PiYo Week 3

Week 3 of PiYo definitely had it's ups and downs - literally and figuratively. 

Let's talk about the positives first. This week, we were introduced to 2 new workouts - Buns and Strength Intervals. Buns is a very intense lower body workout - you'll definitely be aware of your buns in the days following this workout ;) Strength Intervals brings back some of your traditional cardio that some people may have been missing during the program. There are, of course, low impact options. It's a quick circuit training workout - using only your body weight & will really get your heart rate cranking!

Something that I really started to notice this week was the increase in my flexibility. After years and years of working out - but doing the bare minimum when it comes to stretching and flexibility, my muscles had become so tight (hence a lot of my back problems). My muscles are now really starting to stretch out and lengthen and I'm now able to do a lot of the poses with greater range of motion and control. The pain in my back and neck seems to be getting better week by week - to the point where it's barely existent at this point - which is just so amazing to me. 

We also went away this past week - on a little mini family vacation. There was a solid 72 hours where I wasn't eating as clean as I could have been. I wasn't going crazy, but I did indulge a bit (and the mint chocolate chip waffle cone was worth every single calorie). By the time we got home, I felt exhausted, sluggish and just "off." I got on the scale Monday morning and it had moved in the wrong direction - which was no surprise. But I got refocused Monday & Tuesday & as of this morning, I'm back to the weight I was a week ago. So, while yes, it's a little disappointing not to have lost anything this week - I have to remind myself that I also didn't gain. I maintained and I chose to have those few indulgences this past weekend...with no regrets. Everything in moderation. 

This morning something kind of awesome happened in my workout...but I can't spill the beans yet! You'll have to check back next week for my week 4 update!!!

I've got a few spots left in my #getschooled Challenge Group. This group is going to be unlike any one I've ever done before. I am going to be running this group alongside 4 other Coaches who are on my team. 

Combined, the 5 of us have lost over 220 pounds and we are going to be sharing all of our secrets with YOU and "schooling" you on how to achieve your fitness goals and maintain them. If you want in, we need to chat soon because the group starts in August! Are you ready to #getschooled with us???

xoxo,

PiYo Week 2

174. That's usually where my heart rate is when I run or do cardio. High impact, intense cardio.

So, yes, it came as a bit of a shock when I was in the middle of one of my PiYo workouts this week & I looked down at my heart rate monitor and that was the number I saw. 174. I wasn't jumping. I wasn't running. I wasn't kicking or punching. I was doing my new favorite PiYo routine called SWEAT (and you'll understand why it's named that once you do it). I was pushing myself hard, but it was all low impact.

After my workout, I was taking my much deserved and much needed shower and I got to thinking... I have many other workout programs at home - some from Beachbody, some not. I have a bad back & bad neck. And, in almost all of the programs, there's at least a few exercises where I see them & think "I better even not attempt that because I know it's going to hurt my back." That hasn't happened in PiYo! I've not been afraid to try anything. I've been able to at least attempt everything. And, if I can't do something, it's not because of my back. It's simply been because I haven't built up the strength in the rest of my body yet. This makes me happy. Strength is something I can work on.

My body continues to respond so well to this program. My joints are still pain-free (yay)! Because I'm pain-free, I'm sleeping better (double yay)!! And because I'm sleeping better, I'm waking - without an alarm - everyday between 5:00-6:00am (triple yay)??? No, I don't particularly "like" getting up that early, but that's what my body is doing naturally. It's getting the rest it needs & I'm ready to go when my eyes pop open - which in turn, is making for a more productive day.

Because it's week 2, I've become more accustomed to the routines. I know what's coming next & therefore, I've been able to mentally prepare a bit better and push my body harder than I did in week 1. So yes, 2 weeks in & I'm still sore. With each day, I try to modify a little less and at least try some of the more advanced moves. 

In my second week of PiYo - completing the workouts, following the nutrition plan (except for those 3 days where I did the 3 Day Refresh & drinking Shakeology daily - I've lost an additional 2.2 pounds - which brings my grand total to 7 pounds lost in the 2 weeks. But, for me, as awesome as that is, that's not the most exciting part. The most exciting part to me is that I can now say that my back pain has been reduced by at least 90%. I still have some dull tightness in my lower back, and a teensy weensy bit in my neck - but that's it. And compared to the pain I was in 6 months ago - this slight pain is nothing. With each workout, my body is getting stronger & more flexible & my back is reaping all of the benefits. I could not be happier with my results thus far. 

