October Specials are ending soon!

October specials are ending soon!  I just wanted to give a breakdown of what each of the challenge packs include.  I'm such a visual person so I'm trying to add lots of pictures! :)

First up P90:

THE Tony Horton calls it the "on switch" to fitness.  If you are needing a jump start to your fitness journey or want to start but don't know where to begin I totally recommend this program.  My husband and I have done all of the P90X workouts and have not been disappointed.  I personally haven't done it because it is still so new but I've been hearing great things from the test groups.

Also, for each one purchased, Beachbody is donating $5 to the Wounded Warrior project in honor of Tony's Dad who recently passed away.  

click here to learn more:  

(Sorry these pictures are so LONG but I really wanted you to see what all is included and these were the best ones that I could find that showcased everything.)  

Next up:  COMBAT!  

Seriously one of my favorite workouts of all time.  I can't even explain the power I feel as I punch and kick my way through it.  And you get the gloves free too!  Bonus because if you ask me the gloves are like magic and make you feel like a fighter.  They instantly put me in the mood.

click here to learn more

And last but not least, Les Mills Pump. 

 I'm sure you've heard of this workout at your local gym or YMCA.  I choose to workout at home to save me time and workout whenever it fits into my schedule so getting to have this program available to me at home is the best!  Seriously, the weights alone at a sports store would cost an arm and a leg so to get them and the personalized workouts in one is perfect for me. 

click here to learn more

Click below to see a 15 second video of me doing Pump!

Did you see the weights included?  Just wanted to make sure :)

So there you have it.  Remember, the special pricing goes away at the end of the month.  Please don't hesitate to email me with any questions about the programs.  It's what I love to do!

All the best,

Kristen.  

The Beachbody 21 day Ultimate Reset

Wow I took a long bloggy break, didn't I?  We are in full summer mode here but Hubby and I just finished the 21 day Beachbody Ultimate Reset and I wanted to tell you about it.  It's a 21 day gentle cleanse to rid the body of toxins and learn to eat cleaner.  Complete with daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner plans.  The program comes with all of the supplements you need along with a participant portal to keep you on track and motivated to finish.

• I love roasted beets.  And the kids do too!
• I CAN drink lots of water.  This was honestly the scariest part for me.  I got used to all of the extra potty trips quickly. I've never been a huge drinker of water but now I'm converted.   This little smily face on my water bottle might have had something to do with it:

• Before the reset I hated eating fruit in the morning.  It kind of interfered with my coffee drinking.  Sort of messed up, huh?  Most of the mornings we were assigned a fresh fruit plate for breakfast and I can't get enough now. 

{yummy looking, huh?)

• I missed my morning coffee but I didn't die.  James found me some fake coffee to drink which leads me to believe that my morning coffee was more of a comforting ritual than the need for caffeine.  I'm drinking a cup of real coffee right now and it's not like the heavens opened up or anything when I finally got to have that first sip.    
• I will forever eat toasted walnuts in my oatmeal.
• I will forever eat toasted nuts/seeds in my salads.
• We have decided we don't need meat at every meal!  Don't worry we haven't become vegetarian or vegan.
• James lost 9 pounds and I lost 4.  I have to say that the Ultimate Reset is NOT a weight loss program or starvation diet. When you look at the meals in the guide it sort of looks that way but once you get into a groove of eating super clean, you actually eat less and feel more full.  I honestly didn't believe that until I experienced it.  People have lost a lot of weight but that's simply because they have cleaned up  their eating habits for the better and it shows for them in weight loss.  We weren't in this to lose weight (don't hate me) so when we started getting too low and losing energy we upped our food intake.  We added oatmeal in the morning along with the fruit and I started adding eggs and small amounts of protein the last few days.  

{I know these are the worst pictures of me ever!}

• I didn't miss working out much until my PMS kicked in and I realized that working out is like therapy to me.  (They advise you not to work out while doing the program because you are taking in less calories than usual.) 

• But mainly I learned that diet is essential to getting the body that you want.  Not just exercise!  Don't get me wrong, I'm not out for perfection and rock hard abs.  I'm a 38 year old mom with other issues to deal with.  But when I see people pinning the next new 10 minute rock hard ab workout along side the best chocolate cake recipe ever, I'm not expecting them to see the changes that they want to see. I know it sounds harsh but it's no coincidence I caught myself thinking time and time again during the reset, "this is how they do it"!  All of the trainers that I see on a daily basis while working out with my dvd's at home.  They do a super clean healthy meal plan along with exercise!  And at the risk of sounding like a commercial, Beachbody has it for you.  Not only for them, but for YOU, too!  Exercise plans and meal plans to get you on your way to not just a better looking body, but one that works more efficiently to give you a more enjoyable life. 

Sorry, I'm stepping away from the microphone now.....

Anyway, So why did we do this?  

Honestly, we have been working out hard for two years straight.  Going from one program to the next without a long rest.  We thought this would be a good way to give our bodies the rest that was needed.  Well, we rested our muscles but don't be fooled about the rest part.  It was hard work to eat so clean all of the time.  More shopping trips, more chopping, more planning.....But it was all worth it to take away the small things from this program that, when put together, add up to a big change for us.  Also, since we know that Beachbody doesn't do anything less than awesome, we wanted to be able to personally recommend this product to others that are needing a big change in their diet.  

All in all, James and I are glad that we did it.  It was another challenge to conquer together.  If you have any questions at all about the reset, or making healthier choices in your life, just email me!  I'm only a click away.

