Workouts! what I am doing!

One of my goals for this year was to step outside of my comfort zone when it came to working out. Now I wont be doing classes at a gym cause that is not my thing. I like to be at home or on a treadmill!

But I decided to do a dance program because this is out of my realm of stuff I like to do when it comes to fitness. And I don't Zumba!

Why not a class? When at the gym or a studio I feel completely anxious around people. I think the last time I tried Zumba I had a panic attack. It's not easy for me to be in a group setting.

So when the opportunity to try a new program from my favorite trainer came about I jumped on it for this new year! So I chose to Cize it Up with ShaunT!!!!

It is so much fun and I am sweating I think more than T25 here!! I love it!! For the first time Exercise is fun! Don't get me wrong I love walking, But this is fun and doesn't feel like a workout until I wake up the next day!! 

If you want to Cize it up with me click here!!

I am also still walking to ease my back pain. I am just going REALLY SLOW!!

What I am Loving about this program is how it is broken down! you get the dvd's and a get started guide. But you also get a food and nutrition guide, and a eating out guide!! Plus you get the calader above in the picture which will help you know what workout to do and it is two sided with an advanced calendar for the second 6 weeks! Plus If you want accountability you get a FREE coach! (me!)

Anywho ...... That is all I have for you today!!!!! XOXO
                                                                                      ~Erin~

Friday...... Mind Games

Well folks we just completed week one of our new workout. And I got to thinking about how this is all really a mind game. Losing weight.

I will get into the details of the workout on Wednesday. But this program is about constantly battling your mind. So in weight loss in general we are always fighting the urge of should I eat this or that and do I really want to workout.

I love the saying "losing weight is hard, being overweight is hard, maintaining is hard, so choose your hard"

For me the working out isn't the tough part it is the nutrition. I use food to cope. When I was a kid it started with a coke, anytime parents would fight or I would fight or feel sad I reached for it. Now as an adult I reach for any kind of food.

As many times as it clicks that I have the power not to eat or binge and that I want to be healthy and honor my mom, it seems like the mind and food wins.

But the cool thing is every minute is a chance to get it right and everyday when you wake up you get a clean slate. So here is to mind over matter today!!!

XOXO Erin

Thoughts on a Thursday!

We all have this great power within us to change our world and help others. But some people choose not to live up to its full potential. Well today I will make this blog short.

Don't settle for a DAMN thing in your life. Start living your dream right now where you are. Prosper where you are planted, and the rest will fall in to place. Today on my workout the trainer kept saying use the power within you and you can achieve your greatest potential.

For me I am digging deep on this. Marinating if you will. I have dreams about using my god given talent of not shutting up and speaking loudly. In high school I was in debate and I loved it! It gave me such a rush to be so passionate about my case. I never really thought about using that love in my life today. But I think it's time to use MY voice to change or inspire others!!!

But that raises the question of how do I do it?? Well my first goal is to be able to speak at an event for my business. I was invited to share my story on July 25. And I finally said yes. My job is to inspire people and what a better time than now!! After that I plan on running weekly fitness events to help spread good into my world!

   

One year older : New Bucket List for 31

So much has happened that made 30 a wonderful age for me. But as I turn another year older that means a new Bucket list for my 31st year in life!!!


31 things for 31 years

1) Complete my new workout (InsanityMax30)
2) Get in to the best shape possible
3) Anniversary Photos
4) Pinup Photo shoot
5) Travel to New Mexico (Santa Fe)
6) Arizona
7) Go on a hot air balloon ride
8) Have a bad ass Halloween costume
9) Start our Xmas card series
10) Take Archery lessons to become better
11) Help 50 people change their Lives in health and fitness
12) become a 2 star diamond coach
13) Speak at an event about my weight loss
14) Attend my first summit with Beachbody
15) find a mentor
16) Grow emotionally
17) volunteer for the diabetes association
18) Become certified to teach a workout class
19) Start a fit club
20) Drive down parts of route 66
21) Pop's on Route 66
22) Fit in to my goal dress
23) Go on hikes
24) do a 5K
25) Go to more concerts
26) Save for Harry Potter World
27) More DYI projects
28) visit more antique shops
29) go without electronics for one weekend
30) Travel to the Four Corners
31) pay down debt

Mental Maonday : Why getting fit and healthy matters

I am always open with who I am and where I am on my journey of overall health. From mental health to my weight loss journey. So I wanted to dive into why getting fit and healthy matters.