I've got a Challenge Group forming that will start in the next few weeks and if you think that you may want to give PiYo a try and join us, please let me know. I'm even doing a giveaway for those who join my #getschooled Challenge Group...so, what are you waiting for?

Check back next week for my week 3 PiYo post & have a great day!!!

3 Day Refresh Review & Results

The 3 Day Refresh. What is it exactly??? Well, essentially in just 3 short days, you can get your health, energy, and vitality back on track—all without starving. You'll conquer your cravings. Get a flatter belly. Feel lighter and more energized. And your clothes will fit better. 

But, this isn't like traditional cleanses or detox programs where you may be hungry or feel weak. You'll be getting plenty of protein - thanks to Shakeology & your twice daily Vanilla Fresh shakes. You'll get to eat REAL FOOD. And you'll also get your daily Fiber Sweep to help keep you feeling full and it also helps to gently get rid of waste from your digestive system. 

So, yeah, let's go there. When you hear waste, cleanse, fiber & detox...your mind goes straight to the toilet. This is not a harsh detox, so no, you're not going to spend all day in the bathroom & you're not gonna feel like you "have to go" all day. 

And when exactly is the best time for YOU to do the 3 Day Refresh??? It can be used anytime! Maybe you over-indulged on a holiday weekend. Maybe you want to feel a little more comfortable in your swimsuit on vacation this summer. Maybe you have a special event coming up & you want that perfect outfit to fit just a bit little looser. Or maybe, you just need a jump start into improving your overall health. 

What kind of results will you get from the 3 Day Refresh? Results will always vary from person to person. I like to be completely open & honest with people. If I like something, I'm going to tell you. If I don't like something, I'm going to tell you that, too. I was a little underwhelmed by my visible results. I lost 0.6 pounds (which I admittedly was a little bummed about), BUT I lost an INCH in my waist in those 3 days. That right there is why I always tell people to do both - weigh AND measure yourself. An inch in 3 days is awesome! I will tell you that if this program is something you're thinking about doing - go do your research. Don't be dissuaded by my results. Look at others who have done the program. Most people lose 2-10 pounds. People heavier than me lost more than me and people lighter than me lost more than me. Bottom line is that it varies from person to person. But, let's not focus solely on the results we "see." Even though I didn't see an earth shattering drop on the scale, what I did was still oh so good for my body. I wasn't hungry. I didn't feel weak & my body does feel refreshed after those 3 Days. 

If you think that this program is something you may want to try, let's chat. For the month of July, it's on sale & I'd love to get you into my upcoming #getschooled Challenge Group. Happy Tuesday!!!

PiYo Week 1

I sat patiently by the window, looking out side, listening for the mail truck. And, in the distance, I could finally hear it. The mailman was coming down my street and inside of his truck, he had my PiYo. I was like a kid on Christmas tearing into that box & what was inside did not disappoint.

Chalene Johnson fans have been waiting YEARS for PiYo to come to DVD for home use. Yes, YEARS. Up until recently, you could only take PiYo at a gym or health club. Now, we can get our PiYo on in the privacy of our own home.

I had taken my before weight, photos and pics and I was ready to roll. Day 1 is Align: The Fundamentals. Now, I know - we are all tempted - even me - to skip those instructional workouts because we think we know what we're doing. Trust me. Go through this DVD. You'll learn a lot and still break a sweat. 

This first week of PiYo has changed a lot of things for me. I will be honest - this year has been a struggle for me. Getting up early to workout out has been sporadic, at best. I'd squeeze my workout in whenever the day allowed. Sometimes that was after breakfast. Sometimes it was when the kiddos napped. Sometimes it was at night. I was not scheduling my workouts and my Type A personality didn't like that  - even though it was entirely my fault for sleeping in almost every single day. Sometimes I just don't want to get up and jump around at 5 am, ya know? But, with PiYo, I've easily rolled out of bed each morning before the kids got up. I think mentally knowing that I've got a low impact workout ahead of me makes me dread it a little less. Heck - I don't even have to put on shoes for PiYo. Yes, I still need to be mentally and physically awake to do PiYo - it does take quite a bit of focus - but it's just different.

