Unpolished Rubies by Melissa K MacGregor
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We INTERRUPTour normal Programming.....

5/31/2017

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My apologies for this last weeks hiatus here on the blog. When you are home educating you have rough days and rough weeks. Last week just happened to be a little of both. Add in the hubs work picnic, a new client, website changes, and writing,.......  well it gets overwhelming quickly. Honestly with everything going on I lost a little momentum last week in my writing. This being said, I'm just going to give you a couple quick updates rather than my typical Wisdom Wednesday post. 
I have been diligently working on updates to my website, Facebook pages, Google+, and general web presence. There is an endless world of learning in our age of technology. For me it's relearning some areas after stepping back from business for a time.  
One of my biggest undertakings was the make-over I gave my old "Diaries of an OCD Mama" Facebook "LIKE" page. It now shows consistency with my website at so you will find it under Melissa K. MacGregor .In addition to my blog I will be using this page to share more fitness and nutrition content, share links to articles and resources for spiritual growth as well as growth for physical health, events, Health Chats, transformation stories, and I'm even working on content for "Facebook Live" videos. So be sure to head over to my new improved page and give it a Like or Follow so you don't miss all the extra fun things I have going on. 
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If you still haven't heard the story how I entered the world of fitness and nutrition bringing me to the current manifestation of a three year dream, check it out on the Nutrition Nuts & Bolts tab on my website. I have made a few tweaks there as well. 
Don't forget that the Discover Beautiful Accountability Group has just started! But, its not to late to join. If you are working on physical or spiritual growth and need some community for support I would love for you to join us. It's a closed group for a more intimate setting where struggles and successes can be shared. 
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As I said in my last blog post Healthy Life with a Biblical Perspective I wholeheartedly believe a healthy life doesn't go without the spiritual element. God designed it that way. He created our physical bodies and they are a gift to us. Taking care of these gifts (as any other) should be an extension of our worship to Him. But, even if we do believe this, sometimes our own minds get in the way. That is what Discover Beautiful is all about. I cannot wait to see this community grow. And, the great thing about this group is that you would be considered a VIP when I add new resources to my website like my new Foundations Nutritional Coaching programs that were just added a few weeks ago. I just love encouraging people one-on-one through their goals and sharing the knowledge I have to help make lasting and life long changes. That is just so rewarding! 
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Well, that is all I have for now but keep checking in for more exciting updates. I hope you will meet me back here for the next blog or maybe a Live Facebook feed at the Melissa K. MacGregor Facebook Page. You never know! 
Blessings, 
     ​Melissa
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Fit Friday: Healthy Life with a Biblical Perspective

5/19/2017

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On this weeks Wisdom Wednesday " That Fire in My Heart", I shared a little bit about the vision God gave me to encourage others through writing and the passion to teach/coach healthy lifestyle. Today I want to talk a a bit about the accountability program  I created that brings these two things together. Writing/blogging and teaching/coaching healthy living are seemingly two completely different things, but molding them together always made sense to me.

I've mentioned before that, I wholeheartedly believe a healthy life doesn't go without the spiritual element. God designed it that way. He created our physical bodies and they are a gift to us. Taking care of these gifts (as any other) should be an extension of our worship to Him. But, even if we do believe this, sometimes our own minds get in the way. If this weren't true then we wouldn't be seeing Meme's all over our social media feed motivating us to workout and eat healthy, right!?!  Are these messages encouraging us in the right ways? As my walk with the Lord has deepened I have often wondered if some of these messages were actually motivating me in the right perspective. This brings in a third element, healthy minds. I found that creating an atmosphere where Christ was glorified was more important than elevating ourselves to accomplish a goal. When we are motivating ourselves with messages that WE CAN DO IT, or WE ARE STRONG  are we missing what GOD can do in us?  

Monday I shared this verse from  Psalm 37:4, I'm going to share it again because it applies here to. 
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" Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 
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This scripture tells us that if we delight in the Lord, He will give us what we desire. But, here is the thing we often miss......If we focus our attention on God first then He will align our hearts with His heart and His desires.

