How to push past procrastination!

I have several apps on my phone that I check in with daily. #1 is First 5 (first5.org) It is a great daily devotional/bible study app that keeps me focused and allows me to spend some time with God each and every day. Big priority for me. Tomorrow's post will be about that app and more about the Christian aspect of my life. 

Today, I am going to share another app that I LOVE! Shine! It is an app that brings all kinds of things to the table and really makes you think about all aspects of life. Today's topic on Shine is Emotional To-Do lists. It talks about how we have an emotional reaction to everything we do, whether we realize it or not. 

Example:
Dropping my son off to go to work    Emotion:Sad- he has been attached lately
Testing students today                     Emotion: Boring--- so boring
Working out                                    Excited!
Cooking dinner                                Relieved- something easy on the menu

See how that works? They say that the things that you don't look forward to or that evoke negative emotions are the things that we tend to procrastinate doing. We put those things off more than the things we are excited about doing. The suggestion was made that instead of just procrastinating in general with those things- find a way to make them happen, but maybe not in the way you originally thought. If searching for recipes makes you dread it- just find 1 a day. If working out is something you currently dread, try it for 10 minutes a day and then up your minutes as you start to enjoy it and crave the sweat. Really tune in the next time you make a to-do list and then work on trying to combat that list a little at time. The things that you don't look forward to doing can be changed, fixed, or maybe even looked at in small increments. This may help to get them DONE.


Here is the link to the SHINE article if you would like to check it out! 
https://advice.shinetext.com/articles/why-you-should-write-an-emotional-to-do-list/



Happy Tuesday all! 

Working mom life

Question 1: What do you think is the biggest challenge faced by mothers in the workplace?
I think a big challenge for working moms is wanting to always be good at everything that you do at work and at home. It doesn't always work out that way. I think it's important as a working mom to realize that everything will not always been perfectly balanced. There will be times when something gets more attention than something else. It doesn't mean you aren't doing a good job, it just means you are human.

Question 2: What is the most important piece of advice you have for mothers who are pursuing a career?

Find something that you like to do. It is so much harder to get up every day and go to a job that you don't like. When you like what you do and can look forward to it, it makes it easier to wake up and go, even if it means leaving those kids at home. Also, give yourself GRACE- every mother needs grace in all things we do. 

Question 3: As a mother, how do you explain to smaller children why you have to spend time away at work?

I have always worked. My son was 4 months old when I returned to work. He doesn't know any different. He stays home with his grandmothers, so he gets to bond and spend time with them. He loves it honestly and I think it is really good for him. He knows mommy and daddy come home at the end of the day. We also both work in education so we have lots of time off to spend with him. 

Question 4: What can professional mothers do to manage their time better?

I talked about this last week. ROUTINE. CONSISTENCY. HAVING A PLAN. As a working mom, I have to have a plan. Now, that plan does not always work out perfectly, BUT I have one. I am flexible when things come up, you have to be as a mom, but overall having routines and a plan make me feel more sane for sure.

Question 5: Does raising kids teach you any skills that you can use in the workplace?

Patience. My son has taught me an incredible amount of patience. I also don't worry about so much like I used to. I try not to stress the small stuff and focus on what's really important in life. He definitely has taught me about what matters in life. 

Question 6: What should professional mothers consider before starting employment at a new company?

I would say with any job change you need to ensure that it is a good fit for what you want for yourself and your family. How will the hours change? Will they be flexible about things because you are a working mom? Commute? Pay? All good things to look at. Change is always hard, but it might be the right choice for your family if it makes going to work easier and you can maintain family as #1. 

Question 7: Lots of professional mothers feel guilt when making sacrifices. How do you deal with this guilt?

I think it is really important to leave work at work. I try my hardest to work when I am working and to be present at home when I am at home. I make an effort every day to make sure I spend time with my son doing something he wants to do. Mom guilt is real. I don't think there is a mom out there that would say she wouldn't rather be home with her kids. BUT we don't all have that option for one and for two some of us actually enjoy working. I would say WORK TO LIVE and NOT LIVE TO WORK.

How do you balance working mom life? What tips can you give?

Friday Favs!

FRIDAY! Woo hoo! The weekend is ahead and even though it's cold and windy here in Southeast Texas, I am ready for a couple days to rest and relax. 

Today I am going to share with you a few of my favorite things- beauty wise, clothing wise, mom stuff, kid stuff..... just some things I LOVE!

Beauty:

Of course I sell Ever skincare and makeup so those are my favs! I did a whole blog post on that yesterday and here is my link, in case you missed it!

https://www.everskin.com/with/melissaanderson

Another product that I love is:

https://www.revelnail.com/

Revel nail allows you to do an at home dip powder manicure. It takes some time to get used to the process and get better at it, but overall it is easy and I love it! This was one of my favorite manicures with it. The color options are endless! Saves time and money instead of going to the salon. 

