Week 1 Update

Technically week 1 ends tomorrow and Sunday is a rest day, but tomorrow is a crazy busy day with Super Saturday, a baby shower, a wedding reception and then family dinner with my in-laws.  Yes, all of that in one day. Talk about having to fight to stay on track nutrition wise! What a test! Ha!

Today's workout was one of my favorites in the entire program. All of these workouts are 30 minutes but they are varied that you have to push yourself every day to find the strength to get through THAT workout.

CVX is weighted cardio, meaning you do cardio moves holding a weight. #whoa #letthatsinkin
It's challenging even using a light weight like I did (only five pounds). What I love is that with a weight in my hand, the whole workout changes. I can feel the muscles I am working more acutely than if I was doing a jack press without a weight. To have to push through and engage your core every move is awesome. Talk about a challenge!

I mean look at me---SWEATY MESS!!

I feel stronger for sure. I feel really energized. I feel determined to continue to push physically. And mentally. I know it is not all about the number on the scale.  But, having a successful first week, not giving into cravings, following the meal plan EXACTLY, get in all my water.... y'all I'm down FIVE pounds! Determined??? Like never before!

I've always loved this program and now I remember even more why it is one of my favorites! If you want more info on this program, on joining one of my accountability groups, or a program that YOU will fall in love with, send me a message or drop a comment below with your email and I will be in touch.

Have a great weekend! Thanks for being on this journey with me!

Benefits of an Early Morning Workout

Well, friends, four days down. Four days of getting up early and doing a quick devotional as I wake up then pushing play on my workout.

I used to get up at 5 am when I worked full time outside the home. Having to get myself ready, get the boys ready for the sitter, dropped off and to school, being an early riser was just part of it. But it has been a few years since I had that routine. So this new change has taken a lot of effort. To be honest, once I am up, I'm good! It is just making myself sit up, swing my feet to the floor and shuffle to the basement.

This week I was curious as to if I would notice anything different from starting my day with a workout versus sleeping until my boys wake up. I'm really surprised at all I've noticed, in just four days!

{O N E} More Energy

Considering my old wake up time is a couple hours later, I was really worried that I would feel tired getting up so early. Sluggish around nap time, maybe. I haven't experienced that at all!! I am much more alert. I am more productive. I feel like I have time to get several things done in the morning after my workout before my kids get up. I feel more focused during the day; just clearer in general. As a mom with young kids growing my own business and juggling my outside responsibilities, this extra energy has been a HUGE benefit!

{T W O} More Time

My workout is only 30 minutes. When I finish, I have a good hour (or MORE) before my kids wake up most days. I have that extra time to fold some laundry, unload the dishwasher, clear my inbox, review the days activities so I am prepared for what we are doing. It is so, so nice. I mean, of course it's obvious: get up earlier, you have more time to get things done. Actually having it though, and utilizing it-- our home has run much more smoothly this week. 

{T H R E E} More Patience

With more energy and things already crossed off the to-do list when my kids wake up, I have so much more patience. It sounds terrible, I know. But I used to feel tired. Or because I slept late, I felt rushed. And when I feel that way my patience has a tendency to run a little thin. 

I love having my workout out of the way. I love that a quick devotional and time in prayer starts my day. I feel much more able to be present with my kids instead of running around trying to get everything done. I mean, the whole reason I work so hard is so I can be present purposefully in their lives.  Waking up and working out early is absolutely helping me do that. 

{F O U R} More Food

Ok. Maybe not more food. I am following the 21 Day Fix portion control containers which is a ton of food. But I'm noticing I feel hungrier quicker. When I wake up and workout in a fasted state, I am burning through stored calories instead of what I've taken in that day. I feel leaner when I wake up. And that is an awesome feeling after just 4 days. 

I am excited to keep going with this new habit! Any other early morning workout fans? What are your favorite parts of getting your sweat on early? I'd love to know!

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?

Good-bye November

Hello friends! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends! This time of year is my all time favorite and we certainly filled our long weekend with lots of family time and traditions to kick off the season!

This past month has been a crazy one for my family.  We moved out of our home Halloween weekend and into our new home in our new (technically old since we moved back to our hometown) town that Monday.  I left that Thursday (three days later) for a leadership training event in Dallas (you can read about that here) until Sunday night.  Then it was painting, a funeral, a birthday party for our middle guy, more painting and well--Thanksgiving hit!

To say November was a whirlwind would be an understatement.  All of that led to a pretty poor workout routine for this mama.  My workouts were spotty.  And if my workouts were on--my nutrition was OFF!

You see we all have triggers.  My husband is currently commuting as we transition so has been spending large parts of the week away.  I found myself with a lot of responsibility in addition to my usual routines and I can be a stress eater plus I hate to be alone.  Can we say triggers? But enough is enough.  I used to be blind to the fact that I was sabotaging myself or that I was getting bigger but I am so aware of how junky I feel when I don't have my clean eating and workout routine in order.

Tomorrow--new month, new Monday, new me!! I am getting back on track (along with some other ladies!)  I am really excited about it. I will be following the 21 Day Fix nutrition plan (ASK ME about that if you don't know because it is awesome) and starting T25.  I know I can easily fit in 25 minutes sometime in my day and the HIIT training is exactly what my post-partum body needs!

Check out my meal plan for this week! Talk about yummy!

You may notice everything on this menu is gluten free.  This is another added "new" in my journey.  Last week I began to transition  my family into a gluten free lifestyle.  There have been indicators for me that I may have an intolerance and there are some indicators we are seeing in our oldest based upon the research I have done, what I have read, and after talking with some other people who have transitioned to gluten free.  It is scary because I know I have lots to learn but also exciting because I think it can mean some great things for our family, especially our oldest.  I will be sharing recipes I find that our family loves with you all too! So I am looking forward to that! And I am definitely open to hearing some recipes you love! 

This time of year can be tough as we strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  But I am committing to it.  I know I need to for myself and my family.  Anyone else wanting to commit?