Only Positive Moving Forward

Things have gone down recently that I've kept my mouth shut about.
Not because I don't feel the need to defend myself (I always WANT to) but because this is a place of inspiration.
And negativity is not needed or wanted.
Megan and I have gotten a lot of hate lately for some truly ridiculous things that no one really knows about.
I mean, I got hate mail for using paper plates.
I honestly didn't think people cared so much about what I eat off of. While posting pictures of my healthy food, and trying to focus on THAT, people wanted to bash me for using paper plates.
Umm... okay.

We get criticized for spending time together and not being with our kids 100% of the time.
My kids are happy and healthy and LOVED like crazy.

 

Megan and I have a bond. We have both worked hard to lose weight ON OUR OWN and we both have fitness related blogs and love helping other women. We also love to workout.

Who is anyone to judge our friendship and say we spend too much time together or at the gym and not enough time with our kids and spouses?

People only know what we show and tell them.

We've been criticized on the Mama Laughlin Fit Camp page for things.
Megan and I get asked A LOT of questions. We joke around A LOT.
What is life without laughter?
If you don't like to laugh, or don't think inappropriate things are funny, then you are most likely in the wrong place.
I will never apologize for BEING ME.
Sometimes I say inappropriate things.
Sometime I cuss.
Sometimes I eat off paper plates. 
Sometimes I make jokes that are blown WAY out of proportion.
THAT'S ME.
I try my hardest not to be controversial, but it seems like no matter what, someone is always going to take something out of context, jump to conclusions, or think badly of me for it.

That said, I do try and respond to every email I get, and I try to answer all the questions I get.
That takes A LOT of time to do. And I do it because I want to help.
I take time out of my day to respond to emails, to post, to try and help and inspire people.
Because I enjoy being able to help others.
I don't do it for my own benefit.
Yes, the free stuff is a bonus. Yes, the money I make is a bonus.
But that's all fairly new and I've written this blog for 5 years now and I've never expected anything in return for it.
The feeling I get when someone tells me I have inspired them is enough.
The emails I get saying I've helped someone get off their butt and run their first mile makes it worth it.

It's the little things that I get scrutinized for that make me think twice about being so open about my life.
The reason I continue to do it is because no matter the amount of negativity, I KNOW I'm helping people.
I KNOW that by sharing my story I have helped a lot of women.
And I'm more proud of that than you can ever imagine.
I'm able to help women feel good about themselves, make themselves a priority and realize that THEY ARE WORTH IT, just by sharing my own story.
That you CAN balance it all. And that you CAN have a rockin' body after babies!

People are going to criticize and be negative and not everyone is going to love everything I have to say 100% of the time.  
THAT'S FINE! I don't expect you to.
How boring would that be if we didn't all have our own opinions?
But there is a way to go about it in a respectful manner.
A private email, instead of hate bashing publicly is a start.

Up until now, I haven't really responded to the negativity.
I try not to focus on it and honestly, I don't HAVE to defend myself to anyone.
Because what I do here first and foremost is try to inspire others to live a healthy life.
Don't judge me for every little thing in my life that you don't agree with. 
And don't judge me for things you think you know but have no idea about.

Moving forward I am only focusing on the positive. Any negative comments will not be published, any negativity on Instagram will be deleted, as well as on Keek and Facebook.
Look, that's not about me. I can take the shit talking. I've got thick skin. I've been called every name in the book. It rolls right off my back now.
The reason for it is to spare everyone the drama that comes out of the negativity.
When someone posts a negative comment, people respond. I read every response, and usually never comment.
But I'm sick of my social media outlets becoming a space for people to argue back and forth.
That's not what I'm about. And it's going to stop.

Only positivity from this point on.
Because I know, no matter how much shit I get for using paper plates, that MOST people are here for the inspiration.
And I thank you all for that.


Now let's check out some awesome stuff, shall we?


Diet Drama is a fun health and wellness blog with a little sass. Terri is a mom like most of us trying to lose the last of that baby weight. Check out her blog HERE.

The Origami Owl is custom jewelry, charms, and lockets. They have some really cute personalized lockets. I LOVE mine!! Check out Melinda's page HERE.

You love some Mary Kay? Melissa is your girl. Mention this blog and get 10% off your order from her page HERE.

Jen from Perfectly Posh has the best pampering selection: lotions, creams, scrubs, the works. The sugar scrub is AMAZING! You can order from her page HERE.

Have you seen those body wraps? Samantha from Wrap Lady sells them on her page. Check them out HERE or on her facebook page HERE.

Allison is one of the best photographers around. She takes all of my family photos. She also does super secret boudoir pics that I'll be sharing with you all this week! If you are looking for a great photographer, please contact her HERE.

Vanessa from Ruffles with Love makes my favorite workout shirts! Go pick yourself out a shirt HERE.