Transformation Tuesday- If You're Sick of Starting Over- Stop Giving Up

I hope Erica's story touches your heart as much as it did mine. She is proof that anything is possible if you are determined and have the proper nutrition and fitness tools to meet your goal. Most importantly, YOU ARE WORTH IT.

"My journey started in the beginning of this year when I was at my heaviest weight ever. The end of January I was diagnosed with diabetes, liver failure, and high blood pressure. After seeing a liver specialist, I was told my liver would never be better, I could only slow down the inevitable by losing at least 40 pounds. I was told I maybe had 10 years. I was put on numerous medications for the diabetes and blood pressure.
On February 10th, I went to see a nutritionist for the first time and was taught how to eat and track calories. I met Lorie (her Team Beachbody Coach) through FB in March and joined in on my first Shakeology challenge in April.
Within 6 months I had lost 65 pounds and completely got rid of my diabetes, high blood pressure, got off all medication and best of all at my liver ultrasound I found out my liver had in fact healed itself even though the specialist said it wouldnt!
Now 10 months into my journey, I am down 75 pounds, I have lost over 12 inches in just my stomach alone, I have built muscle definition I never thought possible, and I am the healthiest and happiest I've ever been! I drink vegan chocolate shakeo, I eat clean, go to gym regularly, and I am doing Hammer and Chisel at the moment! I am now an Emerald coach,
Why did I neglect myself and my health for so long? Why do a lot of people neglect themselves? I went from the beginning of the year feeling not worthy to finally realizing my worth! I AM important and so is my health.
I love sharing my story and helping others. I am doing things I never thought possible, even ran my first 5K. I have so many people to thank for their support, but most of all Lorie...for reaching out to me and helping me change my life.
***Believe***"

Her favorite Shakeology recipe is:
Vegan Chocolate
7oz. water
7 oz. almond milk
2 tbsp PB2
Ice cubes

Favorite workout: The Master's Hammer & Chisel

Favorite inspiration quote: "If you're sick of starting over, stop giving up!" and "Pain is only temporary." -Autumn Calabrese

Merry Fit-mas! Under 20 Minute No Equipment Workout

How many people can say they feel too busy to work out this week? I know, there's a lot going on! Here's a quick circuit you can do in under 20 minutes! No equipment needed! How easy is that? Thanks to my friend Krystin for this awesome workout!

They are My Reason, Not My Excuse

Is it just me or does life seem to only get busier and busier? The work day no longer ends at 5pm and often begins much earlier than 8am. Traffic is so bad that a commute that should only take you 10-15 minutes, ends up taking 30 minutes to an hour. Factor in all your commitments outside of work and the activities your children are involved in and life can feel like one mad, hectic dash. 
Even as a stay at home mom, it's very easy for my day to try to manage me. I have this plan in my mind and then the kids wake up and decide they want none of that plan. In our efforts to simply survive our day, we must give up something. For me, the compromise always eliminated my time for fitness.
After my daughter was born, I began doing a workout during one of her 2 nap times, but it was almost an hour and she only slept for an hour. That quickly stopped because I got discouraged. We started taking walks through the neighborhood, but that was completely dependent on the weather. Classes at my gym didn't work with her napping or childcare schedule. It seemed too hard, so I stopped. I stopped looking for a reason to invest in my health and instead embraced all my excuses...because I thought they were really good excuses.
One day, all my excuses caught up with me. I was faced with a choice- continue using my children as my excuse or let them be the reason I made a lifestyle change. My journey over the past 9 months began slowly. I started only focusing on nutrition and then after 3 months realized that fitness was the missing key to the puzzle. I'm so thankful to my coach who introduced me to some amazing and effective 30 minute home workouts and simple portion fix nutrition. It took a few months for me to find the best time of day to get in my workout. I tried everything from after everyone was in bed, to first thing in the morning and everything in between. There were times I wanted to give up, times I had so much more to do other than spend 30 minutes exercising. However, as 2015 draws to a close and I realize I will be beginning a new year almost 40 pounds lighter and in the best physical shape of my life, all those inconveniences seem so insignificant.
My wish for everyone this Christmas season is that you realize your true worth and the potential that is inside of each of you to achieve your goals. It doesn't have to be complicated or perfect, you simply have to start.

Don't Stay Down Just Because You Hit a Bump in the Road

Life gets challenging sometimes, doesn't it? My daughter caught a nasty cold virus the week of Thanksgiving and I ended up catching it. Instead of bouncing back in 10-14 days, we both ended up on antibiotics for a sinus infection. I also got 5 days of a steroid because I hadn't been able to smell or taste anything for 7 days. 
Needless to say, not being able to breathe equals not being able to work out. 😩 Even after finishing all the meds, I still didn't feel up to exercise.
I continued to let my body rest while keeping my nutrition in line and drinking Shakeology. After a round of antibiotics, I was glad to know I was replenishing with Superfoods and probiotics! (Do you have that awesomeness in your protein shake?)
Last week, I started back slow with yoga and Pilates workouts from 21 Day Fix and Dynamix from P90X3.
Today, I felt amazing and did my favorite, The Warrior from P90X3!
The old me would have given up and been sitting around eating too many Christmas cookies while telling myself I would start back after the new year. I'm so glad I made a lifestyle change this year and will still finish 2015 strong! You don't have to stay down just because you hit a bump in the road. 

👊

Are You Holiday Party Ready?

