My Top 3 Favorite Workout Gear!

Having the right workout gear can really influence how successful you are with a fitness program and/or healthy lifestyle.  Here are three of my must haves!

1. Heart Rate Monitor and Calorie Tracker Watch- This is such a motivator for me.  I have the Polar FT4.  I wear a heart rate band and watch while I workout out.  It keeps track of my heart rate, time of working out, and how many calories burned.  If I think I haven't burned enough calories then I push myself a little harder or add in a few more cardio moves to increase the count!  I have had mine for over 2 years.

The Polar FT4 is on sale at REI for $44.93.  Almost $30 off! Click on the following link to find it. Polar FT4

When it is time to upgrade,  I think I want this one!  The Polar GPS Watch M400 in White! http://www.bestbuy.com/site/polar-m400-gps-watch-white/9237132.p?id=1219406101600&skuId=9237132

2. Variety of weights- With all of the workout programs I have, weights are required at some point.  I have to have a variety because I can't do all moves with one size.    It I did, some moves would be too hard and some would be way too easy!  I use 10s and 5s most often.  I also have 15s and 3s.  I really need to invest in some 8s!  If you want even more variety in weights you can go with these... Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells. I bought them for my husband a couple Christmases ago and they are awesome!  They go from 5-52.5pounds in increments of 2.5lbs the first 25lbs. http://www.amazon.com/Bowflex-SelectTech-Adjustable-Dumbbells-Pair/dp/B001ARYU58

3. Cute workout apparel- Okay, this one isn't required but for me, having fun, cute workout clothes to wear is motivating!  I love Chin-up Apparel workout tanks because of their fun sayings.  They can be found online at http://www.chinupapparel.com/, Target, Kohls, and JCPenny.  I also like to get my workout capris/leggings and shorts at Marshall's and TJ Max.

What are your must haves for working out???

Tips for Becoming a Morning Workout Person

I used to HATE working out in the morning!!!  I mean, actually despise it!  I always felt so sluggish and like I couldn't workout as hard as I did in the afternoon.  Plus, I would have rather laid in bed a little longer.

Well...things have changed! 
 I actually look forward to getting up early and getting in my workouts.  
Here are a few reasons why:
-I like having that quiet, alone time first thing in the morning.
-It puts me in a good mood for the day.
-It gives me a burst of energy.
-I feel refreshed and more awake on my way to work.
-If I have a busy day planned, I don't have an excuse to miss it later in the day.
-It boosts my metabolism for the day.

How can you become a morning workout person?  Here are some tips that have helped me.

-Set out clothes and any equipment the night before.  This will save you time in the morning.

-Tell a friend, spouse, family member or post on social media that you are planning on working out in the morning.  This will hold you accountable!

-Go to bed earlier!  If you are going to be getting up earlier, you must go to bed at an earlier time!  Sleep is still important!

-Set your alarm clock 10-15 minutes earlier than the time you want to get up.  For me, that means setting my alarm for 4:30 a.m.! I have recently started doing this because it gives me time to lay in bed for a few minutes and relax, check my email, FB, Instagram, and the news.  For some people this might not be a good idea, because you might want to go back to sleep.  For me, it works!

-Drink a natural pre-workout like Energize.  Now this one isn't for everyone and you definitely don't have to drink this to get in a morning workout.  I have been drinking this for the last month on most days I workout, except if its a low impact like Yoga.  This specific pre-workout contains safe ingredients that are scientifically shown to help give you energy without side effects.  It is supposed to help boost energy and endurance, improve exercise performance, sharpen focus and reaction time, increase muscle power output, delay exercise-induced muscle fatigue.  I like it because it gives me a small boost of energy and helps me to feel more awake without making me jittery.  I also like that it doesn't have artificial ingredients or preservatives.  Could I workout without it, sure, but I like to have that little boost, especially for tougher workouts.  :-)  It also tastes good!  You can read more about it by clicking here:  Beachbody Performance Energize

  

Me with my cup of Energize!

 -Give it time!  Don't give up on being a morning workout person after just a couple of days.  It will take TIME for your body to adjust to getting up earlier and working out.  It took me at least a month!  But I honestly love it now (most days ;-)

If you have any tips to share about getting up early to workout, please do SHARE! :-)

How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Every year I seem to gain a few pounds during the holiday season!  I always eat more and overindulge, especially on the sweets!  During past years, my workouts dwindle to just one or two a week, because of everything going on and lack of motivation.  This year I am on a mission to avoid the holiday weight gain!  I know doing another round of the 21 Day Fix Extreme right now will help!  I did want to share some tips for avoiding the holiday weight gain...some are "no brainers" but still worth sharing!

Tips for Holiday Parties & Family Get-Togethers
1. Never go to a party hungry!
2. Snack on the veggie tray (take it easy on the ranch!)
3. Use a small plate.
3. Alcoholic Beverages: Have 1 glass or bring your own "light" version.
4. Bring your favorite healthy side dish to share.
5. Chew Gum!
6. Get your workout in early and push yourself, so you can enjoy a treat later.
7. If you are hosting a get-together or party, send the left over food home with guests.