Speaking of getting out of bed...yes, that's mentally easier now, but also PHYSICALLY easier. I am feeling something that my body has never felt before. If you're like me, the day after an intense workout, your muscles are sore - and so are your joints. Specifically knees, hips and back - and maybe ankles, too. With PiYo, I'm sore. I have sore muscles in places I didn't know I had muscles. But, my joints DON'T ACHE. It is the weirdest - and most glorious feeling - to get your butt kicked in a workout - and not be in pain or discomfort the next day. Just sore :) I'm walking taller. More confident. And feeling like a total badass at the end of these workouts because a lot of the moves are really challenging. I feel good about ME. And I haven't felt that in quite some time.

I was skeptical. Yes, I love any program - fitness or otherwise - that Chalene puts out. But, I really was skeptical. Could I get some real results with just doing a workout that is Pilates & Yoga inspired? Come on...I'm used to jumping, kicking, punching, lifting, and HIIT workouts. Will my body respond to something so low impact??? The answer is a resounding YES. But first, let's talk about the other component of PiYo - the nutrition.

I'm eating. A lot. By the end of most days, I'm literally having to force down my dinner because it's so much food. Nutritious, delicious, filling and oh so good for my body. I'm drinking Shakeology. Every. Single. Day. Did I cheat my first week at all? Yes, I confess. I had a skinny latte once from Starbucks (and I have no intention of giving that up). But, the rest of the week, my nutrition was on point. 

Ok, let's get to the details that you really want to know. DID YOU LOSE ANY WEIGHT??? Before I answer that, I want to stress - I do not live my life by the scale. I don't let it determine my self-worth or my mood for the day. It's not the boss of me. I'm a #GIRLBOSS and a scale will NOT determine my happiness. That being said, the scale is the easiest way to measure. So, that's what I use on a weekly basis. It tells me part of the story & is one of the tools I use to gauge my progress. So......drum roll please.....in my first week of following the PiYo workouts (and only the PiYo workouts), following the nutrition plan and drinking Shakeology daily...I've lost 4.8 pounds. Yes, in a week. And I'm not the only one who is loving this program. Check out what some of the participants in my PiYo Challenge Group are saying...

"I'm loving this meal plan!! Very easy!!!"

"I've started the workouts and meal plan and I'm soooo pleased and motivated to be seeing results right away!"

"I worked through the first workout this morning - the fundamentals.... I am really excited to start this program! I will be modifying alot; i can tell...but that is ok...as long as i am focusing on my goals - that is all that matters!"

"2 days of the PiYo workouts and strictly following the meal plan must be the ticket...I saw minus 4lbs this morning also! Wahoo!"

"I completed the Align and Lower Body videos today. I felt like I got a great workout and the shorter length makes it much easier for me to incorporate into my busy days. Even though it was a lower body workout, I felt it in my arms too!"

So, if you think PiYo may be something that you want to incorporate into your life, message me here and we can discuss which program option will best suit your needs. Otherwise - stay tuned. I'll be providing weekly blog updates during my 8 week PiYo journey!

Have a fantastic day!!!

What Exactly Is It That You Do???

I come across a lot of people from day to day who think that they may want to be a Coach, but they're just not sure what exactly it is that we do. They know we love fitness. They know we love helping others. They know we love our Shakeology. But, that's it. That's all they know.

People who have taken part of my Challenge Groups have a little more insight. I know this because a majority of the Coaches on my team were former Challenge Group and Test Group participants. They use the products, they see the value in having an accountability group and they know the system works. So, signing up to be a Coach is a natural progression for a lot of them.

But I know that there's still so many of you out there that have an interest, but you just don't understand what goes into it, how it works & you have a ton of questions. So, I've decided to put together a Team Foundation Fitness Coach Internship group for all of you who want to learn more. This group will be 5 days and is completely FREE. During the 5 days, you'll get a glimpse into the world of Coaching. You'll learn what we do, how you can earn an income, how you can help and inspire others - plus I'll answer any other questions that you may have. 

So, if you'd like to apply for my Coach Internship group, just click HERE and fill out the quick application! Our group will start July 7 & spots will fill up fast! I'm so excited to be able to have a way to share this opportunity with all of you! 

