VISUALIZATION: See It. Believe It. Live It.

Do you TRAIN YOUR BRAIN?!

Hey Friends,

Most of you are probably reading this because you saw the INSTAGRAM POST of me side stage at one of my recent shows practicing VISUALIZATION and of course PRAYER & GRATITUDE.
Taking a moment to say THANKS GOD and visualizing what I want to happen has been such a game changer for me as I've evolved from an amateur in the NPC to a professional athlete in the IFBB.

Most of what I really have to say about VISUALIZATION can be found within my Instagram caption, so I'll copy and paste it for you below in case you found my blog another way. But I wanted to elaborate on VISUALIZATION and give you some links on the topic that may help you learn more about it and learn how to do it.

If we are friends on the gram you know I've been mentioning a new form of "therapy" I'm doing.
You can read a little about it HERE if you missed my post a couple weeks ago.

In short ... I've been seeing a "guided meditation coach" - "spiritual guru" - "spiritual consultant" -  (whatever you want to call her but she also has pretty crazy channeling/psychic abilities) ... as part of my quest to overcome some depression I've been experiencing for some time, find inner peace/clarity, find/live my life purpose and just be a BETTER human being in general!

Many of you have asked me for her contact information. Seeing her as part of a series of sessions is ideal - I am doing the 6 week Chakra Balance Sessions which include lots of other stuff within them - but I do believe that even one session with her can be beneficial if you are just in town visiting and she also does Skype!

Is it working? I honestly don't know. I've only seen her a couple of times. But I can tell you that she truthfully has been a breath of fresh air in my life. Do I feel more "balanced" .. I mean I feel more hopeful. Part of doing this type of "therapy" is BELIEVING IN IT. If you read my Insta Post you know I'm a sceptic when it comes to this stuff. But I'm trying to open my heart and mind and encourage you to do the same! Look into it! It certainly can't hurt and is cheaper than a psychologist!

Happy Visualizing and all the GOOD JUJU ...
Stacy

INSTAGRAM CAPTION ABOUT VISUALIZATION
Do you TRAIN YOUR MIND as much as you train your body? I love this video. A friend captured me side stage at Omaha in “my moment” .. Visualizing my routine, the outcome I’d love to see and also saying my THANKS to GOD for giving me ABILITY.
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Let’s talk about VISUALIZATION. I’ve been doing it for a LONG time. I’m not great at it because my mind goes in ten thousand directions and I am especially not good at it in the EXACT way my spiritual guidance/guru lady wants me to do it.
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What is visualization? Essentially it’s just concentrated dreaming. It’s constructing life from a space inside our brains. Everything we do begin as a thought and exists first in our imagination.
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The ability to see things before they actually happen is what enables us to pursue our dreams and ultimately achieve them. The better we visualize the way we want it to happen … the better our chances are at it actually happening. NOT because it’s magic though. Keep reading :-)
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There is actually lots of science behind it and successful people all over the world use visualization to spawn dreams into reality.
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Can you just VISUALIZE what you want (success, money, winning a competition, etc) and it just happen?? NO WAY! I think it’s hilarious when people are like … oh I visualized it … I affirmed it .. I wrote it down and put it under my pillow … and IT HAPPENED.
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NO .. unless they were practicing visualization on the regular .. they just got lucky. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve written down what I WANT and it NOT happen (and I practice visualization.) Energy is an amazing thing .. but it doesn’t work that way.
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YOU HAVE TO PUT OUT INTO THE UNIVERSE WHAT IT IS YOU ARE VISUALIZING. You have to be PROACTIVE and DO THE WORK that is required to support your goals. You have to believe what your are seeing CAN HAPPEN.
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Visualization isn’t magic … it’s simply another TOOL in your mental game tool box.  So why does it work?! Because ENERGY GOES WHERE ENERGY FLOWS!!
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Visualization
*Builds Courage: When you’ve already envisioned the scenario, the real thing will feel familiar and much more feasible. It will be as if you’ve done it before because in your brain …you have.
*Combats Negative Thoughts: During a visualization session, you get to live out your dreams despite what others say. It’s an effective way to battle that negative voice inside your own head, too.
*Helps with Self Belief: Truly believing we an achieve what we have our hearts sets on gives us HOPE and MUST HAVE HOPE. When we lose hope … we’ve already lost.

WEBPAGES THAT MAY HELP YOU WITH VISUALIZATION:
https://litemind.com/how-to-develop-visualization-skill/
http://www.thelawofattraction.com/visualize-secret-visualization-really/


VEGAS SPIRITUAL CONSULTANT I USE
SOCORRO - SPIRITUAL MEDITATION

SUPPLEMENTS I SUGGEST FOR ANXIETY
Quality CBD that is PURE, TESTED and TRUSTED.

In the right method and dosage this natural "medicine" can be LIFE CHANGING for those with anxiety!

PLEASE READ THESE BLOGS for more information....

Healed Not High
Consumer Confusion

AFTER you have read them .. if you have any other questions you an EMAIL me!

As mentioned in the blogs... there are very few companies (that can ship to you) that I have researched and use and TRUST! Currently I'm only using THIS COMPANY. I'm sure there are other great CBD companies out there but it is up to YOU to do your SOLID RESEARCH and ask MANY MANY MANY questions.

I would NEVER just pick up some CBD at a health store and ASSUME it's "quality". You want to research the ACTUAL COMPANY before you purchase!

I've done the homework for you and promise these two companies are great.
If you choose to venture out and use another company PLEASE look into them and ask TONS of questions. With the popularity of CBD the con artists are out in FULL FORCE. They are not only using misleading verbiage to make you THINK that a hemp product is CBD (explained in full HERE) .. but even worse many are selling basically coconut oil with no true CBD in it and/or CBD that is potentially contaminated and from shady sources, etc.

Adrenal Fatigue: The Reason I {almost} Quit Coffee

{Me ... just over four weeks ago}

I am not even sure how I can concentrate enough to write this blog post.

I can't focus.
I have a headache.
I keep zoning out.
My ADD is off the charts.
I'm a little moody.
Okay I'm a lot moody ... I cried for NO reason yesterday .. twice.

Why? CAFFEINE WITHDRAWALS!!!!
(The withdrawal symptoms got better after a couple days thanks to THIS product. Keep reading.)

My name is Stacy.
I am a coffee addict.
I am on DAY THREE of a "caffeine cut" in an attempt to give my adrenal glands a little break/restore. ((More on the Adrenal Restore product I'm using a little further down... keep reading.))

Firt things first ... I have not totally cut out caffeine. I just can't. But I have cut it DRASTICALLY!!

A couple times a year I do something called an ADRENAL RESTORE cycle. Every time I've done it in the past I've had ALL the coffee I usually have daily and just cut out pre-workout.
Not this time. I'm doing it right. Well almost right. Right would be cutting out caffeine 100% .. but I seriously couldn't do that. But I was pretty darn close!

So how much caffeine did I cut out? ALMOST all. A typical morning for me consisted of 30 ounces of coffee every morning.  During the cut, I did 3/4 deaf and the rest regular. So guessing I got 50-75 of caffeine (max) ... that is a BIG difference compared to what I was getting before!

I also would have a late afternoon coffee pick-me-up about 1-2 hours before training. It was usually another 20oz thermos. During the cut, instead of that 2nd thermos, I had either Green Tea, a Vital Proteins Collagen Matcha Latte, mushroom coffee, mushroom elixirs, or some other hot tea. That varied from either ZERO to 60mg of caffeine in the afternoon.

I have also cut out ALL stimulant based pre-workout. I actually did that a LONG time ago. Somewhere around Olympia. So from October until this "cut" .. I had stopped having stimulant pre-workout DAILY and would only take a stimulant pre-workout AS NEEDED (this is the one I use.) Instead, I used a NON-STIMULANT pre-workout like THIS one or THIS one. So I simply continued doing that (never taking the stimulant one) during the Adrenal reset.

WAIT A SECOND! REWIND! Did I said MUSHROOMS in the paragraph above? Yes, I did and I'm not talking about the kind we like to put in salads or stir fry, ha!

Wanna know more about MUSHROOM COFFEE and MUSHROOM ELIXIRS -- CLICK HERE.

These products deserved a blog of their own! So make sure you CHECK IT OUT after you read this so that you can determine if they are something you may be interested in!

I'm blown away by them and am now doing a TON of research on ALL KINDS of Adaptogens .. not just shroomz!

