Inspiration to Annoying?

So, something has been on my mind for quite some time.  When I first started posting my workout pictures and videos to Facebook, I had so many people cheering me on and telling me what an inspiration I was. I continued to post, because that was the whole reasoning behind it.  I wanted to inspire others to get up and work out; even if it was just the exercise I posted, at least they were doing something.  I was (an am) always so thrilled to hear people tell me that seeing my video made them get up and do it themselves.  Fast forward a few weeks later, and I was told by people that my workout posts were annoying and was even told that I need to "get over" myself.  I let the haters get to me, and I stopped posting for awhile.  When I finally came back to reality and realized that other's opinions don't matter, I started posting again.

What gets me is that a lot of the same people that were once my biggest cheerleaders have now unfriended me on Facebook and/or unfollowed me on Instagram (yes, I know if you unfollow me, I have an app).  Yet those same people that are annoyed by my fitness posts are telling others how inspiring their posts are.  Now, with that said, these people they are cheering on are at the beginning of their fitness journey and have some weight to lose.  While I will never take away from their journey, and I will continue to cheer them on myself, I have to wonder what really makes someone an inspiration to others?

It seems like those that are overweight and are just starting off getting into a fitness routine are considered inspiring.  Those that are underweight and are working out to get healthy and build muscle are also considered inspiring.  But where does that leave those of us that never had a ton of weight to lose or to gain? Those of us that were unhappy with how we felt, so we took the steps needed to become healthy?  It seems like those people don't get credit for the hard work we put in, because in some people's eyes, we were never unhealthy to begin with.  They think we have it easy, maybe? I, for one, may not have looked extremely unhealthy, but I most definitely was.  I was 20 pounds heavier than I am now, lazy, and severely depressed.  I took control of my life over 8 years ago, and have been going strong since then.  I don't care how much you weigh when you start, if you are active and now living a healthy lifestyle, you are just as inspiring as the next person.

Not everyone has a big elaborate story as to why they work out, or why they want to eat healthy, etc. I am not one that is going to let other people's opinions stop me from being who I am today.  But not everyone is like that.  Don't discourage someone from being a healthier version of themselves, just because you're tired of seeing their fitness/health related posts.  If you don't want to encourage them, then next best thing to do is to skim over the posts and move on to the next thing.  Or better yet, try out what they're posting.  You may realize it isn't as easy as it looks, and it may encourage you do it more often.......

2006

2015

Burn This

Have you tried out the new App called Burn This?  If not, download it from the App Store on your Apple product!  It's a Pinstagram just for fitness, and I am proud to be an Ambassador :-)  While you're there, be sure to follow me (Stacey Beatty) and the #Beastmodebeautifuls.  We will be hosting a challenge at the end of this month!  You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Crazy Winter Runner

A lot of people think I'm crazy, because most of the time, I don't let the weather interfere with my runs.  I run in the rain (including downpours), I run in the snow, sleet, humidity, etc.  I don't always WANT to run, but I do it anyway.  Some days, I try to talk myself out of it.  Such as yesterday.  It was cold, windy (real feel 1 degree outside), and there was ice and snow on the sidewalk.  I told myself I could just do the elliptical or bike, and I'd be fine.  But I'm stubborn.  And I'm kind of crazy when it comes to routines.  It was my day to run.  Not my day for cross training.  So I forced myself to layer up (Under Armour cold gear tights, tank top, cold gear shirt, sweatshirt, headband, and gloves), and I decided to try out the Yaktrax my sweet husband got me for my birthday.

After about 10 minutes of trying to figure out how to put them on my shoes (user problem, not product problem), I headed out for my 4 mile run.

I was instantly in love with my Yaktrax!  I was afraid they would make me run weird and feel strange on my feet, but when I was running on the snow and ice, I felt like I was running just like any other day.  They didn't feel weird at all.  I slid around a couple of times, but not enough to even feel like I was going to fall.  But that was probably due to me not having the right one on correctly.  It slid up over my shoe a little and the coils were on the side of my shoe vs. the bottom like they should have been.  Again, user problem, not product problem.  I now know how to make sure they're adjusted like they should be, and I don't think I'll have any issues at all the next time.  The only time I slid around was when I was in slushy snow.  If I was running on ice or packed snow, I didn't slide at all.  I did have to make sure to find snow to run on in dry areas so I didn't damage the coils, though.

