Tag: motivate

Persevering…even when it’s hard

On By gabriellestroupLeave a comment

I like to write about what’s been going on lately, and the lessons I learn along the way. These past couple of weeks have been testing me, but it’s also been a hard time for a few people whom are close to me. So this is for them, for me, and for anyone that needs it.

When something horrible happens to someone, others may view it as nothing. People take things harder than others, because we’re all different, and believe it or not, we are all sensitive to something. If you know someone is going through a hard time, please be sensitive towards them, be considerate and kind. Less judgement, more kindness.

Although these long, dark tunnels seem to be never ending, you have to keep going. I very much believe that we learn more about ourselves, about others, and about life in the darkest of times. It’s so hard to tell yourself that in those dark times, but during them, do not be afraid of those things that scare you, worry you, hold you back, or give you anxiety. If you are scared of losing someone, or transitioning into a new chapter, missing out on possible great opportunities, etc., the fear is the worst part, but do not let it control your mind and allow your mind to go further into the dark, further with your anxiety, or stop you from pushing forward.

I also strongly believe that whatever happens, happens for a reason. There is a reason why you may not end up with someone, or you didn’t get the job you wanted, or if life isn’t going how you expected it to. But still, at the end of the day, we decide our future. Take things as a sign, and keep pressing on. Do not let a “no” stop you. I don’t care how cliche this sounds, but if a door closes, find another one or a fucking window. Find your motivation, and focus on that. Find, and fix on what drives you, and stick with it.

Things are not always going to go our way, but we are built to be strong-minded individuals. For me: I am in the category of feeling unsatisfied with how things are at the moment. Trust me, I. Get. It. BUT notice how I said “at the moment”, because I know that what I’m doing right now, where I’m working right now, where I am living right now, is all temporary. I am living in a transitional state right now, and it scares the shit out of me, but I’ve never felt more excited to see where this transition takes me.

It’s not a night and day thing, it’s taken me months to get to this healthier, more hopeful, happier state of mind. After months of hardships, mental obstacles I’ve broken down, many talks with family and friends, and working on myself independently…that’s how I got here, and I’m not done yet. Not even close. I know I need to keep growing, because we all need to continuously work on becoming the best version of ourselves for the rest of our lives. So do that. Become the best version of you.

So, this rut you’re in: keep going, keep fighting, keep trucking on, because although there may not be a “light” right now, that does not mean that it’s not coming. Take advantage of this difficult time, only because you’re going to learn more than you ever thought you would during it. Trust me.

My Fitness Journey

On By gabriellestroupLeave a comment

Six months.

For six months I have changed the attitude and mentality I had about eating, exercising, and living life in general. For a while I stopped caring about what I was putting in my body. For a while I stopped caring about keeping my body healthy. I look back at what I looked like a year ago, and for myself, it is the biggest eye opener.

Pictures from 2018

I was still confident in myself, but I KNEW my clothes were starting to not fit. I remember freaking out on St. Patrick’s Day of 2018. I needed to run home to change, because what I brought to wear did NOT fit. I had a meltdown that night. I was slowing losing myself and losing my confidence. I look back with sadness that I didn’t care for my body, but I do not pity myself. It was my own fault.

But here I am now. Toned up and feeling so much like my old self.

I cut out eating junk AKA fast food. I still go out to eat, but not as often!! When I do go out, I definitely eat on the lighter side. I am so much more conscious about what I order. I stopped drinking pop, and only drink water when I go out. I eat at least two salads a day, because I love salad!! I make my own yogurt parfait in the mornings–cheaper and super healthy!

I go to the gym/ work out at least five times a week. Before I make ANY plans, I ask myself, “How can I fit in today’s workout first?” If you don’t prioritize your fitness like this, then you will not be successful.

Being healthy IS a priority, especially if you’re trying to lose weight, or just be healthier in general. If you do not make it important, then you are setting yourself up for failure. It is just like a habit, and at first you’re going to hate it! You’re going to wonder why you aren’t seeing results. But here I am, six months into it, and I probably have only lost about 15 pounds. That’s not even that much, and I honestly haven’t even weighed myself. But it is a long process, and just like any commitment, you have to be in it for the long haul.