Ok...back to caffeine and ADRENAL RESTORE (the product I'm used to re-set my adrenals.)

WHY is it important to do an Adrenal Reset?

The adrenal glands are responsible for regulating the production of over 50 different hormones, most importantly adrenaline, cortisol, DHEA, progesterone, and testosterone.

Physical things like overtraining, and mental things like nerves, general stress, chronic anxiety, and other external stressors can cause adrenal function to become impaired. This causes the balance of adrenal hormones to shift and excess cortisol begins to be released into the system.

Over time the adrenals become taxed and worn down, leading to a group of symptoms that have collectively come to be known as adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue includes, but is not limited to: being tired for no reason, feeling rundown and overwhelmed, having trouble getting up in the morning even though you’ve had a full night’s sleep, sweet and salty cravings, difficulty recovering from illness, heavy dependence on caffeine and energy products just to function and not really feeling the kick from them anymore.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way and with a steady treatment and a little break from some of the stressors, adrenal function can be fully restored.

HOW do I do it?
I use a product called ADRENAL RESTORE. It is amazing! I try to do this two times a year. At the END of contest season and then again JUST BEFORE prep starts. No real reason for the timing. It's just easy to remember. You can do it ANYTIME and the most effective time would be when you FEEL like you need it! That is pretty easy to determine. Is your coffee not giving you the energy it once did? Do you find yourself needing more? How about pre-workout .. does it just not give you the same effect? Those are all signs that your adrenals aren't functioning properly.

When our adrenals aren't optimal our bodies aren't functioning properly! Andrenal Restore™ brings together a potent complex of vitamins and herbs that have been proven to treat adrenal fatigue at its origin, not just mask the symptoms. The potent ingredients of Adrenal Restore have been shown to help reduce physical and mental stress, minimize caffeine headaches, reduce cortisol levels to help minimize fat storage and optimize natural energy levels. At the same time, the ingredients of this powerful formula come together to aid in the production and release of adrenal hormones back into the body. Defeat stress and minimize cortisol production with Adrenal Restore. *

FAST FORWARD TO THE END OF MY ADRENAL RESET.

The headaches and brain fog went away after about 3 days. After a few days, I also didn't notice much of a difference as far as energy levels being lower! However, I did notice that I was sleepier when it was time to go to bed, which is a perk for me since I suffer from Insomnia. I credit the withdrawal symptoms going away because of ADRENAL RESTORE!! The ingredients in this product help with the "caffeine headaches" and "brain fog" that often comes with doing a caffeine cut!

The plan WAS to go back to my regular caffeine consumption after 4 weeks. While I've gone back to much higher levels of caffeine ... I'm still not having as much as I used to! In using the adaptogens listed on THIS blog ... I don't really need to!

I did start incorporating my stimulant pre-workout back in (MegaWatt V2) on the days I feel like I need the extra push! And the best part .. IT WORKS AGAIN! My adrenals were so taxed that even pre-workout didn't really do much! Now I remember HOW GREAT it can be to give you that little extra push to train harder/longer!

Okay .. so that is my story. I wanna know YOUR STORY!
Have you had success in cutting caffeine? If so, tell me what you did!
Are you SCARED to try cutting out caffeine? If so, why?
Jump over to my Instagram page and let's chat about it!!

As always if you have questions about Adrenal Restore or any 1stPhorm product ... send me an EMAIL!

You can always get FREE FAST SHIPPING and 110% money back guarantee by using my link: www.1stphorm.com/stacy.

XoXo,
Stacy


**Some products and links may be AFFILIATE links. Meaning I may or may not recieve commission or product as part of a sponsorship or affiliation with the company. But please know that any product I post about I use and stand by.**

Healed Not High: How CBD Saved Me

I am HEALED not HIGH. How CBD has healed me of almost all of my digestion issues from Celiac Disease.

Disclaimer: I AM NOT AN EXPERT. I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO GIVE ANY TYPE OF MEDICAL ADVICE. I AM A CONSUMER AND A BELIEVER AND WROTE THIS BLOG TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE. PLEASE CLICK ON TEAL HYPERLINKS WITHIN ARTICLE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

If you are looking for the 100% THC Free Companies or THC/CBD blends I PERSONALLY standby they are all listed at the BOTTOM of this entry. Just skip to the bottom if you don't care about anything else!

Check out my other CBD blogs:
CONSUMER CONFUSION
POT FOR PETS


Hello Friends,

This is a long one!! So read it when you have some extra time!

In case you are new to the blog or my socials I should begin this post by telling you I have a TON of gastro problems. In 2006 I was diagnosed with the auto-immune condition Celiac Disease (after being mis-diagnosed and very sick for 5 years.) I also have IBS-C and unknown issues that cause me stomach bloating and hit/miss constipation.

This is a video post I made on Instagram earlier this year about what an episode can look like. (FlashPlayer is being crazy on here. If it won't work just click on the hyperlink.)

I've been strictly gluten free since 2006 (when I was diagnosed with Celiac) but I still have unexplained and sometimes very severe bloating, pressure, fullness and constipation. I've tried a gazillion medications, powders, pills, diets, etc. Some have had a small success and other have had none. I have good months and bad months but overall the unexplained bloating and irregular bowel movement have made life pretty miserable.

It especially makes competing as an IFBB Bikini Pro very hard. I could work my butt off and not be able to go to the bathroom or have an "episode" of bloating and my entire physique be RUINED in a matter of seconds!



For the past couple months I have been using something that has helped more than ANYTHING else ever has! Unless I eat something that would naturally cause bloating ... the bloating is pretty much GONE! I've also had ZERO pain and ZERO unexplained flair ups AT ALL (explained flair up would be the accidental ingestion of gluten. Which by the way ... did happen a few weeks after started this new treatment. I took a dose of one of my tinctures and within 15 min my pain went from a good 20 to maybe a 3.)

What is this "magic" that seems to be the ONLY thing giving me my life back?! There are many names for it .. pot, weed, cannabis, marijuana, lol. But no .. really it's none of the above. Well, not exactly. It's a non psychoactive COMPOUND that is in marijuana called ... CBD.

I didn't plan to announce to the world that I am a medical marijuana card holder last week .. but when a first of it's kind clinical trial was breaking news on all major news outlets I felt like I needed to go ahead and speak up!

To expand on my Instagram Post (which you can see here) my primary care doctor (who also specializes in medical marijuana) believed that CBD could benefit me due to my condition. I very hesitantly gave it a go. I think I had my card issued for like a month before I got the courage to go to a dispensary and get my "goods", haha! (Full transparency here. I'm not a pot smoker and never have been. I it back in like 1998/1999 and hadn't touched it since then.)


Since most people following my journey do so because they have similar STOMACH issues ... I want to make it VERY CLEAR that I use CBD for symptoms (inflammation/pain) related to having Celiac Disease. I DO NOT take it because of bloating that could be from food or poor diet. I have extreme internal inflammation from a MEDICAL condition. I don't want anyone with belly bloat to believe this is some magic solution for bloating. Bloating is often controllable by simply changing your diet, taking out or limiting certain foods (fodmaps, gluten, lactose, etc), increasing fiber, or even decreasing fiber, increasing water intake, taking probiotics, taking the Prebiotin brand of prebiotics, digestive enzymes, glutamine and even stomach massage. CBD is not going to fix a poor lifestyle or food related bloating!  I can still get belly bloat if I over do it on fiber, eat too many fodmaps that affect me, too many gassy veggies, or slack on taking my other supplements mentioned above.

While the bloating and pain are essentially "cured" ... the CBD does NOT seem to be helping with the constipation aspect of my stomach issues. I saw a nurse the last time I went to the dispensary and she suggested a specific strain of CBD in VAPE form. Essentially if I feel like I "can't go" I take a couple of deep hits while sitting on the toilet and ... just wait. I've only tried it twice and neither time produced any results. That said .. constipation is NOT a condition that has shown to benefit from CBD so I wasn't expecting results.

I am so excited to share this journey with you all. I know there is a lot of confusion/ignorance surrounding "medical marijuana (which creates judgement and misconception) but I'm willing to make a few people uncomfortable in an effort to EDUCATE those willing to listen and more than ANYTHING hopefully help others that may have a medical condition in which CBD may help!

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Photo Courtesy: Leafly

WHAT IS CBD?
There are THREE active ingredients in Cannabis. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most prevalent chemical compounds in the cannabis (Marijuana) plant. Unlike the more famous and well known molecule THC, CBD is completely non-psychoactive.... meaning that it does not make you high. 

