Why We Should "Honor the Space"

"Honor the space between no longer and not yet." 

- Nancy Levin

Here is an actual excerpt from my personal journal:

"You really gotta wake up and be excited about life. And if you aren't, then you need to figure out a way to get yourself to that point. That means everyday choosing to make the choice. The conscious effort to not give in to that inner naysayer. Procrastination, fear, insecurities, just plain laziness. You gotta get up, show up and fight that fight." 

I really took a big leap of faith in finally making the choice to get out of a situation and living space that wasn't conducive to my soul's well-being. Where I was and the environment I was in was so toxic for me as I was drowning in anger, doubt and low confidence. I was at an ultimate breaking point where I couldn't neglect the things I loved anymore.

Two months ago I left that situation. It was drastic. It was dramatic. It was scary. I had no idea what to do next.

I am making new realizations daily that are helping me to cope with everything going on. It really is a big mess in my head. . . I know I am in the thick of it. That it will pass and time moves on. I'll be able to look back and know that this tough time proved to be a turning point in my story. The close of yet another chapter in my life but I am ready to embark on the new journey that is meant to be for me. For me to be healthy and finally be able to serve my God the way I long to. . . I've definitely lived a habit of neglecting my heart for too long. . .

The quote above really speaks to me lately. What does it mean to honor the space? Just like a sunrise, the darkness is now gone and the light reveals the brand new day. Taking the time to just sit in the sunrise and take in the beautiful colors and the quietness as the world wakes up.

This past Sunday had a message that applied a lot to what the quote speaks about. I took notes based on what the pastor had said were the steps you take once God has cleared the fog and you gear up to walk in faith into that space that was once fogged up.

Humility. Alignment. Invitation. Strength.

Humility

Accepting you are broken. Putting yourself before God as your Savior.

Alignment

As you lay a broken mess, that is the fresh start you need to really change your life. Set a plan in motion to learn how to live. To live a more Godly life. What tools do you need? Who should you be spending time with and not spending time with? Make the necessary changes to get the journey moving toward where you are meant to be.

Invitation

Open your heart. Give it to God. Let Go and Let God. It's FAITH time!

Strength

Prayer. Constant and transparent prayer. God will give you the strength you need.

That space between NO LONGER and NOT YET is a special time because the molding is happening. The strength is growing and faith is moving into your heart. It is a time to appreciate and be excited about!

That is all I have to say about that. I am a really big mess right now but I'm ready to do this! June is ME month!

I will share a lot more on The STRONG Life Facebook Page so be sure to like it to get inspired with me!

Be a Display of Splendor: A Mission Statement

I spent my holiday season a bit on a break just to get my mind right and get ready for this new year. I spent my whole New Year's day reading and getting inspired and I made a few plans that I am excited about which of course I will be blogging about.

I had looked back at my 2014 year and thought initially that it was a quiet year in that I didn't progress anywhere in my life. But that just isn't true at all because wherever I felt I had remained stagnant, God has been using to help shape me! I truly believe that I had made no progress in my journey last year because it was my choice to live in negative thoughts and maintain negative habits. Now, this year I have the chance to make a new choice to let the lessons I learned last year shape me and propel me into a positive year. 

On New Year's day, someone posted this scripture on Facebook and then it was the quote of the day on my phone's Bible app widget:

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” ~ Isaiah 43:19

I was moved by the appropriateness of that passage for a new year that I didn't stop there . . . 

I then opened my devotional Bible to the book of Isaiah, read the intro, read that passage, read that chapter, then moved to the next day's devotional after that passage which then brought me to Isaiah 61 appropriately titled "The Year of the Lord’s Favor" which pretty much is like a mission statement for 2015. I decided to rewrite it as a mission statement by changing a few words . . . 

“ The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news . . . He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom . . . and release from darkness . . . to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve . . . to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair. [I] will be called [an oak] of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” ~Isaiah 61:1-3

I have lived for years wanting to use my platform to inspire and help others. I want to use this statement to remind myself always that God has a plan for me but he can't use me until I make my lessons into productive actions. 

I have been planted so that I could use my life as a display of splendor. That is pretty powerful. So, I probably should be doing right things to be a better display. I am not meant to be a display of negativity. I am meant to display HIS splendor.

Okay, 2015, The Year of the Lord's Favor. . . I am ready. 

I feel a series comin' that will break down that passage. Get inspired with me and LIKE The STRONG Life on Facebook. 

