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Are You Stuck??

What has happened in our past does not have to dictate our future.  We can choose if we want to move forward.  We can choose if we are worth it.  We can choose if we want to be stuck.

I used to find myself feeling as if the hand that life had dealt to me was simply “what it was” and that I was destined somehow to be unhappy, to be unhealthy. But I have always been a fighter and there has always been that little spark that even after being dealt several hefty blows, that little spark had never entirely been put out.

So, I encourage you to fight.  You do not have to be stuck.  You do not have to be “ok” with the hand that life has dealt to you but it takes COURAGE!!  Are you brave enough to make those changes that you know need to be changed?  Are you confident in your ability to take those first steps out of your comfort zone, no matter how difficult those first steps  might be?  Have you finally decided to turn off those ugly little voices in your head that try to stop you from being exactly what you know you want to be?

The only time you have to face this journey all alone is when you are faced with the fact that sometimes YOU are the only force that makes you stuck. All the support in the world that you need is out there, but you and you alone have to take that first step. Ultimately, you can play a giant role in choosing your own destiny and you are the only one who decides weather or not you can succeed, no matter what the goal might be.  Yes, you might fall down, yes life is hard, yes change is difficult so you can plod along and just take it as it comes or you can make it; and I urge you to CHOOSE what happens next with your own life because otherwise you will find yourself another year down the road and still….. stuck.

When you open your mind, open your eyes, and open your life to opportunity, to change,  and to positive influences, the excuses start to dwindle and you will find yourself truly steering your life in a way that is meaningful more often than simply accepting “what has happened.”

I hope that 2012 is an amazing year for all of you and as I continue on my own journey I am excited to share what happens with the Fragoso family as we continue on this exciting ride.  I also can’t wait to hear back from you – what are you going to do this year to become “unstuck!!”

Sarah Fragoso

Sarah Fragoso is an international best selling author of 6 books, co-owner of the Chico, CA based gym JS Strength and Conditioning, and founder of the Everyday Paleo franchise. Sarah is the co-host of the popular Sarah and Dr. Brooke Show podcast and she also conducts workshops and retreats on the subjects of nutrition, lifestyle and fitness.

Her message is from the heart and she carries a genuine desire to help other families looking for guidance. These attributes have contributed to her successes and provide the drive to keep the discoveries coming.

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41 Comments

  1. Khrystyne says:

    What a great post. Thank you

  2. Krissy W. says:

    This just brought tears to my eyes 🙂 Like you, I’ve been dealt some rough blows throughout my life, but I keep picking myself up somehow. That “stubbornness” in me just won’t quit/give up – LOL!!! I recently separated from my husband of 8 years, and the minute he moved out it was like I literally felt a 230-pound weight had lifted from my shoulders (yes, that’s how much he weighed – LOL) and all the stress leave my body. Yes, being a newly single, 40-something mom (who happens to have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 10 years ago) to a very active 3-year old boy is challenging at times, but I have such an inner calmness now this is amazing. Now on to start my 21-day sugar detox journey on January 2nd to start kicking my sugar and carb addictions and restart/recharge my body/health once again! Thanks so much for your encouraging post. It was exactly what I needed to read today 🙂

    1. Christine says:

      You can do it Krissy. Chin up young person is what I say. Check out http://www.nutrisclerosis.com/ She is also Paleo and successfully reversing the effects MS.

      1. Krissy W. says:

        Thanks for the link, Christine! I’ll go check her site out to see what/how she’s doing 🙂

    2. Olivia says:

      Can you tell me more about the sugar detox you are doing? That sounds like something I need to do.

      1. Krissy W. says:

        Hi Olivia! On Facebook search for The 21-Day Sugar Detox and it should bring you to the page/link that explains the program. Basically I won’t be eating sugars, grains, legumes, fruit, and a few starchy veggies for 21 days. Also, no alcohol. Will be eating lots of lean proteins and veggies 🙂 You can do some full-fat dairy on the detox, but other than ice cream (LOL) I’m not a huge dairy person anyway. For 21 days, though, the program shouldn’t be bad and I’m hoping it’ll get me started on eliminating the huge amount of sugary carbs I consume. Good luck if you choose to do it!!!

        1. Jen D. says:

          I signed up for the 21 day challenge as well. I’ve been eating mostly Paleo but added back cheese, rice and potatoes recently. The alcohol will be toughest part as I enjoy a glass of wine or a gluten free beer with dinner. I am looking forward to the challenge though. Good Luck Krissy!

