I hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving. We were able to spend it with both sides of Nick's family, so we got to enjoy two yummy meals. Never a bad thing if you ask me! 

We also celebrated Malachi's 7th birthday, so we had a busy Thanksgiving week. 

With that said, I took the week off from writing my blog post. I enjoyed the time with Nick and our friends and family and took the pressure off myself to have it all done. 

And now we're at Cyber Monday! Drop some of the best deals you've found. It's time for me to start Christmas shopping (yes...start!)! How about y'all? Where are you with your Christmas shopping?

I hope you have a beautiful week and that you score some amazing deals today. 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney 

Some days are just hard. Some days it feels like everything is falling apart around you. Some days it feels like everyone is against you and all you hear is negative feedback or talk.

But here's the key. Not every day is hard. Not every day is like this. And most important, you can't allow yourself to stay in the hard days. 

Yes, life is going to hand you lemons every now and again. And getting what you want, going after what you want, isn't always going to come easy. There will be roadblocks and naysayers and things that happen that make you question whether you're doing the right thing. 

But there will also be supporters and believers in you and wide open roads leading you exactly where you're supposed to go. 

It's all about how you view it, how you take it in, and how you process it. 

I've had a few rough days here recently. Where I'm questioning myself and what I'm doing in my professional life. I've allowed myself to listen to the negative talk and the voices in my head saying I can't do this and it's brought me down. I've allowed it to take up precious rent in my head. 

And frankly, I'm over it. I don't like this place. I don't like holding on to the negative thoughts and the hard days. I want to learn from them, take it and make it something positive. But in order to do that, I have to let it go.  Because there will always be something negative that can bring you down. 

My friends, it is a choice. You can choose to hold on to the negative, the bad stuff, the naysayers and voices in your head. Or you can choose to take it as a lesson and learn from it. Turn it around and make it something positive. And frankly, shut the naysayers and the voices in your head up. 

There will always be people telling you you should do something this way or that way, or you can't do something, or you are silly for even trying. But if they aren't doing it, living it, understanding the ins and outs of it, who are they to tell you what you can or can't do, what you should or shouldn't do? 

You are never going to please everyone...it's just not possible. With one choice, you'll make some people unhappy while others are wildly happy. And with another, the opposite is true. In the end, it's about doing what makes you happy and will benefit you, your family, and any of your businesses should you run them. 

Yes, some days are hard. But do you stay there, or do you learn from it and continue to grow? 

I hope you have a beautiful week and an amazing Thanksgiving with friends and family. And I hope you don't stay in the hard days. 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney

Nick and I were watching a movie this weekend and one of the characters ended up hanging off the side of a blown up wooden bridge. As I watched this very fit man start to pull himself up, I wondered what it would be like if he wasn't able to do it. If all he was was a muscular man but with no strength. If he wasn't able to use those very nice looking muscles. 

And it made me think about why I used to workout when I was younger. I mean, I've always been into fitness and working out, whether it was running or step aerobics or Jazzercize (yes, I did it...don't judge me). But I did it because I wanted to look good. I wanted to feel good in my skin. It never occurred to me that I also wanted to be strong (bear with me here). 

This all came to fruition when I was coming home from overseas and was trying to lift my very heavy backpack over my head into the overhead bin and I couldn't. I wasn't strong enough. I had to ask the man next to me for help. And yes, this memory very clearly stands out for me. I never wanted to feel that way again. 

I'd heard about CrossFit for awhile, but I had negative connotations towards it. I'd heard it was a cult and that everyone who did it "drank the koolaid," whatever that meant. I don't even know why I listened to any of those people because there really was no reason for me not to try it. 

Yet, I was still nervous and very intimidated by it. It still took me several years to actually step foot in a CrossFit gym. And I still remember that day...walking in to a room full of people working out on a pull-up rig...something I couldn't do. But I was there...I'd committed to trying it so I stayed. 