THC = High (but not necessarily if it's in low doses. Many CBD oils contain trace amount of THC yet still have ZERO psychoactive affects) and pure CBD = NOT HIGH.

I'll say it another way .... THC is the stuff that gets you high; CBD (cannabidiol) is the stuff that makes you feel better. Depending where CBD is sourced will determine how much (if any) THC it has in it and if it will make you have any"high" or not.

Image Courtesy: upressonline.com

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CBD?
Cannabinoids bind to special receptors on your cells called cannabinoid receptors. It acts on the body’s endocannabinoid system, creating physical changes in the body, which can be beneficial in many ways. Certain receptors are heavily concentrated in the central nervous system while others are found in almost every organ of the body. Cannabinoid receptors are found in the skin, digestive tract, and even in the reproductive organs! So you can see why/how CBD can help with a WIDE variety of ailments!!

Preclinical trials over the past four decades have found that the CBD shows promise as an:

anti-inflammatory
antioxidant
neuroprotectant
anxiolytic
antidepressant
analgesic
anti-tumoral agent
anti-psychotic
Patients with more chronic conditions such as cancer and epilepsy often use medical cannabis oil extracted from high-CBD varieties of cannabis.

Also as mentioned earlier in this post, A FIRST OF IT'S KIND actual CLINICAL trial was released this week that shows that CBD . The fact that a CLINICAL trial was finally done is HUGE!
Read about it HERE.

HOW CAN I PURCHASE CBD?

To buy CBD derived from Cannabis you must live in a state where medical or recreational cannabis is legal. For medical ... you will see a doctor licensed to recommend you receive your medical cards. If you have an approved condition and are approved by the state you get your card and then simply go to a local dispensary to get it. If you go to a good dispensary, the people there can help you decide which type/method is best for you/your condition! I go to Essence Vegas and they have been WONDERFUL! They even have a nurse on staff some days! However nobody in Vegas carries the THC/CBD blend that I love most! I have to go to California to get that. But I hear they are expanding soon (more on this company below.) If you live in a state where rec is legal .. lucky you .. just walk in, ha

WHAT IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN A STATE WHERE MARIJUANA IS LEGAL or DON'T QUALIFY FOR A MED CARD? HOW CAN I PURCHASE CBD?

You can purchase it online. However it must be derived from HEMP, not cannabis. One manufacturer of hemp derived CBD created THIS state-by-state chart that breaks down CBD laws by state. As far as I know HEMP derived CBD is legal in all 50 states. However you MUST keep in mind that all of the hemp derived CBD on the market is effective or SAFE! Lots of scams out there, especially now that CBD is becoming so popular.

I have looked into a few hemp based brands that I feel safe recommending for those of you that can't go to a dispensary.. Here is the MAIN ONE I currently stand behind and USE MYSELF.  I'll include links at the bottom of the blog with much more information! So keep reading!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN CBD THAT COMES FROM CANNABIS and CBD THAT COMES FROM HEMP?

Hemp Plant: Photo Courtesy Waking Times

There are two types of CBD products available: products derived from “hemp” and products derived from “marijuana”.

The CBD found in both of these plants is essentially the same, it’s the legal definition that is not.

The main difference when thinking of hemp CBD vs cannabis CBD are the differences in levels of CBD and THC the oil contains.

In short, hemp CBD oil and cannabis CBD oil are the same. CBD is CBD. The difference is that CBD derived from the hemp plant is federally legal, whereas CBD derived from cannabis is not.

Now .. there has been much debate if CBD derived from industrial hemp has the same properties as cannabis-derived CBD. People argue both sides. Personally I have tried CBD from both cannabis and hemp and WITH THE BRAND I AM USING I did not notice a difference! Meaning .. both worked just as well for me!

Those that believe it holds the same medicinal properties state the following as "facts" (ie - opinions.)

*Agricultural hemp and medical marijuana both come from the Cannabis Sativa L. plant.
((However as I showed you above. Keep in mind that medical marijuana can also come from the Indica plant ..which naturally has more THC.)

*Agricultural hemp, which is often referred to as “hemp stalk,” grows differently than THC-containing cannabis, and looks similar to bamboo.

*As long as agricultural hemp plants are pollinated by members of their own crop, the genetics will remain similar with low levels of THC.

The biggest concern I would personally have about CBD from Hemp is where you buy it! There are many things to consider when it comes to potency and safety. I certainly wouldn't be going to Ebay or Amazon that is for sure! Also be aware of Social Media. While it seems there are LOTS of legit companies selling CBD .. some look really shady to me! See the next section for more tips below on what questions to ask when purchasing online.

photo courtesy: Leaf Science

I am probably doing a crappy job at explaining the difference in the two. I liked THIS article I found online because of the graphics. They make it pretty easy to understand I think. THIS is also a good one from leaf science that also probably does a better job than I am of explaining the difference. BUT please keep in mind when googling articles .. most places have some sort of bias toward one side or the other :)

HOW CAN I PURCHASE CBD DERIVED FROM HEMP?
Online... but please be careful! If you do choose to order hemp derived CBD, you want to do your research and ASK A TON OF QUESTIONS before you order.

I would ask the following:

**Are your products and batches tested by third party companies for quality and purity? They should PROVIDE TEST RESULTS on their webpage. If not, ASK THEM for them! If they will not provide this ... MOVE ON!

**Where is your hemp grown (region/country, etc)

**Where are your products manufactured?

**What is the dosage of the actual ACTIVE CBD?

I thought THIS was a great article that explains a little more IN DEPTH why you should ask these questions as well as some others they suggest you ask before purchasing.

At first (when I wrote this article originally) I only used CBD derived from cannabis and got it at a medical dispensary in Vegas. However, I ran out a while back and it was out of stock EVERYWHERE because recreational cannabis went legal here and they couldn't keep up with supply/demand! That forced me to RESEARCH and try another company or two that was HEMP based (100% THC FREE.) I am so glad because not only can I have a SAFE company to suggest to ALL of you .. but due to their extraction methods and TYPE of CBD ... I actually PREFER using this 100% THC company I found - most of the time! *they do also have THC options if you live in an area where their brand is available* 

WHICH HEMP DERIVED COMPANIES DO I STAND BEHIND?!
For both THC FREE CBD and my THC/CBD blends ... most recently I love/use a company called IGNITE CBD.

I've tried several (trusted ones) and seen great results with all of them. In the end, this one has just been my favorite after lots of trial and error. That is the thing about CBD .. you may have to play around with dosage, methods and even brands since they often offer different blends, etc.

There are MANY other Hemp Based THC Free CBD Companies and products out there and lots of them are legit and trustworthy! The issue is PURITY. The black market for Hemp CBD is really bad right now. So I suggest DOING YOUR RESEARCH, ASKING FOR LAB REPORTS and staying on top of doing so when you re-order ... to ensure you are using a QUALITY product. Otherwise you risk putting something into your body that is contaminated ... or contains no real CBD and is a waste of your money! This is why I would be cautions when possibly purchasing at a health store, gas station or drug store. Many legit companies are starting to launch at these locations but chances are the sales clerks at these stores won't be much help. It's always best to research the company before you buy it!


HOW DO I PERSONALLY TAKE CBD?
I touched on this above and there are many ways. You can smoke it, vape it, put it under the tongue in drop or liquid form (often called a tincture), eat it in edibles, take it in a capsule, drink it in beverages or sprinkle on food in pre-made spices that are on the market, rub it on your body using a balm/lotion, soak in an infused bath, etc.

How you use it should depend on WHY you are taking it. A good company that you purchase from should be able to guide you!

I prefer to MICRO-DOSE meaning I take several small(er) doses throughout the day in order to keep a steady stream of CBD in my body at all times.

I use a hemp oil under my tongue every morning when I first wake up. I will use a it again in the  afternoon OR I'll hit a CBD or CBD/THC vape. Then before bed I take a pen that DOES have THC. I have found that a good 1:1 ration of thc/cbd is best for ME. Anything more (thc) and I often wake up after only 4 hours of sleep and CAN NOT go back to bed. But this is VERY INDIVIDUAL!! You will have to play around! That said .. HIGH doses of CBD have been known to create the same effect if you can't/don't want to use a product with THC in it!

By the way .. you can't overdose on CBD ... so don't worry about that, ha!

