Motivation Monday: Stuck in a (Career) Rut?

How many days have you been stuck in your cubicle at work, watching the clock tick and realizing that 5 minutes has seemed like an eternity?

Don't be stuck in that position any longer - you owe it to you! But before you get up and out, you must consider 3 Important Things:

1. I don't want to be here, but do I know where I want to be? Just because you are unhappy with your current position and/or company, doesn't mean you really know what you would rather be doing. If you know that where you are at currently is just not it, perhaps this list of 15 things might "Ignite the Spark."
2. Why the clock ticks slowly. Have you thought about why you feel like your position is dead end? Is it lacking challenge for you? Does the subject matter bore you? Are you in an environment that doesn't fit your personality? Make sure you understand that.
3. Financial. Does your current position financially satisfy you? If you didn't have that income and/or benefits, would you be okay? Do you have enough saved if you left today with nothing else lined up?

If, after taking in those 3 things you are confident in moving up, on and out, perhaps you've reached the end of (that) road. 

And in that case, I say - Carry On!

CHEERS!

Motivation Monday

Since my Blog has grown and I have found that there are so many things to discuss and provide, I will be moving forward with more "themed" days. 

Mondays will be, "Motivation Monday." We could all use that extra push on Mondays (along with that extra coffee)!

One of my most favorite motivational quotes belongs to Jim Rohn, who says, "Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."

Motivation comes from within, but is typically driven by or sustained by an outside force (person, thought, action, etc.). What is motivating for one person, will not necessarily be motivating for the next. Some are motivated by a need, others by a want. 

What's important is that you find your motivation. If you don't have any - get some. Without it, you won't form a habit and without a positive habit in place, you likely will not form positive change.

When it comes to your health, fitness and overall vibrant lifestyle - think about my 3 thoughts/questions to find your own motivation: 

• What do you want to accomplish? Set the goal, write it down and have it in your view. You'll be more likely to stay motivated.
• What will the outcome of goal achievement mean for you? (Weight loss, vibrancy, healthier, happier, fitter, etc?) Use motivation as your bridge to that place.
• Just do it. Stop being lazy.

And back to Mr. Rohn, "Motivation is what gets you started....." So what are you waiting for? Get started today - after all, remember last weekend when you said, "Starting on Monday.....?!?"

Stay tuned for next Monday when I'll give you my ways to beat your exercise boredom!

One Month Gluten-Free Anniversary

Happy One Month Gluten-Free Anniversary to me! 

Time flies when you're busy focusing! I remember how miserable I was just one month ago!

Here is my "Food List" to date! If you would like me to email you this Excel Sheet so you can track your own, please let me know, and I would be happy to share with you!

As I mentioned yesterday, Gluten Free is the (only) way for Me! It leaves me smiling, happy and healthy!

My brother JJ & I at the County Fair on Friday night! Blurry? Yes. Why? Because JJ's friend Matt was having issues at midnight getting it right:)

CHEERS! (And here's to month 2 of new discoveries, health, fitness & vibrance - all Gluten Free!)

Gluten Free, the (only) way for Me

I am making an absolute, 100% commitment to ME to be completely Gluten Free. Here's how/why I've come to this conclusion.

How

I see my 20-40 feet of intestines as an "upper" and "lower" half, which they are. This is why doctors do Endoscopy and Colonoscopy. Endoscopy for upper and Colonoscopy for lower. I have problems in both. The difference is that my prior doctor only discussed my lower problems and told me to cure with medications and that I could still eat whatever I wanted and my new doctor has first focused on my upper problems and is helping me (mostly) via food recommendations.

So the new doctor has found a lot of inflammation in my stomach and esophagus so far. And he knows that I get severely bloated and distended. He also knows that me off gluten makes my upper problems disappear. Thus, the first thing he suggested - adios wheat/gluten!

I am confident that the wheat/gluten is the 100% cause for my upper digestive problems. As for the lower, I am still working on this. I am headed in the right direction, but (the lower) is not to the place I want it to be. 

Why

If the "how" didn't explain enough of the "why," then perhaps you've never felt even a slight bloat in your life and you just simply can't relate. Be Thankful!