Additional Tips:
 8. When shopping, park in the back of the parking lot and walk the extra distance.
9.  Set up a workout plan for the busy holiday season and stick to it!
10.  If you know you have a party coming up, eat extra healthy the few days before and then enjoy a few treats at the party-guilt free!
11. Finally, if you do over eat, don't beat yourself up about it.  Just get back on track the next day!

Remember that the holidays shouldn't mean that it is time to give up on an exercise routine and to not eat healthy.  It is all about balance...continue to workout out, make healthy food choices 80% of the time and then enjoy a few treats!  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

What tips would you add to the list???

My crew on Thanksgiving!

Sneak Peak into what I do as a Beachbody Coach!

This last August I signed up to be a Beachbody Coach after thinking about it for a year! I wish I would have signed up earlier! I LOVE it! I get to share about my fitness/health journey while helping others!  Plus, I get 25% off products including Shakeology and the Energize (pre-workout drink). I also earn a 25% commission- since the end of August when I started, I have earned enough to pay for my Shakeology each month and a little extra to spend for Christmas. I am just getting started and I can't wait to help more people get healthy, while holding myself accountable!

I am looking for some like-minded people who would want to join my team. I will be doing a 3 Day Sneak Peak into Coaching starting next Monday (December 7). It will be a private group on Facebook. 

Some questions that will be answered...
-Is it for me?
-What do I have to do?
-How will it help me and my family?

You do not have to...
-be a fitness or nutrition expert
-be at your ideal weight
-push product or be sales-y

If you are interested in being a coach or just want to know what the heck it is, fill out the form below and I will add you to the group!

Favorite Recipes From Last Week!

I thought I would do recap of a few of the recipes that I tried last week!  I'm always looking for new healthy meal ideas and Pinterest never fails me with new meals to try!  Here are some recipes that I tried last week:

Shrimp and Avocado Taco Salad

This was so good!  This light, healthy salad made a perfect lunch.  I would eat it for dinner too.  It was quick and easy to make!

Link to recipe: Shrimp and Avocado Taco Salad

Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta 
I love pasta and this hit the spot!  This was another quick and easy meal.  It is also 21 Day Fix approved and the author tells us that one serving (1 cup) equals  1 Yellow, 1/2 Red, 1/4 Green, 2 tsp.  My husband and daughters loved it too!  Next time, he wants me to try cilantro instead of parsley though.  He loves cilantro!

Link to recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

Pesto Chicken Caprese and Brussel Sprouts
I had been seeing many different recipes for Chicken Caprese and this one stood out to me! Chad and I loved this...it was sooooo tasty!  I loved the blend of pesto, basil, tomato, and fresh mozzerella!  Again- simple to make!  We just baked it in the oven.  Brussel Spouts- I love them!  Brussel sprouts baked in the oven with a little olive oil is one of my favorite cooked veggies.  This recipe was a little different.  It called for the brussel sprouts to be mixed with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and then topped with a little Parmesan cheese.  These again turned out excellent!  Next time I might just use a little less lemon. (The Pesto Chicken Caprese looks much prettier before you cook it!;-)

Links to the recipes:
Pesto Chicken Caprese
Garlic Lemon Parmesan Brussel Sprouts

Delicious Snack!
I'm always looking for new ideas for healthy snacks.  My usual go-tos, are veggies with hummus, almonds, fruit, hard boiled eggs, and Kind Bars (I try not to eat those too often.)  Here is what I ate for a snack multiple days last week.  It also makes a great dessert!

• pomegranate 
• plain nonfat Greek yogurt (Chobani is my favorite)
• Kind Granola- I used a little less than a 1/3 of a cup
• a little drizzle of honey on top
• If you are trying to cut back on calories- don't use too much granola or honey! ;-)
• Sometimes I add a little Wheat Germ- gives it a little nutty taste, plus it is good for you!
  

I'm looking forward to trying some more new recipes this week!  What's on your calendar for meals this week?

21 Day Fix Extreme RESULTS - Round 2!

I just completed another round of 21 Day Fix Extreme!  21 Days of portion control and 30 minutes of exercising each day.

Results:
Down 5 more pounds and 7 inches!  I'm down a total of 14 pounds and 17 inches from rounds 1 and 2!  I have always struggled with my midsection and I was able to lose another 1.5 inches around my waist!  Just goes to show how important clean eating is-in addition to getting in workouts!  I am feeling leaner and fitter than ever.  I do have to admit, that I was not 100% perfect with the eating, not even 90%, more like 85% of the time, but I followed it close enough to see some more results!  I feel so much better when I am eating healthy foods and I love how I don't feel bloated!  A lot of people ask...."are you hungry all the time?"  My response is always "surprisingly NO!"  I have never felt like I wasn't getting enough to eat.  One challenger even commented that they are eating more than they had in the past!  I also personally believe, that Shakeology has helped some, by helping to curb my appetite for unhealthy foods and satisfying my sweet tooth!  I continued drinking Shakeology everyday for breakfast, and will continue to.  I really look forward to it each morning!  I also never got bored with meal ideas, because there are so many 21 Day Fix approved meal ideas on Pinterest!   Here are my pictures- not a huge noticeable difference in pictures- but I definitely feel leaner and the measurements showed that!  I also continue to feel healthier!  The only struggle is my darn shoulder! 

