Long overdue....

My last post was back in November and I must say that even back then my mind was NOT in the right place, although I had very good intentions. January 2013 rolled around and I decided I needed to get my act together, get my head in the right place and get with the program of getting myself seriously back into shape! No more excuses, no more effortless workouts...I needed to go head on into this and NOT give up no matter what! 

I began by doing Insanity Fast & Furious, which is a 20 minute workout with high intensity and pure insaneness. I also incorporated Jillian's Shred it with Weights kettlebell workout. I got up every morning bright and early and did these workouts...alternating them. Towards the end of January I had purchased ChaLean Extreme workout program from Beachbody and decided this was my get serious workout program. It is a 3 month program beginning with Burn phase, then Push phase and ending with the Lean phase. You're lifting 3 times a week and incorporating 2 cardio workouts, according to the program calendar. I LOVED this workout...I loved every single thing about this workout. Chalene's attitude, her enthusiasm and willingness to help you become a better and stronger person. I'd end my lifting workouts feeling pumped and felt that throughout the entire day. 

Now I've had to learn to expose my flaws...so I am going to post a couple pictures of me a month into ChaLean Extreme (CLX) and then a picture of me at the end of CLX. 

March 23, 2013, starting 2nd month of CLX

April 23, 2013 at the end of CLX

Since January 2013, I am down 17 lbs and counting. I have a goal weight set in mind, as far as when I'll achieve that...I'm leaving that open, I'd like it to be by the end of summer but I don't want to put any undo pressure on myself. The speed I am going I am very happy and content with...it is not a race it is a marathon...it is not a diet it is a lifestyle change!!!! I should note that also during CLX I was doing a couch to 5k app and I did that for 8 weeks. Slowly progressing my way up to running 3 miles. I achieved that weeks ago and I'm so thankful I did it. I LOVE running...while I may not love it while I'm doing it...I love the fact that I love it and I love how I feel after I've done it. The week of April 22nd...for the first time ever I ran 4 miles. I felt so good running that I knew I could do more than the 3 miles I had been doing. (I should note that I try to run at least 3 times a week or whenever I can fit it in after work.) Pushing yourself allows you to accomplish so much more than what your mind can even fathom. Your body can do so much more than what you allow it to. If you tell yourself you can't then it won't happen for you. BUT if you tell yourself you can then you will achieve it and you'll be on cloud 9 when you do...you'll be high fiving yourself! :) 

On April 22, I began a new workout program...I had actually started this back in October but lost the ambition. I am now revisiting it and I'm so glad I am. I am now doing Chalene Johnson's Turbo Fire. Such a great and energetic workout which leaves you pumped and dripping in sweat! I get up after 430am to do my workout videos...I HAD to make this my time to workout...attempting to do it after work was failing me miserably. Getting up early has definitely taken me out of my comfort zone, as I am not an early riser...but once I get moving in my workouts the better I feel. 

I have been using Myfitnesspal app everyday...logging all my workouts and everything I eat. My goal calorie intake is 1200 and this is so I can lose 1-2 lbs a week. That goal can be changed by how much weight you want to lose in a week's time. I feel this app has been a vital key in my journey...logging and seeing what I am eating each and everyday helps guide me to continue on the path of eating right and eating good portions. I don't go on a binge and eat whatever, I do occasionally allow myself a treat. I also have been drinking Shakeology from Beachbody...a wonderful meal replacement which is loaded with all kinds of vitamins and nutrients. I buy the regular chocolate flavor...I add almond milk, pb2 (powdered peanut butter) and a banana, occasionally I'll add blueberries and raspberries. 

On February 1st, I was invited into a 5050 Burpee challenge...doing burpees in 100 days...February 1st...I did 1, then the 2nd I did 2 and so on. Day 100 is May 11th, which is fast approaching and by that point I'll have done 5050 burpees in 100 days. Are burpees fun?? Heavens no...but I took on the challenge...I told others that I was doing it so that I made myself accountable in doing them each and everyday. It has become part of my routine. My next challenge is a 30 day squat challenge...you always need to be challenging yourself. 

I share this journey with you not to brag but to inspire you! I want to inspire and motivate people to be all they can be! In March I became a Beachbody Coach...right now the progress to build my team is slow but I know in time it will happen. I'm not doing it to make tons of money...I'm doing it to help people achieve a better, healthier lifestyle! We only get one shot at this life...we might as well make the best of it while we can! I thank God for being with me through this journey...I know it is He who is giving me the strength to do all that I am doing! I thank my husband, my boys, all my friends, and Team Sixpackstriving who are on this journey with me! You inspire me more than you will ever know!!!