Fit, Fabulous, 40's Friday!

Hi Friends, remember me?

I know, that's not me, but didn't it make you smile?

Yes, it's true! A Post!!  Happy Friday!!
I've been busy with my children and my ministry at church and God is just doing so much right now.

Here are the Cliff Notes, sad if you even know what these are!!

In July, I get a call from an old friend Tracy, out of the blue, who works at church and says, "Janet, the person we thought was going to take over our Cross Fitness class can't do it anymore.
I prayed about it and GOD brought you to mind."

What would YOU say?
Well, knowing the reputation of this woman and the sheer respect I have of her...I told her I would pray about it.
I called my husband, (who is AWESOME-by the way) and he says, "I think you should do it".
Of course, part of me was wishing he said not to, because I've never lead group instruction. I had done some personal training, a little one-on-one, and this would be a risk for me, translation: I was scared!

20 minutes later I called Tracy to tell her that I would do it.

My first class, there were probably about 12-15 people. I was super excited and was doing this for the Lord, so I just went for it.

Last Wednesday's night class had almost 80! Crazy, right?

So, back to teaching my first class, I prayed.
I prayed for music, the workout, what God wanted me to do, say, EVERYTHING!!!
What a blessing it was, and slowly the class began growing.

2 months later, I was asked to support the other fitness classes on campus- Holy Yoga, Zumba, Stetch and Strengthen, Walk & Worship, Bootcamp. I immediately started praying for these leaders, their ministries and the community we were serving and continue to serve.

I remember meeting Tracy after a few classes and just feeling very dependent on God, not knowing why He had me there.

Tracy gave me this verse:
Romans 4:1-3

It didn't make much sense to me then, but boy, it sure does now!

(Basically, this passage speaks of how if Abraham was able to do what God asked Him to do, it would be an Abraham-story, and not a God story. If I was asking God to bless the things I was planning, doing and creating, then God would not get any credit, as I was able to do these things on my own energy, strength and ability.
But because Abraham entered into what God had for him by surrendering his plans and trusting God to take him to places and do things on his own, it became a God-story.)

Back to what's happening:
The New Year hits and Pastor Rick launches his new Daniel Plan book and we have a Rally and start the bible study, "Transformed".

Pastor Rick wants to shut down all the fitness classes on campus but Tracy negotiates for us and they give us permission to keep our classes going as long as we all lead groups, at which time, Walk & Worship, Zumba and my Cross Fitness Class are all on the same night so we decide to collaborate into one tent.

We have a medium sized group but are stoked that people come and groups are formed.

Shortly after we start the study, I get a call from Mrs.A, who says that the Daniel Plan is going to make some Fitness videos and she wanted to know if that sounded interesting to me.

WHAT? Ummmmm....YES!!!!

So, she tells me that I need to make a video and submit it as an audition and since I was going to have class that night, just video tape myself....
#1- I hate watching myself on video
#2- the videos she sends me to look at as samples are totally professional
#3- I'm not a professional
#4- I haven't been trained to act
#5- Did I say, I'm not a professional?
I will post it sometime...

So, all my stuff that the devil likes to shout at me, starts coming up.
I do it anyway!!!
I send it in.

I get a call, and the producer would like to meet me in person.

Her assistant meets me and takes pictures and asks me to jog in place so she can make sure I don't look like I'm twerking or something...
I'm going to be a "cast" member in the back, but I don't care. There will be 5 of us. I'm one of them!!!

A week later I get a call from Sony (actually a woman representing Sony) asking if I'm ok with the dates, the pay and some details.

Can I just say, "WOW"? God is creating HIS story.

So here I am, I got a call today about my sizes for outfits, I have 4 clients that I train regularly and love the place I am in.

I'm blown away. This is God's story...not mine anymore.
It happened when I said, "YES", to Him, with ALL that I have....EVERYTHING.

I know being a part of Mary De Muth's  book launch a couple of years ago, helped me on my journey to handing God Everything.....THANK YOU Mary, for trusting me and just for being a bright light in this world.

I know that being a part of Deborah's bible study at The Gate also helped. I grew this last year....the process is so slow you almost can't see it, unless you LOOK BACK. Thank you Deb, and ladies from that Bible study- Connie Bear, Janet T, Sue R.



