Consistency. It Can Make YOU or Break You.

Good evening to all my lovely blog readers! So glad you'e back to read more. It's Friday evening and I'm hanging out at home, just working on my business and trying to figure out ways to be more successful!



I have so many great ideas and my mind just starts flooding with this overwhelming feeling - so I just have to stay focused and committed to these goals and eventually everything will fall into place! :) Tonight, I want to share with you a little thing that I believe can completely make you or break you... so, IMO, essentially it is what will determine whether or not people listen to/follow you or just call your bluff.





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CONSISTENCY!
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Consistency is so important when you're trying to learn something new, beginning a new weight lifting program, following a new diet plan, starting up your own business, or even rewind to your childhood years when you were trying to ride your bicycle without training wheels for the first time.. you didn't give up, you were consistent until you learned how to do it by yourself!

It is so easy to get caught up in everyday life and make excuses as to why you can't complete one of the tasks on your to do list.. or you didn't do your workout, failed with your meal plan, etc. Here's the thing ... if you always make an excuses, you'll stay in that exact same spot. I know that I wouldn't want a personal trainer or nutritionist who just decides to give it there all one day and for the next four days they're sitting at home on their couch watching television, eating bon bons. UM, really? No thanks! I want a someone who will be right there with me at the gym 5-7 days a week.. CONSISTENTLY learning and getting better!

Sometimes life may hurt and knock you down, but this is where the true strength is noticed. This strength is noticed when you are affected by something so terrifying, something so determined to knock you completely down, maybe even kick you around a little -- but you still manage to get back up. Your followers, your subscribers, everyone around you should be the reason you get back up... AND FOR YOURSELF. You just have to dig deep down, realize you are worth doing amazing things, and know to never give up.

Believing in yourself is such a huge factor as well with being consistent. You have to believe that when you fall down you are able to get right back up. If you have a bad week at work, with your business, working out, meal planning, anything -- you have to know that you cannot stay down forever. You're "why" to continue whichever journey you decide to take off on, this "why" must be so strong that you know you can't imagine your life any other way then on this path you're taking. You're attitude will be contagious, and when you're consistent... more people will realize their self worth and that is the greatest reward of of all.



I hope that you all find this information helpful and see why it is so important to stay focused and on track with whatever you are doing. Please feel free to share this with any friends and/or family that may find this helpful!

--Also, please like me on Facebook -------> YEP! Right over there, {www.facebook.com/maketodayyourtomorrow}
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GOAL WEIGHT ACHIEVED

Some people set out on a journey to better their lives, better their health which in the end will help them come to a peace of mind with the way they feel about themselves and the life they live.  Some people get scared and back down, some get half way - step back and look at their achievements and just stop, and then there are people who keep pushing and fighting every single day to make the best of themselves and really prevail! I am so beyond to say I am the latter...

For the last 15 months, I have been working towards the "typical new year's resolution" every person tends to make at least once, if not more, in their lives! To LOSE WEIGHT and I FINALLY DID IT!!!  January 1, 2013 I made the resolution that I will get my butt to the gym, I will workout and I will reach my goal weight! My biggest motivation was being engaged, and knowing that for one day - all eyes would be on me. That is what pushed me towards my weekly/daily/monthly/overall goals. 

Let's start with a little bit of background about my struggle with my weight/self confidence... 

I always felt like I was the girl who everyone looked past, who was too chubby to be chosen for a certain team or someone who just wasn't pretty enough. It made me always hate the body I was living in and in turn I would run to food to ease my emotions. I didn't feel pretty dressing up, I hated taking pictures and I always felt like I was left out. But that HAD to change.. And I knew I had to stop letting what others thought of me affect my self confidence levels and be happy with myself.

During the first year, life was crazy.. It was hard trying to accommodate my eating habits with my fiancé and declining happy hours, nights out on the town with friends and my healthy lifestyle. Now I didn't give up EVERYTHING the entire year, it was kind of like learning to run... First you scoot, then you crawl, walk and finally you're off full speed running! That's exactly what this journey taught me... It takes time and eventually it can be done if you have the willpower. Now I'm not saying you have to give up everything, just do/have some of the "not so healthy" things in moderation! If you deprive yourself it may cause you to fall completely off track and lose your sight of where you want to go.

So here's how I reached my goal weight....

Beginning my journey at the unthinkable 166.8 pounds -- I started switching up my diet, not eating out as much and getting in cardio at the gym. Within the first few months I was down about 10 pounds or so and I was happy I had lost that much but I knew I still wasn't where I wanted to be. 

