Do You Want to be a Stay At Home Mom?

***WHAT could you do with a $70,000 annual raise this year?***

As the holidays come to a close, the kids going back to school next week, I can't help but think back to the financial stress and burden our family used to face around the holidays. I am embarrassed to say, that we were parents shopping Craig’s list for our kid’s gifts, making as many of our own gifts as possible for extended family in effort to save money. Even after all of that, we were faced with credit card debt that we knew would haunt us for months to come.  Any, and all, additional expenses not accounted for in our monthly budget caused financial strain.

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Can you relate???
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I think of about those of you who are DREADING going back to the daily grind. That feeling was all too familiar to me. I remember feeling depressed and anxious when a holiday or vacation would come to a close, knowing I had to go back to REALITY. Back to a job that did not challenge or fulfill me - where I was overworked and UNDERPAID…but my heart was at home with my kids.
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Can you relate???
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Today, I am overwhelmed with gratitude because I do NOT have to feel that way anymore. I can go to bed tonight stress-free & wake up EXCITED to work in the morning - not for some company or bossman, but for ME and MY FAMILY. We have been able to completely wipe out any and all debt aside from our mortgage, and are finally able to grow our savings and retirements.
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Working from home is something that I NEVER thought I would be able to do. I didn't have the social media knowledge or marketing and business experience to land a job with that kind of freedom. BUT because of the opportunity I was given to become a Beachbody Coach- I have been able to make this all a REALITY.
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I know - it probably all sounds too good to be true - BUT, come on! Do you really think I would make this stuff up??? If I wasn’t speaking the truth, why would I continue to follow my passion and chase my dreams with living this lifestyle of freedom coaching has provided? How many times do you have to read about my story before you believe that YOU can do it too????
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I was a skeptic just like you. Really I was. In fact, I remember how I felt about "those companies" in the past. I remember thinking how annoying "those people" were. Or how it all seemed too good to be true, and that their HAD to be some catch.
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The reality. . . I was ignorant and uninformed. I was annoyed because I didn't KNOW what it was all about. AND to be completely honest- I was JEALOUS that someone could work from home, make their own hours, be their own boss, earn free vacations and in some cases be a SELF-MADE MILLIONAIRE in just a few years time.
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WHAT? Who was I fooling? That sounds AMAZINGGGGGGG to me!
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And now, here I sit. My own boss. On my own schedule. Rapidly growing an income doing something I LOVE and have a PASSION for. HELPING PEOPLE. Living with a purpose. A $70,000 raise in ONE YEAR?! Someone pinch me! What company out there gives that kind of raise?
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Could YOUR LIFE use some improvement? Don't think about what others will think of you. Don't worry about the negative people that will judge you (because trust me, there will be people who will judge you) Put aside the self-limiting thoughts that come to your mind and ask yourself. . . Why NOT me? Why can't I DESIGN the life I've always wanted? What do I have to miss out on what could be the BEST opportunity in our family’s lives??? If you can dream it, you can DO it.
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And with that. . . I invite YOU. To join me. To be a GIRL BOSS. To CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Stop wishing, waiting and DREAMING of things to happen. This leap of faith could change those dreams into REAL GOALS that you CAN & WILL ACHIEVE.
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I am looking for 10 new women for this exclusive opportunity that starts TOMORROW in an online mentorship program! I will mentor you to grow a successful business from home WHILE also getting in the best shape of your life. Stop wishing, wanting & WAITING for things to change. Let's start building your life by design!
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To be considered, simply complete this short application:
https://marshasmrcka.wufoo.com/forms/qyegncv0bnrmc2/

*******Beachbody® does not guarantee any level of success or income from the Beachbody Coach Business Opportunity. Each Coach's income depends on his or her own efforts, diligence, and skill. See our Statement of Independent Coach Earnings for the most recent information on our Coaches' actual incomes.

Cash for Christmas: Earning income from home!

