Well, I was contemplating changes to this website, which I think I mentioned before as a downgrade to a free blog instead of a self-hosted one. I'm still really torn about the decision, though. I obviously have a lot of "affiliate links" on this site, which are actually links to Beachbody programs, supplements, etc. because I am an Independent Team Beachbody Coach. So when I tried to easily transition everything wordpress.com got mad at me for having too many affiliate links. I am still a Beachbody Coach, but I am not as active anymore. I started this website not *just* because I'm a Coach but because I wanted to share my journey in hopes of inspiring others to live a healthier lifestyle. It's not free to run this site, though, and I was hoping by also sharing that I'm an Independent Team Beachbody Coach it would not only help our family out a little bit by sharing the awesome programs that I would recommend anyway and Shakeology, which I obviously also highly recommend. If you're going to recommend it anyway might as well get paid for it, right? That's why I'm a Coach because I do believe in the products and would recommend them regardless. I'm a Coach because I felt called to inspire others that are living with chronic conditions or moms with young kids, etc. to let them know they CAN do it! If I can do it, I know they can do it! I still feel that calling! I feel called to help others, inspire others, etc. I feel that Beachbody is a great vehicle to help me do that! My calling has not changed! I still feel the pulling to help others, inspire others, etc. But what about the cost? It isn't free to run a self hosted website, and I'm not making enough through my "affiliate links" to pay for the website. I've experienced many emotional ups and downs in regards to both this website and my Beachbody business. People say I inspire them and encourage them, which is so amazingly rewarding, but then they don't trust me enough to order products from me or they get something cheaper (sometimes of lower quality or in supplements case - artificial JUNK), or they burn a copy, borrow a copy, etc. of the workouts, and it breaks my heart - not because I am greedy for money (though our family can surely use it!) but because it's like saying they don't trust me, respect my time, etc. I feel like I put in SO much effort to maintain this site (or I try to anyway! haha), and now I'm putting in more money than I'm making - which we really don't have. So if I "downgrade" to keep up my mission of supporting others I lose all my "affiliate links" and have to manually go through and edit each post that contains them. So, my decision is still "undecided." I don't really know for sure what I'm going to do. One thing people ask me is since I'm not very active with Beachbody anymore will I no longer be a coach. In short, the answer is "no" I will not stop being a Beachbody Coach. I LOVE the products and Shakeology has changed our lives in so many ways it's natural to have a loyalty to it! I'll still use the programs, buy the supplements that fit our lifestyle, and drink Shakeology - and I will STILL recommend them to others! :) I will still support the coaches on my team and appreciate our Beachbody family! The only thing this decision pertains to is whether or not I will continue to run a self-hosted blog I pay for monthly or take the time to downgrade everything to a free blog and yes, lose my links. I'll make a decision eventually!
And... speaking of changes. I'm going back to RevAbs! I know, I know, I was so excited to finally start Turbo Fire because it was one of those programs I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to do! I did still have to modify some, but I did gain some great endurance, flexibility, and major posture improvement! But what it boils down to is... well, I don't know. I either miss RevAbs or I just don't like Turbo Fire as much as RevAbs. I know many people would totally disagree because they say RevAbs is repetitive and boring, but I feel like it's a good mix of everything - cardio, strength, some capoeira (REAL capoeira), and the core strength I got from RevAbs was just phenomenal, and I want to keep that up and improve it even more! So, I'm really excited to be doing RevAbs again. I've decided to start from the beginning again and do it all the way through Full Throttle! :) Woo hoo! I'm already extremely sore today because my body was so out of the strength training. Woo! I missed it! haha I seriously can't wait to see the results!
Showing posts with label My Personal Journey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My Personal Journey. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Challenges
Well, this was a challenging week indeed! I started my water challenge, and I also decided to take it up a notch with Turbo Fire and switch from the Prep Schedule to the full schedule - starting yesterday. I'm sure I've mentioned before I was born with a hole in my heart - an Atrial Septum Defect. I lived with it until I was 16 and started noticing despite the fact that I was in many sports and conditioning just as hard as everyone else I started getting easily winded. I was also sick a lot with bronchitis. I started noticing heart palpitations as well. Because I had lived with it so long the hole had actually continued to grow and I also have some irreversible damage to my lungs due to the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood mixing in the atria since they really didn't have a wall between them anymore! My hole was the size of a half dollar when they operated on me in July of '98. I was one month away from turning 17. Though my heart is repaired I do still have the lung damage, intermittent palpitations, and overall it takes me a little longer to build up to cardio intensive workouts. Some people find it hard to believe when they look at my physical condition because they just assume working out must be easy for me. The truth is it's never EASY for me. I have to really listen to my body and modify cardio workouts when necessary in hopes that one day it WILL be EASY for me again. That's a long road, though! My heart has seen MAJOR improvement even physically! My left atrium used to be almost the size of the rest of my heart and has decreased significantly, which is usually unheard of! I still have a different "normal" than other people (which would be a long explanation of the way your "waves" look on EKGs and such), but for MY normal things are looking excellent! I always love when our bodies do things the doctors say they won't like my heart shrinking some. I know God is good! :)
So I've actually been wanting to commit to the whole Turbo Fire program for a while now (the meal plan that comes with it is absolutely amazing, too!), but I always felt a nagging that "I wasn't ready." That is why I decided to start with the Prep Schedule first - to gauge how "ready" I was. I was feeling really good, and I decided that if I can commit to the full program and need to modify that's OK! It's ALWAYS OK to modify when necessary rather than push yourself beyond where you should be. You can really hurt yourself and set yourself back by not listening to your body! I guess maybe because I was born with a heart condition and have Fibromyalgia I'm very careful to listen to my body. Don't get me wrong - I am stubborn! There is no doubt about that! Just ask my husband! haha ;) I know, though, that if I don't listen to my body, though, I can really set myself back, and my goal is to keep pushing forward! So today was my first HIIT workout, and it was the 15 min workout. It was tough for me! The first 3 drills I did well, but I ended up having to modify the rest, but you know what? I'm proud of my effort, and I'm excited for this new journey! I may have to modify for 2 weeks, a month, or more, but I'm going to keep going, and I will progressively have to modify less and less and will build up the cardio endurance that I truly NEED. So I'm glad I decided to take the leap, and I'm excited to share my journey! I know there will be ups and downs, but that's why I love to share because through my honesty you will see we ALL have ups and downs and it's not always easy! In fact, sometimes it's REALLY hard, and that's when we come together and encourage each other! :)
As for the water challenge, it's been interesting so far. I really thought if I'm not drinking other beverages I will surely drink more water. Unfortunately, that hasn't always been the case, and I still have to remind myself to drink water. One day I only had 16oz all day until I realized I only had that much and needed to drink more! So, the discipline of drinking MORE water isn't really kicking in yet and I'm actually feeling a little "blah" because now I'm also not having other beverages to add a little hydration! So I realize what needs to be done so now I'm doing it! I'm keeping more careful track of my water intake, which is definitely important, too, since I'm doing such a cardio intensive workout! So I hit a few bumps in the beginning because of this, but again, it was a learning experience, so now I can push forward! Today I got MORE than my 64 oz, so I'm definitely doing better! I have a couple of other friends taking the challenge with me, so I'll be checking in with them on Monday to see how they're doing as well! I know it's Easter so a lot of people have family gatherings, which may prove to be challenging! We will just be celebrating here at home with our little family, so I won't have that temptation, but it's been a busy week nonetheless, so I most definitely need to do a check-in with my fellow challenge participants!
I hope you have a blessed Easter!!
So I've actually been wanting to commit to the whole Turbo Fire program for a while now (the meal plan that comes with it is absolutely amazing, too!), but I always felt a nagging that "I wasn't ready." That is why I decided to start with the Prep Schedule first - to gauge how "ready" I was. I was feeling really good, and I decided that if I can commit to the full program and need to modify that's OK! It's ALWAYS OK to modify when necessary rather than push yourself beyond where you should be. You can really hurt yourself and set yourself back by not listening to your body! I guess maybe because I was born with a heart condition and have Fibromyalgia I'm very careful to listen to my body. Don't get me wrong - I am stubborn! There is no doubt about that! Just ask my husband! haha ;) I know, though, that if I don't listen to my body, though, I can really set myself back, and my goal is to keep pushing forward! So today was my first HIIT workout, and it was the 15 min workout. It was tough for me! The first 3 drills I did well, but I ended up having to modify the rest, but you know what? I'm proud of my effort, and I'm excited for this new journey! I may have to modify for 2 weeks, a month, or more, but I'm going to keep going, and I will progressively have to modify less and less and will build up the cardio endurance that I truly NEED. So I'm glad I decided to take the leap, and I'm excited to share my journey! I know there will be ups and downs, but that's why I love to share because through my honesty you will see we ALL have ups and downs and it's not always easy! In fact, sometimes it's REALLY hard, and that's when we come together and encourage each other! :)
As for the water challenge, it's been interesting so far. I really thought if I'm not drinking other beverages I will surely drink more water. Unfortunately, that hasn't always been the case, and I still have to remind myself to drink water. One day I only had 16oz all day until I realized I only had that much and needed to drink more! So, the discipline of drinking MORE water isn't really kicking in yet and I'm actually feeling a little "blah" because now I'm also not having other beverages to add a little hydration! So I realize what needs to be done so now I'm doing it! I'm keeping more careful track of my water intake, which is definitely important, too, since I'm doing such a cardio intensive workout! So I hit a few bumps in the beginning because of this, but again, it was a learning experience, so now I can push forward! Today I got MORE than my 64 oz, so I'm definitely doing better! I have a couple of other friends taking the challenge with me, so I'll be checking in with them on Monday to see how they're doing as well! I know it's Easter so a lot of people have family gatherings, which may prove to be challenging! We will just be celebrating here at home with our little family, so I won't have that temptation, but it's been a busy week nonetheless, so I most definitely need to do a check-in with my fellow challenge participants!