An Exhausting End To An Emotional Week

In life, we are forced to make choices. If we're smart, we evaluate our options and choose the best option for us AT THAT TIME. I am a goal oriented person. I also have priorities in life. I have chosen NEVER to let my goals get in the way of my priorities. The two must align. If a goal doesn't align with my priorities, then it needs to be pushed to the back burner for the time being. A very wise person taught me this.

That being said...even when we make the right choice, that choice can still sting a bit.

This past week was Beachbody's annual Coach Summit. I had gone last year and had the most amazing time. When I got home from Vegas last year, I had immediately bought my ticket for Summit 2014. It was a goal of mine to go back. But, as most of you know, my mama was diagnosed with cancer last fall. Once that happened, I needed to readjust...to realign. By December, I knew I was going to need to book my hotel and airfare soon. But, we still didn't know what the outcome of my mom's cancer battle was going to be. My mom has ALWAYS put me first in her life. Always. And now, I needed to do the same. I needed to be here for her in case she needed me. My William went through some speech therapy last year. It ended when he was 3 & we waited a few months to see if he would continue to progress. He did, but not at the rate I wanted him to. So, for the past 3 months, we've been to numerous dr appointments, screenings, evaluations, etc to see what's going on. We still don't have all the answers. But, we are in the middle of the process of getting him some more intensive therapy...and the MOUNDS of paperwork are overwhelming. The past month or so - he has made tremendous progress...using words I didn't even know he knew and stringing together sentences like a pro. Again, my family needed me here. My boys are my life. My miracles and I would do or give up anything for them. But I won't lie. I sat in my room Thursday night, in tears, watching the general session from Vegas. My head wanted to be there...but my heart knew that I was in the right place. At home. Accessible to my family. It was tough scrolling through Facebook & Instagram seeing everyone's posts and awesome PiYo swag they were getting in The Core (the shopper in me was yearning to be buying up all the cute clothes). But, deep down, I knew I had made the right choice. My family is a priority. And a goal of going to Vegas at a time when my family needed me seemed to not align with my priorities. There will always be another Summit...and Nashville...I'm coming for you in 2015!!!

Then came today. I was supposed to run my third half marathon. My husband started coming down with a cold Friday night and by Saturday afternoon, my sweet Will had it. I don't know why, but colds seem to hit that poor kid so hard. The pre-race adrenaline was setting in last night, so I didn't fall asleep til about 11pm. And then at 1am, I was awoken by the most awful sound. My kid loudly gasping for air. I went into his room and he was trying to cry, but he couldn't even do that. The wheezing was so bad and he was so miserable. I contemplated taking him to the ER, but after some snuggling in our bed, I was able to get the wheezing to calm down a bit and I tucked him back into his bed. But like a protective mama bear...I laid in bed...listening...making sure he didn't start coughing or wheezing or crying again. And just as I was about to drift off...it started again. I snuggled with him some more and then tucked him back into bed. At this point, it's 3:40am. Crap. I have my alarm set for 4. I may as well get up. It was all I could do to stay awake on my way to the race. I just wanted to sleep. But once I got there and met up with my running buddy for the day, I was feeling better and adrenaline started to kick in again. We hit the start line and ran. I usually run alone because, well, I run slow. Like molasses slow. But my friend Tania also runs that pace, so it was nice to have someone running by my side. We were making really good time and at about mile 3, something kinda popped in my hip. Crap. I pushed through for a bit, but at mile 5, I was getting dizzy from the pain and I told Tania to go. This was her first half marathon and I wasn't going to mess this up for her. By mile 5.5 the tears started to flow. I kept pushing as hard as I could. Walking when I needed to and running when I could. But by mile 8.4, I was done. Limping. My right leg didn't want to move on its own. I hobbled over to the finish line...but just sat on the sideline. My first DNF. Did Not Finish. Running another half marathon was a goal of mine. But my family and my personal health are at the top of my priority list. My boys need a mom who is able to walk and function. Yes, I believe in pushing yourself to a certain point, but pushing yourself too hard can be hazardous. And today I had to make that judgement call. My heart said to keep going, but my head said STOP. But the beautiful silver lining is that I got to watch, and video, Tania as she crossed the finish line of her first half marathon. I still got to be there to witness that accomplishment. I'm beyond proud of her. I know I made the right choice by not finishing. Yes, it stings. But, it was the smart thing to do. I'm in a boatload of pain and I can only imagine how much worse it would be if I had gone another 5 miles.

