Results

How is it already the end of October? This month has flown by! This YEAR has flown by!

We have been crazy, busy around our house.  At the beginning of the month, we began to pack up our house in preparation for our move (2 more days!!). Add to that the responsibilities of two toddlers (one in preschool) and a newborn, I had my hands full.  Not to mention, I was busy running a challenge group with people all dedicated to reaching their health goals {ME included}! 

I took my before pictures and measurements exactly 30 days ago and committed to the 21 Day Fix.  I know this program can bring results but had not completed yet not pregnant.  {I did two rounds during my pregnancy.}

One reason I love being a coach with Beachbody is the accountability I have as a coach.  My team is great at keeping me motivated. Their energy and love for a healthy lifestyle makes me want to get up and get the work done even on days when I really don't feel like it or the time seems to be slipping away.  My clients in my groups push me too! They could all come up with 100 excuses but they don't.  I don't want to let them down so I press on!

Today when I got on the scale and did my pictures and measurements I was shocked! It is often hard to see the changes in our body day to day.  We doubt if we are making progress.  I also wasn't perfect this past month.  I missed three workouts and didn't eat as clean as I wanted to! I followed the plan pretty well but there were a few dinners {pizza} that I had an extra slice.  

Down 6 pounds

-6.5 inches gone (2.5 from my waist alone)

I am really happy with my results! I still have a long way to go but these photos prove that good choices, consistently, will pay off over time.  It isn't about fad diets, pills, or long workout sessions.  I love that I got to eat.  I consumed between 1500-1800 calories a day {higher than my bracket but I am breastfeeding}.  I only worked out for 30 minutes.  

I still have a ways to go to get my pre-baby body back but I have never been this fit so soon after a pregnancy before.  

ANYONE can do this!! I am proof of that! If you would like to get started or have any questions, I would love to hear from you! 

Did someone say FREE??

Happy Monday, everyone! It is absolutely beautiful weather around here! We were outside lots this weekend in between packing which was wonderful.  I know the cold months are coming so I relish these lovely, fall days!

I am going into my final week with my challenge group.  At last Friday's weigh-in I was down to 148.  I total of 5 pounds gone! Hopefully never to return. 

{Sidenote: I need a pedi.}

 I am so thrilled with my group and how dedicated they are! We have lost a combined total of 45+ pounds in three weeks and one of my members has lost 10!! It is so exciting to watch others succeed and find their way to their healthiest selves! 

I know this week will be a challenge as our entire kitchen is packed up.  I have planned out how to eat as healthy as possible even without cooking.  We have about a billion little details to wrap up on top of work and our three boys so my workouts are going to be something I have to be diligent about as well. One reason I know I will get my workouts in is because of the accountability of my group. I struggled when it is just me to be accountable to.  My excuses seem to take over.  But when I am part of a group, I have that team mentality that says don't let them down.  Show up and give it your best.  That is really helpful for me.

I'd like to extend that opportunity to you. And it's FREE!!! My team is hosting a 30 day challenge.  We will provide daily workouts, menu ideas, and motivation for 30 days! All we ask in return is that you participate and be engaged! It doesn't matter where you live! The group is done entirely on Facebook.  We already have some people committed and we'd love this group to be huge! 

I'm blessed every day to be surrounded by support on my journey.  I'd love to share that with others! If you are interested at all, or have any questions, please send me an email or a message on Facebook! 

Menu Revamp

On Friday I was a little disappointed in my weight loss, or lack there of, for the week.  I know I have lost inches the past couple of weeks but I really want to see that number drop too.  

For me, when that scale doesn't move in the direction I want, I look at my food choices.  I know my work outs had been good because I hadn't missed, I had gone harder and I had increased weight. Plus, we all know our results are based largely in the food choices we make (right, right? That is a must know). 

Although I had done well with clean eating, I felt my carb load might be a bit high.  So I started adjusting my plan.  I wanted my carbs to come from the fruits and vegetables I was eating more than the starchy carbs.  I also upped my protein.  I wanted my protein to be a larger part of my diet. I started doing this on Thursday.  I noticed by Saturday that I was increasingly hungry by the end of the day but I attributed this to me not eating later and the higher protein maybe helping my metabolism be more effective.  I also noticed when I woke up my tummy felt flatter.  

I am really excited to see where these adjustments take me this week.  I know I have to be making progress because today I put on a pair of pants I couldn't button last week AND because my husband said, "Wow, that is the thinnest you've looked.  You are definitely thinner than you were two weeks ago!" 

I will take those non-scale victories! 

What are your goals for the week? Any changes you are making to meet them?

Fitness Friday: Oct 17

Finally Friday! This week seemed a little long to me...probably because of the constant rain we seemed to get until yesterday! Today, I am linking up for Fitness Friday

Aubrey

Eating and Training
Week 2 of the 21 Day Fix is ending.  I feel like I worked really hard this week.  I used heavier weights during both the Upper and Lower Fix workouts when called for, went the full 60 seconds and rarely modified.  I definitely feel stronger.  I even went for a run yesterday; the first one in a LONG time (like 9 months!). Definitely wasn't feeling so strong after that.  

