Final Thoughts

what an amazing challenge this has been!!! I am so excited for all of the new friends I have made and even more excited for the successes that have been shared on our Facebook page.  There are many of you that struggled but still gave it all you have and you also share in the success because you never gave up!!!!  

Throughout both challenges I have been trying to learn as much as I can as fast as I can about health, success, happiness, all things vibrant :)   I wanted to share with you one of the best lessons that I have learned this time around. It comes from Bishop T.D Jakes' book "Instinct."

In this life there are turtles and there are giraffes.  A giraffe is tall and finds his food high in the trees.  A turtle finds his food on the ground and while he is not wrong his view of the world is different than the giraffes. The Giraffe see much much more, they have a higher vision for themselves because the turtles head is low to the ground.  The turtle can't reach the heights of the giraffe and if the giraffe bends down and lowers his vision to that of the turtle all of the blood rushes to his head and he passes out.

   Be The Giraffe!!!!

"When you are built to be tall you will endanger your position if you lower your perspective."

We have all had turtle moments when our vision for ourselves has been low and we have been stuck not knowing a different reality.  I hope that this challenge has at least shown you that you are capable of standing higher.  I hope that your successes no matter how big or small in the last 30 days will raise your necks to see a greater vision for yourselves.  

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for being here and for helping me to catch the vision!!!
I hope to see you all in our New Years 30 day challenge

Live Vibrant
Stace

Progress Pics:Bo

Bo is a positive person, he is happy and fun to be around.  That being said... I can see a change happening!!  Bo joined the 30 day challenge and made a goal to dedicate himself to a lifestyle change and in a few short weeks he is beaming.  You can tell by this picture that he is accomplishing things that make him proud and feel good!!  Accomplishing something small, such as logging your food or getting in your steps, helps you catch that success bug that catapults you to achieving another goal, and then another, and another, and another!!! Congrats Bo even in a picture we can see you have caught that success bug!!! You're looking GOOD!

Everyday we wake up and have a choice, we can wake up and go out and conquer the day and everything that comes with it, or we can let it defeat us and beat us down until we quit or break. That being said I congratulate you on creating your lifestyle on this 30 day health challenge, we are past half way. This is where most people leave us, Or this is where people show their true selves, dig deep and get out there and kill it. For me it has almost become to easy. 10000 steps has become second nature to a degree, eating healthy isn’t a choice anymore its just a way of life. I personally challenge everyone reading this to evaluate your goals. Not to say they are bad or easy. But you have changed, you have gotten better and progressed, so generally your goals need to advance with you “if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you” Also without changing and advancing your goals you will hit a plateau. Plateaus are dangerous places to be. For me the scale has stopped moving. However, I can do 15 pull ups now, I can do 15 dips with a 25# weight on my waist, I can curl more, bench more, my cardio is way higher than it has been in years, my energy is through the roof, and I feel overall great. So we cant base all our success on a number on a scale. Keep doing what you are doing. Keep driving one step at a time, change your goals and advance to success. Create a LIFESTYLE not a Daystyle or a monthstyle. Habits are created in 21 days, we all have 21 days in us. There will be some days that we mess up a little, all is not lost. I see this as a learning experience. Learn and grow it’s the only way to change. 

I was asked to put up a few progress pics. They aren’t my greatest results, but its only been a week, and I have many, many more weeks to keep getting better.

     

One of my personal goals is to meditate everyday. I am keeping a log of thoughts during meditation also. There  are so many great studies on meditation. Getting to know yourself and getting in touch with your inner self is so important. Mental toughness will pull you through any obstacle in your life, and meditation is one way to create mental toughness. I challenge you all to put this into your lives. I have just started but I feel it already to be so peaceful, and such a good time to get to know myself.  We spend so much time with other people, we try to impress them, be like them, etc. Why no impress yourself, why not share your own thoughts with yourself. Who knows you better than you know you? To that I would say your brain. But we rarely listen to it cause we are so caught up in everyday life.  Take time, get to know YOU. I love the name of this challenge, it is a HEALTH challenge. It is challenging us to create overall health. Not just physical, but mental as well. I promise meditation will change your life and getting to know you will make you realize how strong you really are. Friends, go out there and be better each day, make better choices each minute and create a better you. Go out and #ownyourlife.

Recipe Tips:Green Smoothie

I am sooo excited about this recipe because this is a great way to help us raise our scan scores.  For those of you that have not been scanned yet please send me a message!!  Its so important.  Try freezing this or other fruits and veggies like this for quick use!  Remember food is a powerful medicine
Live Vibrant!!
Stace

Green Smoothie Cubes

2 cups fresh spinach

2 cups kale leaves

1 cup water

Mix all ingredients into blender until well blended. Poor into ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen put into freezer zip bag for easy use

Motivation: Jonny Johnson

Well at least keep moving until you hit your 10,00 steps anyway lol

Thank you to the AMAZING Jonny Johnson for this motivational video that he sent for me to post last Monday.  Unfortunately as a blogger I struggle :)  So now you get it today.  For those of you that dont know Jonny he is awesome and a great support to our challenge.  You can go back through the blog and view the other videos that he has sent us.  He is definitely one of those people you will want to surround yourself with to "raise your average" lol.   