I also know that my church and Pastor helped....a lot....and
spending time in God's word, the Bible, helped the MOST!

So, this is a small part, but the cool thing is that a year ago, I could not have ever guessed my life would look like it does, but God knew.
He was waiting for me to give my life to Him so He could use it.

I'll be posting my exciting ventures while in rehearsal and the filming, if I can.
Stay tuned!

Oh, and here is my Cross Fit Devotional and Recipe for the week:
Inspired by the Bible Study I'm currently doing, "Faithful,Abundant and True",
Speaker of the week: Priscilla Shirer

Verse:”The disciples believed in Him”  John 2:11 (NASB) 

This passage tells of the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine. His disciples were there, they saw the whole thing, and it tells us of their reactions to what they saw- The disciples believed – only after they saw this miracle.

It tells us that it is possible to be a disciple and still not believe God.

You can pray, talk with God, serve Him and walk with Him, but still not trust God with your life.

I can relate to this story. For years, I had lived as a Christian, going to church, praying, having a very deep relationship with Christ, however, I wasn’t trusting HIM with my WHOLE LIFE, and it showed up when I went through my father’s death. I fell into depression and sin, and was in the biggest pit in my life. I was even contemplating leaving my husband.  I was angry at God even though at the time I would not admit it. Luckily, HE gave me enough sense to seek counseling and go to my small group of women prayer warriors, who prayed for my heart to change when I couldn’t pray for that myself. Through my husband’s unconditional love and forgiveness, and a lot of time….I was able to see what I had become and that I was holding back from God.  I questioned, “how could this happen to me, I’m a Christian?”, but I realized that although I had asked God to come into my heart, I didn’t allow HIM to have ALL OF IT,  just MOST of it.

That changed when I surrendered ALL of my control and MY entire life to loving and serving Christ. I stopped asking God to bless my life and the things I wanted and started asking God for guidance and to seek His journey instead of asking Him to bless mine.

Think: What is the difference between belief and trust?

Ask: Am I trusting God with my life? With EVERYTHING?

Look: Where am I still trying to control my life and even my spiritual life?

Pray: Father, Thank you for all that you have given to me. Help me to see where I am still trying to control this life you have blessed me with and help me to be courageous in having YOU control it ALL. 
Help me to be obedient in where you will guide me, 
help me to be brave when I know I should do what you want me to do and 
help me to hear your voice above the noise and chaos of my life.
I love you, Father, and want to surrender EVERYTHING, all of my life to you.

In Jesus’ name- Amen

Oh, and a healthy, yummy recipe from http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/

Chocolate Chip Quinoa Cookies

Category: Healthy Cookie Recipes  

▪                1/2 cup minus 1 tbsp quinoa flour (52g)

▪                1/4 tsp baking soda

▪                1/8 tsp salt

▪                2 packed tbsp brown sugar or coconut sugar (22g)

▪                2 tbsp white sugar or xylitol (20g)

▪                2-4 tbsp chocolate chips, optional

▪                up to 2 tbsp milk of choice, as needed

▪                1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

▪                1 tbsp plus 1 tsp vegetable or coconut oil (15g)

Go to her website for instructions! She Rocks!!!

Be blessed and covered in love~

Fit, Fabulous, 40's, Friday

YAY!

Good morning!

Hope you are as excited as I am today!

Yesterday the topic of "Change" and "Being Uncomfortable" came up at least 3 times, 

and all

in regards to exercise and fitness.

This beautiful blonde in my bible study asked what kinds of workouts I did. 

She noticed my arms and thought that I looked fit.

Now, I'm going to let you in on a secret-

every week that I saw her, I thought,

"She's so pretty and lean."

She runs.

She runs with a few of the gals that I know-

I used to call them the "Skinny blonde girls" at the gym,

because everyone gets a nickname there,

 right?

(I'm not proud that I do that, but it is the way I recognize the regulars at the gym

and in my mind, I am secretly saying "hello" to them.

Here are just a few of mine,

"Thunder Thighs"-a man, believe it or not!