I hope you have a blessed Easter!!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Water Challenge
My "water challenge" started today! Wow, was it tough! It's not hard for me to drink water per se, but I had a rather emotional weekend. I tend to crave flavor when I'm emotional - things like my coffee with cream and stevia, sweet tea, green tea, orange juice, etc. I'm sure there are some that can relate - others may just think that sounds silly! haha So here is the challenge: for ONE MONTH I will drink nothing but water for my beverages. Please do NOT confuse this with a fast. I am not refraining from eating - I'm simply replacing all my daily beverages with water. No coffee, tea, juice, milk, sodas, etc. I am EXCLUDING liquid supplements from the challenge so things like Shakeology, Results and Recovery Formula, etc. are not excluded because their intention is supplementation not just drinking a beverage.
So why am I doing this? Well, I heard it on one of the Christian radio stations and it got me thinking that I'm really NOT drinking enough water right now! I believe in getting sufficient amounts of water for good health (at least 64 oz but preferably half your body weight in ounces if that is more than 64 - so if you're 150lbs for example you really should be drinking 75 oz per day). Our bodies need water to function properly. It helps flush out toxins, keep everything in balance, helps you lose weight, better daily function, better workouts (more energy), less cramps and sprains, helps digestion, healthier skin, and you're less likely to get sick. I KNOW there are wonderful benefits to drinking water! Since moving I've found I haven't gotten back into my routine of refilling my 32 oz water bottle at least twice a day. That was a perfect way for me to keep track of how much water I'm drinking. Well, it's time to start it back up - and in a big way - by accepting this challenge I'm doing an overhaul! I've been drinking so many other beverages I've barely had room for water! Not all of these other beverages are unhealthy, but they should not REPLACE my water consumption, which they have! So, this is a way for me to get back on track!
Are you ready to take this challenge with me? You don't have to worry if you've missed a day or two before you saw the challenge - just start where you are and continue for 30 days! This may be something extremely easy for you or you already do it, and that's GREAT! Please share tips that helped you to take that step and continue on that path! This may be really challenging for you. That's OK! It will be challenging for me, too! Today was HARD! I did it, though!
Some recommendations for the challenge:
So here is to the next 30 days of more water and better health! :)
So why am I doing this? Well, I heard it on one of the Christian radio stations and it got me thinking that I'm really NOT drinking enough water right now! I believe in getting sufficient amounts of water for good health (at least 64 oz but preferably half your body weight in ounces if that is more than 64 - so if you're 150lbs for example you really should be drinking 75 oz per day). Our bodies need water to function properly. It helps flush out toxins, keep everything in balance, helps you lose weight, better daily function, better workouts (more energy), less cramps and sprains, helps digestion, healthier skin, and you're less likely to get sick. I KNOW there are wonderful benefits to drinking water! Since moving I've found I haven't gotten back into my routine of refilling my 32 oz water bottle at least twice a day. That was a perfect way for me to keep track of how much water I'm drinking. Well, it's time to start it back up - and in a big way - by accepting this challenge I'm doing an overhaul! I've been drinking so many other beverages I've barely had room for water! Not all of these other beverages are unhealthy, but they should not REPLACE my water consumption, which they have! So, this is a way for me to get back on track!
Are you ready to take this challenge with me? You don't have to worry if you've missed a day or two before you saw the challenge - just start where you are and continue for 30 days! This may be something extremely easy for you or you already do it, and that's GREAT! Please share tips that helped you to take that step and continue on that path! This may be really challenging for you. That's OK! It will be challenging for me, too! Today was HARD! I did it, though!
Some recommendations for the challenge:
- Keep plenty of fresh, drinkable water on hand. If you have nasty tap water like we do and use a filter make sure you have plenty of already filtered water available. Having correct resources available make it harder to use an excuse like "I needed to filter more water so I grabbed some juice instead."
- Limit unnecessary beverages in the home. If you have other family members - like in my case my husband and kids - this may not be easy, but limit as much as you can. Better yet, get your spouse on board with you for the challenge, so it makes eliminating necessary beverages easier! Kids are a little more tricky. We do already limit our kids to milk and juice with meals but water any other time. I think it's a good habit to instill because they don't NEED tons of juice or milk despite what it may seem!
- Tap into a support group! I'm here to help! Tell other friends/family you know will support your attempts what you're doing and maybe even get them on board! It always helps to have others doing the same challenge so you can talk, vent, encourage, etc.
So here is to the next 30 days of more water and better health! :)
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
A new challenge
Are you up for a challenge? It's a totally different challenge, and it will probably sound easy. I know for me it WON'T be easy, but I'm going for it! I heard this challenge on the radio and it really made me think! What a great idea! You may already do this or have done it. I never have, and I admit I'm kind of nervous!
OK, OK, so what's the challenge? For the entire month of April I'm going to commit to drinking water as my only beverage - nothing else. Meal replacement shakes or other whole food supplements in drink form won't be counted as beverages, of course: things like juice, coffee, soda, tea, lemonade, etc will be off limits.
So why did this intrigue me? For one, I'm sure I've said this before, but I don't like drinking water - at all. I do it because it's necessary and beneficial, but I have been finding lately I'm not drinking enough because I'm always drinking something else! Water is so important to helping our bodies function correctly and getting all the nasty stuff out! Our bodies need water and need constant replenishment! A lot of people who started increasing their water intake due to a similar challenge felt better, had more energy, and had improvements in their skin!
Did you know that 8 cups (64 ounces) per day is the bare minimum recommendation? Ideally you should be drinking half of your body weight in ounces. For example: if you weigh 160lbs you should be drinking 80 ounces of water daily. Now if your weight puts you below the 64oz recommendation you're not off the hook! Haha Like I said - that is the minimum! One thing that I recommend (and need to start implementing again) is getting a water bottle and filling it up x amount of times (whatever your ideal is) so you know if you're drinking enough.
Drinking ONLY water for a month will definitely be challenging for me, personally, and I hope you will consider joining me on this challenge and keeping each other accountable! So, are you in? If so, let's start pumping each other up now so when April 1st rolls around we'll be ready to go! We will start an accountability group now to discuss a plan of action to avoid temptations! I'm excited to see what changes I will notice during the challenge, and my goal is to become more disciplined with my water intake so even after the challenge is over I will have the deep rooted habit of drinking plenty of water daily! All it takes to develop new habits is to start something new and commit to it for a length of time to where it's just a natural part of your life. So I am taking that step April 1st. Will you be joining me?
* Please do not confuse this challenge with consuming water alone as in a fast! I'm a breastfeeding mom and require an EXTRA 500 calories/ day, during which I would never consider a complete fast! When I say drink water only I am referring to drinking water as my only BEVERAGE. I wanted to make sure that point is clear! :-) *
OK, OK, so what's the challenge? For the entire month of April I'm going to commit to drinking water as my only beverage - nothing else. Meal replacement shakes or other whole food supplements in drink form won't be counted as beverages, of course: things like juice, coffee, soda, tea, lemonade, etc will be off limits.
So why did this intrigue me? For one, I'm sure I've said this before, but I don't like drinking water - at all. I do it because it's necessary and beneficial, but I have been finding lately I'm not drinking enough because I'm always drinking something else! Water is so important to helping our bodies function correctly and getting all the nasty stuff out! Our bodies need water and need constant replenishment! A lot of people who started increasing their water intake due to a similar challenge felt better, had more energy, and had improvements in their skin!
Did you know that 8 cups (64 ounces) per day is the bare minimum recommendation? Ideally you should be drinking half of your body weight in ounces. For example: if you weigh 160lbs you should be drinking 80 ounces of water daily. Now if your weight puts you below the 64oz recommendation you're not off the hook! Haha Like I said - that is the minimum! One thing that I recommend (and need to start implementing again) is getting a water bottle and filling it up x amount of times (whatever your ideal is) so you know if you're drinking enough.
Drinking ONLY water for a month will definitely be challenging for me, personally, and I hope you will consider joining me on this challenge and keeping each other accountable! So, are you in? If so, let's start pumping each other up now so when April 1st rolls around we'll be ready to go! We will start an accountability group now to discuss a plan of action to avoid temptations! I'm excited to see what changes I will notice during the challenge, and my goal is to become more disciplined with my water intake so even after the challenge is over I will have the deep rooted habit of drinking plenty of water daily! All it takes to develop new habits is to start something new and commit to it for a length of time to where it's just a natural part of your life. So I am taking that step April 1st. Will you be joining me?
* Please do not confuse this challenge with consuming water alone as in a fast! I'm a breastfeeding mom and require an EXTRA 500 calories/ day, during which I would never consider a complete fast! When I say drink water only I am referring to drinking water as my only BEVERAGE. I wanted to make sure that point is clear! :-) *
Monday, August 29, 2011
Almost a year
I've been an Independent Beachbody Coach for almost a year now - and wow has my life changed! I am in MUCH better shape than I was a year ago, my health is overall improved, and my attitude and level of confidence has improved as well! I started with and was very happy with the results I got in just 6 weeks! I wrote about those results . I then continued with 30 days of , which was the precursor to P90X (Power 90 Extreme). Then I decided to try since it is a Faith Based program. Around that time we also started a Fit Club here on post where we do a variety of workouts each Monday, and what an awesome group! We've made some awesome friends and welcomed new coaches to our team! It has been such a blessing!
