So it’s been a long time coming for me to write a blog post. I was in a funk, I wasn’t sure what to say, I was kind of lost for a while there, but NOW I’M BACKKK!! 🙂 Lol!
If you follow me on FB – (or if you don’t, add me www.facebook.com/april.pinkney.5) or IG (follow me aprilpinkney) you may have noticed that I am ALWAYS saying “ONLY COMPARE YOURSELF TO YOU” or “everyone is at a different point on their fitness journey”. Do you know WHY I say that so much? Because I have to remind MYSELF that. It is SO easy to get caught up on, “why can’t I look like that” or “I wish I had those abs”. I do that too, and I had to step back, and do something about it. I am such an advocate for not getting down on yourself and not comparing, but I was doing that VERY thing. I was starting to feel frustrated and sad and even ANGRY. I believe that because of my past eating disorder, it is a mental struggle that I will have to deal with everyday. I truly do believe that, but the good news is? I know how to address the issue when it happens. When I start feeling sorry for myself and comparing myself to other people, I tell my support system (friends and fiance) that I’m having a tough time being happy with myself. My fiance steps up his compliments, he assures me I’m the most beautiful girl in the world, he reminds me it’s in my head and I am my own worst critic. He tells me that he loved me when I was 30 pounds heavier and he loves me now. I look at pictures from when I was close to 150 pounds on a 5’2 frame and think “OK, I’ve come a long way”. I am a WORK IN PROGRESS.
That being said, I have been taking progress pictures so I can remind myself how far I have come, and if you don’t feel comfortable sharing yours, DON’T. But take them and save them on your phone or computer so you can look back and remind yourself, I AM making progress, I AM beautiful! Here are my progress pics, this is after UPPING my calories and doing a mixture of running and P90X3. I’m not where I want to be yet, but I am on my way!
 January 2014
March 2014
I may never have a 6 pack, because I love peanut butter too much and don’t like rationing my fruit or almonds, and am happy to have a few bites of the fiance’s not-so-healthy food from time to time, and I AM TOTALLY OK with that. I need to be realistic. Do I want to devote my entire life to every morsel of food I put in my mouth or do I want to enjoy the simple pleasures of peanut butter and other glorious carbs?
–> MY answer is, (and yours may be different, and that is totally ok), I want to be better tomorrow than I am today. I want to be happier and healthier this time next year than I am now. I want to enjoy life and the glasses of wine that come with it. And if I want to enjoy red cheesecake cream cheese dip (like I did this weekend at my fabulous wedding shower) I’m going to. The point is… You are your own worst critic, you need to love yourself and all of your imperfections. Perfect is not something I want to strive for, happy and healthy ARE things I want. So I will take steps every day to get closer to that goal, and whatever my body does in the mean time, I welcome the changes. I may have let my ED and depression in the past rule my mood and feelings, but I WILL NOT ever let that be the case again. I will look at my before/after pictures, and think about how far I’ve come both mentally and physically. I will read personal development books to help me be in a better state mentally, and I will graciously accept the compliments from my fabulous fiance. Regardless if you think your friends or significant other are saying compliments “because they have to”, listen to them, smile, and say thank you, and then repeat them to yourself, because YOU need to believe it. Remind yourself that you are blessed, you are strong, and as long as you make strides to work towards your goals, you will be better tomorrow than you are today.
(Valentines day date with my rock & best friend. I owe my happiness to this man. Honestly, I have no idea where I would be without him. He’s helped me overcome so much, and finally learn to love ME for ME. 75 more days until I steal his last name)
ANYWHOOO… Slow progress is still progress! If you want to reach a goal, you have to work for it. If you aren’t sure where to start, add me to fb and let’s chat. I have been so blessed to help countless people reach their goals, and I have no doubt I could help you as well. So print off my 4 week meal plan (go to 4 week meal plan tab), talk to me about a workout program, and be mindful of your portions. Eat small meals every 2.5-3 hours. Don’t fear the fat and calories, especially if you are active. SOOOO many girls I know are NOT losing weight because they are limiting their calories and carb intake and exercising too much. Don’t fall victim to that, do your research, your body NEEDS fuel and calories, otherwise your metabolism SLOWS down. I have been guilty of this in the past and I remember just being in tears because of my lack of progress. Slow down, and enjoy a sweet potato here and there and ENJOY IT for goodness sakes! 🙂
Speaking of eating… here’s a DELISH recipe I made!
I call this my ultimate Fruity Pro-yo #flexbowl
Calories: 467 –Â MACROS- PRO: 29g. CHO: 59 g. FAT: 15 G.
You can adjust this snack accordingly to fit your macros!
2 tbs plain fat free greek yogurt
1/4 cup Bear Naked Protein granola
1 Tbs Ground Flax Seed
1/2 Tbs Chia seeds
1/4 cup Blueberries
3 Strawberries
1/2 banana
1/2 Tbs Dark Choc Chips
Goji Berries to form a heart! Enjoy!!
