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.