I have been coaching for over two years now and have seen my challengers literally change their lives as a result of taking chance both on me and the programs I believe in so strongly. The people I’ve met have been nothing short of amazing, and they have changed my life while changing their own.

The best part is that our company and its offerings just keep getting better and better to meet the needs of so many who are seeking a healthier lifestyle. More options mean more questions (which I LOVE) and so I thought it was time for me to address the most common question I’m asked these days. What’s the difference between 21 Day Fix and 2B Mindset?

Perhaps the most popular program I coach is the 21 Day Fix. This is the program that started me on this journey and I’m so thankful that I was introduced to it. The Fix made up of 7 workouts combining cardio and light weight-training, pilates and yoga. This program incorporates a portion control system, “Portion Fix,” using color-coded containers that represent different food groups. Through a calculation, you are given instructions on how many containers of each food group you can consume each day. (Think weight watchers point system, but with more of a concise measuring approach.) The “Fix,” as it is affectionately called, came out in 2014 and took the fitness world by storm. Those that followed both the nutrition and fitness parts of the program saw amazing results quickly. I personally lost 7.25 lbs and 7 combined inches in my first 21 Day round. Even better, my endurance improved drastically. I stopped heaving around my neighborhood during my nightly runs!

Even with the success of that program and the Portion Fix nutrition plan, there was still a void that needed to be filled within the line-up that our company offers. Surprise, surprise – not everyone wants to exercise! Enter the nutrition-only program, 2B Mindset designed by Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist, Ilana Muhlstain. You may have seen ads touting that you can “eat whatever you want and still lose weight.” That’s, well… kind of a stretch. If you are expecting any kind of miracle program where you can sit around stuffing your face with Oreos and Mike’s Hard Lemonade, this isn’t that nor are any of the other programs I coach. While you can enjoy the occasional “silly carb” (as Ilana calls it), you are expected to follow specific principles of the program and to track everything you put in your mouth.

Unlike the Fix, the 2B Mindset program does not require exercise unless you desire to incorporate it. She calls exercise “extra credit” and encourages dialing in nutrition first before embarking on a fitness program.

Instead of color-coded containers, Ilana breaks the foods up into groups – Vegetables, Proteins, Fiber -Filled Carbohydrates (which she refers to as FFCs), and Accessories – added sweetners, dressings, oils, etc. She allows you to divide your plate into certain percentages of each. This method is referred to as “Plate It.” For example, at dinner, she recommends a plate of 25% protein and 75% vegetables. The Fix allows you to decide what time of day you want to eat your containers whereas 2B Mindset steers you away from carbs in the late day hours . Rather than precisely measuring every serving, you are eyeballing portions and using your best judgment. Vegetables are always a freebie and she recommends always reaching for “Veggies First.” You are encouraged to eat three meals per day and incorporate a snack only if you need it.

Now, back to those Accessories. The Fix calculates accessory type foods using “teaspoons” or tiny orange and blue containers. And, sorry guys, but you don’t get very many. With 2B Mindset,you can have a couple from the list at each meal to enhance your food.  Ilana encourages you to be mindful of your portions, but doesn’t call for an exact measurement.

Ilana has a lot of cute catch phrases to help you remember the princibles of the program. “Water First,” “Veggies Most,” and my personal favorite, “Dinner and Done.” I found that “Dinner and Done” was one of the most effective things I did during tracking. If I ate after dinner (which you are not supposed to), my weight was almost always up the next morning. Ilana also walks you through how to handle if you want seconds, and what to do if you are at a holiday event or having an emotional trigger.

I know you want to know more about the Oreos and Mike’s Hard Lemonades, don’t you? Well, it is certainly not a free-for-all, but 2B Mindset allows you to have treats. Whereas the Fix calculates a treat as a “yellow container” and only allows three per week, 2B Mindset lets you decide how many “silly carbs” you can have as long you write it down. You are empowered to decide when you can indulge as long as you track it and become aware of how it affects your weight. To me, this is one of the biggest differentiators between the Fix and 2B Mindset. The Fix is fairly rigid and 2B Mindset is flexible. That’s where the void I referenced at the beginning of this article comes into play. Some people thrive with a very specific, rigid plan. But, many, many others cannot maintain that type of plan and are quickly defeated. 2B Mindset fills the gap to allow people to relax and lose weight in a healthy way at their own pace.

