I'm In Control

Last summer I was the heaviest I had ever been in my life. My recent pregnancy had wreaked havoc on my body and after 2 kiddos, I felt completely out of control. I would see photos like this - me and my beautiful sister at her gorgeous wedding - and want to bury my head in the ground and not come out for fear of shame.

I knew I needed to make a change. I just didn't have the confidence to do it. I didn't feel the drive. I didn't have the motivation.

Then I saw a photo on Facebook and my curiosity peaked. It was a photo of a college friend holding up her super big pants, showing off the many inches she lost after committing to just 30 minutes of exercise each day and a healthy nutrition plan.

My first thought was, "How did she do that?"

My second and more immediate thought was, "I need to do what she did."

The answer was the 21 Day Fix, a 3-week program that combines daily workouts with a portion-controlled eating plan.

It seemed fairly easy. Eat less. Workout more. A simple formula that we all know, but seem to ignore.

I decided to commit and placed my order. When the box arrived and I saw the containers, I had a moment of "are you kidding me?" They seemed so darn small! But after I read the program information and did a little online research, I realized that this could work. Like REALLY work.

My Challenge/Accountability Group started on a Monday and I was immediately impressed with the comradery that was offered among the Coach and Challengers. On a daily basis, there were motivational quotes, tips on how to create meals using the containers, delicious Shakeology recipes and photos of Challengers doing their workouts. I was inspired. Seeing all of this just made me want to do it too.

And that is what I did.

After 21 days I was down 7 pounds and had created healthy habits that I continue to follow today.

Since that time, I have participated in a number groups using a variety of programs and have not looked back. I just finished a 30 day group were close to 50 people committed to adding exercise and healthy nutrition to their lifestyle. The results are huge - for them and for me. I have lost weight and inches, but more importantly, I am now living a life where I am in control. And that is worth everything.

Meal Planning 101

Did I just say "free willy" in the Fantastic Friday video? Oh my. Looks like I need to have a conversation with my writers. :)

I wanted to quickly share with you some links and information on the resources I mentioned in the Week 3 Fantastic Friday video on Meal Planning. As mentioned, I have been using a very basic pen and paper method of planning out my meals and find that it works well. I use a simple spreadsheet created in Excel to map out the week and then fill in each blank with what I plan to eat each day. I borrow James' markers to indicate the containers used at each meal so that I can stay on track. It's super simple and actually looks quite nice on the fridge. :)

I usually plan my week on the weekend so that I can hit the grocery store and have everything ready to go during the week. As a busy working Mom, I tend to stick with easy and quick recipes that accommodate the pickiness of a 4 year old and 16 month old. I'm not one that likes to eat the same thing all week so I don't make a huge batch of something and then just eat it everyday. I like variety and since I love to cook, I tend to have a mix of new recipes and oldies but goodies each week for dinner.  As you can see, I am kind of a cookbook hoarder, but I do have my favorites.  

#1 Favorite: Fixate

Written by Autumn Calabrese, creator of the 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, Country Heat and the super-amazing container system, this cookbook is chock full of recipes that fit within the program. Of course she has ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but she also has some great snacks AND dessert. She even includes some really yummy Shakeology ideas. Each recipe indicates the containers used and has full nutritional information. What's even cooler is that she and her Chef brother are now starring in the Fixate cooking show, airing exclusively on Beachbody On Demand. Definitely grab a copy and get cooking - the healthy way.

#2 Favorite: Skinnytaste 

This one has been a favorite of mine for a while and is one that I HIGHLY recommend you check out. The brain child of Gina Homolka, this book stems from her award-winning blog of the same name - Skinnytaste.com. I discovered this blog a few years ago during my Weight Watcher days and find myself visiting it on a daily basis. She posts a new recipe everyday and if you sign up for her RSS, it lands in your inbox and makes your mouth water. The site is completely searchable and each recipe includes full nutritional information and Weight Watcher Smart Points if you are following that program. Many of her recipes have become go-to's in our family and I really think you should check it out. Go ahead. I can wait. 

