// high five! it's friday //

Hip! Hip! Hooray!

So much has happened this week and there's so much I'm thankful for!  Josh and I are having a weekend get-a-way to a place we've both never been before, that's practically right in our backyard..... Beaufort, SC.

Anyone have any tips on Beaufort?  What to see?  Places to eat?  Things to do?  It will be a short trip, but one much needed and well deserved.

5 FAVS for this beautiful Friday:

1. Hudson and Stella were both groomed this week.  This was LONG overdue and they both look adorable in their fresh summer cuts.

2.  Josh took me out to Santa Fe... our favorite local Mexican restaurant.  I've been wanting Mexican for a while, so it was delicious and lived up to my expectation.

3.  I started yet another fitness CHALLENGE group on Monday!  I learned that a challenger from my last group lost 7 lbs and 16.5 inches in just 30 days!  THAT, my friends, is why I am a beachbody coach.  The workouts WORK and they cannot lie... ;) HA

4.  I had a follow up appointment with my Orthodontist since I've had my braces off.  Everything looked great, so I got a good praise report.  I go back in 6 months just for another check-up.  Hallelujah.

5.  Josh and I are OFF for a weekend get-a-way.  I don't even know how I'm at work today and focused, actually getting a few things done.  Take THAT haters. 


SO, what are your favorites from the week/weekend?  What are you thankful for?

XO,

Why the Gym Isn't for me!

Josh has been begging (okay, not really begging), but has been bringing up the subject of him joining a gym the past year or two.  I've been toying around with the idea and just wasn't digging it.  After all, I am a Beachbody Coach.  I live and breathe and BELIEVE wholeheartedly in at-home workout programs.  The gym isn't necessary and something I never wanted to step foot in again.

SO- I finally agreed to getting a gym membership, if we joined a gym that had ZERO contracts and that I actually liked.  So, we joined our local YMCA.  Josh used to go when he was in High School and I went until a few years ago.

So, we got all signed up.  We took our pictures, paid our "dues" and off we went.  Well, not before I asked if there was a spot I could stream my workouts on my phone and do my at-home workout AT the gym.  They said they had a "small spot" where I could do that.  It's in the middle of the gym.  Three people were already in the corner doing their thing.

It took me 2 minutes in the gym to realize I didn't belong in there.  I got on a treadmill and then got off and told Josh I was going home to do my workout and that I would be back to get him.

A wave of emotions rolled over me and I just couldn't help it.  For some-- the gym is a place of relaxation and a time where they can release and let go.  For me, it's a place of struggle and hard times, and honestly it's a place that I just don't fit in. 

Plus, I never got my results from a gym.  I got my results from my at-home workouts with my personal trainer telling me what to do every step of the way.

I hope I find somewhere inside of me the strength to go to the gym every so often with Josh.  It's just a struggle of mine that I will have to face in the days and months to come. 

I want to ask you---- are you a gym rat OR not?  Who loves it, who hates it?!

XO,

2015 bikini bootcamp

Here I am, typing the words 'bikini bootcamp' in February.  Who am I?  What have I become?

I used to cringe at the word BIKINI and throw it in the back of my mind for as long as possible.  At least until SUMMER arrived. 

I LOVE summer.  I LOVE pools.  I LOVE the beach.  But, what I HATE(D) the most was having to put on the dreaded bathing suit.  I can't even say the words bikini, because up until a year ago I don't think I ever owned one (aside from the one I'm not even sure my Mom had for me when I was about 2 years old).

I lived in tankinis.  I didn't want a ONE PIECE, because *gasp* in High School, I didn't want to be thought of as the FAT KID (even though I was!) So, I always had different tankinis.  So unflattering, so unhappy.

I HID behind my cover-ups and only took them off to jump in the pool.  It was miserable.  No, I'm not knocking the people who wear tankinis.  I'm not knocking the people who are a little overweight.  If you're happy, I'm happy. I think that's all that matters.

So, I wasn't happy.  I was very insecure.  I so badly wanted to change. 