There is not a day that goes by when I am "upper-bloat" free that I don't thank God! So many times lately I've been having these "mental blocks" where I feel like any moment I may bloat up again. My brain is remembering the past several years of constant discomfort. It's almost like some post-traumatic stress, and I clearly need to reverse those thoughts.

The only way I know how to take care of those lingering issues is to make a pact with myself to be completely, 100% Gluten Free because each day I'm not faced with an "episode" is yet another day of building confidence.  

Will this be easy? No! Will I cry sometimes, as I already have? Sure! Will I want to re-think this pact? Most definitely! But will doing this make all the difference in my life? Absolutely!

iRelate

Yesterday I was in Chicago meeting with a company. My last meeting there was with the Division CMO. We began talking about me, my background and social media in general. After awhile he said to me, "Do you have a Blog?" I responded, "Yes, actually two. One that's primarily marketing and social media-focused, and the other health/fitness/food-focused." It was the latter that sparked his interest. He wanted to know more, so I told him briefly how it was "born" and why I'm so passionate about it today.

He then said, "My 14 year old son has Crohns. He is gluten free, too." And then instantly, I think we could have talked all day on the topic about frustrations, food choices, "discoveries" and so much more (especially because they have treated it to the degree I have - via food - or the lack thereof certain foods - smart people!)

After speaking with him, it made me realize even more how important this Blog is to me. This is not just a "Blah, blah blog" to me! Not only are there people like me out there, but there are more than I could even imagine. They are people just like me, fighting their own battles. And they are not just adults, they are children, too. His son is 14, and the little girl at my cousin's daycare is just 3 (with Celiac). I complain, cry and get negative from time-to-time about all this, but younger kids and children are the ones who really don't understand why they are the way they are. It's an ongoing daily struggle, but what I hope and pray this Blog does is truly reaches out to even one person in the form of motivation, help, advice or just a place to come to say....I read Confessions, Truths & the Journey of a (Mis)Fortunate Fitness-Foodie Junkie because, "iRelate."

CHEERS!

(ps. I am dabbling into the idea of "moving" this blog & transforming it into something bigger. It won't happen overnight because I'll have a lot of work cut out for me, but I'm extremely excited and I think it will provide even more value to all who stumble across it! If you have thoughts/ideas/suggestions/needs/wants from this Blog, please feel free to email me, tweet at me @sarahkayhoffman or leave a comment here.) 

Courage is Grown in the Doing

I heard Paul Coughlin speak. He said, "Courage is Grown in the Doing."

His application was different than mine, and probably different than how you are imagining this now. Take it for what it's worth to YOU!

The first thing I think of is the Nike Courage Commercial.



The second thing I think of is the "softer" side of Courage through the "Courage is..." song and slideshow.

And then I think of how much the both resonate with me - and how I've applied "Courage is Grown in the Doing" to my own life:

• I am courageous each and every time I choose "my food" over the food I actually want. 
• I am courageous when I put my "I can do this" hat on and get the toughest of my workouts in. (Note: Today was one of those days - Legs at 7 sets, final in this series!)
• I am courageous when I take chances to further my professional "self."
• I am courageous when I don't allow "negative" people, thoughts or influences shape the person I am and working so hard to be.
• I am courageous when dessert comes out and I say, "No thank you - I'll just have some Coconut Butter or Watermelon." (Side Note: NOT because I'm on a diet or wanting to be difficult, which is also part of me being "courageous" and not worrying what other people think.)

I am courageous in many ways. But what's important in that whole phrase is the part that comes after "Courage." "...is Grown in the Doing." 


I didn't get the courage to do these or anything else overnight. (And there are many things I'm still working on "growing by doing.") You won't either. But you never will if you don't start now! Having the courage to think, act and do the things I am currently able to has literally "grown" through "doing." 

For example, I practice these "crazy" eating habits on a daily basis so that by the time I am in public, with friends, family and out for social events, I am okay with sticking to what I must. I know my limits. And these daily habits have made me courageous!

Think about it....Courage is Grown in the Doing.

CHEERS!

(Monday-Eve) Inspiration

Sometimes I think that we could all use a little "gas for the engine" on Sunday nights to get prepared for the week ahead!

So I'm giving that to my reader's tonight. 