      2. Nicole says:

        Another good one to check out is the whole30 http://whole9life.com/category/whole-30/

  3. Awesome! Well said and thank you! I have been thinking the same thoughts. My family has done well on Paleo the past year along with Crossfit, but I let the holidays get the worst(i’d never say best here) of me. And also just found out I am now pregnant with #3! I am very excited yet nervous becuase I gained many many pounds and was unhealthy. Even though I have already gained several lbs from my over-eating during the holidays…I refuse to allow this pregnancy to go the way as the others. Happy New Year to you and yours!

  4. Christine says:

    Thank you Sarah. I needed that! I try to remember that Life’s a journey, not a destination. I plan on getting so unstuck that I will be slippery. There will be no stopping me.

  5. Excellent post- and just what I needed after the post-holiday-binge. I was doing so well, but I stopped myself. Thank you, again, for this post!

  6. Thank you for this encouraging post for new year

  7. That is the perfect thing for me to read, sometimes I feel destined to be stuck in unhealthy ness but right now I feel ready to break free! I know I can do ans feel better and enjoy your website as I have kids I am taking primal.

  8. Christy says:

    Why thank you! This was very timely for me! Like Krissy said, I teared up a little…but 2012 has BIG things in store! Thanks for all your words of wisdom, and recipes to help us all out!! =)

  9. Tears for sure! You nailed it! In so many ways finding the paleo diet this summer has changed my life! I originally started to lose weight for my 20 year reunion and while dropping 10 lbs (using a lot of your recipes) I also found my old self! I have been in an 8 year relationship and moved away last year, now deciding when to take the final leap and get divorced! Krissy W. , you are an inspiration! Incredible post and thank you, on so many levels!! Happy NEW Life, I mean year!! Hehehe!

    1. Krissy W. says:

      Thanks, Carin! That was so sweet of you to say 🙂 I have a core philosophy since I was younger (probably my early teens)..In life you have a choice, you can be a victim or be a survivor. I CHOOSE survivor!!! Believe me, it really does apply to all hardships in life that may come up. Good luck with your divorce. It’s never easy, but some times it really is the only healthy choice for us to make.

  10. Thanks for the inspiration. My body is feeling the holiday treats I’ve been indulging in but I know that I can do so much better! Here’s to a year in which I break that cycle so I can look and feel my best!

  11. Carina says:

    Thanks so much for this post! I was sidelined from my love (Crossfit) earlier this year after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis & degenerative discs in my spine (had to focus on rebuilding my foundation). After 6 months of hard work I was ready to return but am now sidelined from all activity with an injured low back / si joint. So incredibly frustrating. Physical activity is such an important part of my life and happiness that I felt myself get very stuck. The dramatic reduction in training affected my body comp and unfortunately I let what was happening on the outside affect my motivation to repair the inside. Your post is so true. Only you decide to be stuck, and only you decide to get yourself unstuck. What doesn’t change is the group of people who are always willing to encourage you and support you. And I am lucky to be surrounded with those kinds of people. I am working very hard at getting “unstuck” and this post couldn’t have come at a better time. Cheers.

  12. Love your post, thanks.

  13. Susan Garrett says:

    Sarah,
    I love your cook book. I started doing Paleo on 10/24/2011 and so far I have lost 26 lbs. My starting weight was 315. I’m 63 and have been dieting most of my life. I stayed on W/W for a year straight and worked out at the YMC and only lost 25 lbs in a year. I do belong to a different gym but they don’t do Crossfit. I’m not sure if I could do Crossfit. It seems that everyone that is doing Paleo is doing Crossfit. I hope I can still see results not doing Crossfit. Keep up the good work.

    Susan

    1. Susan, I would suggest you check out our site http://www.eplifefit.com You will find all the fitness and nutrition related advice you could ever wish for and without the fear of going to a gym where the training might not be the best or even safe.

    2. Paula B says:

      Susan, there are lots of people who are following a paleo/primal diet and lifestyle without belonging to a Crossfit gym, even though it seems otherwise sometimes! I agree, especially for those of us who are older, overweight, & sedentary, injured or ill, the thought of Crossfit is daunting if not downright frightening. The exercises in Sarah’s book are a good place to start! And Sarah, I’m glad to see your new eplifefit venture.

      BTW, Sarah, great post. Your book and blog have been one of my favorite “go-to” resources for a year. 50 lbs down, 12″ loss around my waist, and don’t even get me started on the health improvements or you’ll be reading for quite a while. But there’s about 30 lbs to go and lots of strengthening to accomplish in 2012!

  14. Love this post! I have been working on positive thinking for a couple of months now and it is working! I’m feeling better about life in general and oppportunities are popping up and the help and guidance I need shows up in the strangest places! I love feeling open to learning and making myself a better person. Things look good for 2012 for me and I hope the same goes for everyone else!

