Piyo - Low impact exercise

One of the biggest questions I get asked as a coach is, "what is a program that would be good for someone with bad knees?"   Turns out, there are A LOT of people with bad knees  out there!   Well, I'm happy to report that Beachbody has come out with a program perfect for those requiring low impact exercise!  PiYo!

What is Piyo?

Piyo is a combination of pilates and yoga.  No weights, no jumps, no strained joints - just low impact, high intensity exercises!  Chalene Johnson (creator of TurboFire) leads the pack with this program!  The 60 day program will give your body definition and sculpting without any cardio or heavy lifting.  If you want a tight booty, sexy abs, and lean muscles this program will be perfect for you!

What Equipment Will You Need?

Look in the mirror.  That's it!  Well, yourself  and a yoga mat will be helpful.   You use your own body weight so you wont need to worry about buying more equipment to go along with the program.  Bonus - if you travel a lot this is PERFECT!  Since the only thing you will need is a yoga mat,  you can truly do this anywhere! I love to travel but not every hotel room has a fitness room.  A program like this would be perfect for that!

What is Included With the Challenge Pack?

Beachbody Challenge Packs are the complete package, offering total support for achieving health and
fitness goals. The formula? Fitness + Nutrition + Support = Success. With the PiYo Challenge pack,
customers will receive the PiYo fitness program, a nutrition guide, one of six delicious Shakeology flavors, and a FREE 30-day trial membership to the Team Beachbody Club, and a spot into my private challenge group where you will receive support and encouragement from folks just like you!

Where Can I Get It?

You can purchase is HERE!  I will contact you regarding your purchase and get you added to my newest challenge group.  Have questions that weren't answered?   Message Me!  I will get back to you as soon as possible.   You can also like my Facebook Page for fitness and nutrition tips!

Couples Ultimate Reset Before and After

So a month or so again my husband and I decided to do the Ultimate Reset.  I have been trying for a year and a half to do this program!   I've completed it 3 times and really wanted him to 1) support me and 2)  experience it himself.  I've said it before but the Ultimate Reset is by far, my favorite program.  It's 21 days of HEALTHY eating.  I love this program because it really shows me how I'm eating and what my eating habits are.   This past experience showed me that I did too much snacking.  And too much bored eating.  I noticed that whenever I was "bored" I wanted to eat something.  

The reset is done over three weeks.  The first week is easy breezy chicken peasy.  You get lots of food.  Healthy, yummy, delicious meals.   We felt satisfied, happy and healthy by the end of the week.  We both noticed that we were a little tired during this week but it wasn't overbearing.  We were kicking caffine out of our diet so I suppose little energy would be a possibility.

Week two is less easy.  By this week you are completely vegetarian  The food is still good.  My husband, the hunting - meat -eating - man, even said that the food was good and to this day has suggested that we make some of these meals!  The portions you eat with this week are HUGE!  You do not go hungry.  Between the water, full meals, and snack (optional)  it was good.  Oh - this is also detox week.  We were not tied to the bathroom and everything turned out perfectly.

Week three is the hardest week.  It's also the week I like to call, "sides."  Everything, every meal from this group, could be a side. Now, the food is good but this stage also has you eating very little protein.  Mike and I both noticed that our bodies craved it!  Mike more so than me.  I didn't think it was too bad but it was by far the worst week for him.  This is also the stage where I felt GREAT.  By this point, I felt like my mood had stabilized, my sleep was fantastic, my energy was up and I just felt plain good. 

By the end, Mike and I had both done amazing.  He lost 15 lbs, lowered his blood pressure and had improved mood.  I lost 20 lbs, slept better and also had improved mood.  I wasn't bloated and felt so good.  It's amazing how food affects our body.  It really truly is.  I mean, you eat like crap, you feel like crap.  Fuel your body right, it's the only one you've got!

Here are our physical results! 