My eating has been pretty good.  I've been hungry more this week.  Not sure if that is because little guy is going through a growth spurt so I am nursing all the time or what.  It has been a constant battle to not just go snack every time I want to.  When I have caved (because I'm so darn hungry) I have made healthy choices. 

I am up .7 pounds this week (151..can't get the photo to load).  I feel like I need more calories and that not having enough played into the gain.  I could focus on it or I could focus on the fact that I feel stronger, thinner.  I'll go with the latter.

Looking Forward 
Looking forward to continuing with this program, my healthy choices and getting results.  I plan on adding in a few more runs next week too! 

I've been there

 Sometimes it is easy for people that haven't known you long to assume things. I have had people tell me that they don't think I know their struggle because I am thin.  Or was thin before I got pregnant with Gabe.  

The fact of the matter is, my struggle with weight started long before that.  If you have watched my YouTube video you know how I packed on weight my first year of marriage.  

March 2010

April 2010

 Just before our first anniversary we learned we were pregnant.  It was an exciting time.  But that extra weight was combined with even more pounds packed on with pregnancy.  I didn't exercise.  I ate what I wanted.  I had reflux, heartburn, and back pain a lot throughout pregnancy.  

37 weeks; my heaviest weight

After Hudson I vowed to get lose the weight.  I hated my body.  It tormented me because nothing fit.  But notice, I vowed to lose the weight.  It wasn't about health, not yet.  I just wanted to look better.

The weight came off but my body still wasn't where I wanted it to be.  By the time Hudson was 14 months, I was still in a pant size that was bigger than typical and we were pregnant again.  

It was after Beau (our second) that I knew something had to change.  My body didn't like the crap I was putting into it.  I was unhappy and felt unattractive to my husband.  I also knew that I wasn't teaching my kids good habits if I wasn't being an example.  I worked really hard to change my body, my eating habits, and my overall health.  I connected with Beachbody products and FINALLY got results that I could be proud of! 

Before Beachbody. 6 months post partum with Beau

Feb 2014 size 2 

8 months using Beachbody products

Yet here I am again.  I am blessed with another baby and trying to get my body back.  This time I have the tools I need to get back to feeling good.  I had the best pregnancy because I chose to workout and eat right.  I recovered much quicker from my c-section this time.  

4 weeks post partum with third baby

Here is what I am telling you.  I have been there.  I have been at the point where I didn't think I could ever get the body I wanted.  Where I could ever just feel good about myself.  But I did.  And I will again.  And you can too!

Know that I understand the struggle. I have learned how to use exercise and clean eating to achieve results.  I want to share that with you.  The question is, will you let me?

Progress

I loved waking up to it being Wednesday.  I love that the week is already half over and we are nearing the weekend.  I mean, not mathematically, no.  We need to get through Wednesday but whatever.  

Heather/Ash/Erin

Today was day 10 of the 21 Day Fix.  I love this program.  LOVE IT! I do my weigh-ins on Friday with my online fitness group {who are rocking it by the way}.  Today was Lower Fix; thirty minutes of concentrated leg work.  Talk about working up a sweat! This workout challenges me.  Last week, I had to pause the workout to calm my newborn back into his slumber. {We were having all kinds of nap issues that we seem to have surpassed. PTL!} This week, I not only didn't pause it, I used heavier weights for many of the exercises! #nonscalevictory

I have really been working on sticking to the nutrition guide.  It is honestly a guide I should follow all the time.  It is so simple and easy and advocates for clean eating.  As a nursing mom I did worry that my milk supply might be compromised but it honestly hasn't.  I am eating enough and drinking lots of water and still getting enough milk for my 7 week old.  I love that! 

Last week I lost three pounds.  My husband, who is working out on his own but using the Fix nutrition, lost almost 4 pounds last week.  

I am hoping to have another good loss this Friday.  More than that I want to loss inches.  I feel like my body is back to normal {well, close to it} except for the dreaded mom pooch area and thighs.  I know the pooch is just a result of my third cesarean and that area takes time.  But I'd really like to see some inches leave those areas ASAP! 

How is your week going? 

Fitness Friday

Happy Friday! I know it has been awhile since I linked up but life has been crazy! I am so happy to be back!

Aubrey

Eating and Training

This week I have been following the 21 Day Fix nutrition to a T. There have been many a times when I wanted to cheat.  {Going to the grocery store hungry, having a super fussy baby all day, playing referee to two toddlers...just to name a few} Yet- I stayed strong and on track. 

I also followed the workouts each day.  Some days were better than others.  I had to pause a few days to rock our sweet G back to sleep or to referee but most days I gave it my all without having to modify to much I am proud to say.  My older two even joined in on some of the workout fun and I love that!!

I mean, I can't even resist!

Excited for leg day!

I am happy to say the hard work these past five days has paid off! I weighed in this morning and...

Down 3 pounds!!

