Welcome 2014

Happy New Years Friends!!

I just wanted to take some time to wish you all a marvelous New Year.

May 2014 be filled with prosperity, love, laughter, joy, peace and purpose.

A new year means new possibilities, new adventures, new travels, new memories, new life moments, and new resolutions. Most people know I prefer the word goals over resolutions because of the low rate of success in achieving resolutions (8%). Still it is one of our biggest traditions and I too participate every year.

As I did last year, I have organized my 2014 goals in eleven basic categories (because I can be OCD). Many of them are continuations or repeats (if I fell short of the goal) from last year. So here we go...

Reading
1. Read 10 Entrepreneur Books
2. Read 5 Pleasure Books "For Fun"

Financial
1. Complete the 52-Week Savings Challenge
2. Continue following a monthly budget and using the envelope system

Cooking
1. Cook through an entire cook book
2. Complete a raw or clean recipe challenge every month

Fitness/Exercise
1.Complete in a bikini/fitness competition (REPEAT)
2. Continue with weekly meal prep
3. Exercise 5x/week
4. Run a 5K every quarter
5. Drop 10% body fat
6. Continue with this awesome fitness blog :)



Marriage
1. Pray together daily
2. Weekly date nights
3. Affirm my husband

Home Life
1. Create a cleaning schedule for the week
2. Quarterly Super Clean Day to discard junk and clutter

Work
1. Improve on leadership skills
2. Run the best department in my agency

Volunteer
1. Continue working with BBBS
2. Youth Group volunteer

Spiritual
1. Individual Bible Study
2. Join Women's Guild

Personal
1. Write more letters to family and friends
2. Continue sending cards for special occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
3. Take a few dance classes
4. Spoil my future niece/nephew
5. Get a passport and travel abroad

Business
1. New Business Cards
2. Attend 3 Vendor Markets
3. New Monthly Customers & IBOs
4. Platinum Level

In this last year, I enjoyed myself and working towards many of my goals. Though I fell short, there was much that I was able to accomplish. I learned so much and feel I have grown, though I have much further to go. One big thing I learned about goals this year was that "We first make our habits, and then our habits make us." It takes 21 days for a action to become a habit, and then the habit makes us. Our business team has complete the 21 day challenge four times this year to assist us in becoming more committed and consistent with our goals. It has been awesome having an accountability system and I highly recommend that for 2014. Find someone who also is serious about making life improvements and ask them to be your accountability partner. Every resolution or goal may require a different accountability partner, but it will make a world of difference as you move forward.

2013 Life Lessons

• Remember that this is your life to live. No one else can live it for you.
• Do what you love, and do it often.
• Life is short, so live your dreams.
• See yourself living in abundance and you will attract it.
• Set a goal to achieve that is so big and so exhilarating that it excites you and scares you at the same time. The goals must be so much in line with your spiritual core that you cannot get it out of your mind.
• Everything you are seeking is seeking you in return; therefore, everything you want is already yours. It is simply a matter of becoming more aware of what you already possess.
• Be thankful. Not just in November, but every day of every month.
• Explore. Go explore a new city, try out a new habit, and discover a new talent.

You are worthy of every dream and goal that you set for yourself. Make 2014 the year of victory and success. I believe in you!

Dream Big,

~ Q. Olivia

Merry Christmas + Merry Fitness

Merry Christmas + Happy Holidays

May your Christmas Season be filled with love, joy, laughter, prosperity, and health.

Enjoy the day with family and friends. Remember our servicemen and women who cannot be with their families today. Say a special prayer of thanks for them.

Finally, have a great day of relaxation and hit it hard in the gym tomorrow.

Lee and I are planning on doing our Annual Rivers Christmas Light Run through River Oaks. Nothing intense, just a light jog while enjoying some Christmas lights!!

Wishing you all the best this beautiful Christmas Day. Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

In Health, Fitness + the Christmas Spirit,

~ Q. Olivia 

Motivation Monday: Never Settle

I am sad to report that we live in society that settles. In the last two years since I have been in Houston (and even in my return visits back home to Missouri), I have spoken to so many people who seem content in complacency. Raised by my independent, strong-minded mother, settling was never an option. Not in our words or actions.

Obviously, I do not believe that I am alone in the fact that I had parents who encouraged me to live life, push myself, and never settle; but I am more aware that as we get older and leave our childhood behind, we settle deeper and deeper.

Remember when you were a kid and you thought anything in this world was possible, simply because you believed? We had the wildest dreams of being astronauts, doctors, and ballerinas; even a princess seemed like a rational career for some of my girlfriends at the age of 5. Young boys in my class wanted to be superheroes, police officers, or pilots. And when someone shared what they wanted to be, in a unified chorus we would all say, "Cool, I want to do that too!"

