Shakeology

One thing that has stayed consistent with me since I started this journey is Shakeology. It changed how I look at nutrition. At first, I just started to drink it because it was part of the accountability group I was doing. Then I started noticing the benefits. Then I became a coach. Then I started to study it. Like really study it. I don't feel necessary to knock other shakes to promote Shakeology, I know it stands alone. The creator is known as the Super Food hunter. He goes to remote parts of the world to find this amazing foods that work with our bodies. Things that are full of vitamins and minerals. Fruits and vegetables. Help HEAL us. That is why I can stand here and say it is 100% ALL NATURAL in its creation. It reduces your cravings and increases your energy. It improves your digestion and promotes overall health because the ingredients work with your body. It builds up your immune system. It helps you lose weight but also helps reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels. (clinically proven) MANY with autoimmune diseases have been healed. Each ingredient was carefully selected for how it benefits us. While I am not perfect, I do care what I put into my body because I learn more and more every day how it can affect SO many different things. Our sleep, skin, hair, how we function, moods, overall health. NUTRITION MATTERS. VERY much so. We can't ignore it. I am a constant work in progress and always will be. I still eat my junk, just not as often and am more "aware" now and see the difference of when I do and don't. SO with that said who doesn't love Tiramisu? YUMMMMY! Saw this recipe today and wanted to share. Any questions, please let me know! ENJOY! Total Time: 5 min. Prep Time: 5 min. Cooking Time: None Yield: 1 serving Ingredients: 1 cup brewed coffee, chilled 1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology 1 Tbsp. mascarpone cheese (or part-skim ricotta cheese) 1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder ½ tsp. pure rum extract ½ cup ice Preparation: 1. Place coffee, Shakeology, cheese, cocoa powder, extract, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

You have to stick to your convictions. No matter how others may view you. I get to work with some amazing coaches on a weekly zoom call and learn from them. They have wonderful ideas. I have a long way to go but I am not giving up on my purpose. It is OK to want to help others while building a business. It allows me to be a stay at home mom while earning an income as an entrepreneur. This WORKS. It is looking to build a healthier LIFESTYLE with exercise and nutrition and paying it forward in more ways than one. It is a journey with ups and downs, and sideways and cross ways and everything in between. If you want something, you gotta go for it. Work hard. Don't settle. Get back up when you fall. Have a good support system like my little buddy here. He keeps me smiling.

Day 11-14

Does life get so busy you don't know which end is up? I always say no one is busier than anyone else. We all have a lot on our plate right? I respect that. We also handle stress differently. Some, better than others. My stress level has been through the roof, I won't lie. We are trying to sell our house and have had about 80 showings. I am not sleeping which causes havoc on your body. WHAT I do know is this: When I exercise and eat right it helps! I fight and will fight some more. I learn and learn some more on how to better take care of me so I can help others take care of themselves. Right now my focus has been sharing the 21 Day Fix Extreme with you. This program just has it ALL. Nutrition guide, workouts. EVERYTHING. I have been nailing these workouts. They are awesome. You can do so much in 30 minutes. Be sore, sweat. They are very effective. Food has been harder this around BUT I am doing pretty well. (And being honest) When you don't sleep, your body and brain do crazy things. You crave certain things. I have tried VERY hard to not cave but admit I have had moments. I have also had moments where I have WON. I have an accountability group who is doing this with me and they are killing it! The support, the motivation, the friendships we are developing is such a blessing. A bunch of women from all over the place just helping each other out. That is why I write, that is why I share, that is why I want to motivate. If you read this, please leave a comment. Does it have an impact. Does it help? What would you like to see? Day 14 is in full swing. 7 more days to go. And I will do it again.

Day 10 of 21 Day Fix Extreme was a disaster. I just can't lie. I did my workout in the AM, after another night of no sleep. Then it went downhill. Insomnia can take its toll. Do you know anyone that has suffered it? I have done everything wrong and then everything right and back and forth. I just lost it. I binge ate. I cried. Then I went to bed. Not very good sleep again but a better attitude today. I need to lose my weight that has crept on during this time. I know the forward and backward. As a coach, I know it. I am a person too. SO today I killed my workout. Leg day burns. Then I did major food prep. I KNOW how do to this. I just need the right mindset. We have a crazy busy two days ahead of it so this allows no excuses. Meetings with pizza but I am taking my food. PLANNING AHEAD is key. THIS PROGRAM WORKS cause I did the regular 21 Day Fix before and loved it. Nutrition is where we make our changes.

