Reflecting on my physical and emotional fitness.

Day 5 of the #NovemberPhotoChallenge: blessed There is no doubt that this little being is the greatest blessing I've ever received in my life. We fought for her, and our lives have changed completely since Bristol, but there is no way I would change that for anything. Seeing her grow, develop and learn is the greatest job I could ever have. She's so intelligent, funny, wild, goofy and definitely a little pistol!! I am so incredibly thankful for each and every day that we get to spend singing our ABC's, blowing bubbles, having cuddle time, tickles, reading books, taking walks and being a family 💗💕 #mygreatestblessing

Among one of the many reasons I love fall is that each year people come together and are reminded of their blessings. Now, some would say that you shouldn't need a holiday or season to count your blessings, or why you're thankful, and while I agree, I also think it's the celebration of being thankful that makes the time of harvest, thanks and plenty so amazing and blessed.  I whole heartedly feel that when someone challenges you to be thankful for something, anything, you remember the many reasons you have to be as such. That is why I have accepted the November Photo Challenge and will be posting pictures daily of things that I am thankful for, my blessings, my past times and little things that make me, well, me!!  I know I'm a few days late to this, but I'll make those posts up. Here's to counting our blessings, loving life and sharing our passions with the ones we hold near!!  Day 1: autumn   The beauty that lies all around us, Autumn is a time for plenty, fo...

I've been planning to post this for some time now, but just haven't A. found the time to sit and write it how I would like to, and B. wasn't really even sure how to go about writing it. So, as I look and see my daughter sleeping ever so peacefully on the couch, and having nothing imperative on my To Do list, I feel like now is the time. Especially because I need a good reminder about some life lessons.  A while ago, we took a family hike on a mountain trail that had a playground, and as Bristol, Brady, Annie and I were all playing on the swings, Brady and I got to talking about what playground games were popular when we were younger and what we participated in. One that we both remembered playing was one where you would pump your swing as hard as you could, and then jump! Whoever jumped further than everyone else was the winner. So Mr. Competitive took the flying leap off the swing, and then challenged me to jump to where he landed, which he so proudly marked in the wood...

Take me back here, to the peace and relaxation of Rangeley, to the "stay cation" that we needed after the wedding, to clarity, to the explosion of the senses, to the only thing on the to-do list is breathing, to the place where everything just seems to go right, where time suspends itself. Take me back here where the foliage burns through the trees, creating what looks like a raging wildfire yet the air is still and crisp, where the waters can be still on the lake and rush through the rivers. Take me where there is always something exciting around every turn in the road, every turn of the leaf, under every rock, beneath the limbs and boughs of the pines, where the wildlife is still wild, and my thoughts run with them. October 2013- Rangeley, Maine

Of course as I promise you guys that I will be blogging more #lifehappens! I honestly feel like it has been such an uphill struggle this past week, I have to sit and take a few minutes to reflect and reevaluate and just vent! If you're not into venting, then you might want to find some more blogs to follow :X I'll start by saying that job hunting... is HARD! It has almost been a month and all the momentum I had going is now screeching to a halt, which is draining. I feel useless, worthless and seeing the same postings and filling out the same information is so repetitive just to hang on the thread of MAYBE I'll get an interview. I know that the whole process takes a while and it is like this, especially in this economy, the majority of the time. I think it was just so exciting at first because I was on a roll. In one week I had 4 interviews and a shadow, and I thought that maybe I was going somewhere. I know I will get a job eventually, but I just have to keep my standard...

Yesterday was a huge day.  It was a release in one of the best, and most painful forms possible, and so needed. Since my father's death I've always been itching to get a memorial tattoo for him, but nothing ever felt right, until I was looking through some quotes, and then something finally clicked into a design. This quote has always stuck with me and just feels right for this time in my life. Transitioning into the working world (and yes I'm aware of the **risks** of getting a tattoo and what not and the likelihood of employment.. blah, blah, blah... spare me), and finding my fitness, finding my footing for my BPP and even this blog, being a mother, and a wife, and always trying to see the good in things. Along with continuing through life with this new found bravery, and knowing that if I set my mind to something it CAN be done. My goals in life can be achieved, because I am strong, I am brave, and I am determined! Those are three things I would hope that my father...