After my foundation sessions, I went to my first workout of the day, or WOD as we call them, and I can remember that plain as day too. I truly thought I was fit and in shape when I started CrossFit, but this workout...well, it humbled me, to say the least. 

It was the benchmark workout Jackie, which is 1000m row, 50 thrusters with an empty barbell, and 30 pull-ups. To say I went out hot in the row would be an understatement. I gave it all I had thinking I had to push and would be able to do it all, no problem. I got through the thrusters with only hitting myself in the bridge of my nose once. And I used a thick green band for my pull-ups. 

I don't even remember my time or how I felt immediately after, but let's just say I drove home and laid on the floor in my bedroom for about 20 minutes trying not to throw up. I went way too hard in that workout...I know that now. But I can also tell you that I went back the next day and the next and the next. 

I absolutely fell in love with CrossFit. I fell in love with the workouts, the process, the movements, the growth. I was not only loving how I felt and looked, but I loved how it crossed over into my every day life. It truly is functional fitness. 

Another memory that stands out for me is when my sister in law was in town with her son. He was super fussy while I was making dinner and didn't want to be put down. I made dinner with one hand all the while holding him in the other arm. It was at that moment I realized CrossFit wasn't just making me stronger in the gym, it was making me stronger outside of the gym too! 

And I knew then I wouldn't have an issue lifting a heavy bag into the overhead bin anymore! 

I no longer just wanted to look good, I wanted to be stronger and fitter for every day life. I wanted to build up the muscles around my knees so they would stay strong after my knee surgeries. I wanted to strengthen my back to help my scoliosis. And let's be real, I wanted to be able to carry all my groceries in at one time. 

When people ask why I love CrossFit, this is it. The functional fitness part of it is awesome. Plus the workouts and the challenges of them are fun, and I've made some amazing friends and family from it. Shoot...I met my husband because of it. 

I wish I had started sooner and hadn't let the opinions of others influence me to stay away for so long. If you've been thinking about it, heard about it, wondered what it was like, come see me. I know it can be intimidating but it really is one of the best things I've ever done.

What you see on TV is the best of the best...that's not your average CrossFit gym. So don't let it scare you...come check it out and form your own opinion. 

I hope you have a beautiful week. And hopefully I'll see you cross fitting soon! 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney

I'm so thankful my mom visited this weekend. We had a nice time together and it was beautiful to watch her with Gabriel. Their interactions were too sweet. 

But with her visit, I struggled with what to write about this week for my blog post. I like to provide you guys with helpful tips and very often use my life as an example. 

Well, Sunday night rolls around and I still have nothing. I feel no motivation, no inspiration, nothing. I mean...I've spent the last 8 weeks keeping a tiny human alive. All I've done is feed him, change him, bathe him, rock him to sleep, repeat. It's been an amazing journey of self-reflection and love, but I have nothing special to offer you guys. 

Or at least that's how I felt until I started looking back at my old blog posts. I was looking for something...maybe one I could re-post or to find some inspiration. 

And somehow, I did! I realized something major about a lot of my blog posts. They all stemmed from some major event, good or bad, happening in my life. Some learning or self-reflection I've done...something that I hope you (or someone) can take from me and learn from it, better themselves from it. 

And while I would love to continue doing that, I realized that I am at a point in my life where I am at peace. I am living exactly what I've prayed for over the past couple years.

And yes, I may not have everything I would like, but I have everything I need. 

Life has handed me some doozies in the past several years. And I'm thankful I was able to learn from them and share them with you. But I'm also thankful I'm in a place where I don't feel like I'm floundering or need some huge revelation to continue moving forward. 

Life is good. And I'm relishing in that while it lasts. 

I'm very thankful, very grateful, and very blessed. My beautiful boy has taught me so much in the 8 short weeks he's been alive...and I know I have so much more to learn. I have an amazing husband who stands by my side day in and day out. And I have a bonus son who loves Gabriel so much....he is already such a good big brother and I can't wait to see them together as Gabriel grows. 

