Still Insane...

Today started phase 2 of Insanity.  And for some really crazy and INSANE reason, they chose to add the fit test (which is done 4 times throughout the 60 day program) on today's workout schedule.  Along with Max Interval Circuit.  Really?  Well, seeing as I took twice as many breaks as they did, and I had to modify some of the moves, I was happy with my calorie burn.  I have to say, I am loving this workout! 

I gotta say, this stuff is THE BOMB!  I decided to order some and give it a try since I was starting Insanity...and well, Insanity is just insane.  And, I couldn't be happier with it.  You drink it maybe 15-30 minutes before your workout and it really does take you to a whole new level with energy.  I use the least amount - 1 scoop, and haven't had any problems at all.  I love it! 

Now.  Off to do PURE CARDIO!  This is the first time I've done this particular one, and I have a feeling that Shaun T. is NOT going to go easy on me today! 

If you want/need that extra "lift" before your workouts, you can read about Energy & Endurance Formula here.  And, feel free to email me with any questions. 

Insane!

I think I may be.  Insane, that is.  Now that P90X is over, it's time for a little Insanity in my life.  So, my friend and I are doing this together.  I've learned that there are a lot of important things when it comes to creating a healthy lifestyle, including exercising, healthy food choices, and portion control.  But, in my opinion one of the most important things is definitely accountability.  Having someone to workout with (even if they're in a different state!) makes it so much easier for me.  So, if you're considering a new workout program, try to talk a friend into starting with you!  You'll be doing something not only good for you, but for your friend, too.  Wish us luck!!!

World Autism Awareness Day

Today is World Autism Awareness Day.  To honor my special kiddo, I created a new video.  This is actually Part 3 (Parts 1 and 2 are also on the same Vimeo channel). 

Part 3 is told from Holden's perspective.  It's what he wants you to know about him.  He's more than just Autistic.  Take a look!

http://vimeo.com/39596099

Get out what YOU put in!

I saw this today and it really gave me a swift kick in the you-know-what!  I'm so close to my goal, yet it's getting tougher and tougher the closer I get.  Sometimes I get a little frustrated, and sometimes I get down on myself...wondering what I must be doing wrong. 

Well, really, it's nothing I'm doing wrong.  I'm getting out what I put in, and honestly, I'm just not putting in enough!  Now that I'm almost done with P90X, I'm so much stronger and definitely in much better shape.  I'm scheduled to start Insanity in about 3 weeks, I KNOW it is going to help me reach my ultimate goal! 

I'll be running an Insanity Challenge group, of which I will be a part of.  Join me!  If you're intersted, email me!  The group will consist of 5 (at the most) commited and dedicated individuals.  Let's do this together!

Quinoa, Lentils, Kale, and TASTY!

I guess I should post this in my recipe section, but it's just too good not to post here, too!  My friend brought me some of this a few weeks ago after she made it and it was SO good that I decided to try and make it myself.  I made it yesterday and it as just as good as I remembered!

So, when people say that eating healthy means you have to eat boring and not-so-great-tasting food - it's just not true.  Find recipes that incorporate things that you really enjoy.  And, substitute healthier ingredients for the full-fat ones and you'll be surprised that you may just come up with something you really like that you can feel good about eating.

Try this recipe - it's SO good!! Click on the link below...

http://ohsheglows.com/recipage/?recipe_id=6001820

P90X Update

I forgot to post my P90X 60 day update!  After 60 days, I was down 9 lbs and 14.5 inches total!!  Excited about the 9 lbs, but REALLY excited about the 14.5 inches.  My clothes fit better but most importantly, I feel much stronger.  P90X is definitely different than the other Beachbody programs I've done (TurboJam and TurboFire).  Although those are fantastic, too, P90X is more intense when it comes to building strength.  And, doing some of the TurboFire workouts after having done 60 days of P90X, I can tell a major difference. 

So, as if choosing to do P90X wasn't insane enough, I'm already looking ahead since I only have about 20 days left.  I just ordered Insanity!  Never thought I would say this, but I'm excited to start!