Down 5lbs and 7 inches.  (Don't mind the bruise on my shoulder-result of the cortisone shot!)

While completing this round of 21 Day Fix Extreme, I hosted and was part of a supportive, challenge group online.  We had over 10 women who were doing the 21 Day Fix.  It was such a fun group to be a part of and it has been exciting to hear everyone's results.  Many have decided to do another round, which brings me to......My FIT for CHRISTMAS Challenge Group!

I plan to do one more round of 21 DFX before January.  (January, I plan to do the new HAMMER and CHISEL program that is coming out next month-looking to tone and build more muscle!)  I will be hosting another private Facebook Challenge Group starting Nov. 30 and it will end on Dec. 20.  This is great timing because it starts AFTER Thanksgiving and ends 5 days BEFORE Christmas! :-)

November and December are, in my opinion the hardest two months to make my own health a priority with everything that goes on.... family/friend parties, holiday goodies, cold, dreary weather, dark early, etc.  I am determined to not get behind on my fitness and gain the typical few pounds that I do.  I will not give in to holiday temptations ALL the time.  (Believe me- I won't avoid them all together- I will just be smart about it...and maybe make up for it with an extra workout! ;-)

So if you are interested in participating in the challenge group, keep reading!

FIT for CHRISTMAS Challenge Group Details:

For this challenge we will be doing the 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix EXTREME program, or CIZE, which are all on sale this month! (The challenge pack)-

We will work for 21 days in a private Facebook Group and support each other while we learn about health, fitness and nutrition. 

1. You workout each day.

This is a 7 day/week program and there is something to get you moving each day. It's ONLY 30 minutes a day which is my favorite part. Everyone has 30 minutes!

We are all working and starting at the same time, so we will have the support from one another as we start the process together.  Don’t be scared off by the workouts. Both programs have a wonderful modifier to assist you in intensity (which I definitely had to do the first round).

If you are newer to working out and this is your first or second challenge, then the original 21 Day Fix is your best bet. If you have already tried the 21 Day Fix then you are welcome to go for the Extreme or try CIZE (which is all dancing-I've done one of the workouts a few times and it is so FUN!)

2. You make healthy choices.

This is problem #1 for most busy challengers...even harder than finding the time to work out. The program comes with an amazing recipe book of ideas.  I have also created a Pinboard on Pinterest devoted to 21 Day Fix recipes to share and a Clean Eating board.  The idea is to get you a back in a healthy routine.

Usually everyone is super busy so the key to success is planning. This not only includes planning when you will get your 30 minutes in each day, but what you will eat for each meal.

The challenge pack comes with food containers to support clean eating and proper portion sizes. (CIZE program does too!)  We will share recipes and struggles and help find out what is working for each other. 

3. You are active in our accountability Facebook group.

This is where the magic happens. We share, hold each other accountable, check in every day, and learn from each other. In our last group we shared recipes, support, failures, successes, and so much more.

We are here to lift each other up for the duration of the challenge. We also take before and after pictures, and measurements. We want you to physically see the results that you have gained during the challenge.

This challenge requires you to buy the workout program challenge pack that we use or if you already have one of those programs, you are still welcome to join!

I promise you, it's the best thing I have done for myself in the last year!  You can even ask my husband!  He will be joining me for this round too!

I look forward to helping you reach your goals!!

*For information on how to order and get plugged into the Fit Challenge,  leave a comment on the blog, Facebook post, private message me, or send me an email at kstrodemier@yahoo.com.  You can just comment "I'm in!"  and I will send you the info!

*Feel free to share this with family members or friends who may be interested in joining this Challenge!

Thanks for reading!

~Kristin

Round 2 of 21 Day Fix Extreme: Week 1

Hey guys!  I just finished my first week of Round 2 of 21 Day Fix Extreme.  During the couple weeks between my first round and this round of the 21 DFX, my healthy eating habits slacked a little, but I continued working out 5 days a week, alternating between T25 and P90X3.  Thankfully, I didn't gain weight back, but I could definitely tell I wasn't eating as healthy as I had been by the way I felt!

The Workouts
The workouts are still tough, but getting a little easier.  I'm able to do the moves a little bit longer before taking a break!  My favorite videos are still Upper Fix and Dirty 30 (whole body workout.)  Sunday is always Yoga, and I always add in the 10 min Hard Core which is an ab workout that is included.  Plyo continues to be the toughest for me, but I am getting better!  I'm also continuing to get up at 5 am (during the work week) to workout.  These morning workouts are really growing on me. :-)  It's not always easy getting out of bed, but I feel great after the workout is finished and I don't have to try and fit it in later in the day.