Our life isn't perfect...we have goals we're reaching and praying for, and we'll continue working towards them. But our life? Well, it's ours. It's perfect for us. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

I hope you have a beautiful week. And realize that you are living at least one thing you've prayed for. Recognize it and be thankful for it. 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney

I think we all do this...we all wonder if we're doing it right. Parenthood. Business ownership. Employee. Shoot...life in general. 

We get bombarded with how it "should" be in every aspect. From where you should work to who you should marry to how you should raise your family. And you start to wonder if you're doing it right. If you're following the "right" path.

And I've never felt it more in my life than when I became a mother. Everyone...and I do mean everyone...has an opinion on what you should do with your baby. And if your baby doesn't do what everyone says they should be doing (sleeping through the night, being exclusively breast fed, not sleeping on you, etc.), then somehow you start feeling like you are doing it wrong.  

We end up putting so much pressure on ourselves in our attempt to get it right. It's what causes so much anxiety and sleepless nights, at least for me. I know I have spent countless nights up worrying about the decisions I've made, decisions I have to make but am unsure about what decision to make, and how people are going to react to my decisions. 

And yes, I know it doesn't matter what other people think about the decisions I make in my life. But some of the decisions I make affect more than just me. And I don't take that lightly. I worry and I fret and I agonize over the "right" decision. 

But at some point, I have to remind myself that I am doing my best. I am not perfect and I won't always make the "right" or best decision. But doing my best, in every situation, is enough. And I have to remind myself that there is no "right" way to do a lot of things. There is only the right way for me and my situation. 

It's taken me a long time to come to terms with this. To not be afraid to make the decision that is best for me. To know that my decision may not be "right" to the rest of the world, but it's right for me. And that my decision may not make other people happy, but I can't control other people's emotions or reactions.

I still struggle with this, but I know that if I don't make the best decision for me that it will make me insanely unhappy. It won't sit right and I'll second guess myself over and over again. And again, it may not be "right" for the world, but as long I'm doing my best and making the best decision for me, then it is enough.

So this is my reminder to you to stop worrying so much about doing it "right" and just do your best. That, my friends, is enough. 

Happy November 1st. Have a beautiful week. And know that if you are doing your best, then you are doing enough. 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney

​What are you doing with this one life you’ve been given? 

Our time here is limited. And we have a tendency to live small. To push down our hopes and dreams. To do what is “expected” of us. 

We just put our heads down and get into the grind of the 9 to 5, get married, have babies, work til retirement age, and then try to enjoy the retirement years. Which, if you look at averages, is about 11 years or so. 

I knew that wasn’t the life for me. I mean… I thought it was at first. 

I did all the “right” things. College. Got my “dream” job 6 months out of college. And I thought I’d be married and have two kids by the age of 30. 

Yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds. Best laid plans and all. 

But, that didn’t happen. And honestly, I’m very happy it did... or didn't.

I had no idea where life would take me, but it’s been one heckuva ride so far. If you’re new to my blog, I quit my very plush government job 11 years in to start my own business. I became a health coach, followed very shortly after with my skincare business and becoming a crossfit coach. 

Little did I know where that would take me over the next few years. 

But it started with truly listening to my heart and my intuition. To turn off the “shoulds” and expectations. To stop listening to the world and start trusting myself. 

I’m thankful I started on this journey in 2016. I’m in awe that it’s only been 5 years, because so much has happened in that time. 

Very shortly after quitting my government job, I got married. And not too long after getting married, I got divorced. I swore off men completely because I didn’t think I’d ever trust another man. 

I threw myself into my jobs… skincare, health coaching, and crossfit. And then I met Nick. Who changed my view on men, thankfully. 

He and I got married. And then bought a crossfit gym together. And very shortly after, we found out we were pregnant with our miracle baby. And just recently had our son. After years of trying and six miscarriages. 

