Unwanted gains

Today is day 10 of the 21 day fix. I often slack when it comes to food in this program but this round I have been giving it my all. Using the 21 day fitness tracker to keep track of my water, food, and workouts. Focusing on getting all of my containers and no more than allowed, and a workout in daily.

The reason I started this journey on another round of the 21 day fix is because I had gained a few pounds back. On March 5 I weighed in at 174, the lowest I have ever weighed in my adult life. On Monday, day 1 of the fix, I weighed 182. My long term goal was 165 by August 5, to mark my 1 year weight loss journey at 50 pounds gone. I was getting so close and now I have put myself 20 pounds away from it, 3 weeks out.

Not to mention, this morning I weighed in, day 10 of the fix..... And I have gained 4 pounds since day 1. Let the water works begin. How is it possible that I can be working SO hard and be getting nothing in return for it. I know the scale doesn't always tell the true numbers of who you are so I measured my waist quickly.... 1 inch GAINED around my waist.... The last 10 days have been nothing but unwanted gains for me.

I was set to get up at 6 this morning and work out.... After those numbers I crawled back in bed, where I still lay now, needing to leave in 20 minutes, discouraged and upset. On August 1 I have to look amazing in a bridesmaids dress for one of my best friends wedding. I'm excited about everything except for for the getting up in front of everyone and feeling the whispers of, "I thought she lost weight, it looks like she has gained it all back!"

After I sat all day and thought about this and what I could do, I still felt down about it. I feel like I've been thrown backwards and it will take me forever to get where I need to be. Despite this, I ate healthy all day long (besides that dark chocolate that I gave into). I couldn't bring myself to gorge and go crazy in the kitchen. I used my containers and worked out as soon as I got home. I leave for vacation on July 19 and until that morning I am going to stay off of the scale to the best of my ability. That will be day 21 of my fix and I am hoping that my inches or the scale show some progress.

This feeling that I have, it's the biggest battle in a diet. It's the biggest battle in life. We want a quick fix, fast results. I may have been at this journey for almost a year but I have to remind myself that I have changed my life for the better. My blood work came back clean, I am no longer falling into the "obese" category on the body fat scale, and I feel better. I am a new person because of this journey and my largest goal of all was to become a better version of myself.

Motivation can be hard to come by, it's not easy to get up every day and convince yourself of things. But you have to. Whether it is working out or going to work, the motivation has to be there. With motivation comes determination, enthusiasm, and compassion. To be successful in anything, these are all traits that are needed.

If you have fallen off of the wagon, like I have before (like once a week don't worry), get back on tomorrow. Eat healthy to the best of your ability, get a workout in, and focus on being positive and happy. Motivate yourself to become a new you, a better you.

Being in the dumps is a normal happening in this process. There is so much changing physically, mentally, and emotionally, we have to take time and steps to get where we need to be. Stay positive and most importantly:
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, GIVE UP!

XOXO,
Audrey

The Status of Kels

Back in August I talked Kelsey, my sister, up off the couch and to the gym with me. She moaned and groaned through every minute of the workout constantly asking, "How much longer?" We joked after this workout that this was her 'annual workout'. Today I would like to update you on the status of Kels.

August 31, 2014 - Get fit 24 gym

Kels has never been the type to head to the gym just because she can. She doesn't go on runs to release anger, she doesn't eat healthy foods. Kelsey was blessed with the fast metabolism and amazing skin that we all dream of. She can drink alcohol and eat chips, pizza, etc.. and still never gain weight.

 

Tiana was blessed with a slightly sped up metabolism but not as much as Kels. And then there was me....I was blessed with the slowest metabolism known to man until I started lifting weights.

 

After this visit to the gym Kelsey changed a few things around December, by accepting one of my clean eating challenges.

 

In the challenges the menu is made for you for 5 days. 3 large meals and 2 snacks, and they ask that you workout for 30 minutes a day. (want in one of these challenges? Message me today and let's get your journey started!!) I talked kelsey and my mom into being my trial subjects and it sparked a whole new world for Kelsey. That week I think she lost around 4-5 pounds and felt like a millon bucks.

 

Since this challenge Kelsey is a frequent flyer at the gym. I'm telling you this so you don't fall down of a heart attack if you walk past the Lenox gym and see her there. She likes to run and lift and sweat her butt off. Kelsey decided to attend our Bedford Bootcamp Tuesday and Thursday night this last week to find out what all the hype was.

 

June 16, 2015 Les Mills Combat 30

The amount of sweat was
unreal! Nike Dryfit shorts
are the real deal ;)

 On Tuesday we did a Beachbody program called "Les Mills - Combat" (only on sale for limited time and then it is GONE forever! 40% off right now. Click the link for more details!) this is a program very similar to kick boxing, but without a bag in front of you. Tiana got the pleasure of wearing the gloves. In this workout you don't even begin with a stretch, you jump right in and start punching and kicking from the very beginning. To give you an insight on how much sweat there really was, I will tell you that every time I kicked, there was sweat flying off of my legs. Oh, and not to mention the entire surface of my body being covered in sweat in the end. Holy hot!

