A Challenge to Everyone.

My heart is grieving so heavy for Robin Williams for so many reasons...I don't claim to know a lot in this world but depression is something I do. I have never so closely related and felt the death of a film celebrity.

The next day to week we are going to see a lot about Robin Williams. A lot will be said, tears will be shed and then in about 10 days America and the world will move on as some pop star gets married or rapper gets in a fight and we will forget all about it till Mrs. Doubtifer comes on ABC Family... My heart grieves on so many levels. Yes I grieve because I will never again see a new movie starring a man I grew up with an idol. But more than that, I grieve because this great man who the world couldn't see having to live with out, couldn't see living in this world anymore. He was loved and respected by more people then he could ever know or meet, yet he chose to end his life because, in most cases of depression, he no longer loved and respected himself.

Some will accuse him or being selfish for his actions. He's not. Some will say he could have fought the urge. I assure you he did, I can nearly guarantee you more times then anyone will ever know. Some will say he should have gotten help. And some will say he didn't know Jesus and that why he wasn't happy and chose to do what he did. Well, as a person who has previously suffered from depression I can tell you sometimes seeking help doesn't work. And to assume that someone doesn't know Christ because they were depressed to this point is simply ignorant. I will not sugar coat that. One's happiness level does not directly correlate with their relationship with God as a Christian I can attest to that. 

If you have never suffered with depression it is highly unlikely you will understand what it is like. The best analogy I can give is from The Dark Knight Rises. Its akin to when Bruce Wayne is throne into the pit by Bane. He can see the light as he lays there broken and unable to move. Slowly he regains his strength and identity and then he eventually tries to climb the wall. He fails at first but eventually he makes it out. Hes the lucky one for most don't.

Depression is like that. You can see the light. You some what remember what it is like to be happy to enjoy the little things in life. Yet you can't reach it and the memory of happiness torments you like the light tormented those men in the dungeon. For a while you feel the inability to better your situation you see no way of ever getting out of the despair you are in. Eventually some like Mr. Wayne climb out of that dark hole where they felt so broken, but others like our dear Robin Williams never do. They die in the dungeon of despair.

The statistics are staggering for those who suffer from depression. Chances are you know someone suffering right now. Don’t wait till you are saying “Rest in Peace” .... reach out and love them. It may be someone you least expect. The few people I have shared this with until now all had the same reaction “I would have never guessed”. There should be no stereotype, anyone from that kind southern Grandma in your church to that sweet 4.0 cheerleader can be suffering with depression and a loss of self worth. 

By the grace of God I was a “Bruce Wayne” I found a way out but so many don’t. They aren't selfish for ending their life, they were brokenhearted individuals who were tired of having a broken heart.

“RIP” is an easy way to show your respect to a Great Man… but I challenge you to do one more. Reach out to people. Be loving and be a light in their life. Help pull them out of their hole. Be a ledge for them to grab onto as they try to pull themselves up. Depression is not something someone can control and just "snap out of" but a little joy and compassion from others can go a long way. Those who suffer from depression need to feel accepted for who they are and that's even with their mental health problem. It is a HEALTH problem that must be treated as such.You wouldn't expect a man with diabetes to just get over his glucose problem because you don't understand it. If you saw him in shock due to his glucose levels you wouldn't just say "man he really should have gotten that under control before it got that bad." You would help him. So please, Share some joy as Robin Williams spent his life doing, that’s a true way to honor a great man like him who spent his life trying to bring a smile to others. 

The Beginning of a Beautiful Relationship!

 Day one of my new Herbalife lifestyle is complete and let me tell you... it was love at first taste! I started out my morning with a Pralines and Cream shake and I have one thing to say about it... Oh. My. Lanta!

The Inaugural Shake!!

Other than being completely delicious I stayed fuller on this shake then any protein shake I have ever tried! I was able to shop for the rest of the (VERY FEW) items I needed to for snacking and a third meal while on the program and lets just say other than avoiding the cereal isle (my weakness) I had no trouble sticking to my planned items. And thanks to experiencing how delicious the shake was I wasn't even tempted by any other sweets because I knew if my sweet tooth struck I had a healthy and yummy treat waiting for me! 

The new love of my life!

I haven't even started seeing the results and I already love the program so I know once I start seeing the transformation I'll be wanting to get down on one knee and marry this program. It doesn't feel like a diet. I don't feel deprived. I feel excited, energized and like a new chapter of my life has started! So here's to a bright and prosperous future to me and my new love Herbalife may we experience many years of happiness together!