So almost a year as an Independent Beachbody Coach - so where am I now? Lovin' it! :) As I said we've made many friends along this journey and have had the blessing of helping many people as well! I've gotten to share my story many times - how I am no longer taking medications for my Fibromyalgia and can now do things I never thought possible. I started (and finished) . 90 Days and awesome results! In fact, I just moved up to the next level - Full Throttle! I never would have guessed I'd fit back into the size I wore prior to all 3 kids, but that is so realistic now! And seeing the life changes in those around us is an awesome blessing! I pray God continues to use me as a vessel to touch people's lives! Beachbody is my vessel, and what an amazing vessel it has been! Fitness AND nutrition - the whole package. Fitness and nutrition are BOTH necessary to good health. There are many ways to obtain it, but Beachbody has worked for me, and has been an awesome way for me to reach others as well. I cannot explain how grateful I am!
So in honor of my (almost) one-year anniversary as an Independent Beachbody Coach - here are my current "Before" and "After" pics. If you need help reaching your health and fitness goals please contact me! I would be honored to be your Coach and help support you in your health and fitness journey!
So almost a year as an Independent Beachbody Coach - so where am I now? Lovin' it! :) As I said we've made many friends along this journey and have had the blessing of helping many people as well! I've gotten to share my story many times - how I am no longer taking medications for my Fibromyalgia and can now do things I never thought possible. I started (and finished) . 90 Days and awesome results! In fact, I just moved up to the next level - Full Throttle! I never would have guessed I'd fit back into the size I wore prior to all 3 kids, but that is so realistic now! And seeing the life changes in those around us is an awesome blessing! I pray God continues to use me as a vessel to touch people's lives! Beachbody is my vessel, and what an amazing vessel it has been! Fitness AND nutrition - the whole package. Fitness and nutrition are BOTH necessary to good health. There are many ways to obtain it, but Beachbody has worked for me, and has been an awesome way for me to reach others as well. I cannot explain how grateful I am!
So in honor of my (almost) one-year anniversary as an Independent Beachbody Coach - here are my current "Before" and "After" pics. If you need help reaching your health and fitness goals please contact me! I would be honored to be your Coach and help support you in your health and fitness journey!
Monday, June 27, 2011
How is your progress?
No matter what your health and fitness goals are there are multiple ways to track your progress. You should track your progress many different ways because knowing the progress you're making helps keep up the motivation on those days where you feel like you're not "getting anywhere." I know I have felt that way often! But there is also something to be said for trying to weigh, measure, etc. too often! Results will come, but checking EVERY day will just leave you frustrated - and who has the time for all that every day anyhow? So when should you check your progress - and HOW?
1) ALWAYS take "Before" photos and measurements. I know, I know, you don't want to look at your before pictures, and you surely don't want anybody else looking at them, right? Well, when you have your "After" pictures you will!! Even if you don't want anybody else to see them keep them for YOU. Then on those days where you're wondering if it's all worth it you can look at those "Before" pictures and see how far you've come! Also record your starting weight and measurements - hips, thighs, waist, chest, thighs, and arms. If you haven't already signed up for your FREE account on Team Beachbody go to My Coaching Site, click on "Join" (in orange), and register for the Free Account. There are great tools on there to track your progress! You can input your weight, measurements, and goals! You can also write them down in a journal or a piece of paper - just WRITE THEM DOWN! :) Weight/measurements should be taken about every 30 days or based on your specific program. If you're doing a "Fast Start" you may be advised to take them before, half-way, and after. Follow the guidelines of your specific program or in general I recommend taking them every 30 days. Remember NOT to focus on the number on the scale. It is SO easy (and tempting) to just step on the scale to see how we're doing, but your weight can fluctuate throughout the day and can vary depending on certain variables, so keep in mind there is more to it!! How are your clothes fitting? How do you feel? Keep those in mind before getting discouraged!
2) Take a Fit Test! I think this one gets easily overlooked! With focus so much on losing weight and inches we forget how important it is to see how much we've increased in strength and endurance! Heart health is huge! If I hadn't done a Fit Test before, during, and after Slim in 6 I wouldn't have known how much my resting pulse improved - a big deal for someone who was born with a heart defect! My defect was repaired when I was almost 17, but because I had it repaired so late my left atrium is enlarged and heartbeat is somewhat irregular. Now my resting pulse is "normal." That is a HUGE accomplishment - one that could be easily overlooked. It's important to remember that yes, weight loss is very important - even more so if it is affecting your overall health! But don't forget the aspect of overall health. This includes keeping your body functioning at its best. Women, in particular, may worry about strength training, but it's so important. Especially those of us with young kids - we're toting around kids all day! We need to have the strength and endurance to be moms! And even more so - MUSCLE BURNS FAT.
So how do you do a Fit Test? Well, there are multiple ways. For a general idea there is a Fit Test (with instructions) in your goal tracking in your Team Beachbody Account. Please Contact me if you need more information! Also with most fitness programs you start you will have a Fit Test that comes with it. Ideally you will do the Fit Test before the program, in the middle, and again at the end. The Fit Test I recently took was specific to RevAbs, so it wasn't an overall, general Fit Test. Here are some points for a general guage:
♦ Resting pulse - take your pulse immediate upon waking up and track it again after 30 days, 45 days, etc.
♦ Cardio endurance - whether you gauge it by how many jumping jacks you can do in 30 sec, how far you can run in 30 min, etc. be consistent and also check it again after your chosen amount of days.
♦ Strength - How is your strength increasing? Do things like bicep curls, push-ups, etc. Generally to gauge strength you can count your strength exercises to failure - meaning you cannot possibly do anymore! Some like to gauge strength on how much more weight they are using. You can increase your weight as well (make sure again you write all of this down), though it does change up the comparison point. If you're lifting more for the same amount then you can conclude you have gained in strength, but if you lift less than you did before using the new, higher weight you can't necessarily assume you didn't increase in strength because it would be dependent on the weight.
♦ Flexibility - This is another key to progress! Flexibility is so important! You can gauge your flexibility based on how much further you can stretch! It helps to have someone there who can help you measure the difference. Ex. how close your hands get to your feet or beyond your feet, etc. I've tried to measure this myself, and it's tough! haha Obviously YOU will be able to tell if your flexibility has improved, but again it's always helpful to have it written or recorded somewhere!
And don't forget I'm always here to help in anyway! I do think the idea of tracking your progress makes it so much more "real." We see ourselves every day, and it's easy to overlook our physical progress especially because it happens gradually - and we still tend to focus on the problem areas. DON'T! Even if you're not at you goal it's great to feel great about how far you've gotten! In fact, feeling good about the progress you've made will continue to give you that motivation to get where you're going! And again, if you need more of a push - that's what I'm here for! :)
So as I mentioned - I recently took my mid-program Fit Test for RevAbs - and since I hadn't posted the results yet, here we go!
Squat Hold - I increased from 1 min 19 sec to 2 min 1 sec
Push-Up - I increased from 10 to 16 in 30 seconds
Jumping Jacks - I increased from 33 to 37 in 30 seconds
Plank - I increased from 1 min 3 sec to 1 min 20 sec
Cobra - I increased from 2 min 58 sec to 3 min 13 sec
Crunches - I decreased from 25 to 22 in 30 sec (Remember - this does happen sometimes and can depend on many factors - like abs being sore! haha Don't be discouraged and look at the bigger picture - your overall results.)
Leg Drops - I increased from 19 to 25 in one minute
Side plank Right - I increased from 37 sec to 48 sec
Side plank Left - I increased from 37 sec to 50 sec
And the last thing to make sure you're tracking? YOUR NUTRITION. Don't forget! All Beachbody programs come with a nutrition guide, which is extremely helpful! There are many apps available and helpful sites, etc. that can help you track your nutrition as well, and if you have any questions please let me know!
I ♥ Rev Abs! :)
1) ALWAYS take "Before" photos and measurements. I know, I know, you don't want to look at your before pictures, and you surely don't want anybody else looking at them, right? Well, when you have your "After" pictures you will!! Even if you don't want anybody else to see them keep them for YOU. Then on those days where you're wondering if it's all worth it you can look at those "Before" pictures and see how far you've come! Also record your starting weight and measurements - hips, thighs, waist, chest, thighs, and arms. If you haven't already signed up for your FREE account on Team Beachbody go to My Coaching Site, click on "Join" (in orange), and register for the Free Account. There are great tools on there to track your progress! You can input your weight, measurements, and goals! You can also write them down in a journal or a piece of paper - just WRITE THEM DOWN! :) Weight/measurements should be taken about every 30 days or based on your specific program. If you're doing a "Fast Start" you may be advised to take them before, half-way, and after. Follow the guidelines of your specific program or in general I recommend taking them every 30 days. Remember NOT to focus on the number on the scale. It is SO easy (and tempting) to just step on the scale to see how we're doing, but your weight can fluctuate throughout the day and can vary depending on certain variables, so keep in mind there is more to it!! How are your clothes fitting? How do you feel? Keep those in mind before getting discouraged!
