PiYo: Week 2 Review

This week was a rough one, but only because I had some family stuff come up that I allowed to interfere with my workout schedule and my nutrition plan.  Overall I'm disappointed in myself, but I'm not going to let it get me down.  I'm heading in to week 3 with a renewed sense of commitment and a meal plan to help me stay on track even when unexpected things come up. 

The workouts that I got in were awesome!  I feel so much stronger, I'm modifying less moves, and  finding it a little easier to get through routines (easy is a bad word but you can see how red faced I am in my photos!).  My favorite is still Sweat.  I'm not quite sure why other that I get a really deep stretch and I always feel invigorated afterwards.  My least favorite thus far is Core, but that is to be expected given that I have a lot of "belly" to lose.  Its a rough routine, but I definitely felt the aftermath (in a good way!).


Day 8 - Sweat
Day 9 - Define: Lower Body
Day 10 - Rest Day
Day 11 - Define: Upper Body & Core
Day 12 - Rest Day (scheduling)
Day 13 - Sweat
Day 14 - Rest Day (family issue)

Here are a couple of the clips that I taped.  This was the first time I've recorded myself doing some of the workouts and I think it's going to help me physically see my progress on top of what I'm feeling.

At the end of week 2, I was at a +/- 0 lbs. for the week.  I'm glad I didn't gain weight considering my nutrition wasn't on point like it needed to be.  My results had nothing to do with the program.  With the changes I've planned for week 3, I'm looking forward to getting back in to the groove!

PiYo: Week 1 Review

So I'm going to start off by saying I'm not a complete newbie to PiYo (If you missed my introduction to this program, click HERE).  I've done both Define workouts before, but I never truly committed to the program.  I don't really know why because I really do LOVE it.  I feel so amazing after each workout and my love of this program has only deepened as I committed to completing the 60 day calendar not only for the swagalicious shirt shown below, but also because I really wanted to commit to making the change with a structured plan.  Does that mean everything goes 100% as planned?  No, but it gives me a blueprint to work from and that will help!

I started the challenge on Saturday, April 11 and I don't quite know what got in to me.  I woke up and was just tired of being exhausted and overwhelmed all the time.  It was now or never and my commitment to PiYo began just that quickly!  Like I mentioned before, I have done a couple of the workouts before so this time I skipped Align: The Fundamentals.  Keep in mind that typically the 60 day calendar starts with that workout.

Day 1 - Define: Lower Body
Day 2 - Define: Upper Body
Day 3 - Sweat
Day 4 - Rest Day
Day 5 - Define: Lower Body
Day 6 - Define: Upper Body
Day 7 - Unplanned Rest Day (scheduling mishap!)

So far, I will say my favorite workout is Sweat!  I can't do every single move and on moves that I can't do right now, I just follow the modifier.  So far, I feel awesome.  I'm getting some minor aches (from riding a strict desk job for 5 1/2 years!), but I'm able to get them to subside using Deep Blue Rub from DoTerra (click the name to get transferred to my rep's site).  I swear by that stuff!  Other than that, I've already had a reduction in the number of headaches, knee pain, and lower back pain that I was suffering from before.  At the start of the month, I transitioned back over to our family business and have been much more active at work.  I'm amazed that in such a short period of time, I can feel differences.  I'm able to move much more comfortably in general, my posture is already much better, and overall my core feels stronger.  I can't wait to finish up week 2 and see how I feel!  


At the end of week 1, I'm down 1.4 lbs!  Not a ton, but completely worth it with how much better I feel already!



Interested in PiYo? I'm doing a group challenge starting May 4th!  PiYo de Mayo will have Mexican flare with healthier recipes including a skinny Margarita (...or two!).  Join me!  Contact me to secure your spot or get your challenge pack right away by clicking the ad on the right side of the page.  

For more detailed information about PiYo and the challenge group, visit my post HERE.

Shakeology Sunday: Orange Dream

Ok I know what everyone is thinking...all I do is talk about Chocolate Shakeology!  Well I thought I would switch it up and offer a really tasty Vanilla Shakeology recipe this week.  It's one I love even more now that the weather is warming up and I'm looking for that extra boost of Vitamin C to start my day.

The key to this recipe is the fresh squeezed orange juice.  If available, buy it at your local grocery store.  If it isn't available, try your hand at juicing and only use store bought OJ as a last resort.  Make sure you check the label though!  Lots of store brands have hidden sugars and other additives to make them taste "better" and to allow for a longer shelf life.