What are your goals for this year? What will you do to live in God's favor?

~Melina

It's Been A While

It most certainly has been a while but there is something about timing in life that even if you want to do something (like blogging) it just doesn't happen if the heart ain't in it or if it isn't aligned with God's plan yet.

I used to blog about wedding planning, etiquette and marriage/faith related tips in a blog I ran for two years and when I started studying for my Personal Training Certification and embarking on my own fitness transformation, I retired one blog to begin this one! Over a year ago when I started this blog I was married but circumstances caused me to have to change my focus for this blog and for myself. The very last time I posted here was over a year ago just after my divorce was finalized. It was a tough time in my life but alas God had other plans for me indeed. A lot happens in a year. . . I found a new love, found a new job that allows me to help and support others, and 30 gained pounds :-/ Yep, that happened. . . but life has been testing me to the point where I am finally ready to get back and share my journey in the hopes to inspire others!

I did debate on deleting all of my old posts, especially the pre and post divorce ones since that time in my life no longer impacts me in the immediate sense since it has been over a year ago but then I realized that there might be others going through a similar situation and if any of my words from when I was recovering and rebuilding myself at that time can speak to someone, then I certainly don't want to miss that chance! Also, it is a part of what made me who I am today and I'm not ashamed of that. But for the record, I am with a great man now for just about a year and loving the ability to apply what I have learned from my past with someone who is a true partner for me to grow with <3

I'll probably begin by doing one or two posts a week to get into the swing of things but expect to find posts on faith, fitness, food and Mila (what? didn't think I would do something without a little #puglife in the mix did you?)

Be sure to LIKE my page on Facebook The STRONG Life to not miss my latest posts and extra inspiration!

~Melina

The Hardest Part Pt. I - Never Waste a Crisis

I have been sitting on so many notes and have been reading and breathing and singing and sleeping and dreaming everything I can that involves anything to do with God to survive everyday. I have surprised myself in my strength but I should have known that I would be able to do it when I gave myself entirely to God.

After my divorce was final, getting that final paper was expected but not any less painful.

Then came Thanksgiving and now the Christmas season. The first batch of holidays I'll be without my husband, sorry, ex-husband (still hard to say) in 8 years. I am still heartbroken. . .

The Hardest Part is the title of this series because acceptance and moving on is hardest when you look at the fact that a man you planned to spend the rest of your life with, a man who you once thought you could never live a day without seeing, feeling, hearing, kissing, seeing. . . a man who was your husband, who is now a man turned stranger. . .

Typing those last few words still stings. I suppose it will sting for years. That right there is the hardest part in this divorce for me. My heart still loves him and my mind still misses him. But here is the good news. . . I am happy! Why, you ask? Because I have God. The only way to cope with my divorce, as with any crisis in life is to walk with God. I could sit here and give a testimonial about my faith journey and struggles through the years that led me to this point, but this series of posts will focus on how I am initially coping with being a divorcee.

God works in ways to make any message we hear apply to our lives and at my new church home, Cape Christian, here in Cape Coral, FL, we got done with a 3 week series that I used to gear my mind and my heart for the battle that lies ahead of me. A battle that is a blessing because of who I am becoming as I grow in my faith and relationship with Christ.

I took notes from this series and will share how I'm applying it to my divorce experience.

from Week 1 of Resilience: A study on the book of James (click the link to watch the series online for free! I recommend it!)

Never Waste a Crisis
This series started the day after I received the final dissolution of marriage paper so it couldn't had come at a better time in my life. I remember waking up that Sunday morning feeling so broken and hopeless. I remember crying on the way to church just begging God to hold me up. I also remember coming home and sharing these notes from that sermon to my mom, telling her how I was going to be alright and this was why:

In trials and tribulations, choose joy! not anger or bitterness
choose joy because of what it produces - perseverance and so that I won't be rattled in my faith

I know God is going to use the pains and struggles in my life to make me better. I choose to be joyful about that because I am excited about who I am going to become from it, what I will accomplish and who I might inspire in the process for me to become the best I can be for the God that I love. Anger and bitterness doesn't help me or build me up. In fact it would only keep me miserable. Yes, it is hard and yes, it hurts and yes, it gets lonely especially for the holidays without having someone to share it with, but I will be joyful because of the blessings I have all around me in this time of my life.

Ask God!
Believe and don't doubt
He gives generously
what are you trying to grow in me?
Something is broken in your life so that God can strengthen something else.