2) Take a Fit Test! I think this one gets easily overlooked! With focus so much on losing weight and inches we forget how important it is to see how much we've increased in strength and endurance! Heart health is huge! If I hadn't done a Fit Test before, during, and after Slim in 6 I wouldn't have known how much my resting pulse improved - a big deal for someone who was born with a heart defect! My defect was repaired when I was almost 17, but because I had it repaired so late my left atrium is enlarged and heartbeat is somewhat irregular. Now my resting pulse is "normal." That is a HUGE accomplishment - one that could be easily overlooked. It's important to remember that yes, weight loss is very important - even more so if it is affecting your overall health! But don't forget the aspect of overall health. This includes keeping your body functioning at its best. Women, in particular, may worry about strength training, but it's so important. Especially those of us with young kids - we're toting around kids all day! We need to have the strength and endurance to be moms! And even more so - MUSCLE BURNS FAT.
So how do you do a Fit Test? Well, there are multiple ways. For a general idea there is a Fit Test (with instructions) in your goal tracking in your Team Beachbody Account. Please Contact me if you need more information! Also with most fitness programs you start you will have a Fit Test that comes with it. Ideally you will do the Fit Test before the program, in the middle, and again at the end. The Fit Test I recently took was specific to RevAbs, so it wasn't an overall, general Fit Test. Here are some points for a general guage:
♦ Resting pulse - take your pulse immediate upon waking up and track it again after 30 days, 45 days, etc.
♦ Cardio endurance - whether you gauge it by how many jumping jacks you can do in 30 sec, how far you can run in 30 min, etc. be consistent and also check it again after your chosen amount of days.
♦ Strength - How is your strength increasing? Do things like bicep curls, push-ups, etc. Generally to gauge strength you can count your strength exercises to failure - meaning you cannot possibly do anymore! Some like to gauge strength on how much more weight they are using. You can increase your weight as well (make sure again you write all of this down), though it does change up the comparison point. If you're lifting more for the same amount then you can conclude you have gained in strength, but if you lift less than you did before using the new, higher weight you can't necessarily assume you didn't increase in strength because it would be dependent on the weight.
♦ Flexibility - This is another key to progress! Flexibility is so important! You can gauge your flexibility based on how much further you can stretch! It helps to have someone there who can help you measure the difference. Ex. how close your hands get to your feet or beyond your feet, etc. I've tried to measure this myself, and it's tough! haha Obviously YOU will be able to tell if your flexibility has improved, but again it's always helpful to have it written or recorded somewhere!
And don't forget I'm always here to help in anyway! I do think the idea of tracking your progress makes it so much more "real." We see ourselves every day, and it's easy to overlook our physical progress especially because it happens gradually - and we still tend to focus on the problem areas. DON'T! Even if you're not at you goal it's great to feel great about how far you've gotten! In fact, feeling good about the progress you've made will continue to give you that motivation to get where you're going! And again, if you need more of a push - that's what I'm here for! :)
So as I mentioned - I recently took my mid-program Fit Test for RevAbs - and since I hadn't posted the results yet, here we go!
Squat Hold - I increased from 1 min 19 sec to 2 min 1 sec
Push-Up - I increased from 10 to 16 in 30 seconds
Jumping Jacks - I increased from 33 to 37 in 30 seconds
Plank - I increased from 1 min 3 sec to 1 min 20 sec
Cobra - I increased from 2 min 58 sec to 3 min 13 sec
Crunches - I decreased from 25 to 22 in 30 sec (Remember - this does happen sometimes and can depend on many factors - like abs being sore! haha Don't be discouraged and look at the bigger picture - your overall results.)
Leg Drops - I increased from 19 to 25 in one minute
Side plank Right - I increased from 37 sec to 48 sec
Side plank Left - I increased from 37 sec to 50 sec
And the last thing to make sure you're tracking? YOUR NUTRITION. Don't forget! All Beachbody programs come with a nutrition guide, which is extremely helpful! There are many apps available and helpful sites, etc. that can help you track your nutrition as well, and if you have any questions please let me know!
I ♥ Rev Abs! :)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
10-Day Challenge
Today we began our first 10-Day Challenge! It is a "Slim Down" challenge. I was super excited to kick it off, and I can't wait to hear everyone's results! For the 10-Day Challenge all participants have agreed to work out on all 10 days, eat healthy, and replace one meal a day with Shakeology. We took our weights and measurements on Sunday and began the challenge yesterday! I was so proud to hear of everyone's commitment to the challenge! I set up a private Facebook group for our challenge group for support, encouragement, and accountability. I did a webinar to help them set up their Free Team Beachbody Account so everybody has a chance to win cash and prizes for logging their workouts in WOWY Super Gym as well as connecting on the message boards and using the great tools to track their goals. I am really excited to see what this week brings and the results! Participants are not required to use a Beachbody Program, though we have a couple doing Body Gospel and one doing Yoga Booty Ballet. I know they'll love them, and it totally takes the guesswork out of it because all programs come with a recommended schedule! All participants were provided with a meal plan, the support group as well as a special group on our forum, and fitness ideas as well as my continued support for the challenge and beyond! The winner will be the one who loses the most weight based on percentage of weight lost (so it's an even playing field). They will get their choice of a free fitness program, a winner's t-shirt, some Protein Bars, and more! All participants will get a certificate to recognize their accomplishments as well as a couple of small prizes for those that complete the challenge as required! Are you ready to take your fitness to the next level and challenge yourself? Our next challenge is going to be a Fitness Challenge, so if you want to get on board and register early Contact Me!
So where am I on this journey? I wasn't going to take my measurements until I was halfway done with RevAbs but I know it would only be fair if I hold myself accountable to the group for the 10-Day Challenge. I'm so much closer to my goals than I realized!
My current stats:
Weight - 128lbs (only 1lb short of my goal!)
Waist - 30.5in (Goal is 27in)
Hips - 37.2in (Only 0.2 in short of my goal!)
Chest - 34.8in (I don't quite have a goal set for this right now since I am still nursing - it varies by the hour! haha)
Arms - 11.5in (I've reached my goal!) :)
Thighs - 22.2in (Only 0.2in short of my goal!)
Body Fat - 20.1% (healthy range!)
I'm so glad I took before weights and measurements back in September when I started changing my lifestyle with fitness and Shakeology! Here is my current comparison:
Starting Weight: 148lbs (down 20lbs)
Starting Waist: 37in (down 6.5 inches!)
Starting Hips: 40.2in (down 3.2 in)
Starting Chest: 37.8in (down 3 in, but again, lactation has the most to do with this!)
Starting Arms: 12.5in (down 1 in each)
Starting thighs: 24.2in (down 2 in each)
My Body Fat % wasn't calculated until February, but in just over 2 months I went from 26.1% to 20.1%! 6%!!
These are results! I still have a ways to go to tone up the c-section traumatized belly, but it seems so much more possible and "real" than it did before! And I ultimately still think about how I accepted defeat a couple of years ago when I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and today I'm considering registering for my first 5K next month! I am forever grateful and blessed that God provided this opportunity in His always perfect timing! Even more I feel blessed to help others! I'm looking forward to the results of this challenge and for the challenges to come! :)
So where am I on this journey? I wasn't going to take my measurements until I was halfway done with RevAbs but I know it would only be fair if I hold myself accountable to the group for the 10-Day Challenge. I'm so much closer to my goals than I realized!
My current stats:
Weight - 128lbs (only 1lb short of my goal!)
Waist - 30.5in (Goal is 27in)
Hips - 37.2in (Only 0.2 in short of my goal!)
Chest - 34.8in (I don't quite have a goal set for this right now since I am still nursing - it varies by the hour! haha)
Arms - 11.5in (I've reached my goal!) :)
Thighs - 22.2in (Only 0.2in short of my goal!)
Body Fat - 20.1% (healthy range!)
I'm so glad I took before weights and measurements back in September when I started changing my lifestyle with fitness and Shakeology! Here is my current comparison:
Starting Weight: 148lbs (down 20lbs)
Starting Waist: 37in (down 6.5 inches!)
Starting Hips: 40.2in (down 3.2 in)
Starting Chest: 37.8in (down 3 in, but again, lactation has the most to do with this!)
Starting Arms: 12.5in (down 1 in each)
Starting thighs: 24.2in (down 2 in each)
My Body Fat % wasn't calculated until February, but in just over 2 months I went from 26.1% to 20.1%! 6%!!
These are results! I still have a ways to go to tone up the c-section traumatized belly, but it seems so much more possible and "real" than it did before! And I ultimately still think about how I accepted defeat a couple of years ago when I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and today I'm considering registering for my first 5K next month! I am forever grateful and blessed that God provided this opportunity in His always perfect timing! Even more I feel blessed to help others! I'm looking forward to the results of this challenge and for the challenges to come! :)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Restarting RevAbs
Well, I had decided to start RevAbs last month while still doing Body Gospel if I had extra time because it is definitely a faith inspired motivation that keeps me going! I knew RevAbs would be a little more intense, but I was looking to specifically target my abs due to the infamous c-section "poof." I do have to modify at times, but overall I am REALLY enjoying it!! I find Brett Hoebel to be VERY motivating! One of the biggest motivations for me has been my husband being able to work out some with me again! He is still having some neuropathy from the chemotherapy, but he is so determined! He is really such a wonderful inspiration for so many people - definitely for me!! It was great taking our "Before" pics together, and I can't wait to see our "After" pics! :)
So why am I restarting? Well, the good news is it's NOT because of my Fibromyalgia! Unfortunately, I've been sick. First a sinus infection followed by a nasty stomach virus followed by more sinus issues plus a cold. Tis the season I suppose! haha My little man is not a very good sleeper, so it's proof that sleep deprivation wreaks havoc on your immune system! If you have the choice to get adequate sleep - do it! Don't take it for granted! Besides the Fibro flare-ups brought on by the sickness, my pain has been under control! It's such a wonderful thing! :) I even made it through a couple of the workouts while I was sick, and that alone shows how far I've come! Unfortunately, though, I missed a lot as well, and I truly want to commit to it for 90 Days because I have already seen my results, and I'm confident after 90 days I'll have great results! I am already below my pre-pregnancy weight!! Woo hoo!!