There have been a few times I have had a plan to compete again or set a new goal in my fitness journey that has changed midstream because my desires had changed. Here, is often the reason why. If I focus mainly on the "goal" first, I risk making that goal an idol, elevating it or myself above God. Filling my mind with truth is important in the process of creating a healthy life. It's really quite profound! 

I'm certainly not saying that all the meme's are bad for motivation, what I am saying is that creating a healthy mind should be based on the truth! Again, we continuously have to be reminded of the truth keeping each other accountable because our minds are so easily corrupted by Satan's lies. Satan is the master of deception, always twisting and manipulating, targeting our weaknesses. A simple message intended to encourage and empower us can be used by Satan to lure us into discontent, contentiousness, selfish ambition, jealousy, and self-empowerment. I know, I've been there many times. I have surrounded myself in the fitness culture where the "do whatever it takes to reach your goal" mentality has left me unsettled. Friends, this is not truth! Truth, God's word says:   
Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
 
This is what Discover Beautiful is all about. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (vs 33)  

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Like most, I can have periods when I become relaxed and let go of some of my healthy habits. As I've already explained I'm not just talking about good habits for my physical health but also my spiritual growth and self care.I have learned when I practice good habits taking care of myself physically, mentally, and spiritually I am a better servant to my Lord Jesus and to others. I believe all these things work together and I have found that I am most successful when I have accountability. This is why I created DISCOVER BEAUTIFUL, to help others create healthy habits with a biblical perspective. There are no strings attached when participating in this group just a place where we can all share our journey discovering our own beautiful. At this time Discover Beautiful is a FREE group. However, along with sharing encouragement I will also be sharing information, tools, tips and products with no obligations other than the purpose of guiding and coaching you through your journey. My vision for this group is that it be an interactive safe community where encouragement, success and struggles are shared. This will take place in a Closed Facebook Group setting found at Unpolished Rubies #Discover Beautiful where you can request to be a part of the group. You can also visit the Discover Beautiful Page on my website where you can register and find practical tools for healthy living. I hope to implement online or in home bible studies, local fellowships and meetups, health chats, and video (zoom) discussions. There is potential for so many things in this group as the Lord leads. And, I am so excited to see how this group unfolds. Will you join me? I hope you will! 
Blessing, 
Melissa
The next  #DiscoverBeautiful Accountability Group 
Begins May 22nd

Also visit Unpolished Rubies Facebook page

**THIS MONTH** WOMEN'S HEALTH CHAT
What better way to honor Mother's!?! Mother's are likely those who neglect their health the most, while focusing on others more!
Be looking out for information, health chat opportunities, women's health tips and more all month long!
Strong women. Healthy choices.

Take a HEALTH PRINT ASSESSMENT 

For a (no-strings attached) Health/Nutrition Consultation
email melissakmacgregor@gmail.com. 

 Curious about Shaklee visit my website melissakmacgregor.myshaklee.com









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That Fire in My Heart

5/17/2017

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A few months ago I started a new devotional book with my littles. Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado adapted by Tama Fortner. These have been great little devotions and have sparked some good conversation. But truthfully, many times I get just as much out of them (if not more) as my children do. God's word never returns void, Amen!?! 

A few weeks ago that is exactly what happened in the devotion titled " The Fire in Your Heart". The daily scripture read from Psalm 40:8-
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​I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8
The beginning of the devotion began with a series of questions. 
"Want to know God's will for your life? Then answer this question: What sets your heart on fire? That is, what do you feel that you just have to do to show God's love or to help others? .........

Pay attention to the fire in your heart! Do you love to sing more than anything? Then sing! Does your heart hurt for the sick and the lonely? Then comfort them!" 
 God set a fire in my heart roughly three years ago. I had just gone through my "life changing"  fitness transformation and knew that this was something I HAD to share. But, God  also gave me a specific vision to share my new passion for living healthy. God calls us to do EVERYTHING for His glory, right? This fire He set in my heart was  no different. My transformation was largely spiritual, not just physical. So I knew that by sharing this passion for healthy living, it had to be from a biblical perspective. So many ideas have flooded my head over the last few years, many of them pieces of what I felt were part of a puzzle....... pieces of the vision God was giving me. Much of this time I have felt like I was inching along and not making progress or simply just struggling through it. 