IS CBD SAFE?
When purchased from a Medical Dispensary I feel 110% confident in saying the answer is YES.
Cannabis (in general) is actually so safe that it's basically impossible for an adult human to ingest a fatal dose. Keep in mind CAUSATION and CORRELATION aren't the same!!! Over dose is how people directly die from using "drugs" (and CBD is not a quote/unquote drug.) They indirectly die from getting "high" (lots of THC) and having an accident of sorts .....BIG difference.

Additionally, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration drug sheet for marijuana (that means it has THC .. again very different than just CBD) reports that no deaths from marijuana (yes even with THC) overdose have ever even been recorded!! So if marijuana (with THC) is that "safe" obviously the compound CBD is VERY safe!

As far as HEMP derived CBD goes. As I stated above ... be cautious. There are indeed tons of scammers out there when it comes to the "hemp seed oil" market. I can only stand behind the couple of companies linked in this blog. However I'm sure with your own research you could find others that are safe/pure!

IS CBD LEGAL?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is complicated. Every country has its own cannabis laws, and CBD is more readily available in some regions than others. In the United Kingdom, for example, CBD was recently declared as medicine by the National Health Service (NHS).

In the United States the legality of CBD will depend on where it was sourced (as explained above.) Here is that chart again that breaks it down state-by-state.

WILL CBD MAKE ME HIGH?
I've already answered this but since this is the BIGGEST misconception about CBD I want to address it again. NO ... CBD (even CBD with low doses of THC) will NOT make you high.

Even when I used a tincture that was not THC free ( had a VERY low dose of THC since it' was derived from cannabis) it never made me high and did not impact me in ANY WAY as far as the way I "feel". I can drive, work, etc.

If you are still worried about this. Simply use CBD derived from HEMP. Such as the IGNITE brand I suggest above.

WHAT ABOUT MUNCHIES? I THOUGHT MARIJUANA MAKES YOU WANT TO EAT? 
When it comes to CBD this is totally FALSE. I take it everyday and there is zero difference in appetite. The "hunger" you hear about is a sometimes a side effect of THC. Which is why many people (such as cancer patients) use a Medical Cannabis that CBD as well as higher amounts of THC.

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Okay friends .. there you have it. I AM NOT AN EXPERT. I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO GIVE ANY TYPE OF MEDICAL ADVICE. I AM A CONSUMER AND A BELIEVER and wrote this blog simply to help educate you on what I've learned about CBD. Also I am hoping to EDUCATE people that YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GET HIGH TO GET HEALED!!!! Please have an open mind and educate yourself from ignorance!

I found a webpage with a TON of more in-depth info and I highly recommend you check it out HERE. They cover many other questions you may have .. especially when it comes to Medical Marijuana with THC. Many medical conditions CAN greatly benefit from CBD with equal or even higher doses of THC (which would typically cause a "high" of SOME sort.) But I'll let you research all that on your own since this blog is mainly about CBD.

As mentioned above .. full transparency here ... I am also taking tinctures/vapes that contain both CBD and decent amounts of THC. I have one that I DO NOT use daily but "in case of emergency" or in "high stress" situations (which can cause Celiac flare ups.) It is a cbd/thc blend with still relatively low levels of THC compared to the CBD. It still does NOT make me high... but I wouldn't drive if I use it. As I showed you in the beginning of the blog ... I was exposed to some gluten and got very sick back in March.  I had JUST started CBD that very week. I used the tincture that has CBD and THC and within a few moments I was almost most pain free! I couldn't believe it!

Also ... as mentioned above ... I suffer from Insomnia (I've had sleep issues since I as a child) and I have tested out a vape pen that is a CBD/THC blend. Within 5-10 min of a few puffs .. there is NO WAY I can keep my eyes open!!!! It also makes me stay asleep ALL NIGHT LONG!

I'm so grateful for Medical Cannabis...which led me to try Hemp based CBD. I often wondered about MY PLACE in our big cross country move from Tennessee to Nevada last year. I left my career, family and friends behind. I was happy to do it for my husband, but now I see that God had a plan for me in moving here as well. I would never have looked into CBD had I not moved to a place where cannabis was legal (and in return learned so much about 100% THC Free Hemp based CBD.)

I have no problem saying it has changed my life. #CBDSaves

XoXo
Stacy

Feel free to comment below with questions and your experience with CBD! You can also EMAIL ME. I am NOT an expert but I'm happy to share my experience with you!

CBD I USE -- IGNITE CBD THC FREE (oil and vapes)

CBD/THC Blends I use -- Vape Pens, etc.

What IS Normal Anyway?

Hey Fit Fam,

What does the word NORMAL mean? Am I normal? Are you normal? What the heck is freaking NORMAL? 

One week ago today I turned 35. I got this "snail mail" card from my dad.

For so many reasons, this card means so much to me and I will cherish it forever. But it also had me thinking about the word normal. My dad is 100% right. Normal (in terms of not begin yourself, following someone else’s lead, conforming to society standards) is highly overrated. BUT what is freaking normal? What does that word even mean?

Is their some specific set in stone standards that make you this way? Do I have to work a 9-5 job? Have a college degree? Go to church every Sunday? Have a white picked fence? Is their some checklist? You know ... like when you go to the doctor. *Do you have any allergens (check) *Do you exercise (check) *Are you normal? (Umm. I don't know. Check?!). What is normal? Sociology tells us that there are in fact “social norms” that are defined as principals that society is expected to observe. Kind of the “do’s and don’ts of society” .. but other than that there isn’t anything that defines exactly what NORMAL is/isn’t. I know that some people think I am pretty normal. But I don’t know if that is true or not because I don't know what normal is ... I’m just ME. I am my own person, with my own goals, own opinions, own struggles. None of which are likely “normal” because they are unique to ME.

My dad is right. We need to stop worrying about what is/isn’t normal because there really is no set standard. There isn’t a box to check. Normal is simply a term people use, but the definition is whatever THEY want it to be. So just be YOU… just do YOU!! Okay??

I am going to share something with you all today. Where did Simply Stacy come from?! It's more than just a catchy play on worlds. It actually came about when I went to change my MySpace name after I got divorced many years ago. I lost myself in that toxic relationship. I had no clue who I had become. I had no clue what the future held. All I knew is that I never wanted to lose myself again. As I stared at the computer box asking my name....I felt so happy and free...but was still re-discovering myself. So instead of changing my social media name back to my maiden name, the words Simply Stacy just came to me. Simply for my first name and Stacy for my last. It just stuck! I AM SIMPLY STACY  .. I AM MY NORMAL .. Who are you?!

Eat Clean. Train Dirty.
Stacy

Michigan Woman Sues Gym For Allowing Transgender Woman To Use Women's Locker Room

A Michigan woman is now suing Planet Fitness claiming embarrassment, humiliation, severe emotional distress and damage to her reputation after the gym stripped her membership and supported a transgender woman using ladies locker room. 

Earlier this month you probably saw where Planet Fitness made National headlines for something other than serving pizza and bagels at their "fitness facility" known for their Judgement Free Zone.

Planet Fitness says its staff stood by that company mantra when they canceled the membership of a woman who they say "inappropriately" responded to the presence of a transgender woman in the locker room.

Member Yvette Cormier complained to a front desk employee after seeing a transgender woman in the woman's locker room at a Planet Fitness facility in Midland, Michigan. An employee told Cormier it's the companies policy to allow members to use whichever locker room associates with their gender identity.  Then, on Cormier's visits to the gym March 2-4, she allegedly started warning women at the gym about the gym policy and telling them to be careful when using the women's locker room. Planet Fitness says they told her to stop doing that or risk having her membership terminated. 

McCall Gosselin, director of public relations at Planet Fitness Corporate, released a statement to The Huffington Post on the decision:

Planet Fitness is committed to creating a non-intimidating, welcoming environment for our members. Our gender identity non-discrimination policy states that members and guests may use all gym facilities based on their sincere self-reported gender identity. The membership of the member in question was not cancelled as a result of complaints about the policy, as we welcome all feedback from our members. Rather, the manner in which she expressed her concerns about the policy exhibited behavior that club management deemed inappropriate and disruptive to other members, which is a violation of the membership agreement and as a result her membership was cancelled.

The transgender woman in the center of the controversy told one Michigan news source that she was a guest of a member and only went into the locker room twice, fully clothed and never observed anyone troubled by her presence. 

