This Year's Forecast

CREATION.

I believe ultimately that God created everything. But I also believe that life isnt about "finding" yourself... it's about creating who you want to be.

With that said, I've been so blessed to have the lifestyle I have and to be able to have accomplished so many things I never thought I'd ever experience. I may take a break every now and then, but I dont ever quit. I find a way to get creative and focus on new challenges to keep life interesting. This year will be amazing for new adventures are to come! Stay tuned. Dont blink! :)

xoxo
Bethany

Hello 2010.

This year I resolve not to make any new year's resolutions. Why? Well, simply put, I just want to do everything I did last year, only better now that I'm older and wiser. I am still growing and evolving as a trainer and competitor; and although I have short term goals, my goals tend to be lifelong. I will never stop learning and seeing what life is all about out there. I have known this since I was 14. And a little more than a decade later, I'm experiencing life far different from the typical 25 year old. I train, compete, and travel. And I couldnt wish to do anything else.

I'm pretty fortunate to have a career that allows me to encounter people from all walks of life on a daily basis. The stories I hear are phenomenal, and some are heartbreaking. But I gain new perpectives on life everyday and find common ground with people who are so different from me. They also truly open up a whole new world to explore. I like things that are different. What I find that is truly sad is a person who has everything in the world but cannot stop and smell the roses and appreciate the little things in life. There's no simplicity and all you see is cold and loneliness in that person. I personally love and enjoy sharing my life with others. My clients become family and together we create a community of support, trust, respect, and compassion. I truly love sharing both stories of success and embarassment with everyone. I'm not super rich...but I'm pretty richly blessed.

So here we are. '08 was great, '09 was mine...so 2010, let's just do it again. ;)

Much love,
Bethany

Living Large on a Small Budget

(Scene from Confessions of a Shopaholic)

As a female trainer in the fitness indsutry, my body is my billboard. To gain and keep my clientele, I have to look good in and out the gym. With fitness competitions, shoots, and the travel expenses, I've learned how to budget it all and still have my cake and eat it -no pun intended ;).

I've often been asked where I got this or how I came up with that in regards to an outfit. And for the longest time, friends, family, and relatives believe I actually spent a ton of money on clothes, shoes, and accessories! Bargain shopping doesnt mean "cheap." It means "I look like a million bucks even tho I only spent $50 head to toe on my outfit!!"

To be successful at bargain shopping you have to know your own taste. Great style isnt about following the latest trends. It's about having the ability to show off your personality and creativity into your wardrobe and being innovative with it.

Know your own style. Know what you want. This way, you dont look like you're wearing discounted clothes, but rather a well-put together outfit that is smashing and will have everyone telling you how good you look all night!

Join the club:
Many retail stores offer club memberships and send coupons through email. Bebe has a free membership called Club Bebe and you can be alerted via email/text when their next sale is coming up. They send coupons you can print out and even have "secret sales" for members only. You earn points on your purchases towards money discounted off your next purchase. I've gone to this store and spent $200 on $1,000 worth of stuff just because they had a 65% off what was already discounted 50%.

TWEET:
Follow your fave stores on Twitter and get their sale updates instantly. Net-a-porter and Victoria's Secret are just a couple.

It's on Sale:
Know - and I mean memorize so you got this down to a T - when the sale season is for the store. Anytime a new season begins, the stores have to get rid of their inventory to make room for new merchandise. The Victoria's Secret Semi Annual Sale, Express, Bath & Body Works huge sales usually all fall under the same week(s). You can google it or ask a retail rep from the store. Usually when Express has their sale, it's a great way to stock up on basic tops and tanks. You dont need an $80 plain white baby blue cotton tee, but yes take it for $15.

Get your money BACK:
Ever buy something expensive only to find it onsale a week later? Ask the store for a price adjustment. Ebates.com can also give you a percentage of your money back from stores like Macy's, Sephora, and Bloomingdales.

