Life is a Lesson: What is yours trying to teach you?

“The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. Throw yourself.” 
― C. JoyBell C.

Today is reflection Sunday, a new segment I truly hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy preparing.  I love Sundays -- a day to really think about where I'm at in life, and reflect on my previous week and get ready for the new one. I love new days, new weeks, new minutes, new anything! However, without the old, the new would mean nothing. Without looking in the past, I wouldn't be able to appreciate the now or know where to move forward. 

This last year has been the toughest year for me and my family. Believe  me when I say I thought I'd already had tough times! It makes me think, 'what else is in store?' Will the trials, the toughness, the craziness EVER end? Will I ever just be able to coast for once?? Why do I constantly have to have the waves crashing down on me as I'm trying to make it to shore... ALIVE... with 4 kids and a husband in tow? I just want to catch a wave and ride it in -- laughing with the wind in my hair and sun on my face. That's nice imagery isn't it? 

If there's one thing I have learned about life so far it's this: Life, God, The Universe, Mr. Boogedy... whatever or whoever you believe in allows us these experiences, these moments. There is always a calm before the storm. The "calms" help us regroup and gain strength from the previous storm, to put all our building blocks into place, to build ourselves up STRONGER and better for when the next storm arrives. Whether we like to admit it or not, it's on the way.

It seems to me these storms are wake up calls. We learn and grow; "Here you go chump, let's see how you handle this one.  Let's see if you can look at it, learn from it, transform, be a better person, a better human." It's always hard, but you have two choices - let it kill you or let it make you stronger. I believe this saying doesn't reference physical death- but emotionally, spiritually, it takes the twinkle out of your eye sometimes, doesn't it?  It is the universe, God, etc.. pushing us out there, out of our comfort zone.  We grow, learn, and help others who are experiencing the same things or possibly are about to face them and don't know it yet. 

And sometimes we don't learn the lesson, and we have to be taught again, and again, and again. Sometimes we don't realize the lesson we learned until another trial hits us. Then you realize you're able to still stand on your own two feet and handle it all with a smile. 

I love old people. Not only are they super cute, they have had so much life experience. They have so much wisdom. I tell my husband all the time- when I see a 75+ person, I see 2 types: ones that have let life wear them down, make them bitter, have self pity, etc... and then there are the others, those who have taken the other road. The ones who take their trials, learn from them -- and instead of hating life for the hand they're dealt, they GROW! They love to share their stories, their hardships and how they lifted themselves up and learned from it. They will have all the life lessons you really need to know!

We are all learning in this life. We all keep our stories to ourselves, because we don't want to burden anyone, we feel ashamed, we feel like no one will like us if they know what is happening on the inside or behind closed doors. But EVERYONE, at all times, is going through something, and if you happen to be in your "calm" then I suggest you reach out to anyone and everyone you can to help where you can. And more often than not, they just need a listening ear. We grow, and are more grateful for our own "storms" when we see what others go through. And don't judge. Even when you know their story- don't judge and don't preach.

With this last year and my big storm,  there are certain things I am SO grateful I'm not having to endure and vice versa. When someone happens to get a piece of my story, they are amazed at how well our family is dealing with it, and they would have NEVER guessed, and I'm sure they are more than thankful they are not having to go through our storms.

Life is about learning, about growing, about loving; life is about family, about relationships, about finding the good in others. Life is for laughing about the little things. Life is about enjoying the moment(even the bad). Life is about choosing to stay positive. Life is about being a good example for others who are watching you. Life is about changing for the better. Life is about stepping out of your comfort zone.  Life is what you make it -- even in the midst of your storms. 

Bertinator's Boot Camp On the Run!

"Energy and persistence conquer all things." -Benjamin Franklin

Fit Tip #5: We all want to see results right now! Which means we usually change absolutely everything we should, to do better. What happens is when you change everything at once, when one thing doesn't workout, you say "Forget it all! I'll start over tomorrow." Don't do that. Change 1 to 2 very doable things at first. STICK with it. Be consistent. As you accomplish little things, you build the confidence and self discipline to start accomplishing bigger things. Just keep going. 