The Hispanic Running Man

The Hat Girl

The Future Fitness Competitor...

I can only imagine what people are labeling me- 

The Loud Asian Girl/Lady

The Girl that Laughs Loud)

Getting back to the question that the pretty blonde asked me,

"What do you do?"

(I've been asked that quite a few times before- at the market (Tara),  Target, the gym, etc)

Before I could respond, she said,

"You lift weights, huh?"

I said,

"Yes, I do! I do cardio, too and have been focusing on it more because summer is coming".

So, what does that have to do with change?

I am really making an effort to change up my routine.

I think I may be in a rut.

 

Are you?

I like the idea of knowing what I"m doing each day of the week,

which body part I'm working, cardio, etc.

It's predictable.

Safe.

I KNOW it and I like it that way!

However,

my body is not responding to my work out the way it did years ago.

In fact, 

I put on a few L.B.s

and THAT, I don't like.

Oh, and summer, bathing suits, shorts...skin...

so,

I'm forcing myself to rev up the cardio and yes, I'm changing my workout a bit.

I want it more than the fear of being uncomfortable...

Whenever there is change you can expect some uncomfortableness. 

Is that even a word?

And yes,

So here I am,

making some changes.

Jillian Michaels says, "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable".

So,

I've been running more and believe it or not,

I'm changing up my routine.

Here are five ways you can change your routine:

1. Reverse the order of your routine

Your body gets used to the same routine, same order, same weight, etc. 

Go backwards!

2. Add one new machine or exercise to what you already do

ASK someone (who seems legit, errr, knowledgable, a trainer or google) for a new exercise to add to what you are already working on.

3. Focus on FORM over FUNCTION

Do your routine super slow, focusing on the muscle,

technique, technique, technique!

4. Workout with someone

Working out with someone is great to change things up, 

you will get new ideas and inspiration.

5.Double your cardio or try a new machine

I am an advocate for cardio!

Go for a run OUTside, or do some sprints in the gym, or high legs or Killers-

 If you are working hard through your weight workout, 

you will keep your heart rate up, but there are very few who do-

(because of chatting, not going heavy enough, etc)

So,

DO CARDIO-

it is good for you!

6. **Here is an extra one-**

TRY a new class!

I just started teaching a Fit Camp @ Saddleback Church on Wednesday nights for FREEEEEEE-

the church also has Zumba on Tuesday nights and Cardio Kickboxing on Thursday nights

 (if you are local)as part of the Daniel Plan!

Come on out!!

What do you want to try this next week?

How will you change your routine?

Maybe you need to start one?

Need suggestions? Email me!

Just GET MOVING!!

Have a blessed day!

Fit, Fabulous, 40's Friday

Choices & Smoothies

"I like to eat my calories" is one of my favorite sayings.

In fact, if you have ever been out with me

or give me the opportunity to eat something vs. drink something, 

I will choose to eat or chew food 99% of the time. 

Usually something along these lines..if possible.

or

 or

or

Lots of choices, but notice any similarities?

Ha, ha!

Ahem, that is just ME.

I do occasionally drink smoothies.

Again, not my favorite, 

but it is nice to change things up a little.

One of the gals I am working with on nutrition likes smoothies for breakfast and her mother asked for some recipes so I thought I would share them with you.

They are healthy, easy and there are a variety of choices!

They are also great for meal replacement or as a healthy snack.

WAAAAY better choice than eating cookies, crackers, popcorn, etc.

Start with any kind of blender:

I got one of these guys for Christmas.

 

1. Start out with a liquid.

Water, coconut water, almond milk, soy milk, etc. I usually add about 1/4-1/2 cup

I just use water, easy!

2. Add a scoop of protein, or eggs or egg whites.

1/2 of a scoop for the kids- 

we use this from GNC

 I thought I would try a new flavor- LOVE it, but very expensive!

 or you can get a less expensive one from the market

3. Add fruits

I cut up pieces of fruit and freeze them so it makes a nice cold drink, 

and it is super convenient to have it all ready.

Bananas, blackberries, strawberries,pineapple and blueberries.

You can add whichever you like!

Approx. 1/2 cup

4. Add vegetables

I use spinach 95% of the time, again, EASY!