Here I am.  I look like a million bucks (okay, maybe only like $500,000), but I'm improving daily and I've found a program and routine that literally WORKS for me.  I don't have to fight the 5:30 gym rush to knock someone out for trying to take the last treadmill.  I don't have to worry about forgetting my workout clothes (one day when I went to the YMCA I forgot my sports bra.  So I had to do ZUMBA in my regular bra.  Talk about major BUMMER-- this is a TRUE story BTW).  So, now I workout when I want to---whether it be 5 AM or 9 PM.  I wear whatever the hell I want to.  Not up for shoes today?  That's fine!  Plus, I'm surrounded EVERYWHERE by people who encourage and support me.  Sometimes it can get annoying seeing others working out when I have ZERO interest, but then I get over myself and push play. I never regret that!

So, I'm here to invite YOU to my BIKINI BOOTCAMP group.  It starts pre-season March 2nd (it officially kicks off March 9th)!  It's a 30 day group, where you WILL see results if you stick to it like you're supposed to.  We will be doing The 21 Day Fix Original OR the Extreme and we are going to be bikini ready BY May 1st!

This group is for people who are INSECURE.  People who are UNHAPPY.  People who want to make a CHANGE.

If you're interested in joining, head over to my personal FB page HERE and send me a friend request and then PM me. 

If you're READY to order your FIX, then use the following links depending on the program:

The 21 Day Fix (original)
The 21 Day Fix Extreme

READY. SET.  LET'S DO THIS!

XO,

The 21 Day Fix Extreme

Here's Folks, tomorrow is the day! 

My 21DF Extreme arrived Friday and I am starting tomorrow, Monday February 9th and for the next 3 weeks I'll be sticking to the FIX eating plan and workouts. 

I'm going to keep things real with you. I plan on following the program to a T, but if I don't, I will be open and honest about my journey. 

I completed the original 21 Day Fix and absolutely loved my results. Even after the first week, I felt lighter, more energized and saw the lbs fall off. 

I'm expecting the Extreme program to give me even better results (and I hope to lose my muffin top and flatten my tummy for GOOD). It's my trouble area (poo!) 

Here's me holding the new FIX EXTREME Workouts. There are 7 workouts (Plyo, upper, lower, cardio, Dirty 30, Pilates and yoga).  All workouts are 30 minutes and il be eating about every 2.5-3 hours. 

Stay tuned for more updates! 

Tomorrow night I'm fixing a healthified pork roast, so I'll let you know how that turns out! 

XO,

The 21 Day Fix

Are you tired of hearing about my workout stories?  You probably just click through my newsfeed if you follow me on facebook, like "YEAH YEAH there's another one of those selfie pics".  You don't have to lie.  It's okay.  It won't hurt my feelings.

BUT-

If for some reason you aren't tired of hearing about them or if you don't have a CLUE what I'm talking about, then THIS post is FOR YOU!

I want to tell you about my FAVORITE (well ONE of my favorite) workout programs.  And, yes.  I have more than 1 program to compare it to.  I am in no way an expert at ANY workout programs or health/nutrition.  This is just an opinion of a normal person, who struggles daily with working out and proper nutrition. 

I have INSANITY, Focus T25, Les Mills Pump, Slim in 6, PiYo, Brazil Butt Lift and The 21 Day Fix.

These are all Beachbody Programs and I AM a Beachbody Coach.  I love the programs, I received amazing results with doing 1 round of INSANITY and I decided I wanted to help others by mentoring them during their journey with at-home workout programs.

So, MY favorite program...... The 21 Day Fix.

It works every.single.time.  Here are the TOP 5 Reasons why THE FIX is my favorite program.

1. It's a 3 week program and it's designed to give you results (losing up to 10 lbs in just 3 weeks).  It works, folks.  Just a week into the FIX, I always feel amazing and see lbs already dropping.

2. The workouts are only 30 minutes.  Who has time for 1 hour+ workouts EVERY DAY?!  NOT me.  I'm in and out in 1/2 hour.  Easy Peasy.

3. The workouts are almost like a circuit.  You do a set of 60 second moves twice and then you move onto something else.  When you break it down to just 60 seconds, even the hardest exercises are totally do-able.  Each workout leaves me drenched in sweat, yet by minute 5 I'm not about to DIE (like I was in Insanity)

4. The nutrition plan is SO SIMPLE.  Yes, when you first get it and you look at the itty bitty containers and when you finish your freak out sesh (thinking you can only eat 1 of each container per day), you will read the guide and figure out that you get much, much more than that.  You eat a TON throughout the day.  All non-processed foods, proteins, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, etc.  There are TONS of options as far as what food you decide to eat in each category.  Do you HATE fish, like me?  FINE, you don't have to choose fish as your protein. 

