Let’s Get Real

Let’s get real for a minute…

When I started talking about my weightloss success in 2015, I realize now that I had the wrong motivations.  I wanted others to be proud of me, the accolades of other people, the weightloss without the big picture motivation of long term health.

How did that work out for me?  Fast forward to early 2017 and in about 12 weeks time from October to December 2016, I gained 30+ pounds.  Wait, what?  Did you say 30+?  Yes, I did!  I was stressed beyond belief with lots of things and I stress ate my way to a new record for me (clearly not in a good way!), something I just can’t believe let happen, but I am owning it.  I did not see the big picture of eating for my long-term health and to combat a lot of the issues I was having with inflammation and joint pains.

I knew that I had to find someone that could help me that was successful and motivating, and wouldn’t just say, “oh, you had a bad week, just move on”, but someone that would say to me, “why did you make the choices you did, and how can we make sure that doesn’t happen again?”

So, after lots of research I found a health coach that did that for me.  She put me in an accountability group, checked in on me and celebrated my successes.  Thanks to her confidence in me, I was able to reclaim confidence myself and lose the weight I put on.

At the end of August into September, I felt the pattern from last year happening, and I spiraled out of control for a good 4 to 5 weeks.  Stress was getting to me again in the form of food!  No, not going to happen this year!  Then, my coach messaged me and said, “I haven’t heard from you much lately, is everything ok?”  No, it wasn’t, but boy it felt good that she checked on me!

That challenge group/accountability group where I get daily support, accountability, motivation and recipes/tips seriously changed my life! I have fallen in love with the support, Beachbody on Demand and Shakeology. I could have given up in the first week if it wasn’t for the other people that were in the group.

Are you trying to find fit too?  I want to pay it forward and help others to feel the same way that I do!

So I have become a coach, and my job is to help you reach your goals by customizing support, keeping you motivated, accountable and sharing what is working for me with you! If you are interested in joining me please message me or like this post for more information!  Join the amazing group of ladies I am a part of already.

I am accepting 3 people into my group that are ready and willing to take that leap of faith and change their lifestyle! ARE YOU IN??? Let me help you stay accountable to your health & fitness goals and teach you what has worked for me!!!!

Week 2 — 22 Minute Hard Corps

I am loving this new program!  Tony Horton has knocked it out of the park with 22 Minute Hard Corps.  I thought when I started 22MHC that I might do PiYo at the same time, but that is not going to happen.  These workouts are seriously intense, complete with new moves I have never done before like gorilla crawls and frog burpees.

The moves are hard, but the 3 rounds move quickly and at the end I am dripping in sweat.

Beachbody has a public challenge group to get summer strong starting on 4/4.  Though I have already started the program, I am following in the group, and seeing other people’s posts, I am not being a baby — these moves are hard “corps”!  🙂  Day 10 has nothing on me!!

If you are struggling with trying to fit in a fitness routine, I would love to tell you my story; please feel free to email me for more information.  I used to dread working out, but now I look forward to it and the way I feel when I am done and the best part is that I am working out at home and don’t have to go anywhere.

Better Late Than Never–21DFX Results

Everyone loves to see results–at least I know that I do!  I have said it many times before, but when I did my first Beachbody program, 21 Day Fix, I literally spent days scouring the internet (especially youtube and instagram) looking for other people’s results before I would order anything.  Why?  Well, I think the biggest reason is because we want to make sure we aren’t getting scammed!

What I have come to realize is that if you are doing the work, you are going to get results.  If you aren’t going to fully follow the program, or make your own rules, well your results may not be what you expect.  These programs have been tested and tried before being sold, so trust those calendars!

So here is where I stand right now.  In January, I had my annual physical with my doctor.  He weighed me and I weighed exactly the same as I did the year before.  I told him about how I had done all these various Beachbody workouts and while I have gone down quite a few sizes (I fit in a regular 14 now), I haven’t lost pounds.  He suggested I see and endocrinologist, which I am putting off for now.

That same week, I also began following the Whole30 plan and thought I would see where it led me.  That yielded some great results!  Where I had been stalled for a year, I lost 8 pounds in 30 days, which I thought was pretty amazing.

Also, during that time I started the 21 Day Fix Extreme again.  I was determined to do it from start to finish and I did.  Why? Well, it all comes down to accountability.  I know it sounds crazy, but having people around you and cheering you on to finish a program when you just “aren’t feeling it” makes all the difference in the world.  I am so glad that I finished too because I think from the pictures, I got pretty decent results.  I didn’t weigh myself when I finished because I tend to only weigh myself once a month so I don’t get caught up and fixated on the scale number, but from the pictures I think I did pretty well.  My jeans fit better and that is always a tell tale sign of success.

Interested in hearing more?  I would love to tell you all about the 21 Day Fix Extreme, feel free to email me for more information.

