Photo journal & more fitness

10 months & 1 day!! of changing my life! 

PIyo/T25 hybrid = week 1 day 4

1. Vegan chocolate shakeology, peanut butter, banana, ice, & water with leftover pizza 

2. Leftover broccoli alfredo 

3. Frozen peaches 

4. Baked cheese pita, leftover broccoli & veggie burger (A ate that!), with cottage cheese & a larabar #fuelup

5. Pretzels 

Day 4 of the 5 day clean eating challenge  - um, no. #notcleaneating We're traveling tomorrow & I ate the leftovers instead of going shopping. 

Week 1, day 4 of the Piyo/T25 hybrid schedule = T25 alpha cardio & Rob joined me! He despises cardio so that was a big deal! :) 

#vegan #vegetarian #twinmom #homeschoolmom #momofthree #momofboys #pittsburgh #detroit #me #food #nogmo #wanderingfit #family #homemade #cleaneating #jeepthing #foodporn #love #zombies #breastfeeding

Photo journal & some fitness

10 months (TEN MONTHS!!!!)!! of changing my life! 

PIyo/T25 hybrid = week 1 day 3

1. Vegan chocolate shakeology, peanut butter, banana, ice, & water  

2. Lunch out: cottage cheese, colby & sunflower seeds 

3. Larabar 

4. Pizza & breadsticks #oops #notcleaneating

5. Frozen peaches  

Day 3 of the 5 day clean eating challenge  - I'm totally sucking this week in the nutrition department. 

Week 1, day 3 of the Piyo/T25 hybrid schedule = Body Beast build back & bis. What!? Body Beast/T25 hybrid? LOL 

#vegan #vegetarian #twinmom #homeschoolmom #momofthree #momofboys #pittsburgh #detroit #me #food #nogmo #wanderingfit #family #homemade #cleaneating #jeepthing #foodporn #love #zombies #breastfeeding

Photo journal, so much fitness & eating.

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

PIyo/T25 hybrid = week 1 day 2

1. Vegan chocolate shakeology, peanut butter, spinach, banana, ice, & water  

2. Trip to get pumpkins = blueberry muffin! Homemade? :-O

3. Leftover from one of the little fellas. I justified it because of the apple? lol 

4. Veggie burger bowl - rice, broccoli & 2 veggie burgers 

5. Chili & baked cheese pita 

Day 2 of the 5 day clean eating challenge  - errrr, slightly derailed. But got right back on! :)

Week 1, day 2 of the Piyo/T25 hybrid schedule = T25 Speed 1.0 AND Body Beast Legs. Wowza! 

#vegan #vegetarian #twinmom #homeschoolmom #momofthree #momofboys #pittsburgh #detroit #me #food #nogmo #wanderingfit #family #homemade #cleaneating #jeepthing #foodporn #love #zombies #breastfeeding

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! 

My review & experience of T25

Ok, I did my final T25 workout yesterday. The stretch workout. I LOVE that one!!  :) 

Now that I've fully completed the program, I wanted to share my opinion & experience with it. 

First off, I started from zero activity. I had lost some weight last year, regained it all & stopped working out entirely. So, Tania was my best friend for ALL of Alpha! My goal was to get through it & that's what I did! 

I had obstacles during the 14 weeks (I added Gamma when I was halfway through Beta). We have 3 boys, we homeschool, & we don't live near any family. So, I had to figure out how to get my workout done every single day with minimal help & little people working alongside me some days. :)

Then, my father in law suddenly passed away at the start of Beta requiring a week long trip back home (to Michigan from New York) & then we moved out of state (from New York to Pennsylvania) when I started Gamma. 

But, you know what? I finished! I don't feel like I had the results I could have but I'm so proud that I didn't give up! What would I have changed?? I would have followed the suggested eating plan! I stuck with Weight Watchers because I know it, it was something I was comfortable with & because I didn't fully trust the beach body methods. I surely do now! 

I also would have started Beta with a heavier weight! I packed in a hurry when my father in law passed away so I only brought the band that comes with the program. I'm sure some love the band! But, it wasn't for me. Then when we returned home, I used the weights I had on hand -- 3 pounders. I used those for another week before running out to buy 6 pounders -- those were perfect for me! But, I lost 2 weeks of the 5 to lower weights. Now I know though & I suggest the slightly higher weight to anyone that asks.  :) 

I'm SO glad I took the chance & spent the money to buy T25! My husband thought I was out of my mind when I told him what it cost & that I wanted to buy it. He supported me but was certain it'd be a $140 paper weight. I was quite happy to prove him (and me!) wrong though! I nailed that program & when it was nearly done, I was planning what I'd do next! There was no way I was just stopping & I wanted to try something new. Now, I'm starting the 21 day fix! I didn't get my nutrition under control like I should have during T25 but I will now! :):):)

This was taken in December 2013. Yes, I was eating! I wasn't frequently in front of the camera so it's the best I could find. 

Here's me the last day of T25 with a load of groceries for the 21 day fix, lol I'll get better pictures soon!  :) 

I DID IT!

Guess what! Guess what! I  FINISHED T25 today!!!!!!! 14 weeks! 5 of Alpha, 5 of Beta & 4 of Gamma. And the best part??? I feel like this is only the beginning for me. I have never ever ever ever felt like this about fitness! To say T25 changed my life would be an understatement! 

15 weeks ago when I confessed that I regained all the weight I lost & I was starting fresh, I never expected to be at this point today. 

And I know that saying 'if I can do it, anyone can!' is so cliche but ITS TRUE!!!! I hated working out, I was 'too busy' & figured I'd just do it all with diet like every other time. Now? I'm so excited to go pick up the 21 day fix that's waiting for me in the front office so I can start reading up on my next experience! 

I'm going to work on dates this weekend for the upcoming challenges so I can help others feel this feeling. It's unreal. 

#endthetrend #beachbody #fitnessfreak #excitement #ididit #t25 #nomorefatmom #readslikeasalespitchbutitstrueexcitement #accomplishment

My ah-ha moment.

UI've always been a huge fan of Weight Watchers. When I restarted my get healthy journey, they were my go-to program. But, combined with the T25 workout -- I was not happy with the scale! It wasn't reflecting my hard work! I decided to forget about the scale (and measurements because those were jacked up, too), focus on the fit of my clothes & my progress photos. 

Then, at week 13 (14 of recommitting - I started T25 a week later to get my nutrition on track), I decided to take a beach body 5 day clean eating challenge. I ate pretty well before I started because of the WW simple start/simply filling programs. But, I could FEEL the difference after just 5 days of 'clean' eating. I allowed myself some indulgences on the weekend after the challenge (sweets, chips, etc) & decided to stick with the 5 days of clean eating again! It makes me feel SO much better! 

I remember reading that some people stick with Weight Watchers or any other program while doing T25 because it's what they're familiar with. But, they recommend following their nutrition guideline. I rolled my eyes, certain Beach Body was just trying to sell me something else & carried on my way. Whelp, I'm now a believer! They were only selling me real results! There was nothing to buy in the nutrition guide! Now I know better .... only 14 weeks in, lol It's a good thing this is just the beginning of my journey. :)