Luck of the Irish Challenge

Ahh, I am so excited it is almost Spring Time! It makes me so ready for a change! Going outside, spring cleaning, new wardrobe, and some green grass - So with all this change going on, I wanted to switch up what I do with my challenge groups! So what is a challenge group? Well it is a super awesome "place" (aka a secret group on Facebook) that you can access anytime and get unlimited support, motivation, accountability, tips, recipes, meal plans, and on and on... Usually I post something motivational in the morning, post my food, my tips, etc... I ask my "challengers" to post daily in the group so I know how they are doing and how I can help them - easy enough, right? wwweeelllll, I need to switch things up a bit! So I am so excited to announce my next 30 day challenge group - "Luck of the Irish Challenge" tah - dah! I am looking for 10 people that are ready to make a 30 day commitment to me and to themselves to live a healthier and fitter lifestyle - I promise you, this group won't be like anything I've done in the past... I am going to be posting "bonus video challenges" where we might have a chugging water contest or a bonus little workout... Oh, and the best part - besides the results? Weekly Prizes!!! Each week, every challenger will start with zero points, as they earn points they get their name placed in to a Shakeology Shaker cup (of course lol) and one name a week will be pulled for a cool prize.. Each week the points start over! Fun challenge to help you get into a new wardrobe or maybe just even fit into the one you already have!

Requirements for the group:

• Drinking Shakeology daily
• Beachbody workout program (of your choice)
• Ready for change and results!

 So again, 10 spots, weekly prizes (maybe even a few bonus prizes, never know!), 30 days and all the information, support, motivation and accountability to get you ready for warmer weather! Who's ready to tackle this challenge with me?

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21 Day Fix Extreme - Week 1

I was so excited to start Beachbody's newest program - the 21 Day Fix Extreme!! 2 reasons I was really pumped - one, I love incorporating weights into my workouts and two, I knew I needed to take my nutrition to the next level! I am at my weight that I was when I was 23 years old. But after 2 kids, the weight just didn't look the same, but my weight loss that had been so rapid has started to slow down - and I really had to think, what can I change, what was different - and I had to be honest with myself and realized my nutrition was off - picking carbs off the kids plate, a few too many trips to get frozen yogurt and not drinking enough water... So with the help of my friend, fellow coach and accountability partner - Alisha, we committed to doing this program together... The 21 Day Fix Extreme comes with 2 nutrition plans, the extreme and the countdown to competition - we decided to support each other through the countdown nutrition plan... We knew it wouldn't be easy, we both love carbs, dislike fish and eggs (really meat in general lol), and we love cheese - We meal planned together and planned on keeping each other accountable... but the best part about coaching is that not only do we get to keep each other accountable but we get to bring our challengers in on the fun and help them and coach them through the process! So first thing is first - goals for the next 21 days - my goals are to lose 7 pounds, which might seem like a big goal considering I lost 7 pounds in 8 weeks of Insanity Max:30 - but if I reach my goal it will prove that nutrition is really that important!

Okay - So I had to figure out my calories based on the 21 Day Fix Extreme Calculation.. then I saw which calorie range I fell in to.. I fell in the lowest calorie bracket - The food list for the extreme is a little stricter than the food list for the original 21 Day Fix - so here it is....


Once I saw the list, and how many of each color I could have in the day, I made my meal plan:

And then a grocery list:


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And the prep, a Valentine's Day gift - my favorite kind - healthy yummy food to prep for success, plus 18 pounds of chicken lol

Woke up extra early to workout - and look who joined me!

And now for day 1: Plyo fix was so much fun - I must admit, after coming off of Insanity Max:30, it was a slower pace - but you have to remember that adding weights changes everything! Yes, Insanity might have had me squatting longer, but a weight squat is a whole different ball game! I am so proud that my husband, Dan has decided to join my journey! His immediate after thought was "I think I am going to throw up!" I don't think he has ever done a workout like that, because in the past he has used the gym and this is totally different!! He also enjoyed his first shake! I can't wait to see how he does with the program - I think he is enjoying the fact that I am actually cooking and packing his food!!!