Here is one of my signature workouts, that I do ALL the time! I am not much of a "runner.  I can't run, and run, and run... I need to break it up. So, anytime I thought about running.. this is pretty much what it turned into. I have dubbed it "Bertinator Boot Camp on The Run" - it was a favorite in my 31 Days- and so I'm bringing it to ya'll over here!

If you like this workout, there is plenty more over at www.bertinator.com in my latest Fitness Around The Year program! Sign up, and get 30 days to try it out! Otherwise, I will be posting one every Saturday here, so you can still get your fix. 

 If you have already done this boot camp on the run from my 31 Days- then make each exercise 20 reps instead of 12. If it is your first time doing this, and you are competitive- then you can ALSO, do 20 reps vs. 12;) Whatever you choose- just have fun, while getting it done.  

"BERTINATOR BOOT CAMP ON THE RUN"

Run 2 minutes
12 push-ups
Run 1 minute
12 burpees
Run 1 minute
12 air squats
Run 1 minute
12 star jumps
Run 1 minute
12 good mornings
Run 1 minute
12 jackie chans
Run 1 minute
30 second plank
Run 2 minutes
(each exercise is linked to a breakdown video if you do not know what it is, with 2-3 different modifications)

I can run for short bursts of time in the 1 to 2 minute range;) However, if you can't run, or don't have the ability to go outside due to weather or kids, or hop on a treadmill- then instead of running you can replace it with any form of cardio. Jumping jacks, jump rope or jogging in place to name a few.

Print the PDF, here.

This workout is for time!! Set a timer, and run to it.Leave a comment letting me know what your time was, and how many reps you decided to go for. Then when you do this workout again, you have to BEAT your time;) You can do it!

FITNESS AROUND THE YEAR!

First of all MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

And secondly, are you ready to get your New Year started off right?!

My Christmas gift to YOU - is the first 100 people to e-mail me at bertinatorfit@gmail.com, with the subject: Fitness Around The Year! Will receive 2 FREE months of Fitness Around The Year, and if you go a step further and share the above picture on facebook, twitter or instagram- then you get 4 FREE months! (55 spots left)

So, hurry and e-mail me, then share- so that you can start your New Year off strong!

Take your abs from FLAB to "AB"TASTIC!

Are you looking for toned, tight, flat abs?

As a trainer, one of the TOP things on my clients list is FLAT ABS! I am asked frequently, how I have had 4 kids and how my abs are better then ever. I do have a few tricks up my sleeve, and that ANYONE can achieve. Today I am sharing my 5 top tips with you, starting from 5 and counting down. #1 will BLOW your mind!

5. CRUNCHES.  Doing abs everyday will help build your abdominal muscles and shape them, so that when time comes for them to "pop" through, they will look JUST right. Having muscle also will give you a tighter tummy altogether. I recommend doing 100 - 200 crunch variations everyday! Do them while you are watching TV, do them first thing the morning, do them while driving, do them right before you go to bed, do them while you are waiting for your water to boil on the stove. You get the point, before I start sounding like a Dr. Seuss book, just do them!

4.  CORE EXERCISES.  Adding core exercises to your workout routine will definitely help bring in your abs, and trimming your waistline. Core exercises burn extra calories, because you are working more then "just" your abs. Core exercises include planks, any exercise that requires balancing, and exercises where you use your full body.  

3.  CARDIO.  Cardio is just as important as getting your crunches in and adding core exercises. Cardio will burn fat,  get rid of the flab on your stomach, and let those toned abs shine through! We all have the abs, we just need help shedding that fat. Cardio comes in many different forms, so find what you love doing, and get it done. I recommend 2- 3 days of cardio, where you go at the same pace for 30-45 minutes, and 2-3 days of High Intensity Interval Training for 20 min., where you go as hard as you can for 20 - 30 seconds and recover for 1 minute and repeat. Sprinting is my favorite form of HIIT. 

