Hello, sunshine!

March certainly came in like a lion around here.  Snow upon snow; enough for church to cancel.  A pre-school day cancelled due to ice! I am all for spending time at home with my kiddos but we were all more than ready for spring to arrive.

And, just like the weather of the Midwest is, spring arrived.

I am on my third week of Les Mills Pump.  I had been substituting the walk sessions with cardio workouts indoors since the weather was not cooperating.  Max:30 and Turbo Fire (more on that, later) kept my heart pumping.

But, this past Saturday and Sunday, this girl got to RUN!! I really learned to love running when I trained for a half marathon a couple of years ago.  That being said, I hadn't really ran in quite a few months. I had tried it once in early October after being released post-partum and feeling up to it.  I maybe got in a mile.  And it was a tough one.

When I set out Saturday, I was starting to doubt all the hard work I had done with Insanity Max:30. I was feeling pretty winded.  I concentrated on my breathing {I'm all about a breath in every two steps, breath out every two steps}.  My body loosened up and I found a pace.  Y'all--I did 2.65 miles in 25 minutes.  I was really excited! That pace wasn't too far off from my best paces when training. And Sunday was the same thing.

Those runs definitely left me sore. But I know that LMP, running and my no sugar commitment are going to get me the results I need!

How are you doing with your goals??

About Turbo Fire
This is a program I have wanted to try for awhile.  Every time I went to purchase it, there was always a new program I wanted to try first.  It just kept getting put on the back burner.  Last week, Beachbody launched something called Beachbody on Demand. It is a way to digitally stream some of Beachbody's most favorite programs to any device that is wifi enabled.  

I got to use Turbo Fire in my home straight on my laptop.  No waiting for shipping. I also have access to the complete nutrition guide and workout schedule.  Another perk--Beachbody on Demand gives you access to 10 {!!!!} complete programs! 

If you want to know more about On Demand, I would love to share more about it with you. 

Aha moments and results

This  may turn into a long post so consider yourself warned.  

On December 29th, I began Shaun T.'s new program, Insanity Max:30.  If you know me at all, I am not a fan of an all cardio workout.  This program was that exactly but to the umpteenth degree.  

I enlisted the support of some fellow coaches on my team and we began the program together.  I knew I needed accountability.  I was not planning on doing this program {probably ever} but I had gotten really complacent.  I wasn't following a program consistently, I was allowing to many cheats, and the holidays did not help my trim my post pregnancy body. 

In truth, I needed a swift, firm kick in the butt!

The premise of the program is to push yourself and max out every workout.  And each workout thereafter, to push yourself a little farther, increase that max out time. I was really amazed at how quickly my body began responding to the workouts.  My max time was steadily increasing. I could feel my body getting stronger.  I was finding a rhythm again.  

This program taught me so much. Before every workout, during the opening credits, Shaun T. gives a little pep talk.  During those minutes before I began, I had to really get my mind right.  The first month I was juggling my three kiddos, a nursing newborn, and a traveling husband.  To say there were days I didn't want to do it, days I didn't want to push to my max out- would be an understatement. 

Our mental statement is such an indicator of our success.  Not only in fitness but in EVERYTHING.  Negative self talk is destructive.  If I told myself, I could take a break.  If I told myself I could eat this cheat. If I told  myself that my actions weren't paying off; if I focused on the parts of my body I {thought} weren't changing, I would have given up.  If I didn't have the SUPPORT from my fellow coaches, I would have given up. 

Here is what this program helped me accomplish in just 30 days. 

That lesson of mental strength was an important one.  The program is 60 days. (56 to be exact, less than that if you opt out of the optional Saturday workout.) The second month, all workouts are taken up a notch (or two). I had to have the mental strength to push myself.  

Month two had a whole new set of obstacles.  Two birthdays, my son's birthday party, Valentine's Day. I didn't miss a workout but my nutrition began to slip. I wanted the best results possible and I also wanted to break some habits I started to see creeping up.

To end Max:30 I paired it with the 3-Day Refresh.  Tomorrow I will share those results as well as what I learned during those three days.  

I definitely achieved progress with Max:30.  I saw results.  I pushed myself harder than I ever have in a workout.  I saw myself gain strength and muscle.  I increased endurance and stamina.  My legs and arms have tone like they maybe never have.  All without a weight.  

Here are my results from Day 1---> Day 30 ---> Day 60

This program changed my mindset.  It changed my body. It changed my view of myself and what I was capable of.  I know that anyone can find success with this program.  It isn't easy.  But it is MORE THAN worth it!

Quick Update

Hey all!

I have neglected this space terribly.  To be honest, I have had ZERO time for blogging at either space.  My husband has been traveling 4-5 days a week for the past 2.5 months {thankfully he was home for the holidays}.  His absence has just added to my work load at home and my boys are needing lots of my attention.  And, family comes first!

BUT-- I just have to share with you about a new program that I am in love with!

Let me just preface--I am not a cardio girl.  I don't enjoy cardio activities or movements.  I was not going to purchase this program.  I actually wasn't entertaining the idea of ever doing it. But then, a good friend and fellow coach, who was part of the test group, shared her results.  And I was blown away! 

So I got it.  I recruited some coaches on my team to do it with me.  I knew I needed accountability and support. 

Last Saturday was the end of our second week.  I felt like my body was changing.  I was curious.  Was it all in my head or were there actual changes?  I stepped on the scale, took some photos and measurements and compared.

My JAW HIT THE FLOOR! I couldn't believe how my  body had changed in two weeks!

I still have lots of work to do but I am so proud of how far I have come.  Back into jeans that I was only squeezing into around Christmas time, inches gone, more energy.  Me against me every day.  

If you have any questions about this program, I would love to answer them for you! If you are interested and need support, my online accountability group is kicking off February 2nd.

Happy Wednesday, friends!