I also know that God is working in me. I feel it everyday and I see it in the proof of the blessings I have that help make me into the new person I am becoming. Here I am, a personal trainer, I have a job doing what I love, I workout and love it, I have my family, my youth, my health, my pug, a beautiful best friend and sister in Christ, a church home, the will in my heart to want to serve, and a passion for life again. Something broke in my life so that God could strengthen me! It is a process and it is hard, very very hard, but I am happy. I am genuinely happy.

Is something breaking in your life so that there can be room for God to strengthen you somewhere else?  Ask for God's blessings, believe He is working, and choose joy!

Be sure to Like The STRONG Life on Facebook to find more on inspiration, faith and fitness!

So Thankful

Clearly this blogging thing is something I'm having a hard time getting back into, however, as my life starts to establish more of a routine and I get settled, I know I'll be able to get back into this consistently  I have so many plans and so many things I wanna share with you all that I hope can inspire you!

At the encouragement of a dear friend, I decided I'll try to post everyday for a bit just to get used to the habit of blogging again. I truly miss it and I have a lot to share! So what better a day to post than Thanksgiving Day!

It is absolutely necessary that we count our blessings and remain thankful every single day of our lives but a lot of us end up making a habit of taking things for granted, I'm totally guilty of that! I guess I am thankful for Thanksgiving Day where we are all forced to stop and think about our blessings. I truly believe that even in our hardships or when we feel hopeless, that there is always something to be thankful for starting with the fact that Christ died for us. :-)

Throughout the day I will be posting things I am soooo grateful for through Instagram (@okie_melina), here are a few of those:

My family

My Faith

My baby

My home

I thought I'd also share something I wrote in my journal today when I did my bible study:

"Through my current trials in my divorce and heartbreak, God has brought so much good in my life that has left me in awe of Him like how can anyone say he doesn't exist? I have found comfort in being with my family and extended family that I didn't have before. I found an amazing church home that challenges me and allows me to grow. I have met a best friend (a sister in Christ) I have been praying for who has become my support and partner in going through this new growth in my faith. I found a job doing what I wanted to do that has good people to work with and a good company to back it, and to have found employment so quickly in this economy, just so many blessings that show me that I am meant to be here."

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance  perseverance, character; and character, hope.  ~ Romans 5:3-4

Praise Him, that I can be thankful!

What are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving! :-)

Brain Dump

It seems that life is trying its hardest to keep me away from the things I love to do including blogging! I am in the midst of a struggle to get my life back on track and to be able to stand on my own two feet. I go day to day and it seems things keep happening unexpectedly to challenge me through the day. Right now time is ticking for when my divorce is final and I feel like I am in panic mode. However, while I am in panic, I am also at peace knowing that God is with me through this struggle. I feel good KNOWING that God will absolutely provide.

I have begun the process of starting my personal training business beginning with the business plan and registering my business name, (hopefully next week!) At the same time I have a applied to a handful of gyms in my area and I will just wait patiently for a phone call. I will not worry. I will simply wait.

I want to make blogging my regular thing again and I am constantly reminded how we all have gifts that we should use to serve others. I don't think I'm a New York Times Bestselling author (though I swear if I landed a Real Housewives gig I could out-write Teresa Guidice, am I right? LOL) I do know that I've always loved writing and blogging is my outlet.

I have been reading a great book, Living on the Edge by Chip Ingram, and just got done with a chapter that talked about authentic community and how it occurs first with the real you through authenticity and purity. "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." Romans 12:9

"For authentic community and genuine love to occur between two followers of Christ, we need to take off our masks. We need to stop projecting what we think others will like, and start being open and honest, and appropriately vulnerable." -Chip Ingram, Living on the Edge

I am thinking that I ended up reading that chapter today when I was also missing blogging at the same time to be a message from God to be open and get to blogging again! I am in a stage in my life that is crucial because I could easily fall, or I can grow and become the strongest person I ever could dream of becoming. I have no idea which will happen but I am striving for the latter. I have been in the midst of many struggles, emotional, physical, mental, etc. and I feel like I need to stop hiding that and just share it all. Maybe someone out there can be inspired!

When I went to a Joyce Meyer conference event in Tampa just last week, I remember her saying that if we want to do something big, start a ministry, or do something that makes a difference, that we need to start with ourselves. To live as close to Christ as possible because we need to strive to be ambassadors of Christ. That how we live and who we are might be the only evidence of Christ to someone who wants to know Him! That was huge for me to hear and knowing that we each carry such a responsibility to serve our God by serving each other, I really want to do my part! I think it begins with my writing in this blog for me...

