21 Day Fix Round 2 Results

I don't have my pictures yet. (CLICK HERE To see my 21 Day Fix Round 2 Results Photos) but I wanted to post my results from my second round on 21 day fix. 

In 7 weeks, I have lost 10 lbs. 10 POUNDS! I am no longer stuck at the weight I have been at for months and months. I am on my way to reaching my first goal which is 25 lbs lost.

I have lost 7.65 inches off my body. The most being from around my belly. I fit my pre pregnancy clothing more comfortably and just overall I am feeling great! 

I am so excited to keep losing weight. I see my goals happening because I have decided that I am doing this. I want this and I am worth it. This time is different for me because I have so much support from my challengers on our private support group page and together we are making huge changes in our lives!

Are you ready to get results like these? The time is now to get your membership to Beachbody On Demand bundled with Shakeology and your own Nutrition Fix Containers! NOW to join my EXCLUSIVE group!  CLICK HERE TO ORDER and I will send you an email to connect and help you get started right!  If you need to upgrade your current subscription or have questions EMAIL me, or send me a message over at FACEBOOK! 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK.

A Little Perspective

I finally uploaded my pictures from my phone to my computer. There were a ton of pictures but these two kind of caught my eye. I forgot that I took a picture of myself after the miscarriage to show how white I was after everything and the blood loss. But here it is. 

On the left is me at 7:17am on March 21st volunteering for the 10 miler and on the right is me at 5:33pm on March 22nd. That night of the 21st I went through the absolute worst experience of my life. And almost lost my life. But here I am despite all of what happened, still smiling. Putting on a brave face. That's who I am. I find the good in all things. I was still alive. And I was thankful for it. 

I have come a long way mentally and physically since the 22nd. I don't blame myself anymore for the miscarriage. I am still learning to accept and cope with it. Can't do anything about it now. Just keep moving forward. But now I am taking care of my body and my life so that I am as healthy as I can be for the next time I do get pregnant. 

I am drinking a daily drink that fills my body with vitamins and minerals and superfoods that give me energy to keep up with my 2 beautiful boys. I am exercising daily for only 30 minutes. And I am reading personal development for both spiritual and mental well being. I am dedicating my life to helping others reach their personal goals and I am loving every minute of my life right now! I am still alive. And I am so thankful for that.

If you need that extra little bit of motivation in your life to reach your goals, no matter how big or small and willing to make a small investment in your health, just let me know! I am starting my next private fitness support group on July 1. I would love for you to join me! Comment below or message me. We can do this together! 

Finding that Drive

Have that lacking feeling of doing what you know you should be doing? I sure have! I need some motivation. I need something to kick my butt in gear. So what do you do to get that little kick in the tush to get you going???

1) Get support! Tell your family members, friends, co-workers, kids tell everyone what you are going to be starting. Because often times you will be reminded by someone asking you, "Hey how is your weight loss program going?" Or I was even told recently by a friend that her little girl was saying, "Mom, I don't think we should go to places like McDonalds until after you've gotten all your fatness away." Her little girl was helping her mom. And guess what, they aren't going there anymore!

2) Reach out to others going through the same thing. You can probably name 3-5 people who are "working on their weight" or watching what they are eating just like you. Find someone to check in with on a weekly basis to share how you did the last week, or to discuss your game plan for the coming week. Also Online Support Groups. I hold a 30 day support group every month now to give the daily motivation you need, plus inspiration to keep going and there is access to clean recipes and clean eating information. Plus others that are going through the same exact thing. There are so many thing available to you now to help you. Take advantage of that!

3) Make a game plan. Have your goals set on what you want to accomplish and by when. Make weekly meal plans so that you have everything set so that you don't go for foods that you shouldn't be eating! It just takes a little time to schedule and plan your week. And the more you do it the easier it will get!

4) Shed the negative. So you have done this before and it didn't quite work. Well how is this time going to be any different. BECAUSE IT IS! You want it to be different which means it will be. You are going to have the support of your family, and a small micro community, making a weekly meal plan. This is going to be your time to kick butt and take control of your life. And if there is anyone in your life telling you that it is not going to happen. You couldn't do it last time. blah, blah, blah. IGNORE THEM! Because if you choose to do something and you really decided that you are going to do it, YOU WILL! You can do anything you put your mind to. No more I can't. I CAN! The key though is that you need to believe that you can do this and you will!