This isn't stopping major backlash. One Michigan State Rep (R - Gary Glenn) is even quoted saying, "Planet Fitness' policy "in-your-face policy" and said it threatens the safety of female members."

Now, Cormier is suing Planet Fitness saying she "suffered embarrassment and humiliation, severe emotional distress and damage to her reputation as a result of the entire incident." Court documents say that there were no posted signs about men being permitted to use the women's locker room and no language in Cormier's membership agreement about it.

Planet Fitness says they can not comment on the lawsuit because as a matter of policy they can not discuss pending litigation. 

Food For Thought: So I have to know what you think. Do you agree with the gyms decision to allow the transgender woman to use the woman's locker room? This is no doubt a rather touchy subject. All I will say is that as a true fitness enthusiast, I AM NOT a fan of Planet Fitness. I mean no gallon water jugs allowed, no "intimidating" cardio or lifting, no using machines for any other exercise than what they are "designed" for, serving pizza, etc. I mean .. that isn't judgement free AT ALL... is it, lol!?  It certainly is. It is judging those that are into fitness on a more serious level!  Anyway, that said, I do applaud them for standing their ground on this "mantra" and not making this woman feel anymore unaccepted in society than I am sure she already feels. 

While I can see how a man being in a woman's locker room could be uncomfortable for those that are not educated or exposed to the transgender lifestyle, the WOMAN in question does not live her life as a man. She is a woman. She checked into the gym as a woman. She lives her day to day life as a woman and I think she should be treated as such. Why should she be forced to use a MENS restroom or locker room when out in public, when in her life/eyes is NOT a man?! Maybe I'm just more openminded than some/most. But I don't see the problem. If you feel so embarrassed or threatened, then why not just wait until she is gone, or go into a private area? BTW .. the chances of this happening are pretty darn slim to none considering the National Center for Transgender Equality in Washington states that only 0.25-1% of the population is transsexual.

Pregnant Models Tiny Baby Bump Sparks Big Controversy

Body bashers are now targeting a pregnant woman. An Instagram celeb/model is receiving backlash about her very tiny baby bump. 

Hey Fit Fam,

I get it. This fit chick is some kind of freak of nature. I mean how is it normal to be 8.5 months pregnant and looks like THIS!?

The bottom line is that it's NOT normal, but it's not necessarily dangerous either! This is by far the smallest bump I have ever seen, so of course it could set an unrealistic expectation for pregnant women, or those that hope to become pregnant some day. Even the MOST fit women I follow that are/were pregnant don't look like THIS. I mean lets be real, this is what most of us look like after a massive cheat meal, lol! But does that make her tiny bump wrong or dangerous? Not at all!! And she certainly is not deserving of the BODY BASHING going on! It's called Fit-Shaming. It is EVERYWHERE and it is NOT okay.

Sarah Stage is a 30 year old model and Instagram celebrity who has often posted her baby bump at the gym. She has been showing off her tiny baby bump throughout her pregnancy and many of her "fans" have been lashing out with hate!! Some even saying that she is a baby killer! The media is now taking note and starting a firestorm of even more criticism.

In a recent post she mentions that her baby boy is 5 pounds (a healthy weight for where she is at in her pregnancy.) She has also pointed out in previous posts that her doctor says she has healthy, that she has gained roughly 20 pounds during her pregnancy thus far and in one post even said she only works out a couple days a week. But that hasn't stopped people from assuming she isn't eating, working out too much and hurting her baby. Doctors have weighed in on what is being called an unusually fit pregnancy and said that just because she has a tiny bump and ab muscles does NOT mean she is harming herself or her baby!! Pregnancy is NOT one size fits all and some doctors have listed a NUMBER of factors that could contribute to her tiny bump (most of which have nothing to do with working out or begin fit) -- they range from the fact that she was fit and had a low bmi pre-pregnancy, to placement of baby, her uterus, genetics - just to name a FEW.

If you are working out and taking care of yourself during pregnancy it doesn't mean you will look like Sarah and that is OKAY! What is important is that you are taking care of yourself. You can't use pregnancy as an excuse to over eat and not workout. Being in shape both during and before you become pregnant is important. I have a #FitFam friend that wrote a great book about prepping your body for pregnancy. It's called Detox Before You're Expecting. Check it out!

So there you have it. Not everyone will swell, have a big belly, retain a ton of water, carry their baby the same way, etc. There are some VERY lucky women out there and it seems that Sarah is one of them. So can we just leave her alone and celebrate with her that she is brining life into this world?! I mean, could you imagine the outpouring of hate that would be happening right now if the media started putting down a woman that gained TOO much weight during her pregnancy?! That is much more common and no one is saying that these women are being unhealthy or possibly hurting themselves or their baby. This double standard has to end. Society seems to think it's okay to bash fit or skinny people, but how dare we even think of saying something about someone that is obese? BODY BASHING anyone MUST END! How about we just encourage others to be HEALTHY - no matter their shape or size! And again .. I must point out that doctors are saying the fact that she "works out" may have very little to do with her tiny baby bump!

You all know I am an advocate for a STRONG and HEALTHY body. I am a cheerleader for anyone that is putting in the work, exercising, eating well, not making excuses and not giving up! As for everyone else (in either direction) .. I just don't have the energy to care one way or another and you shouldn't either. This girls tiny bump shouldn't be a news headline. But I think now that it is, it's bringing up some important topics (the importance of exercising/eating well during and before pregnancy and that all bodies are different) and that is GREAT.

Let's just all aim to be healthy and happy with the body YOU are capable of achieving! But please stop comparing yourself and your journey to others -- and STOP the body bashing and fit shaming!!! Fit folks have feelings too ya know :)

Eat Clean. Train Dirty.
Stacy

Shocking Video of Young Homeless Boy Being Ignored

I often post about eating 6 times a day and how crucial that is to live a healthy lifestyle, which makes this blog topic even more heartbreaking. Did you know that in 2013, 14% of households were "food insecure" and in Tennessee that number is even higher at 17.4%?! In January 2014, statistics were released that say 578,424 people experienced homelessness on any given night in the United States. 

Hey Fit Fam,

As I visited my usual sites and did my typical google searches this morning to try and find what "hot topics" were happening in health and fitness, I came across something that is far more important than any exercise, recipe, health study, or entertainment happenings that I could write about today.

I don't watch much TV when I am home during the day, but I do have the tube on in the background while I blog, research, job search, meal prep, clean, etc. This morning a video was playing that quickly got my attention. It appeared to be cell phone footage that someone randomly captured of a very young homeless boy standing in 5 degree weather in New York, wearing only a torn t-shirt and no shoes, asking for "help". Check it out yourself before you read any more of this post. Trust me and watch it all. Not just some of it.

Heartbreaking....right? While this wasn't a random cell phone video, it was a social experiment, the reactions from people were VERY real. I have bawled my eyes out over this!! Obviously because it is touching, but also because it hit me that I am not sure what I would have done? Do you know what you would have done?? Would I have just walked by, would I have given him money, would I have talked to him, would I have gone and bought him a coat and blanket? We are so accustomed to people "faking it", or always looking for a "handout" when they don't really need one or COULD make money if they wanted to, that we tend to write off everyone we see begging for a buck.

I think I would have at least stopped and talked with him to get a better read and then gone and bought some warm clothes and a warm meal. Heck, one day I went and bought a guy a beer simply because his sign said "I'm not gonna lie. I want money for a beer." I respected his HONESTY!!!!

But can we really judge people that just walked by? We are so used to seeing people on every corner begging for money, work, etc.  It's sad that the "bad apples" have to ruin it for people that are really in need.

Either way, I challenge my #FitFam to find a way to give back during these cold winter days we are having. If our good deed wasn't really needed.. at least God will smile down on our actions!

#SpeakBeautiful, 
Stacy

Dove Encourages Us to #SpeakBeautiful

Women wrote over 5 million negative beauty tweets in 2014. The word ugly was used over 22,000 times in just an hour-and-a-half tonight and was used 34,838 during the Oscars red carpet alone! But we aren't just tweeting negative things about each other. 4 out of 5 negative beauty tweets are from women writing about themselves. Dove wants to change that. 

As I watched The Oscars last night, the thing that got my attention the most wasn't who won for what, who looked the best on the Red Carpet, or even Lady GaGa's red gloves, lol. It was the Dove commercial and their #SpeakBeautiful campaign that wowed me. If you didn't see it -- here it is.