Has the past week been an ideal one? Goodness no. But, that's life. We make choices. We make sacrifices when needed. We make sure our priorities stay in the forefront of our goals...

If It's Still In Your Mind...It's Worth Taking The Leap

This particular blog post is one that has been in the works - mentally - for a while. I knew today was coming up. I knew what I wanted to say. But, I was searching for the perfect title for the post. And then, a fellow Coach posted this pic to her Facebook feed and I knew that was it. It summed up everything I wanted to say.

"If it's still in your mind...it's worth taking the leap." 

As many of you know, 2 years ago, my husband was out of work, I was a stay-at-home-mom to 6 month old twins and we were broke. I had been a Beachbody customer for years & the idea of Coaching had been in my mind for MONTHS. Part of me though it'd be a cool thing to try. Part of me thought "don't waste your time or money...you're going to fail at it." But, I just couldn't get it out of my head. Trust me - I tried. I didn't want to think about it. It just kept popping up.

I received some money from Mother's Day as a gift. The shopaholic in me wanted to hit the mall ASAP to buy shoes or some makeup. But a voice in my head kept saying "Coach. Coach. Coach." I call it God. Call it a higher power. Call it intuition. Call it destiny. Call it whatever you believe in. So, a little begrudgingly, I took my money - that I'd much rather be spending on other things - and signed up to become a Coach. I will be 100% honest. I had no idea what I was getting into. I figured I'd do it for a few months, say "I tried" and then throw in the towel and quit. Two years ago - I took that leap...

As months went on, I started attending local events & the positive energy I felt from fellow Coaches was infectious. I always left meetings with a smile on my face and a laser focus with what I wanted to do. I started setting goals. I started building my team. I started expanding my network. Has it been all sunshine and roses? No. Like any job or business, there's good days and bad days. But those good days are SO GOOD and they outnumber those few bad days. 

Beachbody had helped my physically. Shakeology daily & my at home workouts have helped me shed the baby weight - and then some. But more important than that, Beachbody has given me freedom in a job that I never had before. I don't have to request vacation days. I can work from anywhere - my couch, an airplane, in the waiting room of a dr's office, sitting outside in the sun, in the car...literally anywhere....and at any time. I get to choose who I want to work with. And the best part is that I don't have to give up any time with my kids to do this. I knew when we started a family that I wanted to be at home. But, when that time came, we had no idea how much of a financial impact that would have. Our family literally doubled in size and our income got cut in half. Now I can be at home with my kiddos & work before they get up or when they nap. It's truly the best of both worlds.

A few weeks ago, I was sitting in my car. I received a text from my upline sponsor, Brittnae, thanking me for all of my hard work. I took a second. Looked down at where I was sitting and immediately responded back with a "thank you for getting me involved in this business because I would literally not be sitting where I am right now if it wasn't for you." Last fall, my CR-V, which was a 1998, finally was getting to the point where, to pass inspection, we were going to have to put more into it than it was worth. I NEEDED a new car. I knew the exact one I wanted (because I had put it on my PUSH Goal list for the year). As I was texting Brittnae, I was sitting in my Honda Pilot. The SUV I've wanted since it got released. And I can say with 100% certainty, that owning that vehicle would not be possible without Beachbody. Earning enough money in a week to pay for a car payment may not sound like much to some, but for us, it's HUGE. When I see that car, it's not just the car I wanted. When I look at it, it reminds me of everyone I've worked with these past 2 years. The people who have made a commitment to themselves to change their lives and get healthy. It reminds me of all of the amazing people in my challenge groups. It reminds me of my team. 

I have been able to meet the most amazing people. Travel to places I've never been. Do things I never expected to do. Never in a million years did I think I'd still be doing this 2 years later. 

It's been a wild ride - lots of up and a few downs - but I am thankful daily that I took a chance...that I took that leap...and I owe it to this girl right here... Brittnae - thanks for sticking by me & being there for me. You're a mentor, a friend, a sister :)

If you think that you're ready to take the leap with this amazing opportunity, let's chat to see if it's the right fit for YOU!!!

21 Day Fix - Week 3

This was it - week 3 of the 21 Day Fix!

I knew this would be my toughest week - mentally and physically because in week 3, you have the OPTION to switch things up a bit. I was in this for the long haul, so I went for it.