SHOW YOURSELF OFF!! Who cares!! Surely I don’t!

  1. It keeps you in check. If I put it out in the world that I am going to do something, then I’m pretty much forced to keep my word. I mean, I already can keep a commitment, but I like to put things out there. I like to make a statement. I’m just a very open person, some aren’t and that’s okay, but I like to keep myself accountable in this way.
  2. I’m proud of my progress. I’ll keep posting until it’s out of my system. I’m more shocked on how I let myself go, and feel super proud of myself for turning my life around. Be proud of yourself too. Be proud of your progress. Any progress IS PROGRESS!
  3. Who cares what people think or wonder why you post the things you do. There’s an unfollow button for a reason.
  • August 2018 –> May 2019
  • September 2018 –> June 2019

I actually love looking at the transformations, because it makes it more real for me. I remember those occasions and not realizing what I actually looked like. To some, yeah maybe they’re fine, but how I was just a year before…I looked totally different. See below.

October 2017 –> August 2018 –> May 2019

Hell, I’m sure it was the alcohol that did me in. Part of me does not regret letting loose a little bit. I really wanted to enjoy being 21. I actually do remember saying that I was fine with not being so strict about what I was eating and how much I drank. But now that I am back to being “strict”, and I realized how HARD it is to get back to where I used to be. It is so easy to gain, but those pounds do not shed easily. I’d rather be “strict”, than gain it all back in an instant.

I of course have my off days from the gym, my “cheat days” if you will. I love those days! I have my iced coffee pretty much everyday, because we are allowed to treat ourselves! But it’s a balance, and unfortunately it’s not an even balance. Working out and eating right needs to balance the “bad and unhealthy” items (even if those items are in small amounts). I do also want to point out, pretty is not about being thin, no no no, to me, being healthy is pretty. Love yourself, love the skin you’re in, but treat it well and be kind to your body and mind!

Give Yourself A Break- You’re Doing The Best You Can

On By gabriellestroupLeave a comment

Some days I am at a lose of what my next chapter will be. Right now I’m in the awkward phase where I’m in between two chapters, trying to figure out my transition. To be honest, it all comes down to me building the courage to move forward and to start writing the next page.

Day after day I think about moving away and finally transitioning to the career field I’ve been waiting for and wanting to be in. The concept of moving away is what I want, but then I think about all that I am leaving behind and then the concept loses its beauty just a bit. But moving away is what I need to do to fulfill this desire I have been working for, to be in a field that I actually love. My obstacle at the moment is breaking the barrier of fear and just going for it; as scary as it is to leave all I know and all my memories behind, it’s just something I need to do.

But what I need to remember until then is that, even though I feel like I’m wasting time and not working towards anything, I actually am doing the best I can in this given moment. I haven’t given up on my dream, and the dream isn’t going to expire anytime soon. I think our biggest flaw as humans is that we think just because something hasn’t happened yet, you’re not doing the best you can or not working hard enough. There are days where we probably could do more, but if we let our dream die, THEN we have failed. Until then, we haven’t failed at all.

Our worst critic is ourselves, but we can also be our biggest fan. Our mentalities control our actions, and if we learn to change our mentalities from less critical to more optimistic, we can thrive so much better. The world we live in supplies so much pressure in life as it is, we don’t need our own selves to add anymore. This doesn’t mean to not push yourself or to not try as hard, but to remember that it’s okay to not be exactly where you thought you would be, and it’s okay to fail sometimes, it’s okay to be disappointed or to not always be the best. But it’s not okay to give up or provide excuse after excuse on why you’re procrastinating. Life isn’t going to wait for us to finally decide when we’re ready to leap, but it will provide us with endless possibilities and opportunities. Take them!

Give yourself a break- you’re doing the best you can, but don’t let that be your excuse a year from now. Keep moving forward and working hard; God has big plans for your life, don’t let them slip away.