I never thought I would admit this, seeing as how I started my love of outside running when I lived in Hawaii, but I actually enjoy running in colder weather.  As long as I'm wearing the right clothes (not too much, not too little), cold weather runs always turn out to be the most enjoyable for me.  And it doesn't hurt that I feel like a bit of a bad ass for pushing through it and getting it done despite any obstacles that may arise ;-) I love the strange looks I get when I'm running outside in conditions that keep others indoors.

Happy running everyone!

Getting Started

Now is the time of year that a lot of people are considering making their New Years Resolutions.  One of the most popular is being active/going to the gym/losing weight.  So many people start January 1st only to give up by March 1st.  Don't be one of those people!  One of the things that keeps me moving on days that I don't feel like it are my Instagram Challenges.  If you do not have an Instagram account, I highly recommend signing up for one.  And when you do, here are some challenges that will keep you moving and inspire you to make it a habit instead of wanting to give up after just a few weeks:

• #sweataday - Follow @shauna_harrison and @UnderArmourWomen and prepare to get your sweat on daily!  Not only does Shauna come up with some amazing workouts, the #sweataday community will become like a second family to you.  And the chance to win some free Under Armour swag makes it even more exciting!

• #Beastmodebeautifuls - Follow @beastmodebeautifuls, @staceybeatty84, @kparker718, @mamarazza, @tara_lynnraz, @i2ampossible, @periodictabledancer, @klboyernc, and @mmdlhawk.  These ladies (which include me), were brought together by completing and winning a challenge through Under Armour Women.  Each month, the challenges are different.  Join in on the fun for your chance to win some great prizes!

• If you like yoga, or are wanting to start it, I highly recommend following @paigepodbelsek and @busybodyogi.  They host monthly challenges and are awesome at posting tips for beginners.  And again, having the chance to win prizes makes it even more motivating!  

• Another great way to win a prize and be inspired to move is to follow @movemorefitness. Each Wednesday, they do a post asking what type of workout you did that day.  All you have to do is reply to their post with what you did, or you could tag #MoveMoreFitness #WOW on your posts, and you could win a gift card!  

I have learned all of my yoga through Instagram. I have also learned so many great exercises from Shauna and some of the other Under Armour team.  If it weren't for these challenges, I know I wouldn't be where I am today.  Give it a try!  It may be just what you need to help make fitness a part of your daily routine even after the New Years Resolutions fizzle away. 

Spartan Race

Last year, I signed up for and completed my first Spartan Race.  It was amazing.  Hard as hell, but amazing.  I was scared to death from the moment I registered last December until my race on July 13th.  I didn't know what to expect.  I was afraid of jumping over fire, and climbing the rope, as well as climbing everything else, since I'm terrified of heights!  But it's funny, my nerves completely left the day of the race, and I just went and had a great time.  I swam through a lake, that normally would have terrified me, I tried every single obstacle and did every burpee for the ones that I failed. This upcoming year, I am planning to go for my trifecta.  And that scares the crap out of me.  I am not a long distance runner, so thinking about running 13+ miles on top of doing obstacles has me shaking.  In honor of the Blue Mountain PA Spartan Race opening up for registration for 2015, I thought I'd post my review of last years race:

In order to get to the start line, we had to climb over a wall. I was expecting the walls to be difficult, but they turned out to be pretty easy for me (there were several). We had to go over, under, and through some. 

The first part was all up the mountain. There were some steep parts that required ropes to assist you up. I was surprised how easy the climb was for me, since I don't run as many hills as I did in VA, and I haven't hiked up mountains since living in Hawaii. There were several times where we had to go down a portion of the mountain, then back up. 

There was a cargo net wall we had to climb up and over. At one point, we had to carry sandbags a good way down the mountain, then back up again. That was the first place you saw a lot of people struggling. I had to stop a couple of times for a few seconds going back up and shift the sandbag from one side to the other, or in front of me. 

The spear throw is where I had to do my first set of 30 burpees. The way the Spartan Race works, is you can choose to not do a challenge and do 30 burpees instead, or if you fail at a challenge, you have to do 30 burpees, even though you tried. I never threw a spear in my life, so not surprisingly, it was no where near the target. 