So much has happened in these last few weeks that I can't say this single devotion was the sole inspiration for the clarity I have found recently. I might just say it was timely confirmation in moving forward. As God always is......... timely! Who would have thought that God would speak to me about a calling He placed in my heart three years ago through a devotion for my little people. I'm learning as a homeschooling Mom that many lessons I intend for my children are often meant for me as well. YES, then there is THAT!!!  But, I digress. (Truthfully it is relevant but not the point I'm trying to make at the moment.)

The point I'm trying to express here is that "that fire in my heart", God ignited three years ago, has started to take its form. I feel that along with some new elements I have gained clarity and motivation that didn't seem to be fully there before. If you've been reading the blog over the past couple of weeks then you have seen the manifestation of what has been in my heart.

Ah, yes the blog.....this is the thing that seemed to be slow moving. Yet, this is the one spark of the vision that seemed to continue to burn inside of me. Though so many times it seemed that I just couldn't write, it still burned. Friends, this is so, so significant to me. You see, I NEVER intended to be a writer (of any kind). This is totally and completely God! Although writing has become a labor of love, it is non the less labor-some for me. It's hard most of the time. I struggled through high school and college writing papers. I don't even recall taking a creative writing class. IT WAS and IS PURELY GOD! That is the amazing part in this! When there is a burning desire to do something you would never dream of.......It must be God's will for you! Right!?! That's what I've experienced. 

Interestingly fitness was never on my radar either, yet God perfectly orchestrated that into my life as well. 

Two passions, two sparks..........How did it make one fire in my heart? It wasn't always clear but I kept taking small steps towards what I believed God was putting on my heart. Quite honestly it's still hard to put into words. But, writing about what God is doing in my life is what I feel led to do. Discovering that a healthy lifestyle and taking care of ourselves physically, mentally ,and spiritually is part of our worship to God is also something I had to share. So what you see as I continue writing on my blog and develop the tools on my website is the unfolding of the vision, "That Fire in my Heart".  

As Max Lucado beautifully and simply shared in his devotion for children, I also ask you:  
" What is the fire in your heart? What is it that you just have to do for God?"

Dear Ruby,  
Find your passion.
Find the Fire in Your Heart.
Discover Beautiful! 
" Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 

Blessings, 
Melissa
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Fit Friday: This For that- Lean Ground Turkey

5/12/2017

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A few years ago, once I began learning more about what good nutrition really was, I did an overhaul on the eating habits of the whole family. It was a gradual process but after competing I had to learn to how to eat normally with my family. Eating what your told to eat for 10 weeks is one thing, but transitioning to eating normal meals along with everyone else is a whole notha learning experience. I'm not going to lie, it was hard for me and  took a long time to translate what I learned into what the rest of my family would "willingly" eat as well. I am not a cook.....AT ALL! Surprisingly cooking has always been my husbands thing not mine. But, since we have incorporated healthier meals into our family I have expanded my horizons and learned a few simple meals and even experimented some with simple recipes. Did you catch that? SIMPLE! I am a simple girl when it comes to cooking. Cooking is not extremely enjoyable to me, partly because it overwhelms me. I found that, when tracking meals I must keep it simple, this was revolutionary to my cooking skills.

So now, as part of my "Fit Friday" posts I'm going to share a few tips and tricks I've learned along the way that made my families favorite meals more healthy.Thanks to my sweet friend who messaged me a question about ground turkey this morning, we are going to start there.

 In the "This For That" scheme of things, ground turkey is typically leaner and healthier than ground beef, simply because it has less fat (saturated). I'm not going to get into the super science-y nutritional breakdown in this post but, swapping BEEF for TURKEY can help you in a couple of ways. Because of the higher fat content in beef swapping for ground turkey will decrease your calorie intake as well as fat intake. Why, do you ask? Because there are 9 calories per gram of fat compared to 4 calories per gram of protein and carbohydrates. Its all in the math folks the higher the fat content the more calories you are going to consume. See its not just science, its math......you're welcome! And of course less saturated fat means better heart health, not just better for your waist line. 