But this journey… it led me here. Listening to my heart, my intuition, my gut… it helped me to dream big. To be bold, even if I was scared. 

I’m thankful I stopped listening to the world. That I stopped doing what I believed was expected of me. 

So… what are your hopes and dreams? What are you doing with this one life you’ve been given? 

I hope you learn to listen to your heart and your intuition. That you live big and be bold. Follow your heart. You really never know where it may take you. 

Have a beautiful week. 

With love and wellness,
Whitney

​Nick and I have a goals and dreams board in our house where we write down all the goals we’d like to accomplish. We have short term goals written down but also our bigger, long term goals.

The board is at the end of our hallway so we see it every time we leave our bedroom, as well as the bathroom. It’s something we see multiple times a day. 

It’s front and center for us so we constantly see it and have the reminder to continue working towards exactly what we want. 

We’ll update it for 2022 but we don’t need next year to start working towards our goal. We just need a commitment.

We need to be committed to what we want. Committed to doing the work. Committed to making it happen. Committed to knowing it won’t always be easy but knowing it will be worth it. 

We accomplished a lot on our goals board in 2020 and 2021. Seeing them every day helped. It helped us stay focused. It helped us on the hard days. And it kept us going when we wanted to quit.

I’m excited to get refocused as we end 2021 and head into 2022. One of our biggest goals this year was to have a healthy full term pregnancy and I’d say we can check that one off! 

One of our long term goals was to own our own crossfit gym. And that happened way sooner than we ever anticipated. 

There’s something about having our goals written down and seeing them every single day, multiple times a day. Keeping them out in the open, keeping them at the forefront of our minds ensures we continue to work on them daily. 

Make that commitment for yourself. To your goals. And remember that you don’t have to wait til 2022 to start working on them. 

So what are you working on? What are your goals? They can be big goals, but remember that achieving them will most likely take several small steps. So what small step(s) can you take to get you where you want to be? 

Have a phenomenal week. And write your goals down. Keep them front and center. Read them multiple times a day. Stay committed and make them happen. 

With love and wellness, 
Whitney 

I had very specific cravings when I was pregnant. As in, I didn't want anything else BUT what I was craving. And I didn't want it if it wasn't that. Needless to say, we spent a lot of money on me getting my specific cravings. 

I was looking forward to having Gabriel so I could get back on track with my eating and start feeling better. I had lots of cravings for sweets (shocker) so I knew it would be rough coming off the sugar. Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as the picture above, but I definitely wanted milkshakes and cookies and brownies. And doubly thankfully, but I did it in moderation, not every day.

However, my 4th trimester has been just as weird with specific cravings and literally nothing sounding good to eat. It has become really hard for us to meal plan or grocery shop because my "normal" food sounds disgusting to me. I truly couldn't have anticipated this happening. 

So I'm trying to give myself grace and know that I am still chock full of hormones and healing and adjusting to having a baby and the trauma of the c-section (aka, major surgery). I'm eating healthy, but I'm not beating myself up if I want something sweet. 

​It's hard when you've eaten a certain way for awhile prior to pregnancy, then you get pregnant and the usual stuff you've eaten sounds disgusting. Like, turns your stomach disgusting. So then you end up eating what you crave (I did crave lots of salads, thankfully), but it's all different from how you ate before. 

And now it's hard because how I usually ate still sounds pretty gross. I still want bread (gluten free, but still) and lots of dairy/cheese. But I'm suspecting that it isn't working for Gabriel because he's super fussy. And I was lactose intolerant as a baby, so I'm wondering if it's the same for him. 

There's so many things you have to take in to consideration when you're pregnant, post-partum, and breastfeeding. Eat this, not that. But make sure you are only eating it in moderation. But don't forget to eat this too. And don't eat too much sugar or sweets. 

But then your body is like, "No thanks, I don't want to eat any of that. But this (that I shouldn't have) sounds great." Then you start beating yourself up for eating whatever it is. 

It ends up being a vicious cycle, if you let it.