I received an email this weekend from someone I look up to and respect a lot. I have held this close to me all day since reading it. He told me, 

"Successful entrepreneurs are built on a foundation of failures."

This could not have come at a better time for me. I would guess many of you reading this can relate as well. 


Heading into each and every single week, I have an optimistic outlook. What's exciting for me (now) is the thought of "what if," and never "I am dreading tomorrow because it's Monday." 

I get these visions, imaginations and make my "To Do" list for the week in hopes of moving up, shaking it up and finding the success I'm working so hard to create.


But with that - ultimately - will come (and have come) failures. For you. And for me. 


Heading into the new week, I move forward like I always do - many visions, imaginations & a "To Do" list so large that I just may get great with prioritizing! And I remember, "Successful entrepreneurs are built on a foundation of failures." I know it's coming!

CHEERS!

And ps. Happy Birthday to my Baby Great Dane, Reagan, who turned 2 years old today! She is our heart - our lives would not be the same without her.

One of those Days....

Rarely do I have "one of those days" anymore! I haven't had one in over 3 months. But I felt like I had a semi-version of one today!

In case you did, too, here are some things that may cheer you up (they sure cheered me up):

1. "Wow, that really IS a low price!"

2. Thingstobehappyabout.com (Yes, there is a website for it!)

3. Rocking Your Summer Body can be simplified if you just read this short bit from Mercola.  

4. Brainstorming Sessions. Some of my favorites lately have included those with (in no particular order):

a. Brainstorming with Mike Schneider (re. country music demo)

b. Brainstorming with Josh Groth (my #socialmediaconferencebff)

c. Brainstorming with Robert Stanke and Rachel Ryan

5."Facebook Limits Landing Tabs to "Authenticated Pages."

(Ha. Just kidding. Definitely not happy about that one! But I'll save that post for a posting on the DigitalMention.) 

6. When You Drink Too Much.

7. Exactly one year ago in Cancun! Now that's a great thought to end my day on!

See....it isn't so bad! Make your own list - there is power in creating a list like that for a simple reminder of how "one of those days" is just that - ONE "of those days"!

Head to the Front of the Class

Looking to work harder in your Fitness Classes? Want to be more motivated and be a motivat(or)? Then head to the front of the class!

This is what I learned yesterday in Mr. Gary Walker's Spin Class at Crunch Fitness in Blackhawk (Danville, California):

When you are in front-and-center, all eyes are on you or at least you tell yourself that! There is no giving up! If you give up, then the people behind you either think:

1. She's weak.

OR

2. I guess I could back off, too.

This was just a 45-minute spin class. I appreciate those because they are 45-minutes of hardcore "spinning," filled with HIIT, climbs, jumps and increasing/decreasing constantly. The class always leaves you pouring sweat.

What I found yesterday was that when I forced myself to be in the front of the class and mixed that with a short, 45-minute and high intensity class, I only had to be at the Gym for 45 minutes. Why? Because I was exhausted. I had used up all my energy. I felt phenomenal.

So don't be bashful. Head to the front of the class and work it, girl (or guy) - work it! Your body will thank you! 

Oh and ps. Crunch Fitness is by far the most fun gym I have ever gone to! The people there are outgoing, fun and sassy! There is so much energy constantly and the classes are "current!" You will get a phenomenal workout without ever feeling like you're working out (okay, that was a lie, you better feel like you're working out)! If you're interested in working out with us at the Crunch in Danville, CA find me on Facebook and message me or Tweet at me!

Stay Fitness Motivated

Good Morning! Only 7am, but I am up and full of life already.

As I was laying in bed, I couldn't help but think, "How can I help people get even more motivated to stick with their fitness routines?" And then I was reminded of two fabulous articles I have recently stumbled across. They worked for me, and I hope they will work for you as well!


