Leave your excuse at the door.

Hi All! I know it's been a long time, but I've been really putting in some thought of how I wanted to design my blog to be more appealing to my awesome subscribers! I thought by sharing my personal experiences and explaining my view on things would be a great approach. I want to help more people succeed in life, and realize that they may not be the only one going through a type of situation. This blog may provide them with something to turn to, to reassure them they are not in this alone! 

I want to start off by sharing a quote daily.. kind of like the "Quote of the Day!" I will share stories, and personal life experiences on how I have overcome these and how it has gotten me to where I am today. I hope these stories will inspire you to step out of your comfort zone, or speak up and shine through to realize you are in charge of your own happiness.

Here is today's "Quote of the Day!" This one is related to my health and fitness journey! It seriously puts everything into perspective and I find it to be so very true!

Before January 2013, when I officially took full charge on my health and fitness journey, I could probably say I used at least three to four of these excuses every single day... seriously, they get SO OLD! How many times have you asked a friend to go workout with you and you heard these excuses... OVER IT, RIGHT? Well the thing is, when you stop making excuses, YOU START SEEING RESULTS! Every excuse under the sun, I've probably used it.

My biggest excuse EVER that stuck with me for a long period of time, it's in my genes! This was my biggest setback, when I wasn't seeing results, I constantly told myself -- it's because I was meant to look like this, I wasn't meant to be thin/fit. How many people have used this excuse? Here's the thing though... when I put my mind and determination to the test, 20 months later... I am 32 pounds lighter and have shed 20+ inches overall! I am not meant to "look like I did"... I just wasn't putting forth my all. I was eating out all the time, I was a cardio bunny, I didn't like lifting weights because I didn't want to get "big and bulky".. my oh my oh my!

November 12, 2012 - I got engaged. This CHANGED everything. I went to the gym occasionally but never actually got my nutrition in line nor was I following through with my workouts. It wasn't until January 1, 2013 where I put forth my all and knew that 2013 was my year to bring "my sexy back". HAHA! January 1, 2013 I was off from my full time day job, but had to work at a part time job. I went to the gym before my afternoon shift and got in some cardio then off to work I went. I incorporated cardio and very little weight training to my routine for about four months. I was down 16 pounds!!! SWEET! FINALLY SOME PROGRESS.

So I got my exercise in line, but after my birthday - April 17th, I noticed I was not seeing any difference. I tried adding in some body pump while still doing some cardio, but I realized nothing was helping me! Here's the thing, I was still eating out, and doing what I use to do -- and still working out like a wild woman. I plateaued... for EIGHT AND A HALF MONTHS!!!!! 8 1/2 months teetering back and forth in a five pound range was seriously the most frustrating thing in this journey so far... I just couldn't figure out what I needed to adjust.

Here is the thing, they say to see results it's 80% nutrition and 20% exercise.... DING DING DING!!!! NUTRITION!!! This is why I wasn't seeing any inches fall off, I wasn't seeing any changes in the way my clothes fit or anything. I was stuck. January 2014, I was introduced to the wonderful world of Beachbody and Shakeology (the healthiest meal of the day/nutritional shake)! Ever hear of Insanity or P90X? Yep, these are beachbody workout programs... they have proven to give you AMAZING results. Well, I ventured out into the world and tried something new... I was a little nervous because these are at home workouts, and I was definitely a gym rate. But honestly, these at home workouts changed my life! I was able to get in a great 25-30 minute workout from the comfort of my own home! When I started drinking Shakeology and doing T25 (a slightly modified version of Insanity, IMO) I was able to drop 10 pounds and another 6 inches! HOLY MOLY are you serious?! I hadn't seen these types of results in 8 1/2 months going to the gym 5-6 days a week! CRAZINESS. I continued my journey with the beachbody programs and to this day I don't think I could ever turn back. I am forever grateful for beachbody changing my life.

So overall, excuses -- LEAVE THEM AT THE DOOR. Once you are willing to give up your "I'm too tired" or "I had a bad day" excuse... you might actually just start seeing those results!!

If you are interested in learning more about the beachbody workout programs or Shakeology, please fill out the contact form at the bottom of the blog. I would love to chat with you about our upcoming Fall Fitness Frenzy Accountability group beginning September 22nd!! There are a limited number of spaces, so don't wait to join! :)


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Motivation. Inspiration. Confidence. The TEAM behind it all.

Team (noun): a group of players forming one side in a competitive game or sport.

Team (verb): come together as a team to achieve a common goal.