So, I'm re-starting my RevAbs journey on Thursday! I think it's going to be a great one! Hopefully I'll have plenty of workouts without my baby "barbell," but doesn't he look so sweet sleeping on me while I work out? :)
So why am I restarting? Well, the good news is it's NOT because of my Fibromyalgia! Unfortunately, I've been sick. First a sinus infection followed by a nasty stomach virus followed by more sinus issues plus a cold. Tis the season I suppose! haha My little man is not a very good sleeper, so it's proof that sleep deprivation wreaks havoc on your immune system! If you have the choice to get adequate sleep - do it! Don't take it for granted! Besides the Fibro flare-ups brought on by the sickness, my pain has been under control! It's such a wonderful thing! :) I even made it through a couple of the workouts while I was sick, and that alone shows how far I've come! Unfortunately, though, I missed a lot as well, and I truly want to commit to it for 90 Days because I have already seen my results, and I'm confident after 90 days I'll have great results! I am already below my pre-pregnancy weight!! Woo hoo!!
So, I'm re-starting my RevAbs journey on Thursday! I think it's going to be a great one! Hopefully I'll have plenty of workouts without my baby "barbell," but doesn't he look so sweet sleeping on me while I work out? :)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
End of the Year 12/30/10
Dec 30, 2010
I hit the ground running this week! I hopped right into Power 90 Sculpt 3-4, Cardio 3-4 (1st time! Yay!), and Ab Ripper 200. Woo hoo! I refuse to throw this week away and wait until the new year! I did take an unusual off day today because no mater how many times I tried to start little man wasn't having it. So I'll just make the adjustment to switch my off day! :)
I'm still toying with my meal schedule some. For most I would NOT recommend a snack (even a healthy one) before bed. Your last meal/snack should be finished at least 3 hrs before you go to bed. My little man is waking every 2-3 hrs to nurse (yes even at 8 months old, though it is more to go back to sleep than to eat). I'm finding just drinking extra water isn't helping the drained feeling I get by that 2-3am feeding. Sure a lot of it is the lack of sleep, but I had a hunch I may need an extra boost to sutain my supply and overall strength, so I have added a small (less than 200) calories to my existing plan in the evening about 2 hrs before I go to bed, and it's definitely what I needed! I can more easily drudge through these overnight nursing sessions and still be heading for my goals! :-) As always, making sure I get plenty of water How are you sustaining your health and fitness goals this week? Don't treat it like a break! Think of it as the home stretch! A chance to end the year strong and start the new year with the momentum already in place! Go for it! :-)
I hit the ground running this week! I hopped right into Power 90 Sculpt 3-4, Cardio 3-4 (1st time! Yay!), and Ab Ripper 200. Woo hoo! I refuse to throw this week away and wait until the new year! I did take an unusual off day today because no mater how many times I tried to start little man wasn't having it. So I'll just make the adjustment to switch my off day! :)
I'm still toying with my meal schedule some. For most I would NOT recommend a snack (even a healthy one) before bed. Your last meal/snack should be finished at least 3 hrs before you go to bed. My little man is waking every 2-3 hrs to nurse (yes even at 8 months old, though it is more to go back to sleep than to eat). I'm finding just drinking extra water isn't helping the drained feeling I get by that 2-3am feeding. Sure a lot of it is the lack of sleep, but I had a hunch I may need an extra boost to sutain my supply and overall strength, so I have added a small (less than 200) calories to my existing plan in the evening about 2 hrs before I go to bed, and it's definitely what I needed! I can more easily drudge through these overnight nursing sessions and still be heading for my goals! :-) As always, making sure I get plenty of water How are you sustaining your health and fitness goals this week? Don't treat it like a break! Think of it as the home stretch! A chance to end the year strong and start the new year with the momentum already in place! Go for it! :-)
Friday, December 10, 2010
Power 90: 30 day update 12/10/10
Dec 10, 2010
So I've had a few people tell me I look like I've lost more of the baby weight, but I have to admit I personally didn't see it! I'm so glad I'm taking photos and measurements because it really puts the results into perspective! Unfortunately I don't have 30 day pictures because my photographer (my husband) had to be admitted to the hospital for his final few days of chemotherapy. He is doing ok but was feeling too sick to keep riding back and forth to the hospital. It is right in DC so sometimes it could take almost 2 hours to get there even though it's less than 30 miles away! He'll get to come home on Monday, and his chemo will be OVER!! Praise the Lord! Monday can't come soon enough! He had a CT scan a few weeks ago which showed no more tumor! God is so good! :) So I have a valid reason to not have photos, but hopefully we'll capture a few next week even though it will be a little late!
Overall Power 90 has been great for me! I still have some workout interruptions via the little man, but *most* of the time I can eek through to the end! I'm still on Cardio 1-2 as it does take me a little longer to move up levels in Cardio, but today I moved onto Circuit 3-4. The push-ups are SURELY my weak point, but I'm pleasantly surprised by how many I CAN do!! :) I'm so excited!! And I'm excited to share my results! These are my measurements since Starting Power 90, so these are obviously in addition to the results I got from Slim in 6. Not much longer until I'll be in my pre-(3rd) pregnancy jeans, and I even think I'll be back into my pre-(1st) pregnancy jeans by the end of Power 90!! That would be awesome! And yep, I'm actually going to give my weight and measurements instead of just inches lost! haha I'm feeling brave!
30 Days into Power 90
Weight: 138lbs (down 4 lbs)
Waist: 33.5in (lost 1.5 inches)
Hips: 38.75in (lost 1.25 inches)
Arms: 11.75in (lost .25 inches)
Thighs: 22.5in (lost 1.5 inches)
WOOO HOOOO!! I'm SO close to most of my goals! But realistically my goals are not an end to my transformation but a beginning to maintaining a healthy lifestyle! :)
So I've had a few people tell me I look like I've lost more of the baby weight, but I have to admit I personally didn't see it! I'm so glad I'm taking photos and measurements because it really puts the results into perspective! Unfortunately I don't have 30 day pictures because my photographer (my husband) had to be admitted to the hospital for his final few days of chemotherapy. He is doing ok but was feeling too sick to keep riding back and forth to the hospital. It is right in DC so sometimes it could take almost 2 hours to get there even though it's less than 30 miles away! He'll get to come home on Monday, and his chemo will be OVER!! Praise the Lord! Monday can't come soon enough! He had a CT scan a few weeks ago which showed no more tumor! God is so good! :) So I have a valid reason to not have photos, but hopefully we'll capture a few next week even though it will be a little late!
Overall Power 90 has been great for me! I still have some workout interruptions via the little man, but *most* of the time I can eek through to the end! I'm still on Cardio 1-2 as it does take me a little longer to move up levels in Cardio, but today I moved onto Circuit 3-4. The push-ups are SURELY my weak point, but I'm pleasantly surprised by how many I CAN do!! :) I'm so excited!! And I'm excited to share my results! These are my measurements since Starting Power 90, so these are obviously in addition to the results I got from Slim in 6. Not much longer until I'll be in my pre-(3rd) pregnancy jeans, and I even think I'll be back into my pre-(1st) pregnancy jeans by the end of Power 90!! That would be awesome! And yep, I'm actually going to give my weight and measurements instead of just inches lost! haha I'm feeling brave!
30 Days into Power 90
Weight: 138lbs (down 4 lbs)
Waist: 33.5in (lost 1.5 inches)
Hips: 38.75in (lost 1.25 inches)
Arms: 11.75in (lost .25 inches)
Thighs: 22.5in (lost 1.5 inches)
WOOO HOOOO!! I'm SO close to most of my goals! But realistically my goals are not an end to my transformation but a beginning to maintaining a healthy lifestyle! :)
Friday, December 3, 2010
Tis the Season! 12/3/10
Dec 3, 2010
Cold and flu season that is! When everybody in our house was sick I kept taking my immune booster and EmergenC and managed to avoid it. Now that everybody is better I'm not feeling so good! I read somewhere that you're often vulnerable when you've been going, going, going, and then you finally get a break. When everybody else was sick I couldn't stop for even a second! Well, now I had a chance to come out of "burn out" mode, but it was too late, I'm already burnt out! haha I'm still having mostly sleepless nights with the little man, and when I don't get enough rest my chronic fatigue really starts to set in. But I have to stay on track! Stopping altogether will ONLY make it worse! I used to fall in that trap all too often. It's very important to listen to your body, but you have to know your body well. Am I fatigued because I'm sick and truly need rest or is it my chronic fatigue. The best way to combat chronic fatigue is to be active!! I admit I even scoffed at that idea before I knew what I know now. I said "they just can't possibly understand how tired I am, so how can they say moving will help?" Believe me I KNOW how tired you feel if you suffer from chronic fatigue. I KNOW it feels like you can't possibly take a walk - let alone work out. BUT YOU CAN, and you should! You will feel so much better and will be thankful you did! Modify it if you need to, but get it done!