I swear, when I started blogging the plan was to devote much more time to this! But, I'm going to say, LIFE happens. Between family time, job searching, interviews, working out, spending time with our Love bug, and all the birthday celebrations and festivities we've had, it's thrown me for a loop! I've also actually had a few minutes every now and then to decompress and really reflect on life's transitions, which is weird considering how chaotic it has been around here. One major breakthrough is that I actually accomplished a goal I had set to do last year, which was wear a crop top out in public. I wore the H out of that AC/DC crop top to the Miranda concert. Of course there were stares, and yeah they got to me, made me feel uncomfortable, and like I REALLY wanted to change... but I didn't! I danced, and sang along, and had the absolute best time. Brady and I were able to leisurely stroll into the pits, get a good spot right next to the stage, and catch TWO g...

I have to say, I can't believe that these last two weeks since my last post have FLOWN by! But I also will say that it is the beginning of my absolute favorite month. The weather gets cooler, kids go back to school, the leaves begin to change, fair season picks up, harvest produce is in abundance, PUMPKIN EVERYTHING is out and it is the beginning of hunting season preparation. I just love September, not to mention it's my birthday month! It truly is the beginning of one of the greatest wonders in nature. I can't get enough of the sights, smells, and tastes of this month. This month also marks a new beginning for me as well, no only am I a week into Insanity, I am looking to track my IIFYM results, thus far! I have reactivated my Scentsy business, and I am also **gasp** getting back on the work grind (that was my biggest feat over the past two weeks). As much as I want to admit that I'm ready, really I am not. I feel so socially awkward in many situations, but I need ...

I'll start off by saying thank GOODNESS that stomach bug cleared! That was absolutely no bueno, at all. It knocked me off my feet for longer than I had wanted, but I've bounced back. I really try to see the light in every situation, and I will say that despite the poopiness (literally) of being sick, I did find the time to disconnect from my physical fitness and focus on my mental fitness. I realized that I had kind of  inadvertently taken a downward spiral and wasn't happy. So I adopted the IIFYM (if it fits your macros) nutrition plan and so far it has been great! Just by concentrating on what nutrition I put into my body rather than how many calories is so freeing. Not having to feel guilty for having more chicken, or veggies, or even rice is amazing. I also realized that contrary to what some may believe you still have to stick to a certain regimen and find your balance because let's face it, you still are eating healthy, and really, junk food doesn't have much ...

Whoa, Hey there, everyone! It seems like it has been so long since I've blogged about anything, and I am really feeling almost lost! I haven't blogged much in the past really, but have missed having something to blog about, so I held off, and then life just took off, so you've been out of the loop. So much has happened in the last 2 and a half weeks that it has sent me in a whirlwind! First off, we took our first family day trip to Boston to visit the New England Aquarium and adventure around the city! It was amazing and much needed for just time to spend with family. We are always on the go, so it was nice to finally be on the go, but as a family. Bristol was well behaved especially for it being such a long day. We walked over 9.5 miles and you can bet your last dollar I rewarded myself for a great eating week, and hard workouts with a cupcake from one of the bakeries in Quincy Market! It was amazing and no guilt was felt whatsoever! Along with our trip, we've al...

I may or may not catch some slack for this but I just want to get the fact out there that it shouldn't matter how you choose to be fit, what should matter is the fact that you're doing it. In no way shape or form does exercise mean you are only spending hours on a machine at the gym, lifting weights, running, taking a class, or doing an at-home program. I don't understand why some people feel the need to discredit or look down other forms of fitness when in reality, we are all in it together! We are all doing what we can, where we can. It is all about finding motivation and balance to thrive! At-home programs work for me because I don't have a gym membership, nor a sitter for when I want to go to the gym. I've had to make it work at home, and I will run or walk or take an opportunity to go somewhere and train when I get the chance, and for those who do train at the gym or in a studio I give props to you because you have that ability and found your motivation there! ...

