5 Tips for Creating New Habits

If you are anything like me it easy to speak my dream. In fact I dream big and I have always dreamed big dreams since I was a young girl. When I look back to when I was growing up I have consistently dreamed, I have consistently desired bigger things for myself, but I had never accomplished much. Why?!?! MY BAD HABITS!

A lot of bad habits created a lack of follow through on my dreams... fear, insecurity, doubt... they all drastically impacted the direction I was heading and how much I was actually DOING the things I wanted to do. These habits clearly made it difficult to have the confidence to pursue my dreams. As a result, my determination to accomplish big goals suffered.

I would say in the last year I have been able to teach myself new skills to rid myself of certain bad habits. Specifically, I had to learn how to disengage the fears, insecurities, and doubts I had developed as a young girl. Now a 20-something woman, I am teaching myself new habits as if I were a 4-year old girl preparing to entering my first year of school. When I disengaged my fears and no longer gave power to my insecurities, my determination rapidly increased. It has become somewhat of a snowball effect. The more I started accomplishing my dreams and goals, the more I wanted to get done. The more I saw what I could complete in one day, the earlier I wanted to get up. The more I saw what I was learning helping other people, the more I wanted to meet and interact with new people. It all came down to teaching myself new habits.

Here are 5 things that have helped me create new habits and have helped me find my determination-

1. Rule #1 is to find passion and desire in whatever it is you are about to do. If you don't LOVE something and if you aren't PASSIONATE about your goals/dreams... you aren't going to have fun at all! Find what you love doing... whatever you love doing is generally what you are good at. Your passion is usually rooted in those things.
2. Start with a POWER GOALS list! These are the biggest goals you have. From there, break your goals down in to 6 month long goals. What will you accomplish in 6 months? From those goals create smaller monthly goals. Each goal as you break down your list should ALWAYS link back in some way to your POWER GOAL. Finally, set smaller weekly and daily goals. Something as simple as sending 1 email to a company you want to be sponsored by or complete 4 days at the gym. Remember to link your daily goals back to your POWER GOALS.
3. Get up 15 minutes earlier for 1 week. From there, increase it to 30 minutes earlier. Getting up earlier in the day will allow you to accomplish more. Your brain and drive feeds off of getting more done. When you start to cross more off of your to-do list each day or when you are able to get the dishes done before you leave for work, you feel more accomplished. Use that time to pack your bags or lunch for the day. Get everything ready and by the door so you can head out for your day smoothly. The more accomplished you feel, the more that determination will follow you throughout the day.
4. Write it down!! I am a huge advocate for writing down dreams, goals, and plans! Get yourself a journal, write on the bathroom mirror with dry erase marker, put quotes at your work station! The more you see your goals and dreams looking back at you, the more reminders you will have as to what YOU WANT!
5. Go the extra mile for everyone and anything you do! One of my mentors tells me, "Under promise and over deliver!" When you are completing tasks with passion and desire, it fuels your own fire. I completely understand that there are things at work you just don't enjoy doing... there are people you don't like... but in an effort to develop new habits, SUCK IT UP! We are trying to develop new habits and in doing so, we have to practice on everyone we encounter!

It takes 21 days to create a new habit and I believe it. You won't be perfect the first time and WE ALL trip up at times, but give it 21 days! 21 days to see what is possible.
Question yourself...
What if I got to the gym 4 days out of the week for the next 3 weeks?
What if I started to meet new people that could potentially help me land my dream job?
What if I got up 30-60 minutes earlier each day and organized my home?
WHAT IF?!?! NOW DO!!!!
Be the productive, happy, self-loving person we all desire to be friends with! Why not you?! You have the power to become!

Stay Tuned

Just days away from WBFF LA Fitness and Fashion Weekend and I cannot wait to step on stage. My physique is coming in better than I expected and I am so excited to join the rest of the ladies on stage to celebrate our hard work over these past few months. It takes much dedication and sacrifice to get on stage and I cannot wait to celebrate all of the work that has been put in.

My goals for the day of competition is to enjoy every moment of it! I am really focused on have great stage presence so I can walk away with beautiful stage shots that will document yet another great moment in my fitness career. I look forward to sharing lots of pictures on social media, so don't forget to head over and like my Facebook Page and Instagram, @anna_lavonne.

I have been working on my post show goals so I have a plan stepping off stage. The day of competition is such a remarkable feeling and feeling of accomplishment. When I step off from stage I want to be able to use the momentum from competing to make significant progress in my career. I sat down and set goals for myself so I already have a plan when the lights go down on the WBFF stage.

I plan to expand my blogs in to a website and offer my followers more healthy recipes, information
on living a healthy lifestyle, and new tips and tools to help everyone accomplish their goals. I will be working on new, flavor filled recipes that are not only healthy, but nourish the body. I also plan to research more natural healing and natural food options. If you know of any helpful resources, I would love to hear from you.

in addition, I plan to research better options for purchasing whole and natural foods. I have found a couple local Farmer's Markets and I cannot wait to really dive in and see what they have to offers.