 



June 18, 2015 - Cardio Fix

On Thursday we decided to go for a 21 day fix workout. These workouts may not seem like they can be incredibly tough because they are only 30 minutes long but believe me.... Autumn Calabrese does NOT take it easy on you at all. If you're only going to workout for 30 minutes a day, she makes sure you know you did it. Thursday before Devon's baseball game we did Cardio Fix, with two spectators (Ross & Kyle) there to watch the show. Not only was the workout hard, but the studio was probably near 90 degrees, not even factoring in the humidity. We survived and felt good about our accomplishments for the night!

 

Having people to workout with makes you push yourself that extra mile. Especially when it is your sisters. Knowing that you are all making a change for the better, and doing it together, gives you a special bond. Before every home game we will be doing these workouts and we invite the public in as well. Something you have to remind yourself is that it is summer and it is okay to go places with some sweat dripping down. Perfection is impossible during the summer heat so you might as well go looking like you worked out hard and earned the sweat. As for the smell, I would stay at least 5 feet from anyone you speak to after working out. ;)

Shakeology, C4 Performance Enhancer, and Herbalife Herbal
Tea Concentrate.

Something I have Tiana doing now, but not Kelsey, is drinking Shakeology. Many people are scared by the price of this....sit down and think of the money that you spend on yourself each month anyways. Think about how many times you would go to the ice cream shop and spend $4. If you mix Shakeology the right way, you can have the best "milk shake" that you've ever had from the comfort of your own home, and with a thousand ingredients that will change your life forever. Spend the money on Shakeology, not because I told you to, but because it's something YOU want to do for YOURSELF. I love Beachbody and I am a firm believe in it but my energy sources come from every where. When you wake up at 4:45 every day to workout, work a 9 hour shift, and go to workout more, energy is key. I use a performance enhancer that tastes like heaven, which can now be found at Walmart for $19. This stuff gives you the extra kick in the butt when you need it for a workout. Then in the mornings I drink my Herbalife peach herbal tea. This stuff is my saving grace and it's my low calorie coffee instead of indulging in 6 pumps of creamer. Second thing I do every morning is drink my Shakeology. It gives me all the nutrients I need and keeps me going all day long. Don't be the person who falls asleep on the couch every night like I used to be! Find what works for you!

If you have any questions about these things, or about fitness in general please feel free to contact me! I love to help all people. <3

XOXO,
Audrey



Destined For Greatness

Tomorrow marks an anniversary for me... Two of them actually.

Most IMPORTANTLY, Ross. The man who is my everything and life and treats me better than I could have ever wished upon a star for. I am blessed beyond belief to have been with this man for a whole entire year! I will go ahead and tell you that I am a pain in the freaking butt. I am not always easy to be around when I am going through moody periods but Ross always hugs me and tells me it will all work out. Have you ever spent much time around someone who is going through a weight loss journey? Sometimes being hungry makes you angry.

Second, tomorrow marks 7 months of being consistent with my health and nutrition!

I have lost 39 pounds in these 7 months making me a completely new person. I feel like I have a whole new perspective on life now that I have given life a new meaning. Ross showed me what it was like to be happy and health and nutrition showed me what it was like to feel good in my own skin. I have never been at a better place in life than what I am in right now.

Many of you ask me "How do you stay motivated?".... Wanna know the true answer?

Most mornings I roll out of bed sore as heck and wonder why in the world I do this to myself. I am tired all the time. My stomach is ready for me to eat breakfast like ASAP and I struggle to get out of bed. This by the way is why I am NOT a morning workout person. Kudos to those who are. After I get past the sore abs and legs.. I look in the mirror and realize how amazing I look. How I am happy to see what I am looking at and how I don't despise my own body.

I used to look in the mirror every single morning and find something that I hated. I would grab my fat and say, "If only I didn't have THIS."... Guess what guys, most of that fat is gone! I haven't quite met my goal that I set from the beginning but I know I will get there. I'm not in a hurry.

If you're wondering how in the world I stay motivated enough to be consistent with my workouts and keep doing it every single day the answer is, 21 day fix. As you can tell from my pictures I do most of my workouts from the comfort of my own home anymore. I don't have time to go to the gym and spend 2 and a half hours there so I found a way to do it all in an hour in my basement. It's all about self discipline. Self discipline is a quality that everyone should have in life so I am only improving myself.

Are the workouts easy? Nope! I usually end up laying on the floor drenched in sweat after each and every one! LOL! Need proof of that? No worries, my phone takes automatic pictures of my workout and catches me doing so.

Have you ever felt the adrenaline rush that comes from a good workout? If you haven't I encourage you to try it. Nothing makes you feel like you have accomplished more than pushing your body and mind to it's limits for 30 minutes of excruciating work.

You have to WORK for what you want. It isn't going to come to you over night and it isn't going to change by sitting on the couch.

As much as I wish just as much as you do that it worked that way, the truth is it doesn't. Ready to start a workout from the comfort of your own home? I'm ready to tell you more about any of the Beachbody programs at any time of the day. Bring on the questions!

