Hard Core for SURE!

Technically, today should have been a rest day according to the schedule since I have done the Fundamentals as well as Define: Lower & Upper Body. The schedule calls for every Friday to be rest day if you start on a Monday. I did Fundamentals & Define: Lower Body in the same day when the schedule has those on seperate days. Since I am a Beachbody Coach (and anyone who orders though a Beachbody Coach) I received a bonus workout of Hard Core On The Floor. I decided to give it a try today. It's DEFINITELY HARD CORE! I have to say though, so far it's my favorite workout! Yes, I know I am only a few days into the workout but Hard Core on the Floor is awesome! You seriously work every muscle!

I did establish I will have a hard time with a few of the exercises in this workout due to the placement of my tailbone. It sounds weird to say that but when I am on the floor and told to lean back partially my tailbone digs into the floor and is painful. I got through it today by sitting on a pillow which didn't hinder my workout but it's awkward when trying to switch to the next exercise. I may need to look for a mat with a little more cushion than normal. That's a personal preference and I am probably one of very few people that deal with that LOL.

I have also figured out that my children decided the same day I made the decision to start PiYo that they would no longer sleep in therefore ruining my early morning workout schedule. This is the 3rd day in a row that I have had to feed my kids lunch then make them go lay down in their rooms so I can get my workout done. It's worked fine though so it will likely become my new routine! It's not my favorite since I am a person who likes to get my workout done first thing but my routine has to adapt the the kid's routine so lunch time workouts it is LOL.

Tomorrow is a rest day on the schedule so I will be back at it on Saturday. I am sticking strictly to the PiYo workout schedule this time simply so I can prove that PiYo alone works. Plus, it's a bonus that my hubby is off work tomorrow thanks to a Family Day and we plan on getting some things done. We move into our permanent house in 11 DAYS! :)

My Vision...a year of accomplishments!

A couple of months ago most of my friends created vision (or dream) boards. I knew right away that I HAD to create one but what was I going to put on it?? To be honest it is hard for me to dream big. Many times we are told we are dreaming to big, that our dreams are unachievable. I don't believe that's true! I believe, and will teach my children, to dream as big as you can! Nothing is out of reach if you put the effort in and you work hard to achieve those dreams!

This vision board are the things that I want to (and will) accomplish in the next year. Some are related to my Beachbody coaching, some are family related and others are personal achievements. I feel as though I would like to expand upon each item on my vision board. Expressing my decision to put each item on my board makes it more achievable in my opinion.

Here are my goals and the explanation behind them:

1. New SUV - Audi Q7: Michael and I have discussed our need for an SUV quite a few times. That need became even greater now that we have PCS (permanent change in station). The military only ships one car per military member. Since the roads and everything is different over here we shipped our Nissan Altima over. It's a great car that gets great gas mileage; however, we are busting at the seams with 2 car seats, a stroller and Michael & I in the car. Not to mention it is NO FUN only having one car. We have been looking at different SUV for a year or now and I know we need one with the third row seat. The Audi Q7 has been my FAVORITE for years now so my goal is in the next year that I am able to cover the car payment with my income so that our family can have a comfortable, reliable vehicle.

2. Donate to a good cause (monthly): This is important to me. In my vision, the donation can be money or it can be needed items or even volunteer time. I want to ensure that I am helping those in need, those less fortunate because I have been that child that needed the Angel Tree to get Christmas presents, that child that watched my mother work tirelessly to try and provide daily necessities. It's my time to give back!

3. Attend Coach Summit 2015: I became a Beachbody coach while MY coach was attending Summit 2014. When she returned we sat down together and discussed the amazing information she was given, the inspiration and the trainings that were provided. I am so close to earning a FREE ticket into Summit 2015 which will be a GREAT savings but I will have to cover my hotel room, food and my plane ticket. Normally that wouldn't be so horrible but a plane ticket from Belgium to Nashville can get pricey. Regardless, attending Summit would provide me invaluable information towards helping others achieve their weight loss goals. I WILL make it possible...I WILL be at Summit 2015.

4. Put 1 Paycheck into Savings (monthly): That may not sound like much but it's a start. We are adjusting to paying more for everything (except cell phone service). Trying to purchase new basic daily items that are 220v instead of 110v and the amount that fuel is here is something I won't even start to discuss. My goal is to put my biggest paycheck each month into savings. This will help build up some money to go towards attending Summit without putting a strain on our family finances.

5. 1 Star Diamond by Summit: This is a HUGE and IMPORTANT goal to me. To reach 1 Star Diamond you have to not only help people reach their weight loss goals but you ALSO have to show leadership in your team and HELP your team. You are helping others reach their goals along with helping your team help others. That means I am doing my part in helping to eliminate obesity in the United States!