Another key difference between the Fix and 2B Mindset is the tracking component. Autumn Calabrese, 21 Day Fix creator and trainer, recommends that you do measurement and weigh in on the first day and then again after you complete the program. Ilana views the scale as a tool to measure daily progress, so you are encouraged to weigh each day. You can then see if the previous day was a “losing” day or a “gaining” day. If it’s a losing day, then you will know you made successful choices and can then repeat them. If it’s a gaining day, you know you probably need to make adjustments with your portion sizes, food choices, sodium levels, etc. This type of tracking means that your weight loss may initially be slow, but will quickly speed up once you figure out how your body responds to your choices. In fact, the test groups and my challengers found that they saw a big push in their loss in month 2 once they were familiar with the principles and staying accountable with their tracking.

In its new format, the Fix program materials are found on Beachbody on Demand with the workout videos as well. You will be mailed a container set, and with a challenge pack purchase you also get a month of Shakeology and a shaker cup.

Although 2B Mindset can be accessed through Beachbody on Demand, it can also be purchased separately and accessed through the 2BMindset.com website. With your 2B Mindset order, you will receive access in the mail hard copies of the materials, a tracking journal, and a 30 oz water bottle. The program itself consists of a series of videos that are short and to the point. Ilana has a great personality and offers great explanation behind the science of the program principles. And, she hails from Maryland originally, so I liked her and her accent right off the bat!

So, now that you understand the key differences between the programs – how do you decide which is best for you?

Even if you are a person who prefers the more rigid approach, I would highly suggest that you consider getting both programs or adding it to your arsenal if you already have the Fix. Why? Knowledge is power! The videos are so interesting and educational, and you will likely learn things about nutrition that you didn’t even realize. And, I guarantee you will find yourselves in situations where you can’t measure or stay exactly on track with the Fix. This will help arm you with ideas on how to stay successful with your healthy lifestyle.

If you aren’t ready for the exercise part at all, then 2B Mindset is probably the place for you to start. Some questions to ponder:

Will you truly stay accountable by tracking your every bite and being honest with the amounts? (That includes every one of those Oreos!) If you won’t commit to tracking at least for a few months, this program might not be for you. Tracking is essential to the success of 2B Mindset. If you are like me and hate writing things down with pen and paper, no worries about that. There is an app for that! Well, at least for the IoS users, anyway. The Nutrition + app on iPhones is available to track your meals and access your videos on the go.

Next, decide how comfortable you are with making your own decisions about portion sizes and food choices. If you like more freedom, 2B Mindset is for you. If you need a structured, specific program, then you might steer towards the Fix.

Are you unable to exercise because of excess weight or injury? Have you been doing the container system and need a change? Do you have a lifestyle with a lot of travel and events where you need flexibility? Are you willing to be more patient with your weight loss while you figure out through tracking what helps you lose most effectively? If you answered yes to any of these, then 2B Mindset might be just what you need to get rolling into your healthy lifestyle.

How do you get either program? Glad you asked! If you are interested in ordering, you can use my referral links below. When you order through me, I become your personal coach and I will add you into my exclusive accountability groups that I run each and every month!

The very best value for the 21 Day Fix comes with the following:

• One year access to Beachbody on Demand which includes all the BB fitness programs available
• Portion Fix container set
• Access on Beachbody on Demand to hundreds of Fix recipes through the Fixate channel
• 30 day Supply of Shakeology, which Autumn recommends as a daily red (protein) container
• A Shakeology Shaker Bottle

The very best value is the 2B Mindset Challenge Pack comes with the following:

• 21 Learn the 2B MindsetVideos
• 5 Ask IlanaVideos
• 15 Recipe Videos
• Getting Started Guide
• My Go-To Guide
• My Tracker
• 2B Mindset Water Bottle
• Recipes
• 30 day Supply of Shakeology, which llana recommends as one of your daily protein choices
• A Shakeology Shaker Bottle

And, if you are ready to incorporate exercise into your program, you can’t beat the unbelievable value of the 2B Mindset Annual On Demand Challenge Pack with Shakeology. This pack comes with all of the above including the 30 Day Supply of Shakeology, PLUS a full year subscription to Beachbody On Demand with thousands of workout options to stream! You get every single program we offer, anything that comes out during the year, and that includes the 21 Day Fix!