We have a growing epidemic in our world today. Obesity and diabetes are far to common, as is mental health issues associated with them. I want to focus on that today. Many of you may know my story of losing my mother to complications of diabetes. But something I don't talk about mainly because I am in a state of denial is how close I am to becoming diabetic as well. That is why 7 days a week I am moving my ass. Because my life is destined for greater things, like helping others.

One thing I have found on my weight loss journey is the mind blowing discoveries with mental health and diabetes. For me the stat that 5 out of 10 people who suffer from bipolar disorder will develop diabetes. This is due to many things. First medication and weight gain. Second emotional eating. In a way this, and this is my opinion,  that this too is a way of slowly commenting suicide. We give up, I know I did for the longest time. I said things like well I've gained 30 pounds so what is another 30 going to do?? I used it as an excuse for the longest time. 

But this is one reason it is so important that we get healthy on all levels. I watched my mom become depressed in her life, with taking her insulin and her medications, losing her leg and eventually the realization that life was ending. In watching that I changed. I didn't want that for myself or anyone else. So I took action my first Christmas without my mom I saw a photo of myself and was shocked at how much I weighed. So I took action. And weighing in at 220 I slowly started to lose until I had lost 20 pounds. And then I weighed in the low 180's then after a bout with some depression I came back to the high 190's which is currently where I am now. 

I am focused more than ever on myself, because what I found was that I FELT so much better working out and eating healthy. My moods Improved, mainly because my blood sugar was under control and I was eating according to my disorder. More protein, more whole foods. and no soda. 

The photo on the left is the photo that started this journey.

So what does anybody have to lose besides pounds when starting a weight loss journey? Well I have a story about that.

I am an online fitness coach and a client of mine who I was helping through a 21 day program lost 15 pounds in her 21 day's and got to throw out some of her diabetes medication. In 2 rounds of the program she lost a total of 35 pounds and is the healthiest she has ever been. 

Everyone in this world deserves a chance to throw out medications, to lose that weight! EVERYONE!

To learn more about starting your own weight loss journey you can visit my site here and sign up to learn more about how my company works to help you get fit!

XOXO Erin!!!!!

   

Mental Monday: Sore Subject Weight loss and MY Meds.

I have touched on this before but today is different. I have been working so hard, and after Abilify I am stuck. Not only is my left leg swelling from it, but my weight has gone up. Why?

The last time I was on Ablify my weight went up (30 pounds) but my mood was amazing. It is such a double edged sword with Bipolar medications. So what do we do??

First I recommend getting a physical. When I did some things became very clear. So this week here is what I am going to try.

1) lots of protein (chicken, turkey)
2) Increase my water consumption
3) no non natural sugar (fruits and veggies only)
4) Limit my carbs (bread)
5) 30 EXTRA minutes of activity. (going on a walk with my hubby)

That's it folks. I won't let the medications determine my physical health.

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday

                                 

Battle Scars Part 2

So after assessing myself after my cleanse it is apparent that my journey is going to be very long. I have talked about medications and weight gain and weight loss here before. The medications I take for my bipolar make me crave carbs. And the truth is I let  the meds win. I chose to eat the things that I have eaten. And it sucks..

Food, pasta really, is my down fall. I have the relationship with food that is based on comfort. I am struggling with the realization that food is fuel, cause dammit food tastes good! 

One of my biggest downfalls is soda. I always seem to come back to it no matter how long I have been away from it. 

I don't have any magic pill, I now just have my passion of becoming a healthier version of myself. That's also why I coach. It holds me accountable. When you are a part of someone else's journey it really makes you look at yourself! 

Every day I wake up and try harder than the day before, that's how I am choosing to learn from these battle scars.

Here is another realization I found this photo the other day

This girl in this photo, she hated herself, thought she was fat. And wanted the perfect body. She also thought she could eat pasta EVERYDAY. Cut to 11 years later and she is working on the "perfect" body. But she realized that NO BODY is perfect. And the reason she works out now? Purely for her health!

