School field day in the ATX.

The other morning the child and I were hanging out and taking it slow.

I lament her early rising (she’s up by 530a without fail) but the busier she gets the more Im enjoying the fact we *always* have time in the morning to BE.

By way of full disclosure– this was not one of my best mornings.

I was a little tired.  A lot distracted (by her stuff. camp stuff.  but that made no difference to her.).  And a slathering of sad.

As we sat on the floor playing Baltimore’opoly she stopped for a moment, jumped to her feet and grabbed the framed photo above.

Mama I miss this time. We need to take more pictures of you and me smiling.  We need more smiling times.  We should make smiling times.

It surprised even me my initial reaction was *not* to grow defensive & launch into a longass list of all the fun stuffs we’ve done recently.

I heard what she said.

I took what she said at face value and as merely information.  Neither good nor bad.

It didnt matter if every.single.second. of her past seven years had been smothered in smiles—-all that mattered was how she felt in that moment.

Another full disclosure?

Ive probably leaned on that poor child a tad too hard over the past five months.  It’s not so much Ive turned to her for support—Ive just been very very transparent and honest.

Ive told her how much I miss Austin and each time she patiently responds:

It’s ok.  Lets just pretend we are still in Texas.  Just think in your head youre still in Texas and you wont miss it.

Shes my tiny Buddha covered in pink.

And, in celebration of that, Im kidnapping her.

We’re heading off to re-find our smiling-time hopefully in a way which is lasting.

To my delight this trip—unlike the last—she has absolutely no idea we’re leaving town.

• Ive packed her carry-on & have her favorite stuffed animal & blankey ready to go.

sock monkey contortionist.

• My carry-on is packed.

I kid. I kid.

• Ive procured us a BAG FULL of skull beads for on-the-plane necklace making:

bracelet & necklace HEAVEN.

• The kitchen is stocked with frozen pizza healthy snacks to satiate the Husband till we return.

ahhhh organic.

Im snagging her from school tomorrow & we are off to the airport.

To a place where appropriate attire is this (except the elder will don a shirt) and which rhymes with SCHMANAHEIM:

 She’s been this for years:

Thats right, Sister!

It’s time she finally sees her (finger-quote) homeland (unFQ)!

• Have you been to the place which rhymes with Schmanaheim?  Any must do/must see tips for our less than 48 hour whirlwind tour?

Im not bringing the laptop but shall be unable to resist instagram’ing Im sure.  This trip has been seven years in the making and, while shortshort, I plan to photodocument the whole shebang.  

our tribe.

The title of this post is “stolen” from an email I received.

When I read the subject line (Big bloggers are so cliquey!) it took me a moment to realize the sender did not mean STATURE but perceived reach.

Apparently Im slow that way.

But I digress.

Essentially the message asked if, when I started blogging, “big bloggers” (I still envisioned highlymuscled post-writing machines) had been exclusive & cliquey.

If they left newer bloggers to fend for themselves as they do now.

Later this same day I received emails asking if Id be at Fitbloggin (yes yes!!) & expressing concern about attending because “bloggers can be so clique’y.”

Which leads me circuitously to the point of my post.

Do I think bloggers are cliquey. 

I did. 

I experienced.

I finally understood.

Allow me to elaborate.

• Bloggers are busy. Especially the big ones of which we speak.  When I launched MizFit I was excited. Overly. Id read healthy living blogs for ages, I put up my first post, I **waited** for “big bloggers” to pour in & comment.  Ever aggressive assertive, when they didnt, I reached out to one & asked if she’d guest post.  She declined (nicely!) saying she was too busy.  My feelings weren’t hurt (I was thrilled she responded) — but I was surprised.  Which leads me to point #2…

• Blogging is a job.  When I launched MizFit I had a day job & blogged at night.  I hadnt realized blogging was what some people did for work until Big Blogger shared that with me.  Id assumed most bloggers either had a day job too or….Im not sure what!  What I’d initially perceived to be cliquishness was merely the fact these bloggers were busy.  They were juggling families, life, work and simply trying to keep it all together.  They werent being standoffish–they werent thinking about me at all.

