Today I woke up like any other day and walked into the bathroom. My eyes were a little glossed over still from sleeping but I quickly glanced at myself as I walked passed our closet mirrors (3). I thought to myself as I walked into the bathroom, "No". After I came back out I stopped, rubbed my eyes to be sure and saw something that I haven't seen in a long time, 
A SHRINKING TUMMY!!!!!

I just about cried. These past 3 weeks I have worked the hardest I have ever work and it is paying off. My clothes fit looser, body parts are slimming and toning up and I feel amazing. I think I have finally found what works. I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch but I think this is a game changer. I hate the scale but for me I have to check in on it weekly to check on my water weight because I retain so much water and it's something that a holistic Dr. told me to do so I can keep an eye on it since I can't take diuretics.

It is building up my confidence in myself and I am starting to learn how to love myself. I never wanted to love my exterior because it doesn't match the person inside. And it has been so frustrating and has caused a lot of heartache. I have felt like for the longest time if I allowed myself to love my exterior that it meant that I was okay with how I looked and it would stick. I know that that sounds funny but that is the honest to goodness truth. I never ever wanted this body and when I hear people you have to love yourself and the skin you are in. I would laugh and think they were crazy for saying that. How could I possibly love the skin I am in? How can I be okay with the way I look or feel? 

If you aren't comfortable with the skin you are in you don't have to love it. However you need to learn to love the person that is under the skin, the person inside. I am learning not only to love the person inside of me but now my exterior because of the changes I see and that has made a huge difference. 

Seeing these drastic results these 3 weeks and loosing 10 lbs has been so emotional and such an achievement for me. I have received so much love and support from so many friends, family and people I don't even know and it has been so amazing. I finally feel like I am just starting my life. I am on a path that I have always wished for. I feel like this is a new beginning and the start of something incredible. 

Thank you so much for stopping by and I started a vlog on youtube so go check it out and subscribe. 

♥XO{ST}

GRADUATION

I did it!!!!! I graduated crossfit basics. I was so scared to go to class today. Knowing that I was going to have to face a fear today. The dreaded box jumps. Guess what......I did it! I conquered my fear on a 12 inch box. Not only did I conquer it once. I did it 55 times. That is a huge accomplishment for me.

I have learned so much about myself these past two weeks. I still can't get over it. I am excited to see where I am at in 3 months. I am addicted to crossfit. Yesterday was a rest day and I honestly wanted to be in class believe it or not. 

Today I pushed myself. I did the full 10 rounds. Our coach said we can start at 9 if we wanted to but I told myself that I can do this. And I did it. Listening to myself talk as I type I sound like a little kid. However I am so proud of myself. 

Please remember to follow me on instagram iron.bella to see my accomplishments, goals and food.

♥XO{ST}

MY NEW JOURNEY

Last week I had a very hard struggle about a lot of things going on in my life. I am so thankful for a friend and my husband who has allowed me to confide in them about somethings. It felt good to get things off my chest. I really didn't know how much was affecting me until I wrote it out and talked about it. With that being said one of my biggest struggle is my Hashimotos.

I have been dealing with this for over 12 years and it has truly been a struggle and has made a huge impact on my life. I have always considered myself a healthy eater. I mean, I won't lie, I am human and have cheated here and there. Last week I realized I have been trying different "diets" for over 12 years. I say "diets" because I eat healthy, but what I mean is cutting different foods out, only eating certain foods and what have you. It was so overwhelming to look at all the things I have tried and nothing has worked except one thing. Cutting gluten out and eating Paleo (well my version of it).

Then my best friend introduced me to crossfit about 3-4 years ago and I loved it. However, I wasn't getting the most out of it because I was doing what I could at home and its completely different when you go to a box. I just didn't have the money to go. And my husband and I joined a gym for $40 a month and did what I could there, but still I was missing something. Then we bought a rig at home and started having a group of people come over and do crossfit in our backyard and it still wasn't the same and I lost my mojo and motivation. And that all started when I lost 40 lbs and then out of nowhere gained 20 back in a month!!!! From doing nothing different, yes I said a MONTH!!! 

 Story of my freaking life. 

I can drop 30-40 lbs and then gain 20+ back due to my thyroid. It is very very frustrating and takes a toll on your mind and body. So last week I had it!! I want to be fit again. I want babies but I want to get in shape before I start a family. It's a personal choice because I don't want added stress on a baby and myself. So after breaking down to my wonderful husband I asked if we can just go check out one of our local crossfit facilities. I did my research of which one to check out and so we went. We were welcomed with open arms, invited back the following day for a party, and my husband signed us up that night.

