Excuses

This is awesome!!!!

No excuses! Get it done!!!

Mend

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.


Thomas Edison

 
It has been a long four days! The stomach flu hit our house- bad. Nothing makes you feel more like a single parent than being sick at the same time as your kids and no one is shoulder to shoulder in the trenches with you. We got through it, and it's opportunities like this that show me I'm stronger than I think am. It reminds me that everything is going to be okay.
 
There is something so sacred about holding a sick sleeping child in the middle of the night while the world sleeps- in the quiet, in the dark, feeling pain, feeling strength, feeling peace. God is there. Present through it all. I wouldn't trade those moments of stillness with my children for anything.
 
Today we are all on the mend- taking it easy and needing another day to get energy back- although my youngest seems to have enough for us all.
 
Workouts today:
Teach Zumba
 
My appetite hasn't fully returned, but I'll try to get consistent, clean meals in.
 
Four months until competition- gearing up to hit it hard in the gym.
 
xo, Dutchess
 

Girls Night

 

Girls night out- wine samplers, baked brie with carmel, apples, and onions- heaven!! Oh- and the best salted carmel cake I have EVER had. We ate it before I could take a picture..it was divine. Not pictured: baked goat cheese with truffle oil and mushrooms- also amazing.

It was a planned cheat night, but oh-so-good for the soul. I shared the food so not too bad.

I have a full weekend of workouts, including the three hour Zumba event that I'll be teaching a part of- SO excited!! :)

Happy Friday! xoxo
Dutchess

Crave

Mmm, chocolate chip pancakes- not for me, made these with the kids this morning and I had egg whites with kale and mushrooms and an apple. I'm finding that it helps to make the foods that I'm craving- weird I know, but if I make it for the kids, I don't want it so bad. Hey- whatever works.

I'm emotionally drained today and trying to get into the right frame of mind to teach Zumba tonight. Once I get there and see all the wonderful ladies in my class and blast some good music I'll snap out of this.

Zumba will be my only workout today. Almost the weekend! Final push- get it done!!
xo, Dutchess

Keep On

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.
 – Maya Angelou.


The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
- Amelia Earhart.

Two very inspirational ladies. <3

Dutchess

New Find

 

Have you ever tried Miracle Noodles? How have I gone without them all this time?! They are SO good, zero calories, zero carbs, and they just taste good. They don't smell great when you open the package- I almost couldn't do it, but you rinse them in cold water for a few minutes, dry them really well, and then add them to any dish at the last minute and they absorb all the flavor. Yum!

Today I had them with shrimp, kale, lots of garlic, and Bragg liquid aminos (zero cal, soy free, soy sauce) It was awesome! Next time I'll add hot chile peppers too. Definitely a great find! 

I am still SO sore from lifting with Kasey on Saturday- I've gotten some awesome workouts in over the past week and my old clothes are finally fitting!!

Workouts today:

Teach Zumba

Abs class

The sun is out and it's a beautiful Tuesday- what more could you ask for?

Get it done!!

xo Dutchess

Exciting!

Rise

"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it. "



Maya Angelou

Resist

 

Recent breakfasts I've made for the kiddos: Caramel Apple Dutch baby and Banana's Foster Oatmeal- two of my favorite things, but said No thank you! I will enjoy these one day again, but for now I am focusing on my goal.

Yesterday was a rest day for me with workouts. It was a full day with kids ending with a Christmas concert at their school- so cute to watch.

Workouts today:
Teach PE Zumba for 3rd graders
Zumba (take class)

Tomorrow I am going to a women's self defense class led by one of our new male instructors- I'm excited to learn from anyone with a black belt! :)

Happy Friday!! Make it a great day!
Dutchess

Tired

Today is one of those days that I feel the weight of the world...and I'm tired. The gravity of this past couple of months is hitting hard.

One foot in front of the other today, one step at a time.

Meeting with my trainer today and planning out training and preperations. Zumba tonight!

Half way through the week- I can do this. Get it done!

Dutchess

Lovely

Sometimes a girls day out feeds the heart and soul more than any workout ever could. xo

 

Today I went to Ashland with two of my beautiful friends and fellow zumba teachers. Anna and Aiden came
with me and we had so much fun playing in the fancy stores: European candies, French books, and who doesn't love Dior? When we got home the kids and I made rice krispy treats with candy canes and chocolate chips- I didn't sample any, but the kids loved them.