• Bloggers are offline friends. This was a huge realization for me.  I made MYRIAD faux-pas—especially on twitter — when I started in social media.  I tried to join conversations & insinuate myself into friendships I had no clue existed offline for eons.  While this isnt always the case—I realized bloggers Id initially viewed as insular/cliquish merely started blogging at the same time.  They’d launched blogs, grown, made mistakes, learned, collaborated for years and developed deep friendships as a result.  They were cordial—but not in the same way they were to their blog-friends with whom they shared a history.  Id falsely assumed everyone only knew each other only for those few fleeting moments on Twitter or Facebook.

• Bloggers do a lot we do not see.  Big or not, Im grateful to have created a career out of my blog.  I believe it’s incumbent upon those of us who have been successful to assist others (the ole service is the rent we pay for living notion).  I mentor.  I help.  I can not aid everyone.  I dont speak for all bloggers–but I know much of what I do is behind the scenes.  The NOs I say arent a result of being cliquey—just the fact Im currently busy mentoring others.

Im the first to admit when I burst on the scene like a crazy misfit Id initially thought “big bloggers” were cliquish and insular.

Yet when I stepped back (& ceased thinking only of myself/my blog) and viewed blogging/bloggers as a whole I realized we’re a pretty helpful, inclusive bunch.

And you?

• Do you perceive bloggers–especially (finger-quote) successful (unFQ) ones–to be cliquish?

• What social media faux-pas have you accidentally committed?

• Will you be at Fitbloggin13 with me?
  

Anyway. MizFit put out a call for no bake recipes because her oven is broken or something. And because I live in SoCal I am big on no bake recipes.

I mean the weather is great, but sometimes you do not want to make your kitchen any warmer than it already is.

Why yes, dramatic is my middle name

Here is the world’s easiest, no bake, delicious, gluten free, chocolate, Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/4c cocoa powder
• 1/2c Peanut Butter (or nut butter of your choice)
• 1/2c oats
• 1/2c maple syrup or honey
• opt. almond meal

Directions: Mix all ingredients except almond meal. Tip: try not to eat the ‘batter’ as we’re trying to make cookies.

Drop a spoon full of batter into your hand and form a ball. Smash down on wax paper to form proper cookie shape.

Optional: Dip cookie into almond meal to make it less sticky. I keep mine in the freezer so this is not usually an problem.

Place into freezer for 2 hours or until set. Store in fridge. Eat.

They’re not the most beautiful creations, but they are delicious and full of ingredients we can recognize! Enjoy!

The pink gloves phase was definitely not boring.

The other day I stumbled upon an article which resonated with me.

I usually avoid “list articles” as the voices Im drawn to dont typically lend themselves to 8 Ways to Drink More Water Than You Ever Dreamed Possible or 5 Tips for Creating the Life You Want in 7 Seconds.

This article, however, had me nodding in agreement as it listed ways/tips to be more interesting.

First, it reminded me of a story (yes. apologies but that IS your cue to have a seat & relax.  Im going to yammer.).

Many years ago, in a hot, dry and sunny land my marriage was going through a rough patch.

We looked a lot like this.

Nothing major but a perceived vibe on my end the husband found me boring.

I interpreted his verbal/non-verbal responses as those of: Yeah I know. Ive heard it and seen it all before…

I recall saying to him (in my perhaps misplaced yet ever-present it’s SO YOU and NOT ME way):

Youre responding to me as if Im boring.  Im many things–annoying, overly talkative etc—but I know Im not boring.

I remember this interaction because it was an ah ha! moment for me, too.

My self-confidence (misplaced or not) has never been faked for the facebook or blog—yet it was *in that instance* I realized I was interesting.

Sure I may also be irritating & exhausting (Im nothing if not self-aware) but Im not boring.

not dull.

(it was, if you recall, a HERCULEAN TASK for me to become bored)

The article also sparked for me the realization the very notion of being interesting is inextricably tied with getting outside of ourselves.

With doing unto others.

With trying new things.

With sharing what you do/learn with others.

With being your authentic, weird, pointy backpack wearing, freak flag flying self.

Being interesting is the same as healthy living (OH SNAP! see? I managed to tie it back to what this blog is *supposed* to be about!):

It is all about the 80/20.

Being interesting is EIGHTY PERCENT focusing outside of yourself & TWENTY PERCENT sharing the humble brag in the same way healthy living is EIGHTY PERCENT abut living clean and TWENTY percent frolickingandfun.

Id never considered what it took to be interesting because from my vantage point we’re all interesting.

We all have stories, passions & unique freak-flags we fly—whether we do it publicly or not.