Yes I know that I was skinny, in hindsight, but back then that is how I felt.

This is me today and I do have a ways to go bad god willing I am going to get there!

So here are my goals for April

1) 10 pounds

2) Watch my portions

3) Drink a gallon of water a day

4) No cheat meals until my Birthday

5) Working out 6-7 times a week

6) FACE the day i.e. look pretty 

Focusing On Me

This journey I have been on has had so many ups and downs and curve balls. Each time I've told myself this is different a new start, and then I fail. I let the scale determine my success and failures.
When it got hard I just quit.

So what is going to change this time? Me. Plain and simple.

I am not using the scale except for this Friday and next Monday, to show my results from my cleanse. But after that it isn't a tool in my house to determine my worth.

Also this time I feel I owe it to myself to do it. I owe it to my mom and my health.

Loss is a tough pill to swallow and now I am choosing to move forward and no longer let the grief control me or my health. My mother wouldn't have wanted that.

So I am choosing to live again. To feel connected again. To let the bipolar disorder not dictate what my life is. I am choosing to become more spiritual, and not caring what that looks like to others, even the one's who know me and think it is out of character for me. I am finally choosing to find peace.

So how am I going to judge my health progress?

From now until my birth day (34 days) I am eating clean, working out EVERYDAY, and blogging about my progress/struggles. This wont be easy but I got this.

Also at the beginning of the month I will take a before photo and then an after at the end. I will use clothing that right now I need cooking spray or butter to fit into. (mmmm...)

So lets do this!

Mental Monday: Battle Scars Part 1

Most of us, even without a mental illness, carry battle scars, past transgressions. In some cases we even wear them as a badge of honor or pride. But for me that ends now.

For to long I have let the one thing dictate my future and my present. And frankly I tired of lugging it around. Its time to let the past go. Including my scars.

The truth is if it doesn't bring you joy or peace then let it go. So here is to my first Battle Scar. Bitterness.

I carried this anger when I was diagnosed. I was bitter and just pissed. I ate my feelings. I stewed in my pain of watching people I loved go through terrible things. And when the dust settled I became hardened. I wasn't the best version of my self. I became reclusive, I hid from hanging out with people I ran from the responsibilities of friendship and family.

So today I am letting go of those things. How? It is different for every person. I like to write and walk to let things go, and that is what I did. So each Monday for a few weeks I am dedicating my mental Mondays to letting go of my battle scars.

Today I let go of  my hurt of past relationships that rocked me to my core. I let go of the anger of being hurt by people I trusted. I forgive them and their behavior and I forgive myself. I am letting go of the trust that was lost in the hopes that one day I can have that level of friendship with people again.

Workout Wednesday: Toxins

Ok so what do you do when you want to detoxify your body, maybe after a binge, or you want to kick start weight loss? First I am not a doctor! These are some simple things I do that help me!

1) Start by eliminating things that come from a box, or can, including pop!


2) Water. I try to drink a gallon a day. And I do most after waking up. It helps your organs to energize

3) I take a vitamin C every morning, along with drinking a healthy shake that comes loaded with dense nutrition.

4) Exercise. Sweat releases the toxins in your body!!!!!

5) I also when I feel low on energy and need to feel better do hydrotherapy with my shower.

Another thing myself And family are doing is a 3 day cleanse. If you are interested in that please let me know and I will gladly talk to you about it! So stay tuned for those results!!! Click here to learn more!!!

Email ~ dowellfitness2011@gmail.com

Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/DowellFitness2014

www.beachbodycoach.com/EDOWELL2011

Friday Favorites

I love Friday's!! Because I get to share with you my favorite things!!
First up my Erin Condren calendars and notebook!!!! you can look at the selection here
I have one to plan out for the week and one for my business. The week desk planner is AHmazing!

Next my shoe cabinets from IKEA! Love but I Need more. they hold 6 pairs each, I push that though. its more like 7 or 8 pairs!

 Next is my headboard from Overstock.com I LOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVEEEE it!

 Then there are some of my finds from Canton Trade days in Texas and my dream boards!!! And what room of mine is complete with out some Pinup. 