Day 8 - now that I am beginning round 2 of the workouts, I know what to expect BUT PLYO, is still killer! I am telling you that burn is FOR REAL! Then I took a shower. =) Today was upper body and I went heavy, thanks to one of the girls in my accountability group. A bunch of us are doing the 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme and she said she went heavy, SO, I did too. That is why accountability and support HELP so much! I also talked a bit on my facebook page about exercise. I am not one that LOVES to exercise. I admit it. I do it for how I FEEL and the RESULTS. That is what keeps me going every single day. If you are stiff, you probably need to move. Exercise makes you a better mom, more productive at work. You rest better. About 10 minutes into my program I could feel that shift. Even though it is hard, I am like "ok you got me again". I am ALWAYS wanting to help people find their way with fitness and nutrition. That is my job. =)

Day 6 & & are combined. Yesterday got away from me. 3 showings and insomnia. My day began at 2:30. I could not sleep again. So did a workout at 3. Dirty 30 - probably my favorite. A little bit of everything. Started off the day great. Then we left. I did not take food. Mistake one (and I did competition prep for 3 months HELLO) and I did not take my water jug. Cannot tell you the last time that happened. Let's just say that lack of sleep (THAT MESSES EVERYTHING UP) and no water led to unhealthy choices. I ended up having pizza for dinner. I blew it. BUT I own it. I don't make excuses. Day 7 is done and nailed. Food was on, water ON. (PEOPLE WATER IS HUGE) and workout was yoga. People think yoga is too slow. I used to be that person. Then I did P90X3 and fell in love. That yoga is more challenging and shows how effective yoga is. We need to stretch. It helps build muscle and strengthens the core. I love going to hot yoga cause they do a lot more than just yoga poses but I am sticking to plan. SOOO day 7 down. 14 more to go! OH and random food tip. I am not a big veggie person. Will do raw but not cooked. I stick to spinach lettuce A LOT. Food prep is KEY. Cooking my protein NOW.

Day 5 - Today's workout was Cardio Extreme and it was painful. I am not a cardio fan, but it must be done. I HAVE to push myself to get results. Now more than ever. When I flexed, then I knew I was coming back. Aultumn also says you have to work in the kitchen. Yes, I always bring up food because ya gotta. Listen, ask my husband, want his number? I CAN PUT AWAY THE FOOD. Like gross amounts. And then what happens is my before photo on Monday. Granted I think there are other health factors but I will also not use them as an excuse. I am still accountabItle. So I have been PERFECT. All week. And down, yes 8 pounds. That is how much CRAP I had in on me. I get one carb a day today and was sick of sweet potatoes. My batch is soggy. How the heck do you make them crispy anyway? So I went crazy and had Ezekiel bread with almond butter. OH MY GOSH it tasted SOO good! It is the little things. I am going to keep going. Keep fighting. For me and for you. Cause you can do this too. Anyone can. Like really, anyone. Have a great weekend!

The past two days have been INSANE. My eyes are going to pop out of my head. I can't stop working. I don't want to stop. Yesterday I talked to a bunch of the coach's on my team to see how I could help them be better coach's. Today was making videos for future coach's. I can't help it, I love what I need but I think it is time to step away from some screens and decompress. Tonight I go to our church small group. I need a Jesus fix. I know being around them and some prayer can help me heal more. Day 4 of 21 Day Fix Extreme was legs and it was hard and awesome. When the legs are burning that is a sign it is WORKING. If you don't move you will never get anywhere. When people say they ache? They need to start moving. And drink some Shakeology! haha I am about over ground turkey but bought 4 pounds of it so need to finish it before I can move on to a different protein. I tried one of the recipes so if it is good I will share. =) I am not an expert. I was a customer who had a life change and now I just want to help. I am trying to get back me cause I kind of feel I was losing my way and I lost my abs. That was hard to take but I did it to myself. I hope you are enjoying the ride and I am able to motivate you!

