Day 1...Again

After an awesome week in Nashville for our annual conference, way too much yummy indulgences, I started over on a brand new program.

Again.

The program isn't exactly brand new. It is just the next one I'm doing since finishing 22 Minute Hard Corps.

When I was thinking of what I wanted, how I wanted pushed, what I wanted my body to get out of a workout...I knew! I just KNEW what workout I was going to be doing!

P90x3!!!

I've loved this program from the very first workout I did almost three years ago. There is so much variety. The workouts are all only 30 minutes. I love how quickly I see results. And obviously-- Tony!

Here's the deal. If I am being honest, I can workout with the best of them. Like, get my sweat on and not miss a workout. But this summer, the multiple indulgences have added up and detracted from my hard work. That really SUCKS!!

So I'm saying no more! I've done it before! While pregnant!!! I can totally do it again

See?? Proof! 

So day 1 is in the books. My nutrition and water were great. AND, my husband is committing to doing this with me. Talk about awesome accountability!

So stay tuned! I'll be sharing what I'm eating, progress and in 90 days--some awesome results! 

PiYo Update

I will keep this post short and sweet.

I wrapped month one of PiYo last weekend and began the second month. I feel REALLY good. It has been a long time since I saw a program through beginning to end. I think the last time I went the full round of a program was back when I did Insanity Max:30.

One area I am really focusing on during this second month is nutrition. Here is the thing about Beachbody's programs: they WORK! They work really well. They are simple to follow. One of the reasons I was drawn to Beachbody was because it had everything; great workouts, nutritional support through Shakeology and nutrition guides to follow for the specific program, plus accountability from your coach.

When I did my first program, I was religious about it. I followed the program. All of it! Nutrition included. I ate what I was supposed to and did the workouts on the right days and never skipped or, if I did, I made it up with a double or on my rest day.

I was DEDICATED. I didn't want to have wasted my money or my time and it not work out because I wasn't giving it my all.

Month one went well. I never missed a workout. Some days I had a double workout if I was teaching Cize Live. And my nutrition was pretty good but I allowed some cheats, more than I should have and many that weren't necessary.

When I took my 30 day measurements and photos, I was pleased, but I wasn't thrilled. I saw changes. I am down inches. I am tightening up in my legs. And my arms look toned and strong. But that darn midsection, it shows every cheat. It is my trouble area that is stubborn and is only changed when I really become dedicated. Although I am down inches, the visible change is what I desire and I know that I have to become dedicated again to make that happen.

So, month two will be a NO CHEAT month. That means: no Halloween candy, cake at a friend's wedding, pumpkin treats, caramel apples, or any other fall goodie that sneaks up on me. I CAN choose to say no. I can choose to be dedicated to myself and my goals.

Anyone else have a struggle they find hard to overcome? How do you combat it?

What I learned in 3 days

When I posted my Max:30 results, I mentioned that I tagged on the 3-Day Refresh to the final days of the program. 

What is the refresh? 
It is a program designed to give you a break from poor eating habits while kick starting some healthy ones.  With Shakeology, two high protein refresh shakes, a fiber sweep, snacks and delicious vegetable dinner options, your body and mind have a chance to clear themselves from some vices. 

I chose to do this for a couple of reason.  One, I knew that doing this could help me shed a few pounds.  But more than that, I was not seeing the same results month 2 of Max:30 as I did month 1 and I KNEW the culprit--my nutrition.  We had my son's birthday, a weekend out of town, my son's party/mom's birthday and Valentine's Day all in month 2.  I ate great during the week, but those weekends were definitely more off track than I wanted.  And when you really think about it, weekends are a large chunk of a month. It accounts for almost 30% of February! So if you give yourself "a break" on weekends to eat whatever, you really aren't going to progress forward.  And I sure gave myself one to many breaks during some of those events. 

What I didn't realize before the refresh, were some ugly, bad habits creeping back into my lifestyle. 

On the refresh, there is no eating except what is outlined.  There is also no dairy, meat or starches. (Of course, the allowed fruit and vegetables on the program are carbs and the high protein shakes help satiate hunger).

Because of that, I caught myself--quite often, actually--in the midst of popping something into my mouth.  You know what I am talking about moms: a nibble of your kids snack as you prepare it, or their lunch.  Or maybe you finish off their lunch as you are scrambling to clean the mess up and get them ready for naps.  A snack out of boredom, or a sip of this or that.  

That mindless eating was catching up to me.  It was stalling my results just as much as an occasional treat would if not MORE! 

I had also really, REALLY become a slave to sugar again. You saw the list above.  Those are some sweet confection opportunities all bundled up together.  Because of that, I was craving sugar--ALL the time! And caving.

Doing the refresh, I had to have discipline.  I said I was going to follow the program.  That meant when I was making my kids mini pizzas one day for lunch, I couldn't just pop a pepperoni.  It meant not nibbling an M&M from the treat container.  It meant not snacking when watching HTGAWM (sidenote: PLEASE tell me you are obsessed with this show too??) 

What happened mentally was amazing.  I was breaking through some habits and barriers that I know can have a pretty strong grip on me.  My body started craving GOOD things.  I was texting my accountability partner through the refresh about eggs.  I wanted chicken and eggs.  She wanted a Greek yogurt.  Talk about a difference, right?? 

Did I get results? For sure, an inch of my waist and 4 pounds gone!!! But more than that, I gained control over my eating again.  I saw the roadblocks I had allowed to creep back into my life and consciously overcame them and now am so much more aware of them.  I reset my system, ridding it of the need for sugar.  IN JUST 3 DAYS!! How huge is that! 

This program is amazing and I am so grateful for what it taught me!