Staci Speak

Is it really a big deal if you and your husband have different types of phones? I didn’t think so, didn’t see the relevance, but ah ha…. lo and behold – I am inspired to blog. The LuvofMyLife is a simple man, just like the song… God love him – he shops at farm and fleet so I can shop at White House Black Market. Yes – LOL my friends LOL. He just might splurge if Meijer has a sale on jeans and the boys don’t need shoes and the groceries are already bought for the week…. he is a simple man, and yes he is my man.  So the story goes… I started saving, secretly to buy him an iphone for Christmas. I have one, love it, live through it and yes sleep with it.  He never quite understood the relationship or addiction I have with my phone until this Christmas! Back to the point… I surprised him – with his new iphone 4 just as he was about to throw the ole Samsung Solstice across La Hacienda.  I texted him to meet me there in 15 min, told Dan at at&t that this was our window of opportunity to turn off the old, on the new and for me to get my ass to the Mexican restaurant – I knew the Luvofmylife would sitting there pissed his phone was not working! He had taken it apart into 3 pieces… I came running in sightly out of breath from the whole experience.. (which you can read about on www.motiv8nu.yelp.com) but elated that I could make his day!  We spent the next 4 hours adding apps, playing words with friends, uploading emojicons, and bonding on a completely different plane of existence!  It was so unexpectingly amazing – and I highly recommend couples getting similar phones with similar operating systems  - and even laptops for that matter. I liken this to all of a sudden speaking the same language. Anyway this fun certainly led to more holiday antics that created an unforgettable close to 2011! The lesson here is that you just might find that extra spark where you least expect it, and NEVER underestimate where that common ground with the LuvofYOURlife may turn up!

There is a time in ones life where you must take responsibility for your actions, and for your feelings. When someone is object referenced they are dependent – sadly so… on others to fuel their positive energies, and far worse, are unable to ignore negativity when it comes upon them. I often hear and see posts regarding “IT IS TIME TO GET RID OF THE NEGATIVITY IN MY LIFE” How often do you say that, push people away, and end up lonely before you realize that the negativity is within you. You cannot rely on other people to motivate you, you cannot rely on other people to give you what you are unable to give yourself. You cannot continuously push people out of your life because they are not giving you the positive attention you feel you deserve. It is time to create your own Mojo.

I flew out of bed this morning and said “honey, please make coffee! – I have to write”  A lot of you know the feeling. I was laying in bed thinking of something someone said to me at the gym the other day – and also reevaluating my answer.  I have been picking it up a  notch lately – but not for any one specific thing.  The usual question is “Are you getting ready for a show?” I love this question – for me I take it as a compliment BUT – I am not getting ready for a show.

This is the topic that lends to my inspiration this morning.  I don’t want to be always “getting” ready for something – I have decided that I am staying ready.  Now that means alot of different things to any number of us, for me it means me being emotionally, physically and spiritually READY for whatever opportunities God gives me.

What this does not mean is that I need to walk around at 114 lbs ready to take a stage – but it does mean for me to stay at a place physically were I am always ready for that wonderful moment that may come out of no-where.  Our overall wellness of course is not validated by what we look like on the outside – but it does have a little to do with the overall package. Am I wrong?  Going deeper here – I would NOT be motivated to maintain my physical wellness if I was not emotionally and spiritually in the right place to begin with. I am talking about food here! We are what we eat. My staples of Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, Vitamin D, B Complex, Flax and Cod liver oil AND Multi-vitamins at  night help drive me to want to stay ready.

One thing is definitely connected to the other.  Start with what we put on the inside – this translates into how we feel about what we do with the outside and further more how we maintain that. Then by doing these things it helps us to continue to nurture the other other areas of our life that we must keep in check. Our attitude of gratitude, our humility, our generosity – for example.  AND on the flipside of this – being grateful and helping those with less and laughing at ourselves more often will keep us spiritually on task which leads right back into keeping us motivated to maintain ourselves emotionally and physically.

Finally – my point – ask yourself if you are always “getting” ready for something … Ask your self have you every been or “felt” ready… what was it like – write it down. Study it like you would for a test. It really is that important.  My challenge for you today is to not just get ready… but STAY ready – because mark my words, if that magical moment presents itself and YOU are not ready I guarantee that some one else will be!