The down side of weight loss

When people talk about weight loss, they always discuss the upside.  You know, smaller clothes, sexier curves, stronger, happier, healthier.... but it's not always as simple as that.  Is anything ever?  What many people fail to notice, is the emotional side to weight loss.  I find this journey to be a roller coaster of highs, lows, loopy loo's and fast turns.   Since completing the Ultimate Reset, I've lost 30 lbs.   I am officially pre baby weight.  Pre FIRST baby weight.  It's a HUGE mile stone, one that I couldn't weight to reach!  It was my first big - mini goal.  I'm really proud of myself and its a HUGE accomplishment for me. 
But there are a few things I didn't take into account.  Like saggy skin.  I can't believe that just 30 lbs has left me with extra skin already.  If I can be honest for a moment, it scares the living shit out of me.  If I've got saggy skin at 30 lbs, how am I going to look when I reach 60 lbs lost?  or 80 lbs lost?   It flat out terrifies me!  If you've ever been overweight in your life, you know that self esteem issues that often come along with being on the larger side.  So here is my fear, Am I going to lose weight, FINALLY get to where I want to be, but be unable to love myself because I have extra skin? 
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the fact that I'm losing.  But right now I hide behind my weight.  Will I soon be hiding behind extra skin?  I have absolutely no intentions of stopping my weight loss, but this is something I feel that many people face.  I think it goes from one thing you are ashamed of, to the next.
Another issue I've already noticed are extra wrinkles where they shouldn't be!  And boobs - not so perky!  Turns out weight loss isn't good for that! lol  It's the craziest thing.  I've never been one to worry about wrinkles.  Heck, we all will have the one day wont we?  But lately I think...Hot dog, where did YOU come from?   The only thing I can think of is to stay hydrated and moisturize. I'm not sure what I will look like the further I go along, but I must keep going.
Keeping the momentum up can be hard.  Despite my weight loss, I continue to see myself as being the same as I was.  I don't know why but whenever I look in the mirror I still see the old me.  When I go shopping, I pick out the "old me" size and am ALWAYS surprised at how big they are!  It's a quiet reminder that my journey emotionally is just as important as it is physically.  
Quitting is not an option.  even if I do have to deal with wrinkly, saggy skin.  I can't quit.  Pushing forward and being HEALTHY is my #1 priority.  I can't lose hope.  It's just as much mental as it is physical.  In fact, I'd have to say it's even more mental that physical.  Heck, it's easy to get up and exercise. It's not easy to see yourself as beautiful when you've been hating you for so long. 
If you can relate to me at all, I'd love to hear from you.  It's certainly not an easy feat!

Poor Man Soup

This past week I've had some sick kiddos to deal with.  Add some rainy weather to the mix and soup just sounded fantastic!  Growing up we had this often.  It's a versatile and easy meal.   My favorite way to prepare it is in the crock pot.   All the flavors and smells become amazing after a day in the crock pot!   Today though - I used just a pot since I was short on time.   

 Ingredients 

1 lb ground beef

3 potatos peeled and diced

small - medium package of frozen mixed veggies

1 box of stock

2 cans tomato sauce

1/2 tsp tyme

1/2 - 1 Tbs Parsley

3/4 tsp cardamom

2 bay leaves (remove after cooking)

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

Like I said, this is super easy and very versatile.  Don't like something?  leave it out!  Want something added?  Toss it in!  Use what you have in your house already! I start with browning the meat.  Recently I've been eating Bison or venison instead of beef.  today I used bison.   I put the entire box of vegetable stock, tomato sauce and potatoes into the pot.*  let cook for about 5 minutes then toss in the frozen veggies, meat, tyme, parsley, cardamom, and bay leaves.    Cook on high for about 15 minutes.   Eat while its hot!  Very quick, easy and delicious! 

I would love to hear what you thought if you made this! 

My Promise to You...or.... Because I Let it Happen

I'm reading the book Push by Chalene Johnson.  It's a goal setting, weight loss, personal life achievement type book.  Pretty good.  I'm on day 24.   She says to make a promise to people that you will achieve your goals.  So here is my goal to you - I WILL lose 70 lbs.   I need to be healthy for my family and for myself.  Currently - I can't stand the way I look.  I hate the way I feel in clothes.  Shopping for jeans is pure torture!  HELLLOOOO!  NOT EVERYONE LOOKS GOOD IN SKINNY JEANS!  I'm 5 feet tall and 186 lbs.  I do not need to be in the same aisle as skinny jeans!  I am short and frumpy.  I've got thights and a butt that require a back up signal.  Skinny jeans make me look like The Little Red Hen.  Come now...I don't need that. 

Aside from clothes shopping - the way I feel about myself is horrible.  Every sit up is a painful visual reminder of just how much I let myself go.  Can you believe this crap?  I LET myself get this way!  Did you read what I just wrote?  I. LET. MYSELF. GET. THIS. WAY.  Nobody forced me to eat an entire row of oreos.  No one forced me to eat french fries.  No one forced me to eat ice cream.  Despite my knowing how unhealthy it was for me, despite my growing size, despite my desperation to be healthier, I let it happen.    Some people tell me, "well, things happen."  Well, they do.  But you know what?  I didn't stop it. 
As I sit here typing, my little ones are fast asleep.  I wonder...what kind of example was I to them?  Well, today, a pretty darn good one!  Lots of outdoor activity at the zoo, healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner, and an afternoon work out.  That is the mom those kids deserve.  Healthy, fit, and happy.   That's the mom I WILL be.  And you know what?   I'm going to let myself get that way!