When I had my first baby, all I prayed for was to be able to leave my career and be home with him as a stay at home mom. We tried child care for a month and a half, but realized paying someone else to raise our baby, me missing out on all the "firsts" was not worth a paycheck. So we made that leap and I left my job - but HOLY CATS, did that come with it's sacrifices!!  7 years later, 4 kids later, it was certainly something we don't regret, but it certainly had it's sacrifices. We needed to cut back on a lot of things in order to make it work. Without my salary, there wasn’t much wiggle room for any extras.  Date nights were spent at home, with a home cooked meal and game night or movies. We ate leftovers a lot more often than we used to and had to cut down on unnecessary spending.…which included Christmas gifts! We already were in over our heads with credit card debt, and chipping away, paying the minimum balance, we weren't getting ahead. The holidays were our favorite time of the year, but also the most stressful, because we knew we couldn't afford to buy gifts for our loved ones. 

As parents, you want to give your little ones everything humanly possible and than some…especially at Christmas! My husband and I decided to just focus on our kids and skip exchanging presents between ourselves. That sounded like a great idea! I have everything I need and want already. I’m very grateful to have a roof over our heads, food on the table, a wonderful husband, and 4 happy and healthy children. What more could a I ask for? We resorted to getting our kids used gifts on Craig's List to cut down on the expense, I took up crochet and made hand-made things for the extended family. Although I realize it's not about the presents, I hated how stressed we were about our finances. 

I felt like our life wasn't the way we'd imagined. We had no savings, credit card debt hanging over our heads, and no plan to get ahead. Christmas was supposed to be a special time of the year that we looked forward to, but I hated how it completely stressed me out. I wished I had the freedom to show my expression of love and gratitude the way I wanted, by getting the perfect gift for that special person on my list. How could I not buy one thing for my husband, the one person whom I love and appreciate the most?

Well, I vowed that day that I WOULD NEVER ALLOW MYSELF TO FEEL THIS WAY AGAIN!!!

That’s when I took matters into my own hands and started researching stay at home jobs and companies. After a lot of research, I found the perfect job for me…BEACHBODY COACHING!!! That first year I was able to pay CASH for our Christmas, and I had the freedom to purchase a gift for my husband and anyone else who was on our list. 

Fast-forward 2 years now, and I couldn’t be happier! I still get to stay at home and be there for when my family needs me, I have a fulfilling job that I LOVE and doesn't even feel like a "job". I was able to pay off our entire credit card debt, student loan debt, and we are now chipping away at our mortgage. I project that we will be able to write that final check in 2016. We will be 100% debt free. We have a savings account (which we never had before) and the kids have an education fund. This opportunity, working flexible hours, part time, around my kid's and family's schedule, has been the biggest blessing in our lives, second to our family. 

What if you could have this opportunity also? Well, I'm here to tell you that this is legit, and YOU CAN!!!! 

I’m looking to mentor 5 new coaches that join my team. I will teach you the ins and outs, and  and I am committed to helping you earn $500 or more this holiday season by teaching you the most important business building activities in a private online group, 1:1 mentoring and a weekly group call! I am going to make it as seamless as possible!

I will be teaching you how I became a top Elite coach in my first year, living in a small rural farming community, with no social media or marketing experience, and no network of friends. If I can do it, YOU CAN TOO! I want you to ask yourself, "WHY NOT ME?"! 

I’m really excited about this program and I hope to inspire people to have a healthier holiday season and a few extra presents under the tree!  Are you interested? You really have nothing to lose, but EVERYTHING to gain. 


If you are ready to apply or want more details, please fill out this application to join my team, TEAM FIT4MATION, and I’ll get back to you by the end of the day.

I am limiting this group to only 5 spots. When the 5 are taken I am closing the doors to this offer! I want to make sure you get my undivided attention to reach success!

To further help you understand what this opportunity entails, I am hosting a live video conference Q&A following a live event done on Facebook tomorrow, Monday, November 15th, from 6:00PM - 8:00PM CST. Join Cash for Christmas with Team Fit4mation HERE. I cannot wait to meet you as a potential coach on Team Fit4mation!!!