22 Minute Hard Corps

Last year, I was introduced to trainer, Tony Horton, when I did the Beachbody program, P90.  I really liked his style of training, he has many years of experience and my body was pretty sore the first few workouts–and he is pretty quirky and funny.  I have not done another Tony Horton program since completing P90, but that is about to change!

I have been seeing ads for his new program called, 22 Minute Hard Corps, for the last few months.  It looks awesome!  It’s a bootcamp style workout for 8 weeks and it is only 22 minutes each workout.  I imagine those 22 minutes are going to be pretty intense.

The release is set for March 1st.  I plan to order my copy on that date and hopefully will receive it within the week, which will coincide perfectly with finishing the 21 day fix extreme (yes, finally, but that’s for another post!).

Do you want to do it with me?  I would love to try this program with  others to help keep us all accountable.  Message me or comment below if you are interested in doing a group with me.

Juicin’

On Tuesday night, I finally watched “Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead” on Netflix.  If you have not seen it, the quick rundown is this — Joe Cross is having tons of health issues, he travels from Australia to the US to spend 60 days fasting on juice alone.  The first 30 days he spends in NYC and the last 30, he travels the US touting the benefits of juice and detoxing to the people he meets and has them try his “reboot juice” from the juicer he has brought with him in the back of his car.

My husband has long been trying to get me on board the juicing train, we actually own one!  However, it has not been something I love to do because I have always felt like too many nutrients are lost in juice.  Well, after watching the movie, my husband sent me a link to Joe’s recipe for his reboot juice and this morning we gave it a whirl!

I cannot say that this is something I would be interested in doing for 60 days like he did, but I do think we could incorporate it into our already healthier diet.  The juice was pretty tasty.  It has ginger and lemon in it, so it definitely gave my tastebuds a zing this morning.

Will I do it everyday?  Probably not, but I want to incorporate it at least a few times a week.

Have you juiced?  What do you think?

Whole 30 Round 1–Results

Well, last Thursday we finished 30 days of whole foods, and the results are in — I lost 8lbs in the course of the 30 days.  The bigger victory–I felt energized and free from aches and pains in my joints.

Over the weekend, I definitely did not follow the re-introduction process as it is laid out in the book.  I made pizza — this was a bad idea!!  I already knew I had dairy issues going into Whole30, so it was no surprise that I felt awful after eating pizza!

Based on this, I have decided to continue to stick to 30 more strict days of the plan.  It works for me, so Monday started round 2.  I am excited to see what 30 more days will do for me and my overall health.

Are you interested in trying the Whole30?  I would love to talk to you about it.  Leave a comment below!!

Just Say No!

Ok, so my biggest weakness is dessert.  I just love all things sweet!  Tonight my mom and dad came over for dinner and my mom brought this….doesn’t it look delicious??  It is from a bakery near their house and everything there is amazing.  Tonight, however, my goals have to come first.  I am still working on completing the Chalean Extreme program, but more importantly, I have committed to 30 days of Whole30.  This is a big deal that I have stuck with it to day 18.  I could not allow myself to jump ship at this point.  So, I thanked my mom and when she left, I put it all in the freezer for another day.

You see, I am starting to say no to the “food with no brakes”, at least for now.  I am not saying that I will never have a yummy apple turnover again, but that today my goals come first.  I am doing this for myself, I am treating the body the Lord has given me well.

The theme of my week seems to have been small decisions add up to big results, and I will continue to remind myself of that.

How is your week going?  Are you ready for the weekend or dreading making bad choices?  If you are dreading making bad food choices, let’s chat, I can offer you some tips that have worked and continue to work for me.

 

Slow Cooker Beef Chili

The Whole30 journey continues and I have been seeking out recipes that fit the plan but aren’t necessarily in the book. Thursdays are really hectic around dinner time here because my 7 year old has gymnastics and we don’t get home til about 5pm. I like to have something in the crockpot on those days or leftovers.

This is a delicious beef chili cooked in the crockpot and adapted from Danielle Walker’s “Against All Grain” cookbook. If you don’t know who she is, I would strongly suggest that you take a look at her blog and her cookbooks. I have yet to cook a recipe of hers that we have not liked. If you want her version of the recipe, it is on page 96 of the book.

Slow Cooker Beef Chili

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 ½-3 lbs of beef chuck, cut into ½” cubes
1 chopped yellow onion
28oz of diced tomatoes
2 cups beef broth
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
2 ½ tablespoons of chili powder
3 teaspoons sea salt
2 teaspoons cumin
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon curry powder
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne
1 oz unsweetened chocolate

Lay the cubed beef cubed on a tray and dry with paper towels, then salt and pepper the beef.

Heat the EVOO in a large skillet and add the beef to brown on all sides. Don’t crowd your pan, do it in batches if necessary. I had to do it in 2 batches.  As each batch is browned add it to your crock pot.

Add the remaining ingredients, except the chocolate, to the slow cooker and cook it on low for 6 hours.