Do I have your interest? Let’s chat! Email me at moderndayfox@gmail.com or message me on Facebook or Instagram – both are called Modern Day Fox. I will give you all the details and none of the pressure. I want you to act when you are READY, and you are the only one who can determine that. I’ll be waiting!

xo Jaime

Someone commented the other day that I’ve “upped my selfie game… big time!” Ok, I admit this made me beam! Mostly because it came from my 21 year old niece who is way cooler than me. I wanted to give you the story behind why the look of most of the photos I post of myself have changed their look recently!

I stumbled across an IG star named Sorelle Amore and she has a course called Advanced Selfie University. The course goes through how she sets up really cool selfies using her DSLR all over the world in her travels. After buying the course, I just realized that it’s so crazy that I take everyone else’s photos and never my own! Why do I always let someone else tell MY story through photographs? Better yet, why do I post crappy cell phone selfies that make me cringe? That’s not who I am. I’m creative and I want my social media page to really reflect my personality. Setting up my own self portraits is super challenging and fun. I’ve especially loved making the mundane – stuff like laundry and day to day mom life- interesting through photos. I think people like to see behind the curtain.

Just a few examples – check out my Instagram @moderndayfox to see some more!

Beans

1 small diced onion

1 Tbsp minced garlic

1 tsp smoked paprika

2 cup dried beans (pinto, navy, northern – can be a combo)

4 cups water or broth (or a combo)

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

DIRECTIONS

Remove lid from pot. Press Saute button.

When pot is hot, add one diced onion and minced garlic. Saute until translucent.

Add one tsp smoked paprika and saute for another minute.

Turn pot off.

Add two cup dried beans and 4 cups water or broth and salt. Stir and replace lid.

Set pot to manual high pressure for 55 minutes. Allow natural pressure release after timer goes off.

BBQ Sauce (make while beans are cooking)

1/2 cup water

1 can tomato paste

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 Tbsp maple syrup

1 Tbsp worchestshire

1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce

1 Tbsp coconut aminos

1 Tbsp yellow mustard

1 Tbsp molasses

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp smoked paprika 

DIRECTIONS

Stir well in small mixing bowl. Then, pour into small sauce pan on stove. Heat over low heat. Once it is warmed through, add 1/4 cup coconut sugar. Continue to cook over low heat until completely dissolved. Taste and add more sugar, if desired. Brown sugar works well too!

After the pressure is completely released from the Instant Pot, remove lid and stir. Your beans should be fully cooked, but sometimes they can be finicky depending on the age of the beans (or the lunar phase of the moon 🙂 ). If your beans are still too firm, cook another ten minutes in the Instant Pot. I found 55 minutes with a natural release to be the correct amount of cooking time fairly consistently during my experiments with this recipe.

If beans are cooked to your liking, add more salt, if desired. I added another teaspoon of salt for my salt preference. Stir in barbecue sauce. I also added one Tbsp Frank’s Red Hot Sauce for a little heat! Beans will continue thicken as they sit. Serve, and enjoy!

Here’s a video tutorial to show you how it’s done!

xo Jaime

Hello, friends! First, some deep thoughts from the weekend I want to share:

I was at a conference for my full time job in technology sales over the weekend, and we had a speaker for our Women in Technology group. She said the best advice she ever got was, “Don’t let your comfort zone become a dangerous anchor.”

Isn’t that so true? When you find still waters, it’s easy to just safely float there for the duration. The problem is you never go anywhere – not back, not forward, you just stay in the same spot forever. And while that may sound appealing to some, it is not sustainable. Aside from inevitable boredom alone, there are bound to be storms that come through. Sometimes it is dangerous not to move from the storm’s path.

If you are incapable of moving because you’re anchored to the status quo, that potentially leads to drowning. Be brave. Make yourself uncomfortable. Don’t give up on your passions even if they aren’t what’s paying your bills right now. Have hard conversations. Be the change. Pull up your anchor and sail somewhere new! THAT is how you grow.