Article 1: Runner's World - 101 Kicks in the Butt (by Calvin Hennick)
I will not list them all, but here were my most favorite:

1. "CREATE A BLOG where you post your daily mileage, then give out the Web address to your friends and family. Do you really want Aunt Ellen to ask why you skipped your four-miler on Wednesday?" (Side note: My Blog has kept me super motivated. It allows me to become "accountable" for my health, fitness and nutrition. I recommend blogger.com OR wordpress.com)
   
2. "GOOD-TO-GO PLAYLIST
   Country
   "Cocaine Blues," Johnny Cash
   "Ain't Going Down (Til the Sun Comes Up)," Garth Brooks
   "Wide Open Spaces," Dixie Chicks
   "Chasin' That Neon Rainbow," Alan Jackson
   "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," The Charlie Daniels Band" (Side Note: Yes, this playlist was from Mr. Hennick, BUT the point is that it's his playlist. Country, hip-hop, jazz, classical, pop - whatever it is that makes you move, create it! I am biased with this Country List, since I'm a total country girl. THANK YOU, Calvin, I will now add these songs into my own!)
3. "PAY YOURSELF. Set a price for attaining a certain weekly mileage goal. When you hit it, pay up. Keep your mileage money in a jar, and once it accumulates, buy yourself that new running jacket you've been ogling." (Side Note: I have now incorporated this into my life. I have saved various gift cards and money. When I reach a certain health, nutrition or fitness goal, I'll dig into my stash and buy me something new. Notice - I did not say, "I'll go get me an ice cream cone!")
4. "RUN FOR A REASON. Do a race for charity. Helping kids with diabetes or women with breast cancer makes it much easier to get out the door." (Side Note: Do anything for a reason. It will inspire you. I'm working on a couple "reasons" currently. One I am very passionate about is Ms. Ashley and her fight against MS. Check out what she's doing HERE.

You can find the entire list HERE at Runnersworld.com. Sign up for even more Runnersworld.com Inspirations HERE.

Article 2: Woman's Day - Lose that Weight for Good (by Denise Austin)
In the January, 2010 issue, Denise mentions 12 ways to Stay Motivated:

1.  Music is Key
2. Give yourself a No-Food Reward
3. Find a workout buddy
4. Put your workout clothes out the night before
5. Hang a Calendar where you can see when you eat/workout right
6. Pick a time of day to workout and stick with it
7. E-mail your workout log to a close friend each week
8. Slip on your workout clothes the night before
9. TV - watching ESPN while working out to see all the fit athletes
10. Make healthy foods look pretty
11. Keep a food log
12. Remind yourself that you'll always feel better after you exercise than you did before it (of if you skip it)
    

Click HERE to read the full list of these motivators.


My final thought for this Sunday morning on health, nutrition and fitness motivation is: "Because You are Worth It!"

Starting on Monday....

Even if you were to stop reading this right now, you would know exactly what I'm talking about.

"Starting on Monday, I am going to....."

You may have this phras so programmed in your head that you find yourself saying it on Tuesday at 9:30am ("Ok, starting next Monday, I'm going to....")

The most common ways we finish this sentence are with:

1. Go on a diet
2. Exercise
3. Find a way to make more money

I have finished that sentence with all three more times that I can count. (ps. Still stuck on #3 but working at that one - perhaps always) I digress - I have stopped saying, "Starting on Monday." The day I just picked up and implemented - took my first single step - was the day I became more in control and forward thinking. And because I did so, it has made all the difference in my life today.

The truth is simple - "Every journey begins with a single step."

Don't start on Monday.

Don't start "when x occurs or when x doesn't occur."

Start now.

"Just do it." (And speaking of which, have you joined my Pied Pipers yet for the 10.24.2009 Human Race 10K Challenge? There is no better day than today to begin!)

I'm still on the GAPS and still doing amazing with it. But, I have to be honest and say that I've been doing Soy Lattes from time-to-time. Soy is supposed to be a no-no for me, but I've learned that in small doses it's OK for me. It does not bloat me. As a matter of fact, I still have not been bloated (except for the MN mistake-weekend!) And this is fabulous news, just in time for Pumpkin Spice Latte season. This is my favorite latte. I am praying that my stomach can handle it a few times!

I really love knowing that food heals. It has made all the difference in my life.

I am hoping that very soon I can add more foods in. I have just been too scared to, since I'm feeling so wonderful! I still basically live off of meat, broth and fats. I have had some nuts in the past couple of weeks, too. For instance, today I had a bunch of raw cashews. They were so good!

Due to all my running and working out in general, it's been hard to keep up with food. My metabolism feels like it's through the roof, which is a good thing! But still, I'm hungry a lot of the time. I'm still learning to manage that.