 Lastly is my Pan Am Bag I got from Mod cloth It is large enough to carry all my work stuff and always gets a "where did you get that?'' comment.

Workout Wednesday: Pike ups!

So let me tell a story. 

When I started my T25 journey I never ever thought I could do one of these. But now I can! 

Start in plank position. 

Then into downward dog

Stay in downward dog for each rep.

(The basis of this move is to act like some one is pulling your core up with a string.)

Next move, Keep your core tight and hop up then back, That is one rep.

Are you ready to take it to the next level? Are you ready to commit? Click here!

progress video T25

XOXO Erin!

Mental Monday: Choices

Happiness is a choice......

I remember my first therapist telling me those words, and how angry I was at them and her for that matter. With all the things that were going on in my life at the time, which I obviously in formed her, that was not a concept I could grasp. At this stage I had not been tested for Bipolar, and was being treated for depression. How could a person who just went through emotional hell chose happiness?

I remember fuming about that comment after I sought treatment from a new therapist, and they told me the same thing. But did something different, I saw someone who helped diagnose me. That day was two things, devastating and full circle.

Lets start with the devastating. I don't know about anyone else, but this is my journey, and every person is different. Having a REAL diagnoses made me feel like I was the Something wrong in my life, and that everything going on was my fault. I became a very angry and very depressive.

A little description of how it feels, for me, to be going through that state. When I am angry and depressive I admit it now, I am out to hurt people, so they can feel pain the way I do. But that is the depression. The real me is trapped and sees the destruction and is screaming, that's not me, I am over here.

I hesitated for a very long time on seeing the specialist again. But when the medications weren't working and I was desperate I went back. Ended up hospitalized, got the shit scared out of me and was released 24 hours later because I couldn't be there, and the realization that others are going through the same just without a support system, I knew what I had to do.  

So what was the full circle? It was a normal day and I went to an appointment, she started reading off somethings that made sense. I never really fit in, in school, work, and sometimes with my family. I had bad mood-swings as a child and teenager. I mainly liked to be alone. Everything made sense. And as I was leaving the Dr. told me Erin, just remember Happiness is a choice. I turned around and asked "what does everyone mean by that? I am mentally ill, I am bipolar. She made me go back in to her office, sat me down and said this.

"You are not Bipolar, You are Erin, and you have Bipolar disorder. You are not your illness.  So just Be You. Choose to be as happy as you can be. Just Be You."

And that is where MY life changed. I took my medication regularly, I mood charted, and worked hard to do as she said "Be You"

All to often this is seen in our communities, people who sadly chose to be their illness, because they don't have the tools to know what others know, they are not the illness.

To Anyone who stops by just remember
1) Happiness Is a choice
2) You are not your illness'
And my favorite
3) Be You




That's where I leave you this Monday. If you are interested in my 30 day mood charting support group head over to my Contact me page!  or leave a comment below.

Red Lipstick and Self-confidence

Everyday we get the chance to find out who we are. But what if you don't know what to look for? How do You become confidant?

Here is a break down of what I'm doing right now.

1) Finding My Passion

2) Positive Self Talk

3) Working Out

4) Giving Back

5) Finding My Routine

6) RED LIPSTICK

7) Learning Something New Everyday

8) Applying What I Learned To My life

9) Change My Perspective 

10) Spread The Wealth! 

So Obviously this post is about my favorite obsessions in the universe! But stick with me here, I know that not every person is going to wear red lipstick. So let me explain, so you can find something that is your red lipstick.

I haven't always loved red lipstick, as a child it was always associated with clowns. But I found something I love, and that is the pinup culture, and man do they wear the red lipstick!!! I started following many bloggers and models and I learned a something, any one can wear it! Off to Sephora I went. 

I was excited and petrified at the same time! But let me tell you how it makes me feel. I felt like wonder woman, seeing it on I felt like a badass. I didn't care what others thought because I don't need anyones approval to feel good! I walk a little taller, and with a purpose. It was life changing! on a side note red hair makes me feel alomst the same way!

So I want you to find your red lipstick! it can be anything you want it to be cause it is your self-confidence we are talking about! From baking to Blogging Pinup to Steampunk what ever it is own it and relish in it everyday! 

If you missed the first 5 posts of this series you can find them here