Right after that was an obstacle where you had to pull sandbags attached to a rope and touch the top of the pulley with the sandbag and then slowly guide it back down to the ground. I read that the girl's sandbags weighed 85 lbs. There was of course barbed wire that we had to crawl, roll under, as well as some water in the mix there to crawl through. Oh, and we were getting sprayed in the face with water while doing it. 

We had to walk/swim across a pond, going under tubes that were across the pond (up and down several times). There were metal monkey bars that were completely different than the monkey bars at the park. To me, I feel like they're not really fair to short people.  It seems impossible to be able to reach for each bar if you're my height.  Luckily Bart was allowed to help guide me there, as I didn't practice enough to try it on my own. 

Anyway, one of the worst parts for me was going down the mountain. I always hate going down, because of my fear of falling. I fell twice, once with my butt landing on a sharp rock. Ouch!  That hurt for days :-)  But we made it. 

The rope climb is where I am disappointed. I didn't have a rope to practice on, and I let my fear get in the way with this one. I tried, but chose to just stop and do burpees, because I didn't feel I had it in me to do it without falling. Right after that was a bucket carry. We had to fill a 10 gallon bucket with stones, then carry the bucket up and down a hill. This was the hardest challenge by far. You could literally only take a few steps before you had to stop and rest. Carrying the bucket on your shoulders was not allowed, and there was no handle. Downhill was much easier than up, then you had to lift the bucket up and dump the rocks at the end. I was most proud of myself here, because not once did I want to quit or cry. 

We then had to walk back up a portion of the mountain. The traverse wall is where I did my 3rd set of burpees. I tried, but didn't make it very far. Again, I've never even attempted this before, and nowhere to practice. There was a cargo net monkey bar obstacle over water that also forced me to do burpees. I tried and fell, getting a mouthful of water. It seemed like the majority of the people were falling there. There were several other obstacles, too, but these are the ones that are still on my mind. 

It took us awhile to finish, because Bart was dealing with some nasty leg cramps the entire time. It seemed like a lot of men were dealing with those cramps. Bottom line, the Spartan Race was amazing. I'm extremely proud of myself for facing my fears, and not letting the thought of quitting cross my mind even once. I am proud of trying every single obstacle, even though I was stressing over them for months prior. I find it funny that when it came time to race, I didn't even think about what was in front of me, I just did it. I am thrilled to have jumped over the fire to the finish line with my best friend, my husband, by my side. 

Getting that medal around my neck was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. This race was more of an emotional challenge for me than anything. I trained, I fought, and I did it. I am a Spartan. It was my first Spartan Race, but most definitely will not be my last.  AROO!

Diet? Eat Clean? What?

I think I may be the average fitness expert's worst nightmare.  I don't diet.  I don't eat clean.  I don't follow Paleo, I don't count macros.  I don't even know what it means to count macros.  I just eat. I am not a lover of vegetables, and I don't eat a lot of fruit (except for during the summer).  I eat for taste......I think about food when I'm running......and most of the time, I start my day off with a big chocolate chip pancake.  I'm a huge carb lover.  And I love me some pizza!

I've had an unhealthy relationship for as long as I can remember.  As a kid, we would go to the grocery store, unload the groceries, and I would just think about all the snacks we bought and have a hard time deciding where to start first.  Cookies?  Ice Cream?  Candy?  I still have that unhealthy obsession as an adult at times.  I go to the gym, and I think about what I'm going to eat later as I'm lifting weights.  I go for a run, and I think about my lunch or dinner that day, or the Java Chip Frappachino I may be getting from Starbucks later.

I personally don't agree with "dieting".  I can't say I've ever attempted to go on a diet, because I knew I would fail.  I may do well to start, but I know it wouldn't last.  However, all the fast food and sweets I was eating was keeping me from seeing the results I wanted to see from all of my hard work at the gym.  I couldn't figure out how I could work out so much, yet still have love handles, jiggly thighs, and a protruding belly.