5. It's at a great price.  You can get everything you need to lose 10+ lbs in 3 weeks for $140.  WOAH, nelly!  This is $140 for just 3 weeks?  Nope.  You can do UNLIMITED rounds of The 21 Day Fix.  This isn't a one time, throw away and you're done thing.  This is something you will get to keep with you forever.

Oh---another thing I love?  The workouts are all done AT-HOME or wherever the heck you are!  If you travel, all you need to do is pack up the DVDs and hit the road.  No worrying about finding a gym or using the small hotel gym!

Please let me know if you have any questions about this program, or any of the others one's I mentioned.  It's my job to talk to others and to help others through their journeys, so I'd LOVEEEE to chat with you!

October Fitness Tips

October is MY FAVORITE month (well, one of my favorite months).

It's officially fall season, filled with pumpkins, cooler weather, football, pumpkin spice lattes, and tons of other goodies.

Also with October is Halloween.  Candy, Costumes, Craziness. 

I don't know about you, but when it comes to chocolate, I'm ALL OVER IT.

How can you resist (even if you aren't that BIG of a fan?)  It's all around you and you just HAVE to eat it!

I get stressed around the Holiday's because of my love of food, and wanting to continue to eat it, and worrying about gaining tons of unwanted lbs. 

What's a girl to do?

I'm so glad that I have my fitness accountability groups online!  They help keep me focused and sane when all I want to do is raid the pantry of all candy and watch re-runs of Halloweentown!

Because of my fitness groups and helping me SO MUCH, I am definitely having them throughout the Holidays.  JUST because we are coming up on Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas does NOT mean you should throw your health to the side! 

I believe you should do something good for yourself and start healthy habits NOW so that they will get you through the Holiday's without gaining 15 lbs!  If you start NOW and rev-up your metabolism and get in the habit of working out regularly, then you will be A-OK to have the Halloween candy, Pumpkin Pie, cheesecake, and cookies during the Holidays (all in moderation---OK, somewhat moderation!)

SO, I'm taking on 5 girls who want to join me on a 30 day journey to jump-start their clean eating and fitness program before we hit the Holidays full force!

My next group starts November 3rd!  Yes, it goes through Thanksgiving, but like I said we will get through it and be FINE!! Trust me!  You'll be glad you did it!

Comment BELOW or add me on FB and send me a message if you are interested in the online fitness accountability group!  I look forward to hearing from you!

The 3 reasons why YOU should have a Beachbody Coach!

Hey, loves!

There are so many people who are confused as to whether or not go through a Team Beachbody COACH to purchase Beachbody products OR to order on their OWN through beachbody.com's website!

I put together a short video on my 3 reasons why you SHOULD have a Beachbody Coach!

As an outsider, or someone who has never purchased or used Beachbody products, it IS confusing as to which site to go through, how to order the products, and WHY you should go with a certain one.

I hope this video helps YOU make your decision and let me know if I can help with anything!



XO,

Hip Hop Abs

As I wrote before, I said that I would go into more detail about the MANY different beachbody programs out there.  I figured I would start from the beginning and start off my series with Hip Hop Abs.

If you like to dance, need to lose weight and tone your midsection, then Hip Hop Abs is for you!  You can tighten your midsection without doing any crunches or sit-ups... who likes those anyways?

Shaun T (got to love him-- I have Insanity and Focus T25--both with Shaun T) is the creator and I heard (last night to be exact) that he shows his feminine side and is an absolute HOOT with this program!  I definitely want to try it out to see what it's all about!

The dance moves are broken into steps to learn and the moves are all set to hot music.

Hip Hop Abs is only $19.95 (plus S&H) and can be ordered by going HERE.

Here are success pictures from a male & female who have completed Hip Hop Abs!

 Have YOU completed Hip  Hop Abs?  If so, tell me how you like it! Did it work?  Was it fun?  How much weight did you lose?

 These are not personal opinions because I haven't done Hip Hop Abs. But, I do know a lot of people with this program and am only providing you with information that can help form your opinion on whether this is the best program for you!

XO,