5) DO IT! You have made the choice to do it, so do it! Make this time different. Don't let excuses get in your way and try to stop you. You are better than any excuses. You deserve more than any excuses. And you have 30 minutes to workout everyday. It is that important! Scheduled it in to your day. Workout first thing in the morning or before you go to bed. Just get it in there!

If you need that extra little bit of motivation in your life to reach your goals, no matter how big or small and willing to make a small investment in your health, JOIN MY FREE PRIVATE COMMUNITY. 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

One Step Forward, or Crawl

Can I just say how much I love this saying...I LOVE THIS SAYING! Because it is so true! It doesn't matter if you tip toe, crawl or drag yourself in the right direction just make your way there! NOW! 

I have seen what one wrong choice after another after another and many more can do to you. It drags you down deeper and deeper. People lose faith in trust in you because of the choices and actions you make. Or you lose faith in yourself that you can actually do better or be better (yo-yo dieting, why start over again if it hasn't worked in the past?) Or you might want to get out of the huge pit you dug for yourself but don't know how to even start or which direction is even the right direction. Well as long as that direction is opposite to what you have been doing lately then it is more of a right direction than you have been in. The point is to GET MOVING into that direction.

If you decide today that you are done living your life how it is. Yo-yo dieting. Or tired of putting of starting a new workout for next week. Make that choice to just do it. Set a date that you are going to start your workout. And do it! Stop yo-yoing around and don't diet, change your lifestyle! Dieting has such a negative mindset to it. Decide you want to change how you look at food in the first place and do it. Stop doubting what you can truly accomplish what you put your mind to! Read books about foods or watch documentaries about clean eating. (see below)

If you need any help in clean eating. Let me know! Or finding a workout routine that actually fits your lifestyle so you stop putting it off. LET ME KNOW! You have to make that first move. That first step and I will help you drag yourself, crawl, tip toe or even run if you want but you have to make that choice that you are ready to change! 

Books: 

Primal Body, Primal Mind by Nora Gedgaudas

In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan

You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero

Documentaries: 

Forks over knives

Fed Up

Super Size me

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead

Womans 4 Miler Training Program

It's that time of year, the sweltering heat, High HUMIDITY, and the time for hundreds of women to gather together with the same goal of taking care of their bodies. The Charlottesville, VA Woman's 4 Miler Training Program begins THIS Saturday!

Most of the women who participate haven't had to walk or run a mile since high school. Many haven't participated in this type of a group. But we bond together. Grow and learn together. And make a common goal to participate in the Woman's 4 miler race.

If you are local to central VA and can join us EARLY on Saturday mornings we would love to have you. No running experience needed. And if you want to join us for the race, well it is on my Wedding Anniversary this year, SEPTEMBER 5! And new this year there is a virtual race option! Check it out on the website (click on registration for the race to view website) Help support the Breast Cancer Center at UVA hospital and join us at the race. Registration for the race is Saturday morning June 27 at 5am! It will fill up quickly so make sure you are up early and register as soon as you can! Limited registration!

Reminder: Packet pick up is today, tomorrow at ACAC from 11-1 (I will be there!) and 5-7. And also early Saturday morning ~6:30. Program begins 7am at the UVA track! See you on the track!

Sexy Shoulders and Arms Workout

Shoulders and Biceps is what it is all about! Give these a try to help define and strengthen you arms and shoulders! My shoulders are so weak, so start out light and if it is too easy then you can increase the weight. 

Bicep Curls-10-15 reps

Front Rows- 10-15 reps

Tricep Kick Backs- 10-15 reps

Shoulder Press- 10-15 reps

Shoulder flies- 10-15 reps

3 sets of each! 

Collin's First Haircut

Collin is growing up. And his hair is starting to grow like a weed right now. He has such light blond hair that it didn't really bother me with how long it was getting but he was long over do for a haircut. Mason got his first haircut at 8 months old. Collin is nearly 13 months.

So how did it go??? Not like how Collin normally is. Not like Mason's first haircut either where Mason just sat there calm as can be and didn't move or fuss. Collin would whip his head around looking to and fro trying to follow everything that was going on. And we had the screaming. Lots of screaming and tears were shed. But I will let the pictures explain it all. It is so amazing how different brothers really can be!