So I'm working on the grace part...in every aspect of motherhood. It's all hard. And it's all a learning curve. And as long as I'm producing enough milk and my baby is thriving, then I know I'm doing something right. 

So here's to taking it one day at a time...giving myself grace and allowing myself to take the time I need to heal and recover, however that looks for me... No comparing myself to anyone else or their journey because we are all different. And I will eventually get back to where food actually sounds good again. 

I hope you all have a great week. I seriously can't believe we are in October already. I feel like it was just September 1st! 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney

​I thought being pregnant and having to scale/modify my workouts was really hard. Not on my body, but mentally. Knowing I could do certain movements or workouts Rx, but also knowing that it was safer for me and Gabriel if I scaled or modified the workout. 

Could I have done the movements or workouts as prescribed? Sure. Did I need to do it as prescribed to get a good workout and move my body? Nope. 
 
I’d had so many previous miscarriages that I wasn’t willing to risk losing Gabriel, even though I know nothing I did caused my previous miscarriages. Plus if the movement didn’t feel good or right in my body, I definitely knew I needed to change it. 
 
But now? Well… now I long for those scaled/modified workouts. Because postpartum is way harder. They tell you to wait 6 weeks after giving birth before getting back into workouts…or strenuous workouts. But what they don’t tell you is that you aren’t going to want to do much of anything, especially if you had a c-section. 
 
Here’s how it went (for me) – go through several hours of labor, have an emergency c-section, then be discharged from the hospital with a generic set of “rules” to follow and a follow-up appointment scheduled with your OB/Gyn for 6 weeks later. No real instructions, no help or tips for how to adjust to getting up and down with a huge incision in your stomach, and don’t forget to take care of your new baby too! Good luck!! 
 
And yes, I know millions of women do this every day, but what they don’t often talk about is how hard it is. Because we’re women…and we just do it. Every day. 
 
All I know is that I’m so thankful my mom was here and of course, Nick, because that first week was so hard. I’m not sure I would’ve eaten or taken a shower or been able to go to the bathroom without them. 
 
Having a newborn is a huge adjustment. You think you know what’s coming, but you don’t. Everything is new. Every day is new. And you’re both learning…you and your baby. 
 
And your day….well, your day is run by a tiny 7 pound baby. If I’ve learned anything since he was born, it’s patience. Because I definitely have to be patient when it comes to my schedule and what I think I’m going to do during the day. Everything takes twice as long, nursing, spit ups, poopy diapers, unhappy babies…you name it, he does it. 
 
But he is 100% worth it. Even on the hard days. Even with the recovery. Even with not feeling like myself. I look at him and smile. And sometimes, I look at him and cry (happy tears, I promise). 
 
I never thought I’d get to experience this. I never thought I’d look down at my sleeping baby, smiling in his sleep and often startling himself in his sleep. We’ve had so many positive pregnancy tests…ones that ended so badly. And here we are…a tiny baby, dependent on me for survival. 
 
My little love. My sweet baby. Mine. Finally. 
 
So it may be hard…I may not feel like myself. Mentally, I want to workout, but my body is certainly not ready. And goodness knows I don’t want to make it any worse. But I know this is all temporary. It’s a small period of my life that will fly by and I’ll look back and wonder where my tiny baby went. And I’ll get back to my new normal…back to working out, back to scaled/modified workouts, and eventually back to prescribed workouts. 
 
But it takes time. It will take time. And I have to be patient and embrace this season I’m in. Pregnancy was a season. Postpartum is a season. Recovery from major surgery is a season. 
 
I’ve been in down seasons before. I’ve come back stronger than ever before. I will do it again. 
 
So here’s to being patient and embracing this season. Here’s to enjoying my newborn and taking it all in. Because I don’t want to miss any part of it. The miracle that he is. 
 
I hope you all have a great week and enjoy the season you’re in, whatever it looks like. 
 
With love and wellness,
Whitney