Let's do this TOGETHER!

xoxo,
Audrey

Click HERE to Begin a New You!!

While I was stalking people on Instagram, my hobby, I ran across another girl who went on a fitness journey and read through some of her posts. I'm good at stalking so beware. ;) One of her posts was a picture of the treadmill screen and she had burned 926 calories in an hour on the treadmill. Someone posted "HOW DID YOU DO THIS!?" and she wrote, "Turn your incline up to the highest setting and walk for an hour! Turn a good show on and the time flies!"

Put the incline on high, she said...... walk for an hour, she said.. Time flies, she said......HOLY FREAKIN COW I'm pretty sure I am not going to have movement in my legs in the morning. Make that tonight. I think one just fell off tonight.. OUCH. On top of my leg falling off I sweat enough to fill up a gallon zip lock baggie, I'm sure of it. However, I felt major satisfaction when I walked out of that gym and felt like I truly gave it 100%.

Today I reached a weight that I am almost sure that I haven't seen on the scale since maybe 6th grade. I made it into the 170's and I couldn't stop smiling all day. Do you have any idea what it feels like to have small success like that? I could not wipe the smile off of my face all day because I feel like I truly have control over my own health. It's an empowering feeling!

I have to give partial credit to my 170's to my change in eating plans. It's hard to be strong in both exercise and in the kitchen. I have the exercise down and figured out but the eating was hard for me. I had all of the materials to help me make a good eating plan and help me stick to it but I was putting it off. I was making the excuse too much of "I workout, so I can eat this cookie, they counter balance". Instead I need to plan my day around planned cheats to make sure I still get the nutrients instead of my lapse of self control. Sunday I sat down and made my grocery list to last me each meal the whole week and did some meal prep once I got home. I started following the beach body 21 day fix eating plan.

I don't follow the Beachbody workout portion of the 21 day fix, I only follow the eating portion (aka I didn't pay for it through Beachbody, neither do you). The key is to workout at least 30 minutes each day because that is what the workout video would be if you used it. 30 minutes of workouts and eating healthy will pay off eventually! Most people see results within 5 days! 5 days people!

What is the 21 day fix you ask?

The 21 day fix Is accompanied with 6 color coated food groups. Green is veggies, Purple is fruits, Yellow is good carbs, Blue is healthy fats, Orange is dressings and seeds, and Red is proteins!

To begin you have to do a small math equation. You take your weight X 11. Then add 400 (for any workout you may do). Then Subtract 750.
EX: Mine is 178 X 11 + 400 - 750 = 1608





There are 4 groups which you may fall
1,200 - 1,499
1,500 - 1,799
1,800 - 2,099
2,100 - 2,300
No matter where you fall, do not be discouraged! This eating plan will give you the nutrients your body needs and help you lose the weight quicker!

Once you figure out where you fit into the groups you will then know how many foods from each colored category you are allowed per day.

From here you should make a grocery list from each category for the week. I plan 7 days in advance and make all of my meals in advance so I have no excuses. I know this sounds like a diet and may suck but it really isn't a diet. It is showing you how to have the nutrients in your diet that you really need. You will see a change within a few days of how good your body feels with the right nutrients!





The Green Container is 8 liquid ounces
The Red is 5 liquid ounces
The Purple is 8 liquid ounces (but most fruit is specified, so you won't need to measure)
The Yellow is 4 liquid ounces
The blue is 2 liquid ounces
The Orange is 1 liquid ounce
And then your teaspoon.

On top of eating correctly you should drink half of your body weight in water. For example: my body weight is 178 so I have to drink 89 oz of water each day.

If you have one bad meal or give into temptations don't throw the towel in for the day. Jen, a trainer off of the biggest loser says our minds can be a dangerous thing. We often get into the F*%k it mood when we eat one thing bad during our day. If you give into a cookie, learn from it and figure out what you were feeling when you gave in to help with next time. Don't say, "well, I already ate a cookie so now I can eat bad the rest of the day". This goes back to the 80/20 rule. Focus on each week being 80% healthy and 20% bad. If you do better than that AWESOME!

Want support and motivation? I am willing to make a Facebook group that is private for everyone to talk about their weight loss journey. From workouts, foods, struggles, successes, and good/bad days. If you are interested comment on this blog, message me on Facebook, or text me!

This week I began a new challenge myself. I have started the challenge package from Beachbody for PIYO. This is a mix between pilates and yoga and shakeology each day. I will be doing this for 90 days and keep you in on my results and progress! An important part of each persons weight loss journey is to make sure you are always challenging yourself.

A lot of people have been asking me for a workout for beginners. This is one of my favorite HIIT workouts that you can do at home with not a single piece of equipment. You can do as many as you can and push yourself a little harder each time. This will start you out slow and you can Youtube "Interval Training" workouts too to find more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhdXXqcoco0

I believe in each and every one of you and I know that you can start this new year as the old you and finish the new year as a new you. Believe in yourself and do this for yourself!

XOXO, Audrey