The rule of thumb is that the veggies take up 1/2 of the cup-

also, you'll know if you need to add more next time depending on the color of the smoothie.

If it isn't green, you don't have enough!

 Found this on Pinterest: 

you can click and visit my Pinterest page under 

"Cleanish Eating"for other ideas/recipes

5. Add nuts or supplements,

chia or flax seed or even oatmeal! 

I would recommend 1/2 cup of oatmeal 

if you find yourself hungry within the hour of drinking one!

(Meagan :-))

The choices are endless!!! 

Here are some other options for you -

One from one of my favorite blogs: StuftMama

Lazy Mama Mocha Spinach Smoothie

1 frozen banana

handful fresh spinach

1 scoop protein powder (I used Designer Whey Vanilla Almond)

2 tablespoons cocoa powder (I used my favorite cocoa powder)

1 tablespoon instant espresso

1 1/4 cup milk or non dairy alternative (I used unsweetened almond milk)

These are from BodyBuilding.com where this link will take you right to the page.

Berry Good Shake

Ingredients

• 2 scoops of raspberry yogurt and protein powder
• 4 strawberries
• 15 blueberries
• 16 ounces of nonfat milk
• 1/2 cup of ice cubes

Banana Protein Shake

Ingredients

• 30g protein powder (plain or vanilla)
• 8 oz light soy milk
• 1 tbsp linseed, soy and almond mixture
• 1 tsp golden syrup
• Few drops vanilla essence/extract
• 3-4 cubes ice
• 1 tbsp low fat natural yogurt (optional depending on diet)

I hope these recipes and tips helped!!

REMBER:

"And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change

and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

TRY something new, CHOOSE to make a small change and then TRUST the process!!

What NEW THING are you going to TRY today?

Love ya!

Fit, Fabulous, 40's, Friday

IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!

Hope you are having a 

FABULOUS week!

I'm feeling so blessed this morning!

I wanted to share what I did this last Sunday!

I ran my 3rd -1/2 Marathon 

to earn the 

Beach Cities Medal!!!

I received the medal on the left for running the OC 1/2, 

then received the medal on the right after completing the 

three Beach Cities 1/2 Marathons in consecutive order, 

the Long Beach,

Huntington Beach

and finally 

the Newport Beach 1/2.

It was beyond great and I'm all about getting a deal!

3 runs and 4 medals,

extra BLING!

My friend Lisa has run with me in all three 1/2 Marathons

and it has been special since neither one of us had ever run a 1/2 Marathon before.

Saturday I went to the Costa Mesa Fair grounds to pick up my bib and t-shirt.

My daughter Kiana has come with me the other two times to pick up my 

bib and it has been tradition.

It was really windy when we got there-

and I ran into my friend Anna, a man who I met years ago at the gym,

got cancer but actually put the very first seed in my mind to run

and that I could possibly do it,

and also ran into a gal that I went to High School with that runs the

full marathons for fun.

Here is a picture of my bib #..

I have to tell you that I was a little unsure of how I would do this time.

I hadn't trained very much and wasn't mentally prepared or focused on it as I had been with the other two, but I did decrease my time in the Surf City (Huntington Beach)

by 10 minutes!

But, I had a goal to do ALL 3 1/2 Marathons and no matter what,

I was going to at least finish!

Lisa drove over on Saturday night and slept over.

We got up around 4:30 so we could leave by 5 to get to the Fair Grounds by 5:30.

We ran a little late, but weren't worried.

Here is a pic of us when we got there.

 There was a long line to the buses that were shuttling everyone down to the starting line 
which was right by Fashion Island.

 As we waited, we walked by the finish line- 

I thought it was great to see people remembering those who ran the Boston Marathon- 

see the thin orange line at the bottom of the banner?

It says, "Run for Boston", and there were many people showing their support through t-shirts, etc.

When we finally got on  then off the bus,

we all walked to the start line.

I must say it was somewhat anti-climactic.

For the first two 1/2 marathons we ran, we were at the starting gate with ALL of the runners,

and they put you in "gates" depending on your finish time.

It's pretty exciting to be with all the runners.

Well, we were so behind everyone else, that when we got there, it was pretty empty.