The Food
Using the colored containers continues to be so much easier than counting calories!  If I happen to not have my containers, I'm getting pretty good at eye-balling the amounts.  I'm sure to use the containers when I am at home though!  Here are some of my favorite go to meals:

Tostadas

 

• Breakfast: Shakeology- with 1 tsp peanut butter or a tbsp of PP2, 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 cup water, pinch of slivered almonds, 1 scoop vanilla Shakeology, and ice.
• Lunch: turkey chili leftovers, salad with chicken, veggies, and balsamic vinaigrette, taco salad, 21 Day Fix approved tostadas
• Dinner: turkey chili, lettuce wrapped tacos, chicken fajitas, scrambled eggs with veggies, turkey bacon, and a piece of whole wheat toast.
• Snacks: fruit, veggies w/ hummus, hard boiled eggs,  Kind bars 

Challenge Group
It has been so fun completing this round of 21 Day Fix with a challenge group.  I'm leading the group, but the women who are in the group are holding me accountable too.  It has been so nice to share our struggles and successes!  Don't forget, another challenge group is starting next Monday.  There is still time to order the 21 Day Fix program.  If you have been struggling with weight, body image, or healthy eating, this is such a great way to get back on track.  It will end 3 days before Thanksgiving.  Perfect timing, right?!?!  If you choose to, you can start back up with it after Thanksgiving!  Even though "Fix" is in the title, it really isn't just a quick fix, it is a LIFESTYLE CHANGE!  Please don't hesitate to message me if you have any questions.  I am here to help you, regardless if you are purchasing something or not!

 Follow me on:
Instagram @fitnesslovinmama
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitnesslovinmama?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Email----- kstrodemier@yahoo.com

Have a great week and thanks again for reading!
~Kristin

Crock-pot Turkey Chili

While on the 21 day Fix Extreme,  Crock-pot Turkey Chili has become a staple and one of my favorites go to meals! Wednesdays are really busy for my family, because my daughter has both dance and soccer after school.  It is so nice coming home and having dinner ready. If I don't have a meal like that cooking at home, then I'm much more likely to pick some food up on the way home (which would probably be fast food).  Another bonus, is I get to have it for leftovers for lunch the next few days or leftovers for dinner if we're busy. 

Here is what I put in my crock-pot chili:

• 1lb browned ground turkey
• 28 oz Crushed tomatoes
• 15.25 oz Kidney beans
• 15 oz Black beans
• 15.5 oz Chili beans
• 10 oz Diced green tomatoes with chiles
• 1/2 onion diced
• 1 large Anaheim pepper diced
• 1/2 jalapeño diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Ground pepper
• You can top it with Greek yogurt, cheese, and/or avocado.

Chili is something that you can easily make your own. Change up what types of beans you use, add green, yellow, or red peppers, use different seasonings, add corn or even shredded carrots to sneak in some more veggies!

What is a Team Beachbody Coach and why did I sign up to be one?

In August of this year, I decided to sign up to be a Team Beachbody Coach and start a Fitness Blog.  Let me tell you a little more about my why and what exactly it means to be a Team Beachbody Coach.

(If you didn't read my very first post on this blog, you can go back and read more about my fitness journey here.)

A few years ago, I was in a place where I was not taking care of my body and health.  I was busy being a mom and teacher.  My job took a lot of my energy and my focus at home was my daughter.  I was hardly working out and not making very good food choices. That all changed in November of 2011 when I'd had enough and I started making my health a priority by eating healthier and getting in a 30 minute workout at least 4 days a week.  During my 2nd pregnancy in 2013, my weight loss got put on hold, but I got right back into working out and eating healthy shortly after she was born.  The weight came off much more quickly than my first pregnancy.  My workouts consisted of Jillian Michael's DVD's and then I continued with Team Beachbody's workout programs Focus T25, PiYo, P90X3, and most recently 21 Day Fix Extreme.

What made these programs so valuable to me is...

1. I could do them at home in a short amount of time! 

2. They were fun! 

3. They worked!

I had contemplated signing up to be a Team Beachbody Coach for over a year and finally took the plunge in August. :-)

 Here are some reasons why I signed up to be a coach (NOT in order of importance!): 

1. 25% Discount-  When you sign up to be a Team Beachbody coach you get a 25% discount on everything you order!  I plan on buying other programs in the future and am drinking the Shakeology, so even with the $15.95 monthly fee to be a coach- it saves me money! (((If you are wanting to try Shakeology, but don't want to pay full price, this is a great option!---Some people sign up to be a "coach" just to get that discount.)))

2. 25% Commission- Now that isn't a huge amount- but can provide me with a little extra income to put toward family vacations, Christmas, or necessities.