I have been brainstorming a lot of article ideas I'd like to write for this blog. I am going to focus still on fitness and clean living, but at the moment I may have a lot more to say on the inspirational, mental health side of being STRONG. So be patient with me if I seem disorganized in my posting schedule for a while. I'm not gonna stress about it. I think I'll just share what is on my heart at a given moment. Though I do have a struggle with exercise now that I don't have a gym yet! So I'll be trying to get creative and share those experiences with those of you who also don't have a gym and have to workout at home. It can be done!

All in all, I feel loved and blessed and then I feel lonely and abandoned. I guess those are natural feelings of any divorcee. . .

I don't want to feel like a screw up with anything to hide so I am going to make myself blog more often! I hope you get something out of it!

So here are some topics I am working on:

• Independence
• Promises
• Feeling Fake
• Fighting off Fear
• Living Day by Day
• Trusting God
• The Body Struggle
• Being a Friend
• Assumptions
• Little Things
• Working Out for a Feeling
• Fighting the Bumps
• One Step Back, Two Steps Forward
• Feeling Worthy
• Where is Home?
• Signs in the Right Direction
• Repeat it Until You Become It

There are lots more I can ramble about but I think by glancing over those topic ideas you can see an overview of all the things/feelings I am going through at this moment. My life feels like a roller coaster that I really want to get off of but it never stops. However, I am filled with so much hope and faith and that is what gets me through day by day. So there won't be regular schedule here for a while, it will probably be more of a brain dump! I also want to give tips or little challenges you can use to apply to your life. I hope anything I share helps you or makes you appreciate life better :-)

I just celebrated my 27th birthday! I ready to make this next year of my life a great one!

Like The STRONG Life on Facebook to keep up with new posts and to find more inspiration that I come across and share with you! Oh yeah, and now that I'm a certified personal trainer feel free to take advantage and ask me fitness related questions if you like! :-)

Dancing and Tears

When life throws us curveballs and/or we make decisions that cost us dearly, we find that we have to be strong. I fight everyday to keep positive, to keep a smile on my face, to hold on to hope and the trust in my faith in God. So far it has been working because I haven't had a breakdown in a while when the weaker me would probably have a permanent swollen face without doing those things I mentioned. I do hope to inspire others to be strong when faced with a challenge in this tough but amazing life we have, but let's be honest, we cry anyway.

Source: habitualbliss.tumblr.com via Melina on Pinterest

I believe that it is a cleansing process because being so strong all the time has the danger of suppressing that sad, pitiful part of us that we often reject for fear of suffering pain. In that attempt we end up hurting more because all of our parts need taking care of. (can you tell I've been in counseling for a while?) It is hard to learn how to take care of ourselves when we are struggling to get through the day, but at the same time, that is when we are called to be our strongest selves. It makes us better versions of ourselves. Can you imagine how a person would be if they had never suffered heartbreak or pain? I imagine that person wouldn't appreciate this life, they would be arrogant, and take those that love them for granted. This life is too short to be that way, so yeah pain is necessary for us to realize how truly blessed we are and to be thankful for those blessings in the midst of chaos.

Yesterday was a tough day for me, and on the thought of needing to cry, I definitely had a mini breakdown. Elevated heart rate, red splotchy nose and all that didn't last long because I couldn't hide out in the bathroom for much longer than the time it takes to poop. Of course, that moment of vulnerability inspired me to write this post to share how I deal with those moments that I know we have all been through for one reason or another. I spend most my days trying to be strong, keep a smile on my face, the whole fake-it-'till-you-make-it idea. This reminded me of a song that I kind of feel is me right now. There is a part of me that feels so broken and dead but another part of me that wants to keep dancing in this life. "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes" as performed by Ke$ha reminds me of how I feel right now. I'm honestly excited and happy with the things I have planned for myself and my future and that is me dancing, but with tears in my eyes because of what it took to get me to this point. Anyways, I thought I'd share the lyrics of that song and please pardon how it is such a high school girl thing to do, ;-p
"Here I go, this is my confessional. . ."