For anyone out there who has stomach issues, I'd be more than happy to discuss GAPS with you. This has been a "miracle." Literally, nothing short of a "miracle" in my life!

Happy Holiday Weekend!

Think You Can OR Think You Can't

You've heard it before -

Think you can or Think you can't - either way you are RIGHT.

My brother was the 1st person to say this quote to me. I love it. Our minds are powerful beyond words. They can make or break virtually every situation.

I am an extremely positive person now, but I remember a time when I did not have this "mental edge."

I played ice hockey all 4 years of High School. My Sophomore year I became a Goalie. I really didn't know what I was doing that 1st game in the net. The opposing team scored once, twice, seven then eight times. Instead of getting mentally strong, confident and thinking I could finish the game, I got weak, sad, depressed and thought there was no way I could. And with that "thinking-I-can't" mind frame, I was so right! The game ended 19-0.

I have learned to get tough - physically and (mostly) mentally over the years. As a matter of fact, one of my PowerSongs currently is "Fight Like a Girl." Refer to yesterday's posting on this!

I have loved knowing I could when they thought I couldn't. One time sticks out vividly in my mind:

• The Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities turned me down for acceptance into their school in 2001. I ended up at the University in a different school. I worked hard my first 2 years at the University, designing my own degree in Marketing/Advertising/English. I even had to write a 20+ page paper explaining why I should be able to obtain this degree. I got in! In 2005, I graduated having all of my Marketing from the Carlson School of Management. Additionally, I was offered a job from a company that Carlson said, "only their students could work with during the interview process."

I made sure I thought I could. And I did.

I could go on and on with examples of both. BUT, the most important one at hand is what happened today when I thought I could. Today, I DID!

I had every intention of running 10 miles today for my long run. But when I started running, I realized that perhaps today I would challenge myself - so I decided to try 11. And then I started running with 3 ladies who made me pace very well! They told me they were going 12. My initial thought was,

12? Are you kidding? That's basically the 1/2 Marathon!

And no more than 5 seconds later, I thought,

12? Who am I kidding? I can totally do this! I've been training. I'm strong in my body and in mind! (And not to mention, even 2 extra miles will help my Pied Pipers!)

So I told myself I was going to do it. I thought I could. And I did. And to top it off, I made great time! It was a flat course, but I still did it and paced about 8:30 minute/mile.

Think you can or Think you can't - either way you are RIGHT.

Fight Like A Girl

I'm heading into another weekend long run. I'm ready! And to help me get through it (and the upcoming week of running) I've got my perfect PowerSong.

So what is a PowerSong? A PowerSong was created by Dr. PowerSong. A PowerSong is a "cut worthy of pushing the button for when a run needs an adrenaline injection."

My PowerSong this week, though, is not to the beat/tempo of my typical "Boom Boom Pow." This week, it happens to be a song that I connect with - but it's not very fast. The "adrenaline injection" comes from the PowerMessage it provides.

Fight Like a Girl

Little girl alone on the playground
Tired of gettin' teased and gettin' pushed around
Wishin' she was invisible
To them

She ran home cryin'
"Why do they hate me?"
And Mama wiped the tears and said
"Baby, you're brave and you're beautiful.
So, hold your head high.
Don't ever let 'em define
The light in your eyes.
Love yourself, give them Hell
You can take on this world.
You just stand and be strong
And then fight
Like a Girl.

At 31 she was wheelin' and dealin'
Kept on hittin' that same glass ceilin'
She was never gonna be one of the boys, no
She could've gave up on her ambition
And spent the rest of her life just wishin'
Instead she listened to her mama's voice sayin'

"Hold your head high.
Don't ever let 'em define
The light in your eyes.
Love yourself, give them Hell.
You can take on this world.
You just stand and be strong
And then fight
Like a Girl."

Oh, with style and grace
Kick ass and take names

Ten years of climbin' that ladder
Oh, but money and power don't matter
When the doctor said "the cancer spread"
She holds on tight to her husband and babies
And says, "this is just another test God gave me.
And I know just how to handle this."