The Kickstart Challenge: Back to School Edition

YIKES! I cannot believe it is already mid-way through August, catalogs for back to school shopping are littering our mailbox, and I hate thinking that our summer vacation is nearing an end. Our day time snuggles and spur of the moment outings are abruptly coming to an end. I am finding myself looking for ways to make the transition easier from our laid back summer schedule to our routine-oriented "school" schedule. Is this something you are also thinking about? I will have 3 kiddos in school full time this year, with my youngest at home with me. I'm excited to game plan since our current schedule is in need of some adjustments. Since I work from home, I still need to make sure I am able to do what is needed to ensure I am fitting it all in, and make the transition as smooth as possible! 

I want to help you get on track this fall by hosting a 30 day online Health and Fitness Challenge/ Accountability group. I'm sure you moms out there might be thinking I am CRAY for even considering that we can find time to work out and start eating differently while school is starting back up...because I know we feel overwhelmed, stretched too thin, tired and thinking there just isn't time for this. But I'm here to tell you to just have TRUST. I know how you're feeling. I've been there!  But I'm here to tell you that you can do it. You can find those 30 minutes each day for YOU. It is the perfect natural stress reliever, gives me natural energy, and is a confidence builder. It makes me a better wife, parent, and overall better person to be around, and I know it will do the same for you as well!  I want to help you feel the best YOU you can be. It is possible. 

Below you will find a little outline on what you can expect from my new template for this 30 day Kickstart Challenge. Think of it as your new health and fitness syllabus!  This group is intended for those who want to do what you love to do for your fitness, I will help you be consistent in your workouts so that you don't give up on yourself. But the primary focus will be on our nutrition. 80% of our results are based on what we eat!!! So this is important that we really dig in and dial it in. 

There's NO better way than the 3-Day Refresh to help me do a nutritional reset, drop some unwanted pounds fast (every time I've done it, I have lost at least 3.5 pounds, and up to 5.5 in just 3 days). For those of us who like to see immediate results to stay motivated, this is the perfect solution. AAAAAAAAAAND I really need some help to get over my peanut butter addiction - bahahaha! So now I said it - yes, I do have a problem. And yes, I will BEAT IT this month!

-Making the Time-

If you can't wake up any earlier than you do now, find a spot for just 30 minutes each day where you can work out. If you stay home, that may be during the time one of your kids takes a nap, or maybe its when your hubby comes home from work, or after the kids go to bed. If you work outside the home, most people find it easiest to form this new routine by doing it first thing in the morning by just simply getting up 35 minutes earlier than they do now (and perhaps going to bed 35 minutes earlier each night). To add this "me" time to your day, you will probably have to give up something, like surfing the web, FB scrolling, Pinterest searching, watching TV.  You've all probably heard it...don't FIND the time MAKE the time. It's important, so just do it!

-Your Why-

Together ,we will figure out your WHY. Your reason for wanting to become healthier and set some goals to get there. It's not enough to just say you want to lose some weight! That won't keep you motivated. When you dig down and figure out what's driving you .... you will make the mental switch to want to work out and prepare healthy meals. You will figure out a way.

-The Requirements-

We are busy as it is, so the workout program that is most often recommended will be one that is 30 minutes or less. I will get you started with Shakeology because honestly, its the easiest, healthiest meal of your day. And the benefits are worth every penny. As moms, our bodies need to run as efficiently as possible, to have more energy, to be able to fight cravings, and get the vitamins and nutrients pumped in so we can do everything we needs to do and have the energy to power through our workouts and keep up with our kids!

-Option to "KICKSTART" your weight loss-
...with the  3-Day Refresh challenge pack. The  3-Day Refresh is a 3-day gentle detox/cleanse that will jump start weight loss and give you a break from bad habits. It isn't a juice fast, its not a crash diet, and you do not starve. It includes Shakeology for breakfast, a fiber drink, a vanilla refresh protein shake and snack/lunch/dinner food options. I will be starting off the 30 day challenge with this for sure! I have lost anywhere from 3.5 - 6.2 lbs. when I have done it, and it's safe to use up to once each month. It is an option, not required... but note that the 3 Day Refresh Challenge Pack (including a 30 day supply of Shakeology) is on sale until the end of this month! And you also get a trial of Beachbody On Demand where you can pick your own virtual workout!!! You will love this if you get bored easily and need variety in your workout routine!
 

