Body Beast - family edition!

We had a family workout tonight. Beast UP!! #fitfamily #BOOM 

Piyo, week 4 day 7

Week 4 day 7 of Piyo = Sweat! I'm liking that one more & more each time I do it! :)

Robs doing week 1 day 4 of Body Beast right now = shoulders!  Poor guy said ok, let's hit the only muscles that aren't sore on my body! lol I'm excited for him to continue so he can feel how strong he gets when he repeats a workout. :):):)

Double bonus to him working out? My workout space is shaping up! I have barely been able to hear my workouts on the laptop & he attached speakers. Now, I can have the fan on high (instead of low!) & still hear! Yeah baby! :)

#fitfamily

Proud wife brag: Body Beast

I'm so proud of Rob!!!! He started Body Beast tonight! I'm really excited to see his progress as he gets even stronger! 

He's so sore after day 1, LOL 

Left is him before 3 day refresh!

Right is him 2 weeks (ish) later! 

The right was taken tonight as his 'before' for BB but it shows his 13 pound loss on the refresh wasn't just temporary. :):):):)

And, here's the little fellas sitting out front waiting patiently for Daddy to get home tonight. They knew he was starting body beast & they all wanted in on that action! :):):)

Piyo day 12 -- travelers edition

A's cool as a cucumber doing Piyo Sweat with me. 

While I'm trapped on the floor screaming for help! LOL 

I'm really feeling the bad food choices from yesterday! Sloppy workout but I'm so glad it's done! 

Now, we're off to buy a much needed new vehicle today! Wish us luck, we're really good at bad choices. ;)

Tough man.

We had another play date this morning AND Rob forgot his lunch again today! So, my workout didn't get done first thing. 

It's already 3PM, Rob just finished up the 3 day refresh so I asked him if he'd like me to wait & he can join me. He does! 

So, I asked O (6) if he's going to workout with us. His response? Maybe if you were doing Body Beast but I think I need something harder than even that. :-O Schooled by the tough man, lol 

Day 1 of the 3 Day Refresh -- husband approved

Rob started the 3 Day Refresh today! 

He weighed in before leaving for work at 229.8! He was shocked. But, he's been in 'beast up' mode since we received the program in the mail sooooooo..... lol 

Here's what I packed him for work today: 

Vanilla shakeology, vanilla fresh, fiber sweep, carrots, hummus, banana, & cucumbers with apple cider & olive oil. 

He said he felt great all day! Not hungry, no pooping (tmi but seriously, you know you thought it too when you heard 'fiber sweep', lol!). 

He stepped on the scale when he got home from work for the hell of it & was down 6 pounds! WHAT!? I can't wait to see his results by day 3! 

He did get a bit testy when he was late for dinner. But, we remedied that pretty quickly with refresh veggie stir-fry. 

I forgot to take a picture of the actual dinner I made but, here's the recipe: 

He had this plus another vanilla fresh shake. 

Afterward, he asked if he was done eating for the day because he was feeling snacky. But, he just drank water (we don't have tea). It didn't help that I made cabbage for myself for dinner -- one of his favorites! So, we'll be having it again Thursday when he's done with the program. :) 

Here's day 2 prepped for tomorrow: 

Vanilla shakeology, vanilla fresh, fiber sweep, banana, celery, hummus, & tomatoes with apple cider vinegar & olive oil. 

This is seriously more than he ever eats at work so I'm hoping it continues as well through day 3. :) 

Prep day!

I just finished prepping a TON of veggies & fruit for the week. I'm SO excited to have this done!!!! 

I managed to accomplish this with leftover pizza in the kitchen WITHOUT eating any. That's kind of a big deal! 

#commitment #cleaneating #igotthis

Photo journal, Piyo day 6

6 months, 3 weeks, 4 days of changing my life!

Day 6 of 60 -- PIYO

1. Post workout shakeology: vegan chocolate, frozen mango & water

2. Went grocery shopping hungry!! Grabbed a vegan general tso from #wholefoods

3. Bell peppers (I ate 3 servings worth!)

4. Vegan tropical strawberry, banana, unsweetened almond milk, & ice

5. #badchoices pizza! 2 pieces. 2 breadsticks. And, salad with a bit of ranch  

Why do I do so poorly on shopping days? I need to get better at planning! (she says for the 500th time, lol) #excuses #NOexcuses

Day 6 = define: lower body! Such a great way to start my day. :)

DOWN 6 inches in the first week! I desperately needed to get back on track. #progress

#vegan #vegetarian #twinmom #homeschoolmom #momofboys #momofthree #pittsburgh #movingchaos #relocation #breastfeeding #me #food #commitment #progress #organic #nogmo #wanderingfit #family #homemade #michigan #gardening #selflove #trust #cleaneating

Photo journal, Piyo day 5

6 months, 3 weeks, 4 days of changing my life!