Dove has teamed up with Twitter for the #SpeakBeautiful campaign. The idea is simple. One positive tweet can start a trend. They asked you to post at least one positive tweet. It could be to a friend, about yourself or just something positive in general.

I have chills just writing about this. Social media has made so many people more bitter, hateful and negative. Well, maybe they are always that way, but social media has given us a place to express that negativity. I'm not going to lie and say I've never posted anything negative. I am guilty as well. Even during award shows I live tweet and am known to post if I don't like a "look" or if something sounds bad, etc. Of course I don't mean for it to be negative, I usually try to post with humor, but this campaign sure has me thinking. I even feel bad for tweeting last night that I don't get the Adam Levine obsession because I like men with muscles. I of course didn't mean for that to be negative and wasn't bashing his skinnier frame, I was just trying to say it's not my preferred look. It did have a positive spin since I talked about how hot my husband is, that was a positive tweet :)

The bottom line is .. our words matter. I try to be positive and motivating. But we can all try harder. I don't have a problem complimenting others and while I don't "put myself down" ... I also never compliment myself and am horrible about accepting complements. So, I am joining in on the #SpeakBeautiful movement and I hope you do too!

This isn't easy for me, but here are my compliments to myself :) What are YOUR compliments to YOURSELF?

* I love my loyalty. When I am loyal .. I am loyal.
* I love my determination. It's rare you will ever see me "give up" at something.
* I love my booty. I've worked hard for it! I may have some genetics, but that backside took WORK.
* I love my eye color. Not exactly green, not exactly hazel ... they are unique and mine.
* I love my shoulders. They showcase the handwork I put in day in and day out at the gym.
* I love my hands .. they remind me of my mammaw.

Because this campaign isn't just about speaking beautiful about yourself, here are my compliments to some other lovely people in my life!! I love you all!!

*Melissa Fleming: I admire your strength. You have been given hardships no one should ever be given and still have a smile on your face.
*Sue Bray: I admire your faith. Because of you I always repeat to myself in times of doubt "remember whose you are."
*Doug Green: I admire your work ethic. I've never met someone as honorable and hard working as you are. Thank you for being the glue that holds our household together.
*Brandy Leaver: You are a "super mom" and I can only hope if God wants me to have a child one day that I can be 1/2 the mother that you are. I admire the healthy values you teach your children.
*Lisa Weathers: You are so positive and thoughtful. You are a such a light to others.
*Lindsey Langley: You literally live each day with the mentality that I TRY to live by .. which is never settle. As you know, I not only vote you for Nashville Mayor .. but actually President :)
*Stephanie Langston: I admire how you somehow manage to "do it all" - you did this before motherhood and now even as a mom still manage to literally DO IT ALL! I don't know how!
*Laura Sweeney: I am in love with your heart. It is so pure, so real, so full of love. It is one the most beautiful one I have ever known. I am blessed to be one of your bests.
*Rod Youree: I respect you as a friend. You are pretty much the only person my husband and I know that would drop everything to help us out. Loyalty is hard to find and loyal you are my friend!
*Brian Sullivan: You are the only person I know that is literally everyones friend. You don't know a stranger and I'm certain don't have an enemy. We should all aim to live more free .. more "sully" like.
* Joy Green-Hadden: You not only get the "mother in law award (I won the mother-in-law jackpot y'all) ... you are your name. You seriously spill out JOY to everyone around you. Thank you for being so positive!

There is beauty all around us. Find it. Talk about it.
Stacy

CHURCH: Are You Neglecting To Exercise Your Heart??

Hey Fit Fam ...

Happy Sunday!! Sister Stacy is taking you to church today, lol!

As I was planning out my workouts, meals and to-do's for this next week, I ran across someone talking about how more people should have made a resolution to work on their "hearts" this year.  They weren't talking about the heart in the "physical" sense either.

While I don't post about my "religious beliefs" often, I do make it clear that I am a Christian and a Woman of God. My blog is about fitness/health, so that will of course be the focus of today's post, but I want to talk a little bit about the big man upstairs and our biggest muscle ... you know the most important one ... our hearts.

Most of us #FitFam don't take time to "workout" this muscle the way we should. That's not to say we aren't good people, or that we don't have good hearts, or that many of us don't go to church regularly, I'm not saying that at all.  But I would bet most of us don't really take time to focus on our hearts the way we do our other muscle groups. I know that "exercising my heart" isn't on my "weekly workout plan". I plan out every single muscle group I'm going to workout each day, and I should be doing the exact same for my heart! I pray (often many times a day) and the hubs and I like watching church from home (where two or more gather .. so please don't preach to me about going TO a church), but from now on, I'm going to attempt to include "heart" on my weekly workout list and find ONE "exercise" everyday!  Maybe it will be praying for a stranger or even an enemy, possibly buying the persons coffee behind me, calling an old friend, sharing a smile or a hello with someone who looks stressed or down. There are a billion ways we can exercise our hearts ... that is one muscle that should never have a rest day :)

Our hearts are the most important, God wants us to have a beautiful heart, but does that mean that He wants us to neglect our physical selves? Let's chat about this a bit.

Of course He cares more about what our hearts look like. He can see our hearts in a way no one else can. He doesn't care if we have a six pack, if we go to the gym everyday, if we are fat, skinny or muscular. Here are some scriptures people often quote when "arguing" that God isn't as focused on our physical appearance as he is what we look like on the inside.

1 Timothy 4:8 "For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." 

1 Peter 3:3-4 "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quite spirit."

1 Samuel 16:7 "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'"

All too often people will quote a scripture such as these, not considering the backstory, origins, etc. They take it out of context and make it what THEY want it to be (this is a rant in and of itself, lol). I mean .. let's look at the 1 Peter verse. Of course God isn't saying we can't braid our hair or wear jewelry, lol. He is talking about the customs of some Egyptian women during that time period who spent endless hours getting ready, etc. He is saying he would rather see us spend more time working on our inter beauty. People that quote scripture when "arguing" topics often fail to resort to other scripture that would go "against" their sometimes rather aggressive "argument."  I've had people tell me that I shouldn't be focusing so much on my outer appearance and focus more on God and Family (Yes .. I actually had someone tell me that one time, smh). First of all, this person was judging me. Just because I'm in shape physically .. doesn't mean I'm OUT of shape spiritually. I guess they are failing to look further into God's word, because physical appearance actually is important to God! Why? Because it reveals the glory of his creative abilities. We should take care of and appreciate the body God has given us ... it's an amazing creation. He never says he only cares bout the heart. He says that he can SEE the heart; whereas man cannot. In fact, both old and new testaments give plenty of evidence that God DOES in fact care about our exterior beauty.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20  Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Romans 12:1 I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. 

Proverbs 31:17 "She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong."

There are so many examples. These are adjust a couple. But we should be humbly aware of our appearance, giving it our all and wanting to do it for ourselves and for God rather than conforming to the world's standards. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to take care of yourself. It's when you make your outer appearance a think of pride or obsession (i.e. your only focus) rather than a thing of bettering yourself that it becomes "ungodly" .. or for those of you that are not spiritual ... just flat out annoying or vain. 

Not to mention, keeping your body in shape takes discipline. What level YOU want to be at determines exactly the level of discipline. Either way, God want's us to practice discipline. 

Everyday you wake up, you are a testimony to the creativity of God. He created us, Jesus died for us, the Holy Spirit lives within us!! Christ is connected to your body in every way .. so of course he holds you accountable for how you manage what he has GIVEN you. Our bodies are technically "loaned" to us.. so it's our responsibility to take care of them. What are you doing with what He has given you?

Eat Clean. Train Dirty. 
Stacy 

Post Workout Rant (Plus my Protein Cereal Recipe)

Hey Fit Fam ..

I've never posted about "protein cereal" because I've been on prep since April and rarely strayed off my plan to where I would enjoy a bowl and post about it! Except for the occasional "clean cheat" or "emergency" situation .. I didn't include any "bars" (including quest) during that time and I only had unsweetened almond milk in small quantities in things like coffee. Not because it's not "okay to have" them .. it totally is for the average clean eater (specifically Quest) and even for those prepping for a show! But "bars" aren't whole foods and I personally prefer whole foods...especially on prep :) As for unsweetened almond milk ... it was just a little "extra" that I didn't "need" during that time. But I am in my improvement/off season right now and doing my own plan for the most part -- so I"m experimenting with all kinds of fun things! Tonight I made THIS amazing #PostWorkout bowl of heavenly goodness :) This was the video I posted on my Instagram ... you do follow me .. right?!