Actually—now that Ive sucked up 2 minutes & 35 seconds of your life youll never get back—being INTERESTING is as simple as living this Dr. Seuss quote:

Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.

Now you.

• Have you read the Forbes article? What was your initial reaction?

• What traits do YOU find makes someone interesting?

ahh sweet sweet morning java.

A little while ago I stumbled upon this blog post.

It resonated with me because it’s precisely how blog reading feels/is to me.  I read blogs in the morning with my coffee *before* the zaniness of my day begins.

I also liked the concept because my favorite blogs to *read* are written in that manner.  

As if we were just two friends getting together and chatting over coffee.

Ive got lots rolling around in my cranium today and really–if I could–I might not blog at all.

Id just invite you over for a cup.

Id tell you Im kind of terrified for the summer.  We’ve found our Oakland groove.  A few after school activities, a smattering of play dates, & the Tornado still surrenders to some mommy & me time.  It’s perfect.  And, in almost exactly a month, this new-perfect ends and summer begins.  Back in Austin Id know precisely how it would unfold.  Here? In Oakland? If we could meet for a latte Id tell you Im kind of terrified for the summer.

Id share with you how Id hoped this post would give me an epiphany.  Id overshare & ramble about how Im not sure what direction Im headed next.  Id badger you about whether you thought it’s time to shed my MizFit moniker.  Id repeatedly, annoyingly bring up how Im forty-three and ten months old and Im not sure where I want to weave my words anymore.  How Im ready to leap and make changes before 50 (!) — but uncertain where to begin.

Id smile in remembrance & share a Tornado story.   Id yammer about how she & her dad took a trip, had fun, sang songs and exhausted themselves.  Id laugh about how they inexplicably sang—at a random tour guide’s behest—rounds & rounds of You Are My Sunshine.  I’d stop, smile and tell you about how that night, as she couldn’t fall asleep, she told him:

Dada my skies are gray.  Mama is my sunshine.

Id tell you about a book Id just read & how it caused me to stop, think and *really* see the people around me.  Id ask you if you ever pondered things like that.  Id implore you to read it too so we could discuss.  Id giggle & tell you how I LONGED to start an early morning walking book club in my new neighborhood but I wasnt certain they were ready for Morning Me yet.  I’d grab my iphone and make you tell me all your favorite books and write done the ones Ive not read.

Id horrify you with my abundant knowledge of all the trashtastic shows on BRAVO.   Id yammer about Kroy, Bravo Andy, Patti Stanger, Josh Altman et al until youd wonder if I realized they werent really my friends.   Id beg you to DVR them and claim to only ever ever watch the stuff while I did cardio.

Id grow serious and share how the Tornado cried the other night as I held her.  How she said it was hard & she felt like she wasnt ten but wasnt four.  Id tell you how Id told her I understood.  I feel like Im not twenty—-but Im not 43 and eight months either.  Id tell you how she sobbed and said she didnt know what she was and I told her it’s ok.  Sometimes we dont know exactly what we are or how we feel and it’s ok.  Big people feel like that sometimes, too.

And then we’d both look at our watches and realize we needed to go.  Our to-do lists summoned and coffee time was over.

sad face.

We wouldnt mind, however, because we’d know we’d be here again. 

Tomorrow. 

Sharing stories and drinking coffee.

• If we had coffee—-what would you tell me?

Well Hello. I have to say, I am excited to write a guest post about Kombucha for Carla today. You know what that means, right? I’ve finally been termed a “booch mamma!” That, my friends, is name I will do my best to hold high!

So let’s get back to real purpose of this post, KOMBUCHA! Kombucha has been a HUGE life saver in my life and for so many reasons, and needless to say, I am passionate about it! So I thought I’d share some of the ABC’s of Kombucha and how to brew it. Stick with me here, k?

A. What is it? – fermented tea, an ancient elixir consumed for thousands of years by civilizations all over the planet.

B. What are its benefits? – Kombucha Kamp has a great article on the benefits of Kombucha. Here are just a few that I have noticed in my own consumption.

i. *Probiotics – healthy bacteria
*Alkalinize the body – balances internal pH
*Detoxify the liver – happy liver = happy mood
*Increase metabolism – rev your internal engine
*Improve digestion – keep your system moving
*Alleviate constipation
*Boost energy – helps with chronic fatigue
*Relieve headaches & migraines
*Reduce kidney stones
*High in antioxidants – destroy free-radicals that cause cancer
*High in polyphenols
*Heal excema – can be applied topically to soften the skin
*Lower glucose levels – prevents spiking from eating

b. Want more? Check out the studies and testimonials HERE!

