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? 

Bucket Fillers

When I was a teacher, we talked a lot about the importance of being a bucket filler.  You know--about doing and acting in a way that would positively impact those we came in contact with.  Those actions didn't have to be big but they were so crucial in making our world better.  Giving a smile, a kind word, making eye contact and listening whole-heartedly, giving a compliment.  This was an important part of my role as a teacher.  I wanted to not only teach my kids in subject area but in LIFE!

This past weekend my bucket was so full it was overflowing! If the bucket were real, I would not have been able to carry it around it was so filled in every sense imaginable.  

Let me back up. Last Thursday, after moving into our new home on Monday and madly unpacking home contents and madly packing suitcase contents, I flew to Dallas for leadership training for work.  I knew I was going to be surrounded by amazing people, learning from inspiring leaders, and training with top coaches and instructors.  I was excited.  I was ready.  I was NERVOUS!

You see, I was going to this conference, meeting people from my amazing team, but actually, finally meeting them in person.  Out of the large group that was attending, I had only met three {THREE!!!} in person.  And of those three, I only really knew one.  I had lots of doubts and insecurities.  I mean, yeah we were cool online and I considered them friends but what if we didn't click? What if it wasn't the same in person? Can you relate? Have you ever been in that kind of situation?

I arrived on Thursday, nervous and cautiously excited, to find out that the ONE person I knew wasn't going to be able to make it into Dallas until Friday afternoon! "WHAT?? What now?" is what raced through my mind.  I literally did not have a clue what my afternoon and evening would look like.  But I stepped outside of my comfort zone, messaged a fellow coach I knew was already there and met up with her and some of her coaches. 

I  mean look at the hotel.  It was even intimidating! 

And y'all, that night, I met some of my best friends.  Seriously.  Within minutes, I was laughing harder than I had laughed in awhile.  I was sharing about my life and learning about theirs.  We were open and honest and all my insecurities left and my guard was completely down.  

PiYo Live with Chalene Johnson

Previewing Insanity: Max 30

The amazing thing though, is that same thing continued to happen all weekend long as I met more and more coaches from my team.  They smiled at me.  They listened.  They included.  We shared stories and meals and laughter and LIFE.  We learned together and worked out together and had a party of a time together! 

Dinner with two amazing women!

I am so grateful. What would my life be like if I hadn't gone, had I never taken the step and said YES! to this opportunity?  I can't imagine.  I am such a better person because of it; because of people like Cynthia, Brooke, Anastasia, Kristen, Stacy, and so many more who came into my life in an even bigger way last weekend.  

Do you have that in your life? Bucket fillers? Are you a bucket filler? I always strived to be but am definitely going to be even more intentional about it now! 

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?