Ok, now let’s get to this soup. Maybe it was just because I spent the weekend in blazing hot Florida, but it got all kinds of chilly in Tennessee yesterday. I know that due to our crazy weather pattern here I will be back to wearing tank tops and shorts by the weekend, but it was actually kind of nice to have a day that almost resembled Fall. We don’t get many of those! The crisp air immediately made me crave soup. Well, that, and I still haven’t gone to the grocery store since my return, so I had to get creative with dinner. I decided to experiment with making Minestrone in my Instant Pot, and it was a SUCCESS. My kids even liked it, although they would never openly admit that. They took more than two bites, so I’m calling it a win!

When you review this recipe, I’m anticipating one question on repeat. Why did you not cook the pasta on high pressure? Yes, I know that I can cook pasta in the Instant Pot, but I wanted to be very careful about making sure I kept a nice texture on all the various ingredients in this soup. I did not add the zucchini in the high pressure cycle either because I wanted to maintain the firmness. One thing about the Instant Pot – your vegetables and pasta can turn to mush in a heart beat. It’s better to spend a few extra minutes boiling the pasta and zucchini than have a bowl of mush, right?? If you decide to try cooking your pasta during the high pressure cycle, I recommend adding all six cups of water or broth at the beginning, and doing 4 minutes high pressure instead of five. I’d love to know how it turns out! Or, just follow the recipe as written and you can be sure you will have nice, firm ingredients and that all-day simmered taste.

Note: There is something going on with my recipe plug-in for WordPress, so my apologies for the different format on this recipe!

MODERN DAY FOX INSTANT POT MINESTRONE (VEGAN)

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/2 diced onion

2 carrots, coined

3 diced celery stalks

1 tsp salt, plus more later if desired

1 tsp rosemary

1/2 tablespoon oregano

1 tsp Basil

1/4 tsp pepper

1 tablespoon garlic powder

Pinch crushed red pepper (optional)

1 28 oz can crushed tomato

6 cups water or broth

2 cups dry pasta (bowtie, rigatoni, penne)

1 diced zucchini, medium

1 can kidney beans, drained

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

I/2 tablespoon red wine vinegar

3 cups chopped kale, stems removed

Instructions:

1. Set pot to saute and heat olive oil.
2. Add garlic, onion, carrots, and celery. Saute for 2-3 minutes until onions start to turn translucent.
3. Add salt, rosemary, oregano, basil, pepper, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper. Saute for one more minute. Keep stirring so your seasonings do not burn.
4. Turn pot off.
5. Add crushed tomatoes, 4 cups water or broth, and stir.
6. Replace lid on instant pot and set pot to 5 minutes high pressure. Be sure to turn the knob to Sealing so your pot comes to pressure.
7. When the timer goes off, use a quick release for the steam.
8. When the knob drops, remove lid and turn pot off.
9. Add the other two cups of water. Stir in dry pasta, zucchini, and kidney beans.
10. Set the pot to Saute and allow contents to boil and cook pasta thoroughly.
11. When pasta is finished cooking, turn pot off.
12. Add lemon juice, vinegar and kale. Kale will soften into the soup in a few minutes.
13. Do a taste-test and add additional salt, if desired. I like my soups to have a saltier flavor so I added two additional teaspoons. I also used water instead of broth so I needed to make up for the salt that would have been in the broth.
14. Serve, and enjoy!!

I am slowly piecing together what will be my next studio album, doing some songwriting but also reviewing songs by other writers that I love. Tonight a dear friend sent me a sampling of her songs and there was one on particular that hit me right between the eyes. It is called “Concrete Shoes.” This song struck me because it so clearly defines how I feel right now. It talks about trying to get over loss, but feeling weighed down by a broken heart and concrete shoes.

When you lose people you love, I think it’s an accurate comparison to say it feels like you are walking around in “concrete shoes.” Even the simplest tasks just feel so heavy and hard. For me, every workout is a struggle right now. I have to talk myself into it because I know it is so important for my continued health. Every meal prep feels like I’m wading through my kitchen in slow motion, but I do it because I’ll have even more stress if I don’t. Getting motivated to work feels like climbing a mountain with no rope and harness, but I do it because people are counting on me. I desperately want to kick off these heavy shoes. They feel so unfamiliar and uncomfortable, but they seem to be the only pair that fit right now. It’s unrealistic to think that I could just slide right back into my proverbial flip flops so soon after losing two people that I love.