C. How? – It is recommended that you should start drinking 4-8oz of Kombucha on an empty stomach 2x a day followed by plenty of water to clear out all the toxins. Once your body has adjusted to it (over an extended period of time), you can increase your intake.

Okay, now that you have an overwhelming amount of information. Let me tell you a little bit of how I use it and why.

You see, for years I had been struggling with a lot of digestive issues from a parasite and a gluten intolerance. I turned to kombucha for gut healing (along with other natural supplements). I had been drinking it on occasion before, but this time I decided to use it for more of healing reasons.

It was also about that time that I decided to start making my own batches. I spoke with Hannah over at KombuchaKamp.com a lot and she guided me through the process. After a few weeks, I had my own scoby and was ready to brew!

Here’s my BREWING tutorial. I have gathered this from lots of other websites and tweaked it to make my own flavoring. I’ll type out the instructions below as well. Let me know if you brew!

You can easily buy a starter kit online or even buy a scoby from craigslist. Just make sure they are not moldy or damaged when you buy them. Once you have a mother scoby, you are ready to brew.

KOMBUCHA – Here’s How:
1.Wash all utensils with hot sudsy water and rinse well.

2. Boil three quarts of purified water.

3. Add 1 cup white sugar to water when a rolling boil is reached. Boil water and sugar for five minutes.

4. Turn off heat and add 4-5 tea bags of black and/or green tea. (Must have caffeine in tea which the scoby feeds on).

5. Steep about 30 minutes and remove tea leaves or bags and let tea cool (it doesn’t hurt to steep the tea longer). Cooling is about 3 to 5 hours from time you turn stove off.

6. Pour cooled tea into gallon size glass container.

7. Add your Kombucha culture placing it so that the smooth shiny surface lies up. Add fermented Kombucha Tea from a previous batch.

8. Place a cloth over the top of the jar and secure with a rubber band. This keeps dust, mold, spores and vinegar flies out of the fermenting tea.

9. Allow to sit undisturbed in a well ventilated and darkened place away from direct sunlight (temp. 65-90 degrees F.) for 6 – 15 days. I keep mine in a closet.

10. To make sure the tea is ready to harvest; pour off a couple of ounces for a taste test. I usually test it by sticking a plastic straw in and sipping a little bit.

11. Taste Test: A taste test on a batch of Kombucha Tea may taste like this: 4-6 Days – Too sweet, not all sugar converted. 7-9 Days – Tastes like sparkling apple cider. 10+ Days – Vinegar taste becoming prominent.

12. When the tea is brewed to your taste, pour the tea into glass bottles and cap then place in the refrigerator. This can now be second fermented with fresh juices, or pieces of crushed fruit, or crystallized ginger. Store bought juices are pasteurized and may effect healing quality of finished kombucha product, so I’d stick with 100% fresh juice. Sometimes I use sparkling water too.

13. Make sure to leave enough starter tea from your last batch (about 1/2 cup) to make another batch of tea. Repeat directions and add this to your starter and culture to start the process again.

**Note: the cultures my float on the surface or sometimes it sinks to the bottom. Either way is fine.

To this day I still think of it as my healing tonic. I drink 16-20 ounces a day. Yes, this seems like a lot but my body is used to and can handle a higher dosage.

My Newbie Tips:

• · It definitely takes an acquired taste, so be open minded.
• · If you would rather buy Kombucha to try out first, look for fruity flavors. These have added natural juices to them, like GT’s cranberry, passionberry, or strawberry. It will help you get used to the taste. Even though I’ve ALWAYS loved the taste. I am weird like that though. J
• · Drink 4onces at a time to begin. Maybe just try a little mid morning or afternoon. Sometime during the day where you usually need a little boost.
• · Give it time! Drink slowly and allow its natural detox benefits to nourish your body. Try it for a week before knockin’ it!
• · And finally, BE GENTLE! Kombucha needs care. It is carbonated do not shake the bottle and open slowly. I’ve had some dangerous explosions, and as much as I like Kombucha, my clothes do not.