***here's a small fun fact about how determined I was to reach my goal weight... I went dress shopping for my wedding gown at the end of March and I found my beautiful Maggie Sottero gown at MB Bride... My consultant who measured me told me I need to get said size so obviously I did... I got home and was thinking and knew how determined I was, and told them I wanted to change my size down to the smaller size. They said they didn't normally do that, and would have to get management approval, BUT THEY DID IT FOR ME!! So I had my dress ordered in the smaller size, so that was a little motivation to keep going!***

In March I tried drinking Body By Vi, which is a meal replacement and you have 2 shakes a day. ViSalus helped me for about a month and I dropped 8 pounds but I just couldn't keep up with the shakes because I missed actual solid foods and felt like I wasn't getting enough proper nutrition. Now don't think I'm bashing BBVi because it has helped numerous people get to their goals and whatnot, but everyone is different. This just wasn't my path... so I moved on.

After ending my journey with ViSalus, I then got back to monitoring what I ate and thought I was doing good with my diet and whatnot lost a few pounds then got stuck at a plateau for a good 6 months, it was getting extremely frustrating! I didn't know what to do!! I tried everything, weight loss pills, ViSalus shakes here and there, working out hours a day, whatever you can think of I did it. I kept fluctuating between 144-148 and had no idea what I needed to do. I started looking into weight training because my wedding was quickly approaching and I needed to do something. I was so close to my goal weight that I just didn't want to give up, and knowing I had my dress fitting eventually coming up, that helped a little.

***Another progress reporting here, in August my wedding gown had finally come in and it was kind of an oh crap kind of moment... Going to try on my dress, would it fit or not. Well I went and tried it on and it fit PERFECTLY!! Like it was designed just for my body! I was beyond ecstatic!***

So beginning to be hopeless that I wouldn't reach my goal weight, I was approached about becoming a Beachbody coach and I turned it down multiple times because I thought I knew what I was doing and didn't want to spend any money on that stuff. BUT At the end of January 2014, I had a little change of heart -- I decided to join Beachbody and give it a go since I've been following a ton of BB challengers and coaches and all their results were INSANE. I started drinking Shakeology daily and working out with the one and only Shaun T doing T25!! I also started eating "clean" and avoiding a lot of things I absolutely loved in the past months and going for different options. I traded All Natural Peanut Butter for PB2, traded my chips for a piece of fruit, and started watching my portions more closely. The 5 weeks of T25 Alpha Phase went extremely fast and I was only down 3 pounds but I had lost 6 inches overall!! I was beyond ecstatic! 

After T25 I was still determined to lose a few more pounds because I was about 3 pounds out from my goal weight and had my first dress fitting appointment a couple weeks after so had to make sure I was as close to my goal weight as possible. I started working out with the newest addition to BB, Autumn Calabrese doing the 21 day Fix. I was a bit apprehensive because I didn't want to drop a ton of weight just wanted to tone up and whatnot. I didn't follow the meal plan/workout to a T so I don't have my results to share with that but plan on doing the full workout and following the meal plan after the wedding.

***March 19 comes around and it's the day of my first dress fitting and the dress fit PERFECTLY a little lose in the bust but that was always a typical area that needed some attention with all my dresses I've ever purchased. But there really wasn't any more room for the back to be pulled together. The seamstress said it was a very smart choice to order the smaller size and that the weight loss had to stop!  SAY WHAT... This is what I do, this is what I love, I have a goal to get too! I was a little sad because I didn't think I'd be able to do the workouts I've come to love! But after talking to some friends and my team I got an understanding of what would need to be done!!***

So now it is April and I just finished up my three day Shakeology cleanse, it helped me out a ton because I ate crap food after I heard my dress was perfect and didn't need any other alterations and I needed to stay where I was, but I had a goal to reach and I knew I had an appointment or two for alterations before my wedding so I wasn't too concerned about it. The dress could be taken in more with the amount of time left for the wedding!! So here it is, as of April 2nd I have officially hit my goal weight of 135 pounds!!!