Now that he is working and money isn't as tight plus it helped that the prices are more reasonable than other locations or other gyms he signed us up to help mend my pain. So many emotions were running through my mind. I was soooooooo excited and nervous. This was really happening. We signed up for the two week bomb basics class to learn proper form and how it all works. Today is our last class for week 1. I am one sore mother, but it feels so good at the same time. I am not the fastest, let me be frank, I finish last, but that doesn't matter. Our coach Joanie always says, "This is your workout. Go at the pace you feel you will get a good workout from. This is not a race and this isn't to see who is faster, stronger or better. This is for you and for you only. If it takes you 5 mins to do 10 burpees because you are concentrating on form, that is more important." Our coach is amazing. She is very experienced and doesn't make you feel intimidated, uncomfortable and cares about you as a person and for your body. She wants us to get the most out of it, but correctly and isn't afraid to record you on her phone if you aren't doing the forms properly and not listening to show how ridiculous you look.
(no it wasn't me)

A lot of people think crossfit is so intimidating. Unfortunately this is a misconception and I think it has that rep because there are a few facilities that are all about competition and only want individuals who are looking to compete to join. And that is sad because those handful of boxes give crossfit a bad rep. I am not going to lie, crossfit works you. It makes you dig deep inside yourself to find that inner lion and makes you roar a roar that you didn't know you have. You look at your WOD (work out of the day) and think oh Hell, I am going to die. Then 7-15 mins later you are laying on the ground catching your breath, but you realize you DID IT! And you may have cried, thrown up or even fell down, but you didn't give up. You finished what you started. Yes, you will be sore. Yes, you may not be able to move after or at your next WOD you may not be able to move as fast but as long as you are moving and you showed up you're ahead of the game. No judgement.

Some people get a little taken back at the price to join crossfit. Let me explain something about this. At a time we honestly couldn't afford it we could only afford $40 a month and that got us a membership to a local gym. So we made use of what we had. However I looked into a personal trainer and it was anywhere between $120-$400 for 4-6 sessions with a trainer. I about died. If I was going to pay $120+ for a trainer I better get more than 4-6 sessions. With crossfit, you get what you pay for. You get a trainer with at all times, you have a daily schedule that includes a warm-up, skill and  WOD for you. You have someone to push and encourage you the entire time. Yes it isn't one on one time but you still get that in a sense with a group class. The trainers really watch you and will help correct and assist you. Not to mention when you look at their packages for classes it makes more sense and the fact we could afford it now would be crazy to not join.

So week one is almost over and I am sore but I feel amazing. Muscles that I haven't worked are being worked. Yes I yell when I have to sit down cause my legs feel like jello and I can feel every freaking muscle that has been worked. However, pain is gain and I am excited to see how this is going to change my body more so than doing it at home and on my own.

With that being said, go pay $15 to drop into a class and check it out. Ya, you will get worked but oh it will feel so good.

And anyone I mean anyone can do crossfit. You can have no fitness background, be pregnant or have one limb. This is for anyone and everyone and they help, teach, assist, push and encourage you along the way. Get that misconception out of your mind and don't judge until you have tried it. 

I am so happy to be apart of Crossfit San Leandro. If you are in the area go check them out. If you are in the Sacramento area go check out Crossfit Direction. Two facilities that take pride in what they do but are truly a family and very welcoming. Tell them Bryan and Stevilynn sent you! 

♥ XO{ST}

HOLDING A GRENADE

Do you ever feel like you are trapped inside a closet and you have something to share but you aren't sure how others will react or what they will say if you were to tell them your feelings? It's like holding a grenade and trying learning to move one muscle at a time so you can just let it go and explode. Family and friends that know me, know that I am a very open and outspoken person. It is s curse from both sides of the family. With that being said some of you may not know that I also hold a lot in afraid of disappointment and hurting others. I know...shocking right???

Well to be honest it is the truth. I have absolutely no problem speaking my mind and putting others in check. However, I find myself when I something to talk about that I am struggling with or hurting over I can't find the words or courage to speak out upon them. Most of the time I just hold it in or write it down thinking that I am telling someone when in reality I am not. It's just a book with words that maybe one day my children will read but no one will read it now and help me.