***
Here we go, welcome to my funeral
Without you I don't even have a pulse
All alone it's dark and cold
With every move I die

Here I go, this is my confessional
A lost cause, nobody can save my soul
I am so delusional
With every move I die

I have destroyed our love, it's gone
Payback is sick, it's all my fault

I'm dancing with tears in my eyes
Just fighting to get through the night
I'm losing it
With every move I die

I'm fading, I'm broken inside
I've wasted the love of my life
I'm losing it
With every move I die

When did I become such a hypocrite?
Double life, lies that you caught me in
Trust me I'm paying for it
With every move I die

On the floor I'm just a zombie
Who I am is not who I wanna be
I'm such a tragedy
With every move I die

I have destroyed our love, it's gone
Payback is sick, it's all my fault

I'm dancing with tears in my eyes
Just fighting to get through the night
I'm losing it
With every move I die

I'm fading, I'm broken inside
I've wasted the love of my life
I'm losing it
With every move I die

This is it and now you're really gone this time
Never once thought I'd be in pieces left behind

I'm dancing with tears in my eyes
Just fighting to get through the night
I'm losing it
With every move I die

I'm fading, I'm broken inside
I've wasted the love of my life
I'm losing it
With every move I die


Tell me I'm not the only one who grasps at music to express emotion! Who am I kidding, I know for a fact we all do! So share a song you relate to right now, happy or sad or just plain fun. Share below in the comments or on The STRONG Life's Facebook Page.

P.S. I'm on a Cher Lloyd kick right now. Her album is great working out music! Or dancing music :-)

Starting Over

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Melina on Pinterest

I'm just going to come right out and say it because it is my reality.

I am going through a divorce.

I do not want to lose my husband. I still love him and this has been a rough few months for the both of us. I do not believe in divorce but of course it takes two and I can't make anyone stay with me. Obviously I still pray we can work things out. There is so much to the story and it has been a struggle. It only got worse and finally reached a breaking point that has led me here. Typing a blog post alone in my bed with my pug in my parents' house in Cape Coral Florida, 8 hours away from where I used to live a life with my husband. . .

I carry a lot of guilt and shame right now. I could go into the history, the story, the issues and my current struggle but I'll save that for my close friends, family and therapist for now. I want this blog to focus on the positive and to be an outlet to move forward. Only looking at the moment that is now and having hope for what the future holds. Having faith in what God has in store for His greater plan. I'll share my journey as I start over. No job. No money. Just all the hope and faith in the world to fight and become an independent, selfless, STRONG woman!

How does that saying go? You don't know how strong you are until strong is all you have left to be. That is me right now and how fitting that now I find myself in a position to live up to the name and purpose of my blog (minus the marriage part now) where I have to live the STRONG life. My sister told me that she was so proud of me for being so strong through all of this change, but I can only credit God for that strength. I tell you what, I am CLINGING on to Him with ALL that I have right now because left to my own devices, I may just be sitting in a corner crying my day away with a few empty bottles of wine. I have hit rock bottom (thankful though, because I know it could be worse) so now I can only go up from here. I have my youth and my health and my family all around me. How blessed am I!

Source: healthyisalwaysbetter.tumblr.com via Melina on Pinterest

I plan on surviving and coming out a stronger person. Here is to serving God, living fit, and loving ourselves flaws and all!

Oh and if you are reading this, I'm going to ask that you please pray for me. I really need it. . .

God bless!
~ Melina

P.S. Obviously this means that The Wifely Life series is over and I will shift the Love Challenge series on loving ourselves and others selflessly. Oh and of course, I'll be a lot better with posting about training mean and eating clean! I'm working on a home workout review of a plan I started now that I have no gym to go to (until I get a job) See you soon!

Source: Uploaded by user via Melina on Pinterest

I'm Back!!!

I am back to the blogging world and I am excited to be devoting my time entirely to sharing what I can to inspire living strong in all aspects of our lives. This isn't a debut for this blog but it kind of feels like one since I have been out of the loop for a few months!

While I plan to post everyday if not most days of the week, I am approaching my blogging routine with a less strict schedule. This is something I learned from my previous blog that only led me to burnout. (Hmm, maybe I can do some posts on blogging tips!) So instead of regular posts on set days, there are regular series of posts that I post as I feel them in my heart. :-) If you stick around you'll see how things will be run.

Those of you who have been following me from my previous blog or just follow me on Twitter and Instagram, I have been silent a lot in those areas. So to kick off my comeback I thought I'd just give an update of what I've been up to while on my hiatus from social media. I also hope that this will be a sort of re-introduction of myself to any of you new visitors!

My Personal Life

I have been spending my summer in the sun as much as possible whether it be at the beach, the pool, a barbeque or floating on the river, I've been getting hooked to this Florida living!