So how do I feel... I feel amazing. I feel more confident, I feel like I can reach any goal I set out for myself. Over the last 15 months I did some of the things I NEVER thought I would do... I ran my first half marathon, signed up for my second, stepped out of my comfort zone and bought my first and SECOND pair of skinny jeans, also did an in home workout (I'm a gymrat so I was a little apprehensive here), I'm no longer embarrassed of what I look like, I feel happier, healthier,

more motivated, and best of all I feel accomplished for putting forth the long hours at the gym, pouring sweat, trading those fried foods for a yummy Shakeology, and getting up at the crack of daylight to get my workouts in!! It was all soooo worth it and I could not be anymore excited for this journey.

So what's next some will ask, maintaining and trying to time up for my upcoming wedding and then after the wedding who knows!!  :-)

I am a beachbody coach and I do have a challenge group opening up within the next couple weeks - if you want to join me - send me a quick message and will chat about what all it entails! I did and I know you can too! Having an amazing support system and the drive is exactly what it takes to be successful and I will make you be successful!! For more information about Beachbody go to teambeachbody.com/StephClemmer

RESULTS ARE IN!!!

For the very first time in my life... I stuck with an at home workout and didn't miss a single workout! I have always struggled with being extremely bored with them or just wanted to see results instantly! Well, obviously we know that can't and won't happen... so you must put in the time, sweat and pain to get the results you want to see! Well that is exactly what I did!

For the last 5 weeks - everyday I have had a date with Shaun T doing the Alpha Phase of T25!! I have to say I love this workout being of many many reasons... 

1. It offers a modifier (Tonya) and if you feel that you aren't ready to "Dig Deeper" just yet as Shaun T would say, she's there to provide you with a modified movement. IMO, this was great during Total Body Circuit because you're using a lot of power so when you think you may just die, you look to her for the support!!

2. It is TWENTY FIVE MINUTES A DAY!!! The amount of time I use to spend in the gym compared to the time I spend there now is incredible because I've seen inches fall come off way easier than getting in those HOURS at the gym everyday. In 25 mins I was sweating just as much as I was if I were to run for 5 miles, it is amazing!!

3. Shaun T - he is honestly a great fitness instructor and always motivates you throughout the entire workout and provides you with tips on how to make sure you get the correct form down for each movement. He made it so much easier to keep going when I wanted to just say screw it, haha.

4. THE BEST REASON I LOVE THIS WORKOUT - the RESULTS I got!!! I couldn't believe the results I got when I finished this workout. For the last 15 months I've been striving to get to my goal weight and T25 has dramatically helped over the last 5 weeks. It was incredible having people say that they can tell I'm losing weight and I look great AND OHHHHH - stepping out of my comfort zone and buying a pair of SKINNY JEANS!! This has been an INCREDIBLE 5 week journey and I want you all to know - it took dedication and the willpower to push play every single day! I know that if I can do it - ANYONE can!

Now you all are probably wondering... well what are your results - ok so here they are!!

Beginning on February 4th - I weighed 140.2 lbs and weighing in today at 137.2 so I lost a total of 3 lbs... No it doesn't seem like a lot - but here's the best part... I think I lost an incredible amount of inches in just 5 weeks...

Waist - Down 1.4 inches

Bust - Down 1.15 inches

Hips - Down 1.1 inches

Left Arm - Down .25 inches

Right Arm - Down .3 inches

Left Thigh - Down .25 inches

Right Thigh - Down .5 inches

Lovehandles🙊 - Down 1 inch

For a total of 5.95 inches and 3 lbs gone in just 5 weeks!!! I feel absolutely incredible after this journey. I'm sure there are some of you saying well 3 lbs isn't a lot so I'm not gonna try this but what I've learned is that you are burning fat and losing inches and essentially building muscle!! Yes I was totally bummed I didn't drop like 10 lbs over the last 5 weeks but that's ok because I'm fitting into smaller jeans and feel better in clothes and I think it was all totally worth it.  And I am so thankful that I was able to share this with you all. 

I want to give a HUGE shoutout to my Beachbody Coach, Amie DeSanzo, for kind of convincing me to do it everyday because it'll show better results and another huge shoutout to my amazing fiancé, Craig!! Even on the days where I just wanted to go lay down instead of dealing with Shaun T - he made me get up and realize what I wanted! I couldn't thank him enough for being my biggest supporter and motivator!! Thank you Amie & Craig for you continuous motivation and support through this journey!!

Below these pictures are taken about 11 months apart - this was March of 2013 on the left and the right was Mid-February 2014 when I bought my first pair of skinny jeans!!!!😉

If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to contact me on Facebook: 2 B F.I.T, email me at pghfitnessgirl@gmail.com or teambeachbody.com/stephclemmer 

Skinny Jeans!!! H2O Problem & Week 3 of T25 Update!