2.  EAT CLEAN. Diet is so very important when it comes to your abs getting that perfect look. Clean eating means different things to different people. But if you want great abs, then clean eating needs to mean: Minimal, and preferably NO, processed foods,  more veggies and fruit,  no artificial flavorings, coloring, sweeteners, etc.... , wholesome grains, and GOOD fats.  This calls for a MUCH longer blog post, coming soon:) 

1. AND NOW! For The Bertinator's NUMBER 1 tip- and what I believe has really kept my abs in tip top shape- and that I do EVERY single day, ALL day!

Watch below:(and for a more clear picture, once you hit play, go to settings on the right hand side the wheel with spokes- and put it on either 720 HD or 1080 HD)

What tip or trick are you going to try?!

Here's to a flatter, more toned, sexy midsection!

You against ???

Working out and exercising, and creating new routines is my passion! 

One thing I love about working out, is that you can measure EVERYDAY how much more fit you are getting. Sometimes, it can take a few weeks for you to see results physically. But when it comes to working out, and measuring your fitness level, you can see results right away! 

There is something so exciting about going from doing 0 boy push-ups to cranking out 10!! The best part is, YOU earned it! You can only earn this by working for it!! 

There are so many "cheats" in life. Sometimes the most deserving participant doesn't win. Jobs these days are mainly based on connections, and right place right time. Anyone can get plastic surgery to look better, and the list goes on and on. But your fitness level?! You can't fake that! You can't fake how hard you work in the gym. When you give 110% every time during your workout- it is inevitable that your fitness level will improve! 

That is why I love working out. It isn't about how much the person next to me can do, it is about how much I can do, and how much I'm gonna be able to do NEXT week. I get to work on me- and improve ME! One burpee at a time;)

So, this week, give me ALL you have got, and then the next day, do a little better! Everyday, get a little better. That's what life is about! 

21 Days of Isagenix!

I think it is about time for an update on how Isagenix and I are getting along. Don't you??;)

Here goes!

3 weeks of using Isagenix and I am loving the results. Yes, I am very happy with the physical results. But by far, and I mean BY FAR, my FAVORITE benefit I am getting from using Isagenix, is the ENERGY I have. Sometimes having 4 kids alone not only exhausts me, but depletes me from having ANY brain power! I mean- like, I could be a part of the cast of walking dead (as one of the walkers) and no one would even feel the need to put make up on me, or dress me up. I mean- for reals! Not a joke! Ask around, people will talk.

However, I have been able to not only have sustained energy- but I'm talking like creative energy, power energy, the kind of energy you NEVER want to let go of. I have been able to work SOLID 18 hour days juggling kids and all the stuff that comes with it, The Bertinator online and off line,  continuing to grow my boot camps, and so much more! It's crazy! That to me is insane! I usually can handle 1-2 18 hour days, before I crash or go crazy. I've been going a couple weeks now. Put in the hard work NOW, so you can relax later;) It has been AMAZING to say the least!

So again- even if Isagenix ONLY gave me the energy that it has given me, I would be stoked! But add to that a total of 1.25 in. off my waist, 1 in. off my hips, 6.5 pounds AND a Thanksgiving feast, plus I still get to eat real whole food, along with a cheat here and there for the holidays, and I haven't exercised anymore then I regularly do- I'm a happy girl! I'm an Isa-girl for LIFE!:)

I can say all of this- but I think the results speak for themselves. I don't know... you tell me:)

If you are interested in trying Isagenix for yourself, leave me a comment below with your e-mail address and I will get in touch with you asap!! 

And don't miss out on The Bertinator's 31 Days!  31 Workouts, 31 clean recipes, 31 Bertinator fit tips, and PRIZES! All free! Get a jump start on your New Years goals! First step... NOT gaining weight during the holidays;)

 

The Bertinator's 31 Days!!

Just in case you were sitting on the fence about taking on The Bertinator's 31 Days- here is a video I made just to ease your mind and put you on the side of the fence where you belong... WITH ME;)




Just do it!! What do you have to lose?;) Except maybe some inches??