Move over "Cookie Crisp" cause this protein packed, clean version of the sugary cereal we all love, is not only way better tasting but way better for you!! Quest Nutrition bars are by far the best way to make a CLEAN protein cereal. You can re-create "Cookie Crisp" cereal just by using a Quest Chocolate Chip Cookie bar and Unsweetened Vanilla Almond milk. Maybe a little stevia in the "milk" since it's not very sweet otherwise. But you can use ANY of their bars and unsweetened almond milk and get creative!! Tonight I actually used the brand new S'Mores flavor and added a little bit of cinnamon as well! O M G :) :) Words can't describe how good it was!

I need to specify that I would only do this SPECIFIC creation as my post workout supplementation. Why?! Because of the Ignition I put in it. Take out the Ignition and you are good to go for a "clean cheat" whenever you want!! But the Ignition should only be used as a pre/post workout supplement -- that is what it is designed for! You can read about it HERE and if you look back at old blogs .. I've blogged about how and why I use it! But in short .. Ignition is a very unique fast acting specific carb/sugar. A fast acting carb/sugar is something many people don't include in their post workout (especially girls) but is VITAL to recovery and properly building and maintaining lean muscle -- if you are going hard in the gym! When working out your main fuel source is glycogen. So you need to replenish the muscle glycogen burned while working out! A fast acting high GI carb/sugar is how you do that.

Many people get in their fast acting carb/sugar in the form of specific fruits (which is what I did before I discovered Ignition). But did you know that MOST fruits don't have a high enough GI to do the job?! Most experts say 70+ as high. Here is a chart you may like that breaks down Glycemic Index of foods. Since I go so hard in the gym and have such specific goals, this is why I prefer to use Ignition right now, because of they TYPE of carb/sugar it is and how quickly and effectively it does the job! Other companies have similar products that do this .. I just choose to use 1st Phorm! Is Ignition right for everyone? Maybe not ..but if you are a serious bodybuilder/competitor, or want to maximize your results, I think it's something to look into for sure!

Many people see ANY post workout supplements and/or fast acting carbs as "extra" and don't consume them at all.  That is probably the biggest mistake I see people make when trying to build a more muscular physique.  I was guilty of it before I started competing. I had started drinking whey isolate shakes and sometimes (as stated above) would have some fruit as well. But I was always so scared of the "extra calories" that I was never consistent.  I remember when I first discovered Ignition at my nutrition store. After one glance of the label I was like NO WAY I am taking this!!! But then my coach suggested it when we started working together. So I eventually got over the "numbers" on the label and started taking it -- combined with a Whey Isolate Protein (Phormula 1) -- after every intense LIFTING session. I can honestly say it drastically changed the way my body responded to my workouts! As stated above .. I really suggest you research it and see if it is right for YOU and YOUR goals!

Back to protein cereal. I've made protein cereal before (using Quest chocolate chip bar and unsweetened almond milk) .. but there are many ways to go about making this delicious treat.
The most popular post workout protein cereal "recipe" I have seen is to just eat a serving (or two depending on your needs) of the high GI sugary stuff you buy in the store (fruity pebbles, fruit loops, frosted flakes) and just mix protein powder into your milk! I haven't this approach because of the bad ingredients in those high sugary cereals (i.e. - High Fructose Corn Syrup, etc). But MANY people eat stuff like this post workout (pop tarts, candy, cereal)... especially male bodybuilders! They do it and honestly have great success! Not to mention it's cheaper than supplements! The reason WHY goes back to my previous paragraphs... because in addition to protein you do need a fast acting carb/sugar immediately after a strenuous lifting session. This "protein cereal" recipe can also work with a crumbled up pop-tart apparently! Not something I would do (pop tarts aren't gluten free) .. again because I try to eat cleaner as far as what FOODS I eat (not just macros and calories counts) ..  but each their own!! My husband has a whey isolate protein shake and 2 pop tarts after every workout! So do MANY of his workout buddies! I saw our friend blend his post workout pop tarts with whey protein and (milk or water) and made it a SHAKE!! I'm sure it was amazing!!

Since we are on the topic of post workout carbs/sugars. Two other VERY popular post workout options (because of the type of sugar they are made up of... specifically dextrose is what you need to look for) are pixie sticks and gummy bears!! I could go deeper into this subject but will wait for another blog. But essentially even all CANDY isn't equal when it comes to your post workout sugars because high fructose corn syrup and fructose isn't absorbed into the bloodstream the same way dextrose is.  It's such a complicated science. Again .. this is why I stick to a product that takes the guess work out of it (i.e. Ignition).

Using these specific sugary sweets seems to work great if you are okay with those TYPES of foods and they match your personal goals! But just like anything .. watch portions! I think I'll primarily stick to my Whey and Ignition. But it is my improvement season (and I do love gummy bears) so I just may experiment -- especially on booty day :)

Speaking of post workout. Since this "quest protein cereal" isn't my normal choice and maybe you haven't read any of my old blogs talking about pre/post workout ..  you may be asking what my typical post workout looks like. Usually it's a Whey Isolate Protein (what brand depends on how I'm making it), mixed with a little baking powder and water, microwaved for 20-30 seconds .. boom .. you have cake!! Not all brands bake well. I've discovered 1st Phorm, Quest and Metabolic Nutrition to be the best for baking! Then I mix up ignition with either some greek yogurt, walden farms or water and cinnamon and boom -- you have ICING for your CAKE :) Of course you can just have the protein powder, ignition and water and shake it up in a shaker. But if at all possible I try to get creative :)  Cause ... why not!!!!

So there ya have it. Don't ignore your post workout and have it as quickly as possible! Hope you enjoy my big ole bowl of "healthy ignition quest bar cereal" .... your taste buds will thank me for this one :)

Eat Clean. Train Dirty.
Stacy

The Black Sheep of the #FitFam

Hey Fit Fam ...

I love this meme I found! It was just the set up for a "blog rant" I've been wanting to go on for a LONG time.

Like all families .. there is always someone that is (how do I say this) .... the black sheep. You know, those family members whose actions embarrass you, so you don't want to claim them as yours, haha. That is exactly how I feel about the #FitFam. You all know I love everything about this industry. But there is one exception.

It seems a good 8 out of 10 "fitness" pictures of people claiming to be part of our #FitFam are nothing more than a half naked girl/guy in some sexy pose. Then if you go to their page, I'd bet $100 that one of the the next pictures is a recent shot from what they claim is a "fitness photo shoot". Ummm no .. you standing with your top off (covering your boobs) giving the camera "bedroom eyes", or laying on a floor with your back all arched wearing pretty much nothing "gym" related except maybe some Nikes, or laying in a bed with your butt in the air -- those are NOT pictures that would be in Oxygen or Muscle & Fitness!! What about those pictures say ... I'm a fitness competitor/model and you should take my fitness journey seriously -- ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!! Is it too much to ask to please separate your obvious desire to be a lingerie/playboy/playgirl model from our industry?

Maybe It seems like I'm being judgmental .. but I'm not trying to be. I mean each their own....it's their page!! It's just that (to me) these particular people that claim to be part of the #FitFam, specifically the NPC and IFBB, are the very people that not only give our sport a bad name, but in my opinion don't take it seriously themselves. Maybe they do .. but how can I feel that they do, when they post stuff like that?! It comes across like they care more about getting followers, likes, comments and a pat on the back for being "sexy" than living and promoting a FIT lifestyle. Lets be honest .. whether they will admit it or not .. thats all the #FitFam is for a HUGE majority of people. It's not a sport to them .. it's not a lifestyle .. they simply use it as an "acceptable way" to post sexy pictures so that they can possibly be an Instagram celebrity .. or get some kind of attention they obviously crave for whatever reason.  I wish that part of the judging criteria could be  your "social media posts", haha. It would certainly weed out A LOT of people that tend to use this sport as a platform for .... "other" things.

So many people say they don't understand what it is we do. They will say to me..."how was your bikini competition" or "how is your "bikini modeling going".  Ugh .. that is SO insulting!! I want to scream -- I'm not in "bikini competitions"!!! I'm not a "bikini model"!!! Not that there is anything wrong with that .. but I didn't start doing these NPC fitness competitions to be looked at as a girl that vainly competes in a skimpy bikini to see who has the best body.

