My Dream Board - Goal #1

How many of you have a dream board? A board that shows all the goals you want to accomplish. You can have goals you want to achieve within the next week, month, or even year! Do your goals include making more money, getting a new job, maybe graduating college, getting in better shape, or start eating healthier? Whatever it is you should write it down on a piece of paper, or if you are a visual kind of person, create a poster and cut out pictures of your goals you want to achieve and hang it somewhere you are able to see it everyday! This will not only give you a constant reminder of what you want to accomplish but it may just help hold you accountable to it as well!

I want to share with you some of my goals, so stick around to hear them all!!

My first goal is to buy my first home. I have been dreaming of this day for forever (well more like since I graduated college). Growing up my parents never owned a house, we have always rented... and as you may read from a previous post is we were constantly moving and we never really had a place to call "home".

I want to be able to purchase my first home, raise a family and start making many life long memories. While we are currently unsure of the area, we know round about what kind of home we are looking for. It's funny having this conversation with my husband because he wants a duplex. He wants an "investment" property for our first home, and I am totally against it. I want to be able to enjoy my home without worrying about someone stomping up and down the stairs, playing the music super loud, and people coming in and out all hours of the evening. I am looking forward to the day we are able to call ourselves "HOMEOWNERS!"

Anyways, this is my first goal I am sharing with you all. What are the types of goals you are looking to reach? Share below! :)

"Don't dream your life, live your dream!"

Looking for your daily dose of motivation and inspiration:

Instagram: @maketodayyourtomorrow

Facebook: www.facebook.com/maketodayyourtomorrow

Email: pghfitnessgirl@gmail.com

Where do you want to be in 5-10years?

As I am sitting here at my day job today, randomly thinking about previous interviews I landed while trying to get that "dream job", about all the people who interviewed me, they all seemed to ask the same questions, but one in particular stood out to me..

"Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years...?"

My response may blow you away because you think to yourself, why in the world would you tell people that in an interview, but it's the truth, where do I see myself in five to ten years... My response: "I would like to own my own business".. 

The response really makes me think I may not have been the best interviewee because I was obviously saying - "Hey, in 5 to 10 years, sorry I don't want this to be my life long job, so I probably won't be around but hey you should hire me anyways." What I do remember is my old manager, from a job I had about two years ago, saying that my answers to the questions he asked were great. He also mentioned, "I don't want to hear, well I see myself sitting here doing the same thing forever, so it was great to hear you have some sort of direction in your life. I feel you'll make a great asset here in this department!"

My business is something people shake their heads at, give you dirty looks when you tell them what you do, and often times say "are you serious"? Yes as a matter of fact, I am serious... I am a health and fitness coach, I help motivate and inspire people to reach their health and fitness goals. To live a happier, healthier lifestyle, and dream as big as you could possibly imagine. We help people in every area of their lives, such as, finances, health, living with a positive mindset, time management, and the list goes on. The best part about this part-time job is I can set my own hours, I work when I want, and I don't have a boss breathing down my neck to tell me I missed a deadline in this business. While I do have a full-time office job, I am working my beach body business to the best of my ability. I am doing what I am so incredibly passionate about! I am helping others see the greatest potential I see in them.

While my business may not be the biggest and best it can be at this very moment, I know the things I do every single day are getting me one step closer to it being something completely amazing! I have learned a lot over the last few years, and the possibilities of what it can become are endless! I have never really let anyone alter my choices in life, while I have made some dumb decisions, I have always managed to get myself back on track. And of all the qualities that I have, I think this is the best one.

The things I have learned over the last couple years, which I never realized I was doing it until this past weekend is having a sense of "Tunnel Vision." Focusing on my goals, what I need to do to reach them, and blocking out people's opinions. I feel that if I would have stayed in the small town where I went to high school, I never would have been as successful as I am today.

What are your dreams? Are the things you do everyday getting to where you hope to be? If you are unhappy with the way your life is panning out, do something to change it. Only you are in control of your happiness. 

If you would like to know more about the amazing opportunity I have been blessed with, please feel free to comment below. I would love to share this amazing experience with you. It has changed my life for the better!

I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot. Together, we can do great things.

-Mother Teresa

Need some daily motivation: 
Facebook: Make Today Your Tomorrow
Instagram: @maketodayyourtomorrow
Email: tbbcoachsteph87@gmail.com

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: 
Follow me on Instagram: @maketodayyourotmorrow
Facebook Like Page: Make Today Your Tomorrow
Email: tbbcoachsteph87@gmail.com

Great Things Take Time..

Good Evening Everyone! It's Friday night, and I just got paid.... and I'm sitting at home writing this blog post :) haha. I enjoy this though, I get to share with you all my stories, tips, inspiration, etc. and hopefully inspire one of you out there to want to live life happier, healthier, and without fear. So, if that means sitting at home on a Friday night with my two four legged fur babies (hubby is a DJ so he is at work) typing out this blog post, then hey I am all about it!

So how many people have ever said they don't have enough time? Or they have started working out and eating healthy but they aren't seeing any results? They get frustrated after a week and start going back to their old habits. Did you know it takes 21 days to build a habit... if you stayed focused for just 21 days with eating clean, working out, reading a book, spending more time with your families, or practicing ways to better manage your time, could you imagine what your life would be like if you continued doing just that everyday.... 21 days, THREE WEEKS, and you could build a new (positive) habit. But why can't people last this long... why can't one just dedicate three weeks of their life to make positive changes... it's actually quite simple...... instant gratification.