A team is consisted of people from different backgrounds, despite their ignorance of each other's lives, coming together on one side... essentially to achieve a common goal. Although in a sport, the team may not always see eye to eye and fail to motivate each other. One member may feel they are better than the other individuals, and only look out for themselves. Hypothetically speaking, this is where the team breaks apart and may not achieve that common goal due to the competitiveness amongst each other for the spotlight.

Team Call!

Which brings me to my sole purpose of this post. I am a member of a health and fitness team. We essentially "Team" (verb) up together to achieve a common goal, like stated above. This team is a a group of people where we are not searching for that spotlight, nor are we trying to steal the "thunder" from anyone. There is no scout at tonight's big game, nor is there a trophy at stake. We are a team searching for the simplicity of bettering our lives. We are a team that enjoys sharing our success with one another. We are a team that motivates, supports, and encourages every other member to do the very best we can every single day. When some days we are feeling completely defeated, we turn to this "team" for advice. This team is my accountability group... my reason behind not giving up. I feel that if I just gave up, I would disappoint them. They are the most selfless, caring, and amazing group of people I get to share this passion of mine with.

Team Fearless and Fit was founded by Mrs. Amie DeSanzo. She strives to be the best she can, pushes herself to a new limit every single day, and stresses living everyday FEARLESS. This team consists of many people from all different backgrounds, but we all have one goal in common... Help people achieve their goals and enjoy a healthy fulfilling life. We are Beachbody Coaches!

Becoming a coach has helped me step completely out of my comfort zone on many different levels. I have began to "develop" myself. In other words, I have been reading books, listening to speeches I found on You Tube and even began attending trainings to help better my knowledge in this health and fitness field and continue to push myself to a new challenge every single day. I have adopted a "Better Everyday" lifestyle. I know that everything I am doing today, is getting me one step closer to my goals.

I am so beyond grateful for my team, and I just want to give them a huge shout out for taking me under their wings and being so patient with me as I take on this journey. You all are the most inspiring, intelligent, and beautiful (inside and out) women I know! Thank you all for supporting and motivating me to be the best person I could ever be. Without you, I'm not sure I would even be typing this post right now! xoxo <3

Quote to live by: Coming together is a beginning, Keeping together is progress. Working together is success! <3

-Henry Ford

Interested in joining our team or learning more about it:

Fill out the contact form below!

For more daily inspiration or motivation:

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The struggle is less painful than regret.

Listening to personal development the last couple weeks has really helped me look at things a lot differently. I have really started to think about what I really want to do in life, what I want my purpose to be and how I am going to work on getting there. It's amazing how just a few positive actions every day can change your outlook on life.

I want to share with you my struggles in life, and how I will never regret making any of the decisions I did to get to where I am today. The sole purpose of me sharing this is not for you to feel pity for me, because the last thing I want or need is a pity party. I am simply sharing this because I know what it feels like to feel the pain of being neglected, unwanted, rejected, hopeless, to feel taken advantage of, and to feel completely and utterly defeated. But with a positive mindset, and the willingness to keep fighting even when the world is doing everything in its power to knock you down... you will have the strength to stand two feet taller with a huge smile on your face feeling that sense of accomplishment and knowing damn well, you will NEVER be defeated.

So growing up, if you know me, was not all that glamorous. I was the middle child of four girls. We constantly had hand me downs, we shopped at thrift stores regularly, lived on a very tiny budget and moved A LOT. When I say moved a lot, I REALLY MEAN A LOT. Did we have a good enough reason to move all the time, NOT AT ALL... financial issues arose, family matters came about, life got in the way, and there we were - packing up the boxes, on the move again. In all honesty, I felt like we were constantly running from our issues instead of dealing with them.

While I want to share with you all my struggles and the ways I was able to overcome them, it may be a bit overwhelming for me to really dig deep down and share with you these moments. While some I will not share, others I find it important for you to know that other people sometimes struggle with the same thing... and come out of these situations stronger than ever. While this is not all of them, I am going to do these in phases, to hear more -- you will have to come back around!

Struggle: From Kindergarten until 9th grade, I had attended NINE different schools. NINE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS in two different states (Pennsylvania & Tennessee), definitely a struggle. In second grade, I had attended three different schools that year.... how can any child manage this constant change.... I couldn't commit to any sports, cheering (which I LOVED) or any other activities because we were constantly moving. I cheered one year in 3rd grade, tried out for the dance team in 8th grade made the team and then a few days later found out we were moving again so I wasn't able to experience that... I was able to finally try out for cheering at my new High School, made the basketball squad, cheered until I graduated and it is definitely one of my favorite past times. During the three years I cheered, our basketball squad was a competition squad so we did a few competitions and ended up qualifying to cheer in WALT DISNEY WORLD. Talk about being ecstatic, we ended up getting first place in Florida and it was seriously a dream come true, to be on that floor in front of hundreds, if not thousands of other cheerleaders! Most amazing experience ever for my limited cheering career.