No announcer,

no crowds, 

no runners waiting.

In fact, it looked like they all had a party and stripped and we got there after everyone had disappeared!

There was trash all over the streets and it was hilarious to see all the sweatshirts, sweaters and shirts that were thrown off and left on the sidewalks!!!

Someone was collecting them in a trash bag- 

I hope they wash them and donate them to the homeless.

So, we got there and saw the start line, looked at each other, smiled and just started jogging.

There were probably about 4 or 5 other buses loaded with runners behind us, so we weren't completely alone, but it was just weird.

As we got into our groove, we began passing more and more runners.

One thing I love is the sheer number of people you are running with, the energy that comes with that, and also a sharing of this special experience.

The run was fabulous.

We ran through streets with beautiful homes,

by the water,

a trail

and finished at the Fair Grounds.

One of the really amazing things about participating in something with so many people involved is you get perspective,

I am a part of something bigger.

You also get inspired!

There are people older, younger, heavier, lighter, more fit, less fit,

faster, slower, walkers, runners.

ANYONE can do this!

I must admit, in my head, I believed anyone who ran 1/2 marathons+ had to look like the runners I've seen in the Olympics.

I don't look like them so I never really saw myself as a runner.

I know this is really an immature and superficial way of thinking, but I'm being honest.

I never SAW myself THAT way-

I still don't but I won't let that stop me!

I'm inspired!

So Lisa and I ran, and ran and ran.

We had a potty break, actually 2 and slowed down at almost every water stop, and I was praying all the way!

And we finished!!

Here we are with my friend Sophia.

She ran it under 2 hours! What a Rock Star!

All said and done, 

Bib: 6088 Name: Janet Hertogh Gender: F Age: 48 Hometown: Mission Viejo, CA	Overall: 4656 out of 10050 Women: 2232 out of 6034 F 45-49: 218 out of 645 Age/Grade: 53.44% Place: 2830 Finish: 2:16:16 Pace: 10:24 Tag Time: 2:16:16 Gun Time: 2:48:42

So I had a 10.2 minute mile and was just a tiny bit over my first 1/2.

Seriously,

I'm just happy I finished it!

Thank you, God, for my Mizunos!

I can't tell you what an amazing feeling of accomplishment I have!

I want to challenge you to step out of your comfort zone TODAY!

Make a decision to do something new.

Yesterday after my bible study, a woman came over to me to me and had some questions about starting a weight training plan.

I wanted to know what HER goals were, what SHE WANTED to do.

She said that she wanted to strengthen her muscles and get into the gym.

After talking a bit,

she confessed that she kind of knew what to do once she was there and then asked,

"how do you get there?"

THIS IS THE BIG QUESTION,

because let's face it, most people KNOW what to do, or at least that they should be exercising- 

the difficult part is the DOing.

I told her that I go for two reasons:

1) because I AM VAIN and I like to see definition on my body,

I like the way my body looks when I'm fit.

(that's just ME)

and

2) I'm over 40 and I want to live a healthy, strong, life and be able to keep up with my children.

I love when one of my sons grabs my hand and tries to take me down and he can't.....yet.

I know that day will arrive soon enough, but right now, I love grabbing them and being strong enough to give them a little challenge!

(again, just ME being honest)

YOU have to find your "WHY".

It will be the reason for almost EVERYTHING you do, 

if you think about it.

The things we DO are a result of our "WHY"s.

I am cooking cleaner- why? So my family will be healthier.

My children are in sports- why? So they can learn discipline, sportsmanship, being part of a team.

We go to church- why? So we can have a strong faith and spiritual connection to GOD.

Yes, it would be easier to not get involved in sports, church and give a hoot about what I cook- 

EVERY single thing I am doing takes some effort,

but each one is worth the effort -

in fact the results are multiplied.

MOVE -forward!

Do something new,

read this and give up something so you can have and do that something new.

Maybe for YOU it isn't something physical,

it could be relational

or spiritual.

I'll admit, I struggle with #3 and #5.

What do you struggle with?

Deciding, Doing, Denial?

Fear?

What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?

I would love to hear from you!!

Have a stupendous weekend!