Oh he is so cute! We went with a simple little trim because I was going to be, and Gummy, was going to be so upset if he looked too grown up! But it is perfect! I love it and am so happy with how well they did considering how much he wiggled and cried and fussed and moved and avoided being worked on. It was highly amusing! Oh and the other lady that was working (we arrived just before closing time and there was no one else in there) she was blowing bubbles keeping Mason occupied! Worked so well!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

A couple of years ago I noticed that my white were not so white any more. They had a blueish tint to them, and we were a lot of whites. I changed my laundry soap to the anything that was clear in color but it got me thinking, if my laundry was blue before who is to say that this clear stuff is working like it should too? So I did some research and found homemade laundry detergent that is super east and super cheap to make! And now it's that time again for me to make some more laundry soap.  I have not bought any laundry soap for mine or Matt's clothing or softer over a year and 4 months now. WHAT! That's right! Just before I left for my 1/2 marathon last year I made my first batch of laundry soap and we have had that same batch and I am now on just the little last bit of it. Can you believe that!?!

AND it only cost me about $25 bucks to make in the first place. $25 for 1 year and 4 months of laundry detergent?!? IT'S CRAZY! (actually I have just a little bit left in my big bin so I won't actually need some more soap for a few more month!) I will admit that when Collin was born I have been using the 7th generation 4x concentrated baby soap for him but for the rest of us it is the homemade stuff. (oh and I stock piled the baby soap before he arrive around March last year so I have had to but that stuff for a long time!) and yes I do do laundry in my house. I might dislike doing the laundry and we might let our laundry pile up but I eventually get it done. (like yesterday 5 loads including the kids stuff.)

So here is what I use to make the detergent:

1 Box of Super Washing Soda 3 lb. 7 oz.
1 Box of Borax 4 lbs 12 oz. size 1 Box of Pure Baking Soda 4 lb.3 bars of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap 6 bars-3 for now 3 for the next time! 
1 container of Oxy-Clean 1.3 lb

I use my food processor to grate down the magic soap then use the regular blade to make it a super fine powder. SO much easier than using a cheese grater but it can be done! then I just pour all the ingredients into my large storage pocket and stir it around. (Pregnant Mamas should not directly inhale the Borax as it can be harmful.) Then I have a smaller container (pictured above) that I keep up with the washer. And refill it when I need it. 

I use about 3 tablespoons per load.

Softener? I got you covered! Just get some epsom salt. That's it. If you want to make it smell nice you can add a few drops of essential oil (I like lavender or I just got a Jade Lemon) and stir it around so that the oil gets on all the salt. And I use a teaspoon of that with the wash in the softener container. 

Here is the last little bit that I have from my first batch!

*Make sure you follow the direction on your machine on how to use powder with a HE washer. You still can use powder but you need to make sure you look at the recommendations of the brand.*

My journey thus far

I am only in the beginning but I have had a journey over the past month.

About 30 days ago I started this journey with one specific goal, to get out of my funk. I was in such a depression that I didn't want to be around anyone. Friends, family, not even my kids. I hated how I felt. I hated feeling lost and alone. I hated how I was feeling. Slow, and no energy. I wanted to sleep all day long. I didn't really want to do anything. It was so hard to find that motivation to start this. 

But just one day. I decided. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! I was done feeling sad. Depressed. Tired. I needed to work on me if I was going to get any better. I called a therapist and made the choice that it was time to take care of me. That one decision was my fuel, my passion. I threw myself into this program. Workout wise. I could have been a ton more better on my eating, more on that later. I dedicated to myself that I was going to workout everyday. Drink my Shakeology everyday and no more fast food. 

AND GUESS WHAT! I did it! I made it 21 day of working on me. And you know what happened? I felt better. I had good days and fewer bad days. I learned to appreciate my body again and not be disappointed in it. I have had so much fun watching my husband exercise with me most nights. We have reconnected again because I was so distant with him. We are happy, laughing and enjoying life again. I can't stand the smell of fast food, I want whole fruits and veggies. We are staying in our eating budget because we aren't going out randomly anymore. 

This past month I feel like I have gotten my life back. And it only took 1 choice and 21 days. In 21 days I have lost (as of this morning) 3 lbs and 4.25 inches. I am retaining water still from the race over the weekend because I was so dehydrated. But I know the work I put into this. I see the difference in my life it has made. Small changes eventually add up to HUGE results!

If you are ready to start your journey, let me know! Click on the Banner at the top for upcoming challenge groups. Sent me a message. Email. Just let me know! 

Squat Variations!

Tired of the same old squat? Here is a great way to change it up! I love variations because they work different parts of the thigh and butt! Get ready to squat!!!!