One of my favorite artists, Peter Gabriel, said he was intrigued by how people could use music as an “emotional toolkit.” There is comfort in hearing someone else put the feelings you can’t voice into words. In fact, I’ve been trying to listen to the saddest music I can find these days. Sounds crazy, right? It’s not. It’s a release. Just like my friend’s song put into words my current emotional state, other songs are helping me let the tears flow a bit. It’s hard keeping it together all the time!

If you are struggling with loss- and I know so many of you who have messaged me are indeed struggling too- I encourage you to turn to music to help you make some sense of what you are feeling. Just keep listening and listening until you have that ah-ha moment where it seems the artist is writing lyrics straight out of your heart. Feeling understood is difficult, especially after loss. Let the music slowly chip away at your own “concrete shoes.”

“I have nothing left to lose

Except this broken heart and these concrete shoes.” (Steff Mahan)

XO Jaime

I know many of you see my invitations for my monthly challenge groups and think to yourself that your issues with your health and weight go deeper than just committing to an exercise program or meal plan. In fact, exercise might not even be something you can do at this point in your life. It might be instead that the answer to your health obstacles does not start with a dumbbell.. it might start with changing your… MIND!

Your mind can make or break you in every area of your life. It is the thing that gets you going in the morning, helps you excel at your job, helps you deal with your everyday relationships and navigate through problems. But, it can also be your worst enemy. The thing that tells you aren’t “good enough,” “won’t ever succeed,” and “you should just eat everything in sight because what difference does it make it anyway.” It can tell you constant lies about your ability to find change in your life. And, it’s the one thing you cannot escape.

Maybe you know what you should be doing as far as your nutrition, but you consider yourself an “emotional eater” and cannot get a handle on it. Or, maybe you just don’t have the first clue what a healthy diet even looks like. Either way, my company has created a revolutionary program called 2B Mindset that  focuses first on why you are making the food choices you make, and what triggers make it hard to lose weight. Now, wait a minute! Don’t get me wrong! The 2B Mindset can ABSOLUTELY help you lose weight without feeling deprived, counting calories, cutting entire food groups, and even without exercise if you aren’t ready for that. Take a look at this overview of the program:

2B Mindset faces head on the leading cause of weight loss issues and weight management — our relationship with food! Of course exercise is essential for a functional life, but good health truly starts in the kitchen.  The 2B Mindset solution is created by someone who has actually been there and lost over 100 lbs herself using this method. Ilana Muhlstein is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist — the highest standard in the field of nutrition — and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Maryland. (You know I loved her immediately because she is a TERP!) Illana, along with a private success group run by me, will personally help you shift your mindset, helping you to create a positive, healthy weight loss. Ilana’s system is a healthy approach to eating that lets you feel full and satisfied, while arming you with proven strategies that will help you co-exist with food in real-world situations, satisfy cravings, and anticipate setbacks before they happen. This is the key to winning the weight loss struggle!

Here is a little more on Ilana:

This program is simple to follow. You will learn strategies to help you consume more water, prepare and eat wholesome foods and actually enjoy them, and we will shatter the myth that the bathroom scale is your enemy. In fact, you’ll end up loving the scale, because it will become a powerful weight loss tool. Once you take ownership of the program and its principles, it’s yours for life.

One of the first questions I’ve gotten from my existing client base about this program is how Shakeology is integrated into 2B Mindset. Ilana is a huge fan of Shakeology! Because of its high-protein content (17 g), Shakeology can count as the protein for any 2B Mindset meal. One of Ilana’s primary tips for weight loss is for people to have a consistent breakfast. And since Shakeology is easy and quick to make—and tastes great—she chooses it as part of her consistent breakfast every morning. Since it’s a protein, it can also work as part of your lunch, snack, or dinner so it integrates perfectly into every day, and the best news is you get to decide when! And she has so many great ways to enjoy it and make it even more satisfying.