When did we stop wanting those things? When did we stop dreaming and start settling? When did we stop living?

Not soon after we are encouraged to be imaginative and dream big, we then learn as we grow up that imagination is not for adults and that dreaming is not productive. Sometimes we even get in trouble for day dreaming or having "foolish and outlandish" ideas. We are told that we need to be rational and realistic. The very same people who told us to dream big dreams, years later tell us to stop. So, we do.

And now I pose a question: Who told you that you had to settle?

Although I am only in my twenties, I have learned quite a bit through my life experiences. One great lesson that I learned was that the minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get less than you settled for. One you drop the standards of what you want in your career, in romance, in your fitness goals, and your success, it is easier to drop the bar a little lower... and a little lower.
You promise yourself that you will not ever go below a certain level, but then you find yourself lowering the bar once again.

As I continue on pursuing my goals for fitness and health, I have had to be conscious not to settle for mediocrity. Sure, it might be easier to eat this quick unhealthy option over preparing healthy meals, but what is the outcome? It may be easier to cut myself short a few reps with the barbell, but what do I gain? It may be easier to finish my cardio a few minutes early, but what is the point? Why not just give it my all? Why not just commit and do it right?

So I asked myself the other day, "Who told me that I could not compete in my first figure competition?" Not Lee. He is 100% in my corner and has even changed a few of his eating habits to support me. Obviously not my trainer Wes, he believes that I can do it, and offers great advice and coaching. Not anyone in the gym. Not anyone in my family.

No one told me that I could not do. Except one person. Myself. Because when I fail to push myself and settle for less than the best, I am the only one telling me that I cannot. Today that changes.

Never settle for less than you deserve. Demand the best and accept nothing less.

In Fitness + Health,
~ Q. Olivia

Motivation Monday: Interest vs Commitment

As a small business owner, I love quotes related to mentorship, leadership, and business management; and Kenneth Blanchard is an expert in those areas. The above quote showcases the difference between interest and commitment, and the results of those differences.

Someone can have an interest in a variety of topics, hobbies, and subjects, but a person who is committed in those areas treats it differently. I have an interest in fitness and health; but I am committed to competing in a figure competition and helping others with their goals.

Interest is reactive. Commitment is proactive.
When you are interested in something you sample it, try it out and play around with it. When you are committed to something, you take solid action steps to move toward the desired outcome. When you commit to something, you have an expectation of results, not just a wish.

The day you choose to draw a line in the sand, set your priorities, and refuse to allow anything stand in your way, you are on your way from interest to commitment. If you desire to achieve excellence, you must be committed totally and completely.

Commitment stems from discipline and passion.
Both are required to succeed. Discipline pushes you over the difficulties on your journey towards your goal, and passion drives your actions from the heart. Once you connect your goal to your heart, your life changes, your attitude towards the situation takes a 180* turn, and your feel complete in your daily actions towards the goal. For me, there is nothing better than working out, eating clean, and sacrificing my guilty pleasures, because my heart knows what I want and I get pleasure when I move forward.

I challenge you to ask yourself how committed you are to your goals, your dreams, and your success. Whether in business, fitness, or personal growth, asking that question will help you determine your next steps. As we move into the "Resolution Season," I encourage you to buckle down and decide what you want for your health, your life, and your family.

Interest or Commitment. What team are you on?

In Fitness + Health,
~ Q. Olivia

December

Welcome December. Hello to chilly air, frosted windows, seeing your breath, early sunsets and gorgeous starry skies. Hello to gloves, sweaters, pea coats, hats, scarves and boots.

Hello to snowflakes, snow angels, sledding, and skiing. Ice skating, snowball fights, icicles, and building snowmen. Hello to the first snow fall of the year, so pure and perfect.

Hello to thick socks, warm blankets, cuddling, pajamas, hot chocolate, and sitting in front of the fireplace.

Hello to twinkling lights, Christmas music, snow globes, carolers, watching a Charlie Brown Christmas, decorating the tree, and wrapping the perfect present.

Hello to wreaths, tinsel, untangling lights,  pinecones, garland, glitter, candles, ornaments, and paper snowflakes. Hello to candy canes, secret Santa, holiday parties and tacky Christmas sweaters.

Hello to driving around looking at lights, holiday parades, everyone dressed as Santa, stockings, holiday crafts, and the twinkle in a child's eye.