Alright, I’m off to go finish my last bottle. Better brew again tomorrow! Feel free to email me with any questions. And thank you Carla for letting me blab away about scobys and smelly tea.

Other resources: Kombucha Kamp and You Grow Girl.

Cheers,

LC

delete! delete!

As Ive chatted about ad nauseum—I decline most product reviews unless the opportunity sparks a thought of OH WOW. Do I have a *story* to tell!.

As a result, I declined the opportunity to review a Nayad custom made swimsuit.

Declining seemed like a no-brainer as Im a woman who happily swims in her running shorts and sports bra.

It wasnt my thing.  It wasnt a fit. 

I told them I was busy with the move from TX to CA and couldnt take anything else on. 

The thing is—at some point during the move—I found myself clicking through their website & realized the swimsuits were created for more than swimming—-they were made for working out.

Nayad, ever tenacious, followed up after Id settled in OAKtown, offered to create a suit for me & all I needed to do was pass along my measurements.

I was exhausted.  I was homesick.  I was kind of sad.  I needed a pick-me-up.   I said yes.

The swimsuit arrived *quickly* and to be completely candid–as we always are around here–I regretted saying YES.

I *loved* the suit.

I ADORED THE PERFECT FIT.

I had second (and 3rd and 4th) thoughts about posting pictures of me wearing said suit on the blog.

So I went this route:

CHEESE!

yay selfies!

I could have snapped a photo of just the suit but felt I owed NAYAD a picture of me WEARING IT to show they rocked the “custom made.”

I knew the selfie wasnt cutting it—so I grabbed the Husband (who seemed a little surprised I was ripping him from the bed whilst wearing a bathing suit & waving my iphone).

happy happy morning face…

To neither of our surprise, the child IMMEDIATELY put on her bathing suit and demanded to be in photos, too.

look! it’s my mom!

After those were taken—I deemed it DONE, got dressed and proceeded with my day.

After school, however, the Tornado announced we were finishing our photo-shoot.  She insisted I put back on my Nayad swim suit while she planned the poses.

And then, like a cross between Tyra and Miss. Jay, she seized control.

“Pretend youre being MizFit, Mama!”

“nevermind. the boots dont work.”

“Show the PINK, Mom!”

“stand here and do this.”

“good job mom!”

“You look like a model mama!”

“good job mom! that looks nice!”

We had fun.

She felt empowered by being the one in charge.

And I got some non-selfie pics in the process.

Win. Win. Win.

The Nayad swimsuit was sent to me for review. The opinions, awkward images & LONGING FOR A SKIRT are all my own.

The universe whispers us messages and, when we dont listen, they get louder till we do.

Ive googled searched high and low and cannot find who said the quote above.

It isnt original to me (was it OPRAH?!)—but I *am* living it.

Allow me to explain.

The Tornado did not earn her nickname because she was docile & mellow.

First day in TX…shes trapped in sling for a reason.

In fact, at night when she wouldnt slumber, Id often watch as she’d do pull-ups on the side of her crib.

(which earned her other nicknames like Toddler FreakyStrong & General Mayhem.  neither of which flowed well on a blog.)

Toddler FreakyStrong.

General Mayhem The Tornado was a horrible sleeper. 

She ceased napping at age one.

Her typical routine was to fall immediately asleep from all her activity & wake a bit later for her nightly lung workout:

ahhh memories.

As a result we weren’t home from Guatemala very long when I decided to take a Radiant Child Yoga course.

I had zero plans to teach other than my class of one, but LOVED the idea of doing poses before bed as part of a wind-down routine.

Being the overzealous misfit I am, however,  I was so excited by the training I created ToGa (toddler yoga) and dragged friends & their tornadoes into the fun.

Yes. I had to have a logo…

We did poses & frolicked—but I quickly realized—more than anything—the Tornado needed to learn the art of self-soothing. 

For nighttime and beyond.

We both learned a thing or three about that from this guy (pour out some dog food for our fallen homie):

a face only a misfit could love…

Life grew busy & got in the way—but the universe still whispered.

At our photo-shoot for Austin’s Fittest Mom it was *she* who suggested we do yoga poses:

closetotoppling trees.

Namaste.

Still I didnt heed the messaging.

Id head off to yoga solo only to find her like this when I returned:

sweet, sweet limber youth.

Other days she’d spontaneously lead me in a practice:

“Mama do this!”

“0ooh I like!”

In the stress of the move I turned AWAY from yoga instead of toward.