Fit Tips: Lindsey Rust

Thanks again to Lindsey for helping us out with more Fit Tips.  I love this post because there are so many of us that are sooo short on time.  These are quick easy ideas to pack in a few fitness moves in a small amount of time.  The challenge is about baby steps and this is doable for all of us!!!

You can use bands for many different exercises. They are a great item to take with your while traveling or tuck away in a draw at home for easy access. If you do not have one they are fairly cheap and can be bought at almost any sporting goods store. Today I will be showing you 4 exercises using the band that will help tone and lift your butt.

• Focus on a slow pace (2 seconds up/ 1 seconds hold/ 2 seconds down) 
• 15 reps each side
• repeat all 4 sets 2-3 times

Lateral Leg Extensions

Hip Lifts

Donkey Kicks

Kick Butt Extensions

Live Vibrant: Kathy Paul

Okay you guys I am so excited to post this segment because this lady is a true inspiration.  When I told my mom that I was getting lots of emails about doing a second 30 day health challenge she lit up and told me I had to meet Kathy.   Her story gives me chills.  She works soo hard to be exact with  her diet and exercise and has logged into myfitnessapal for more than 610 consecutive days!!  Not only is she logging but I see that she is cheering others on in their health journey as well.   I am so glad that Kathy and I have become friends!  She inspires me and shows me that there is NO reason that I can not accomplish anything I put my mind to.  Thank you for living vibrant.  This girl truly can do hard things!!

My story of success on myfitnesspal began on Feb. 11, 2013 (exactly 13 years from the time I was paralyzed with a spinal cord injury).  My weight was 370lbs. and I was 61 years old.  My metabolism was slow even before the car accident causing my paralysis, so the idea that I could actually reach my goal one day was overwhelming.  My son (Glenn) and his wife (Christina) provided all my food (fresh and pre-measured) for the first three months, as well as, downloading MFP and helping me set goals for success.  Having spent so much time sick and in the hospital, I was motivated by my faith in a blessing I received, which stated that if I lived my nutrition program with exactness, I would have no illness or injury.  I began one meal, one snack, and one day at a time.  Because of the difficulty of being taken to the hospital to be weighed in my wheelchair, I have only weighed-in approximately every 10 weeks.  As of my last weigh-in on July 25, 2014, I had lost over 85 lbs. (an average of about one pound per week).  Now, having just passed my 600th day, I have never exceeded my 1,300 calorie goal; I have had no treats and no greasy fried food; I have stayed within my percentage goals on carbs.,fats, and proteins.  I am so very happy to say that I have had no illness or injury, and I take no medication (which is a miracle to all of the health care professionals who work with me).  I realize I still have a long road ahead of me, but the support I've had from family and friends has been incredible and inspiring for me!  I wanted to join the 30-day challenge to help me set higher goals in my exercise routine, and to change a bad habit I have developed of saving 200-300 calories to eat after 10:00 PM at night.  Thank you for sharing all your doing as it makes me feel like I am not just isolated in this room, but a part of something wonderful

Recipe Rescue: 7 Days of Flavored Water

Thank you so MUCH to Autumn for this amazing blog post!!  More water is the most common personal goal that I see from you guys.   Happy Drinking :)

7 Days Of Flavored Water

I know it can be really hard to get the amount of water we need everyday, especially if we are used to drinking flavored drinks. I have come up with 7 days of flavored water to help you get the water you need without having to sacrifice flavor. All of these recipes can be prepared first thing in the morning so you can store, poor, and go. A little stevia can be added if you need a little bit of sweet.

#1 Cucumber Mint Water

1 gallon water

1 small bunch of mint leaves

1 cucumber sliced

#2 Strawberry Basil Water

1 gallon water

1 cup sliced strawberries

1 small bunch basil leaves

#3 Lemon Berry Water

1 gallon water

1 cup frozen berries

1 lemon sliced

#4 Cherry Lime Water
1 gallon water
1 cup frozen cherries
1-2 limes sliced

#5 Mint Lemon Water

1 gallon water

1 lemon sliced

1 small bunch mint leaves

#6 Citrus Water
1 gallon water
1/2 large orange sliced
1 lemon sliced
1-2 limes sliced

 

#7 Strawberry Lemon Water
1 gallon water
1 cup sliced strawberries
1 lemon sliced