3. Motivation & Accountability for MYSELF!   By sharing my fitness journey and helping others, I feel like it is my duty to be a good example by living a healthy lifestyle! With sharing on social media (Instagram & Facebook Like Page) I am more motivated to get my workouts in and eat healthy!  Fitness and nutrition is something I have always enjoyed reading and learning about.  I even contemplated majoring in exercise science when I was in college, so this is a way to pursue that passion!

4.Helping Others: (THIS IS A HUGE FACTOR and my most important reason for becoming a coach!!!) I once struggled with my weight.  I know what it is like to feel miserable in your clothes and bad about your body.  I know what it is like to feel unhealthy and unmotivated.   I now have a strong desire to help others (especially other moms) who are in that same spot.  I want to provide the support and accountability that we need to make healthy changes!  I know that would have helped me early on in my fitness journey! 

5. Resources that Work! Team Beachbody provides me with resources to help other people! I really believe in the products (workout programs, Shakeology, etc.)  I can find out what people's goals are and recommend programs that I feel might help them to achieve those goals.  I am a product of the product (meaning I have tried many of the workout programs and Shakeology) and can share how they have helped me.)  This doesn't mean I am out to sell people a bunch of stuff, it might also just be me helping people by sharing words of advice, based on personal experience in my own fitness journey or helpful information on my blog, Instagram or Facebook.

As a Team Beachbody Coach my mission is to help others achieve their health and fitness goals, by sharing what has worked for me based on my own weight loss journey and by providing motivation and accountability.  I also partake in professional development daily, to increase my knowledge in health and fitness, so I can better help people. :-)

I started my blog "Fitness Lovin Mama"  as a way to document my fitness journey and will use it to share more about fitness and nutrition, as I learn and grow.

One of my goals is to hold a Challenge Group monthly or every couple of months.  A Challenge Group is a private group on Facebook, where I lead a group of people through  an exercise program of their choice.  It's place to share success, struggles, recipes and more.  It provides accountability and support for 21-30 days.  I start my first official Challenge Group on Monday (Oct. 19th)  with 13 wonderful women who have committed to doing the 21 Day Fix.  We are going to rock the next 21 Days!  I am so excited for the group to start!  

I am planning on starting my next Challenge Group on November 30.  It will last until Dec. 20.  It will be a great time to get back on track after Thanksgiving and will be over 5 days before the busyness of Christmas begins!   If you have any questions about what a Challenge Group is or may be interested in being a part of the next one, please private message me on Facebook or send me an email at kstrodemier@yahoo.com.  I will post more info next month.

If you are interested in becoming a coach (even just for the discount) or want to know more about it, please send me an email.

Thank you so much to all those who have been following my blog and posts as I share!  I know I've shared this before, but again you can follow me on Instagram @fitnesslovinmama and I recently started a Facebook Like Page.  You can get to my page here: Fitness Lovin Mama and Click LIKE.

Have a GREAT week!

21 Day Fix Extreme Final Results!

Those 21 days flew by!  (For those of you who are new readers, I have been completing the 21 Day Fix Extreme workout/meal plan program by Autumn Calabrese)  This last week I allowed myself a few more treats than I should have (like a couple lattes-oops!), but got all my workouts in!  I'm sure I would have had even better results if I would have stuck to the diet more strictly this last week.

Here are my final results:

Total Pounds Lost: 7.3
Total Inches Lost: 10

For 21 days, I feel like those are pretty good results!  I really enjoyed the program and am so happy I did it.  I had already been working out consistently with T25 and P90X3, but I feel like these workouts really pushed me a step farther!  The eating plan was so helpful with getting me to eat healthier and control my portion sizes.  When I started the program, I was worried I would be hungry all the time- but I wasn't!  I felt satisfied after every meal and even in between meals.  

During the 21 days, I also drank a Shakeology (nutrient packed protein shake) everyday for breakfast.  This was nice because it only counted for 1 red, unless I added stuff to it.  I was able to save my containers for other meals and have a quick and easy breakfast.  

My favorite recipe with the Vanilla Shakeology was: 

• 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 2/3 cup water, ice
• 1/2 banana
• 1 tsp of natural peanut butter
• 5 almonds.  

It was delicious!  Again, I was really skeptical of the Shakeology, but it helped me with my appetite control and satisfied my sweet tooth.  I also didn't drink coffee most days, and felt it gave me an energy boost.

My twin sister, Stephanie, also had great results with the 21 Day Fix!  She lost 10 lbs and 14.4 inches!  Way to go, Steph!  She said she is feeling so much healthier!

I feel like I am just getting started and can't wait to start a new round on October 19th!  There are 4 of us so far who are in the Fit for Fall Challenge Group on Facebook.  Please leave me a message or email me at kstrodemier@yahoo.com if you are interested in being a part of the Challenge Group or if you have any questions about 21 Day Fix or Shakeology!