XoXo,

Kendalin 

One Small Step for a Fit Future... One Giant Leap for the Current Me!

So yeah sorry about the delay in posts I will try to make sure that doesn't become a nasty habit. ( If you haven't already checked out my first fitness blog that sets all this up check it out here !!)
The past weeks course load, work and gym time interfered unfortunately. So now I will catch y'all up to date on the happenings and my progress so far.

A few weeks ago was my 4th and last zumba class (and group classes in general)...at least for the next few weeks. See my amazing school Florida State is where I take all the amazing group fit classes and fortunately for my brain but unfortunately for my gym schedule the classes are cancelled until the fall semester starts up.

 

Here I am urging myself to be confident and smiling for a selfie!

 I know I could pay for classes elsewhere and one day, I will have to, but right now this broke college cheapskate cant afford that! So here we are in an awkward in between phase of my work out routine. I took a little brake the last 10 days during finals followed by sickness (who gets a horrible cold in the summer?) So that only added to my total discombobulation. 

I think what I hate the most about this in between time is I was just starting to really catch on and get the flow of the classes and I don't really love the idea of having to regain that in a month. But hey, I started it once before and can do it again. Though in all honesty I probably won't be hitting the group fit classes as hard this fall, my stick with yoga and then do some others occasionally just to mix it up and here's  why....

Tonight I had my own "last supper". My diet during finals and sickness has been cereal, salsa and chips (at least that was organic and gluten free), instant mashed potatoes and soup. (resist the urge to applaud my oh so healthy choices). Since I have this time as a sort of break before my (FINAL) semester at FSU starts I decided it was the perfect time to try something I have been looking into for a couple months now! So...

Tomorrow I start Herbalife! 

I have seen quite a few peers of mine use this program and have seen fantastic results so I decided to give it a go! To be honest it was bit pricey for me and my "penny pincher" ways but my wonderful mother helped chip in to get me started. (It is so great to have her as my support system). I really plan on documenting how this is going through out this process so y'all will know whether I think it was worth it or not and you so can see for yourself the results and make up your mind if you wanna give it a go yourself )if you are looking for a program to start).

I think one of my favorite things that this program has (a little soon to say the favorite since I don't start till tomorrow) is that it also came with a suggested eating plan and work out guide to help you reach your optimal results. This made me super stoked because I was really looking for some structure. I have been trying for months to get where I wanted to be and the scale hasnt moved in a long time and I am not seeing much of a difference and I know its not the lack of effort just the lack of knowledge. 

There were a few work outs on the program I am not sure how to do so I will be checking with my personal trainer friends as the gym where I work and will post on what I find out about the work outs! With the workout plan in hand now I will be limiting my weekly group fit classes however the program leaves  two rest days and they say you can fill one with some other exercise if you prefer so I will probably throw one in there every week! Also I really love that the eating plan has plenty of structure with out being to rigid to where you have no flexibility. I feel trapped on programs like that. 

So here's to a new adventure, some new tastes (hopefully good!), and taking the next step in my fit future!! Promise to keep you updated on the process my Littles!

XoXo,

Kendalin 

A Little Bit About Me

First things first, I am a recovering perfectionist... I had the hardest time in life accepting not being able to do something. I have always been that way. My parents love to tell the story of how at just over 2 years old I managed to make my mother late to pick up my big brother from school because I absolutely had to buckle my own shoe *spoiler alert* I buckled that shoe! So pretty much that was the start of it all. Now being a perfectionist can be a fantastic thing, and also has a ton of advantages. The bad part is the negativity that comes with feeling like you failed. I used to give up on things before I really started. I would try once and if I didn't have a natural knack for it then I tended to just not do it again because I hate not being good at something! I realized recently something  totally astonishing  completely obvious, and that's this... You miss out on a lot of things if you give up on them just because you aren't awesome at them from the beginning. I put off starting this blog for months for being afraid of not being any good at it. Just like anything else I was afraid of failing at, if I never started it then I never had to feel the pain and anxiety of failing. So what started out as sticking with a yoga class even though I couldn't touch my toes, has developed into taking the plunge and starting this blog. So this blog is to celebrate the gifts I have, the skills I have already honed and the adventure that will come with all the new uncertainties I face. It's also about excepting that I will discover who I am,what I am good at, and what I enjoy A Little At a Time.

XoXo,

Kendalin