Clothing:

I am pregnant right now so clothing options are somewhat limited. I can still wear a lot of my non-maternity shirts, but pants are a no-go. When I am not pregnant some of my go-tos for clothing are Maurices, Jane, and Zulily. I love a great deal! I recently found a new website that I am really liking!

https://ddpboutiqueauctions.commentsold.com/store

The prices are so affordable. They post new stuff all the time. it is cute and on trend! Check it out!

Current Shoe LOVE- Adidas Cloudfoam. SO COMFY for my pregnant feet. They slip on and tie. They come in cute colors. 

Mom stuff & Kid Stuff

This is a harder topic! There are so many things out there for moms, babies, and kids. I am recently reminded of that when I am preparing for baby #2. 

Here are several things that made my life much easier as a mom:

https://www.thewonderweeks.com/

You can get the APP for this. It is a life saver when it comes to having a baby. I could put in the baby's due date and then see what to expect when they go through a leap or growth spurt. It definitely kept me from feeling like I was crazy for thinking my baby was acting "different" for a few days or weeks.

https://www.sheamoisture.com/products/mommy-baby-kids.html

This stuff is my fav! It smells SO good and you don't have to worry about harsh ingredients for you or baby!

You can sometimes find these products at Marshall's for cheaper and sometimes Target will carry them as well. I highly recommend these:

FOOD AND DRINK

Here are a few things I am really loving lately. I try to watch what I put in my body. I try to be cautious of sweets and too many carbs or processed foods.

I love these drinks- cherry limeade is my fav. They are zero calories. I don't drink them every day, but when I need a break from water all day, every day this is my go to right now.

Carb master products are sold at Kroger. I pick them up with my ClickList order. They are lower carb smoothies and yogurts. I haven't found a flavor I don't like yet. It gives me a little sweet something after lunch without loading up on sugars and calories. 

These are just a few of my favorite things...... what are some of your favorites?

My side gig

I believe in this and can tell you that it's true. I haven't found one negative thing to having a side gig! Let me tell you a little about it.

The OB-GYN that took care of me during my first pregnancy introduced me to this product. She was nearly 50 at the time and did not look it! I remember being in labor and my mom and mother-in-law asking her about her skin routine. Priorities- haha! She said she sold and used Ever skincare and told us a little about it. I was curious, but amidst being a new mom and all I didn't really look into it until much later. When I started researching it, I was a little taken aback by the price. I thought- I can't afford that. I would browse the website and then put it off. I would do it again and again. Finally in early 2018, a teacher friend of mine, Katherine, had joined the team and I decided I was going to do it! I wanted healthier looking skin, I wanted products that I could use without worry nursing and being pregnant, I just wanted more. Up until this point, I had tried so many products. From Neutrogena and other store shelf brands to Rodan and Fields (PS- the VP for R&F just left them to join us! hmmmmm) and everything in between. I have a box in my closet of products I tried that did nothing for my skin. Some smelled awful, some burned, some felt sticky and gross. Enough was enough. I was going to try Ever. Upon researching, I decided that I would like to try selling it. What could 1 year of trying something hurt? I signed up and the rest is history. 

Does your skincare look this pretty sitting on your counter?

We also have a whole makeup line from concealer to blush/eyeshadow palettes to longwear lipgloss, brushes, mascara that makes it look like you are wearing falsies and so much more! Best part about all that is it is a FAST morning routine! 

Here are some of the many reasons I LOVE Ever and I love my side gig:

We abide by European standards, which are far stricter than US standards for skincare and topical products.

Our products are botanically based. They have a NEVER EVER List

The products work! They give you real results! 

Here are some of my personal results:

That was just a month in! I need to take some new pics as I am approaching almost a YEAR with Ever.

I have earned extra income for my family with Ever. This past year, I earned $3,000. Not much at all, but it made a difference to us. It paid for my skincare, paid for a vacation, paid for things that broke unexpectedly around the house. 

Overall, my experience with Ever has been amazing! As far as the price- my initial concern- it's no longer a concern. the products do last a while, so I would say on average I spend about $50 a month with skincare products and makeup. For some people that is one meal out or one week of Starbucks. My skin is more important to me. I want to make sure I am taking care of myself. SELF CARE is so important. I also want to know that the products that I am putting on my skin are good for me, because they enter your bloodstream within 10 seconds- did you know that? 