Day 1 Food!

Day2: Upper Fix Extreme! Loved this because of all the focus on the triceps and back/shoulders! My legs are still so sore from yesterday, and I thought "oh they will get a break" - WRONG! Autumn found a way to work my legs today too!





Bumped up my weights to 8lbs and 10 lbs - felt amazing!

Day 3: Pilates Extreme - Truth me told, not a pilates fan or a resistance band fan - but this way pretty fun! Great ab workout!!! Today was also my "break" day from the competition meal plan and I would use the extreme meal plan today - what a nice and needed change of pace - I missed my cheese and fruit!

Day 4: I've been saying this forever - "I am going to get up early and workout", but I never do! Well today I did it! Go ME! Leg day - ummm yeah - enough said, right? Love working legs because of two things. One, they are the largest muscle in your body so while working them you burn a ton of calories and working muscle helps increase calorie burn all day long. Two, my inner thighs have always been a problem area of mine - so thanks for the weighted soma squats, Autumn!



Went to the Children's Museum - all the salads were premade - with cheese! When I asked if I could have one without cheese they said NO!!! What?!! Okay, time to improvise!

Day 5: Cardio - ummm, with weights, after leg day - are you sure? I was a sweaty, sweaty mess... Very challenging to add weights to cardio! Loved the challenge, but had to decrease my weights to protect my form

Day 6: Dirty 30 Extreme - Just when you thought you were going to get a break!!! I love Dirty 30 cause it is a great "once over" of your whole body... but this was pretty intense, and left me wondering - Will my legs ever get a break? lol

Day 7 - Used today to prep and plan for a successful week ahead - I plan what time I am going to workout, my meals, and I prep  food to make the week go a little smoother and decrease temptation... you will see Thursday dinner is blank - trying to research something new! If not it will be the same old boring chicken! Yoga before bed and excited to weigh in tomorrow morning!

 

WEIGH IN: DOWN 3.6 POUNDS!!!!!

 

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21 Day Fix Extreme Chili

So its negative 5 degrees outside and I want some warm comfort food that I can enjoy in front of the fireplace! Who wouldn't? But I also have big goals and cooking, yeah totally not my thing - I love a meal I can make in a short period of time, with simple clean ingredients, that I can have leftovers, and something that can fit on my meal plan - which is currently the 21 Day Fix Extreme - Countdown to Competition Meal Plan - and here it is!

What you need:

• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1.5 lbs lean (93%) group turkey
• 1 medium chopped onion
• 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cloves of finely chopped garlic
• 1 Tbsp of chili powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 (15oz) cans of black or pinto beans - drained and rinsed
• 1 (15oz) can of all natural diced tomatoes (no sugar added)

What you need to do:

1. In a lrg saucepan over medium heat - heat oil
2. Add turkey, onion, bell pepper and garlic - cook, stirring occasionally until turkey is no longer pink
3. Add chili powder, salt and cayenne pepper - stir and heat for 1 min
4. Add beans and tomatoes (with liquid)
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low
6. Gently boil and stir occasionally for 15-20 minutes or until sauce thickens

For 21 Day Fixers:
One cup of this recipe is 1/2 green, 1 red and 1/2 yellow
Makes about 6 cups - ENJOY!

Insanity Max:30 - Results!

I just have to say, I had so much fun with this program!!! My favorite program that I have ever done to date! I loved that I could judge my progress every single workout - I judged my progress by my MaxOut time and on the strength workouts I could see progress by how much I had to modify and how many push ups I could do... Day 1 - I thought what the heck am I doing? But 8 weeks later - I feel so strong and empowered! I proved to myself I could win the battle of mind over body - when my body wanted to give up, I wouldn't let it and I kept going.