Day 5 of 60 -- PIYO

1. Vegan chocolate shakeology with banana, plain yogurt with vanilla extract & Ezekiel cinnamon raisin toast with peanut butter & banana #biblebread

2. Celery & carrots with peanut butter. And baby hands, lol They nabbed a lot of my food today! No complaints, they need more veggies too. :) 

3. Cottage cheese 

4. Leftover vanilla shakeology with banana & water. We let O try it (new flavor or rob this month) & choose the recipe. Waaaaay too much liquid for one cup, lol 

5. Dinner out: salad with ranch 

6. Dinner out: broccoli & cheese soup 

7. Dinner out: veggie burger with grilled peppers, lettuce, tomato & pepper jack cheese 

8. Dinner out: zucchini fries 

My mother in law is in town so we took her out for dinner tonight. My choices weren't too bad! No french fries or ice cream. I'm happy with that. :)

Day 5 = rest day! Sort of, lol 8 trips up & down the stairs with groceries to unload & reload the refrigerators. 

#vegan #vegetarian #twinmom #homeschoolmom #momofboys #momofthree #pittsburgh #movingchaos #relocation #breastfeeding #me #food #commitment #progress #organic #nogmo #wanderingfit #family #homemade #michigan #gardening #selflove #trust

Piyo day 5

Piyo Day 5 = REST DAY!! Much appreciated rest day, lol (If you hear Pilates/yoga & think it's not a 'real' workout..... try this program.  

I was planning to use this day to shop & prep! But then I remembered, we're getting a new refrigerator today. So, it didn't make much sense to unload the big fridge into the little garage fridge & then fill it up with new groceries! 

So, I prepped the veggies we had on hand. I'm glad that's done! 

And seriously, rest day my butt. I had to unload the old refrigerator into the beer fridge in the garage. 4 trips up & down the stairs just for that plus when we've needed something. Oh my! lol Leg day?? lol 

And, this arrived today! Yay for an awesome team that sends supportive goodies! I love my team. :)

It just so happened to arrive on the same day as robs new shakeology flavor. Vanilla! I had tried it in the past & was not a fan! Of course, that comes down to my weird problem -- I ALWAYS screw up my first shake in a new flavor & it tastes horrible! One sample doesn't work for me, at all. lol 

Immediately after I took the above picture, I lost my new Team Infinity bracelet to the 6 year old! He felt so strong, he went & started lifting as he spun in circles telling me to take pictures. lol

I love the influence this choice has on him. :) 

Piyo day 4

6 months, 3 weeks, 3 days of changing my life!

Day 4 of 60 -- PIYO

1. Post workout shakeology in the garden: vegan chocolate, frozen mango, & water 

2. Yogurt with vanilla extract & peanut butter 

3. Sautéed broccoli & spinach with a veggie burger & cottage chess

3. Errrrrr, the one below #1, lol. Ezekiel cinnamon raisin toast with peanut butter & cinnamon. And carrots.  

4. How'd that her there!? Veggie egg roll! That counts as a secondary veggie & a primary, right??? ;) 

5. Cheese, I just had 1 piece. It didn't taste great. 

6. More toast. 

7. Frozen peaches 

8. More yogurt with banana added 

Failure to plan is a plan to fail. My mother in law is in town for a short visit so I'm hoping to hit the grocery store solo in the morning! These snack meals as I go are dangerous. I still feel like I'm doing ok but I could be doing better!! 

Day 4 = Sweat! Oh yeah! That's what I'm talkin' about. :) 

#vegan #vegetarian #twinmom #homeschoolmom #momofboys #momofthree #pittsburgh #movingchaos #relocation #breastfeeding #me #food #commitment #progress #organic #nogmo #wanderingfit #family #homemade #michigan #gardening #selflove #trust

Piyo day 4!

Piyo day 4 = SWEAT! Wowza. lol that was a great workout! She fooled me with those short & simple 3 leading up to this one, lol 

And, this is what 2 of my 3 monkeys did while I did Sweat! ;) 

Now, I am off to hunt down reasonably priced fence for a fun DIY project. We had Lowe's come out for a quote & I'll get a new vehicle (which I desperately need) before we pay that much ($24,000!). The work part is going to SUCK but the cost savings will be worth it. I hope. :-O lol 

Photo journal, Piyo day 3

6 months, 3 weeks, 2 days of changing my life!

