Fit Fab Friday: Eat Clean Day 5!

It’s Fit Fab Friday, and I’m feeling FABULOUS!

Yay for casual Fridays!!

 

It’s the 5^th day of my #eatcleanchallenge, and I’m doing pretty well; Wednesday was my toughest day because I had a business lunch, but I didn’t stray too far off track ( I had a salad with Grilled Chicken, but I did indulge in a piece of bread and a bite of flourless chocolate cake!) AND I didn’t let lunch avalanche into a full day of bad eating, which is really the key part!

I did weigh-in this morning, but I actually want to give myself one more day before recording my weight for the week, so I have 5 full days of clean eating under my belt (it will also keep me on track today so my weekend binging doesn’t start early!)

I have been doing “Staturday” measurements since starting my T25 program, so I’ll do the full weigh-in with measurements tomorrow morning, and post my results here and Instagram (follow me there @babebeforebaby!)

Most of you know by now that I’m really LOVING the T25 workouts, and I’m seeing some awesome results.

 

I’m starting a new support/accountability group for anyone who wants to do a round of T25 and is looking for motivation to stick with the program for a full 60 days.

This is one of the best workout programs I’ve ever done, honestly, and it’s really because it’s only 25 minutes…I don’t have to dread pushing play!

I think that simple fact makes it better than most…and makes it way more likely that you’ll finish the program!

 

How many workout DVDs do you own? (I have too many to count).  How long have they been collecting dust on the shelf? How many times have you bought a program with good intentions, and then stopped midway through because you just got sick of it or it got too hard? (Been there, done that!)  This support group will make sure that you get your money’s worth out of this investment.  If you buy this program, and get me as your personal coach, I will make sure you follow through! I want you to see those results! I want you to have a great “after” picture! I want to help bring you a step closer to your final goals!

So what are you waiting for? The T25 challenge pack sale ends tomorrow, don’t miss out on such an amazing deal!  

I also wanted to mention that I’m going to be running a FREE support/challenge group this September..I’m thinking either a 30 day Arm Challenge (like pushups and tricep dips for those bat wings!) or a 30 day squat challenge for those buns and thighs…which would you rather do? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Have a great weekend!

Eat Clean Challenge Day 3 Update

It’s Day 3 of my #Eatcleanchallenge and I have to say, I’m feelin’ fine!

Seriously, I’m always so amazed when I get back to being strict about my clean eating how quickly my body reacts.

I’m sleeping better, I have more energy, and I feel like I can keep up with my daily workouts instead of just go through the motions.

I’m feeling leaner, but I’ll wait until my “Staturday” update to weigh-in and measure officially (but I can tell you my pants are way too big on me today!)

My meals have been pretty boring with a lot of repetativeness this week, but I’m ok with that..I need structure Monday through Friday, so I have no issue having the same thing every day during the week.  This is what my meals have looked like:

Meal 1: Shakeology (today I did the Vanilla latte recipe, but yesterday and the day before I used mixed berries, a half a banana, and water for a change)

Meal 2: 1 hardboiled egg, ½ cup of strawberries

Meal 3: 1 Turkey Muffin (google Jamie Eason Turkey Muffin for recipe), ½ cup pineapple, garden salad with a splash of balsamic vinegar

Meal 4: Larabar, and if I need it, a cup of decaf coffee

Meal 5: This is where my variety comes into play (Dinner).  So far, we’ve done Turkey Muffins with a sweet potato and mixed veggies, baked chicken with brown rice, and tonight I’ll do leftover baked chicken from last night with whole wheat penne and veggies, all tossed with a few spices and a little EVOO.

Meal 6: If I need it..this is an extra snack to get me through the after dinner “I NEED DESSERT” issue. I had celery with natural PB Monday night, and a Shakeology shake last night.

Today will be a little bit of a challenge because I have a work lunch meeting, so I will have to be strong at the restaurant!

I'm really looking forward to my weigh I this week, I think I'm finally going to see some scale movement!!