The first thing that would be different this week was my workouts. Week 3 is an OPTIONAL DOUBLES WEEK. I was still fighting this cold/sinus infection, but I wasn't going to let it win. I was going all in. Doing doubles was challenging for a lot of reasons. I was still sick. As a busy mom, let's face it, it's much easier to make 30 minutes for exercise than it is to make 60 minutes. This meant some early morning workouts to be able to squeeze it in. These workouts alone - just 30 minutes - are INTENSE. But, I always tell myself, "suck it up...it's just 30 minutes." And it's much easier to push yourself REALLY HARD for 30 minutes than it is for 60 minutes. Hopefully, for Round 2 of the FIX, I won't be sick, so doubles will be a little easier.

The second thing that was going to be different this week was something called the 3 Day Quick Fix. Again, this is another OPTIONAL aspect of week 3. There's no way to sugar coat this...the Quick Fix is hard...and it's all a mental game. Why is it hard? Well, your meal plan changes. You're eating 6 times a day (every 2 hours), so hunger wasn't a factor. In fact, I was stuffed on these 3 days. But it's WHAT YOU'RE EATING that packs a punch. Essentially some form of lean protein (egg whites, chicken, fish & turkey), 2 healthy carbs and 4 veggies. Plain and simple - it's really boring, but really SIMPLE, so it makes meal prep a breeze. 

• Meal 1: Egg whites & oatmeal
• Meal 2: Chicken & yams (I don't eat yams, so I substituted quinoa)
• Meal 3: Fish & steamed green veggie
• Meal 4: Chicken & steamed green veggie
• Meal 5: Fish & steamed green veggie
• Meal 6: Turkey & steamed green veggie

It may not look like a lot of food - but I was so full. You're also drinking a gallon of water a day. I had done something similar to this a few years back (but I only did it for 2 days at a time)...so I kinda knew what I was in for. I warned my husband ahead of time that I was going to be cranky & moody. The first day wasn't bad. I got through it with no real issues - except peeing every 10 minutes ;)  Day 2 was a little harder. I was more tired & going through carb withdrawl at that point. There were cookies in our kitchen that were screaming my name. I'd go in, open the box and sit there and smell them. Frequently. By day 3, I was ready to throw in the towel and eat a cookie. Again, I wasn't hungry...I just wanted carbs....ALL OF THEM. Like I said, a lot of this 3 day portion is all mental. It's knowing you CAN'T have something that makes you want it more. I knew what my weight was prior to the 3 Day Fix & all I kept thinking was that I better see a drop on the scale to make this worth it. And it was...

I got up this morning, went into the bathroom, took a deep breath and stepped on the scale. I was so excited!!! I didn't believe what I was seeing, so I got off, and got back on just to make sure. Yep - it was accurate. I hadn't seen a number like this since July.

Before I get into my actual results, I want to comment on something that may be obvious, or may not be. Why does this program work so well? Well, yes - it's proper nutrition and effective workouts. But, beyond that.... I think the answer is that "it's only 21 days." Mentally - that's something easy to wrap your head around. Beachbody has numerous other programs - ranging from 6 weeks to 90 days. I'll be the first to admit - when I see that 90 days - it seems like an eternity away. But, with this, you can START AND FINISH in the same month. That makes this program perfect for so many people. Maybe you're new to exercise and you want to start with something shorter. Maybe you've completed other programs, but want to switch things up for just a few weeks. Maybe once you've completed this, you will see that anything is possible and that 90 days of another program seems much more doable now.

Now to my results :) I lost a total of 9.8 pounds and 9.5 inches!!! This program came along at the perfect time. In the fall, I was dealing with some injuries, along with my mom being sick (more on that in another blog post to come soon). Seeing my mom sick had sent me into a downward spiral. I was depressed and just ate and ate in an attempt to numb the pain. I would sit alone and eat an entire box of donuts or cake. I just kept eating and eating. I then became ashamed that I'd let emotions win. I didn't want to leave the house. I lived in my pajamas (or anything with an elastic waist band). I felt like I had let myself down and like I had let others down. The 21 Day Fix gave me focus. It was simple nutrition. I'm not hungry on the fix. I can have chocolate. I can have wine. I can have bread. I can even have pizza. Everyday? No. But, it's allowed. Having a program with flexibility like that is what I needed. The workouts were great. 30 minutes and I was done. A new workout everyday left me feeling good and never bored. I'm starting to see my muscle definition come back & clothes that didn't fit 3 weeks ago, now fit just fine. This program helped pull me out of a horrible funk that I had gotten myself into and to Autumn Calabrese, I'm eternally grateful.