Goals

For me, having a goal is so important when it comes to fitness.  I have 3 goals - a weight (lbs), a pant size, and feeling better and healthier overall.  The first isn't as important because we all know that muscle weighs more than fat.  The second is important to me because I know when I reach my goal size, I'll feel much better about looking at myself in the mirror!  But, the 3rd goal is really the most important.  I want to feel better, have more energy, and in the process ... like what I see when I try on clothes, or look in the mirror.  So, they all serve a purpose, but work together for the final product I'm working towards.  If you don't have a goal, you have nothing to work for.  So set your goals, and then go crush them (as Tony Horton would say)!

Accountability

I saw this on Pinterest today and it made me think about accountability and competition.  And, how during my journey to becoming healthy, it's helped so much to have a friend doing it with me!  We talk about eating, share recipes, text when it's time to workout, talk about lack of motivation, complain about how hard a workout may have been, and hold each other up when we've had a bad day and a workout is just not happening (yes, sometimes life gets in the way and it's OKAY!).  We are also constantly reminding each other that this is a lifestyle we have chosen, and just because you have a bad day does not mean you are "starting over".  It just means tomorrow is a new day and we continue with our lifestyle and do better. 

Another part is competition.  Although, for us, it's really not "competition" in that we're trying to beat each other!  It's more that we've decided we're going to make it to our goals together.  When it's time to weigh-in, we share our weight with each other and help dissect why we are where we are...or why we're not as far as we want to be. 

Basically, this says it all -

Shakeology 101

What is Shakeology?  Watch this excellent video if you have ever wondered about Shakeology.  When I first started using Beachbody products, I wasn't sure if I wanted to try Shakeology because of the price, honestly.  But, I decided that I could adjust my budget for groceries because I would be eating one less meal per day.  $4.00 per day is what it costs, and with all the healthy ingredients, that is a STEAL.  Fruits, vegetables, and tons of "superfoods".  It really is worth the price, especially when you think about what you're saving yourself from buying with that $4.00!  And when you think about how much GOOD you're doing for your body!  It's all natural AND GLUTEN FREE!  So, I can also make it for Holden, and that way...he's also getting some nutrition (you know how picky our kids can be!)

 Watch the video - you'll see why.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePLt1ccUG20

Ditch the DIET Mentality

I tried lots of diets and weight loss supplements.  But, I never saw any success until I started making better food choices and exercising.  I think a lot of people think that in order to lose weight, you have to make DRASTIC changes in what you eat, and exercise for 2 hours a day!  When, in reality, sometimes it's the small changes that make all the difference.  For me, the one thing I had to change was the "diet mentality" I had.  The belief that I needed to be on a "diet" to lose weight. 

Instead, I started making small changes.  I started reading labels, looking at calories going in versus calories going out.  Substituting more healthy choices for things that I really wanted.  For example, if I wanted a cheeseburger, I began to think of ways I could still have what I wanted but in a healthier way.  So, I would choose a turkey burger, or a veggie burger.  I would give up some things to have others.  Instead of cheese, mayo, AND a bun...I would allow myself to have 1 of those choices.  EITHER cheese, mayo, OR a bun. 

I think once I started making better choices, it just started a snowball effect.  I began to look at food differently.  Instead of seeing it as a craving...I began to see it as fuel for my body.  At the same time, I also started exercising - but not for 2 hours per day!  I would do 30 minutes, to start off with.  Or even 20.  And some days, 45 minutes.  Occasionally, I would get discouraged if I couldn't do all the "moves" the way they did on the videos (I started with TurboJam), but I realized that if I just kept moving and doing my best, I could build up to what they were doing and become stronger.  And I did. 

So, I saw this on pinterest the other day, and I really believe unless you change your way of THINKING first, then your way of eating and exercising really isn't going to be as effective as it could be!  Ditch the "diet mentality"! 

http://www.beachbodycoach.com/coachrhondas

Because you can...

I saw this on pinterest today and had to share.  I think we all get caught up in thinking that exercise is a chore.  It's hard.  It's no fun.  We don't look forward to it.  You get the picture.  When, in reality, it's a gift that we are even able to exercise.  So, don't look at it as a chore - see it as a gift!  And, do it for yourself, but also remember those who can't.