  15. What a great post, I’m going to print it out and put it on my refrigerator and maybe a few of my guest will read it!

  16. Im taking the Whole30 challenge on Jan 1st and hopefully dragging my parents along with me. Its so hard watching people you care about literally kill themselves because of food and lack of movement. Hopefully I can make some big changes and that will inspire them. Thanks for all you do Sarah, your books and blog and podcasts have really made Paleo living more mainstream and easier to explain. Keep up the great work in 2012!

  17. Shannon says:

    Great post! I’m sure I’m not alone in backsliding during the holidays. All it really did was remind me why I don’t eat that way. Being the “low maintenance” guest for my relatives was not worth it! Glad to be back to strict paleo, and will be figuring out how to better handle family gatherings in the future.

  18. Hilary says:

    Thank for this awesome post! I found out yesterday my mom has breast cancer. Her two sisters also died of it in their 30’s and 40’s. At 38, I feel like a curse has been put on me, but I know this news does not have to control my life. It’s just rekindling the spark to fight that can be challenging.

  19. Steven says:

    Very timely… a book I always find myself coming back to to reset from time to time…

    http://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/0446691437/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325174041&sr=8-1

  20. david wagner says:

    Well said… from Zenhabits:

    1. Start very small.
    2. Do only one change at a time.
    3. Be present and enjoy the activity (don’t focus on results).
    4. Be grateful for every step you take.

  21. Lot’s to think about during this quiet week in between christmas and the new year. I will be graduating college and have tons I’d like to tackle and accomplish this year!

  22. A million times yes. Thank you!

  23. Love this! I know we are planning some big things for ourselves in 2012, though it’ll all be done 1 step at a time. It always helps to have other people talking about what they’re doing and how it isn’t necessarily easy, but can be done! Here’s to an awesome new year 🙂

  24. i’m recommitting to this race! i hope to get my AF under control in 2012.
    +AMDG+
    Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

  25. Andy Barge says:

    Lovely Post Thank you for the reminder.

    As a reminder to myself to have courage I had the word tattoed on my left thigh in Italian (its a long story).

    But whenever I am feeling less than couragous I always remember its there and why I have it!

    Happy New Year Sarah

  26. Thank you for the encouragement, I look forward to your January 7 workshop in Marysville!

  27. Wow… this is the kick in the butt that I needed to start the next year off right!
    I’m new to Paleo, so I will be coming back often.

  28. Started eating Paleo Nov. 5 and wow! What a difference it has made. I will be starting eplifefit soon and am looking forward to incorporating exercise into my life. I’m so thankful to have found Paleo! Sarah’s posts and book are simply AMAZING! Thank you Sarah and best wishes for 2012 to you and your family!

    Hope

  29. Christian says:

    Sarah, thank you so much for sharing your insight on paleo and how you have implemented it into your family, especially with your children. I’ve been eating paleo for almost 3 years and I’ve never felt better! I got introduced to paleo 3 years ago when I started crossfit, but it took me 6 months or so to give it a shot. Best decision I’ve made in a long time. My wife has played around with paleo, but she’s had a difficult time letting go of the “bad” carbs and dairy. We recently bought your book Everyday Paleo and my wife, Michelle, hasn’t put it down since. She is determined to go paleo full force and also get our two children eating paleo as well. We feed the kids a lot of paleo foods, but we also cave into the crappy snacks and easy dinners (mac & cheese). We look forward to following your blog and learning more on how to become a paleo family in 2012.

    Thank you,

    The Rodriguez Family
    Natick, MA

  30. Great Post !! and so SO True !! Our past does not have to control us and we can choose to change.
    I like many am very new to Palo but find this site and Robb’s so encouraging to make a change in my life.. I have completed my first 30 days, yes during the holidays and lost over 4 inches !! Thanks to friends like you !! Keep it up

  31. Great post! I’m still working on this as far as my physical health goes, but I must say that I just realized recently that I’ve made it through the darkest days of fall/winter without my usual bout with SAD. I made the CHOICE several months ago to see the positives in all situations and it worked!! We may not have control of everything that happens to us, but we have absolute control on how we choose to react and respond to every situation. It’s hard most of the time, but I’m worth it.

  32. Brooken says:

    I think I was meant to read this post. Just moved out and am seeking a divorce from my husband, whom I have been with for over 19 years (half my life, almost.) I was SO incredibly stuck in a rut of codependency and something inside me clicked–a self-preservation instinct I didn’t even know I had. Rather than make ‘resolutions,’ I made a goal motto for 2012: DO BETTER. We had NO groceries in our new place, so my 15-year old daughter and I called my good friend and CF trainer to ask her to take us Paleo grocery shopping. We are on day 2 now…we are both excited and hopefully can hold one another accountable on our new journey of health–physical AND mental! Happy 2012! I will be on your site a lot, I’m sure! 🙂

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