Having my Grandpa pass has changed and affected me. Watching someone you love die at home and being their caretaker is a very life changing experience. Not only do you learn that life is to short, but you learn that in order to be happy you must use your voice. My grandpa wasn't afraid to do that. And even though his words may have been hurtful he was completely honest and was doing for a good purpose. Yes there are times he has said things to me that were very hurtful and down right mean but in all honesty he was doing it out of the goodness of his heart because he cares. 

Sometimes you just have to be blunt and speak your mind even if it hurts others while inside you're killing yourself for not saying something. I am learning that when I have this grenade I am holding in a closet I need to take the steps and let it go by sharing it.

I can't really explain all that I am holding on to and need to get out because it is personal but know that you are not alone. And together we can learn to move one finger at a time so we can tell others and not live in a dark spot because no one, and I mean no one deserves to live in a place like that and feel trapped holding a grenade alone.

The world is a cruel place unfortunately but you can find some amazing and decent people if you just search and open your eyes. Some might be just in front of you and you have been in a dark place to long to see them. I think if we move forward and start taking steps forward to the light and learn to take one finger off the grenade we will be able to express ourselves more and not be so scared. 

♥XO{ST}

NOW WHAT?!?!?!

Since my grandfather passed I have kind of been in a rut and tried to figure out what to do now. A week after he passed we have been non-stop redoing the house and preparing for his bbq memorial. Now that is all over I am a bit out of sorts. When I took care of my grandfather I lost the momentum in taking care of me. So after much pondering I have decided I am going to work on me. Everyday I walk my little Nella girl (our huskador) 6 miles a day and sometimes I throw the bike in there for another 3-6 miles.  So I am back at it and I feel so much better.

Also I have been working on projects and doing some work from home deals. I am loving being able to be at home and spend time with family and work on me. Never in my life did I think I would get the chance to no longer work and focus on me. The hardest part is having a thyroid issue and having to deal with the depression and weight gain that comes with it. So even when I am eating healthy and working out I don't always lose weight an sometimes I gain some. So I am learning new tricks to what can help me. 

One of the biggest tricks I have found that has helped is:

 

BodyFit Sauna Suit

Since I retain a lot of water I drop anywhere between 1-2lbs a day. It is so gross to see how much I sweat when I take it off after my morning walk. I only wear this on my morning walk. Remember to drink a large glass of water after because you will be dehydrated.

I have found eating organic is so important. It keeps the toxins out of our bodies such as pesticides along with no additives and GMO. Plus higher level of vitamin c and essential minerals.

Gluten free is another way I go. Having Hashimotos I am intolerant to gluten. The gluten protein is very similar to the thyroid. If your immune system is attacking the gluten it will continue to search for 'gluten like' cells in your body (i.e. thyroid). That's how the body doesn't recognize 'self'. It is wise to be gluten free as it will reduce the immune systems attack on the thyroid. Being GF works for me. My digestion is so much better. I actually have enough energy to cook & clean up, where I didn't before. I sleep better because of the better digestion. To me it makes a huge difference. Also research shows that te half life for gluten antibodies is typically 3-4 months. Meaning it would take at least that long for gluten to be purged from the system. So completely staying away from food that has gluten in it has been helping a lot.

Being soy free. A lot of people think soy is good for them especially those that are vegetarian or vegan. Soy is estrogen-like. It’s role as a natural hormone replacement was recommend for many years because soy contains isoflavones, which are similar to estrogen. While isoflavones may act like estrogen, they can block the more potent natural estrogens from binding to the estrogen receptor. It also can affect your thyroid because soy is a goitrogen (meaning that it promotes the growth of a goiter), it can slow thyroid function, and sometimes, trigger thyroid disease if taken in large quantities. Also 93% of soy is GM. Soybean oil is processed with Hexane which is a chemical solvent. So that is why I stay away from soy and that's why you should too.

Lastly being dairy free. I will say I like an occasion egg and some cheese every now and again. However I really try to avoid it. Dairy can react the same way as gluten in your body. The body’s immune system reacts to this food as if it were Gluten. Your body thinks that milk or better yet the protein casein in milk is Gluten. So if you have some sensitivities to these above try avoiding them for 30 days and see how you feel. Especially if you have a thyroid issue.

So here are some tips that may help you in the long run.

♥XO{ST}