So I am pretty sure I can speak for all females when I say that fitting into a smaller size of jeans is probably one of the biggest self confidence boosters, point blank! With that being said, I have officially dropped 4 sizes since beginning my weight loss journey 14 months ago - doesn't seem like a lot - but to me, it's hours upon hours sweating at the gym, clean eating and the amongst all the biggest factors - dedication and accountability!! It took me a good 2 months to feel comfortable in the smaller pair of jeans but when I tried them on the other day and there was no sucking it in, no jumping up and down and no muffin top - I was probably jumping around like a goof ball with so much excitement!!☺️ Sooo excited about this as I haven't been able to wear this size in jeans since my freshman year of highschool (as far as I can remember) so that's been about 12 years ago... crazy that I am in the best shape of my life now, and feeling more comfortable in my own skin! That is it's own topic that is always going to be a work in progress for me!!

I've learned over the last several months that you get out what you put in. So if you give 100% every single day - chances are you will reach your goals very quickly. But honestly, who can give 100% every single day without cheating... it's a huge struggle for me because of recent stress, wedding planning and other crazy things going on - but recently I've been doing so much better with my diet (even making weekly menus that are FIANCÉ friendly), and the cutting out of unnecessary drinks/foods that I thought were good for me but was causing boating and discomfort. Keeping an eye on the food label is HUGE and I definitely have been looking at that before I buy something now. 

Another big issue for me is h2o!!! I can't drink just plain water on a regular daily basis unless I'm working out or I'm out at a restaurant and the glass is filled to the brim with ice - so it's extremely hard for me to do but I'm trying my hardest to change that. As a matter of fact, in March my challenge is to try to drink at least 60 ounces of regular water everyday! I use to drink Propel Kiwi-Strawberry until a friends mother told me they were loaded with sodium! I was so upset because I didn't realize that at first - then after putting two and two together, I stopped drinking Propel then finally my fingers didn't swell up as much and my hands didn't feel as dry as they did when I was drinking Propel AND I was drinking about 3-4 bottles daily. Then after that going cold turkey with that - I went to Wal-Mart and got the Clear American carbonated Kiwi-Strawberry flavored water and was drinking 2-2.5 bottles a day. My coworker came by my desk one day and mentioned that she and her family use to drink them all the time, and she had to stop drinking this brand because they hurt her stomach. Here she asked to read the label and noticed it had Phenylalanine in it. This is actually similar to aspartame and I didn't know that. So I was so bummed because my flavored water brands I use to drink ALL DAY EVERYDAY have all completely failed me... so what to do now, drink plain WATER. But I want to see the results that I know I can get, and feel better with the foods/drinks I have so reading the food label is a must now for me.

Now on to give you an update of my most recent workout program: 

T25 Update for Week 3.... I can't believe I have already completed 3 weeks of the Alpha Phase! It's been totally awesome to step out of my comfort zone and actually work out at home, FOR TWENTY-FIVE MINUTES a day!!! Although, I am quite impatient and not seeing the results I want like yesterday - I have found that my endurance to do these workouts has been increasing each and every workout! Going into my last two weeks I am going to be super anxious because I want to be able to share with you my awesome results! Week 5 of the Alpha Phase will end March 10th -- only 16 days left!!! Can't wait to share with you the results - but you'll have to stick around for that!!😉

Photo: (Left) March 2013 (Right) February 2014

But that's all kids, time to call it a night! Got a busy day tomorrow with birthday parties, bowling and spending time with my bubs on my rest day! Enjoy your night/day!! 

Also, if you would like to check out my site to find out more information about the Beachbody programs and products - go to teambeachbody.com/stephclemmer 

Another goal crushed, start of T25 and finalizing some wedding plans!!

Happy Hump Day!!