This past week has flown by, heck, this whole MONTH has flown by! I just wanted to let you all know what's been on the agenda for my summer thus far as far as my fitness regiment. I started Les Mills Combat some time in May, and have recently just finished the program. I absolutely loved it! The cardio portions were awesome and went by so quickly because of all of the music tracks and energy the trainers gave! The lifting and plyometric workouts were awesome as well. I loved the variety of the calendar because it kept me from getting burnt out due to repeated workouts multiple times weekly, and the program was just long enough to where I wasn't feeling overwhelmed. I had great results (no inches or weight lost, but my goal since February has been to maintain), but I did see a little more definition in the core, which is ALWAYS welcomed and appreciated! I love the satisfaction of completing a program, knowing that at one time I was worried about sticking to a 10 day challenge. I...

scale skāl/ noun noun:  pair of scales ; plural noun:  pairs of scales ; plural noun:  scales ; noun:  scale 1 . an instrument for weighing.  mir·ror ˈmirər     noun 1 . a reflective surface, now typically of glass coated with a metal amalgam, that reflects a clear image. verb 1 . (of a reflective surface) show a reflection of. These two objects I've defined have caused me so much pain, frustration, feelings of success, failure and grief in the past. The mirror is only a "reflective surface" and the scale is only an "instrument for weighing," so why should I feel all those emotions when I think of them?  The scale measured my weight as I impacted gravity. I let the number it read decide my self-worth, and whether I was going to have a good day (when I liked what it said) or a bad day (when I didn't). I gave a lot of power to that simple tool for weighing, and it was because I...

My 1 YEAR #TransformationTuesday ...  Coming from someone who thought 10 days of healthy eating and exercise would be hard without a gym let alone making it 3 months till her wedding, then through the winter, making it through spring time and forget about sticking with it through the following summer! I never thought I could have the discipline and self control to workout at home, let alone complete 4 BeachBody and 1 cheap starter program. I never thought I would give up my precious red bull, become a BeachBody coach, RUN a mile and then shoot for more, train with a stroller and run a 4.5k with my family, do multiple push ups, squats, and sit ups just for fun, find the best support system anyone could ever ask for. I wouldn't have dared show my body to anyone else but my husband, let alone wear a bikini (with no cover up) to the beach  multiple times, let start a body positive group or become confident enough to wear a crop top in a public place! The physical changes may ...

I will start off by saying that I am EXHAUSTED after this weekend. With all the running around we did, early mornings and the late nights, I definitely could use a good nap! Over all, I think it was a great weekend though. We tried catching fireflies, had a fish fry (on the grill), got some ice cream, went to a friend's camp, saw some fireworks, went to the beach, got sun burnt, and had a blast! I got to spend some quality time with family and friends, I indulged just enough to get it out of my system, but still stayed on track as far as workouts are concerned, and passed up some goodies when I really didn't want them. Brady, Bristol and I had a nice family day after all the chaos of the holiday weekend too! We took her to the Maine Wildlife Park to see all the animals, and she even pointed and named some in her book when we got home! Our beach trip was very impromptu however, and the decision was made after we left MWP and needed to cool off. So we stopped at WalMart and went...

The purpose behind the Body Positive Project: https://www.facebook.com/groups/654463427969478/ As you may or may not know from my introduction, I have struggled with body positivity for as long as I can remember. I may have looked a certain way, but I never felt like I did. I saw my body differently than others did, and was so negative towards myself. Despite losing 20+ pounds and all my baby weight, having no stretch marks, and despite my “assets” not being as perky as they used to be, they were still “aesthetically pleasing” as my husband would so politely put it. I had reached out to some councilors and therapists in college even before having my daughter and had no success in seeing myself in a more positive light. It wasn’t until I found my fitness and saw changes in me that I had decided I wanted to change myself for my own sake and to set an example for my daughter.  The first rule of therapy is wanting to change. I had never wanted to, and that was why I had never su...

I guess it would be appropriate as my first EVER blog post to be done as an introduction to who I am, what I am doing and why I am doing what I'm doing. Especially since this is the foundation and basis for my Body Positive Project group on Facebook. Firstly, my name is Gina Johnson, I am a SAHM of the wildest, craziest, most adorably fearless 18 month old I've ever known. I am also the wife of a wild, crazy, adorably fearless husband who works on the road the majority of the time, so I operate as the sole provider of said 18 month old about 5/7 days a week. I started my fitness journey just shy of a year ago and with the help of my very own accountability group I have been able to stick with it thanks to the support and relationships I've formed along the way. I was always one of those who gave up when it got hard, and even when I was "losing weight" I was only doing the bare minimum required, sticking to 20 minutes on the elliptical and 20 more minutes on the tr...