Now that we have covered the why, lets move on to the how! Lean ground turkey  is a staple food in our house. You can do so much with it. Some of our families favorite meals are tacos (Taco Tuesday whoopwhoop a weekly favorite), spaghetti (because I have Italian blood, duh), Chili and turkey burgers just to name a few. 

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Brands to look for

Jenny- O Lean Ground Turkey
Shady Brook Farms Lean Ground Turkey
Nature's Own Whole Grain Sandwich Rounds
Great Value Organic Pasta Sauce 
Swapping out healthier ingredients in the meals you already love can be super simple. Think more whole foods rather than highly processed foods. Trading white breads and rice for whole grains can make your meal more nutrient rich as well. I have even ventured into making my own seasonings. Thanks to Pintrest I found a simple recipe for Taco Seasoning that we love (Pintrest recipe by Rachel Cooks). 

I will also switch things up to suit my macro nutrient needs, like this Turkey Burrito Bowl vs. the Whole Wheat Soft  Taco/Burrito. The tortillas can carry a good amount of fat too so the bowl is a lower fat option for me.
When cooking spaghetti,  I look for Organic lower sugar Marinara/ Pasta sauces as well. You can also make your own but I have found the Organic Great Value Brand (Wal-Mart) works great for us. We have swapped out regular pasta for whole wheat pasta. This happens to be what I am preparing  tonight as I am writing. Spaghetti squash is another healthy trend that is a great substitute  well. 
These are just a few examples of how you can make the meals you already love healthy and simple.  Substitute starchy and processed side dishes by adding a nice healthy salad or fresh raw veggies to complete any of these meals. Find healthy options that fit your family. It may take some time but keep it simple and in the long run your family will be on their way to a healthier lifestyle.

I hope you will keep coming back for more Fit Friday "This For That" along with some simple recipes to try for yourself!
Live Amazing My Friends! 
Melissa
The next  #DiscoverBeautiful Accountability Group 
Begins May 22nd

Also visit Unpolished Rubies Facebook page

**THIS MONTH** WOMEN'S HEALTH CHAT
What better way to honor Mother's!?! Mother's are likely those who neglect their health the most, while focusing on others more!
Be looking out for information, health chat opportunities, women's health tips and more all month long!
Strong women. Healthy choices.

Take a HEALTH PRINT ASSESSMENT 

For a (no-strings attached) Health/Nutrition Consultation
email melissakmacgregor@gmail.com. 

 Curious about Shaklee visit my website melissakmacgregor.myshaklee.com
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Wisdom wednesday: The Comparison Game

5/10/2017

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Recently I began a monthly scripture writing challenge with Writer, Speaker, Podcaster Heidi St. John. She often says on her podcast that simply writing out scripture is poweful. And it definitely has been for me. One of the recent scripture writings was from Romans 14. Let me tell you friends, God meets us right where we are! He gave me a perspective on this scripture that spoke to me in an area that I have struggled in most my life.
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​Romans 14:3-9
​"3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living."  
s  How does God speak to a #nutritionnerd (like me) through His word? By using a food illustration of course.

But truthfully, what I really see in this scripture is comparison. This is a subject that I've struggled with for a very long time and has been especially heavy on my heart this last year. God has been doing some major work on me in this area. I touched on it a bit in my post After the "After and Before Photo", when I talked about it taking hold again as the #250kchallenge was coming to an end. Comparison can sneak its way in so easily for me. And this unfortunately is not limited to fitness but trickles down into every area of my life .  I know that God does not desire for me to compare myself or my life to others. He desires for complete  obedience to Him! 

Certainly God gives us clear commandments in which we are all to obey but outside of that He has also created us uniquely for His glory. He often gives us convictions that are for each of us individually. These convictions are never contrary to His commandments but evidence that He cares for us as His unique children. He know us and He knows the things that keep one from fully devoting themselves to His worship, does not hinder another. 

In times that I have continually looked at others and compare myself or my life to theirs, by the end of the day I have found that I was so exhausted and  overwhelmed. Why wouldn't I? It waists so much energy! And this alone takes my focus off of God. But look what Romans 14:5-6a,7-8 says again: 
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord..........