My focus coming into this challenge was to shred, tone and strengthen - MISSION COMPLETE! I am mad at myself for one thing though - my nutrition - I did not follow the meal plan and just practiced clean eating with portion control, but admitly I had one too many cheats, one too many carbs....

I am very pleased with my results - I achieved my goals and was very happy that the areas I saw the most change in are what I consider my biggest problem areas - love handles and inner thighs!

Total losses: 9 inches and 7 pounds

I am excited to take on my next challenge - my biggest challenge, hands down the nutrition.... I am looking forward to the weights though, I love moving iron :) Not sure how I will feel about weights and cardio together though haha!

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Gym Membership vs. Beachbody

Gym Membership vs.

Beachbody Programs

 

When I was in my teens and early twenties, I did what most people did - waited until the New Year's deals on gym memberships, joined the gym - went faithfully for a month, then as time went on I went less and less... Gym memberships, especially this time of year are surely tempting, or so you think! Let's break it all down, because ya'll know, I am all about saving a buck!

 

 

 

Gym Membership Costs:

• LA Fitness: $9.95 per Week, $517.40 per YEAR!!
• Fitness Works: $29 per month, $348 per YEAR!!
• Gold’s Gym: $29.99 per month (2 yr contract), $359.88 per YEAR!!
• 24 Hour Fitness: $36.99 per month, $443.88 per YEAR!! OR one year contact for full price of $299.99
• Bally Total Fitness: 2 yr contract- $479 upfront, OR $14.99 bi-weekly, $389.74 per YEAR!!

Take that price and add - gas to and from, cost of a fitness class, gym bag, personal trainer, pricey drinks sold at the gym, child care at the gym and for me the biggest price of going to the gym is MY TIME!

In the past when I used the gym, I really only took a spinning class and maybe used the occasional weights. I was unsure about how to properly train my body, I didn't learn anything about clean eating and I really didn't get results.

Beachbody:

Beachbody programs (you are only spending a ONE TIME fee): 

21 Day Fix: Retail - $60.00, Beachbody Club member - $54.00 (Two sets of weights needed)

 

Focus T25: Retail - $119.85, Beachbody Club member - $107.87 (Equipment included!)
Brazil Butt Lift: Retail - $59.85, Beachbody Club member - $53.87 (Equipment included!)
ChaLean Extreme: Retail - $89.85, Beachbody Club member - $80.87 (Equipment included!)

You can also get a bigger discount when you pair these programs with a challenge pack (which combines a program with a month supply of Shakeology). Plus I can help you get an ADDITIONAL discount off Beachbody products by becoming a preferred customer (25% off)! I can share with you how to do that!!

 

Pros of Beachbody v. Gym:

• One time cost for program that is yours forever rather than a monthly fee (Which can add up over time)
• Free personal coaches to help you stay motivated, accountable and a great resource
• No time restrictions on when you can workout
• You can workout in whatever clothes you want, you know me - I workout in my boxers
• No drive time (Especially great in less than desirable weather)
• No getting kids in and out of the car
• More likely to stick to your workout (even while on vacation, traveling, during times of stress).
• Can be done in the privacy of your own home.
• No excuses for not working out
• An online community that you can ask questions to

When I think about when I started my weight loss journey, I did consider joining a gym. But then I thought about the logistics of the gym with two little girls. Putting them in the car, driving there, getting them out, dropping them off at a gym daycare (assuming it wasn't over full and that they would take a newborn), working out - 20 minutes of cardio, 20 minutes of weights - pick the girls up, they would probably be hungry, stop and pick up lunch, spend money, in the car, drive home, out of the car... and pray I was home before Kate's nap time.. phew that was exhausting, and what about days Aubrey had school, and what about if the girls were sick, what if the weather was bad??? Plus I hate to drive... it clearly wasn't going to work... All of that would've taken an hour and a half on a good day..