Outlet Shopping:
When I lived in Austin, I was literally at the San Marcos outlet mall every other week. They had Victoria's Secret, Bebe, Betsey Johnson, Michael Kors, and many other stores. So look up the closest one near you and find out what they offer. I bought two of my Sauconey's when they were buy one get one half off at an outlet. And when you work weird hours as a trainer, you'll thank your shoes for the comfort of being on your feet.

Shop weekdays:
If it is at all possible, shop on a weekday. Most stores discount their items on a Tuesday night near close when the sale starts on Wednesday. You can get a better selection on sales. Bonus for shopping on a weekday: it's not crowded and the stores are very neat and organized. Usually by Thurs or Fri, all the stores will have had their shipment of new goodies in and have the store replenished from the previous weekends so they are well-stocked and ready for another weekend.

Party dresses and outfits you'll probably only wear once or twice (let's be honest):
Forever21
TargetH&M

Designer Sample sales:
ideeli.com
This is an AWESOME, invite-only, online shopping community that holds designer sales.

Clothes, shoes, swimsuits:
VictoriasSecret.com

Websites for discount codes and coupons:
retailmetnot.com
couponcraze.com

Online retailers that match prices & have designer sales:
shopstyle.com
shopbop.com

Purses and accessories:
TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross

Party/Costume jewelry:
Forever 21
Target
Sam Moon
- Sam Moon is a great wholesaler with Swarovsky crystal jewelry & accessories close to 80% cheaper than department stores.

Designer Jeans (True Religion, Seven for All Mankind, Lucky):
Nordstrom Rack
Neiman's Last Call

Clothes for photoshoots and modeling sessions:
great-glam.com
flirtcatalog.com
American Apparel
lululemon

Do spend money on the staples (jeans, etc) that have good quality and will last awhile. Dont spend money on outfits you'll only wear once or maybe twice (for those Ladies Night, parties, fitness costumes, etc).

ALWAYS bargain shop. There's no need to ever pay full price for anything if you cant reasonably justify the price. Be smart and stay ahead of your budget and you'll find yourself with extra money at the end of the day to set aside for a trip or a massage at the spa. Or groceries for that matter! ;D

You can enjoy a great lifestyle AND have it all without overspending or contributing to the billions of dollars that the American economy is under. :D

xoxo
Bethany

happy one year

One year ago today was my first Media Day for the Fitness America World Championships in Las Vegas, NV. Here we all were getting lined up on the balcony above the Golden Nugget pool. I remember looking around surrounded by media and filming for ESPN and taking it all in. I had hope and the excitement and anticipation of stepping on stage Friday morning.

Your first show is like your first love. You never forget it. And that weekend was bittersweet. It tested my true strength. And honestly, you never know how strong you are or how badly you want something until you are tired and beaten down inside and out, with people telling you that you are stupid and going to fail...but you still get up and take life by the balls and move forward towards your dreams. I know that my life has purpose and meaning. And though it may take me years to win a national title, I'll be damn sure that when I get there, I turn around and help someone else do the same. That is success.

At Fitness Texas this year, the host asked me on stage if it was overwhelming competing for the first time in Vegas. I told him "overwhelming" was an understatement. But at the heart of it all, true health is a gift. To be free from diseases and having met your own goals and overcoming each obstacle along the way is a blessing. And to be able use your journey to help people is karma 360. So I'll stick by that whatever placement the judges decide to give me.

I've had a beautiful life this past year. I've the opportunity to shoot a fitness ad, test shoot for a magazine, work at expos and health fairs, compete, travel from the west to the east coast, witness my cousins get married, and -just the other day- rescue another dog. I wont forget all the amazing people whose paths crossed with mine either. I believe that each person you meet has a reason for being there, whether it's for 2 minutes, 2 days, a month or a year. I always believe in leaving each one with kind words and to remember that at any moment, life can change and everything around you could be gone. I'm hands down grateful for the past year and I cant wait to share the next one with those I meet.

As the end of this year nears, I am only stoked about the possibilities of 2010. You can join me. I will happily share it all with you. Just make sure to fasten those seatbelts bc it's going to get crazy. :)

xoxo
Bethany

P.S.

Good Luck to all my Savage Sistas competing in Vegas this weekend!