​7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. 
The second part of verse 6 really stuck with me. "Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind." This tells me that we should not be wishy-washy thinking we should be doing this or that, have this or that, but be seeking God to solidify our minds in what is right for us. Because, as it continues to say, "If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord." 

​Our culture heavily implores us to the comparison game. We are constantly surrounded by social media and consumer ads telling us how we should live our lives.
Have you been lured in by the social media version of Super Mom or by the new fashion trends of your friend groups (you know what I mean)?
Oh, me too! 
Though individually these things may not be intentionally harmful, social media has its way of trapping us into comparison if we allow it.
Don't get me wrong I'm not saying Social Media is bad or wrong. But,  what I am saying is ,if it's a trap for you, it might be something you more carefully consider. Though, this might look differently to one as it does another. It is also a perfect example to what  Romans 14:3 says as I previously stated , "The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them". 
  So what might it look like if we were "fully convinced in our own mind" in today's culture? Well I can only tell you this from my own experience that as I draw closer to the Lord and as I know Him more intimately I can not only find what He does desire for me but also what He doesn't desire for me. As I do this I am able to stand firm on His word in which I can judge more accurately what God desires of me. In the New International Version (NIV) Bible "stand firm" is listed 34 times. You may know Ephesians 6:14:  
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place."
So if you must be drawn in by the latest fashion or compare to the latest superhero/supermom  lets look to this image of a warrior .What an empowering picture this creates. The BELT OF TRUTH and the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS!  This passage from Ephesians 6 goes on to describe the feet fitted with readiness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.

STAND FIRM RUBIES, be fully convinced in your own mind! Let us encourage each other to NOT be lured by the "Comparison Game" but live in the purpose God gives each of us!  
Blessings,
Melissa
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​ Fit Friday: #DiscoverBeautiful #LiveAmazing
Wisdom Wednesday: After the "After and Before Photo"
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Fit Friday~#DiscoverBeautiful #LiveAmazing

5/5/2017

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 If you follow me on social media you have seen me use these hashtags ( #DiscoverBeautiful #LiveAmazing) often. Why do I use them and what do they mean? Both show significance to my own health journey but by sharing/using them it allows me to make you apart of my journey as well.

When my health journey began four years ago (2013) and I began training for my first bodybuilding competition I saw how fitness and nutrition was impacting and transforming my life. I was amazed how my body was changing but more importantly I discovered I had to dig deep spiritually in a way I never had before.I wholeheartedly believe that like everything else in this earthly place, God gave us our physical bodies. And He commands us to take care of what we have been given. I have also discovered that when we take care of our bodies it equips us to better serve Him in the areas He has purposed us for. So for me it was all connected. And it was at this point I developed a passion to help others discover the same for themselves. This is where the idea of #DiscoverBeautiful began! 
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#DiscoverBeautiful was a program (more so an accountability group) I created in 2016 to help those looking for physical change with a spiritual perspective. This program and group includes daily/weekly encouragement for fitness and spiritual growth. (More information on my accountability group can be found on the #DiscoverBeautiful tab on the website ). God impressed this idea on my heart simply because I saw how important it was to first focus on my spiritual growth then on my physical changes. Having the right accountability, encouragement, and tools make such a difference when creating this atmosphere. I have learned so much and though I am still learning everyday it's part of the journey to share everything I learn.
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So this brings me to #LiveAmazing! Unlike #DiscoverBeautiful, #LiveAmazing is not original to me but a hashtag I adopted. About a year ago I was struggling. I was taking care of my body the best I knew how with mostly good nutrition, vitamins and supplements to fill in the gaps. But I was NOT feeling as amazing as I should have. However, I wasn't even searching for myself, I was looking into better health for my children. And after a few conversations with my sweet friend Holly, she gently directed me to Shaklee in which became the missing piece for my whole family. I continued to be impressed by this incredible company. Their above and beyond efforts to bring a product that is pure and safe for everyone could not be ignored.  Live Amazing is part of the Shaklee culture. The Shaklee company believes that everyone should experience feeling amazing just as we were created to be. Being able to have access to Shaklee as a resource to help others achieve better health has definitely added to my #LiveAmazing. 

