need for further explanation. 

I didn't get it. I mean, I "got it" but didn't feel it until it really happened.

I started to stop myself from trying to convince other people around me that what I was doing was okay or that they should understand. 

I started to really see how much I was trying to defend my own decisions.

Why I parent the way I do.

Why I work out the way I do.

Why I am eating this and not that.

Why I choose to distance myself from certain things or take space when I need.

Why I really make sure a client and I are a good match instead of just taking her on "for the money".

The list goes on forever and so does the wasted energy....energy that I always feel like I need more of yet am just throwing it away.

So, what does that have to do with lifestyle transformation and weight loss?

A whole damn lot. Workouts and nutrition are a huge part of the...

I am a know it all and I don’t like to try new things…when it comes to myself. But the past year, my health taught me a lesson.

It’s not a secret that I am recently divorced and that entire process was less than enjoyable. It was stressful and it definitely took its toll on my body and mind, but I did a good job of making sure to prioritize self care. I did what I could.

About 10 months ago, I started to get dizzy spells, intense bouts of fatigue and my hair started to thin. I am hypoglycemic, but this was different. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was going on, so I reached out to my primary care physician who ordered bloodwork, which didn’t show anything crazy; just some blood sugar issues which we already knew.

My doctor and I chalked it up to hormonal issues and stress, but I followed my gut and continued to pay attention to what my body was telling me.

I already track my cycles and use my Oura ring stats, but I started...

I do this all the time….

You shouldn’t feel this.

You don’t have time to be like that.

You are stronger than that.

But I have changed one thing in the past year or so, and it’s been for the better….

I identify what it is.

Sadness?

Anger?

Frustration?

Guilt?

Overwhelm?

I say the word or I write it.

Yup, seems kinda silly, but I am identifying and acknowledging what is going on inside.

The Toni 15 years ago would have binged & purged a dozen times, to just make whatever that uncomfortable feeling was go away.

The Toni 10 years ago would have just gone to the gym for the 3rd time that day.

The Toni 5 years ago would have called someone to tell me what I was feeling and why I didn’t need to feel like that.

And today, I just want to know what it is…and if I have the bandwidth, I will get into the why, but just the acknnowledgment is the first step.

It’s almost like...

Yes, it’s a new year. 

Actually a new week also.

New day too.

And every day we get that opportunity.

Yet, somehow, we find a way to completely psych ourselves out. We convince ourselves that if it’s not perfect or what we expected, that we should just throw it all out.

Kind of like if you had $100, lost $10, and threw out the other $90?

See where I am going here??

And maybe this is something I need to hear too….I tend to get in my head when situations don’t live up to the hype I created.

I am human. So are you.

I am not a huge fan of New Year’s Resolutions, mostly because they tend to be general and kind of out there.

But I am a fan of goals. Notice I said goals and not expectations.

Maybe it’s time to start from the ground up.

What do I mean?

Stop starting from the expectation and working your way back…

Start from the goal that you want and BUILD UP.

As a...

It’s a blur. Thanksgiving to Christmas flies by…and forget about the week between Christmas and the New Year. No one even knows their name that week.

But that’s no reason to throw all the cards in the air, even though it’s so easy to do.

It’s like the perfect time to compile all of our fave excuses into one big holiday haze.
“I am busy.”
“I have so much to do.”
“It’s all just right in front of me!”
“I want to enjoy myself!”

Let’s reread all of the above. How is that any different than life?

Yeah…..it’s not.

The key to progress is consistency, with a whole of fun and flexibility sprinkled in.

Consistency doesn’t equal perfection.

Consistency is adopting healthy habits and patterns, putting them on repeat and still enjoying yourself!
Consistency is heading in the right direction even after a few bumps in the road or wrong turns.
Consistency is treating your body with respect.

So,...

My chocolate cravings have been off the charts....not sure if its hormonal, lockdown or some snow days....

Here is one of my go to recipes for some homemade protein bars!

Ingredients:

•2 cups Gluten Free Oats

•2 scoops @DevotionNutrition Chocolate (if you aren’t a total chocoholic then try the Vanilla.....this is my FAVORITE protein powder!)

•1/2 cup @EnjoyLife Chocolate Chips

•1/2 cup Almond Butter

•5 Pitted Medjool dates (hear me out!)

•1/2 cup unsweetened Shredded Coconut

•2 tbsp. Coconut oil

Grab an 8x8 baking dish and have it ready!

Directions:

1Place the dates into a small cup of hot water and let sit for about 10 minutes. Then purée with about 2 tbsp. of the hot water.

2Mix the date puree, almond butter, oats, protein powder, 1/2 of the coconut and 1/2 of the chocolate chips in a bowl then press into the dish evenly.

3Melt the remaining chocolate chips with the coconut oil in the microwave. (Do 15 seconds at a time until you get...