My 3-Day Refresh Results

-The Challenge Group-

This challenge group will only be thirty days long. If you show up once a day and check in and I see that your putting in the effort and really trying to change and work towards your goals, we will extend it to another thirty days. I'm not trying to be tough lol, I'm not really that kind of "teacher". I just am writing from my experience of coaching challenge groups for over two years. I will put 110% into you if you show up! I can't want it for you, as much as I try to...it never works that way. I'd love to help every single person that I talk to, but it's not always the right time for them.

-Objectives-

I will post daily in our private Facebook group. I will post daily motivation, tips, videos, time-saving recipes and websites (ie. slow cooker meals), workout advice, and help you stay accountable. I strongly encourage group participants to check in once a day, rating how your day was. Every once in awhile I will post a little assignment for the day. Having the support of the group is the secret sauce. When you have other people to help inspire you and encourage you, it makes a huge difference.

Listen. I know its not easy. I know it can be a challenge. I know its hard to keep your motivation afloat. I've had 4 pregnancies.  2 plus years of work. I still have lots of work to do to achieve my goals. I still have setbacks. Weight loss. Weight gain. Plateaus. Learning curves. Struggles. Non scale victories. BUT most of all never giving up. Learning to think positive. Yes, it can happen. You can make it a lifestyle change. Progress. You can make time for yourself to workout. You can make better food choices. You can think positively. You can have support doing so. I can give you the tools you need, and you just have to be ready to give this to yourself. To give yourself somewhere to start. You deserve it, why not you? Life is about to get busy for a lot of you mamas out there. Start a healthy routine now. Get started now. You will be so thankful you did a month from now, 6 months from now, a year from now. Message me or fill out the Kickstart Challenge Application if you want one of the FIVE open spots in my next challenge group.

Click HERE for more information and to apply. 

Marsha Smrcka Fitness: Body Beast Week 2

So if you're anything like me, working out comes naturally and is priority in my day-to-day activities.  I've long established a habit and routine of running, pushing play to one of my favorite in-home workouts, and just trying lead an active lifestyle for my family.  So here's the confession...last week was somewhat of a BUST for me and my eating. The foods I use are generally healthy and "clean-eating", but I got lazy with tracking, and was not watching my portions or balancing out my food groups. Too much cheese, avocado, and carbs were causing me some setbacks. When I am not eating as I should, it really effects everything - how I feel, how I push myself (or don't) in my workouts, how I sleep...I was just not MENTALLY in the game! So I did some searching this weekend and have recommitted to myself, my workouts, and my meal plan. This week I am in it to win it! And I will be posting here weekly about my journey - both to inspire you as well as to hold myself accountable! I will walk you through my experience and progress of using a 12-week strength training program, Performance line of supplements to help me tone and build muscle, and my weekly meal plans. 

There comes a time when ENOUGH is ENOUGH and when you hit that time, NOTHING can stop you. You are laser-focused and ready to tackle any obstacle in your way. This week over on my Marsha Smrcka Fitness fan page I am going over some tips on how to combat emotional eating. I have found that I can fall into this bad habit really quite easily, as well as "avoidance eating" - instead of doing something I need to do, I eat to procrastinate. Do you do this?  It just dawned on me one day last month that this was really becoming a problem for me. So with recognizing I do this, I have been able to come up with some really effective solutions to combat this mindless eating.  Follow me as I share my strategies to help you overcome this issue. 

So....what do we do during those down times when everyone else in the family is napping, watching TV, surfing the web?! We #beastup and get our sweat on! 💪💪👊  When our goals mean more to us than anything else, we just do what it takes. Period. I'm 110% committed to getting the results I'm looking for, and sometimes it takes daily reminders. I have photos that are motivational to me posted so I see them every day. I track my weekly progress in measurements, weight, and weekly percent weight loss. I also track my intake daily. 

You can either be a couch potato, thinking about all the things you SHOULD do for yourself, or you can take action. I started to listen to those voices in my head...excuses and reasons why I should put it off. But the only person I'm cheating if I skip...is ME. So suck it up buttercup, and just do it.  👊. You'll thank yourself when you're done! 