I can't blame the majority of people for thinking that though.  I mean .. one search for #fitness or #fitfam on Instagram and you will see more girls in their bra and panties claiming they are showing off "booty gains" than you do of girls in gym clothes/posing suits simply posting their progress, a healthy recipe, or killing it in the gym in a normal tank top and shorts!  Heck .. some girls even make their workouts look trashy! I just DO NOT GET IT!

Am I saying it's wrong to post progress pics? No .. of course not!! But it's HOW some people post them that not only make me cringe .. but make me not want to open my Instagram in public. My husband and I have had many chats about this. About how we are hesitant to open Instagam in public because we are afraid of what may pop up.  I mean .. how do you explain to someone that the guy only holding a washcloth to cover his "goods" is really just trying to show his ab progress. Or that an extreme close up of a girl only in her thongs, bent way over, sticking out her butt, leaving VERY little to the imagination... is simply someone trying to show their glute progress. I'm sorry .. but I refuse to sit back and "accept" that we are allowing this sport to be shamed in this way :-(

I actually have people fuss at me for not posting enough "booty shots" -- since people seem to think it's my best "asset" (lol).  But I just don't like doing it.  It just seem so "showy" and "sexy" .. instead of encouraging and athletic. Posting stage pictures are one thing (however I've really had to warm up to posting those shots) because we wear those tiny suits not so we can show off our rear in a thong -- but so that we can be properly judged on our glute development!! There is also nothing wrong with the occasional TASTEFUL #HumpDay shot. But if we want people to take us seriously .. then we have to think about how we present ourselves.

I know I'm just one voice .. but if you agree .. do your part and speak up as well! I know it won't change anything .. but maybe it will encourage these girls/guys to think twice before they post pictures that make our sport lose the integrity it deserves. How can we be motivators .. how can we encourage people .. if they are only going to see us as trashy??

I normally end my posts with "Eat Clean. Train Dirty" .. today I think I'm just going to say ..

Respect Yourself. Respect The Sport.
Stacy

Finding Balance

Hey Fit Fam ...

This entry is kind of a follow up to my post about "Post Traumatic Show Syndrome".  I felt such relief and excitement to see that nobody (or at least vocally) took it the wrong way.  I really do hope it helped fellow competitors with post show rebounding and depression. But not only competitors...anyone who worked hard to get their body in tip top shape for something (a wedding/event) and wants to maintain their "look" year round!

I had a few people point out to me that they DID go about prep the right way, but once they met their goal (the show was over) and they didn't have another show coming up, they just didn't "keep it up" in a maintenance phase afterwards. Life got the best of them and they fell off track. Super easy to do when there is no specific date/goal in site (I guess I should say this is where we have to teach ourselves that the goal is to be healthy for life). The good news with these particular people (that went about it the healthy way) ... is that it will be so easy to bounce back because they got fit the RIGHT WAY! They didn't mess up their metabolism, starve themselves, restrict carbs, do cardio they can't maintain afterwards, or take drugs or abuse non natural fat burners/thermogenics. So .. if you fall into this category ... inhale/exhale .. it's all going to be okay!! There is no need to get all depressed about any extra "fluff". Give yourself a few weeks to get back on track and you will have a nice maintenance look that you will be happy about! If you didn't, then I highly encourage you to find an educated coach to help you take the necessary steps to repair your body! My mentor/coach/team for my 2014 season was Physique Empire -- IFBB Pro Brandy Leaver.

All this got me thinking about balance though. I have more shows 3 and 5 weeks ... but what if I didn't? What about after November? Will I be apt to fall off track?! After all, it will be the holidays, so I fully expect to not be my personal "best". I will enjoy holiday parities, some fall comfort foods (healthy versions of course) and I'll be going to visit my family for a week and eating some of my favorite "home cooked" and "hometown" foods. While consistency should allow me to enjoy all that with minimal changes to my physique, I still want to have a plan and be able to find a healthy balance so that I don't get tempted to go off track or indulge in a way that will ruin all of my hard work. I'm OKAY with any minor changes my body may make during that time .. but it's my hope that it will be like vacation and not a big issue because of the slow and steady approach that I've taken the past 6 months to get me to where I am today.

But back to this balance I speak of ... how do we find it?? I think it starts out in our heads. We have to be okay with *minor* changes and fluctuations. I said minor .. no major!!! Second ... I really do think that the KEY is continuing to have a meal plan and eat those six small meals a day.  Whether you are choosing to still having the competitors staple food, or something a little more creative, I think the key is HAVING A PLAN and continuing to make healthy choices that are within the macros and eating portioned out food every 3 hours max!  It's all about having the mindset of BODY FOR LIFE! Not body for stage, body for event, or body for someone else!!

I also think it's crucial to still PLAN your cheats in the off season .. if that is the route you go. It's great for people who can't control their eating on a daily basis and are better with a "reward" type system. Where as it may not be good for someone that has binge issues. Those people may do better with a Flexible Dieting approach where they get little cheats here and there. But when there is no goal (no show/event) ... it could be much easier to slip and have a bite of cake, just "one" handful of chips, make trips to that work candy bowl, etc. So continue to PLAN those splurges...otherwise it will become easier and easier to to say "yes" to things you that once had the will power to say no to.  I will continue to have my one cheat meal a week. But if something pops up and I need to have two -- I will. I also may pick a meal or two a week that I have a "clean cheat" .. that basically means that I'll not eat the meal that is planned, but still try to stay within my macros and keep my portion small. Just something "different" than my planned day to day meals that week. I would probably do one of my "healthy pizzas", my buffalo ckn burgers, or a quest bar creation for post workout instead of my typical "planned" post workout. These meals are the way I used to eat before I got serious about fitness and there is NOTHING wrong with them. But you just have to portion and plan. I think doing this will really help with cravings of variety and if I do a healthy cheat mid week ... then on cheat day.. I'll likely choose to make it a cleaner cheat of a home cooked meal, sushi, steak, etc. Just BALANCE it all out :) A lot of people do something similar to this every day ... both on and off prep ... it's called flexible dieting. It works great for many people.

I have mixed feelings about flexible dieting. I totally think it's great if you are doing this and eating mostly HEALTHY foods within your personal macros. It's those that choose BAD foods all the time and call it "flexible dieting" -- having the I don't care what I eat "as long as it fits in my macros" approach -- that I don't agree with. You see these folks on Instagram. They eat pizza, burgers, cereal, etc, every single day. Often don't eat very much all day long and then save their macros for a pizza or at the tend at the end of the day pile their plate full of "stuff" ... just to "fill their macros" for the day. Each their own, but this reminds me of Weight Watchers. It works for people .. but I don't think it's the healthiest. If you do this and keep "bad" foods in moderation .. it can be GREAT. But for optimum results (and overall health) I believe it does matter WHAT foods we eat .. not just how much.

I also know A LOT of people have luck with "reverse dieting" -- where they slowly add macros back into their diet if they were on a pretty low calorie/cab/fat plan for shows, etc.  It's something you should personally research! I don't have any personal experience wight his -- but I do hope to "interview" my coach or an expert in health in the future on some of this topic (and others).  It seems like a great approach. I've seen many girls have luck with this when they want to "bulk". Ease your way into more foods ... then do a CLEAN bulk. I've seen people keep abs year round this way! I look forward to trying this in the future once I find an expert that can guide me. Cause it can be tricky!

Of course continuing to hit the gym is key as well. You cant just stop going. If you don't want your life to revolve around the gym anymore ... maybe try cutting your days down (there are some great full body workouts out there) ...or experiment with "push/pull" days. Experiment some and see what you can get away with while still maintaining (assuming that is your goal that is).  It could be fun! I saw a fitness blogger do a series on her "week of group classes". She went to a different "group class" for 6 days straight.  How fun would that be!!!! I just may try it and blog about it!! Find new ways to stay fit if you want ... just keep moving and KEEP LIFTING!

I am not sure what the winter holds for me. It's a discussion I plan on having with my coach soon. But considering I actually enjoy the "structure" of having a set meal plan and enjoy the foods I eat...I honestly don't know I'll want to change much. It's what I know and what has become habit (and if you read any of my past blogs you know I'm a creature of habit). My favorite thing about having a wellness PLAN is that it takes the guess work out of "what is for lunch/dinner". I've noticed that my life is MUCH less stressful -- despite having to take a couple hours each week to meal prep!

Until then .. it's tunnel vision to that NPC Nationals stage!

What are your favorite "off season" or "balance" tips?! We would love to hear them!!!

Eat Clean. Train Dirty.
Stacy