Day 3 of 60 -- PIYO

1. Post workout shakeology: vegan chocolate, frozen mango, & water. Plain yogurt with peanut butter & vanilla extract. Plus the culprit behind my embarrassing outing today: sautéed broccoli. lol

2. Another shake, I hadn't eaten ALL day!!! Vegan chocolate again with banana & water  

3. Spinach & 2 eggs (more like 1, Ev chowed with me)

4. Plain yogurt with vanilla extract & peanut butter 

5. Celery with peanut butter 

6. Cucumber slices, frozen peaches, Ezekiel cinnamon raisin toast with peanut butter. 

I had WAY too much peanut butter today!! But, better than the other garbage I avoided. I'm ok with it. :)

Short 2 veggies again! I need a REAL shopping trip & to plan better. 

Day 3 = define: upper body. It's such a relaxing workout but effective! My rear is sore tonight..... lol Only 18 minutes, too! Love. 

#vegan #vegetarian #twinmom #homeschoolmom #momofboys #momofthree #pittsburgh #movingchaos #relocation #breastfeeding #me #food  #commitment #progress #organic #nogmo #wanderingfit #family #homemade #michigan #gardening #selflove #trust

Photo journal, Piyo day 2

6 months, 3 weeks, 1 day of changing my life!

Day 2 of 60 -- PIYO

1. Post workout shakeology: vegan chocolate, frozen mango, & water 

2. Poo-poo platter: 3 servings broccoli & 2 hard boiled eggs #gassy

3. Cottage cheese & Ezekiel cinnamon raisin toast with peanut butter 

4. Vegan chocolate shakeology, frozen banana, & water 

5. Veggie sausage with bell pepper

6. Plain yogurt with vanilla extract & peanut butter, frozen peaches 

Short 2 veggies & a secondary veggie -- must. shop. 

Day 2 = define: lower. Loved it! Very short workout. But, I'm feeling my non flexibility in my hips tonight!  

#vegan #vegetarian #twinmom #homeschoolmom #momofboys #momofthree #pittsburgh #movingchaos #relocation #breastfeeding #me #food #commitment #progress #organic #nogmo #wanderingfit #family #homemade #michigan #gardening #selflove

3 day refresh!!!!!!!!!

Oooooooh, look what arrived yesterday! This is going to give Rob a much needed system reboot after the last month or so of garbage eating & drinking! He's going to be ready to rock Body Beast next week! 

Excuse the little helpers hands, lol They all want to try anything new that arrives. 

He's going to start it Friday because he sadly has to go to Michigan for a funeral. His oldest friend lost his father this week. So, he's not even going to try while he's gone & helping his friend deal with his loss. 

We all start somewhere.

My awesome coach posted this in our challenge group this morning & it REALLY hit home for me. 

Copy & paste: "When we think of dancers, what comes to mind? Beauty, Grace and perfection right? What we don't see is the scars from the hardwork that's involved to get there.

This is true in so many circumstances. For instance, I often see a picture of a super fit person and beneath it will be a lot of comments of how it must be photoshopped or she is blessed or just plain disbelief. Yes there are often many positive comments but how can someone judge without knowing the facts. That what that picture doesn't show is the hard work, the 5am workouts, the saying "no thank you, I'm all set" a lot.

In fitness, I try to not judge bc I don't know what scars and bruises the person in front of me hides from the world. We all have them; they are part of our makeup of who we are.
There's a reason we have them though and usually that reason is for good. For instance, I know that all the struggles I had growing up with unhealthy eating habits and body image make me a better coach; I know how hard it is to be an emotional eater. I get it!

I used to hide my story and my struggles, because I didn't want people to think less of me. But, now I share it openly and I encourage you to share yours because you never know who will read it and have something click or be inspired to change!

Try not to focus on the picture on the right - the end product- but rather on the journey. YEP. It will include lots of bruises and cuts- BUT- it will be well worth it. Don't focus on the outcome but rather enjoy the journey."

End copy & paste. 

So, the reason the above hit home so hard is because I shared this picture on my fb page last night. It's me in the dress I bought yesterday with the goal of wearing it in September to Super Saturday. I received a lot of likes & comments about how great it looks & that I should wear it now. 

Well, I also took these but didn't DARE share them!! They're my 'goodbye' (or before) pictures that I took for the start of Piyo. This is what no one else can see under that dress. 

I have come a LONG way! I've carried 3 babies to full term. I was on 3 plus months strict bedrest with the twins. I KNOW I've come a long way! 

But, that doesn't change wanting to keep my still pregnant looking belly hidden away. 

I'm part of a private Piyo support group & all of the women in there have been brave enough to share their goodbye pictures. And they've inspired me to do the same. We all start somewhere! This is me after 6+ months worth of hard work. I am a work in progress & I'm still plugging along. :) 

I WILL wear that dress without a soul wondering if I'm pregnant. I'm determined, committed & ready to do the hard work!