I have also been hard at work with studying. I have been studying for such a long time that it hardly seems as though I'll ever take the personal training certification exam. However, I know it's going to happen and the plan is to do it before October (or before my birthday!)

With the hubs on his first solo flight

My Fitness Life

It has been a blessing that the hubs now has a passion to get to the gym with me! It is so motivating and such a crucial part of my success when he and I push each other when one of us just don't feel like doing anything. I've dropped in pants size and he is looking good (hey I'm his wife, I can say that!) ;-p

My Spiritual Life

I have to be honest here in saying that I have been slacking here. While I pray everyday and try to think of God in every aspect of my life, the growing part has been stagnant the past couple months. I pray that now that I am back to blogging and sharing my journey that I will feel more accountable to strengthen myself in this area. I can't be perfect, but the beauty is that we have a perfect God!

So this is my life and I share it with you. I will strive to be as open as possible in my successes as well as my struggles. I hope this inspires you to be open with me and to live STRONG in every area of our lives!

Mila says hi!

I'm so glad to be back! Be sure to Like The STRONG Life on Facebook to keep up to date on the latest posts!

~ Melina xo

Time Crunch!

Ever since I was a teacher for a year, and hated it, I knew I wanted to do something along the lines of what I am passionate about and find a way to get paid for it. I wanted to be a business owner and be in charge of my own work load and success levels.

It's been a couple years and now things are starting to be revealed to me as to what I'm going to do. I guess I just gotta jump all in!

Source: laracasey.tumblr.com via Melina on Pinterest

Here's the "problem". Pulling the trigger, so to speak, is terrifying. Once done, cannot be undone. You just deal with the effects of it as it comes.

Things I'm nervous to commit to:

Registering for the Certified Personal Trainer Exam - That test is expensive! What if I don't pass it? What if I have to waste more money to take it again because I didn't do it right the first time?

Registering my business name - Yeah a name sounds all good now, but I tend to like to change things up. What if I get bored with the name, or don't like it after a few months? What if it is great here in Florida but then doesn't work when I take the business with me to say San Diego when my hubs gets re-stationed? I really wanna build a brand for my business and changing names too many times kinda won't work.

Then there is the other thing I worry about which are my own personal fitness goals. I want to reach my goals by the summer, be "bikini ready" as they say. Of course this is not only for feeling confident at the beach or not worrying about what I am wearing looking good or not (things we women freak out about no matter what our size!) but this is also about living what I'm selling.

It's about business. How can it not be? How could I ever expect to be a successful fitness trainer if I can't even commit and reach my own goals? I have to be a leader. It is a constant battle to be disciplined. So when I want to skip my run and go have beer, I have to remind myself, I'm building a walking advertisement here! ;-p I simply cannot inspire anyone if I don't live by example.

Source: katherinecenter.com via Melina on Pinterest

All these commitments need to be set by summer. Summer is fast approaching, so I better get off this post and get back to studying!

P.S. How do you like the social media icons I added? They are so cute! They don't link to anything just yet but I need them there as I build the look of this site! :-)

Quick Intro, More to Come!

Welcome to my new fitness lifestyle blog! My name is Melina. Some of you may know me from my wedding blog, Wedding Pickle, some of you may have just discovered me as a part of your fitness journey.

If you have been a follower, you know that I have a passion for running and fitness. It has pretty much become my job. Not paid of course, but as a stay at home military wife, fitness has taken over my life. (Now if one can get paid to workout, wouldn't we all be motivated? lol) I'm also obsessed with weddings, hence the wedding blog, and Photoshop. (I'm gonna try to do this blog design all by myself!)

I am taking my Personal Trainer Certification exam in about 7 1/2 weeks, after that I will be studying to get my Group Fitness Instructor Certification. My business, as you can see named above in the banner, is set to launch this summer beginning with at-home personal training then expanding to group classes. I am super excited and freaked out at the same time. Starting a business is scary stuff! (P.S. The name is still not permanent, I just needed to try to commit to something before making it official)

Anyway, this blog will be home to my own fitness/business/personal journey and goals, tips, motivation, inspiration and notes as I go along becoming a small business owner. Once the business has launched this will be the place to find announcements on deals, services and schedules. I hope you find this place useful to you. Check back often (as this place is super under construction) and get to know me!

And, if you are in the Pensacola area, I look forward to working with you soon!

Sailing in San Diego! (Dec 2011)