Hello to holly and mistletoe, holiday traditions, baked goods, eggnog, and the sweet aroma of gingerbread, cinnamon, peppermint and vanilla.

Hello to the Christmas Spirit, joy, love, peace... and magic for those who still believe ;)

Hello December.

Tasty Tuesdays: Spicy Shrimp + Brown Rice Stew

So I posted a picture of my dinner from last week and I got several requests for the recipe. As most of you know, I am new in the kitchen since I have started training, so I do not claim to be a chef by any means. I only know what I like and make attempts to serve myself a healthy creation.

Due to this fact, I am also not one to have an actual recipe, I just go with the flow and make enough for my husband and me... so please excuse the lack of correct measurements.

Make to your liking. I hope you enjoy my Spicy Shrimp & Rice Stew!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Bullion Cubes (Chicken)
• 2 Cups of Water

1. Make the broth by simply boiling the 2 cups of water and dropping in the the two bullion cubes (one cube for each cup of water used)

• 1/2 teaspoon of Crushed Red Pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of Black Pepper
• 1 lb of Shrimp
• EVOO

1. Season the shrimp with the pepper blend. Sauté the shrimp in a skillet with vegetables of your choice. I used:

• Half of a Red Bell Pepper (diced)
• 1 Serrano Pepper (sliced)
• 1 Can of Spicy Diced Tomatoes
• 1 cup of Dice Onions

Mix all ingredients from the shrimp mixture into the chicken broth. Simmer and serve over brown rice.

Bon Appétit,

~ Q. Olivia

Motivation Monday: CHANGE - Butterfly Effect

"Change takes time." I constantly have to remind myself of this seemingly obvious truth.

Change is good. Obviously there can be bad changes, but for me, most change is great and exciting. I welcome it with open arms.

For some, change sounds scary and uncertain, but all change means is to make something different or to become something else. Change is different for everyone, but everyday we should strive to make a change, to become different, to become better.

Last week, I made a change. I officially began my competition prep with my trainer Wes. We had been training occasionally off and on and getting my mind wrapped around the idea of healthy nutrition and fitness. As of November 4th, training has commenced.

For those who do not know, I can be quite impatient. So of course, after one week, I wanted to see some results (which has not happened). The waiting part is the hardest in all of my changes, but it is also when I am the strongest.

During the wait period, we learn things about ourselves that we never knew. We may become weak at some point, but we learn the true meaning of endurance, focus, drive, and perseverance.

Anytime I think of change, I am reminded of my dad talking to me about the life of a butterfly and the similarities between them and humans. Butterflies are beautiful creatures, seemingly delicate, but very strong despite their small size.

As we all learned growing up, the life cycle of a butterfly consists of four phases: eggs, caterpillar, chrysalis, and then the butterfly. The fourth and final stage is when the butterfly is most noticeable to us. It has colorful wings and flutters among the flowers on beautiful Spring days. Of course, before that so much happens that we often do not see.

For me, phase three is the most incredible phase. It is the changing phase and the biggest determining factor of how the butterfly will look and function for the rest of its life.

The life cycle of the butterfly has been a great mystery for those in the sciences. No one knows exactly how the caterpillar changes its form in such a dramatic way, but according to researchers there are clusters of cells called imaginal buds which comes from the word "imago," referring to the adult phase of the butterfly. Imaginal buds also means "to imagine" and psychologists use the word imago to mean an idealized image of a loved one, including self. So the imaginal buds contain the blueprint for a butterfly its entire life, meaning that even while it is a caterpillar, it is "imagining" being a butterfly. It is already in its DNA.

For me this a great lesson. Although I am not where I want to be, I know within me I have the blueprint to be a competitor in fitness competitions. So while I am eager to become the bright, beautiful butterfly, I know that I must first endure the changes in my own phase three.

My dad used to tell me the familiar story of the young boy who saw a butterfly hatching from its cocoon. The boy noticed that the hole was too small for the butterfly to get out, so he attempted to help the butterfly by cutting the cocoon with scissors, allowing the butterfly to easily escape the cocoon. The butterfly was swollen and had shriveled wings. Days went by but the butterfly's wings never dried out, and it could never fly. Why? Because it never struggled.

A butterfly's struggle to push its body through the tiny opening forces the fluid from the body of the creature and into its wings. After the wings dry, the butterfly then can take flight. Without the struggle, the butterfly will never fly as it was created to.

In the same way, without struggles, we will never become what were are destined to be. Allow yourself to go through change, and allow that change to truly mold and shape who you. In fitness, in your career, in your marriage, or any area you know you need to make that change.

Start today.

In Fitness + Health,
~ Q. Olivia