So I took a leap of faith and decided to try something at home... I learned about clean eating (something a gym couldn't teach me about), I learned about portion control (gym couldn't teach me that either) and I got an amazing workout in 25 minutes from start to finish.. I can't imagine that I would've gotten those same results at the gym and I can't imagine that I would've stuck to that routine of going to the gym.

If you like the social aspect of the gym, you can tailor your workout for you. You may choose to workout with a Beachbody program, but get a gym membership for the ability to use their pools or play basketball. For those who have time constraints, a home workout program seems to be the better choice because it can worked into one’s own schedule. Individuals need to find what works best for them and their needs. If saving time and money are a primary concern, starting Beachbody programs may be a better option.

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Quinoa Broccoli Cupcakes

Warning - these are addicting! A little cheesy, a little crunchy on the edges, great flavor, protein packed, GLUTEN FREE and so simple! This recipe made 36 mini cupcakes, I froze half of them and they were great!!!

What you need:

• 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups of water
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 2 cups broccoli florets, finely diced
• 1 cup onion, finely diced
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 tsp paprika

What you need to do:

1. In a pot - combine quinoa and water... bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes - set aside to cool
2. In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, eggs, broccoli, onion, garlic, cheese and paprika.
3. Preheat over to 350 and spray mini-muffin tins with extra virgin olive oil
4. Put a large tablespoon of quinoa mixture in muffin cups.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes
6. Remove from over and let cool for 5 minutes and then gently remove them from muffin cups with a spoon.

Perfect Spaghetti Squash

I tried Spaghetti Squash years ago, but was totally grossed out by the texture - you know me and these stupid texture issues... But with the 21 Day Fix Extreme coming up and my plans to do the "Countdown to Competition Meal Plan" - I know I need to find a few more meals to pick from! So my goal is to overcome my texture issues and have spaghetti squash and eggs on my meal plan in 2 weeks! So the experimenting starts now!

So why switch out pasta for spaghetti squash? Well first and foremost, it is a low carb option in comparison to traditional spaghetti. Spaghetti squash is nutrient dense with vitamins, minerals and a cup contains about 10% of your daily recommended fiber. With only 42 calories and 10 carbs in a 1-cup serving of cooked spaghetti squash, this vegetable is a safe addition to any diet. A serving contains no fat unless you add butter or olive oil. Spaghetti squash is a great alternative to high-calorie, high-carb traditional pasta.

So what the heck do I do with this thing???

 

Cut off the stem and the other end of the squash. Carefully cut the squash in half lengthwise.

Open the squash and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.

 

 

Preheat oven to 400

Place the squash halves on a heavy baking pan

Rub extra virgin olive oil on the insides and on the outside skins

Sprinkle lightly with garlic salt and pepper.

 

 

Place the squash cut side down back on the pan and over with foil.

 

 

Bake for 35-40 minutes

 

 

Allow the squash to cool just enough so you can handle it. Scrape the squash with a fork.

Tah-Dah - NOODLES, kinda lol

 

I used these in place of noodles and made a chicken parm dish with panko chicken. IT WAS FABULOUS!!!! GREAT TASTE! NO TEXTURE ISSUE :)
Enjoy!

Clean Stuffed Shells

I love these! A high protein meal that isn't CHICKEN!!! Only problem that I had was that I couldn't find whole wheat shells... I was going to just put the filling on my plate with noodles and sauce over it, but we were having family over and I wanted to try my recipe out on them! No one ever noticed the healthy swap of cottage cheese for ricotta!

What you need:

• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 cup fat-free cottage cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp. dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3 cups canned low-sodium tomato sauce
• 1 pound of cooked jumbo shells

What you need to do:

1. Preheat over to 375.
2. Mix together cheeses, garlic powder, oregano and pepper
3. Spread a few spoonful of sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan
4. When cooked shells are cool enough to handle, fill each shell with the filling mixture and place in baking dish. When all shells are in the pan, spoon remaining tomato sauce over shells.
5. Cover pan and bake for 20 minutes

Each shell is about 50 calories... so 4 shells only 200 calories!!! ENJOY!