Motivation Monday

Be the change you want to make in your life... 

Raising the Minimum Wage

Over the years as a family I can say we've hit some rough patches. I think it really happens to the best of us. Between taking care of family members or just the economy completely tanking... my family has been hit by the need for help or a new job. Living in Florida has been a life lesson for me, especially on what it means to be middle class or even considered poor.

In the area I live in, minimum wage jobs are the norm. Even if you are working a job that truly deserves more than the pennies minimum wage is. Daytona Beach is the perfect example of the rich getting richer and the poor... well not going many places. I am sure there are so many communities across the country in the same position.

I grew up middle class, and sometimes my father would work 2-3 jobs and I wouldn't see him for days on end so that we could get by. It's just something I've always known, despite wanting better for my own children. Hell, I bust my ass every chance I get to make sure they don't ever have to go without. Life isn't perfect, and we certainly aren't rich. But we make it by somehow... when we get into a tight spot.

Last night I planned on sitting down to watch the State of the Union address but between Grandpa coming home from the hospital, and getting settled in... oh and getting dinner on the table there just wasn't time to sit down and watch television. So, I caught up with the key points today. One of which really stood out to me. Well, two... but I am going to start with raising the minimum wage. President Obama made an excellent point when he encouraged members of congress who are staunchly against raising the minimum wage to live on a mere $15,000 a year and see how far that would get them. I mean, I personally would LOVE to see how far they would get on an income like that. Because so many of those who are against it... live these lavish lifestyles that wouldn't float them for a month with that kind of income.

A month. Maybe a little longer, give or take.

The point being, the majority of Republican's weren't too happy with that. Because it pointed out one of the major flaws in the system we live. The rich continue to get rich... and the poor stay on the same level, or go backwards. Making less money (when the economy tanked) than they have in years previous. The system isn't set up to help people get back on their feet. It is set up to keep people alive, not thriving.

Yes, there are some people who can overcome their situation and move on. Mainly people with educations. Something that I also support the President's ideas on. Community college being in reach for all those students who actually want and work for their education. When I graduated high school I knew I couldn't go to college because I couldn't afford it. It would have been irresponsible for me to take out student loans when I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. So many of the people I graduated high school with had the same feeling. Going to these big universities and now they are waiting tables and paying off huge student loans in fields they'll probably never work.

That isn't a fair start at adulthood by any means.

Back to the State of the Union address... Equal pay for women. It is about damn time we get this taken care of. Hell the President has been talking about it for some time now. Why isn't this done? It has nothing to do with qualifications, and education anymore because there are female CEO's running Fortune 500 companies that continue to be paid less than their male counterparts. What kind of message does that send to our daughters?

"Oh well... I'll just marry rich and become a housewife. Ya know, because it's 1950 and all." Hell, if that is what they want to do, more power to them. But they should be afforded the same opportunities as their brothers, and classmates. They shouldn't have to live in a world where men make more money just because they have a dick. No way. No how. It is 2015, not the 1900's. Let's get our shit together America!

At the end of the day, I think all American's should support raising the minimum wage. It does nothing but better our communities and strengthen our economy.

Fitness Friday - 11 Day Check In

I am on day 11 of the Advocare 24 day challenge and I wanted to check in with my progress. First off, I have lost 10 pounds, and while that doesn't sound like a lot... when you are only 4'10" it is a huge loss. Like, a super big weight loss.

I am also down three inches on my waist, and I am physically feeling so amazing. The dietary changes, alongside of the savings I've had on food is astonishing.

Two more weeks to go, and I can't wait to see where I end up!

For more information on the Advocare 24 Day Challenge, check this link out!

Advocare 24 Day Challenge: Day 4 Check In

Four days ago I started my Advocare 24 day challenge. Now, mind you... I tried this once before and failed by dinner time. Yeah, I know. I have the WORST will power ever. EVER EVER!

I kind of thought by this time into it I would be back to square one.

Let me start out with my day 1 check in.

Weight: 135 pounds
Goal: 115 Pounds
Loss goal: 20 pounds

It doesn't seem like a lot, but 20 pounds on someone who isn't even 5 feet tall is a big deal. A really big deal. That is another problem. Most of my life I have had yo-yo weight. In high school I was barely 100 pounds, on average wearing a size 0-2. Yes, I was one of those girls but I still ate like a horse. Its just how the women in my family (on my mother's side) are. We are all small. I have aunts who are literally, shorter than my petite 4'10" self.

Then I got older and the weight and shitty diet started to catch up with me. My biggest downfall has been the fact that I am super lazy. Like, fast food, takeout, restaurants, etc. I've always preferred shitty takeout over a home cooked meal; which is super strange considering my mother is an AMAZING cook. Like... Martha Stewart ain't got SHIT on her.

So, you can see where the problem began. Having children only furthered my problem. The more kids, the less time I had. The more take out. The more fast food, the less time for actual exercise. The pattern so many of us mothers get into. Its nothing uncommon or to be ashamed of. It is simply real life. McDonalds, and Taco Bell cater to the people like us.

After I had Addison I lost a ton of weight, which I attribute to breastfeeding. I got down to 120 pounds at one point in time, fitting easily into a size 4 jeans. I was beyond proud of myself. I didn't feel as self conscious as I am now. I looked good, and I felt great.

Then she got older. She weaned. I wasn't burning the extra calories. We moved to the South and continued to shitty eating habits with even shittier food. Again, furthering the problem.

Many people can look at me and say... "You don't need to lose any weight..." and I've gotten that. A LOT. But, its not about wanting to be a perfect size 1 model. It's about wanting to be HEALTHY. It's about NOT wanting to be considered "clinically obese" because I am not even five feet tall.

You don't look at me and think... Wow! She looks fat. And if I am being honest... I go out of my way to hide my weight. It mainly hangs in my gut (which I may add was SCREAMING in that dress) or in my ass. Which I absolutely love my thick ass but... I just want to be HEALTHY.

January 1st, 2015

I want to run after my children and not be winded. I want to feel comfortable in a bathing suit on the beach. I want to NOT be considered OBESE!  This isn't about some modern day ideology about how women should look. This is just about being HEALTHY.

With all that being said. I am on day four, and have been flying along.
My day four check in numbers:

Weight: 130lbs
Loss: 5lbs
Loss Goal: 15 pounds

In these first few days all I have gone is clean eating, and the first 3 day cleanse of the 24 day Advocare challenge. I've done two days at the gym (heading for my third in a new minutes) and that is all. It is downright amazing how much can change just by making simple adjustments to your eating. No, I'm not living on carrots or rabbit food.

This morning I had a protein pancake:

All this is... One Banana, 1 egg (whites only) 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, and my vanilla meal replacement shake. And it was delicious.

Last night?  I made a turkey meatloaf with onions and peppers in it. Delicious.

Anyway... that is my check in for my first couple days. Boom!