Just before serving, remove the bay leaf and add the chocolate and stir.

Serve garnished with diced onions, sliced avocados or whatever you like!

Enjoy and let me know what you think.

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Whole30 Pulled Pork Carnitas

The Whole30 book seriously has some amazing recipes.  The pulled pork carnitas are so delicious and easy to make.  It would say that anyone should make this dish.  Tonight I paired it with some cauliflower rice and a sliced avocado and everyone loved it.  If you have the book the recipe is on page 254.

There are so many things you can do with this.  Last week I made it over roasted sweet potatoes and this week I changed it up to add the cauliflower rice.  Both ways are good.

Try this one and let me know what you think.  If you were up in the air about doing a round of Whole30, these recipes may change your mind.

Pulled Pork Carnitas

1 ½ tablespoons of sea salt

1 tsp black pepper

2 lbs pork butt cut into 4” cubes

2 tablespoons of cooking fat (I used olive oil)

½ medium onion, roughly chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

½ tsp chili powder

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

½ sliced green onions

Juice of ½ a lime

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees

Mix 1 T of salt and all the pepper in a bowl and season the pork evenly.

In a Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the cooking fat, swirl to coat the pan. When the fat is hot, add the pork, but don’t overcrowd and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside. I had to do mine in batches so the pot was not crowded.

In the same pot, reduce the heat to med-low and add the onion and cook 4-5 minutes, add the garlic and keep stirring till fragrant (about 1 minute). Add 1 cup of water, chili powder and cinnamon. Increase the heat the med-high, return the pork to the pot and bring to a boil. Cover the pot with the lid and transfer to the oven and bake for 2 hours, turning the meat after each hour.

The fork will be fork tender when done.

Transfer the pork to a bowl and shred with a fork, discarding excess fat. Incorporate the cooking liquid, green onions and lime juice and season with remaining ½ tablespoon of salt.

Cauliflower Rice

1 Head of cauliflower, broken up into florets

½ onion, diced

2 cloves of garlic, minced

½ cup chicken broth

Lime

Salt (season to taste)

Pulse the cauliflower florets in the food processor til they look like grains of rice.

Heat a skillet to coat with coconut oil or olive oil and add the onion and cook 4-5 minutes til translucent, then add the garlic and cook til fragrant.

Add the cauliflower and stir. Add the chicken broth and cover the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes and check to see if it’s done. Season with salt and a little bit of lime juice.

 

 

Whole 30 — Day 15

Though I vowed it would not happen, that staying on track was my only option, it happened….Christmas, New Year’s, sugar, treats, slowly but surely they crept back into my clean-up-until-Christmas eating.

I knew that I had to do something for a number of reasons, the two biggest being my health was starting to take a turn again (achy joints, headaches, fatigue) and I was losing my desire to w0rkout because I was so tired.  Thankfully, I continued to push through with my workouts at least 4-5 times a week.

I have known for sometime that dairy products and I do not agree.  Though I love them, my body does not.  Sugar and I are also not the best of friends either, I start to spiral out of control with it when I eat it.  A cookie here, a cookie there quickly turns into treats all the time, feeling sluggish and of course unwanted pounds.

About a year ago I read the book, “It Starts With Food” and “Whole30” by Melissa & Dallas Hartwig.  It sounded good, all the science behind this way of eating seemed spot on, and it helped that I knew all about going paleo from when my husband convinced me to join the paleo movement sometime in 2011; but this Whole30 seemed too hard, there was no wiggle room.

So why did I quit a paleo lifestyle in the first place?  Life got in the way, my second child was born, convenience seemed more appealing and slowly but surely I went back to baking bread daily and treats and even having cheese fairly regularly.  That was what got me to my heaviest weight ever and then the start of my beachbody journey in September 2014.

I didn’t really give Whole30 much thought last year because I was using the beachbody container system.  Thirty days, no dairy, no sugar (not even honey), no legumes, no grains, no drinking….no fun!!!

I knew that I could cook paleo dishes, but somehow this seemed too daunting of a task.  I had so many excuses not to do it, but they weren’t really great reasons when compared to the health benefits I had seen previously with cutting out many of these things from my family’s diet.

So fast forward to December, everyone starts talking about New Year’s resolutions, changes in their eating and getting on track and like many fad diets that creep up, people were talking about doing Whole30 for the New Year, even my beachbody accountability partner.  Now this Whole30 business is back on the radar.  Like I said earlier, after Christmas I was having a rough time getting back on track, so I had to pull the trigger on this.

After talking to my friend, I realized I could no longer put this idea to the side.  This is what I needed to kick start my energy again, and here we are at day 15.

I have to say, I feel fantastic.  It’s hard keeping up with the demands of always having to cook your own food, but it’s definitely worth it.  I feel stronger in my workouts and more focused during the day.

Do you want to know more about it?  Feel free to ask away!