I'm the type of person that if you tell me to do something (when it comes to my diet and exercise), I'm not going to do it until I'M ready to do it.  You can tell me that if you lift this way or do it this way, it will help you improve.  But until I decide on my terms that it's what is best for me, or that I even care to attempt it, I'm not going to listen.  That's one of my biggest downfalls in life. If I would have listened to my husband years ago, I would have started running sooner - "I can't run.  I burn just as much calories walking" - and I would have realized I could do pull-ups a lot sooner - "I'm never going to be strong enough to do a pull-up, so why even try?".  I am my own worst enemy.  I hold myself back at times.  But once I put my mind to something - watch out!

That's where I had to get to when it came to my diet.  I had to WANT to and be willing to make the change.  I had read articles about how bad soda is for you.  And how people lost so much weight just giving up soda alone.  I went years telling myself that I could never give it up, because it tasted so good with pizza, and tuna salad, and burgers and fries, and I drink one at the most a day, so it won't make that much of a difference if I give it up.  But one day, that switch flipped, and I slowly started cutting back.  I allowed myself 1 a week for awhile, and finally, I weaned down to none.  I can't tell you the last time I had a soda. I can tell you, though, that I lost some inches in my waist, and I have very little water retention (which was once a big issue for me).

Since I no longer drink soda, I have also seemed to have lost my love for fast food.  It just doesn't taste the same without that soda :-)  And that's ok with me.  Now, if the family convinces me to eat it, I just feel gross after doing so.  It's just not the same.  Of course, Chick-fil-a is the exception.  Ha ha.

I also decided I wanted to see what I could do to cut back on the fattening lunches I ate.  I'm extremely picky.  My daily lunches consisted of macaroni and cheese or frozen pizza.  I have never been able to just eat a salad and be satisfied.  I started replacing the macaroni and cheese and frozen pizza with scrambled eggs or a cheese omelette.  Again, after a few weeks, I started to notice a positive change in my body.

My biggest addiction is sweets.  I baked all the time, and of course, I ate what I baked.  It was bad - like, crying if we didn't have any sweets in the house kind of bad.  I knew it was an addiction, and I knew it wasn't a healthy one.  I needed to find some way to control the cravings and cut back.  I decided that instead of brownies, cake, or ice cream, I would allow myself to eat a few squares of Dove Dark Chocolate.  Within a couple of weeks, my sweet cravings were pretty much gone.  Don't get me wrong, I still get them - just not every single day. And I give in to them on occasion without feeling guilty.

Bottom line is, I have learned through my own personal experience that limiting myself to certain things, but not cutting them out completely works best for me (with the exception of soda - it tastes gross to me now).  I have noticed a tremendous change in my body since starting with cutting out soda, then taking other "baby steps" to improve my overall diet.  If I want cake, I eat cake.  But I don't allow myself to eat it every night like I used to.

I am still a work in progress.  I know that over time, I will continue to improve my eating habits. If you're interested in my advice, don't start a fad diet because someone said it worked for them. Guaranteed, they won't be able to stick with that diet for long, and when they stop, they will likely gain back any inches or weight that they gained.  When it comes down to it, it's all about making a lifestyle change.  Switch things out, or eliminate things one by one.  If you deprive yourself of everything at once, you will be less likely to stick with it.  I still eat pizza, french fries, burgers, pancakes, chocolate, etc.  But I do my best to make better food decisions than I have in the past.  And for now, that is working for me :-)

If you're looking for a fun challenge that will help you with your fitness, give you the chance to win some awesome prizes, and even donates to breast cancer research, please join myself and my fellow teammates, the #Beastmodebeautifuls in our #fallintoshape challenge on Instagram.

We're also having a bonus "OnFridaysWeWearPink challenge to support #teamMichele and #teamNicki, where you can win a $20 Bendactive gift card.

Also, during the month of October, if you purchase from Bendactive, use the code "beastmodebeautifuls", and they will automatically donate 20% of sales to Breast Cancer Research!

Do you have what it takes to be Beastmodebeautiful?  If so, make sure to follow all the hosts and sponsors on Instagram:

Hosts:

@staceybeatty84
@kparker718
@i2ampossible
@tara_lynnraz
@mmdlhawk
@klboyernc
@mamarazza
@periodictabledancer

Sponsors:

@bendactive
@movemorefitness
@flexitpink
@ruffleswithlove

Hope to see you join in!