I knew better, but was too exhausted to add another item to my list—even if my hips demanded it it was self-care.

Shortly after we hit OAKtown the Tornado started asking if I would teach yoga at her new school.  She said she’d be my helper.

She made me a coffee cup emblazoned with the image of us doing yoga.

(the universe was shouting)

I do love my coffee…

I picked her up from school one day & instead of the usual OOH MAMA CAN WE GO TO THE PARK? or IT’S HOT CAN WE GO GET A POPSICLE? she announced:

I wanna go right home and do yoga.

DoGa? Deck Yoga?

And we did.

We took turns “teaching” and she shared, again, how she wished I’d teach yoga to her friends at school.

And the universe hit me over the head.

And I listened.

FINALLY.

To bastardize a quote Ive decided to LEAP and *know* the class will appear.

A class of one.  A class of many.  I have no clue…yet.

All I know is I’ll have a tiny helper by my side & am excited to let go and watch this all unfold.

• What messages has the universe whispered to you recently? Are you ready to listen?

• Do you ever leap & “know” resources will appear when you need them?

The Way to Well bus is in OAKTOWN!

The following is a sponsored post by Walgreens & the Way to Well health tour.  Walgreens had no previous knowledge I pretty much LIVE at the corner of happy & healthy and all opinions are my own.

When presented with an opportunity I know immediately if it’s a fit.

As soon as I was contacted about the Walgreens Way To Well bus tour, I knew Id say yes for two reasons.

First, this misfit LOVES her Walgreens.  Some women adore fancy shops–the Husband knew Id be overthemoon our new Oakland home is walking distance to the ‘Greens.  Vitamins, snacks, nail polish, toys, gifts, cards, protein bars all under the same roof? Whats not to love?!

The second more important reason is the Way to Well tour was created for similar reasons to why I launched MizFit.  I wanted to giveaway my knowledge to people who might not have the funds for a trainer.  Walgreens started the tour to bring *free* health testing to communities with high incidence of the leading diseases & uninsured/unemployed members.

The tests, valued at over 100 dollars, include: total cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, body mass index, body composition, skeletal muscle, resting metabolism, visceral fat, real body age and body weight.

I was honored to be invited to attend the 10,000th event (!) and share my healthy living knowledge with my community.

And yes.  As soon as she heard—the child announced she was coming, too.  We all love Walgreens around here.

The Way to Well event was amazing.

Everyone was excited to get started serving the community.

Our community.

It isnt overstating to say we knew we had the opportunity to change lives through the tests offered and information shared.

The team and me!

They initiated me into the Way to Well tour crew:

Im official!

Next we headed inside the bus.

The doctors office on wheels behemoth where the testing takes place.  I walked through each testing module & saw not only were participants assessed–they were given privacy and undivided attention as they were evaluated.

The bus was HIGH TECH heaven.

And then I was set free.

I mingled and shared healthy living tips.

I chatted with one woman about N.E.A.T. and helped her realize there were ways to squeeze calorie burning into her crazybusy life.

Another man & I brainstormed healthy eating options he could find inside Walgreens—somewhere he said he stopped virtually daily already.

More than anything I was moved by the stories. 

One couple drove from over an hour away determined to get the health tests as they’d missed the bus last time it was here.

Another woman shared with me how glad she was for the Way to Well health tour stop in Oakland because for the past two years she’d thought she might have diabetes.

I felt proud of my Oakland community and grateful to play even a small part in the Walgreens Wellness Tour 10,000th event.

The event I attended is part of Walgreens’ Way to Well Commitment®.  A $100 million initiative to improve the everyday health of Americans nationwide.

I knew I loved my Walgreens.

I just hadnt realized how much they loved me–the royal ME. the nationwide consumer ME.—back.

• Is the Way to Well bus stopping in your neighborhood?

• Do you think it’s important for stores to invest in the community around them?

The Way to Well tour leaves Oakland May 19th and continues across the country.  Dates for your city can be found here.

She was one of my first 5 friends on Twitter.. true. She inspired me to get my (big, incredibly painful Isis tattoo) after she did the Dr. Seuss sleeve. She clearly has a higher pain tolerance than I do. Like all of you, I love her warmth, her commitment, her real-live way of making it work on her own terms.

Here’s something you might consider, I hope it adds to your becoming more yourself, in all of the best ways.