I know to see good progress, I need to dial in my nutrition. Making a meal plan that I can stick to and want to follow takes some good forethought, but once it's done, I love that I can prep up all of my meals for the week and go into "auto-pilot". Week 1 was pretty much a bust because I really didn't have a posted plan that I was following. So I am learning from that mistake, and posting my week 2 plan on my fridge so I see it every time I enter the kitchen or go to the fridge. No excuses to NOT follow it! 

My measurements are taken, my "goodbye" pics are taken, my workouts are planned, and my intake for the week is all set and prepped. I am looking forward to some big gains this week!!!

Follow my daily journey and best fit tips at Marsha Smrcka Fitness. When you want to change more than you want to stay the same, you will find your inner motivation to do what it takes!

Apple Cobbler Yogurt Parfait

This was the first recipe I tried out from the new CIZE Eat it Up! nutrition guide, and it was so quick, simple, and delicious!!! I think I could honestly have this every single day. This is one of those meals that you could literally prep up in advance and stack and store in your fridge when you are ready to eat. 

Ingredients:
3/4 C. Plain Greek Yogurt
1 C. Sliced Apple
10 Pecan halves (chopped)
Ground Nutmeg & Cinnamon to taste
1 tsp. Maple Syrup

Add the ingredients to a medium sized bowl in order listed, and enjoy!!!

CIZE-4-CHANGE begins now!

As you probably already heard, the brand new workout from Shaun T was just released this week. I started the workouts on Monday, and have committed myself to complete the program following the 4-week calendar schedule. 

Do you dread your workouts?  Consider #CIZE4change. Change how you think about fitness and exercise. Change how, and where you work out when you take them with you anywhere On Demand. Change your emotional and physical state when you just dance your worries, stress, anxiety, and calories away!

But perhaps the most important change of all, will be the change in how you will laugh and enjoy your workouts, instead of dread them. Think about how if you could only just get started with a fun workout that you would WANT to do each day, how easy that would be to help you get into a healthy routine and habit of moving your body daily. Not to mention, when your kids and family see how much FUN you are having, they will want to join you as well!!!!

If you know me AT ALL, you would know that I DO NOT DANCE. Well, in front of people that is - haha!!  These workouts feel more like a dance lesson than a workout. I don't remember ever laughing during Insanity Max:30 or 21 Day Fix Extreme. I love how my mood is immediately better just by pushing play and dancing my stress away. I was really surprised at how I was learning the moves so quickly, and pretty much had it down after doing it just one time!  Took me back to my Football Cheerleader days and learning the cheer and dance routines :)

The meal plan is in alignment with the 21 Day Fix, which means it's SUPER easy and simple, likely all the foods you normally eat, and completely portioned controlled with using your containers and trackers. 

This is the CIZE meal tracker from the Eat It Up! nutrition guidebook. 

Putting meals together is so easy with the nutrition guidebook. For each meal, you literally pair your food groups together to create your delicious, balanced, portioned controlled breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is no need to flip back and forth as in the previous nutrition guides for the portion controlled plan, and the suggested meals are AMAZING!!!  This is my plan for this week, and I honestly cannot WAIT to share these recipes and meals with you as I use them. 

I wanted to share today's lunch with you. It was SO GOOD!!! I I normally have greens for lunch. Today I'm changing things up with an Apple Cobbler Yogurt Parfait 😋🍴. 

Cize Eat Up! plan is so simple, refreshing, balanced and perfectly portioned controlled that ANYONE can follow this without feeling hungry!! Delicious meals, simple prep, perfection. 

It's so much easier to stay on track when you love the meals you're having!! 

Apple Cobbler Yogurt Parfait

TEST group starts on the 27th!!!
Apply HERE to be considered

If you don't have a coach and you would like to join my exclusive support and accountability group to be the first to get results and potentially win $$ and prizes, then complete the application to be considered for a place in this exclusive test group.

ARE YOU READ FOR THE END OF EXERCISE?  CIZE IT UP!!!!!

Lets do this!!!

SPECIAL OFFER:  Anyone who joins the CIZE Launch Group with A challenge pack will also be entered to win a Fixate Cookbook with 101 recipes that will fit perfectly into the CIZE nutrition plan to keep your meals easy, healthy and a no brainer when it comes to planning!

Time to CIZE-4-CHANGE. Your time is NOW!