How's it going for you? Leave a comment and let me know!

That's what it's all about

As some of you have probably realized by now, I recently signed on to be a Beachbody coach.

So what exactly does that mean? First and foremost, I want you to know, that I’m not trying to shove products down your throat or get you to buy things from me.  I initially signed on for 2 reasons: 1) I wanted the 25% discount on my products, since I’m pretty sure Shakeology is going to become part of my regular monthly expense, and 2) I’ve become really passionate about helping other people reach their health and fitness goals.

That’s it.

I don’t need to make a ton of money doing this, and you don’t NEED to buy anything to lose weight.  I’ve used Beachbody products off and on throughout my weight loss journey, including Turbo Jam, Turbo Fire, and Insanity.  Now I’m incorporating the new T25 workout by Shaun T (the same guy who is behind the Insanity workouts), and Shakeology as part of my routine to help me drop these last 20-25 pounds. 

 

 

Are these products magic? NO.  YOU have to put in the work.  YOU have to put in the sweat.  YOU have to have the willpower to turn down those cupcakes at the office. 

 

Are these great tools to help you reach your goals? Absolutely.  Will they transform your body? If you put in the work, then YES, they certainly will! 

 

I believe in these products, and use them personally, but you certainly don’t have to go that route if you don’t want to.  I don’t want this blog to turn into a place you feel turned off from because of my Coach status…actually, I’d love to use this as a way to help even more of you.  I get lots of emails each week asking for advice from people looking to lose weight; being a Coach will allow me to help people even more now that I have a whole tool belt full of workouts and nutrition plans at my disposal!  So, all that being said, I’m here to help you….I’ve been on this journey for over a year now, and have managed to drop over 50 pounds.  I’d love to help you do the same, Beachbody products or not, so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you ever want some advice or a little extra motivation (Babebeforebaby@gmail.com)! You all helped me get to this point in my journey, and now I’d just like to return the favor!   

*disclaimer: I am not a fitness professional or nutritionist, I’m just a gal who’s managed to lose some weight the good old fashioned way!

As always, thank you all for your continued awesome support, I never would have made it this far without you!

Motivation Monday: Clean Eating Challenge

Is it really Monday already?! I really do want to apologize to my loyal readers, even if it's only a few of you...my life has just been so crazy busy lately that it's hard to find time for everything!

I try to post daily on IG, so go follow me there if you don't already, you'll hear from me more often!

I missed posting about my weekly weigh-in last Friday, but that's ok because there wasn't huge progress to report.  I did go down a pound since the week before, but I know my eating is a huge part of why I'm not seeing more movement on the scale.

Last week, I ate practically every single meal away from home.  If it wasn't for my daily Shakeology, I'm not sure I would have made any progress at all! Still, one pound is better than nothing, but I'm working too hard to let my eating get in the way like this!

This week, I'm taking on a clean eating challenge.  I posted this picture on IG last night to be a guide for anyone who wants to join me:

I'll be staying away from the foods on this list, and filling up on plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean proteins, and of course my daily dose of Shakeology to keep my energy up!

I'm letting bad eating habits creep back in too much, so I went back to my meal planning doc, went grocery shopping, and did some food prep last night.  

I'm feeling motivated to see some serious change on the scale this week, so I'll keep you updated to let you know how I'm doing!

Bloggiversary

One year ago today, on a random yet fateful Wednesday in August, I made a leap of faith and decided to start this little ol’ blog here in my little corner of the internet.

I didn’t know what to expect when I did this, except that I knew I was fed up with feeling the way I was about my weight…I was depressed, disgusted, and just generally miserable in my own skin.  I figured this would be an outlet to track my journey..to maybe hold me accountable if I had someone to answer to on weigh-in day.  To put my goals down in writing so that I would be forced to reach for them.

I never, in a million years, would have thought this little blog would bring me so much happiness.

Thank you for sticking with me through this journey. 

Thank you for your encouragement when I wanted to quit. 
Thank you for not judging me on my numerous setbacks. 
I’ll even thank those that were critical of me, because it just made me want to prove you wrong.