The next question is whether exercise can be incorporated. Absolutely! As I said before the 2B Mindset does not require exercise, but it’s encouraged and it’s considered “extra credit.” Yes, the program focuses on nutrition and weight loss through the foods we eat. But, once you start seeing some real progress with your weight loss, you are inevitably going to want to move in your new and improved body!

So, are you ready to say goodbye, once and for all, to emotional eating, mindless snacking, punishing yourself for indulging on foods you love? If so, 2B Mindset is the answer. Let’s change our MINDS together. I am thrilled to be able to offer this brand new program that is 100% focused on changing your relationship with food. Whether people have 150 lbs to lose or 5 lbs, this program is going to change lives. Beginning May 7th, I will be launching The Mind Shift Success Group on Facebook (secret, completely private group) and I want YOU to be a part of it. With this program and the help of me, your dedicated Team Beachbody Coach, we will master the 2B Mindset! The time is NOW to take control of your life and your MIND! For more information, fill out this form!

I am hardly “mom of the year” over here. Entertaining my children sends me into an anxiety stricken state, if I am being honest. I’m working on it.

One thing I found that I can get through pretty well with my kids is cooking. I try to keep the recipes very simple and have the ingredients and equipment on the counter before we begin. Kids get bored very easily and if they have to wait for you to get everything out, the project will go downhill fast. Do yourself and your kids a favor and be organized before getting them involved.

We originally made these kabobs at the Discovery Center the day before Independence Day and the kids went crazy over them! They insisted that we make them at home for the 4th of July holiday. I was thrilled that they willingly ate fruit that wasn’t bananas and apples, so I was all-in. It’s super simple!

INGREDIENTS:

Two cups of cut-up of washed strawberries

One cup of washed blueberries

6-8 cheese sticks cut into one inch chunks

6″ wooden kabob skewers (snip of the pointy end with shears for safety)

Your kids can’t eat cheese? No problem. Substitute bananas or mini-marshmallows. In fact, any of this stuff can be substituted with other fruits as long as it can easily hook onto the skewer. Other fruit ideas are watermelon chunks, grapes, or kiwi.

DIRECTIONS:

Set all the ingredients out in a dish and let your kids have fun creating the skewers. Make it a learning experience by encouraging them to make patterns with the ingredients.

Above all, keep it fun and let the kids do their own thing. My three year old put about ten pieces of cheese on his. My control freak self wanted to correct him, but I kept that all inside and let him run the show. If they are having fun, what difference does it make?

xo Jaime

Because I’m so incredibly interested in hearing about the dreams that burn inside others, I often find myself giving encouragement and advice to people who have a dream but no plan. I get much joy out of helping others brainstorm, and then watching them light up as they realize the possibility of bringing these dreams to fruition. But, I have found too often when I cross paths with that same person a few months later, absolutely no action has been taken. Man, I just want to shake that person and say, “But, we made a plan! Remember? You were excited! You had a first step! WHY didn’t you take action?”

Even though I don’t actually physically shake anyone, sometimes I do confront them with those questions. Their answers are usually just a series of excuses. “Oh, you know, I’ve just been too busy.” Or, “Shoot, I just don’t have the money right now.” Or, “Ummm, I’m scared.” (This last one is also the translation of “I don’t know.”) Do any of these statements hit home with you? Let’s talk about each one:

“I have just been too busy.” Friends, if you are too busy to take the steps to achieve your goal, then you are not ready, or you simply do not want it bad enough. When you have a real fire in your heart for something, there is nothing that can stand in your way. You will stay up later, and you will wake up earlier. You will cut out an hour of social media scrolling. You will cut out your three Starbucks trip for the week and instead hire a babysitter for a couple hours to devote time to your goal. If you are truly passionate to make something happen, you will rearrange, sacrifice, beg, borrow, and steal to get it going. (Alright, don’t really steal anything, unless of course you are stealing time.) I say it all the time – you make time for what you want to make time for. If you are not ready, that’s OK! But, own it. Don’t make excuses.

“I don’t have the money right now.” I get it. Financial stress is tough. Your primary financial responsibilities are most likely putting food on the table every night and keeping a roof over your head. Sometimes it’s hard to see how you are even going to meet those most basic needs from one month to another. Chances are, however, whatever goal you are working toward has a “first step” that barely costs a thing. Can you create a business page on social media? Can you set up a couple meetings with mentors that are doing what you want to do? Can you come up with $15 and find a Staples promo code and print some business cards?  Read a freakin’ book? There is something that you can do that you can also afford, trust me. Also, remember that your financial situation is not going to change one bit if you don’t make a move towards something new, and potentially better. If you want to experience change, then make a change.