Looking Forward To

Continuing these next two weeks.  I hope to keep up the consistency.  Even if the scale doesn't show it, I want to be losing inches, especially in my hips and thighs which seems to be the area that is holding on to my pregnancy weight.  This month is super hectic as we are packing to move in just a few short weeks.  I know that final week as I pack up our kitchen, eating well will be more difficult but not impossible. I am already planning how to keep myself on track.  I love how much more energy I have this.  Here is to another great week! 

Progress Not Perfection

Oh goodness it feels good to get back into  my workouts! I know the body needs time to heal but my body was craving a good sweat session and I am getting those in daily with the 21 Day Fix right now! What I love about this program are the quick results I am seeing.  I am already down some pounds and inches (don't want to give too much away) and I love that! 

What I don't love is that I feel like I don't "see" it as much as I want to.  I definitely feel the changes.  I am less hungry throughout the day, fueling my body from clean, whole foods without any cheats.  My stomach feels flatter. My muscles are sore. 

I wish that my skin would be as tight as the muscles underneath.  The old Bekah would be feeling discouraged already.  Like my hard work should be paying off.  The thing I have learned the past year and a half of this new lifestyle, is that every day, the choices I make are going to show up.  Maybe not immediately but definitely down the road.  That holds true for both good and bad choices.  Working out consistently, eating well.  It will pay off in time.  Just like those treats will add up and show up on my body over time.  

I've learned to let go of that evasive perfect image.  The images I used to strive to look like.  You know, the airbrushed, photo shopped ones in magazines? Instead, I cling to progress.  
-Seeing the scale move. 
-Having my clothes fit better.
-Having more energy throughout the day.
-Lifting heavier.
-Getting in one more rep; going those last few seconds.

No matter where you are on your journey, remember that it is exactly that.  A journey.  Strive for progress today, friends! 

Bragging Rights and an Invitation

I am so super excited today! Last Friday my Back to School Bodies Fitness group ended.  I had the best time hosting these ladies in our group.  Each day we had a little challenge--something that kept us motivated and accountable to our goals. We shared encouragement, clean eating ideas, what we were learning, struggles--really anything and everything.  And each Friday, the would weigh in.  

Y'all, I am ECSTATIC!! The group, eight women who got me their final number, lost a combined total of 41 pounds in 4 weeks!! Isn't that amazing? These are regular, normal people.  Moms, college students, women with careers, making the time to workout each day and choosing to eat right.  It is the simplest thing but so many of us complicate it.  They did not.  They lost their excuses and found results!

Today, my October fitness group, Fall Into Fitness, kicked off.  We have 14 members and already, in just the few short hours that we have been officially started, I can feel their excitement, their motivation.  These individuals have big goals they want to achieve.  Some are losing baby weight, some are working out for their wedding, some are just trying to get a grasp of meal planning and clean eating.  

Why does this work? I mean, couldn't we all just work out and eat clean.  It isn't like any of us are getting together to work out.  I remember being skeptical when I joined my first challenge group two years ago.  Here is what I quickly found out:

1) Even though you aren't physically with the people in your group, you are very much mentally and emotionally with them.  You are working towards the same common goals.  You are sharing struggles.  You bond.  There is that team mentality of not wanting to slack or let anyone in the group down, so you put the donut down and go push play on your workout.  It is a very powerful thing to be connected to a group.

2) Competition is fierce.  Yes, teamwork is strong. BUT, add a little competition into the mix, and people get right down to business.  When you know your hard work could earn you a prize, it is a really good motivator! 

If you need something like this in your life--contact me! I would love for you to be a part of my next group.  It doesn't matter what your location is, what your level of physical activity is, where you are starting from! It just matters that you start. I'd love to help you! 

October Goals

Hey all! Happy October! I love this month! I love all fall months in general! I'm keeping this short and sweet but read to the end because I have some news on some GREAT deals to get into your skinny {jeans}! :)

Since it's a new month, I thought I'd share my new goals for fitness!

Here's the breakdown:

{ONE}

I started this program on Monday and am bound and determined to use this program to rid myself of this baby weight and tone up. I miss my clothes and am ready to rock any outfit I want again! 

{TWO}

Water is my best friend.  It helps me with nursing.  And with exercising, I need to make sure I stay hydrated.  This is the number one thing that can effect your milk supply so I really work to keep this in check!

{THREE}

The weather is beautiful and I just love watching the leaves change.  This month is BUSY for our family but I want to make sure to pause and take time to enjoy the beauty of the season and get some exercise and fresh air together!

{FOUR} 

Being a busy mom and breast feeding, I certainly can struggle with getting in my nutritional needs and can find myself snacking late.  It is a terrible habit and slippery slope for me so I am determined to nip it in the bud this month!

Fortunately, I am not going this alone.  My Fall into Fitness group on Facebook is full and I just know we are going to push each other to reach our goals! 

Check out the Current Promotions page to read about ways you can SAVE BIG on some programs that will give you amazing results! 

And--if you are looking for some accountability and support on your journey--I'd love to hear from you! Let's connect!