Struggle: If I made a friend who I got really close to at a new school, 3 months later we were on the road moving somewhere else and I never saw them again. It wasn't until 9th grade where I finally finished my four years of school at the SAME school. It was the longest we had ever stayed in one place, and this I was very grateful for because I was able to find some of my very best/life long friends. Making friends WAS NOT an easy task either. I was very shy and well, yes... people can be very judgmental and not want to add the "new kid" to their circle of friends. It was definitely rough going into high school not knowing a SINGLE PERSON. Eventually people approached me and I was able to find my small group of friends who were so welcoming and friendly! I absolutely adore my friends to pieces.

Struggle: A very, very small budget does not go very far, especially for a six person family. You need food, hygiene products, have bills to pay, etc., which left little to no money for the fun things such as family vacations, going out with friends, birthday parties, etc. I took my first vacation, one that I had paid for myself a week after graduating high school - Senior Trip to Myrtle Beach. I started working at the age of fourteen to pay for the clothes I wanted, and to be able to actually go hang out with friends. When you don't have a lot of money, you miss out on a lot of fun things but it then that helps you realize the value of a dollar.

While all of these struggles may seem so small, add them all up and you put a lot of mental stress on a person. While as a kid/teenager growing up, it really depresses you and it was difficult getting through this lifestyle.. But here are some of the ways I have overcome these struggles the last couple of years.

Learn to be Grateful: I am grateful I was able to cheer four years during my school years grade school career and experience the excitement it brought to me. I know that there were some families who couldn't afford to let their children do any sports so I am glad I got to experience it for the few years I did.

Appreciate the people in your life: The friends I made during my last four years of high school are still some of my very best friends, and I couldn't imagine my life without them. From being my college roommate, to my gorgeous bridesmaids in my wedding.. the distance between us now means so little when we're all together and reminisce on the great times we had together. We know get to watch each other grow with their families and remain life long friends!!

Great work ethic: Growing up living on a tight budget, it helps you appreciate the things you do have in life. I always paid for everything after I got my job because I did not want to have that burden on my mom having to scrape up the change to be able to purchase things for my siblings. Not having to pay for my school clothes or anything else, helped her have more spending money for the other three girls. You learn that you must work hard for the things you want in life. If you can't get it at a certain point in your life, you are determined to work extra hard to make sure you will get it in the near future. In the end this makes you a FIGHTER.

Why am I telling you all this... because experiencing a crazy life growing up, I feel I came to be quite successful. I am happily married, living with my husband, puppy and kitty! I was able to purchase my first brand new car with ZERO miles on it back in 2012, I have a decent paying job, I put myself through college... every single penny of the way and I am finding ways to live my life better every single day. I may have went through a rough time to get here, always said "why me, why me" but now, I am saying "why not me" and there is no one stopping me from reaching my goals. I want you to know it's okay to not like these past events in your life, but when you overcome them you become that much stronger. You have to keep fighting like the warrior you are. Eventually, you will get there.

"We cannot allow the past to affect where we are or where we are going. Some of us had been chipped away at, but we can be whole again if we just put the past behind us. Stay in the darkness or find the light." - Craig Holiday

If you would like to chat with me about anything or even have any questions - please comment you email below. 

For more motivation, inspiration and health tips: 
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Email: tbbcoachsteph87@gmail.com

Love what you do, do what you love.

I'm going to start this post off with a question... how many people have ever said, "my dreams are so much better than reality"

GUILTY AS CHARGED HERE ... I remember when I was so miserable with my life, I never thought I was going to succeed and I'd always live paycheck to paycheck, never thought I would be in a happy relationship and just live a miserable life overall... I always dreamt and imagined of what my life would be like if I was born into a wealthy family, if I never had to work, or what if I was rich and famous and always had people catering to me... well, you know dreams can become your reality one day... all you have to do is put forth time and effort and continue to make positive changes in your life.

For example, I have been reading personal development books for the last two months to help me get into a better position with my self confidence, learn how to be more successful and how to continue bettering my life and relationship with my husband... everyday I try to read at least 10 pages, if not an entire chapter (depending on length and amount of time I have). The changes aren't extremely significant -- but the way I carry myself, the way I respond to different situations and my entire outlook on certain topics have changed because of these positive changes I am making. Although you may think that this isn't a lot -- if you spent just 15-30 minutes EVERY SINGLE DAY reading a book about how to better your life, how to become a better husband or wife, or how to be more confident.. You are bound to pick up these habits. So what if I challenged you to research a personal development book and read it... would you do it?