“I’m scared.” If you are truly honest with yourself, fear is likely the root cause of all your other excuses for not executing. Force yourself to figure out what it is that are you actually afraid of happening. Is it facing the criticism of others? Is it fear of failure? Going completely broke? Write out every single thing you are scared of related to taking the first step to achieve your goal. Then, write out what the consequences of each of those things actually happening. What really happens if people make fun of you, or if you fail miserably? Look over that list and have a “come to Jesus” talk with yourself. Are you truly unable to handle these consequences? If someone chooses to laugh at you, is their opinion really of value to you anyway? If you fail, will your heart still be beating when it’s all said and done? Will you lose the love of your friends and family if you bomb this endeavor? Chances are, when you sit down and weigh the consequences, you are probably blowing things way out of proportion. You are a strong person and you can handle much more than you are giving yourself credit. Confront your fears, and then kick them out of your way.

Martin Luther King, Jr. has a famous quote that rings true for every dreamer, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” If you can pinpoint virtually any first step that brings you closer to the goal you want to accomplish, then it is time to become a person of action.

You’ve envisioned it. You’ve wished for it. You’ve talked about it. You’ve planned for it. Now, act on it.

(The following is a transcript from a speech I gave my fitness accountability group on the fly! My apologies if it feels like it rambles as it was completely off the cuff! The message is so important that I wanted to share  with you here.)

Each week, I have a Monday motivational call. This week’s message was so inspiring that I just had to share it. It was powerful and so pertinent in all of our lives. The message was “Reject Hopelessness.” I can’t express to you how much the way you talk to yourself absolutely controls your thoughts and your actions.

You HAVE to reject hopelessness.

If you think that you are going to fail, or that you aren’t worth it, or that you are stuck where you are, or that your financial situation is not going to change, or that your weight is not going to change, or that your relationships at home are destined to be fruitless and painful, or that the way that your kids are acting is never going to change, or that you will be stuck in your current job forever… if you tell yourself everyday that none of these things are ever going to change, then guess what? Nothing’s going to change.

It is up to you to reject this kind of hopelessness!

Only YOU have the power to change your thoughts and your mind. and to start believing in yourself. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, and again. YOU ARE YOUR ONLY ADVOCATE. Nobody else can stand up and change YOUR life except for you. Other people can inspire you or provide inspirational messages just like the one you’re reading now. But ultimately, you are the one who has to change your own thoughts. You must believe that you are worth investing in yourself.

Here’s how you do it:

Give yourself the gift of 30 minutes a day to work on your physical health no matter what else is going on. Even if you have to get up early, or stay up late, you deserve 30 minutes of fitness and giving back to yourself. Take the time each week to plan out a healthy diet so that you can feel better in your body and in your mind. Carve out even just five minutes a day to be alone where you reflect on the things in your life going right no matter how small they may seem. Lock yourself in your closet if you have to! You have to make yourself a priority. Start with those three things – physical fitness, nutrition, and daily positive self talk – and you will begin to feel real change.

Think of all the massive goals people have achieved over the years- big and small. For instance, NASA put a man on the moon. Surely the team that made this happen were told time and again that this mission was a waste of time and there was no way it could be done. If these scientists and astronauts had taken this hopelessness to heart, the “moon walk” would have never happened! It’s the same thing for you on a smaller scale. If you are telling yourself everyday that you cannot change your life, then you are not going to do it.
So put up your armor, and reject hopelessness!

You are worth it and you CAN change starting RIGHT NOW!

Some of you had the worst week of your life last week and you are thinking, “Thank God I have a new week.” You are right! Today is your Day One. Today is your chance to reject hopelessness and to change the path of your life. Go out and do it. Smart small. Do your thirty. Choose a salad instead of a donut. Tell yourself all day long that you are worth it. Make your goals and your dream non-negotiable. Don’t let anyone, especially yourself, stand in your way! You are not hopeless!