I encourage everyone to do research. Look at the products on your counter and see what is in them. Are they giving you the results that you want and need? We have products for every skin type and every skin concern. I am going to link our product catalog below. Check it out! I will also put the link to my personal Ever page. If you have any questions about a routine or about starting a side gig please contact me at msenseney05@aol.com

Catalog: https://issuu.com/everskin/docs/ever_product_guide?e=15378534/11207162 

My webpage: 

www.everskin.com/with/melissaanderson

Let's talk routine!

Routine- a sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program. (other words used to describe it- procedure, practice, pattern, regimen)

It sounds kinda scary doesn't it? Or it sounds more like HARD work than anything. Until it's not. It took me a long time to realize that establishing a routine, making a permanent part of what you do, and learning to love that routine makes it NOT hard and NOT scary. In all honesty, I crave routine. I enjoy routine. Even when it's not fun stuff that I have to do- like laundry or dishes. At the end of the day, it makes me feel so much more calm and relaxed when things are done. It also is its own accountability system. You can easily tell if someone is off routine. It may be they look a hot mess, their house is a hot mess, they are late, they forget something....the list goes on. Now, I am not trying to say that every day will be perfect. IMPOSSIBLE. BUT, I am saying that a little routine can go a long way to making life better and easier. 

Here's a rundown of my working mom routine on a regular school day:

6:00- Wake up- I might hit snooze once, but I am definitely up by 6:10.

6:10-6:30- Hair, makeup, dressed for day. My Ever skincare and makeup routine make it super easy to do this quickly! See our beautiful palette, mascara, and lip gloss below! I make it a routine to have clothes picked out for the week so that I am not searching for an outfit. In face, I iron everything that my husband and I will wear to work for the week on Sundays. Takes 30 minutes, makes life easier!

6:30-7:00- I usually pop some oatmeal in the microwave to cook while I am unloading the dishwasher, packing lunches, and just straightening up the living room and kitchen. I might take something out for dinner or put something in the crock pot. I always meal plan. I us ClickList from Kroger and grocery shop once every 3-4 weeks. I freeze a lot of stuff- bread, cheese, whatever so that I am not constantly at the store. I make one run a week to get fresh fruit and maybe milk or something small I have forgotten. ClickList is a GAME CHANGER. No more browsing the aisles and getting unneeded stuff. No searching the stores for what you need. They do it for you, you pull up and they load up ALL your groceries! Done deal!

A little after 7:00, I am out the door and off to work! 7:30-3:30 is my work schedule. Sometimes we have meetings or other obligations, but for the most part I am off and home by 4:00 every day. 

When I get home, I usually visit with my son, have a snack with him and then get changed into work clothes. I am currently doing Beachbody on Demand. Occasionally I will get in a workout on my lunch break, but sometimes it is at home and I never spend more than 30 minutes on it. By 5:00-515 I am done and ready to get dinner going or finished. We eat around 6:00. After dinner and cleaning up, it is play time and then bath time. I aim for 7:30 to be relaxing as a family. bedtime is between 9:00-10:00. Then it is time to do it all again.

Other things I do around the house that are routine:

I clean, like really DEEP clean, every 2 weeks. Otherwise, I keep things picked up, the floors cleaned, and bathrooms cleaned weekly.

I do laundry twice during the week usually and then finish on the weekend.

I pay bills when we get paid twice a month, usually on that day so that I don't forget or let things slip away from me.

We have old people medicine containers LOL! I fill those up on Sundays so that we have all our meds and vitamins set out for the week and we aren't fumbling with bottles.

We hire someone to mow our grass- game changer, time saver.

We usually make runs once a month to get haircuts, household items, car washed (we pay for that too), and run errands. 

I use Amazon Prime for EVERYTHING else we need in between. Stuff for home or work- I order it and in 2 days it is on my porch.

I have subscribe orders for things like diapers and wipes, coffee, dog food. It comes and I don't even have to think about it. 

We regularly clean out and purge clothes and items we don't use around the house. That alone has become a routine and makes us all feel better when we have less clutter hanging around. 

Organization and routine are key for me as a working mom. It makes me feel more sane on the crazy days. It helps me to enjoy those things like working out, cooking dinner, washing clothes....because it is not stressful. 

What are your daily routines? What do you do to make life easier? How can you incorporate any of these things into your routine to try and live a healthier life, get some exercise, get some rest?

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack!

