Sunday, July 22, 2012

::Sword Countdown::

Good Morning Everyone :)



I hope you are all doing well. This summer is flying by, and I cannot believe it is almost August. I am officially done teaching summer school math. I am so thankful for the experiences I gained during those four weeks. It was very rewarding, and I was able to learn and grow as an educator. Math was always my most challenging subject, so after not only teaching it for 4 weeks, but teaching it to multiple grades with a wide range of abilities, I am now ready for anything. I also made a great friend and mentor out of the experience, my supervisor and principal, Kristin.  (Thank you for your never ending support and for believing in me!!) During summer school, I was observed by a district administrator a couple of times, and I did a great job so I get to move onto the next round: the interview round. Please keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer for me. A full time teaching job for the fall would be a dream come true for me. You can cross your toes that it ends up being a second grade job ;) {wishful thinking}

Summer has been great so far. I am really happy that my brother and I both moved home for the summer. We are able to spend a lot of time bonding in the gym, and in the kitchen. My younger brother, Josh, got me started two short years ago, and I will forever be thankful. He is one of my best friends, and his support means the world to me.



I had a wonderful opportunity come my way, and I am now a brand ambassador for Barlean's Organic Oils. I am very thankful, and I am proud to represent a wonderful company that aligns with my fitness goals and beliefs. Stay tuned!!!!

This past month I have taken sometime to recharge and live my life a little bit. I took a break from being completely restricted, and allowed my body to heal. I had the opportunity to spend  week bonding with Mrs S back in Point, and covering some serious miles on the WI River kayaking. I took time off from two a days, and allowed myself to eat the foods I have been depriving myself from for the past 6 months.



However...I function off of high level of activity and structure, and I need a goal to work towards, so it is time to kick it back into high gear, and get ready for the next item on the list.

Ever since I started competing, I made a goal to win overall in an NPC show. I want to be the best...and I also think it would be extremely bad ass to win a sword :) After I reach that goal, I will feel ready to hit the national stage.  I had the opportunity to compete in the overall bikini at MN State Championships, but ended up in second place. One goal at a time though...that show was my accomplishment to win my class, and I am still very proud.

After recharging this month, I know that I want to go back into  ::bikini beastmode:: and meet some new goals. My mind, body, and soul are geared up, and ready to meet any obstacles that come in my way. I will work harder than ever before, making new sacrifices, and breaking through the impossible. I want to make changes from MN State, and bring my best package yet to this show.



I went to bed last night knowing that today was the day. I woke up, did my morning cardio, ate my egg whites, and know that from here on out, once again, every decision I make will impact my goal. I'm ready!!! :)

Shout Out-----I'd like to say Good Luck to my Coach, LAURA GUTILLA who is competing in USA'S this weekend!!! She is amazing in every way possible, and I am so proud of her accomplishments. Watch out world....after next weekend....she's going to be IFBB Physique Pro Laura Gutilla ;)  GO GET IT!!! IT'S YOURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Coach rockin' it at CO State where she won overall and best poser :) GO LAURA!!!!


Make every day COUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<3 SJ xo

Thursday, July 12, 2012

::10 Traits of THE Perfect Man::



Finding the one who makes your heart race…makes you feel special...and gives you the strength you need to get through your day can be a never ending search. Just two short years ago I found him. I’d like you to meet the one who has my whole heart. His name is Gym. He continues to provide each day in ways that you couldn’t even dream of.

Confidence- He will make you feel on top of the world even within just an hour’s time.


Dependable- He will always be there for you. Gym will never let you down, and will override even your worst days.


Integrity-Gym does not lie to you. He is honest, and does not sugar coat the truth.


Earning Potential- He will give you the ingredients you need to be successful. He will allow you to continually better yourself.


Faithfulness- Gym will be dedicated to you. Each day, you will be able to trust with your whole heart what he has to offer.


Generosity- He is a giver. He will devote time to you each day, supporting your goals, and making your every dream come true.


Passion- The feelings you experience in the presence of Gym are unexplainable. He will make your heart race and a sense of warmth will overcome your body.