Yes, today is a bit of a treat day for me. I'm drinking a non-fat white chocolate mocha from Starbucks as I write this. I'm going to have a cookie later & my husband is going to make me dinner. And then tomorrow, it's back to the FIX for ROUND 2!!! I still have a ways to go, but I couldn't be happier with my results thus far. 

If you want to join me for your own journey on the FIX, please contact me here. I have groups forming for March & April & I'd love to have you as a part of it :)

Week 2 on the 21 Day Fix

Another successful week on the FIX is in the books. I've lost a total of 6.6 pounds & I can't believe I'm now in my final week. Week 2 definitely had it's share of ups and downs - literally and figuratively.

I'll start with some of the things I struggled with this week. 

• I still have this darn cold/sinus infection which had drained my energy. The very last thing I want to do is workout. But, all week, I just kept telling myself, "It's only 30 minutes and you can modify if you need to." So every day, I have put on my workout clothes, gone downstairs and pushed play. And it's funny, my competitive side comes out as soon as the DVD is in. My mind shifts from "I don't want to workout" to "If I'm going to to this, I'm going to push as hard as I can." So, I crank some good music and have at it. And surprisingly, I even beat a majority of my calorie burns from the week before. 
• At one point this week, the number on the scale went UP. Say WHAT???? This is the EXACT reason I tell people to not go by the scale alone. Take progress pics. Take measurements. Did it still freak me out. Yeah, a little. But, I knew exactly why. One - I'd been upping my weights this week, so I knew I was putting on some muscle. Two - while I was sticking to the plan, I wasn't always making the best choices. For instance, I was having turkey bacon frequently. And while, yes, it's allowed on the plan, it's the protein that is at the very bottom of the list. Meaning - it's not the best choice. It's got a lot of sodium & I know it was making me retain some water. 

But, with struggles, there's also triumphs...

• After seeing the number on the scale go UP, I immediately went into our bedroom and took my measurements. They were definitely down. I looked at myself in the mirror. I was seeing positive changes. And I tried on some clothes - that at the beginning of the fix were too tight...well, now they fit fine. Ok - mental crisis averted. 
• I cut back - well - eliminated turkey bacon for 2 days...and what do you know...the number on the scale went down. I have been choosing higher quality protein & my body was thanking me for it. 
• Despite having a cold and feeling like crap - I feel really GREAT! Huh? Yes, I'm coughing and sneezing and am somewhat of a hot mess. But, I'm starting to feel like the old me. The one who ate for fuel her body. Not the girl who ate her feelings. My body is starting to feel solid. I'm seeing muscle being built back up. I'm sore from my workouts, but am having less body aches & pains. My neck & back are feeling fantastic. My hip pain is all but gone. My left knee still gives me problems, but I can feel it getting stronger each day.

I am so excited to dive into week 3!!!! I still have ONE SPOT left in my March Fix group, so if you want to take that coveted 10th spot, just message me here.

Valentine's Day Giveaway!!!

One of my favorite holidays is fast approaching - Valentine's Day!!! And I'm going to be giving away a bunch of goodies to 1 lucky winner. So, what will the winner get?

• 3 Lara Bar UBER bars in Coconut Macaroon flavor
• 3 packets of Vegan Tropical Strawberry Shakeology
• a 6 pack of Partylite votives in Tropical Daiquiri scent
• a 2014 planner from Sugar Paper LA for Target
• a red peplum cut-out shirt from Forever 21 (size M)

Are you feeling lucky and want to enter? It's pretty simple! 

• Go over to my Instagram page (@kateschmida) and make sure you're following me.
• Find the picture posted above, like it & then comment on it with your favorite romantic movie.
• Take a screenshot of my Instagram post & repost it on your page (please make sure your profile is public or I won't ever see the pic). Don't forget to tag me & also hashtag it with #katesvalentinegiveaway
• Head over to www.katejsschmida.com and sign up for your FREE account. No purchase necessary.

Once you've completed ALL of those steps, you'll be officially entered (yes, I will be checking to make sure all 4 are done). 

The winner will be announced on Valentine's Day!!! Good luck!!!