6. Weekly Date Nights: It's extremely hard to find time for Michael and I when he's working, I'm working with my clients, we have two small children & Michael is completing college courses. It's easy for months to pass without him and I really having "us time" where we just sit and focus on each other. The weekly date night will happen, even if it starts at 10 pm when the kids are in bed and we just sit at the kitchen table playing a card game or watching a movie together. We NEED to have time to continue to grow our marriage.

7. Start my Bachelor's Degree: I completed my paralegal degree then stopped schooling. I didn't need anything else right? WRONG! I honestly love taking classes. I don't know if it's the challenge or if I just enjoy learning new things. Either way, I want to get back to working hard in classes and set my sights on my Bachelor's degree. My ultimate goal is to graduate from Florida State University!

8. Complete 3 Beachbody Programs: This one is pretty self explanatory. For me it's not a weight loss journey any longer but a fitness/health journey. As I said on my Facebook page the other day, working out releases endorphins and endorphins make you happy. I LIKE being happy! My 3 programs to complete are: PiYo (I am working on completing that program now so check out my daily journey here on my blog), Focus T25 and Brazilian Butt Lift.

9. Family Fun Day or Night Weekly: It is so important to do things as a family. Our girls LOVE being out and about. They DO NOT like being stuck in the house. I am making a commitment that AT LEAST once a week the girls, Michal & I will have a family fun day (or night) together. It doesn't matter if it's something as little as taking them to the park or just hanging out in the backyard playing together. We will spend time as a family!

10. Family Vacation to Italy: Last but certainly not least, the family trip to Italy. This is SOOO important to me. My grandmother and grandfather met in Italy. My grandmother was born and raised in a town just outside of Aviano Air Base and my grandfather was stationed at Aviano Air Base. They met, fell in love and he moved my grandmother and her 3 children (including my mother) back to the US. They have been married 48 years and I don't think I have EVER met another couple more in love after so many years! My desire is to take my children and husband to experience where my grandmother grew up and where she met my grandfather. It's an experience that would be amazing for not only me but my whole family!

So there you have it...my vision of the next year. These are the achievements that I am setting my sights on and by this time next year you will see a check mark next to each one! :)

Some SERIOUS Sweat!

Today's workout was Sweat and they were not lying. There is a reason it's titled that LOL. The first two workouts I didn't really sweat but I felt a burn. Today I not only felt the burn and sweat but I even had to do the modified version of some of the exercises. I have not shame in doing that though since I would rather get a good workout WITHOUT hurting myself. Heck I even hit child's pose a time or two. Oh and did I mention...the temp here is in the 50s and I was sweating so much I had to open the windows for some cool air LOL.

I think this workout is exactly what I needed. I definitely love that it's low impact. That not only saves my knees and hips (previous injuries from the Army) but I also can do my workouts while my kids nap. I loved T25 but it's hard to get a jumping and intense workout in on hardwood/tile floors without making a ton of noise and waking the kids. PiYo allows me to get that intense workout without keeping the kids up.

I do have to warn, I haven't used some of the muscles that were worked yesterday in a long time so I ended up needing hot water and a dose of Tylenol for my sore back. It was totally worth it to me though and stretching today before the workout felt amazing!

So far so good....bring on tomorrow's workout! :)

*** Side note ***

Today was another day that I could have used the excuses I brought up yesterday (among others) but I chose to not let my excuses stop me. As I sit here I am listening to my 2 year old yelling "MOMMY" because she doesn't want to take a nap and wants me to get her up. I actually listened to that through my whole 30 minute workout. I didn't go get her...I focused on ME and MY HEALTH. She has something to drink, she ate lunch already and she's watching a movie. She doesn't need me...I NEED ME!

NO EXCUSES! :D

NO EXCUSES!

I woke up late today. The kids were up early. I had to feed them and get them changed. I need to finish laundry and clean the house. I don't have time.

Those are all excuses that I COULD HAVE used but instead I MADE time for me and my workout. I did wake up late. I was actually woke up by my oldest. Once I got her fed and changed then my youngest woke up. So then I had to feed and change her. The laundry is piling up and I definitely need to sweep and mop the floors and pick up the kitchen. I realized that I can get those things done this afternoon if I need to. Maybe my wonderful husband will want to go run since he had to work out of town today and won't get his workout in during work hours. If he does then maybe he will take the kids like he normally does and I can sweep and mop then. Either way, the floors can wait but my health can't!

I'm trying to get the kids on a routine so at 12:00 I laid them both down and I took that opportunity to complete my workout. Luckily the PiYo workouts aren't long workouts because my oldest is not keen on taking naps so she really just lays in her room watching a movie. Either way I found an opportunity to complete it rather than use my excuses.

