Sacrifice

Driving home from New York today I had quite a few hours to think.  I began to think about the course my life has taken, my decisions, my behaviors.  The way things have changed from a few years ago until now, the woman I have become.  I still have so much I want to do and I never want to look back and think, "I could have done more, I could have tried harder."  So with all that being said I want everyone to take a second to really think about this...what are you willing sacrifice?  Whom or what are you willing to make these sacrifices for?

Are you willing to sacrifice sleep, time spent with family or friends, the chance to make money even if you DON'T love what you're doing.  Are you willing to rise before the sun?  Are you willing to sacrifice all that you are now for all that you could become.  If the answer is yes, then do whatever it takes.  If the answer is no, well you should re-evaluate what you care about.  Is there someone or something in your life that you cannot live without?  Is it a lifestyle, a hobby, a place?  Life is all about taking chances.  Life is all about making mistakes but it's also about learning from them and growing.  

I've learned that if something means a lot to you (can't breathe, can't eat, can't live without it) then you will put in the time, put in the effort.  Most of the time you'll do more than what was asked of you.  While I was in prep for New England's back in November I wanted to be the best I could be so I followed my plan, did my fasted cardio, lifted as heavy as I could, and dealt with the hunger pains.  I even did more cardio at times, I practiced my posing routine everyday, but to be honest...I loved every single second of it.  Why?  Because it's my passion, my life, my heartbeat.  It's what keeps me going when I feel like giving up.  I have sacrificed a lot to be where I am today; lost friends, have been told I will never be "somebody" in this sport, I'be picked up extra shifts at work to pay for my supplements and suit.  Even during the toughest days I still wouldn't change anything.  This is exactly where I belong; I've arrived.


It all starts with a dream.  Then comes the plan.  It can be extremely over-whelming to begin at square one and realize you have to get all the way to the finish line.  So my advice to you is start small.  Pick one thing to focus on at a time.  For example, it you want to loose 10 pounds by June then set weekly goals for yourself to reach every time.  It can be simple like lose a pound each week or eat 5 balanced meals a day.  Once you pick your goal, begin your plan.  How are you going to reach this goal? What do you need to do to be successful?  Is it meal prep?  Making it to the gym more often?  Adding in an extra day of cardio?  Or is it completely unrelated to fitness?  Do you need/want to save more money?  Do you want to be more confident?  Stop letting people treat you poorly?  Whatever your goal is, make a plan, and decide what are you willing to sacrifice to be successful.  

It's not easy, it won't always be fun, but if it means something to you, you'll do it.  Everybody wants to be successful, but not everyone is willing to put in the time, make the effort, or make the SACRIFICE.  I've said this before and I'm sure you'll hear me say it again but nothing ever comes easy, you have to do the work in order to reap the benefits.  There are days where I literally have to breathe and count to 10 when I start to get overwhelmed.  My anxiety usually kicks in and even a panic attack if I don't relax.  However, would I change it? Hell no.  If I could take the easy way, skip the obstacles, the detours, the bumps in the road, would I?  Hell no.  Pressure makes diamonds my loves.  Start now, not tomorrow!  Stay strong and lift on!

xoxo me