Today's episode is all about "cheat meals", splurging, and how to find balance so you can still see results and be healthy.

It's human nature, isn't it? As soon as we know what we should be doing, we immediately want to know how much of the wrong thing we can do before facing the consequences.

In order to make a breakthrough here, we need to completely change the conversation. Let's move away from calling it "cheating" and let's let go of restrictions in general.

You're going to learn:

• Why it's actually important to make sure you splurge,
• How to stop demonizing and labeling foods as "bad", 
• What exactly constitutes a splurge,
• How to have more self control with splurges so they don't derail you.

If you struggle with "trigger" foods or have a hard time going overboard when you stray from your healthy eating habits, this episode is exactly what you need. 

​YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED! 
At the end of the show, I'm answering listener questions: 

1. From Karen (42:30): "Any advice for those of us with thyroid dysfunction? I have hypothyroidism, and it’s a lot of effort to maintain my current body let alone lose some pounds and tone up.”
2. From Heidi (48:22): "Do you have any good verses for when I feel worn out and ready to give up?” 

​“Working out and eating healthy isn’t supposed to make you cry.” 

We've been told that self care, exercise, and good nutrition is strictly physical. It's just surface-level actions and behaviors. But then why on earth are so many of us falling apart into a ball of tears in the middle of a workout?

Whether the feelings we have are sorrow, anger, a sense of being overwhelmed, or pure rage, the fact remains: it's completely normal to come face to face with some pretty big emotions during a workout.  

This episode seeks to unravel what's going on underneath the surface when we're asked to do something extremely challenging and outside of our comfort zones. We'll stare down our pride, weaknesses, and true motivations for exercising. In the end, we're going to be called on to deny ourselves and our deepest ambitions, and adopt the ambitions and purpose of Jesus instead. 

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED! 
At the end of the episode, Megan will be answering your questions about Faith, Food, and Fitness. 

1. Lindsay asks: "Can you talk about the big exercise ball? What’s the benefit of using it, and how can I get better at it?"
2. Paula asks: "I always find myself so hungry only an hour or two after I eat. Then I start looking around for something else to eat. Any ideas?" 

More resources from this episode:

• Matthew 6:5
• Romans 3:23
• Mark 8:34-37
• 1 Peter 2:9
• Colossians 3:1-3
• 2 Timothy 1:7 
• For my favorite physioball click here

We’ve all done it. Eaten because we’re stressed out and need a quick escape, or we have found ourselves mindlessly eating something just because it’s there. I'm sure you completely recognize that these behaviors aren’t ideal. Mindless munching and eating under stress can completely sabotage any forward movement toward your physical goals, not to mention your emotional and spiritual health, too. 

But how can you stop self-sabotaging?

On this episode, we’re going to discuss emotional vs. unemotional eating, and how both are a result of turning your brain off while eating. You’ll learn how to become more mindful, intuitive and aware in these situations. You’re also going to be armed with strategies to combat these behaviors and stay the course with your eating habits.

These are some great questions to ask yourself while you pause and slow down to eat:

• How do I like the taste, the texture? Is it overly salty or fake or super sweet?
• How does this food make me feel? How will this food make me feel in 10, 20 or 30 minutes?
• Does this food line up with how I know I should be eating right now?
• If this is more of a splurge-type food, is this my favorite splurge? Or am I kind of wasting a splurge right now on something I don’t even really like?
• Is there anything that I can add to this or do entirely different right now to make this meal or eating situation even better and line up with my eating habits?  

Your questions answered!
At the end of the episode, I’ll be answering your questions about food, fitness, and faith.

From Jenna: "Any tips on how to slow down while eating? I feel that I race through meal prep, eat quickly between standing up 5 times during the meal, then hop up to be in front of the kids after the meal."

From Heather: "I see you working out barefoot a lot in your workout videos. Is that something I should be doing, too? What are the advantages of working out barefoot?"
 
More Resources from this episode:

Registration for the Strong Mommas Coaching Program ends 9/11! Click here to learn more and to join now!
Philippians 1: 9-10
Proverbs 15:14
2 Corinthians 1:3-4a
Psalm 107:9
Jonah 2:8

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"Let's take a deep breath and learn how to relax." 

This is going to be a marvelously relaxing, life-giving and hope-filled episode...don't miss this! If you want to be strong, healthy, maintain a good body composition, and feel your absolute best, it's nearly impossible if you don't manage your stress well. This episode is PART TWO of Stress Reality Check.

On this episode, we're taking a closer, more specific look at some effective strategies that you can begin using today that will significantly ratchet down your body's stress response and get it under control.

You're going to learn all about:

• Tips for a better sleep routine
• The trick for getting your nutrition under control without it becoming a frustrating burden
• How to breathe properly (the 5-5-8 count!)
• Creating balance throughout the week with your workouts
• The value of a supportive community that helps you lower your expectations

Resources from this episode:
Strong Mommas Coaching Program (registration opens September 5th!) 
Video of proper breathing technique 
 
And then let's get saturated in the Word!
Proverbs 3:21-26 (on sleep)
Psalm 4:8 (on sleep)
Genesis 2:7 (on breathing)
Job 33:4 (on breathing)
Ezekiel 37:6 (on breathing)
John 6:63 (on Spirit and life)
Matthew 11:28 (rest for your souls)
Isaiah 40:31 (on not growing weary)
Romans 8:38 (on security in our hope)