Sugar and spice and everything nice, that’s what little girls are made of. Mehhh. How boring! I much prefer something like this – passion and drive, authenticity and high fives, that’s what Fitfluential women are made of. Now that I can get on board with. And I have.

 Passion

If I could only pick one word to describe myself, I would choose passionate. I pour all of myself into everything that matters in my life – my family, my faith, this blog, supporting others, and healthy living. Without these things, my life feels incomplete. My numerous passions continually make me a better person and allow me the opportunity to love my life, my God, others, as well as myself, deeper. I recognize that my passions empower me and bring me further than I ever imagined. With my passionate zest for life, I refuse to settle for less. And I refuse to allow others to believe they should settle for less either.

Drive 

I strongly believe we all have the power to achieve anything we put our minds towards. I apply that in my life. Fear could not keep me from taking the first steps in pursuing my dream of achieving personal training certification. A new baby, a busy schedule, and a love of sweets couldn’t hinder my determination to care for my health and make the physical progress evident in my Body After Baby journey (next update this afternoon!). Complacency didn’t settle in and prevent me from attacking a new fitness challenge in running. Uncertainty did not stop me from signing on to speak at a blogging conference later this year. I stand behind the mindset “If I believe it, I can achieve it.” And I believe it!

Authenticity 

I may love sugar, but I don’t love sugar coating things. I blog the truth. I blog with an open heart in hopes that sharing the ups, the downs, and in-betweens at full disclosure I can encourage others. Authenticity not only forces me to learn more about myself, but it also creates an environment of understanding. People can trust what I say and what I do. They can know I don’t try to hide behind any pretexts. I mean, hellloooo….I’ve blogged about my pregnant body in a bikini, my struggles with binge eating, and my secret hopes and dreams. I pride myself on my authenticity.

High Fives 

I acknowledge that the paths I pursue and the endeavors I take could not happen without the love and support from others in my life. Who am I to not pay it forward? Nothing satisfies me like seeing my daughter believe more in herself from my encouragement. Or receiving an email of gratitude from a reader for helping her trust she can overcome binge eating as well. Or lending a helping hand or a non-judgmental, listening ear to a friend in need. I would consider my life well lived if I touched another’s life, inspired another soul, or motivated another lifestyle. High fives and giving back is what it is all about.

Passion and drive, authenticity and high fives. That’s what Fitfluential women are made of. That’s what I am made of and I would love to represent the Atlanta area. If you agree, I would love your support in any (or all hehe) of the following ways -

• Comment on this post.
• “Like” or comment on this posting on my Facebook wall.
• Tweet the following: “ @FitFluential – I think @TinaFFF would make a FANTASTIC #FitFluential ambassador for Atlanta! ” or something similar in your own awesome words.
• Visit the FitFluential Facebook page and leave a comment on their wall saying you think Tina from Faith Fitness Fun would make a great ambassador. 

Thank you in advance for your help! And Fitfluential – I would feel honored to work with you in the chance to use my passion to display what a healthy life provides to those in the greater Atlanta area. Thanks for considering me!

Alternate titles for this post?

• Should Have Done The Speed Work
• Wear The Dang Spibelt
• I Need To Learn To Charge My Music
• But It’s All Okay In The End

This morning I woke up with a speed work session on the half marathon training calendar. I also woke up to Peter informing me the iPhone died and I would have no music for my run. What is this? The third time in less than two weeks? Sheesh!

Anyways…I headed to the track intending to make the best of my run and somehow power through the dreaded speed work without musical inspiration. Then not even halfway around the first lap of the track I said “to heck with this madness!” and opted to run a quicker paced four miler on the running trail instead.

Since I had planned to simply run around the track, where I can leave my stuff on the sideline, I didn’t have my Spibelt carrier with me. So, I stashed my water bottle back in the car and tucked my key inside the handy little pocket inside my running shorts to stay nice and cozy.

I got going on my run and instantly knew I made the right decision. For my run, at least. I was on fire!

• Mile 1 = 9:12
• Mile 2 = 8:43
• Mile 3 = 8:41
• Mile 4 = 8:14 (!!!)

Just as I patted myself on the back and slowed to finish my run, I realized something. I didn’t feel a particular something poking into my hip anymore. You know where I’m going with this, don’t you?

The key. Gone!!!! And I knew exactly where it happened. The full two miles out where I had turned around. Where something came out of nowhere and hit my foot. That something I originally thought was a random rock was actually my key I saw flying into the thick, tall brush off the greenway’s boardwalk area.

Oh---cean! Right when I realized my predicament, I came across this extremely kind woman who happened to have a phone on her to borrow. I called Peter right up to see if he could come save me. Problem numero uno? He has the kids. I have the car seats. So, I let him see if he can reach my sister-in-law in the neighborhood to watch them for a few minutes. I hang up and walk with the kind woman, Carolyn, and her dogs waiting to hear back. Problem numero dos? He can’t reach her.

Oh-cean! Don’t worry he says. He will go down the street with the kids to see if anyone is home. I stroll along for another long while with Carolyn waiting to find out whether or not Peter can come. He calls and says he doesn’t know if anyone is home because no one came to the door but their cars are there. So I stroll along with Carolyn more again, holding this poor woman’s phone captive, until I finally get a call from Peter saying he is on his way.

I race back to my car to meet Peter. And you better believe I added that to my workout. I want credit for that hectic .58 miles and achieving an 8:40 average pace! I think I got my speed work in for the week, don’t you? 😉

After Peter picks me up we drive out to the area where I know my key fell out to attempt finding it. Too bad there is no easy entrance to this area of the running trail. So what do we do? He pulls up alongside the road and I have to dash out on a busy road with no sidewalks, a bridge, and cars going past me to eventually climb through grass and get to the path. Only to search and search and search but no dice. Adios, key!

Finally, I get home three hours later. So much for heading out early to get things done sooner. It bothered me at first, probably because I had not eaten and was past the point of angry hungry, but then I just had to laugh it off. Plus, I can’t help think that God had a hand in it. Carolyn doesn’t normally walk with her phone but had it today. I don’t normally change my planned workout like that but did today. Carolyn’s husband recently passed and she normally walks with a friend – so maybe God just wanted me to keep her company. And maybe He just wanted to remind me that little “annoyances” don’t make up life. Love does. I felt love from Carolyn’s, Peter’s, and Marie’s (sister-in-law) graciousness in helping me out today. So, yea. It’s all okay in the end.

• Have you ever lost your key? Locked yourself out? Or something similar?
• What is the last act of kindness you received from someone?
• Of Possible Interest: Check out the panel discussion and my awesome fellow bloggers on the Healthy Living Summit site!

One Final Note – If you can visit the blog tomorrow morning to help support my Fitfluential Ambassador post, I will be eternally grateful! 🙂