So that's where I am right now. I've had to modify my workouts the past couple of days. Less reps, take it down a notch. Yesterday I had pleurisy pain, so it hurt to breathe, so I just took it one step at a time telling myself to JUST START. And most of the time just starting is all I need to do to finish! Even if I had to modify, I got it done! I often have to modify for other reasons - like my 7 month old. He's in love with me, which is fun, but he doesn't like to be away from me - even if "away" means 3 feet away. haha So I often hold him during my workouts (when the moves are safe for that, of course). This is another reason I'm thankful I'm doing Power 90 right now since they are shorter workouts. Generally by the time he decides he absolutely NEEDS me, I'm almost done with the workout! I feel much more accomplished this time around! :) And I'm already seeing results! It's great! No gaining weight over the holidays! Instead I'll be getting closer and closer to my goal of getting back into those pre-pregnancy jeans for good! :) Don't fall into that trap this holiday season! Just stick to it, watch your portions, and enjoy time with your family and friends! The better you care for yourself the more holidays you'll have to enjoy with them!
Speaking of workouts, now is a good time for me to do mine! Be blessed!
Cold and flu season that is! When everybody in our house was sick I kept taking my immune booster and EmergenC and managed to avoid it. Now that everybody is better I'm not feeling so good! I read somewhere that you're often vulnerable when you've been going, going, going, and then you finally get a break. When everybody else was sick I couldn't stop for even a second! Well, now I had a chance to come out of "burn out" mode, but it was too late, I'm already burnt out! haha I'm still having mostly sleepless nights with the little man, and when I don't get enough rest my chronic fatigue really starts to set in. But I have to stay on track! Stopping altogether will ONLY make it worse! I used to fall in that trap all too often. It's very important to listen to your body, but you have to know your body well. Am I fatigued because I'm sick and truly need rest or is it my chronic fatigue. The best way to combat chronic fatigue is to be active!! I admit I even scoffed at that idea before I knew what I know now. I said "they just can't possibly understand how tired I am, so how can they say moving will help?" Believe me I KNOW how tired you feel if you suffer from chronic fatigue. I KNOW it feels like you can't possibly take a walk - let alone work out. BUT YOU CAN, and you should! You will feel so much better and will be thankful you did! Modify it if you need to, but get it done!
So that's where I am right now. I've had to modify my workouts the past couple of days. Less reps, take it down a notch. Yesterday I had pleurisy pain, so it hurt to breathe, so I just took it one step at a time telling myself to JUST START. And most of the time just starting is all I need to do to finish! Even if I had to modify, I got it done! I often have to modify for other reasons - like my 7 month old. He's in love with me, which is fun, but he doesn't like to be away from me - even if "away" means 3 feet away. haha So I often hold him during my workouts (when the moves are safe for that, of course). This is another reason I'm thankful I'm doing Power 90 right now since they are shorter workouts. Generally by the time he decides he absolutely NEEDS me, I'm almost done with the workout! I feel much more accomplished this time around! :) And I'm already seeing results! It's great! No gaining weight over the holidays! Instead I'll be getting closer and closer to my goal of getting back into those pre-pregnancy jeans for good! :) Don't fall into that trap this holiday season! Just stick to it, watch your portions, and enjoy time with your family and friends! The better you care for yourself the more holidays you'll have to enjoy with them!
Speaking of workouts, now is a good time for me to do mine! Be blessed!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Update overdue 11/11/10
November 11, 2010
Wow, I really need to update more often! Things in our house have been CRAZY!! So I wrapped up Slim in 6, but all in all I didn't follow the program the way it suggests, so although I didn't get the results I was wanting as far as my weight and measurements go, it is because of me and not the program. I think it's an excellent program, and if I didn't have an extremely demanding infant or had to spend HOURS in the car driving to and from the hospital for my husband's chemotherapy treatment, I do believe I would have gotten excellent results. I mean look at the results I had in just that first week, and that was the only week I did every workout COMPLETELY as well as the Slim and 6 pack and Slim and Limber 3 times as well. I was SO excited when I was able to move up a disk, but with each disk I moved up the time of the workout increased, and sometimes I was lucky to even get 20 min of an over 60 min workout in! And the extra workouts?? Well, yeah, that wasn't happening either. As my husband was being affected by the chemo the kids were responding as well and demanding more of my attention. I'm not discouraged, and although I'm slightly disappointed (because I'm always one to question did *I* REALLY give it all I had), I think realistically I did what I could in the circumstances given. The most important thing is - I never gave up. If 20 minutes was all I could get in then I was going to get in those 20 minutes. If I had to incorporate my baby into the workout as my "baby barbell," well I did that a few times, too! :)
But the biggest reason I refuse to be disappointed? Because I FEEL GREAT! I'm getting hardly any sleep these nights, and for someone with Fibromyalgia that is almost inevitably a "prepare to be in pain" sentence. But I'm not. It's awesome! I'm considering tapering off of the one last medication I am on, but as of now I still have doctors insisting I take more let alone support me in getting off of this last one. I'm hoping to work my way through the system until I find one that is supportive of my choices. ;) The only thing I won't stop is drinking my Shakeology! When I miss a day, my energy tapers off quickly! But hey, I'm all for sticking with something so healthy and natural to get me through the day! LOVE it! I watched the movie "Food Matters," and it was REALLY an eye-opener! If you haven't seen it yet, I highly suggest it! You can instantly stream it on Netflix!
So even though my physical results aren't exactly what I had hoped, you can definitely see some changes, so I thought I'd share my "before" and "after" pics on here! I think next time I'll put on make-up and do my hair! haha I started Power 90 this week, so that is the next program on my journey, and I think it is perfect for this season of my life! The longest workout is 44 minutes. I haven't had to cut one short yet, and I'm feeling good! I'm actually a little sore from it! haha Totally different type of moves, and I think that change plus lack of sleep make me a little more susceptible to it, but I'll still take slight muscle aches from a workout over a Fibro flare any day!! I can't wait to see the results this program brings! I'll be taking measurements and photos every 30 days for the total 90 days. It's gonna be good! :) Until next time, be blessed!
Wow, I really need to update more often! Things in our house have been CRAZY!! So I wrapped up Slim in 6, but all in all I didn't follow the program the way it suggests, so although I didn't get the results I was wanting as far as my weight and measurements go, it is because of me and not the program. I think it's an excellent program, and if I didn't have an extremely demanding infant or had to spend HOURS in the car driving to and from the hospital for my husband's chemotherapy treatment, I do believe I would have gotten excellent results. I mean look at the results I had in just that first week, and that was the only week I did every workout COMPLETELY as well as the Slim and 6 pack and Slim and Limber 3 times as well. I was SO excited when I was able to move up a disk, but with each disk I moved up the time of the workout increased, and sometimes I was lucky to even get 20 min of an over 60 min workout in! And the extra workouts?? Well, yeah, that wasn't happening either. As my husband was being affected by the chemo the kids were responding as well and demanding more of my attention. I'm not discouraged, and although I'm slightly disappointed (because I'm always one to question did *I* REALLY give it all I had), I think realistically I did what I could in the circumstances given. The most important thing is - I never gave up. If 20 minutes was all I could get in then I was going to get in those 20 minutes. If I had to incorporate my baby into the workout as my "baby barbell," well I did that a few times, too! :)
But the biggest reason I refuse to be disappointed? Because I FEEL GREAT! I'm getting hardly any sleep these nights, and for someone with Fibromyalgia that is almost inevitably a "prepare to be in pain" sentence. But I'm not. It's awesome! I'm considering tapering off of the one last medication I am on, but as of now I still have doctors insisting I take more let alone support me in getting off of this last one. I'm hoping to work my way through the system until I find one that is supportive of my choices. ;) The only thing I won't stop is drinking my Shakeology! When I miss a day, my energy tapers off quickly! But hey, I'm all for sticking with something so healthy and natural to get me through the day! LOVE it! I watched the movie "Food Matters," and it was REALLY an eye-opener! If you haven't seen it yet, I highly suggest it! You can instantly stream it on Netflix!
So even though my physical results aren't exactly what I had hoped, you can definitely see some changes, so I thought I'd share my "before" and "after" pics on here! I think next time I'll put on make-up and do my hair! haha I started Power 90 this week, so that is the next program on my journey, and I think it is perfect for this season of my life! The longest workout is 44 minutes. I haven't had to cut one short yet, and I'm feeling good! I'm actually a little sore from it! haha Totally different type of moves, and I think that change plus lack of sleep make me a little more susceptible to it, but I'll still take slight muscle aches from a workout over a Fibro flare any day!! I can't wait to see the results this program brings! I'll be taking measurements and photos every 30 days for the total 90 days. It's gonna be good! :) Until next time, be blessed!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
30-day Update 10/21/10
Oct 21, 2010
So yesterday was my 30-day update. I didn't know about my measurements, but I knew one thing for sure, I feel SO much better than I did 30 days ago! And although I do still have some baby weight to lose and some lax ab muscles to tighten up after a third c-section, I realized I am more happy with the results of how I feel right now! I have had few to NO flair ups from my Fibromyalgia, and I couldn't be happier! If you would have told me a year ago that I could have this many pain-free days, I probably would've laughed at you! Terrible, I know! I just gave in to the fact that I have a chronic pain disorder and would just have to "live with it." I serve a God that heals, and I wasn't even taking care of my "temple" as I should have been! DON'T EVER SUBMIT TO SICKNESS!!! I can't emphasize that enough! I was also born with a heart defect that was repaired 12 years ago, and it is very easy to get "out of shape" due to my enlarged heart. I am THRILLED to report my resting pulse has gone down 10BPM!! 10!!! It's like a "normal" resting pulse now! :) My husband is currently going through chemotherapy, and it is grueling on his body and has made him very sick, but I can only imagine how much more sick he would be if he wasn't staying active and getting the nutrients his body needs - SO thankful for Shakeology! And I'm so thankful he is inspiring and encouraging others through their cancer treatment! His next chemotherapy week resumes on Monday. So that means another week of chaos for our family, but I'm gonna face it head-on and prepared! I do feel like I could have even better results at this point if I hadn't gotten so out of routine. But that's how it is, so it's time to move on! Just keep looking forward!! Learn from your experiences and move on!