So once my dinners are in place for the week, I go ahead and fill in my breakfast each day which is my Shakeology. I have gotten into the habit of working out first thing in the morning, and nothing tastes better or satisfies me more after that workout than Shakeology. Packed with dense nutrients, it not only fuels me with all kinds of vitamins and minerals, it fills me up and keeps me satisfied until lunch. My go to shake includes 1 scoop chocolate Shakeology, 8 oz of unsweetened Almond Milk, a banana, a teaspoon of PB2 and lots of ice. Blend it up in a blender and enjoy!

Lunch is usually leftovers from the night before or a big salad with lots of veggies, a protein and Fix-approved dressing. I then fill in the snack blanks using whatever containers I have left. It's that easy!!

Now I know, you may think I am still part of the dark ages for using good old paper and pen to meal plan, but it works for me. And I encourage you to find the tool that works for you. It could be an App. Or a website. Hell, it could be stone carvings. Whatever! If it means you are going to stick with it and stay on track, then I say go for it. I

And I can't stress this enough - DRINK YOUR WATER!! You are supposed to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day. For me, that's A LOT of water! But I found that as long as I have my Brita water bottle next to me, I get it done. Unless Andrew steals it and hides it. He has been known to do that. Little stinker. ;)

So that's it. If you have any questions about any of the resources and programs or need advice on how to make meal planning work for you, just let me know. I'm here to help. We are in this together! 

#teamworkmakesthedreamwork

184

This number has been between my toes for far too long.

It is a number that has affected my emotions. My psyche. My self worth.

It is a number that hasn't budged much since my adorable little Andrew joined this world 16 months ago.

184.

Oh how I loathe this number.

Three weeks ago I decided that this number needed to go away. And the only way to make that happen was to make a change. A real change. A permanent change.

It started with Beachbody's 3-Day Refresh followed by a 21 Day Fix/CIZE hybrid program that offered intense cardio and strength training workouts. But exercise alone would not cut it so I used the groundbreaking multi-colored container system to clean up my diet. With a mixture of determination on my part and motivation from an awesome group of ladies, I bid adieu to that number that I hate so much.

A new, more exciting number has replaced it and with some hard work and amazing tools, I hope to continue to see smaller numbers. But more than that - I know that as the numbers get smaller, I will be getting stronger. I will be getting healthier. And that is just awesome.

I know my journey will be long. There will be highs and there most certainly will be lows. But I know I will learn lots of amazing things along the way. With the right support and the right mindset, I will be successful - whether or not the numbers between my toes change. Healthy living is no longer a fleeting thought. It is part of my everyday and luckily,I have some AWESOME programs and tools (21 Day Fix, CIZE, TurboFire & Country Heat) at my fingertips to keep it fun and fresh. I have also decided to join the Beachbody family and become a Coach on an AMAZING team. I will stay motivated if I am helping other people achieve their goals and enjoy healthy, fulfilling lives.

Last week, my 4-year old was home sick so he got a front row seat to my Dirty 30 work out with Autumn Calabrese. He asked me, "Mommy, what are you doing?" I told him that I am doing my exercises so that I can be here with him for a long, long time. He immediately got on the floor and started mimicking me. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "I want to be with YOU a long, long time too." If that is not a good enough reason, then I don't know what is.

Beachbody's mantra these days is STRONGER EVERYDAY. I think I can get behind that.

** If you are interested in joining me on this crazy journey and want to change your lifestyle for the better, shoot me a note. Let's do this together!! 

The Struggle

I am not one of those lucky people that can eat whatever I want and not put on weight. I am one of those people that LOOKS at a plate of french fries and gains 3 pounds. This is a fairly recently struggle for me. And when I say recent, I mean in the last 8-10 years. Growing up, I was always an average size. Soccer was a big part of my life so I was pretty active and never really thought about my weight.  I was by no means a stick figure - definitely had my curves - but never felt self conscious about how I looked from a weight aspect.