Endurance- Gym will push you, and not give you an option to give up. He will break down walls and you will accomplish what you once thought was impossible.


Satisfaction- Nothing can compare to the way Gym will fulfill your needs. You will leave him feeling gratified. The smile you depart with will carry on throughout your day.


Everlasting- Gym will always be there for you. His relationship with you is eternal, and as long as you keep him in your life, he will devote his unconditional love to you.
 

All of these desired traits can be achieved if you take the initiative…make that one committed decision. Go ahead, take a risk. Let Gym into your life. Allow him to change your mind, body, and soul forever

5 Steps to Success


What makes up your day? Is each step an essential part of your desired success? Is it planned out accordingly so no time is wasted? Follow these 5 steps each day to bring you closer to your goals. Each of these steps are necessary to stay on track, and in a positive mindset to continue on the journey.

Step 1: Reflection Run-Every morning, wake up for your first round of cardio. This thirty minute run is more than workout, but it is a crucial part of the day. This time is used to reflect, organize your thoughts for the day, and plan for the future.  You will feel strong and invincible. By the time you get back into your house, you will be in a positive mind set and ready to move forward with your day.

For some, a morning run may conclude their efforts for being healthy, but this next step is valuable component of  success which brings us to the next step.

Step 2: Love your Lifestyle- You cannot consider the way you eat a "diet", but as an essential ingredient in achieving your fitness goals, and you should wear it like a badge of honor. The food that you put into your body has a purpose. You should use food to fuel your body and supply the energy you need to complete the tasks that make up your day and create a desired physique.

At this point, you will be ready to move forward with your day with the goal of helping others and inspiring people to change their life.

Step 3: Make a Difference-  It is good function on high level of activity, and to constantly be on the go. The work that you do should allow you to focus your positive energy on helping others. Each day should be special, rewarding, and exciting. You will create a positive role model for the world to be inspired by. They will look up to you as a strong, successful, determined individual.

After you have put in hours of satisfied work, there is still  one of the most important factors remaining.

Step 4:Bikini Beastmode- At this time, you will head over to the most rewarding place, the gym.  The emotions experienced in the gym are unexplainable. There is nothing else that can make you feel this way. The gym is the one thing you know you can always depend on. It is always going to be there for you. It is constant.  It does not judge you or put negativity into your life. It cannot walk out on you, or give up on you.

Along with staying positive for yourself, remember to shine that passion onto others.

Step 5:Scatter Joy Around You-Make time each day to seek out others that need a boost. If you can make ten people smile each day, you will feel rewarded. You will love knowing, and have great satisfaction for making a difference. The last thing anyone wants to do is to see someone struggle. Never be afraid to help. Wherever you go-you can shine.

These 5 steps make each day a success,you will gain focus, strength, and motivation from these essential ingredients.  Live each day one at a time, overcome any and all obstacles that come your way, and capitalize on your accomplishments. Remember- have of doing is believing that YOU CAN!

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

I Love My Life :)

Hello Everyone!!!!


HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I hope you are all enjoying your ::Fourth of July::. Summer has been flying by...and I have been staying very productive. Student teaching ended, and I started my nanny job, and teaching summer school in Appleton. A typical day now consists of waking up at 4:30 a.m. for my morning run, spending 7am-11:30am in the classroom, nannying noon-6pm and then heading to the gym after that to lift and do more cardio. Every day is structured and meaningful. I make each day count :)


View from my dest :)

It is very exciting to have my very own classroom. I am teaching math and each hour is a different group of students. I am teaching 3rd-4th, 5th-7th, and I end my morning with my favorite grade...2nd :) I am learning a lot in this experience, and I am growing in my educational practices and methods. For those of you that know me...math was always my biggest challenge, so I was a little nervous to be teaching it...especially to such a wide range of grade levels. I absolutely love it, and I am so thankful for this opportunity. It is so rewarding to watch my students learn and grow. My first week I had two students that did not understand multiplication. I blocked off some time and worked with them, showing different methods and approaches to solving the problems. By the end of the week one of them won our class game of  "Around the World". It made my week. I love being a teacher :)
Ahnika, Vacey, and SJ