**Challenge Group will include:

• Daily motivation, guidance & accountability from me
• Sharing of recipes
• Sharing of what's going well and things we are struggling with 

This month the 21 Day Challenge Pack is $20 off too!  It comes with the workouts, containers, 30 day supply of Shakeology, an insulated bag, and more extras!  I wish it would have been on sale when I bought it!!!   
You can read more about the Challenge Pack by going to:
 -www.teambeachbody.com/fitnesslovinmama
-Go to the Beachbody Challenge Tab
-Click on Challenge Packs and chose 21 Day Fix
 
Thank you for being a part of my journey!!!

 

 

21 DFX Week 2 Review

I'm still loving the 21 Day Fix Extreme workout program and eating plan!  The workouts continue to be tough- but are getting a little easier!  My favorite workouts are Upper Extreme Fix and Dirty 30 Extreme.  I have had a couple of cheats, but for the most part I have stuck with the plan!  Pinterest has been a lifesaver when it comes to trying new things to eat.  So many great 21 Day Fix Recipes.  You can't get bored!  I'm still drinking Shakeology everyday and loving it!  I really feel like it is helping me with my appetite control.  I'm not craving the unhealthy, fatty or really sweet foods.  (Okay, only every once in a while- but not often!)

I'm waiting to share my final results until the end, but I am down a couple more pounds.  More importantly, I  am feeling great!  Feeling like I am getting stronger, no bloat and no digestion issues.  I eat until I'm satisfied and do not over eat, which I tended to do, when it was something I really liked!

My twin sister, Stephanie is doing the 21 Day Fix Program.  I wanted to share her most recent post about how it is going for her: (with her permission, of course!)
     "2 weeks done on the 21 day fix! Down 8 pounds and about 11 inches total! (Including waist, hips, bust, chest, stomach, arm, calf and thigh )Honestly the workouts are still hard because I'm pushing myself a little bit more each time and I am still craving carbs! But I'm so excited to see some results! It's so motivating! My clothes are fitting better and I don't feel as uncomfortable! And I am actually starting to get excited to do my workouts!"
Steph is doing awesome and working so hard!  Proud of you sis!

**I will be doing a post in a few days about an upcoming challenge group I'm starting.  Steph and I are wanting to do another round of 21 Day Fix and would love to have more people do it with us.  The group will start in a couple of weeks- just in time to get us fit and healthy for Halloween (or at least a great start into the upcoming holiday season.)  Think about if you may be interested or have any family or friends who would want to try the 21 Day Fix too!

If you are curious about anything I have shared, please don't hesitate to email me at kstrodemier@yahoo.com or message me on Facebook.

If you want to explore the 21 Day Fix or Shakeology on your own- you can find more information, by going to www.teambeachbody.com/fitnesslovinmama.

Looking forward to hearing about Steph's results and seeing my own results at the end of the week! 

Have a great week! 

21 Day Fix Extreme Week 1 Review

Yesterday was the end of Week 1 for 21 Day Fix Extreme!  Here is my review of the program so far...

Workouts:  The workouts are all 30 minutes!  I have been getting up at 5 am...okay maybe 5:10, to get the workouts done.  I have always hated morning workouts because 1. I'd rather lay in bed a little bit longer and 2. I never feel like I can workout out very hard because of lack of energy.  I have to say I'm starting to enjoy the morning workouts!  It is still tough to get out of bed, but once I'm up and started, I feel pretty good.  It is so nice to be done with my workouts first thing in the morning, because if I wait until late afternoon or evening, it seems like things always come up or I'm busy with the girls, or I feel tired!  Plus, I think these morning workouts are giving me a boost of energy in the morning.  I no longer feel like I am going to fall asleep on my way to work! :-)

Here is a small recap of my week's workouts!

Monday-Plyo Extreme: Ugh....lots of jumps with weights!  Not my favorite- but I know it is going to help tone my legs!

Tuesday-Upper Fix Extreme:  This workout uses weights and a resistance bands.  Every move was 1 minute.  You use heavy weights for the first 30 seconds and lighter weights for the last 30 seconds.  My arms felt like jello after!

Wednesday-Pilates Extreme:  I've done Pilates with PiYo and P90X3, but man is it a lot tougher with a resistance band! 

Thursday-Lower Fix Extreme: Lunges, Squats and More!!!   Again you use weights for most moves and each move was 30 seconds.  Again, my legs were on fire!!!!

Friday- Cardio Extreme-This one involves 4 sets of 3 moves that you do twice.  They are 1 min long and you use light weights.  Again, tough workout! 

Saturday- Dirty 30 Extreme- This is a whole body workout using a set of heavy and light weights.  There are 3 rounds with 2 exercises that you repeat twice.  Each move lasts a minute.  The 10 second break in between goes way too fast! ;-)

Sunday- Yoga Extreme- This was very relaxing and I loved stretching after the weeks workouts.  There were some tough moves, but it was pretty similar to P90X3 Yoga so I was familiar with all the moves.

On Sunday, I also did 10 Min Hardcore, which was a workout for the core using weights!