In one year’s time, I went from barely being able to run 1 minute at a time on Labor day weekend and the start of my Couch to 5k program, to running a 5k in November, to running my first half marathon in June. 

I went from a (very tight) size 18 to a comfortable size 10. 

I saw the scale go down lower than I ever have in my adult life. 

I tried things I never would have considered in the past, like a round of Insanity. 

I killed it at Bootcamp. 

I got some serious arm muscles.

 I’m starting to see some ab definition.

 

I slowly, but surely, have learned to listen to my body.  I’m still on this journey.  I still have another 20 pounds to go to hit my goal.  But I have learned to be more comfortable in this body.  I have become damn proud of how far I’ve come.  I have begun to conquer a poor body image that has haunted me my entire life.  And I have you all to thank for this.  I was genuinely terrified to start this blog.  To have people I know in “real life” stumble upon it and know how much I weighed, or see some awful and embarrassing photos of me.  I didn’t even tell my husband I was doing this until about 6 months in!  I’m still not entirely comfortable, but part of me loves telling people that I’ve lost over 50 pounds.  The crazy thing is, a lot of people don’t believe me, so I end up pulling up one of my before/after(during) shots to prove it. 

It IS hard work.  Staying motivated.  Staying determined.  But you know what? It’s worth it. 

I lose my way sometimes, but this blog always helps me to get back on track, more so than I would if I were on my own.

YOU are my support group.

YOU are my motivation. 
YOU are my inspiration.

I love getting comments and emails from you all, it seriously makes my day/week/month/YEAR!

I want to return the favor to you all;  I want to support you just as much as you support me, so if you have a blog please leave me a comment so I can follow you too, and if you don’t have a blog, there’s still something to be said about writing out your goals.  I’m considering starting a private Facebook Support group for those that have weight to lose and want some personal support, so leave me a comment or shoot me an email, I’d really love to help if I have enough interest!  (babebeforebaby@gmail.com)

So enough of the mushy talk already, but THANK YOU for an amazing year, and here’s to an even better next year!

Summer Vacation Photo Dump

I'm baaackkk!
Sorry for the lack of posting last week, but I was on vacation and didn't want to spend any time in front of a computer!
I had a blast this past week, even though we didn't really do anything too extravagant.
We went to an amusement park, went tubing down a local river, and saw the Conjuring the first few days.

Waiting in line for the biggest roller coaster in the park!

I love eating breakfast out...Belgium waffle and fresh strawberries!

 

On Wednesday, we headed up to New Hampshire, where my family has a small house right on a small lake...perfect for a (free) and relaxing long weekend, especially because there's not much to do with no cell phone or internet service!

 

 

So...seeing as how this is a health and fitness blog...I have to admit that my eating was not exactly healthy this week.. I drank too much alcohol, I ate too much crap, and I've had a headache for 2 straight days as a result.

 

Enchiladas!

Yeah I may have drank that whole bottle myself....

S'mores anyone??

Sweaty Betty beer seemed appropriate...

No this Margarita wasn't skinny...but it WAS delicious!

What? You don't make your Sangaria in a Coffee pitcher??

 

So I could sit here and beat myself up about how badly I misbehaved...or I could focus on the fact that for the first time EVER I worked out each and every day of my vacation.  This alone is a huge victory for me.  I have to admit that I didn't get any running in because we did a lot of hiking, but knowing that I only had a 25 minute workout to get through with T25 made it a lot easier to push play every morning (even if I was slightly hungover!)  So I'm going to focus on the positives from this week, and be happy that I had a great time spending some quality time with my husband.  I have some work to do this week to get my diet back in check, but I know what I need to do to fix it, so I'm not too worried. 

My goals this week are to be ON POINT with my diet..  Counting calories every day, no going over my daily limit, and no eating back exercise calories.  I will focus on my water intake too, since I know I'm retaining a bit after this week of indulgence! 

So what's your plan to get back on track tomorrow??