Does anyone else feel like these weeks are getting longer and longer? I don't know about you but I think they should make work weeks 2 days and weekends 5 days, haha!! This winter has been insane, and I think it's draining me... every other day, it seems like I have to spend 20 minutes cleaning off my car and scrapping the windshields. Yes I live in Pittsburgh, but this winter has been brutal!!! Can we fast forward to summer now!!!☀️

So typically Wednesdays are my weigh in days, and well this morning I was a little iffy about getting on the scale... but needless to say .... when I stepped on the scale I felt like one of those women in the Special K commercials jumping for joy, haha! So as you know I've always struggled with my weight, but this morning was amazing... I am officially back in the 130s!!!!! I haven't been this weight since highschool, 8.5 years ago!! Creeping up in the single digits to my goal weight!!☺️

#throwback

February 4th marked the first day of my T25 challenge!! I'm trying my best to stick with it because I always give up on stuff, but I've made it through day 2 today! I love that it's only 25 minutes!! Wake up between 5:30-6am, get 25 minutes of T25 done and I'm set for the day. Who doesn't have 25 minutes to BETTER themselves! I've heard that this program as well as Insanity has helped others run better which is exactly what I need since I'm also training for the half marathon! That takes place May 4th! I've been crushing my running skills though, Monday, I was able to get in 6.5 miles in just an hour and eight minutes!!! For me... that's amazing!! Goals are achievable if you just put forth a little bit of dedication and hardwork. Like I said above, 25 minutes a day is all you need.

So, we are finally getting things finalized with this wedding! I feel so relieved. We will be having our ceremony right on the beach near one of the beautiful piers!! Finalized the menu for the caterer, and all that fun stuff! Don't get me wrong, I love planning my own wedding - BUT, I would have loved to hire a wedding planner had it fit in our budget! Also, thoughts on a day of wedding coordinator to make sure the day runs smoothly? All suggestions are welcome!!

Well I think that's enough for today... Hope everyone has a happy Thursday and a great rest of the week!☺️

Contest WINNER. 100 Days til the Wedding & Beachbody Coach!!

Good morning everyone and Happy Saturday!!

Best news ever today... woke up from an amazing nights sleep (OMG I was so exhausted last night) and had a text from Craig's Dad saying we WON the contest for a FREE CEREMONY SET UP!!!!!! I am absolutely ecstatic because this is a $400 set up that we don't have to add into our budget now, whew!! Here is the photo that was entered into the contest...

This was all Craig's idea, haha! I love his expression and it was all in all a great time! Funny thing was, the only reason we found out about the contest was because while inside Jeanette's Pier for the Wedding Expo, Tony Joseph (owner of I Do OBX Chairs) walked past us while we were taking a picture. He told us we should go down to the beach and enter their contest! Wow, am I so glad we did!!! Thank you I Do OBX Chairs for this great prize!! 

And with that being said.... we're about to fall into the double digits! Today marks 100 DAYS until the wedding!!☺️☺️I cannot believe how quickly it is approaching! For those of you who don't know ... Craig and I decided to get married in the beautiful Outer Banks (the outer islands/"outerbanks" right off of North Carolina. Absolutely beautiful place! This was our very first vacation as a couple. We went with his family in May 2012 and it was so quiet and absolutely beautiful - very family oriented vacation spot!! We will be getting married right on the beach, so a note to all the guests: be prepared to dig your toes in the sand & grab your shades so you aren't blinded by our love! ;) haha! #cheesystatus

So, now let's talk fitness! I have been working my butt off the last 13 months eating better, and working out! I have officially lost 26.2 lbs and feel so much better! Here is a photo of my beginning weight (September 2012) to current weight (January 2014)!! Amazing right... I didn't think I would stick to it, but definitely so glad I did!!! -if I can do it, ANYONE can!

I have always struggled with my weight since I was in high school and I definitely believe what changed my outlook on fitness and getting healthy was actually getting engaged! I knew that I would have to find a dress and wear it all day, so I wanted to make sure I looked great in it! While down this fitness/health journey I tried so many different diet pills, crash diets, "magic" shakes, and home workouts and they all helped a little bit but what helped me the most was a consistent workout and "clean" meal plan! Recently I got approached about becoming a BeachBody coach because of my passion for health and fitness and dedication, and I kind of didn't think I'd be that good with it because I'm not in any way shape or form.. a good "sales" person! But then I looked at it as this... If I am using Shakeology and the different workout programs they have and making awesome progress, than that itself will tell other individuals that these programs and products actually work.. Since we are all "Products of their Products"! I am extremely excited to see where this journey takes me, and I think it will be good for me!! :-) if you have any questions regarding Beachbody... Please feel free to contact me!!

http://www.teambeachbody.com/stephclemmer

http://www.shakeology.com/stephclemmer

Alright kids... Until next time! Have a fantastic Saturday!! I may be getting a long distance run in today since it's going to be 47 degrees out... Bring On The Heat Wave!!!☀️