Meal Plan~Container System

The number of portions I am allotted per container are as follows:

3 Green (veggies)

2 Purple (fruit)

4 Red (protein)

2 Yellow (carbs)

1 Blue (healthy fats)

1 Orange (Seeds & Dressings)

2 tsp. of oil and nut butters.

Before I started this program, I thought I would ALWAYS be hungry!  After a week on, I have found that I'm not!  There have been a couple days where I added an extra green if I was eating lettuce (lettuce and spinach have such few calories, I figured it wouldn't matter).  The containers have definitely helped me with portion sizes too!  It is definitely hard to only eat 1 blue container of food.  This is for things like cheese, almonds, avocado- and it's not a very big container!  If you follow my Instagram @fitnesslovinmama you can see many different meals that I have had following this program. :-)

Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles- recipe found at http://www.justataste.com/skinny-shrimp-scampi-zucchini-noodles-recipe/   I did make a couple of modifications (less olive oil and chicken broth instead of white wine)

Chicken Fajitas on corn tortillas

With the challenge pack I ordered, I also got Shakeology.  Shakeology is a protein shake that has all sorts of vitamins and nutrients!  I make a shake each morning for breakfast.  There are many different recipes you can make.  My favorite with the vanilla Shakeology is Snickerdoodle or Cake Batter!  Shakeology is said to help you lose weight, curb cravings, increase energy, and provide you with protein, antioxidants, phytonutrients, prebiotics, enzymes and many rare superfoods.  I have found that it definitely helps curb my cravings, especially my sweet tooth!  I also feel it has helped with energy somewhat, because I am no longer drinking my iced lattes and I feel great even without the caffeine.  I stay pretty full until my mid morning snack which is almonds and a cup of fruit.  I also have had no stomach issues or stomach aches and no bloat!!!  I'm sure eating healthy helps those things too!

I do have to go on the record and admit I cheated a little at the wedding we went to this weekend!

So far I have lost 3 lbs and feel great!  I'm excited to see what the next two weeks hold!  I will be starting a specific 21 Day Fix or 21 Day Fix Extreme Challenge Group in October or November if I have a few people interested in the program.  :-)  It is a private group where we will motivate each other through the 21 days and share recipes.  It definitely makes it easier to stick to a program when you have accountability!  Please email me if you may be interested or know someone who might be or if you have some questions about the program! kstrodemeir@yahoo.com  I strongly believe that this is a great program to kickstart healthy eating and exercise habits!!!  I love it!

You can also find out more about the program here:
21 Day Fix Essential Package:
http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/21dayfix?821744
21 Day Fix with Shakeology:
http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCP21D160?821744
 

My Why

Photo Credit: Barn Owl Photography

 

S and P- These two are my driving force!  After having my first daughter, I didn't make working out a priority.  I was a new mom and found myself overwhelmed with taking care of a baby and working full time when she was 5 months old.  I quit working out and made poor food choices.  I lacked self-esteem and energy, and did not feel healthy. 

The decision to make my health a priority changed my life.  I have gained more confidence, more energy, and I just feel good.  I also feel comfortable in my clothes- which was a huge deal to me.  I love that I am showing my sweet girls how to take care of their own health.  Even though they sometimes get in my way or try to lay on me while I am doing planks or push-ups, I LOVE that my girls join me when I am exercising or as P calls it "Mousekersizing!"

30 Minute Workouts are Enough!

When I realized that I didn't need to spend hours at a gym or lots of time on the treadmill, it seemed doable.  I started with 30 min Jillian Michael's workouts (which I loved) and then moved on to Beachbody workouts like T25, Piyo, and P90X3.  These are all about 30 minutes and I can easily (well not always easily) but usually, fit one into my day!  (FYI: PiYo does have a few workouts that are longer than 30 minutes) To be honest, there are still days where I don't feel like working out, but I can usually talk myself into doing the workout, knowing that it is only 30 minutes.

Next up...21 Day Fix Extreme and a Motivational/Challenge Group

Next, I will be starting 21 Day Fix Extreme.  I am anxious to get my eating back on track after the summer and am excited to start a new workout program!  My twin sister and mom will also be joining me with the 21 Day Fix.  I am going to start a private group on Facebook called Fall Into Fitness Challenge Group, where we can motivate each other, share struggles and triumphs, share recipes and support each other. Let me know if you would like to be a part of the group!  You can send me a message via
Email: kstrodemier@yahoo.com
Facebook or
Instagram @fitnesslovinmama
or leave a comment below!
   
You do not have to do the 21 Day Fix to join!  But if you are interested in the 21 Day Fix program or any of the others that I have mentioned (Focus T25, PiYo, P90X3) send me a message and I will send you some more information so you can learn more about it and see if it's right for you.  I can add you to the group if you already have the program too!  I never want to come across sales-y or pushy-  I just love these programs and want to share because they have really helped me!  You can be a part of this group-even if you have no interest in these programs, but just want to be a part of a fitness group.