Today's workout was Define: Upper Body and my abs are on FIRE! It's awesome though! I didn't think that a Pilates & Yoga mix could burn like it does but I feel the burn. That's always a good thing though. I did establish that I will probably need some wrist supports until I can build up strength in my wrists. They are a little sore after doing the workouts yesterday and today. I'm on the buying mission today since it takes anywhere from 1-2 weeks to get stuff we order.

Overall I am pretty PROUD of myself for pushing the excuses aside and completing my workout. Thank you for keeping me accountable! Xo

PiYo Day 1 Complete!

I completed my first day of PiYo today. The schedule shows that today was just Align: The Fundamentals but after going through the proper alignment I wanted to try out the first workout so I went ahead and completed Define: Lower Body. I am so glad I did too. It didn't seem extremely difficult doing it (considering I'm used to Shaun T yelling at me in Focus T25 LOL) but I can totally feel my hamstrings and calves. Not in a bad way though. It just seems as though I've stretched them out really well and they are adjusting.

I must admit that PiYo is an extreme change from my typical P90X and T25. I am keeping an open mind though. I grew attached to Shaun T and his ways LOL. Chalene is much more calm and she doesn't yell at you. I have never done Pilates or Yoga but I am so glad that you don't have to sit still with PiYo. I like that the program is gear towards toning, strength and flexibility.

I scheduled my workouts for 7:30 am every morning since my hubby heads to work around then and the kids are still sleeping typically. That seemed like the perfect time. Although today I didn't get to my workout on time. My kids decided to wake up early this morning (as in 5:30 am) so I had to get them back in bed and settled.

Overall, PiYo Define: Lower Body along with my Shakeology is the PERFECT way to start my Monday morning!

Hi friends!

So I have to be TOTALLY HONEST in this post. I have FAILED miserably with keeping up my workout routine during our month long vacation and moving!

I have kept on track pretty well with eating right and eating correct portions so that has helped me to maintain my weight. I am so grateful for that but I did notice that if I do have my "happy meal" (cheat meal) then it makes me feel sick and run down so it's nice to be able to keep up my healthy eating habits.

Although I'm eating right and maintaining my weight, my goal...actually my DESIRE...is to have my abs back! I haven't seen those things since becoming pregnant with my first child 3 years ago. I spent 8 years in the Army and I worked hard....well thought I worked hard...for those abs! Now 2 kids later and almost 5 years out of the Army and I'm at the same weight but no definition of muscle. I was getting there with Focus T25, running and 21 Day Fix but then our month of travel and another three weeks of transitioning from moving overseas and I have lost that definition.

That all CHANGES tomorrow. Monday, 18 August is the day that I become accountable for my actions and I WILL be doing PiYo every day. I mean have you seen Chalene's abs?? The woman is amazing and who can resist a low impact, no jumping workout that provides high intensity and increases flexibility?!

Since I have failed at doing PiYo even though I ordered it the day it came out I decided that I will be posting here daily as my accountability. If you want to follow my journey, either to hold me accountable or just to hear my feedback on the program, then check in here daily! I'm SO EXCITED to start reaching my goal of a leaner me. I have been helping others on my journey as a coach but haven't devoted the time to myself like I should be. Guess an early wake up call is in order for me daily so that I make sure I get my workout, shower and blog post in before the kiddos wake up! Who's ready for the next 60 days of PiYo??? I AM!!! :)

Hummus Crusted Chicken

I posted on Facebook last night regarding what a great dinner I had made. Let me tell you...I devoured my chicken and veggies and so did my hubby! I promised everyone that I would post the recipe so here it is! Enjoy! :)

Hummus Crusted Chicken

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• salt and pepper
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup hummus, homemade or store-bought
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 lemon
• 1 tsp. smoked paprika or sumac

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Prepare one large baking dish with cooking spray.
   
2. In a large bowl, toss the zucchini and onion with olive oil until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Place all of the vegetables on the bottom of the dish in an even layer. Lay the two chicken breasts evenly on top.
4. Season the chicken breasts with generous pinches of salt and pepper then cover each chicken breast with the hummus so that the entire breast is covered.
5. Squeeze the juice of half of the lemon over the chicken and vegetables.
6. Sprinkle the pan with smoked paprika or sumac.
7. Thinly slice the remaining lemon, and place the slices in between the chicken and vegetables if desired.
8. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve immediately.

The original recipe was posted at  http://inspiredcraftideas.com/hummus-crusted-chicken/
***Please note that I altered the original recipe to best fit my family and as always, I encourage you to do the same.