Every day after teaching, I drive over to my nanny job with a smile on my face. I LOVE my body building family nanny job. I am so blessed to work with such a wonderful family. It is a lot of fun. We have fun going to the beach, playing outside, making projects, playing games, and of course...having fun in the gym in the basement. Each week we do fitness goal tests (i.e. push ups, pull ups, hanging leg raises etc) and test abilities, and track our progress. It is fun setting goals, and watching us improve each week. I love working with children and making a difference. I wish I could be a professional nanny :) I am looking forward to making more memories and spending the rest of the summer with these two rockstars ;)
After an afternoon chalking the driveway

I am really proud of how well I am maintaining right now with it being my "off season". I am still doing two a days of cardio. Every morning I run for about 30 minutes, and then at night when I am done lifting I do at least 20 minutes on thes stairmaster. Training is going great as well. It is not the same without the Strength Center, but I enjoy seeing some familar faces at the gym back home and making more friends there. My friend Kristine Hietpas and I train together every Thursday. She is helping me create some better shoulders so I can be a beast like herself ;) Thanks girl!!!! I love our Thursday Gym<3 dates and I REALLY appreciate the help!!!!!



I am also staying strict with my diet. I am very thankful to have support of my body building nanny family. The dad, Scott, also competes with me and he has been helping me and holding me accountable each day which really helps. It is always nice to have that kind of support. I am continuing to learn a lot about my body, and what I can to do continue to improve. TEAM BB D!!!! :)

Enjoying the simple things :)


I have been fortunate enough to have the past week off from both jobs, so for the first time since January, I was able to take a step back and breathe and enjoy life a little more. I went back to Point and decided to spend my vacation with Mrs. S. We have had....and are still having a wonderful time. Every morning I wake up and I go for a run, and when I get back we load up the kayaks and head to the river for an adventure. We have gone every day since Saturday for at least 2.5-3.5 hours each time. It is an amazing experience and I'll cherish the memories that were made. Aside from kayaking, we watched some live music by the water, spent time outside, worked on the classroom, and enjoyed eachothers company.


Our favorite kind of cardio :)


Mrs. S is amazing....and I am so thankful I worked with her this year for both my practicum and my student teacher assignment. She continues to support me and my dreams, and enjoy the journey with me.  I love coming to her house. Mrs. S and her husband are so welcoming and give me a nice place to destress and rejuvinate. My morning runs here are the best because the scenery is so beautiful, and everything is so much more peaceful here. I couldn't ask for a better vacation.

I also love coming here because I get to workout at my favorite gym, the UWSP Strength Center. On Saturday I entered the gym, and I was the only on in there. Emotionals immediately took over my body, and nothing else in the world mattered....I was "home". I loaded up the bar weights, secured them, and got ready. A deep breath was taken, I alligned myself with the bar, and I exploded.The power of my legs ignited as I hit each rep. My heart pounded,  my quads screamed, but I was hungry for more...and this was just the beginning. I had one of the best leg workouts ever on Satruday. Time was not a factor, nothing held me back. I pushed it until I could barely walk straight.


My favorite place on earth <3

When I went to the gym during the week, a lot of my buddies were in there, and some familiar faces of the athletes from school. It felt so good to be in there, and I had some phenomenal workouts. I love walking in to the sound of weights smashing, and music blaring. I love putting chalk on my hands and feeling my callouses rip open. I absolutely love it in there. I even enjoyed my post stair master cardio. I love looking down at everyone working out while I hit the steps. This place is my home, and no one can ever take away the emotions I experience when I am there. It refuels my fire, and gives me an extra push to go even harder.

I couldn't ask for a better summer. Everything is going great, and I am thankful for each day. I am going to continue working hard, and look forward to the opportunites that come my way. Enjoy the rest of your holiday, and remember to MAKE EACH DAY COUNT :)))

<3 SJ XO