I'll hold my hight
I'll never let this define
The light in my eyes
Love myself, give it Hell
I'll take on this world
If I stand and be strong
No, I'll never give up
I will conquer with love
And I'll fight like
A Girl.

-Bomshel

Click HERE to hear the song.

Every single time I am running and I hear that song I am inspired. The song takes me to a "new place." This is a place with more meaning and running and living vibrantly than many songs do to me. My 2 favorite parts of the song:

1. "Ten years of climbin' that ladder - oh, but money and power don't matter..." - You can take that line and apply it to anything in your life. But you need to know that even if it's not something as severe as cancer or death looking you in the eye, still money and power (when it all comes down) really don't matter. Life is so much more than that. We are given so much. We truly need to appreciate each and every single day because you just never know what the next day might hold.
   
2. "Oh, with style and grace - kick ass and take names...." - That line is what it is. I love the "class" of style and grace, but I love the "sass" of kick ass and take names. (Because, ps., I was at one time a hockey goalie. I liked to think I "kicked ass -took names" and fought like a "boy" back then!) This line says, "I can do anything. I can be anything. If you don't like it, that's okay. I am me. I have style - I am graceful. But I never go down without a fight."

Tomorrow morning, I will wake up early. I will go to Danville to train with my Nike Running Group for the upcoming Run Like a Girl 1/2 Marathon. This is the perfect race name to match my PowerSong "Fight Like a Girl."

I am running strong, confident and (mostly) with Passion. I am training for this 1/2, while trying to "Fight Like a Girl" in leading/inspiring/motivating my fabulous Pied Piper team. You know you want to join! So what are you waiting for? Get your Nike gear, join the Pied Piper team and most importantly, "Fight Like a Girl" (or a boy)!

Go Big or Go Home.

Today's Motto: "Go Big or Go Home."

Here are my 3 reasons WHY:

1. HEALTH
I went BIG. When I first started working with Leah, we determined my 22 food intolerances. Cutting them out of diet was difficult at first. After almost 3 months of just avoiding those foods and not feeling as well (if well at all) as we'd hoped, we knew another change needed to take place. So, I went BIG - made BIG changes. And it worked. I've had to cut everything processed and virtually all sugars and carbs (in addition to everything I already had to refrain from). Someone asked me today, "But don't you miss it? Aren't you just craving those foods?" And the answer is - "No." I feel unbelievable. Amazing. I see life in color now. I have a new "lease on life."

I went BIG. I wasn't ready to quit or go home.
It's paid off.

2. FITNESS
3 1/2 years ago for Christmas, my parents got me a trainer when I lived in Minnesota. My trainer took my body fat percentage on the first day. I was all but satisfied with the number on that sheet of paper. I've kept it these past few years as a reminder of where I don't want to be. A few short months later we moved to California. Little-by-little, I started to lose weight and got in better shape. 7 months before my wedding I really "cleaned up." I ate better and got focused on fitness. Around this time, I was down 5% body fat. For the past year, I've really worked hard. When I workout, I do so with as much effort/energy as I have to expend for the day. I focus on the task at hand. And by the same token, I am just as serious about my diet. I have gone big with passion on this (mostly due to food restrictions). Because of it, I'm running my very 1st half marathon in less than 2 months, the Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco. Furthermore, this morning, at 5am, I had another body fat analysis done. I am proud to say that I am now 10% body fat less than I was 3 1/2 years ago. I've made it into the "very lean" category.

I went BIG. I've worked hard. It's paid off.

3. PERSONAL
I recently said on my Nike Blog that I am, "Continuously re-inventing myself." I meant it. I love knowing that I have no idea what's coming next. BUT, knowing that my hard work, dedication, passion and work ethic is going to take me to a place with endless possibilities. I have FINALLY figured out what my "tick" is - what it is that makes me awake all hours of the night and eager to get up at 4:30am. It's a mix of things. But it's BIG in the sense that there is a little of this and a little of that - not all the eggs are in one basket. I put a little of my work in several places - trying to make it stick - and stick BIG in some way, shape or form.

I'm going BIG with endless possibilites. I won't stop until I make it. Not ready to go "home" - or stay complacent.

Happy Friday!

ps. Check out the Official Nike Human Race 2009 Ambassador Video. R/GA did a stunning job!