Happy first week of school to many of my friends who are teachers and those of you with kiddos!

My Story

I remember first getting interested in fitness when I was in 7th grade.  I played basketball, volleyball and ran track.  I also remember getting my first workout video when I was in middle school that was geared towards teens and I started jogging around my neighborhood for exercise.  Staying fit through high school and college was easy, because I played basketball and volleyball and I took advantage of the awesome fitness facility at WWU.  After college, I got my first teaching job and stayed active by using workout videos and going to the gym a few days a week.  Even though I was busy and stressed with my first year of teaching, I had an upcoming wedding to keep me motivated! 

And then comes marriage...and babies! 

After getting married in 2008 my weight started to slowly go up.  I got busy with teaching and Chad and I ate out quite a bit.  I also would go long periods of time without working out.  I remember not feeling great about myself and felt sluggish...and then I became pregnant with Presley.  I enjoyed my pregnancy and pretty much ate what I wanted and didn't work out.  I gained about 35 lbs with Presley.  My sweet girl was born July 2010.  6 weeks after having Presley I tried getting back into working out.  I did Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred a few times a week.  That lasted a couple of months and I lost a few pounds.  January 2011, I went back to work full time and had no motivation or energy to workout after getting home from work.  (Little did I know that working out would give me the energy that I needed!) Instead of losing my pregnancy weight- I gained more.

The Turning Point

Fast forward to October 2011.  I was the heaviest I had ever been (outside of pregnancy).  I was about 35 pounds overweight.  I was feeling so uncomfortable in my clothes, self conscious about my body, and didn't have much energy.  I also had gone to the doctor a few times because my stomach kept hurting.  I decided then that I needed to take care of myself!  I wanted to feel good and be a good example for my girl.  I joined Weight Watchers online and started working out again using Jillian Michael's DVDs in November 2011.  I liked JM workouts because they were only about 30 minutes, but intense enough to get a good sweat on!  Weight Watchers helped me with portion control and got me eating healthier-I used the program for a few months and then switched to My Fitness Pal, which was free.  I started all of that in November 2011 and then by July 2012 I had lost 22 lbs (slow and steady :-).  I was feeling healthy and more comfortable with myself.  I had hit a plateau and still had a little more weight I wanted to lose and wanted to tone up, but then two months later I found out I was expecting little Miss Sydney!  Again, I ate pretty much whatever I wanted and didn't work out much.  I gained about 35 pounds, but this time I was determined to begin working out as soon as my body felt ready and keep it up.  After 6 weeks postpartum (July 2013), I started doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and Extreme Shred and then purchased her Body Revolution program.  This consisted of 30 minute workouts, 5 days a week.  It took me about 5 months to lose 24 lbs...and then I hit another plateau.  

The Game Changer....

In January 2014, I was introduced to T25 from Beachbody by a friend.  I was excited for a change and thrilled about 25 minute workouts!  I knew I wouldn't be able to make excuses about not being able to have time to workout.  I love this workout program and still use it a few times a week!   By Sydney's first birthday (June 2014), I had lost 32 pounds from 6 weeks postpartum.  Since then, I have purchased and completed Piyo and P90x3 from Beachbody.  I love these workout programs because most are around 30 minutes, come with multiple workout DVDs and are fun, but make you work hard!  For me, these were perfect because I didn't have the time to go to a gym and I didn't want to have to be away from my girls!  {I will go into detail in another post about each program, because they are all so different!}  These programs have helped me to break through plateaus, tone and build some muscle.

Following my Passion

After having my first child, I did not make my health a priority.  I gained weight, felt blah about myself, and lacked energy.  I couldn't be the mom or wife I wanted to be when I felt that way.  Deciding to make working out a priority has changed my life for the better.  I recently signed up to be a Beachbody Coach, so I can share my journey and help inspire others to put their health first so they can live healthy, happy lives!  I also want to hold myself accountable.  I went from being an overweight, tired mom who felt self-conscious about her body, to a mom of two who feels great and has the energy to be the best mom and wife that I can be!  This happened by just making sure I workout for 30 minutes 4-6 days a week!  Still working on making healthy food choices more consistently!  I will be starting 21 Day Fix Extreme in the next couple weeks, so that should help! 

UPDATE:  I have completed 2 rounds of 21 Day Fix Extreme and am in the middle of my third round.  Since September, when I started my first round of 21 DFX, I'm down a total of 14 pounds and 17 inches!  I am feeling leaner and fitter than ever.  You can read more about each round here:
Round 1
Round 2   


Here are some comparison pictures to show my progress the last 7 years:

(Beachbody Workout Programs completed: T25, PiYo and P90x3)

For anyone who is struggling with weight, wanting to get back into working out, or just wanting a change, I hope this blog will be an inspiration to you that it is possible to achieve your fitness and health goals!  Also, you can follow me on Instagram @fitnesslovinmama.  Thanks for reading!