I have also been trying to pull myself away from the negativity I had in my life. I was sick of someone always saying they hate their lives, I'm too fat/I'll never be that skinny again or I'm just not meant to be happy... I said these things for many, many years and I couldn't ever seem to find the light at the end of the tunnel until I just stopped making excuses for myself.. I learned that I am in charge of my happiness not any other single person in this world. I am in charge of my success, my ability to grow as a person, and my strength to keep going when tough situations arise.

Over the last six months since becoming a health and fitness coach for Beachbody, I have really stepped out of my comfort zone and shared my passion for wanting to be successful, and wanting to help people grow and see the potential that they have inside them. I want to see the good in life and share this passion with others. I want someone to say, because of you I didn't give up or thank you for the motivation and inspiration... these few words mean more to me than anything! This is my passion, my calling. I don't want to be in this just to be in and only look out for myself... I was a selfish person at one point in my life and felt I deserved the world since I had such a hard time growing up.. well guess what -- you don't get life handed to you on a golden platter -- YOU work your tail off and you work really hard for what you want in life and you NEVER EVER give up. 

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Email me: tbbcoachsteph87@gmail.com

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New Month. New Goals. New Challenges.

Good Morning & Happy Friday & FIRST Day of AUGUST!!! Can you believe it is already August? Seriously though, where has this year gone...

Summer is quickly coming to an end, kiddies will be heading back to school, and I'm sure everyone's lives will eventually start to become more hectic with all the school activities coming about! Have you came up with goals and or challenges for the new month? Do you ever make goals for yourself? I think this is the best way to continue to grow through life and work towards becoming a better person in your life... get a better grip on your finances, start working out, spend more time with family, become more active volunteering, or maybe start doing personal development to help you live a better life overall. Some people may think this is silly - but don't let them talk you out of doing something that in the end may change your life for the better and the long run.

I have already made my list of goals for August... I decided to pick my goals based on each area of my life:

• Make it to Success Club 5 in my Beachbody business 
• Pay off one of my credit cards 
• Work on ways to have a happier marriage, do more date nights & ways to become a better wife 
• No eating out until August 29th (I would do the whole month, but we are traveling out of state for Labor Day Weekend) 
• Run my first successful challenge group 
• Post at least 5 times in my blog every week 
• Start running at least 10 miles a week while working towards completely the PiYo program 

These goals will definitely help me work towards becoming better person and get a hold on my finances, health & nutrition, and be a better wife to my amazing husband! I will also be taking my beachbody business to the next level and try to be more independent with running my first challenge group. I am determined to get better and grow my business even more. I also want to get better with following through with things so I am determined to start blogging at least 5 times a week this month... if one person is able to find some sort of motivation and/or inspiration with my posts, I know that my time was well spent writing these posts.

Goals and challenges are what will help you grow and see your greatest potential. Don't be afraid to try something new!

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For more motivation and inspiration, please find me on Facebook and Instagram -- Make Today Your Tomorrow!

Take a risk. Take a Chance.

What if one day you woke up and you said you know what, today is the day. Today is the day I am going to put me first, I am going to work really hard to reach my goals, and I won’t stop until I get there.

What if you looked back a year to date, and saw someone in the mirror who you never imagined being. You saw someone more confident; saw someone who had bigger dreams, and bigger goals. You saw yourself growing into this ray of sunshine who transformed into an optimist instead of a pessimist. There wasn't that person who thought you would always be overweight, you would never look good in a pair of skinny jeans, and no one would ever want to be with me. Here you are a year later, such pounds lighter, not only rocking skinny jeans but even wearing a two piece, AND you met someone who is as passionate about reaching for their dreams as you are.

It only takes that one day; that one moment where you've been pushed so far over the edge that you know change is necessary. Stop saying tomorrow, and just do it today. The sky is the limit – the road may not be smooth sailing the entire way, but each bump and detour along the way – you CAN and will be that person you saw in your dreams. If you are ready to make that change, comment your email below and let’s get started on CREATING YOU. 

As they say, “Life isn't about finding yourself; it’s about CREATING yourself.”

For more motivation, inspiration and/or if you have any questions, please reach out to me at:

Instagram: @maketodayyourtomorrow

Facebook: Make Today Your Tomorrow

Email: pghfitnessgirl@gmail.com