Girls Inspiring Girls. 6 Week Journey.

I am the oldest of four kids. We are all very close...In fact, we all went to a Bible study last night, and I realized we had huddled into a closed-off family conversation at the host's family's dinner table. Made me smile to myself. We still gravitate to each other...like we are kids yapping at the kitchen table, trying to get a word in:).

Of all my siblings, my sister Bec and I are probably most different. We are also best friends. But, yes...different. She talks easily with anyone, is a great hostess, a phenomenal cook/baker, and loves to fly. I am super quiet, get nervous during small talk, can't make so much as an ice-cube correctly, and am scared to death of flying. We never like the same movies. We have very different parenting styles (although the outcome is still the same...good kiddies:). I love new food trends. She likes good, home-made cooking. I drink diet sodas and coffee. She drinks water. She likes zumba. I like to run and lift weights. She's a stilettos girl. The pointy-toe kind. I don't do skinny heels. And I never do a pointy toe. (I walk like a lethargic zombie in that type of shoe.) Basically-- there isn't a whole lot of similarities, personality-wise...But, for some reason, it works nice for being sisters and friends. It helps us to see things differently, from another perspective...and in a lot of ways, I think we push each other when we need a nudge. She is the one who encouraged me to try my own business. Without her cheering me on, I'd never have given it a shot.

Now, she is the one who wants a little help...Wants a little final HU-RAH of motivation to loose those last few pounds...Get down to her goal weight. (She already looks amazing...And it hasn't even been 6 months since she had my nephew!) In the process of motivating each other, I hope we can inspire other girls and women to think more positively about themselves...to consciously make the effort to live better. Healthier. So over the next 6 weeks, on Wednesdays and once each weekend, we will do a sisters post about a health/body/fitness topic. We are very yin and yang as far as working out, how we eat, our fitness struggles, and even our ideal body type. Like I said, it will be two different stories...but in the end, it should span the spectrum of girls out there. Whether you are working off baby weight yourself or a skinny girl who still struggles with self image-- hopefully you'll be able to be inspired...get a little motivated...and, in the process, we can all push each other to our best "selves" over this 6 week period. We'll be honest when we write. And you are welcomed to leave honest comments along the way. Share your side of the journey, too! Whether you are 17 or 65, we all can take comfort in the fact, that at the end of the day-- we all have similar struggles. Someone along the way has been there, done that. So, let's join in and inspire, motivate, and encourage one another!:)

Oh, and meet my sister...For our first go at this, I asked her to tell me what she thought "IN SHAPE" meant...

Hello, I am Krista's sister, Bec. Today is my first attempt at a blog post. I am very much a private person, so this is BIG for me. I asked Krista if I could do this, as a way of making myself accountable and a little shove to help me reach my goal weight, and get me out of my comfort zone. I have fifteen more pounds to loose and wanted to do this by July first. I am a huge Biggest Loser Fan! Even though I desperately need Bob and Jillian, that is so not an option. Instead I am doing what I see all the other people on the show do- making myself uncomfortable and doing something that scares the crap out of me... posting on this blog.
For some contestants they go, loose weight, and leave. Others take a little longer, not only to lose the physical weight but the mental weight also. I am the latter...I know what "being in shape" means. I understand the whole eating, exercising, and living science to it. That is not where my problem lies. It is all mental for me. I have been bashing myself the last five years over the baby weight I have never lost, and now I am almost done my journey and see no good yet. I feel as if I never will. I know how it feels to be in shape. I was until five years ago. I just don't believe it anymore. I know I will have this "aha!" moment when the light will come on and I will be good enough and "in shape" again, but I've lost 32 pounds so far and haven't gotten there yet. I feel the same as when I started, if not worse.
Jillian always asks- "What are you so afraid of?" My answer- never feeling good enough again. I don't know this person I have been looking at these last five years. She is not confident, proud, or me. So, what does "being in shape" mean to me....???... I am not sure yet. I am hoping at the end of these six weeks I am proud, confident, and excited to let you know! I know I can do this! I know I will do this! Thank you Krista for giving me the chance to be completely freaked out and willing to say it- cause that is sooo not me. ;)

For myself, being in shape has meant different things at different points in my life. For sure, in my twenties, it was all about my actual body shape. Whatever it took to get my best body, I tried. Now, having matured a little;), it means first being healthy. Eating good. Working out consistently. And not doing anything that compromises being healthy just to get the nicest physical shape possible. The second (and better) view of being in shape makes it feel much more like a life-style...much more real...and not so much like a quick fix. What is your view on being in shape?...Does it mean something different now than it once did?...Or are you still figuring it out?...We'd love to hear what you think!...

If you finally got down here-- thanks for reading a pretty long post today:). Bec and I are looking forward to sharing our views and lessons learned (or still being learned) on lots of fun topics...From baby weight to recipes...workouts to body image...We'll be posting about it all:). Hopefully, you'll enjoy...and be inspired along the way!