Is everyone giving up sugar for Lent?

Seems that way sometimes doesn't it?  I remember a time when I was working at walmart and I was discussing Lent with a customer.  I mentioned a friend who gave up sweets every year.  The woman got angry and stated that she hated when people did that because they were doing things for the wrong reason.  But are they? 



1 Corinthians 6:19-29- What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (KJV)

Are we not to take care of our earthly bodies?  My body IS a temple.  Why is it such a bad thing for me to give up sugar?  I love sugar.  I am addicted to sugary foods.  My relationship with sweet foods is not healthy - clearly or I would not be here!  I need to take care of my body.  God gave me a body to do good, not be lazy and gluttonous.  I know that I will be tempted but you know what, knowing that I'm giving it up for GOD will hold me even more accountable.   Knowing that I can't have it because I gave it up for him will make me stronger.  I know I will be tempted (Peeps - speckled egg M&M's, ICE CREAM) but with God's help I know I can get through it.

So while some people may see giving up sugar as a stupid Lent tradition, I think it's wonderful.  When we give up sugar we begin to notice how God designed our bodies to work.  We will learn how it will make us feel.  I don't think God would see it as a bad thing. We are improving our bodies and minds.  I have no regrets or feelings of guilt for this choice of mine.  I am embracing this Lenten season with the help of God.  Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (KJV)

What are your plans for lent?  Give up something?  Taking on something? Both?

Hypothyroidism, weightloss, disappointment, and success

I have hypothyroidism.  It sucks.  Energy draining, slow weight loss, hair loss, cold hands, tired...the list goes on.   I found out I was hypo about 10 years ago.  I had been putting on weight.  Being an avid gym rat this was unusual for me.  I was also feeling more and more tired - sleeping any chance I got.  Hours and hours of sleep without feeling rested.   I went from a healthy 110 lb 5 foot tall girl to 145 lbs, tired, and exhausted...within two months.  Despite my low calorie diet and running 2-3 miles during the week I was still gaining.  I finally saw my doctor and I was tested...I had something called hypothyroidism.   Fantastic. I cried.  I was happy to have an answer but also knew that I was going to have to deal with the for the rest of my life. 
My first question was, what exactly is hypothyroidism?  Your thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland that assists with hormones and metabolism.  When your thyroid is under-active (hypothyroid)  it is not producing enough hormones, therefore making your metabolism slow. I'm lucky in the sense that my is on the low end of the spectrum.  Some people develop far worse complications with an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto's.  Currently, there is no real cure.  Most of us with thyroid issues are on medications like synthroid or naturethroid.  Others may need to have their thyroid removed or partially removed.  Over all, I am lucky to only need medication.

My first medication was synthroid.  I had been on it for years.  Then I stumbled across the book Hypothyroid, Health, and Happiness by Steven F. Hotze, MD.  It has changed so much for me.  As I was reading it, I nearly came to tears because how I was feeling, was in that book.  Despite having normal labs, I still felt "off."  I honestly thought it was something I was going to have to live with for the rest of my life....and what I have been living with for the past 10 years.  In this book, Hotze really dives in and explains everything for you.  He is also a big advocate for desiccated thyroid medication.  It's something I had never quite thought about before.  I mean - why would I want to switch when my labs have been normal.  The more I read the more I wondered why I wouldn't.  I mean - the natural medications have been working for YEARS!  And here I was taking something synthetic.  So I talked to my doctor and he hesitantly agreed to switch me.
What a difference!  First thing I've noticed is that my brain fog is gone.  I'm starting to feel like the old me again.  My weightloss, although slow, is happening.  That is success in my opinion!  I'm actually feeling rested and happier.  Your thyroid is a funny thing.  Most people think it effects just your thyroid and metabolism.  It's so much more than that.  Energy levels, hair loss, depression, digestion, sleep, mood, libido.... the list goes on.  Today - yes, I have hypothyroidism.  Yes I'm overweight.  Yes I get more tired than usual.  But I am growing as a person.  I've learned to deal with this in a way that works for me.  Weightloss is happening, sleep is improving, energy is improving and I am happier.  While my weightloss my be slow and at times, disappointing, I will succeed.  I will not be controlled by my thyroid.  I will control my thyroid. 

Sources:
Hypothyroid, Health and Happiness by Steven F. Hotze, MD
http://thyroid.about.com