Beachbody on The Doctors TV show!

If you've ever wondered what Beachbody is, what a Beachbody Challenge is, or who Tony Horton is...watch this video.  This aired today (2/2/12) and has a lot of great information on what Beachbody's mission is and why it's such a great company!

P90X Results - Part 1

Today is Day 29 of P90X.  I decided to take my measurements a day early since technically Week 5 starts today. 

So, in the first 29 days, I've lost 5 lbs., and 9.5 inches.  9.5 INCHES!  I'm very excited about that number!  I expected less pounds this first 4 weeks.  I had a similar experience with TurboFire when I started that.  I think I only lost 7 lbs during that first 4 weeks, but lost 11 inches, and then my metabolism kicked into high gear for weeks 5-8.  Also, I have less to reach my goal than I did previously, and we all know those last 20 lbs can be difficult (however, not impossible!!). 

Today starts Week 5 and I plan to BRING IT!  I WILL reach my goal by summer. 

My Success Story!

TurboFIRE!

In case you were wondering what TurboFire is, and specifically, what a TurboFire HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) fire drill is...watch this video.  This is the last drill on the HIIT 30 DVD (which is part of the Advanced DVD package).  By the way, there are 11 drills in 30 minutes.  There is NO WAY you will not be a healthier and lighter person by doing TurboFire - it's just not possible!  What was that?  You can't jump?  First of all, yes you can - even just a little!  And, secondly, pay attention to the girl on the right.  She does a modified / low impact version, so, no excuses to not bring high intensity!

Take a look!

PUSH Play

For a split second, I thought about taking my rest day today.  I had a lot of homework, housework, other plans going on, you know the routine.  And today's workout was going to be a long one according to the P90X calendar.  75 minutes, to be exact.  I finished the homework, finished the housework, and then while contemplating if I wanted to take a rest day, decided against it.  I got dressed and completed Legs & Back + Ab RipperX and burned 635 calories in the process! 

Even when it seems like I'm too busy to workout, I remember that it's non-negotiable.  Those 75 minutes were all MINE, and I did something good - not only for myself in those 75 minutes, but also for my family. 

I'm glad I decided to push play today!

Engage

For those of you who don't know, I'm currently doing P90X.  I started with TurboJam, then did TurboFire (love Chalene Johnson!), and then decided to challenge myself with something new for 2012. 

Enter P90X.

Today was Core Synergistics.  In the warm-up, Tony Horton said something to me that I hadn't taken the time to hear the last 2 times I've done this particular workout.  He said to "engage".  Of course he meant engaging your body and muscles, right?  Yep.  But, he also meant to engage your mind.  Commit to the workout and push yourself to your limit.  I kept reminding myself of that throughout the workout and it really did make a difference.  Exercise is body AND mind.  Focus on the core muscle group that you're working, but also know that the drive comes from inside your head!  In Chalene Johnson's programs, she would always mention that it's "mental", and that you can do whatever you set your mind to do. 

I believe that's true when it comes to exercise.  It's also true in our daily lives.  We have to commit to the task at hand, and do it!  Whether that's working out, eating healthy, work, school, etc.  Set goals for yourself in all aspects of life, and then ... also as Tony Horton would say ... "bring it!"

Welcome

Hi Everyone,

I decided to create this blog because I am a mom to 3 wonderful kids, 1 who happens to be a special needs child, my middle son has Autism.  After his diagnosis, I fell into the "black hole", as I like to refer to it.  I won't repeat everything I said in the "Me! Me! Me" section, so check that out when you get a chance.  I hope by writing about my own experience when it comes to health and fitness...it will help to inspire maybe just one other person out there who needs a swift kick to get the motivation going.  Losing weight is not an easy road, but neither is being a parent of a special needs child.  But, those of us who are...just do it.  We just figure out a way to do the best for our kids and put ourselves last on the list.  It took me 2 years into my son's diagnosis to realize that I was doing all 3 of my kids a disservice by not taking better care of myself!  So, I changed it.  And you can too.

Please share this blog with anyone and everyone!  I am hoping that someone will get something positive out of reading about my daily commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

Happy Blogging!
-Rhonda