(a fit, active, teenage me)

In college, I learned that the Freshman 15 is a real thing.  Too many late nights of pizza and beer took it's tole, but once I  added a little bit of exercise, I was able to keep the weight down. 

My 20's were all about happy hour and kickboxing class at the gym with my girlfriends.  The combination seemed to work and I rarely saw too much weight gain.  Thank you 20-something metabolism! 

(happy hour with friends - looking good)

But as I got older - and specifically into my 30's - my weight became a lot harder to control. Pair my age with working from home full time and you have yourself a recipe for disaster.  I found that if I didn't follow a strict diet and get to the gym religiously, I would gain. And I have to tell you, I hate the gym.  Like hate-hate.  I find no joy in running on the treadmill or spending 30 minutes on an elliptical machine.  I do like group classes, but they never seemed to occur at a time that was convenient to my schedule. The only way I was able to get there on a regular basis was when I hired a personal trainer but who has the funds to sustain that?!

(can't believe this is now on the Internet!)

Then I started having babies.  

Having babies does things to your body in ways that you could never have imagined. I only gained about 22 pounds with each pregnancy which is pretty good, but getting the weight off has been a struggle.  After James was born, I found great success with Weight Watchers, losing 20 pounds over the course of 4 months thanks to the support of a great group of ladies (Miriam, Elaine, Lynn - I'm talking' to you!). I managed to maintain the loss (more or less...or more), but then found myself pregnant again.  

(down 20 lbs thanks to WW)

Since Andrew's birth, I have been trying to lose the baby weight using the same tools, but am having a much harder time.  And no matter how many times someone tells me "You created life!" or "It's only been 4 months!", it doesn't change the fact that my once tight, smooth belly is now a saggy mess riddled with stretch marks. 

(who is this person?)

Of course I know the solution. I need to stop putting so much food in my mouth and get off my butt a little more often.  The problem is lack of motivation and good, old plain exhaustion.  It is sooooooo much tastier to eat pizza and cheeseburgers.  And it is sooooooo much easier to sit on the couch and catch up on the new season of Orange is the New Black. Especially when you are averaging 4-5 hours of sleep each night. (I know - excuses, excuses).

Well, that ends now.  Actually, it ended a few weeks ago thanks to something called the 21 Day Fix. I was introduced to this workout program and meal plan by college bud and fraternity brother, Lisa Klein.  I watched Lisa transform her body and change her lifestyle for the better as a Beachbody Coach. After weeks of a constant plateau at Weight Watchers, I knew I had to change things up - and this program was the way to do it.  Now, I'm not going to lie. I was EXTREMELY skeptical at first. I mean, c'mon. This program is featured on a late night infomercial that is flush with almost unbelievable before and after pictures and money back guarantees. But I figured, why not. Doing something is better than doing nothing AND Lisa was staring a Facebook accountability group so it was a the perfect time to get started.

I'm so glad I did.

In the first round of the 21 Day Fix, I incorporated 30 minutes of exercise into my daily routine from the comfort of my own home.  I was also reminded of correct portion controls for meals and snacks using the convenient 21DF containers.  In the first 3 weeks, I lost 5 pounds and several inches off my waist.  I am currently nearing the end of my second round on the program and I can tell you, the scale is moving - in the right direction! More importantly, I feel like I have more energy which is a miracle these days!

I still have a long way to go. And I know that as I age, my weight will be a constant struggle.  But I am taking some steps in the right direction to get things on track to make exercise and healthy eating a lifestyle rather than a nuisance. Oh believe me - there will still be ice cream in my future - but hopefully, between my Weight Watchers knowledge and my new 21 Day Fix tools, I will learn how to incorporate it into my world without gaining 5 pounds in the process.