This short video shows exactly the difference I saw in the Shaklee Corporation.  ​
Shaklee does an amazing job of providing us with education and resources to share with YOU! THIS is where a healthy lifestyle begins not just supplements and products. We believe that by providing you with the education, the resources, and support you need YOU will be equipped to make better decisions about your health.
So this to me is what it means to #LiveAmazing; finding superior health with real education & resources, support & guidance,and  pure & potent products!

So if you are looking to #DiscoverBeautiful or #LiveAmazing I'd love to help you in your journey! There are several ways to do that. Check out a few of the options below  that will help you take the next step in your health and spiritual growth.  

The next  #DiscoverBeautiful Accountability Group 
Begins May 22nd

Also visit Unpolished Rubies Facebook page

**THIS MONTH** WOMEN'S HEALTH CHAT
What better way to honor Mother's!?! Mother's are likely those who neglect their health the most, while focusing on others more!
Be looking out for information, health chat opportunities, women's health tips and more all month long!
Strong women. Healthy choices.

Take a HEALTH PRINT ASSESSMENT 

For a (no-strings attached) Health/Nutrition Consultation
email melissakmacgregor@gmail.com. 

 Curious about Shaklee visit my website melissakmacgregor.myshaklee.com
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Wisdom Wednesday:After the "After and Before Photo"

5/3/2017

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Some of you may have been following me on social media as I shared the journey and progress of the #250kchallenge with bodybuilding.com. Well the deadline has passed and the challenge complete..... BUT I'm going to share with you why I DID NOT submit the AFTER the AFTER photos!

I had shared a vulnerable post in the first few weeks of the challenge that included my AFTER and BEFORE pics. The reason I decided to do the challenge was because I desperately wanted change! I was hating my body and feeling horrible about backsliding into old habits. I needed the outside motivation of this challenge.

Here is the post:
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"NO this is NOT a before and after photo.....it IS an AFTER and BEFORE photo.
Quite honestly it takes way more courage to post a photo like this. It has taken me the better part of two weeks to OWN where I am in my journey. Its just HARD to admit to the world you have gotten off track in your own health (especially when you are a health advocate). I let my life and circumstances overtake my will. But that is changing! I'm going back to what I know. For motivation I took the plunge and entered @bodybuildingcom #250kchallenge. I'm in week 2. Man! Do I feel better! I'm still working out some logistics in my routine but I've really been working on my nutrition. My passion for nutrition absolutely comes from my STRUGGLE! I have experienced what good and bad nutrition can do. I believe in flexibility, for sure. But, you can spend hours in the gym and still not achieve optimum health if your nutrition is horrible. I also believe in accountability. So I'd live for you to follow my journey!"
Just like any transformation, I had my high and low moments in those 90 days. Progress was slow but I was testing my knowledge and all that I learned while getting certified; trusting my new methods and trusting in the process. Now here is where I was experiencing a difference from all the other times. After I had gained my health back, began eating better again, and lifting again I became more comfortable in my body AND NOT caring about the numbers. I was comparing less and owned MY goals not someone else's!

Was I happy where I was?
NO, there was still work to do in order to reach my goal.
BUT, I felt good in my own skin again.

These physical transformations I do are NEVER just physical. Mental and Spiritual transformation ALWAYS have equal parts. This subject is another blog post all together, however, it is so important and part of my process.

But, THEN things changed aaaagain! In that last week I started to see other contestants before and after transformations. And there the battle in my mind began. I started feeling that my progress wasn't enough. Maybe I was doing things wrong. I was doubting!

But, I also considered the methods in which many reached that amazing transformation. I have followed the culture of bodybuilding long enough to know the processes followed. I even followed it myself. I also know that while tremendous fat loss happens in a relatively short period of time, there is risk involved in gaining it back once those methods are not continued. You have to be strategic in the post transformation phase. Although the quick fat/weight loss was  the goal for many if not most of the challengers, this was not my ultimate goal. I want fat loss but, I also want a good healthy sustainable lifestyle.I also didn't want to lose muscle  but gain muscle if possible. This is challenging to do simultaneously. 

In my humanness seeing these amazing transformation left me torn. I wanted more success, quicker success, "the others" success.
Remember.... Equal parts mental and spiritual?

