At the time, I hated my eating disorder with every single ounce of hate I could come up with. It was terrible, it was horrible, it was all the bad things an eating disorder is suppose to be. But, that eating disorder shaped me. It gave me a better understanding of life than most people have. It has given me the ability to appreciate food in a new way. It has taught me more about self love than the average person would know. It has made me an expert in enjoying who I am. Although my eating disorder sucked, it has taught me some very important lessons, that some people never learn.

1. There is more to life than weight loss, calorie counting and bikini selfies. Recovery taught me there is so much more to life than all of these above things. Friends, family, health, outings, accomplishments, the list could go on. When your not worried about the scale, the diet or the weight, you realize there is A LOT of cool stuff going on out there. And I promise you, if you don't calculate every single ounce of food you eat, you will still survive!
2. Abs are overrated. Let's be honest, there is joy in food. Its almost sad when you think you can never eat a piece of cake again because its not on the plan. Recovery has taught me that having a flat stomach, abs and no abs is all okay. Cake is good and you should be able to enjoy it now and than. Starving yourself to get your stomach to look a certain way.... not cool. Eating in moderation and letting  your body be at its happy, healthy normal size....way cool. (and sometimes that healthy, happy normal size means abs! Rock it girl!)
3. You don't have to kick your ass everyday to consider it a workout. Yoga is considered a workout. Meditating is considered a workout. Pouring a cup of tea and taking 30 minutes to reflect and unwind is considered a workout. Go ahead and train your body, but don't forget about the internal. Our mind needs attention too! I practice yoga, weight training, running, stretching, meditating and reflecting every week. I don't have a plan I follow or rules I need to go by, I listen to what my body wants.
4. It's okay to have off days. Sometimes your going to eat too much. Sometimes you might be hard on yourself. And that's NORMAL. Allow yourself to be a human.
5. It's okay to like who you are. You don't need to fit any mold. It's okay to like the fun, goofy, different, unique person that you are!

-Hanna

This blog is written just for the ladies today. It's inevitable that that time of the month is going to come around. Cramps, bloating, emotions and cravings can be a sure way to a full week of movie marathons, missed workouts and cream filled chocolate donuts!

Whenever I use to start my period it would be a free for all and I would do whatever the hell I wanted (Veg on the couch and stuff my face was usually what I wanted). Over time I learned that made it way worse.

I'm not telling you to suck it, keep eating healthy and get to the gym, I'm telling you to learn what your body needs (and no, its not donuts).

A few days before I start is usually when those cravings kick in. So, I've learned if I just can't stop eating its usually because my period is going to start. So, instead of fighting those cravings and than going crazy when I can't handle it anymore, I give in. Yep, I allow myself a treat. Sometimes its a chunk of dark chocolate sometimes it's coconut ice cream, sometimes its frozen yogurt. If I'm craving something, I make sure I satisfy it.

The first couple days of my period I take it pretty easy and be sure to fuel up on nutrients. I eat more food than I normally do and I make sure they're balanced meals. That usually means I'll have a bigger breakfast, maybe a bigger snack, and just make sure I'm keeping myself fueled throughout the day with healthy foods.

Exercising will help with the cramps but I recommend taking it light the first few days. Going on a walk, doing some yoga, meditating, anything that relaxes you. Drink Lots of water throughout the day, and if you feel like crying, let.it.out!

Below is a list of the main things to focus on.

1. Eat lean protein and fiber. This is going to keep your blood sugar level. Try snacks like an apple and almond butter or a pear and some cheese.
2. Eat consistently. Eating (and drinking water) consistently will help fight those cravings, reduce cramps and balance hormones
3. Drink and snack smart. Stay away from sugary or carbonated drinks. Fuel up with water and balanced meals.
4. Get your iron in. Eat foods like lentils, spinach, kidney beans and potatoes.
5. Caffeine is ok. Have a cup of coffee in the morning to help with being lethargic. If you like it sweet add in some coconut creamer.

Take care of yourself and your body will thank you for it!

If you have ever been to iAM you know we dont care about the number on the scale. If we want society to change, it begins with us. I could easily put you on a diet of chicken and lettuce and have you drop 15 lbs, but it would not last, and you would not be satisfied. If we dont love who we are that number is never going to be enough for us. We could lose all the weight in the world and we would still want more.

At iAM we focus on loving yourself. Honoring your body by being active, fueling it right and positive self talk. What we do now is going to effect our younger generations. You want society to change? Guess what, it begins with you.

Just about every woman at iAM has had inches lost, had to buy smaller clothes, has had more energy throughout the day and most important, has started loving themselves.
The difference is, this is a lifestyle. Most started 3 months ago and they are still in here 5+ days a week, still eating balanced, still getting results.
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Do it for yourself, do it for your daughters, neices, friends, and every other woman out there so in the future loving yourself becomes the norm.
We are more than a number.