People want to see things instantaneously. They don't want to wait 2 years to lose 100 pounds... they don't want to want to spend 30 minutes to an hour a day working out... heck, some people don't even want to spend 30 minutes cooking dinner - so they jump in a car and head to the first fast food restaurant they see. People are too impatient, people want things and they want it now.

Here is an example of how I dealt with the time issue and didn't let instant gratification win..

Left Photo: October 2012 - Right Photo: September 2013

During my weight loss journey, I started full force/religiously on January 1, 2013. People always make those "I'm going to lose weight" New Year's Resolution, but this time it was different.. 1) I had a wedding to get in shape for and 2) I really started holding myself accountable. I was in a Biggest Loser contest at work, and the person who was able to lose the largest percentage of body fat would be rewarded with money. WELL WHO DOESN'T ENJOY MONEY... and a little competition. Fast forward 6 weeks from the beginning of that contest, and I came in third place BUT I was the only girl who was able to place in the top five so I was very excited! :) I didn't want my success to end there, so I kept pushing... After 4 months, I was down 16 pounds. I was quite excited for this journey -- and hearing all the positive reinforcements kept me pushing for more... BUT I ended up plateauing and couldn't really figure out why I couldn't lose more weight. I could have easily given up, but I continued working out and trying to eat healthier.

Left Photo: January 2013 - Right Photo: April 2014

It wasn't until the following February that my weight began to come off again -- 8 MONTHS AT A PLATEAU... that was every reason to give up, I wasn't losing any weight -- but I was determined to find a way. In February, I was introduced to Beachbody, Shakeology and gained more knowledge of clean eating. I was able to take charge on my diet, switch up my workout routines and I was able to finally lose the last 8 annoying pounds in 3 short months before my wedding. I was finally down to my goal weight in April of 2014. 16 MONTHS... It took me 16 months, hours upon hours at the gym, many sacrifices to skip spending nights at the bars with friends and sleep because I knew what I wanted.

Left Photo: March 2014 -- June 2014

The society today doesn't want to wait.. they want things INSTANTANEOUSLY... Success doesn't come like that. You cannot go to sleep and wake up the next day and expect to have a million dollars in your bank account, it just doesn't work like that. It takes time, effort and willingness to stay focused towards what you really want. The light at the end of the tunnel may be very faint, but as you continue to repeat your actions every single day, you are bound to get out of that tunnel and see the bright future you have ahead of you. You are bound to do great things if you just give it time.

-Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Follow me for more daily inspiration and motivation:

Instagram - @maketodayyourtomorrow

Facebook - www.facebook.com/maketodayyourtomorrow

Email me - 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. 

Please follow me on Instragram: @maketodayyourtomorrow
Facebook - www.facbeook.com/maketodayyourtomorrow
Email me: tbbcoachsteph87@gmail.com

To Learn More About Beachbody - www.teambeachbody.com/stephclemmer

One positive thing...

Happy Monday everyone! How was everyone's weekend? I got to do some relaxing and enjoyed spending time with my husband yesterday.. it's nice to just take a step back from your busy life and enjoy the company of your loved ones.

For the last couple weeks, I have been really doing some soul searching and diving into some personal development books and working with my challengers. I have really found something that this general society lacks... something this world needs to see more of, optimism and positive reinforcement! When you scroll through your news feed on Facebook, can you count on just one hand how many negative posts you see? What about the positive posts? Have you even seen ONE today?

My one challenger began following my Facebook Like Page, "Make Today Your Tomorrow" and she said she is grateful that I have this page because her news feed is always flooded with negative posts. She also mentioned that it's nice to see the positive quotes in the morning, it makes such a huge difference for her! --- Honestly, I could not agree more.. over the last few months I have really came to terms with trying to change my outlook on life and remove all the negativity. I have surrounded myself with a group of people who have the same outlook, and continuously help build people up and boost their self confidence, and I tell you, it has helped me tremendously! 

I grew up in a home where fighting was the norm, where negativity is what people thrived on... like there was never any good to happen, and good things didn't happen to us... when I moved away from home for college and stood on my own two feet, I realized that that is so far from the truth. People are in charge of their own destiny, their own happiness, and your life can be however you choose to live it. I admit that changing from a "the world is out to get me" to a "I am charge of my own happiness" mindset, it has been quite a struggle. The books that I have been reading, The Slight Edge, The Compound Effect and Twelve Pillars, to name a few, are really helping me realize that I can in fact be much happier and more successful than I could have ever imagined. It all starts with that one positive thought you see, that one positive quote, or the "pep talk" from one of your friends... that is ALL it takes and you can be on the road to finding your true happiness.

Don't ever let anyone tell you you are not worthy of being successful or happy because they are dead wrong. If people talk negatively about you, it is probably because they are envious of you because you had the courage to make your life better, to take the risk they could never imagine taking.

I hope this post helps anyone who is struggling with trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel, and can seriously put their first step forward in becoming genuinely happy with the life they are living. If you (the one reading this post) ever needs anyone to talk to, please feel free to reach out to me. I have struggled throughout life trying to find myself, and overcoming the negativity in my life and I want you to be able to pull through it all... live happily and enjoy every single day with a smile on your face and not a single regret from this moment forward.

Feel free to follow me on Instagram: @maketodayyourtomorrow, 
Facebook - Stephaine McClintock
or my Facebook Like Page -- Make Today Your Tomorrow!
Looking for fitness motivation: email me at tbbcoachsteph87@gmail.com

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!

---------------------------------

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