I am currently training locally at Xclusive's Fitness and I look forward to creating new workouts and routines for clients. I love giving back, sharing knowledge, and watching people change their lives. I look forward to working on the craft of fitness and lifestyle training.

Define Fitness

My physical goals are to gain more muscle and continue to build the body of my dreams. I plan on staying approximately 2 weeks out from being able to shoot in front of the camera. One of my goals this year is to become published. I feel like if I stay within 2 weeks out from out from being able to stand in front of camera, I will be reminding myself daily of my goal for publishing. Not to mention, I love setting the example and showing that a healthy, fit body is attainable while still enjoying treats and yummy food.

Health and wellness is my passion and I love to share that with everyone. My goal from here on out is to constantly learn and better my skills. I love sharing what I learn, my experiences, and helping people accomplish their health and wellness goals. I plan on putting in the work in the gym, the kitchen, and in my spiritual life so I can motivate others to become their best.

On several occasions I have asked if any one has any topics or questions they would like me to answer in blog posts or social. Please feel free to reach out to me, I love hearing from you all!

Wish me luck!!

Post Show Plan

It is no secret I am approaching my third WBFF Competition in just a couple days!

Leading up to a show my diet becomes more restrictive in order to obtain the stage body and leanness that is necessary. People have asked on a couple occassions what I will "cheat" on or what I look forward to following the show. I love this question mainly because it gives me the opportunity to share my love and passion for health and wellness.



Anna Lavonne Richardson WBFF Diva Bikini Model

I have never and will never condone a post-show binge... in other words... I personally don't believe in eating everything in sight (pop tarts, cupcakes, Oreos, etc.) immediately following a show. I think it is terrible for the body's metabolism and borh physical and mental health. Not to mention I have worked countless hours and months on my body, throwing a bunch of crap in my body hours following a show makes me feel like food has more control over me than I would like to allow. I know there are other competitors that believe differently and that is okay, however I want to set a good example for any woman following me on my fitness journey. Health, wellness, and being fit is a lifestyle to me, not just a special occasion. There is nothing that cannot be enjoyed through moderation and balance.

Besides, who really wants to feel stuffed full of sugar and bloated following any special event?

With that said, my plan is to enjoy certain splurges in moderation and (key word) over a period of a month or more post-show. Spacing out my splurges/cheats over time will allow for my body to come back from the restrictive diet that I had leading up to my show. Since stuffing my body full of a bunch of indulgent food post-show isn't in my plan, I have come up with a few things I look forward to and that I plan to enjoy over time.

First, I look forward to a steak. It can have a baked potato or just plain old veggies, but a great steak is the first thing I have my eye on. To most people this doesn't sound like much of a splurge, so I will continue.

Another thing I have my eyes on is a few pieces of french toast! I do enjoy carbohydrates, especially when they are sweet. So it is possible the week following my show I will enjoy a wonderful breakfast with my fiance. My breakfast to include eggs, turkey sausage, and french toast.


Temecula Valley Wine Country- Wilson Creek Manor

In June we have another vacation scheduled for Temecula Wine Country here in Southern California. I am excited to taste a few wines, enjoy a weekend of relaxation, and enjoy a glass of champagne. What I love most about living a consistent healthy lifestyle is that special occasions and vacations are enjoyable when it comes to enjoying tasty splurges. We might even be looking at wedding venues while we are on vacation. That's exciting!

I snagged a few pieces of clearance Easter candies the Monday following the show and since I am a sucker for chocolate, I will be enjoying a few pieces a week or two after show. I am also on the hunt for a dairy free, dark chocolate to enjoy post show.



Against All Grain

Finally, I am really looking forward to getting in to the kitchen and creating healthy alternative recipes to share with you all. I recently picked up Against all Grain by Danielle Walker. It is a cook book packed full with Paleo recipes. Over the last few months I discovered I have an intolerance to dairy and I am especially looking forward to getting in to the kitchen and finding a few healthy, dairy-free recipes to share. In particular, Danielle's book includes a recipe for mini-meatloaf muffins with cauliflower mashed "potatoes" on top. I love creating yummy meals for both my fiance and I to enjoy at home. A healthy home and healthy recipes make me feel empowered and excited. I cannot wait to share!

I am excited to step on stage and showcase all of the work I put in over the last few months. I also look forward to coming home and getting creative with healthy foods. Health and wellness will always be my passion. I look forward to sharing with you all recipes that are still healthy, but taste just like our favorite comfort foods.

Thank you all for your love and support. I have been very blessed to have great followers and such positive feedback. I have goals for these next few months and I can't wait to share my plans with you all. Stay tuned... in the next couple days I will share with you all what is on the horizon!

Your feedback is much appreciated and I would love to hear from you. Email me, message me, and/or follow me on Facebook and Instagram.