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Our social calendars will be slammed and the temptations and holiday treats will be coming at us in all directions.  I don't know about you, but it seems like treats are just flying through the air this time of year and right into my mouth!  It's the craziest thing!  

For me, this was always the time of year that I gained at least 5-7 pounds.  I would finish off the end of the year with a lot of regret, because of my excessive indulgences, and vow that next year would be the time that I REALLY got it together. 

This year has been different.  I have finally gotten my head 100% in the game and haven't looked back.  I have come way too far to undo all my hard work.  So what's a girl to do?  Give up?  Deprive yourself and stay home from all the holiday parties?  Nope!  This will be the year I finally find balance between being healthy but still living in the real world.  Will I have dessert and other out of the ordinary foods?  Probably, and while you are picking your jaw up off the floor, here's why.  I will not be eating those foods every single day.  Seriously people, no one is handing out awards to those who resist that piece of pumpkin pie.  One bad meal isn't going to undo all your progress just like one good meal isn't going to cause you to lose weight.  Eating Christmas cookies every day the entire month of December is an entirely different story.  

Here are some tips to help you stay holiday party ready while maintaining balance and ENJOYING the season.  

1. Drink Plenty of Water.
Staying properly hydrated will not only keep your complexion glowing, but it will also help you feel full.  It also keeps your muscles and other organs working properly. Feel tired or have a headache, you may need to drink some water.   How much should you be drinking daily?  Divide your body weight in half and that's how many ounces per day you should consume.  Example, if you weight 150 pounds, you should drink a minimum of 75 ounces each day.  

2.  Plan Your Weekly Menu
This is a crazy, busy time of year.  Between shopping, family gatherings and Christmas program practices, it's going to be so much more convenient to grab something on the go.  Have your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks prepared and prepped for the week so you can stay on track and stick to the plan.  

3.  Don't Skip Your Workout
Obviously there will be days during the season you simply cannot get to the gym or push play on your DVD.  But, not every day is going to be like that.  Even if you can't get 5-6 days in like you usually do, 3-4 is still good and it's better than sitting on the couch. Partner up with a friend or join an online accountability group who will inspire and motivate you to get it done each day.  

4. Have a Plan Before You Arrive at the Party
So, you know you're going to a party where the only foods will be cocktail wieners, sausage balls, crackers, cheese-balls and lots of desserts.  What do you do?  Eat a small, healthy meal or snack before you arrive.  Don't go into these situations starving.  You will over indulge and probably feel terribly bloated the next day.  This is a great time to make your favorite Shakeology recipe, some no fat Greek yogurt with fruit or an apple with peanut butter.  Protein will help you feel full so you can enjoy a few treats while not going overboard.  

5. Do Not Take Home Leftovers
I know, we all hate to waste food.  I'm from the south where we would rather have 2 extra casseroles that no one touches than dare run the risk of not having enough.  I completely understand that food is love to so many moms and grandmothers.  It makes us feel guilty and terrible to throw things away. What about all those starving people around the world?  
Here's the reality though, eating the mac and cheese one time probably isn't going to undo all your progress, but eating it for the next 2-3 days isn't a wise decision.  If you are worried about throwing out leftovers, look at the recipes and truly plan to only make enough for that one sitting.  If the recipe says it serves 10 and you have 10 people coming over, don't double the recipe just because you don't want to run out.  Coordinate the menu with everyone contributing so that there isn't too much.  

Bonus: Pamper Yourself!  
Schedule a hair appointment, get your nails done, buy a new outfit.  When you feel good on the outside, it may be just the extra push you need to stay true to your goals and finish out the year strong!  

Who's ready to have a New Year's resolution that finally isn't about weight loss!  

DIY Rice Heating

My upper body has been feeling pretty sore since starting P90X3. 

This Rice Sock Heating Pad I made when I went into labor with my daughter has come in handy to pamper those sore upper body muscles.  

Even though mine is in an old sock, I'm kind of attached to it.  We've been through a lot together. 😉💗🍼

Here's how you can make your own:

1 sock (can be old or a new pretty one...or if you are crafty, feel free to sew your own wrap)

1 pound of dry rice

Essential Oil (I love lavender, but this is totally optional depending on personal preference)

Place dried rice in a bowl (non plastic as that will absorb the scent of the oil for all of time) and mix in desired amount of essential oil 

Place rice mixture in the sock and tie the end tightly in a knot

To Heat: Place in the microwave for 1 min then heat at 30 sec intervals until it reaches your desired temperature 

Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

Tacos are a weekly staple at our house.  They are super easy to make quickly and super easy to double or triple the meat recipe to freeze for later.  Using ground turkey or lean ground beef makes this a healthy dinner the whole family will enjoy!  

Taco Seasoning 

Makes enough seasoning for 1 pound of meat

1 Tbsp. Chili Powder

1/4 Tsp. Garlic Powder

1/4 Tsp. Onion Powder

1/4 Tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (if you don't like spicy, this can be omitted.)

1/4 Tsp. Dried Oregano

1/2 Tsp. Paprika

1 1/2 Tsp. Cumin

1 Tsp. of Sea Salt (I usually cut this down to 1/4-1/2 tsp.)

1 Tsp. Black Pepper

For the Tacos

Serves 4

Combine all ingredients and set aside

Brown 1 lb. ground meat and drain off any excess water or grease. 

Combine the following with the browned, drained meat: 

taco seasoning

2/3 cup of water

1 can tomatoes with green chilies

Simmer until liquid is reduced

Serve on shells of Bib Lettuce with your favorite toppings.