One of the commonalities I’ve seen in women that make the big changes in their lives has been particularly interesting to me lately. But it really shouldn’t be…Once I named it for myself, it seemed obvious, but prior to that it hadn’t been as clear.

The women who contact me often hire me quickly. There is a certain kind of readiness. Sometimes it comes from a sense of “I have to do something” or a point of pain that gets their attention.

And sometimes it’s some of that mixed with something else. The something else is they begin to catch a whiff of who they are becoming. They sense who they could be in a stronger way than ever before.

The vision is bigger than the fear..and the excuses that come with fear.

Letting go of old patterns that create barriers to what your heart desires, on one level seems like it “should” be fairly simple (obviously we know it isn’t). If you’re unhappy, if you aren’t getting the things that you want and have a sense of what’s in the way it makes sense to drop those behaviors and find other ways to do things.

And yet it’s typically more complex than that. In our minds anyways. Which is where most of the push and pull takes place. What we believe we can or can’t tolerate.. how much discomfort there will be and whether we believe we are worthy of the challenge, fears of how big shifts in behaviors and choices may shake things up.

And it’s true.. there are shake ups when you get clear on who you are and begin to leave the rest behind. People around you may not love you for changing things up. But that’s a very big other topic. And if you’re in the midst of a breakthrough, you’re going to have to keep all of your focus on what you want most for you right now. Seriously.

But it’s also in our minds that it all unfolds, almost like magic when certain things are in place. And the big something I’ve noticed lately is when a woman, a woman really no different than you in any particular way, gets a whiff of a real vision for herself, what felt like obstacles are no longer a big deal.

Whether it’s changing your level of fitness, your weight, how you feed your beautiful body, or who you include in your inner-circle..the truth is that once you find the clarity of a new identity (what I call your Divine Identity), when it clicks in as something you finally see and feel for yourself.. the actions become inspired and not especially arduous.

The big deal is breaking through the heaviness of the identity you’ve been dragging around. The one you’re really attached to. The one you can’t quite believe isn’t wholly and completely “you”.

It’s hard to modify that one. The breakthrough comes as more of a “swap”. Just as you no longer wear the outfits (do you?!) that you wore in junior high because you’ve outgrown them. You found a new “look” for yourself..it’s a bit like that.

Here’s how you know what that identity, the one you’re stuck to might be. Over the course of a couple of days, listen closely to a very particular way that you’re defining yourself. Specifically what follows the words “I Am” in your daily language? You may be rolling your eyes right about now, even tempted to stop reading this (I am a bit long-winded in most posts, but hang in..).

You’ll get a very clear, if not particularly inspired, sense of the exact shape and size of your current self-identity. It may sound something like “I am so out of shape”, “I am so out of control with eating this week”, ” I am never going to get into those jeans”, “I am always like this”… You get a sense of what I’m saying. I didn’t say this was a fun exercise. But knowing where you are helps you know what you want to create.

The reason you’re reading this blog and others like it is to catch the energy of another kind of belief..

A different vision, other potential ideas that you’re putting in your back pocket. “for later”. But real change comes in present-time, in you making the decision to shine in the world.

This is an identity makeover…

Just the parts weighing you down (yes, pun intended.. those beliefs are energetic ‘weight’). The parts that support you, that bring you love and connection and wellness and confidence.. hold on to those.

In my 25 years of helping women with eating and weight related issues, the biggest shifts occur when women change their identity. In the present.. not in the “Someday when I …” way.

It happens on a dime when your vision gets crystal-clear and you’re holding it and can feel it in a visceral way, it becomes a beacon calling you forward-even if what you see in the mirror is not yet matching up. You live a new presence, new beliefs, walk in a new energy and it shows before you lose an ounce. You feel it course through you, and can’t help but begin to take small actions.

It’s a makeover that lights you up from the inside and informs every choice you make from the moment you fully connect with it. It’s yours, and your Intuitive Body knows exactly how to guide you.

It’s a gorgeous beautiful thing to witness, and to live. I want that for you.

With love from my heart to yours…

Lisa Claudia Briggs, MSW is an Intuitive Psychotherapist, Mentor, and Author of “Recovering Beauty”. She is the creator of IntuitiveBody.com and has been mentoring women around the world for 25 years.

For more blogposts and your free copy of “The Energy of Weight Loss: 7 Essential Secrets” go to Intuitivebody.com