Finishing Day 3. I am doing what is called the Competition Plan vs. the Extreme Plan. That means two days on of following one meal plan and then one day of the other. Like getting an extra carb and some fruit. Workout today was pilates with resistance bands. A first for me and pretty awesome. I added 15 minutes of sprints because I can. When I started Shakeology almost 3 years ago, it changed how I looked at nutrition. I started to care. I wanted to learn more about other food. I wish more people cared. There is an epidemic in the US. They say they want to lose weight but won't commit to changing their lifestyle. Or opening their eyes to clean eating. All I want to do is help people and educate them. I feel sometimes I am mocked for it. I NEVER say I am perfect or look down upon someone for what they eat. It is a personal choice. But you have to commit and stay committed. In the big scheme of life this is 21 Days. You learn SO Much. I did when I did it the first time. Then I forgot. I own it. I am doing it again because I NEED IT. So there goes my honesty again. I am hoping by sharing my journey I can motivate more people. The hard work is worth it. Just look at Instagram.... That is what I do. Those people stay dedicated day in and day out. I did it for a long time and then let go. So I am fighting my way back. I hope I can motivate you to fight as well.

Day 2 is done. I have survived another day! The workout was Upper Body and my arms were like jello. I LOVE THAT FEELING. I love lifting weights. You get stronger. That is how women have that cut look. You have to FOCUS on Nutrition as well. No way around it. This just makes it easier. Spelled out for me. I do better with a plan. Do you? Tonight's dinner was 2 greens, 1 red and 1 yellow and one "spoon". That means 1 protein, 2 vegetables, 1 carb and one spoonful of coconut oil. Each is from the list of approved foods to eat for each category. Easier than school work. I am going to my part to get healthy again!

Yesterday I began 21 Day Fix Extreme. It is Beachbody's latest workout program. 21 Day Fix was released last year. This is just kicking it up a notch. The key is learning how to eat the RIGHT foods using portion control with containers. It is easier than it sounds, trust me. You focus 21 Days following the nutrition guide and doing 30 minute workouts. I did it last year. Felt amazing. Now I am doing extreme because it is taking the workouts and making them a bit harder, and the nutrition is more dialed in. Almost like competition prep. I did one in December. Training hard for 3 months. Then something happened. What? I am still not sure. I am bipolar and lately have been suffering from SEVERE insomnia. Changes are happening to my body. Rapid weight gain, hair loss, brittle nails. I am scared but I am also doing what I can to figure it out. Some days I feel I will fall apart and others I know I need to keep fighting. Yesterday I was EXHAUSTED and in a fog. Did not want to workout BUT I made a commitment. I made a commitment to myself and a group of ladies who are doing this with me. As their coach if I expect them to do this, so I need to do it as well. So day one was completed. Eating spot on, workout done. I have to do MY PART to make myself well. So day two will wrap up later. I hope you learn something from my journey.

Healthier Honey Mustard

I love honey mustard. I would swim in it. I like condiments, period. They also have a lot of sugar and extra "Stuff" that may not be so hot for us. I found this recipe and wanted to share it with you! 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt 1 1/1 TBSP of honey, raw 1 TBSP of lemon juice (a fresh squeezed lemon would be much better, I am just trying to finish this up) 2 TBSP of yellow mustard

I am still getting used to this blog thing. You have these big hopes that all of these people will read it but you have to stay consistent if you want to create that following, correct? So, I need to do my part. For some random person that may be reading this, you do not know but I am bipolar. Lately, I have also been suffering from major insomnia which also used to be problem in the past. I thought it was under control but it has reared its ugly head again. I am also noticing changes in my body that are new. Hair loss, bloating, crazy annoying stuff. What is up with women? I had tests ran and waiting for a read on my results. #impatiently What this was causing was me not taking proper care of myself. You think a drink here or bad food there will make you feel better in the moment. It doesn't work. How am I going to truly get better if I don't do my part? I woke up with a huge realization yesterday. And a lot of tears. I became a Beachbody coach because things got real bad and this made it real good. God put this in my life so I could help others. So what I am here to tell you today is that I am tired. I don't know what is going on, BUT, I need to do my part in taking care of myself again. I went and did hot yoga today. I sweat my ass off and it felt good. I took care of myself. THINK: ONE WORKOUT and I felt so different. Can you imagine what 3 might feel like? Or 5? I started to chug my water again and did some food prep. See, I know what to do, I just wasn't doing it because I felt so bad. In hindsight, I was making myself worse. This perspective? Just from kicking my own ass. God reminds me every day of the gift I have been given, whether I want to see it or not. He reminded me today. I can get teary eyed when I workout sometimes. A friend of mine has a hashtag she uses #thereweretears. I know what she means. YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Your perspective. YOURSELF.