So, moving on... haha Feeling great is AWESOME! I can't wait to continue on this wonderful journey! But I know people want to know about the weight and measurements! haha I am now almost 6 months post-partum with our 3rd child - and 3rd c-section, so I do still have some baggage to lose even though I am considered within my "average" weight for my height. I have quite a bit more to lose (and tone) around my waist, but I can happily say the saddle bags (or muffin top, love handles, or whatever you call it) are GONE! YES!!! I have reached my goal measurements for my arms, and still have a bit to go on my thighs (and rear haha). I obviously didn't expect to reach all my goals in 30 days, of course, so I'm happy I reached some already!
It's important to remember it's about the measurements - how do your pants fit, how do you feel, how do you look, etc. The scale can be your enemy when you look at it alone. And many breastfeeding moms will tell you they can't lose those last 5lbs until their baby's wean. Especially if you have a smaller frame as I do, your body may hold on to 5-10lbs which is your body's way of producing the milk necessary to feed your little one. Let's face it - to produce milk we obviously have some extra fluid to produce it! If you're like me, then you're little one comes first, so if that means the scale shows 5-10lbs more, you know your little one is getting plenty of eat (and tons of nutrition because you're eating right, right?) ;) I did drop 2 more lbs, so yay!! :) But I'm totally focusing on my measurements, and I like where they're going! Woo hoo!! My ultimate goal is to get back into the jeans I wore before I was pregnant with our first! So I have a ways to go to get to that goal, but I know I can do it!! I am currently wearing a belt with my post-partum jeans, which means soon I will be back to my "bigger" pre-pregnancy jeans, and then my regular pre-pregnancy jeans, and on to my pre-pre-pregnancy jeans! haha Yay!
So I have a week and a half left of the Slim in 6 program, and I moved on to the final disk "Burn it Up" today. Wow, it's definitely a step up! I have to definitely be in-tune with my body because there is definitely a possibility of a set-back if I push myself TOO hard. That is why I chose to start with this program because if I was having a "bad day" I could go back to the previous disk and still get in a good workout. But since starting I haven't had any "bad days!" Onto the final week and half of this program! What's next? I haven't decided yet, but I'll keep you updated! :)
I'm so thrilled your sharing this journey with me! Please feel free to connect with me! If you're interested in fitness programs and Shakeology, now is a good time to check it out! You could save 25% on all products AND help others! E-mail me at info@1fit2serve.com for more details! :)
So yesterday was my 30-day update. I didn't know about my measurements, but I knew one thing for sure, I feel SO much better than I did 30 days ago! And although I do still have some baby weight to lose and some lax ab muscles to tighten up after a third c-section, I realized I am more happy with the results of how I feel right now! I have had few to NO flair ups from my Fibromyalgia, and I couldn't be happier! If you would have told me a year ago that I could have this many pain-free days, I probably would've laughed at you! Terrible, I know! I just gave in to the fact that I have a chronic pain disorder and would just have to "live with it." I serve a God that heals, and I wasn't even taking care of my "temple" as I should have been! DON'T EVER SUBMIT TO SICKNESS!!! I can't emphasize that enough! I was also born with a heart defect that was repaired 12 years ago, and it is very easy to get "out of shape" due to my enlarged heart. I am THRILLED to report my resting pulse has gone down 10BPM!! 10!!! It's like a "normal" resting pulse now! :) My husband is currently going through chemotherapy, and it is grueling on his body and has made him very sick, but I can only imagine how much more sick he would be if he wasn't staying active and getting the nutrients his body needs - SO thankful for Shakeology! And I'm so thankful he is inspiring and encouraging others through their cancer treatment! His next chemotherapy week resumes on Monday. So that means another week of chaos for our family, but I'm gonna face it head-on and prepared! I do feel like I could have even better results at this point if I hadn't gotten so out of routine. But that's how it is, so it's time to move on! Just keep looking forward!! Learn from your experiences and move on!
So, moving on... haha Feeling great is AWESOME! I can't wait to continue on this wonderful journey! But I know people want to know about the weight and measurements! haha I am now almost 6 months post-partum with our 3rd child - and 3rd c-section, so I do still have some baggage to lose even though I am considered within my "average" weight for my height. I have quite a bit more to lose (and tone) around my waist, but I can happily say the saddle bags (or muffin top, love handles, or whatever you call it) are GONE! YES!!! I have reached my goal measurements for my arms, and still have a bit to go on my thighs (and rear haha). I obviously didn't expect to reach all my goals in 30 days, of course, so I'm happy I reached some already!
It's important to remember it's about the measurements - how do your pants fit, how do you feel, how do you look, etc. The scale can be your enemy when you look at it alone. And many breastfeeding moms will tell you they can't lose those last 5lbs until their baby's wean. Especially if you have a smaller frame as I do, your body may hold on to 5-10lbs which is your body's way of producing the milk necessary to feed your little one. Let's face it - to produce milk we obviously have some extra fluid to produce it! If you're like me, then you're little one comes first, so if that means the scale shows 5-10lbs more, you know your little one is getting plenty of eat (and tons of nutrition because you're eating right, right?) ;) I did drop 2 more lbs, so yay!! :) But I'm totally focusing on my measurements, and I like where they're going! Woo hoo!! My ultimate goal is to get back into the jeans I wore before I was pregnant with our first! So I have a ways to go to get to that goal, but I know I can do it!! I am currently wearing a belt with my post-partum jeans, which means soon I will be back to my "bigger" pre-pregnancy jeans, and then my regular pre-pregnancy jeans, and on to my pre-pre-pregnancy jeans! haha Yay!
So I have a week and a half left of the Slim in 6 program, and I moved on to the final disk "Burn it Up" today. Wow, it's definitely a step up! I have to definitely be in-tune with my body because there is definitely a possibility of a set-back if I push myself TOO hard. That is why I chose to start with this program because if I was having a "bad day" I could go back to the previous disk and still get in a good workout. But since starting I haven't had any "bad days!" Onto the final week and half of this program! What's next? I haven't decided yet, but I'll keep you updated! :)
I'm so thrilled your sharing this journey with me! Please feel free to connect with me! If you're interested in fitness programs and Shakeology, now is a good time to check it out! You could save 25% on all products AND help others! E-mail me at info@1fit2serve.com for more details! :)
Friday, October 15, 2010
Where have I been? 10/15/10
Oct 15, 2010
Wow! So where have I been?? Working out and eating healthy, of course! haha But seriously, my husband started chemotherapy last week, and it was a bit of a challenge on our family. I found I HAD to put a "to-do" list on my phone to make sure I kept my meals on a schedule and got my workout in. It wasn't always an ideal time of day, but just being disciplined to get a workout in when facing such a challenge (the drive to the hospital one-way can take an hour), I feel is an accomplishment! And I'm feeling GREAT! I have found Shakeology SO helpful this week in more ways than one! Stuck at the hospital during a meal or snack time? Just bring along Shakeology and a shaker cup, and I was good to go! I don't know how I would've made it last week without it! It helps keep me fueled as well, and that was a MUST! And I'm so glad they approved my husband to continue drinking Shakeology through his chemotherapy treatments because a couple of days that was ALL he could stomach. I can't explain how grateful we have been for that!
So how are my workouts going? GREAT! I moved on to Ramp it Up even before the 2nd week was over, and I was super excited about that! Next week I'll be moving on to Burn it Up! I hear it's quite a bit more intense than Ramp it Up, but I'm ready!! Not only am I seeing a difference in my physical appearance (my "love handles" are GONE! Yes!!!), but I just feel SO much better! I put my almost 3 year old on my shoulders today and walked around the house with her! Before I started this, I would have been feeling achey and sore the minute I lifted her up! What a blessing to be able to enjoy more fun time with the kids without being in pain! Good thing, too, because my six month old has wanted nothing but being held for the past few days! haha I even added him to my workout a couple of times! Try balancing a 15lb baby while doing lunges and squats! Woo hoo! Just the fact that I CAN do that had me pumped up! :) A good way to burn off a bit of steam, too, when stress comes in. And the Slim and Limber helps me relax at the end of a long day! I'm actually looking forward to my next measurement and weigh-in day, which will be October 20th! If I don't update before then, I will surely check in on here on that day!
Wow! So where have I been?? Working out and eating healthy, of course! haha But seriously, my husband started chemotherapy last week, and it was a bit of a challenge on our family. I found I HAD to put a "to-do" list on my phone to make sure I kept my meals on a schedule and got my workout in. It wasn't always an ideal time of day, but just being disciplined to get a workout in when facing such a challenge (the drive to the hospital one-way can take an hour), I feel is an accomplishment! And I'm feeling GREAT! I have found Shakeology SO helpful this week in more ways than one! Stuck at the hospital during a meal or snack time? Just bring along Shakeology and a shaker cup, and I was good to go! I don't know how I would've made it last week without it! It helps keep me fueled as well, and that was a MUST! And I'm so glad they approved my husband to continue drinking Shakeology through his chemotherapy treatments because a couple of days that was ALL he could stomach. I can't explain how grateful we have been for that!