Here is how to start your day with an Orange Dream:

4-8 oz. Water
4-8 oz. Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice (our local grocery store does this on site)
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
add ice to taste if desired

Then shake in your favorite shaker cup or blend (especially if you add ice).

Enjoy this ray of sunshine to start your day off right!

Shakeology Sunday: Peanut Butter Cup (or Tagalong Cookie) Inspired

Peanut butter and chocolate are two of my favorite things on earth so it was important to me to try to fill that craving somehow.  Since I started drinking Shakeology, my cravings are down, I've seen better weightloss results, reduced my bloating, and seen higher quality/faster nail and hair growth.  I can't live without my morning shake!

This has been my "go to" recipe since I started drinking Shakeology about 8 months ago.  Here is my magic formula for a liquid peanut butter cup (or Tagalong cookie for your GS cookie addicts!)

Here is how it is done! 

Blend or shake up:
8-16 oz. cashew milk (or other dairy or nut milk)
2 tbsp. PB2 (or natural peanut butter)
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
ice to taste (optional)

Enjoy!

Recipe Favorite: Crockpot Fajitas

Ingredients:
3-4 chicken breasts (Frozen)
4 cloves of pressed garlic
2 tsp of chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1 Tbsp. cilantro
4 bell peppers, any color (sliced)
1 large onion (sliced)
1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes (Low sodium if you can find them!)

Instructions:
Put all ingredients in the crock pot (chicken down first) and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours.  You can slice the chicken or leave them whole and shred the chicken with 2 forks.

If your time will allow it, add the bell peppers to the slow cooker in the last hour so they aren't too soggy. When the cooking time is over, shred chicken with a fork.

To Serve:
Place 1 Red container of the chicken mixed with tomatoes and garlic onto a whole wheat flour tortilla. Top with 1 Green container of sliced peppers and onion. Optionally serve with 1 Tbsp. of Non-fat Greek yogurt, a blue container of shredded cheese or a blue container worth of avocado, i.e. 1/4 avocado (or mix them).

1 fajita is 1 red, 1 Green, 1 Yellow and an optional blue.

Recipe and 21 Day Fix exchanges courtesy of my fellow Beachbody Coach, Carra Theodore!

Last Call for April Challenge and Giveaway!

Last Call!   There are only 3 spots left!

You've been following my journey to a healthier lifestyle, and now it's time for YOU to join me! Why? Because you're worth it and there's no better time than now. If you've been wishing and hoping to change your life, this is your sign that the moment is here. Take a chance on your health. Take a chance on your future.

First: We'll get registered for the NEW On Demand service where you can select your own workout (you'll have over $1000 worth at your fingertips!!) and have access to all of the program details including the workouts, workout schedules, and nutrition plans! Best of all, you can stream your workouts anytime anyplace and on any internet enabled device!

Second: You'll replace one meal per day with Shakeology that will provide you with amazing superfoods to help fuel your journey. This is how I start my day!

Finally: We'll have a private group on Facebook to hold each other accountable for all 60 days. If you are serious about this, you will be successful.

AND: if a healthy lifestyle wasn't enough to motivate you, you'll also be entered in a giveaway to win a $25 gift card if you join by 11:59pm cst on March 29th!

If you would like more information fill out the application at http://tinyurl.com/April60DayChallenge or leave your email below!

Why? Because YOU Deserve it!

If not now, then when?

I am looking for 5 - 10 women who are looking to lose 5 - 20 pounds by June!

You are following my journey to a healthier lifestyle, and now it's time for YOU to join me! Why? Because you're worth it and there's no better time than now. If you've been wishing and hoping to change your life, this is your sign that the moment is here. Take a chance on your health. Take a chance on your future.

First: We'll get registered for the NEW On Demand service where you can select your own workout (you'll have over $1000 worth at your fingertips!!) and have access to all of the program details including the workouts, workout schedules, and nutrition plans!  Best of all, you can stream your workouts anytime anyplace and on any internet enabled device!

Second: You'll replace one meal per day with Shakeology that will provide you with amazing superfoods to help fuel your journey.  This is how I start my day!

Finally: We'll have a private group on Facebook to hold each other accountable for all 60 days. If you are serious about this, you will be successful.

AND: if a healthy lifestyle wasn't enough to motivate you, you'll also be entered in a giveaway to win a $25 gift card if you join by 11:59pm cst on March 29th! 

If you would like more information leave your email in the comments or send me a message and I'll send you all the details!