Reality- I knew that my progress wasn't enough to be in the running as a finalist.
Mental and Spiritual conclusion:
  • I did not feel the need to submit photos just to prove (to bodybuilding.com and other challengers) my success! Sure, had I really connected to some of them during the challenge and found accountability there then sure it might have been more of a consideration. But, I should not/do not measure success from the worlds standards but God's standards; in which is my obedience to Him. This competition was simply to motivate me to do a better job in taking care of my body, something He has placed on my heart to do. In this I believe I was successful.  To others success might look differently. 
  • I had begun having these sitcom/Saturday Night Liveish mental images of judges tossing out my photo because I didn't reach their criteria of transformation (ok I know it's not an accurate picture of how it happens but its how my over-analyzing HSP mind works). Truthfully it goes back to comparison, something I continually struggle with. In the end I didn't want the visualization of comparison in my head. I will definitely be expanding on this in later posts.   
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.
Romans 14:5-7
  • I didn't feel the need to submit photos to prove my worth. My worth and success does not come from a competition, the numbers on the scale or fat calipers. I know my worth comes my creator. I use Psalm 45:11 often. 
​​​
Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
    honor him, for he is your lord.
​ Psalm 45:11
Though there are no actual "After the After and Before photos" this time I assure you my fitness journey continues as it always does. Slow progress does not mean there wasn't or isn't any change happening. God used this event for His purpose to grow me further and bring me closer to Him. As for the physical changes we are still working on that too. 
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Join me for "Fit Fridays" as I share more of my journey, fitness & nutrition information, articles, tips, recipes and more.  

Is there something you are working toward but aren't feeling quite successful? Pray and ask God how He is measuring your success!

Blessings my Rubies, 
Melissa
Last Published: Unpolished NOT Unavailible
*Subscribe to this blog to the right of this post. 
Join me back here for:
Wisdom Wednesdays~ Real Life. Discovering the Beauty of God's Wisdom in the Messiness of Life
Fit Fridays~ The healthy side of my life; Mind, Body, and the Spiritual connection. Nutrition, Fitness, Recipes, Transformations, Articles, guest posts, and much more!
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Follow me on Social Media:
Facebook: Unpolished Rubies
​Instagram: @MelissaKMacGregor and @UnpolishedRubies
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Motivation Monday:Unpolish NOT Unavailible

5/1/2017

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A topic I have yet to talk much about here on the blog but DO talk a lot about on social media is our families homeschooling venture. Truthfully this is what keeps me from writing as often as I like. This was a big step for us ....OK mostly ME, my kids surprisingly were very accepting of the idea. When God first put this on my heart, in my self doubt my first response was "God I'm NOT equipped for this (as it often is). How can my messy life handle this HUGE task?"

Jesus chose the most unlikely men to be his disciples. All he required of them was that they make themselves available and follow Him.

This is the same for us. We may feel Unpolished, Unworthy, Unequipped but He will still use us if we make ourselves AVAILABLE! Because we are worthy through Him, He will polish us up and equip us for the task He has set before us! I know this is true for me.

He has a purpose for you. Are you Available?
@unpolishedrubies #unpolishedrubies

Last Published: The Day My Life Was Forever Changed~ Revisited and Abridged
*Subscribe to this blog to the right of this post. 
Join me back here for:
Wisdom Wednesdays~ Real Life. Discovering the Beauty of God's Wisdom in the Messiness of Life
Fit Fridays~ The healthy side of my life; Mind, Body, and the Spiritual connection. Nutrition, Fitness, Recipes, Transformations, Articles, guest posts, and much more!
​
Follow me on Social Media:
Facebook: Unpolished Rubies
​Instagram: @MelissaKMacGregor and @UnpolishedRubies
​
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    Author

    Hey there precious Rubies, my name is Melissa MacGregor. I am a wife to one amazing guy & a (newly  homeschooling) mama of two increadible little people, a former wedding designer turned fitness enthusiast and bodybuilding competitor. But most of all I love Jesus and my biggest desire is to Discover  the Beauty of God's Wisdom in the Messiness of Life. Read more About Unploished Rubies here and more about me here

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