So how are my workouts going? GREAT! I moved on to Ramp it Up even before the 2nd week was over, and I was super excited about that! Next week I'll be moving on to Burn it Up! I hear it's quite a bit more intense than Ramp it Up, but I'm ready!! Not only am I seeing a difference in my physical appearance (my "love handles" are GONE! Yes!!!), but I just feel SO much better! I put my almost 3 year old on my shoulders today and walked around the house with her! Before I started this, I would have been feeling achey and sore the minute I lifted her up! What a blessing to be able to enjoy more fun time with the kids without being in pain! Good thing, too, because my six month old has wanted nothing but being held for the past few days! haha I even added him to my workout a couple of times! Try balancing a 15lb baby while doing lunges and squats! Woo hoo! Just the fact that I CAN do that had me pumped up! :) A good way to burn off a bit of steam, too, when stress comes in. And the Slim and Limber helps me relax at the end of a long day! I'm actually looking forward to my next measurement and weigh-in day, which will be October 20th! If I don't update before then, I will surely check in on here on that day!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
6-Day Jumpstart (9/26/10)
Sept 26, 2010
So I have completed the 6-day Express Diet plan. I'm going to be totally honest - I didn't follow it to the "T." I had three sick kids, a sick husband, and then by the end of the week I got sick, too. Terrible colds. I also forgot I had to have dental work done this week, too, so that changed the order in which I had my Shakeology, but I stuck to the foods on the list. I'm SO happy with the results, though I have to say I'll be happy to put something other than green vegetables on my salad! haha It was hard to look at the carrots and not add them to my salad because I LOVE carrots on my salad! But it was very specific to green vegetable and lean meat.
The workouts have been great! I honestly wasn't sure I could commit to a 7am time for the whole week and until the day I had the fever I was able to start it between 7am - 7:30am. It was awesome! And instead of feeling tired afterwards I'd have my Shakeology and be energized and ready to go! I was able to do more with the kids and get more done around the house!! I'm just so excited where this is taking me! I'm even MORE excited that I can help others do the same! Talk about being fired up!!!
So now to the stuff beyond just the blessing of feeling better - the physical results. In just under a week I lost 6lbs, a little over 2 inches off my waist, 2 inches off my hips, and half an inch off each thigh! WOO HOO!! And those are just what I would consider my current "problem areas." I can't say whether or not the chest measurement is accurate considering that can change by time of day depending on when I last nursed my little man, so setting that aside - Total inches lost in 6 days was 5.75 inches!! YES! :) I'm excited to see what the last 5 weeks of the program will bring! I will be resuming a "normal" (but healthy) diet! I'll keep you posted! :)
So I have completed the 6-day Express Diet plan. I'm going to be totally honest - I didn't follow it to the "T." I had three sick kids, a sick husband, and then by the end of the week I got sick, too. Terrible colds. I also forgot I had to have dental work done this week, too, so that changed the order in which I had my Shakeology, but I stuck to the foods on the list. I'm SO happy with the results, though I have to say I'll be happy to put something other than green vegetables on my salad! haha It was hard to look at the carrots and not add them to my salad because I LOVE carrots on my salad! But it was very specific to green vegetable and lean meat.
The workouts have been great! I honestly wasn't sure I could commit to a 7am time for the whole week and until the day I had the fever I was able to start it between 7am - 7:30am. It was awesome! And instead of feeling tired afterwards I'd have my Shakeology and be energized and ready to go! I was able to do more with the kids and get more done around the house!! I'm just so excited where this is taking me! I'm even MORE excited that I can help others do the same! Talk about being fired up!!!
So now to the stuff beyond just the blessing of feeling better - the physical results. In just under a week I lost 6lbs, a little over 2 inches off my waist, 2 inches off my hips, and half an inch off each thigh! WOO HOO!! And those are just what I would consider my current "problem areas." I can't say whether or not the chest measurement is accurate considering that can change by time of day depending on when I last nursed my little man, so setting that aside - Total inches lost in 6 days was 5.75 inches!! YES! :) I'm excited to see what the last 5 weeks of the program will bring! I will be resuming a "normal" (but healthy) diet! I'll keep you posted! :)
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sharing my journey
I am transporting my former blog to share my full journey! Most of my former blogs are of a personal nature (my personal journey), which I will continue to include as well as blogs with helpful content.
Sept 20, 2010
I have decided to start a separate blog for my fitness journey. I feel so blessed to have been introduced to the Beachbody opportunity to improve both my physical and financial fitness! I am dedicating my fitness journey to honor God by taking care of His temple (my body), taking care of my family (including the dogs), and fighting Fibromyalgia. FMS (Fibromyalgia syndrome) is very complex and can be very limited. I have definitely experienced this. I went from being an athlete to hardly being able to do anything at all. But I CAN and WILL fight it - by training my body to be fit and in good health! I hope to inspire others (with or without FMS) to do the same! I'm looking forward to sharing my journey and to the positive results I KNOW I'm going to get!
Today I started "Slim in 6." I'm very excited about this program! After reviewing everything I had available I decided this was the best way to start up. It was 3 different levels, which is perfect for someone like me! If I push myself too hard (as I've been known to do), I can experience severe Fibro flares and have a setback for WEEKS. So I have to be realistic with myself and know my body. "Slim in 6" gives me that opportunity! If I'm having a "bad" day, I can always go back to disc 1. I wouldn't feel guilty about that because I'd still be working out and putting forth my best effort. It is important to remember that you should be proud of your work if you know you're doing YOUR best! Everybody's "best" is different! We all come from different backgrounds and situations. My current status is being a 4 month postpartum breastfeeding mom (with 2 older kids) with a chronic pain disorder. And I'm ready to drop the rest of the baby weight and get in the best shape of my life and have more pain-free days! I am disciplining myself to a schedule. It's a new schedule I never thought I'd even try, but I'm motivated!! :) I know if I continue to honor God by taking care of my body, He will continue to provide me with the energy and strength I need to do so! And so I woke up before the kids to start my workout this morning! And I've set alarms on my phone to eat on a strict schedule as well to get my metabolism to its full potential.
I have also decided to kick off this 6 week workout with a 6 day jump-start meal plan. I chose the high protein jump-start plan due to the fact that I'm breastfeeding. Although I plan to stick specifically to the foods listed on the plan, I do have to take into account that I AM breastfeeding, which already burns an extra 500 calories. I obviously want to lose the baby weight, but I have to take in sufficient calories to feed my baby! The important thing is making those calories count! So I'm going to *slightly* increase the portions advised in the jump-start plan. That should give me the calories I need to keep my little guy fed and burn off this baby fat around my belly! I'll admit I'll be happy when the 6 days is over and I can eat more of a variety again! haha But this is also a good way to discipline my eating habits and get me on the right track to continue then with a healthy diet (with more variety haha).
I'm very excited to be on this journey and to be sharing it with others! I'm here to help and support others as well! Please let me know how I can help YOU! :)
For more information on me, personally, check out my personal blog at http://sleepingbeaut824.blogspot.com/ God bless!!
Sept 20, 2010
I have decided to start a separate blog for my fitness journey. I feel so blessed to have been introduced to the Beachbody opportunity to improve both my physical and financial fitness! I am dedicating my fitness journey to honor God by taking care of His temple (my body), taking care of my family (including the dogs), and fighting Fibromyalgia. FMS (Fibromyalgia syndrome) is very complex and can be very limited. I have definitely experienced this. I went from being an athlete to hardly being able to do anything at all. But I CAN and WILL fight it - by training my body to be fit and in good health! I hope to inspire others (with or without FMS) to do the same! I'm looking forward to sharing my journey and to the positive results I KNOW I'm going to get!
Today I started "Slim in 6." I'm very excited about this program! After reviewing everything I had available I decided this was the best way to start up. It was 3 different levels, which is perfect for someone like me! If I push myself too hard (as I've been known to do), I can experience severe Fibro flares and have a setback for WEEKS. So I have to be realistic with myself and know my body. "Slim in 6" gives me that opportunity! If I'm having a "bad" day, I can always go back to disc 1. I wouldn't feel guilty about that because I'd still be working out and putting forth my best effort. It is important to remember that you should be proud of your work if you know you're doing YOUR best! Everybody's "best" is different! We all come from different backgrounds and situations. My current status is being a 4 month postpartum breastfeeding mom (with 2 older kids) with a chronic pain disorder. And I'm ready to drop the rest of the baby weight and get in the best shape of my life and have more pain-free days! I am disciplining myself to a schedule. It's a new schedule I never thought I'd even try, but I'm motivated!! :) I know if I continue to honor God by taking care of my body, He will continue to provide me with the energy and strength I need to do so! And so I woke up before the kids to start my workout this morning! And I've set alarms on my phone to eat on a strict schedule as well to get my metabolism to its full potential.
I have also decided to kick off this 6 week workout with a 6 day jump-start meal plan. I chose the high protein jump-start plan due to the fact that I'm breastfeeding. Although I plan to stick specifically to the foods listed on the plan, I do have to take into account that I AM breastfeeding, which already burns an extra 500 calories. I obviously want to lose the baby weight, but I have to take in sufficient calories to feed my baby! The important thing is making those calories count! So I'm going to *slightly* increase the portions advised in the jump-start plan. That should give me the calories I need to keep my little guy fed and burn off this baby fat around my belly! I'll admit I'll be happy when the 6 days is over and I can eat more of a variety again! haha But this is also a good way to discipline my eating habits and get me on the right track to continue then with a healthy diet (with more variety haha).
I'm very excited to be on this journey and to be sharing it with others! I'm here to help and support others as well! Please let me know how I can help YOU! :)
For more information on me, personally, check out my personal blog at http://sleepingbeaut824.blogspot.com/ God bless!!
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