Sitting here this morning having coffee – holding a cup in one hand that my late grandmother made in a kiln and put her name on – and holding my 5 year olds hand in the other. This makes me smile, and then even more importantly the fact that I was able to stop a moment and realize the wonderment in this …. is worth a smile and oh so much more. Thank God for that precious bit of patience.

I am smiling as America embraces James Durbin on American Idol – with Teretz and Asburgers he is a role model and inspiration for more people than he will ever imagine!

I am smiling – and laughing a bit as one of my very dearest of friends transfers her amazing mothering abilities from her yorkies to her newborn. It is pretty sweet to see someone display these traits that they were not sure were there – (I knew they were there!) – but to be so loving – and natural … sigh – to see her smile at her new little person just makes me soooo unbelievably happy!

I am smiling at myself for continuing to play and continuing to lose at words with friends! I am addicted and can’t help it.  One of these days – watch out SassyGirl, Pkelz, ChristyWash, Roz, Kjsantos, GardnersHole, 2Disco, Rocky and I could go on and on and on…. LMAO!

I also smile every time my 5 year old is in the bathroom for 45 minutes – trying to  – well you know… and singing the entire time – everything from “Baby Im a firework to the spongebob theme song… whatever works.. Im reading Raquel Welch… LOL  and playing a little words with friends… Sorry TMI – R U smiling? Thought so!

And finally – being able to shake my booty whilst teaching Zumba is putting a smile on my face pretty much daily!  AND with that I am off to do just that!

Remember – Laugh at yourself everyday – trust me – it will make all the difference!

(more…)

Here is a interesting question regarding Focused Fitness  –

“Okay, this question may not be politically correct but I work with a bunch of women who must be going through menopause or something. All they do is moan and complain about EVERYTHING! How do I stay focused with all of this complaining??” (Jack, Hobart, IN)

Jack – here is your answer! Lead by example – stop complaining about them – do not be part of the problem become the solution. Volunteer to spearhead a motivational in service or moral party. Create a program to raise money for someone far less fortunate than everyone at your work to help create awareness for what “they” and you should be grateful for! Worse case scenario download an inspirational playlist and tune them all out!

I am the featured author on this site for January! Check out the link to see my interview Q&A’s!

http://site.bookremarks.net/

I love this question!!!!– Staci, my relationship with my husband has been very difficult after I gave birth to our second child. I gained almost 45 lbs. and my husband and I fight all the time now because he says that I’ve gotten too lazy to take care of myself. I try to explain to him that it’s difficult to find time for myself during the day when the kids need so much attention, but he thinks I’m only making excuses. He also says I neglect him physically, but it’s hard to feel attractive when he’s always telling me he’s upset with my weight. What do I do? (Emily, Boise, ID)

First – know that you are not alone – and that you can do this. First let us tackle the lack of energy – eating right will give you more energy to work on other areas so your game plan here is to;

1. Switch out processed simplex carbs for healthy complex carb choices like oats, brown rice, sweet potatoes and eziekiel bread.
2. Eat protein and something green with every meal every day
3. Drink your 6-8 glasses of water a day – hydration gives you energy and mental clarity
4. Routinely take multi-vitamins at night for optimal nutrient absorbstion
5. Try braggs apple cider vinegar to flush out toxins that cause you to be sluggish.

You will notice a change in how you feel first – these are easy changes that do not affect or need the approval or validation of anyone around you. Once you start “feeling” better – look for activities that include the children. Mommy and me workouts, bike stroller combinations – programs at the Y and park districts give you the option to take a class as well. Again these are new changes that do not create an upheaval in your family life.

Notice I have not told you to sit down and have a conversation with your husband. The reason for this is that I want you to take ownership in the elements here that you have control over. Make changes that you can dictate. You will start to become your old self again. He will probably talk to you about the positive changes. Do not seek validation in him – please find validation within yourself! Yes his support is needed, but if you feel like you do not have it today, then take baby steps like I suggested. Working on one manageable thing at a time until you have it all handled! Trust me when you start eating healthy complex carbs, taking vitamins, exercising regularly with your children, and doing push-ups every morning, you will stop neglecting your husband physically – and yes men are simple creatures sometimes it does not take much to make them happy. – You shall see that everything will start to turn itself around!