I finished the day with Zumba. A great start to the week and a beautiful day.

Tonight at bedtime Anna said "Mommy, when I grow up I want to be a princess in a castle...or a Zumba teacher mommy like you because you are a beautiful peach." So precious- I'll be her peach any day!

xo Dutchess

Nope

Pizza is my weakness.

Said NO THANK YOU to pizza! Zumba tonight- finish strong!

D

Family

This is the studio- who wouldn't love working out with these lovely instructors everyday? They are amazing and such a great support- family.  My kiddos have been coming with me to classes, all the ladies love on them- so sweet!

Feeling strong today- started the day with clean meals and an awesome zumba workout. I have class again tonight to finish the day off.

Happy Monday- make every minute count!!
Dutchess

P.S.- Competition is in 21 weeks!!!!! Emerald Cup April 21st! GET IT DONE!

Sore

Mmm, spicy cajun shrimp and green beans- meal 3 of the day. I am SO sore today. After taking it easier on my training the past few weeks, the sore muscles have returned with my workouts. I'm drinking lots of water and that rule about no coffee- yeah, I've thrown that out the window for now, americano's are now my friend.

I'm not sleeping much, but am trying to at least be in bed resting at a decent time so my body (and mind) can recover. Stress is absolute poison to the body. My workouts have been helping ease some of that.

I've gotten all of my workouts in this week so far, tonight I teach Zumba, tomorrow morning I take a class, do some lifting, and then recover for the rest of the weekend.

One day at a time. Get it done!

Dutchess

Finding a way!

So needed this today- I WILL find a way!!!

Workouts today:
Teach Zumba
Abs

I've been better about getting my meals in, not perfect, but better. The stress makes my stomach hurt so bad that food isn't appealing at all, but when I don't eat, I feel the effects immediately. Gotta keep movin!! GET IT DONE!

Happy Decemeber!
Dutchess

Real

The past few weeks have been an emotional blur for my family. I needed to take some time off of training to focus on my kids and try to function-survive- the best way that I could.

Without reliving the details of the past weeks, I can say that I am now single parenting my four little loves. This has always been one of my worst fears. Never in a million years would I have thought this would be my life.

And here I am.

It's an odd feeling being around strangers right now. Going to the grocery store. Getting gas. Teaching classes. Getting a coffee. I feel like I should have some huge life threatening gash or hemorrhage...something that reflects how I'm feeling inside.

That is the beauty and nightmare of emotional pain. It hurts so badly you feel like you should be on life support. Then, when you want to be anonymous, you can slip on a pair of sunglasses, walk with purpose....and be normal. Happy. All while being quite the opposite.

So now what?

Rebuild!! One day at a time, one foot in front of the other- I will humbly rebuild. No room for pride or judgement. My hope, my goals and dreams- have not been robbed.

My training will look a little different from here on out, but, it can be done. My friend and trainer is amazing- already coming up with a  plan that will work for my schedule- a lot can be done at home with bands, free weights, and a ball. Oh- and a TON of discipline. AND she's doing it with me. We will be competing together and I am so excited.

I WILL focus on the positives of each day. Get it done. KEEP MOVING!!

Workouts today:

Teach Zumba
Abs

Today I will get all 6 clean meals in- no skipping them!

Make it happen!
Dutchess

Abs

Keep Moving

Quitting is not an option; I'm choosing to keep moving, no matter how hard it is.

Workouts today:
Sculpt
Abs
Zumba

Goal for the day: get all 6 clean meals in- I need to keep the fuel going.

Make it happen!!
Dutchess

Unravel

Meal 1 of the day: egg whites, green onions, lots of Cholula (yum), and a banana

It took all morning to eat this- my nerves are a mess, my emotions all over, and I'm unraveling. It's hard to keep anything down.

I think this is the most stress I can say I've ever been under- but even in this, I have a choice. I can let it destroy me. I can let it ruin me- take away my hopes and dreams, rob me of my laughter, steal my smile, harden my heart...OR I can focus on the positives..however small they may seem right now. I can see the beauty in my kids and let laughter pour out. It really is the best medicine.

One foot in front of the other. I can do this.

Workouts are my outlet right now and although May 12th feels like a world away, it's a goal that will keep me going. I will make it there...even if I have to crawl some days.

4 more clean meals to go- Zumba and Abs tonight. GET IT DONE!!

xo, Dutchess

Never Give Up

Nothing is impossible. Never give up.
Dutchess