The Butterfly Effect

What started out as a focus on getting fit has morphed into finding my optimal self doing what I believe I am called to do instead of the first person who offers me a full-time job.  I'm still working towards optimal fitness, but I see a need to help others get through the other stuff that often gets in the way of staying motivated and believing that it can be done.

I started thinking about my journey that started years ago.  I was recently separated on my way to becoming divorced and I felt I had lost my "mojo".  As a big "do-it-yourself" and "self-improvement" book buyer, I went in search of some help to get back to the confident young woman I was a long time ago.

I compared it to the growth process of the butterfly.  There are four stages:

Egg - The female butterfly lays eggs on the underside of a leaf.  Depending on the species, the mother will pick a specific leaf for their eggs.  The larva develops and comes out of the egg.
Larva - The larva is actually a caterpillar, but is very small in weight and diameter.  However, it eats enough to grow quickly and is a full adult caterpillar within 2 weeks.  It has 8 legs by this time, but then starts going through the molting process where it starts multiple shedding of skin.  By the last shedding, the caterpillar goes away from the leaf where it started to find the place to pupate.  It finds the spot and hangs upside down, forming the shape of a letter J.  The last shedding takes place once the caterpillar is in position. 
Pupa - In this stage, the caterpillar has shed it's legs and also it's head.  The casing that replaces that last shedding of skin now turns into the chrysalis, which is it's protective shell.  This is where the butterfly begins to form through a process of the caterpillar parts disintegrating and the butterfly emerging. 
Adult Butterfly - The chrysalis, which is hard, cracks open and the adult butterfly emerges.  Hemolymph is a fluid that spreads throughout the body of the butterfly, growing it into it's full mature size.  Soon after, the butterfly is ready to fly.

We have a similar process that we go through:

Egg - This is conception through birth.  We had no choice how we came about and it could've been an event that caused one to be happy, sad, angry, disappointed, devastated, scared...well, you get my point; everyone has a starting point and that starting point can be the springboard to a wonderful life or the blow to the rest of a hard life and then somewhere in between fall the rest of us.
Larva - This is the early stage in life; from birth to teenager.  In this stage, we start to form our personality, what we like and don't like, if we will be a follower or a leader and other starting points.  By the time we become teenagers, there is a process where we decide who/what we are going to follow.  This can be following the crowd or being quirky/odd, an individualist who has followers or is a loner, one who always pushes for more or accepts whatever they are given. This is also the time that we will easily fall prey to peer pressure and can find ourselves doing things that can also have a devastating affect on the rest of our lives.
Pupa - This is the stage of beginning adulthood to the first adult struggle(s) in our life.  We cast off our rebellious behavior and settle into the life of an adult.  We get married or stay single; we have children during the marriage, before marriage, or even though we never got married.  It can be a time of highs and lows--it can also be a time that we go inward in reaction to some of the lows.  There is also the opportunity to find ourselves in a moment of preferring a more optimal life/self and go through a process of discovery, using this time as our protective shell.  It can be self-affirming, difficult, and lonely, but it is necessary to ensure that growth occurs.
Adult Butterfly - This is the stage where we know our new self on the other side of a devastating time in our lives.  It is a time to emerge from the learning to the person we were meant to be at this point in our lives.  The Pupa to Butterfly stage actually happens during transitional periods in our lives.  We don't always acknowledge it, or even do anything about it, but it's there.

The Butterfly Effect is for that person who either doesn't know what to do while they are in the Process or needs a little more information than they are finding on their own.  Through seminars, workshops and other events, The Butterfly Effect's aim is to give everyone the opportunity to grow their wings and fly into their intended life!

I'm so excited to offer this as my gift to all those who have asked me for help, motivation and support.  Together, we will discover your most optimal self, as God intended!!

Stay tuned.


Lynda
The Butterfly Effect
...time to grow your wings...

It's not expensive to eat right!!!

So what I keep hearing is that it costs a lot of money to eat healthily.  During this journey, I've found that to be a load of crap!!!  Eating healthy takes time and effort, but no more money than what you are already spending.  Sometimes you have to be creative and research to find suitable alternatives to the unhealthy ones we lean on.

So what I've decided to do is give you some ideas on how to eat better without feeling it in the wallet.

All of the experts say the same thing:  eat protein, veggies (particulary green leafy), healthy carbs during the day, some fruits and plenty of water!  Yes, if you go organic, you'll be spending a lot of money (that's why Whole Foods is so pretty and shiny!!!).

I don't buy a lot of organic items, unless they are on sale.  Also, track your local grocery stores, Walmart and Target, or any store where you typically purchase food.

What I've done is develop an eating plan based on water, salads, chicken, fish, broccoli, spinach, kale, lentils, sweet potatoes, frozen fruits (mango, raspberries, bananas), protein powder & bars.  Based on sales for the week often determine where I go to purchase items.  I try to buy enough to last for the entire week or more.  I will also get apples, oranges, cherries, and grapes if they are on sale.

I do things to make prep work easy.  Salad can consist of Romaine Lettuce and vinaigrette dressing.  My favorite salad though is a Southwestern style salad:

Romaine Lettuce, ripped into shreds
Chopped or sliced Onions
Chopped Black Olives
Shredded Cheese
Chicken Strips (real or veggie)
Fajita or Southwestern Seasoning
Olive Oil Vinaigrette Dressing

Put first four items in a bowl.  Coat seasoning with chicken (or buy it already seasoned).  Heat chicken and place in the bowl.  Put 1-2 teaspoons of dressing and toss.  Yummy!!

It's not hard or real expensive to eat right--just consider how much you spend eating out each week and shift that to your prepared menu...You'll see that it's a better way to go financially and physically!!

It's a new day!!

Sorry I've taken so long to post anything!!

Yes, I'm still on the wagon and working towards getting "tight and right".  I've been trying to decide what to do with the knowledge that I've garnered over the past 1 1/2 years. 

What I have decided is this:  I have the knowledge in getting started with a fitness program and how to stay motivated during the process.  I am preparing a seminar and booklet that will give you an easy way to get started and tips on staying the course. 

The main focus is this:  it took a while for the weight to come on, so don't expect it to immediately come off!!  It will take some time to convince your body that you are serious.  It's a combination of shocking your system with your choice of exercise and then it takes a serious eating plan to also tell your body that things are about to change!!

I will be posting ideas for meals, snacks and exercise.  We will work together to get this done!  If you have weight loss goals, they are possible, but you HAVE TO MOVE AND CHANGE HOW AND WHAT YOU EAT!!!!  Who's with me??