XO Jaime

I get the side eye a lot from folks who don’t quite understand “all” that I do. Recently, I was at a company event where a colleague jokingly said I had six jobs, referring to my family, music, photography, fitness and blogging in addition to my sales job. Without a doubt, this person is completely supportive of me and was just being light-hearted. But, that kind of commentary comes at me quite often. People often ask me how (and why) I squeeze in so much in a day. The truth is that we make time for what we want to make time. Plain, and simple. Trust me, I don’t have six jobs. I have my God-given job of being a wife and mother and one full time job that helps financially support my family. Outside of those top priorities, I fill my life up with many other things that make my heart full. I can’t imagine my life without any of those things in it!

Sadly, I see many people merely existing and trying to muster through the day. They lack those little things to look forward to outside of their daily routine. A close friend of mine calls those things “carrots.” To him, a “carrot” is something he puts on the calendar that help him get through the grind. It’s usually a camping trip, or a visit to the beach. While he personally does not have the desire to pursue as many carrots as I do, these little weekend trips offer an outlet for him in the same way all of my daily pursuits do for me. My carrots are planning fun outings with my family, booking photo shoots a couple times a month, performing and writing music, working out, planning events, writing this blog, and more. These are my passions! The very reason I can be a loving wife and mother and excel at my day job is because I fill my calendar with carrots that help me make it through the less than glamorous times.

I know some of you are thinking, “But, Jaime, you don’t understand what my life is like.” Maybe you have four kids, or a high pressure job, or have to care for an ailing family member. You don’t have time for a shower, let alone carrots! Remember what I said earlier? You make time for what you want to make time for. And, YOU are your only advocate. So, stand up for yourself and create time to add the carrots that bring joy to your life.

If you have four kids and you love photography, take your kids out to a field and practice photographing them as they play. Don’t just do this once. If it brings you joy, do it once a week! After your kids go to bed, use that time to get lost in the editing process. I do my best vegging while I’m using Lightroom and a Photoshop to edit. It’s my version of playing video games. If you have a high pressure job but you love to workout, go for a run while you listen to a conference call. If you don’t have to talk or present, then who cares what you’re doing as long as you’re paying attention? Or, schedule a recurring 30 minute block on your calendar for that workout everyday and work around it. If you are caring for an ailing family member, ask for and accept help so you can free up a couple hours for yourself to focus on something that revives you. How can you care for someone else if you don’t care for yourself? The answer is that you cannot.

Now, listen. I realize I’m somewhat oversimplifying this. There are some people who have no help or are in a situation where this might seem impossible. Even still, I want you to make it a non-negotiable to add some carrots to your life no matter how tiny they may be. Your soul will thank you.

What are your carrots? Discuss in the comments below!

I think most people would describe me as relatively “fearless.” I have no problem speaking in front of a crowd. During a performance, I don’t hesitate to plop down on the lap of some unsuspecting fellow just to see him squirm and get a laugh from the crowd. Aside from heights and snakes, there is not much that sets off fear in me especially when it comes to dealing with people.

Well, there IS that one thing…

Cold calling. Oh my goodness, how I loathe the “cold call.” It literally makes me feel ill to think about picking up the phone and bugging someone in the middle of the day to tell them something they didn’t ask about. I will come up with 101 other things to do to avoid cold calling. For example, I decided to write this blog post today instead of cold calling. Don’t judge me!

In order to come to terms with why I hate cold-calling so much, I made a list and uncovered some themes:

• I don’t like bothering people. I don’t like to be bothered so the last thing I want to do is bother someone else.

• I don’t want to get in a confrontation with someone when they feel bothered. People get really mean, especially on the phone when they don’t have to look you in the eyes.

• I’m afraid they are going to ask me a question that I don’t know.

• They are probably going to let it go to voicemail anyway, so why bother.

• I don’t want anyone to think bad thoughts about me or my business by making a bad first impression.

• Cold-calling is a fishing game. Most of the time you don’t really know why you are calling the person other than you feel they could probably use what you’re selling. You just hope that you can quickly spew out a bunch of info and something will spur a deeper conversation. That isn’t fun. I like to be pointed with my interactions with others.

• Is cold-calling even an effective method of sales engagement anymore?