I wasn't even sure that this blog would be still active or able to access. I started this blog YEARS ago. After getting married and just busy with life, I didn't write. I was wrapped up in wife life and a new house and eventually having a baby. There was no time for this. I am happy to be back and ready to restart this journey. The name "Fitness, Football, and a Fleur de Lis" is still fitting. I still have a love for fitness, I still love football (despite the NFL's major mistake recently which robbed my Saints of a Super Bowl appearance) and I still am a Texas girl with a Cajun twist. Things are a little different now. I am a wife of 4 years almost. I am a mom to a busy 2 year old boy and a little girl is on her way- due in April. I am not in the classroom anymore. I work in education, but as an instructional coach. I am just a working mom and wife who tries to do my best in all things- be a God loving Christian woman who loves my family and works hard. I still pay attention to my nutrition and exercise. I also have a side gig now with Ever Skincare which I absolutely love! A post to come soon on that whole journey! So, hello again to everyone out there! I hope that you will enjoy this journey with me. I will attach my facebook group below if you would like to join. You can also follow me @motivationwithmelissa2019 on Instagram. I have a contest going on right now! Check it out!

Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/352063388724474/

Coming up this week in the blog:
Routine
Ever Skincare

A year of changes...

Wow! I can't believe it has been a whole YEAR since I have written a blog post. CRAZY! This year has definitely been that. There have been many changes in my life over the past year. I doubt I even have followers to read about it, but I love to write. I love to see it on the screen. It is almost a therapy for me.

 First and foremost, I continued counting macros until summer hit. I am a teacher and I get off all summer. I splurged. I drank. I ate. I went on vacation. I didn't work out. I wasted money on macro calculations and didn't even do it. I gained. More about that later.

Second, I found my way back to church. I was baptized. I was already baptized as a child, but the church I was attending at the time and the way I felt, I did it again. No need to harp on that. I felt good about it. I am about 80% of the way through reading the bible completely. It has always been a goal, but I have never completed it. This year I will. I am in a good place. I feel closer to God than I ever have.

 Third, I met a man. He walked right into my little school here in Port Bolivar, TX and started working here. He asked me on a date. We went. A month later, he moved in. 3 months later, he proposed and 6 months later, we were married. March 16, 2015- the day I changed my name. I am so in love with this man. At 32 today, I didn't know if God had a man for me. I didn't know what life would bring. Well, God surprised me with the most amazing man ever. He is everything I ever dreamed of and so much more. We had an elopement style wedding with just our family and my best friend. It was perfect. I don't regret not having a big wedding. It was our day. No big crowds. No distractions. I loved every moment.

Fourth, we bought a house. 11 days after out wedding, we closed on our house. It is beautiful. I love everything about it. I see us growing old there. I see us having children there. It is our forever home. :)

 And lastly, since this blog is about fitness somewhat. I have gained 20 lbs since last year. Yep, 20! I still fit in almost all my clothes. Crazy, huh? I still have moments where I looks in the mirror and feel really good about myself. I have moments where I feel really bad also. For some reason, the past few days it really hit me. I thought about being 32. I thought about all the years I have obsessed about my weight. I thought about all the times I tracked food. Denied myself something, because it might make me fat. Hated my body. Obsessed over working out. Felt bad about eating something. Eating too much because I was starting a diet on Monday. Ate more than I was hungry for because "it's ok, I already messed up. After this, I will quit.". There have been so many days where I have felt bad. So many days where I have felt deprived. Too much time measuring and tracking. Why do I do this? Because I want to be skinny.. I want to look good.. but why? God loves me no matter what. My husband loves me. My family and friends love me. Getting to a certain weight does not define who I am. It will not make me happy. I am tired. I am tired of worrying. Tired of stressing. Tired of counting. Tired of looking at myself in disgust. Tired of it all. I want to LIVE. I mean, really live. I don't think I was put on this Earth to spend my life doing this. So, I'm not. I quit. Does that mean that I am going to go crazy? NO! I am not going to go around eating cupcakes and pizza and laying on my butt. I am going to eat healthy. Eat when I am hungry. Stop when I am full. Enjoy the bites. I am going to stop looking at food as good or bad. Stop looking at it as a carb, protein, or fat. Stop looking at it as 300 calories or 80 calories. Stop thinking about carb cycling, low carb, macros, calorie counting, calorie deficit, calories in and out, blah blah blah. I am going to eat as healthy as possible. I am going to enjoy life. I am going to have something sweet here and there. I am going to eat the cookie. I am going to have the drink. I am going to workout and enjoy it. I will lift. I might run. I will be active. I will wake up with a smile on my face. I will tell myself I love myself and how beautiful I am. Simply- life is too short. This will be extremely hard for me. I can't tell you the last time I didn't worry about food or track or try the newest diet fad. I am done. DONE! Here's to a new chapter, whatever it may bring- I am ready! This may be the best gift I can give myself. Oh, and I bought a book to go with it. I love Joyce and I really do need to learn to lighten up! :) "Eat the cookie, buy the shoes!" is my new read!