Spartan Race 2012

I did it!  I survived the Spartan Race.  Before the race,  I envisioned myself (literally from being awake in the middle of the night thinking about it) that I would get to each obtacle and try and fail and then do a thousand burpees for punishment.  Hubby kept saying to me not to worry and that I would be telling myself "that was no big deal" afterwards.  Not so much because it was hard.  But can I just say, I'm so proud of myself?!  On two occasions, the monkey bars and "spider man wall", I started and finished on my own! With no help from hubby.  Both times almost falling off but sticking to it with the mentality of I will make it through.  What an awesome feeling!   The times that I did need hubby's help were just as cool.  We are a team and I loved having him by my side encouraging and supporting me.

{I'm in the purple about to step on hubby's shoulder}

The kids did their own races and I am one proud mommy.  Pops and Grandma were there to watch and support them since their races went on at the same time as ours.  Their courage and bravery to do it on their own amaze me.  J-man's race was a mile and Roo's was a 1/2 mile.  Both weren't too sure about doing it but they blazed through and had a great time.

That's my son going around the mud pit because he didn't want to get too dirty!

Roo is in the pink shorts and white shirt.  Look at that face! The poor girl in front of her was fine.

 Roo said her favorite part was walking through the mud.

When their races were over they camped out by the last few obstacles and waited for us.  It was not awesome that when they finally saw us, they witnessed me throwing a spear like an absolute girl and then freak out and be a scaredy cat about jumping over the fire.  But I redeemed myself rope climbing over the wall and then rolling through way too much mud under way too much barbed wire.

Woo Hoo is how I felt too!

I just have to say that I could not have done this race without the help of Beachbody programs.  All of the programs I have done have led me to this point.  The most fit I have ever been in my life and I'm pushing 40.  Thank you P90X, Insanity, Chalean Extreme, Turbofire, and Les Mills Pump!  If you have any questions about any of these programs I would love to help!   I can even be your coach through it all.  Wouldn't that be fun?  Just click on the "Connect/email-me" button on the right hand sidebar and I will get right back with you!

random

The end of the school year is upon us and the days get busier and busier around here.  I've been on two field trips within two weeks and soccer is in full swing.  Throw in a quick trip for Easter and I'm lucky to have socks clean for the clan.  Anyway, here is what I've been up to!

Easter:

Food:

We (or I should say he) has made 4 recipes from this website in the last week and they were delicious!  Go and check this website out.  

Organization:  

I finally finished my personal binder!  I've been jealous over Erin's for so long.  It's really helpful to have a place for all of the thoughts swirling around in my head to go.  I'm still working on making a daily to do list.  I know it would really help me stay focused on the day if I did one.

I used my printables from Jones Design Company to add some decoration.  I can't wait to see her May selections.  

Music:

{Represent from the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus}

I heard this song a few weeks ago on Pandora and totally thought it was written for the Hunger Games.  Turns out it was released in 2009 but I've still been wrestling with the words.  Tell me what you think! And tell me I'm not the only one that connects to a song and listens to it over and over, please.

Fitness:

 And last, but not least, I'm on the 4th week of Les Mills Pump.  It's so different from Insanity that it's taken me a while to get used to it.  I really like it and can feel it is making me so much stronger.  I did two pull-ups the other day! 

Word Dumping

I've lost sight of this little blog of mine.  As soon as a blog post idea makes its way into this maze of a brain of mine, I quickly convince myself that no one would want to read about it.  We can be mean to ourselves, huh?  It's funny how quickly revelations can delete those thoughts and give me a jumpstart.

"Hey, it's your blog.  Your life.  Go and write about it and hope that it blesses someone!"

So here is where my word dumping begins and I'm praying that it makes some sort of sense and I can get back to normal.  Whatever that is.

* * * * * 

I finished my second round of Insanity last week.  It was the hardest workout program I have ever done.  I definitely feel different and proud.  Not of my body but of my heart.  Roo rode her bike for the first time to school the other morning.  I ran behind her and didn't even get winded.  I hate running and I usually feel like I'm gonna die but I didn't and that is more valuable to me than any award or medal.  I bought hubby (and me!) Les Mills Pump for his birthday so we will start that soon.  

* * * * * 

We ventured out to a local farm to pick strawberries the other weekend. 

After the picking, we bought a ton of other veggies at their produce store.  Most of the items were brought in from close by farms.  We bought this massive amount of kale for a buck.  

We made kale chips out of it.  

They were good but beware because they don't keep and get chewy by the next day. 

Will I make them again?  Maybe.  

I've been meaning to share our healthier recipes on the blog.  I can't believe my first one is about kale!  Just google kale chips and stand by and watch so they don't burn.  I'll give better recipes instructions on other dishes in the future but these were just so darn easy.  

* * * * *

Don't laugh but I've been watching videos on how to put on makeup.  Eyeshadow to be specific.  It's like art in a way and I haven't gotten the hang of it yet.  I'll let you know how it's going and which ones I've watched.  I've learned alot about brushes and types of cosmetics from these pro ladies and it's fun to learn something new that makes me feel more confident during the day.  

* * * * * 

I can't wait to show you my painted armoire.  I'll take pictures soon.  That darn thing was almost the death of me but I'm done!  I just need hardware for the bottom of the drawers and something cool done to the inside.  

* * * * * 

And finally, I finished The Hunger Games!  It was a good read and I'm very satisfied.  I'm itching to find something new to read.  This reading thing is exciting.  (-:  Any suggestions?

So, if you're still here.  Thanks for letting me word dump!