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 21 Day Fix & Meal Planning tool

They say that it takes 21 days to create a habit, right?  Lately I was noticing that I was getting pretty lazy in the nutrition part of my health.  My bad habits were starting to show and my pants were getting a little too snug.  The day that it was a struggle to button some of my favorite pairs of jeans, I knew that I needed to start the 21 Day Fix.  

What is 21 Day Fix™?
21 Day Fix is a nutrition and fitness program that makes losing weight so simple,
anyone can do it. Easy-to-follow portion control and 30-minute workouts take
the guesswork out of losing weight to help you see results fast—up to 15 pounds
in just 21 days!
Whether you want to lose a few pounds before your next vacation or jump-start a
bigger weight-loss goal, 21 Day Fix is the program for you. It’s simple, it’s fast, and
it works. If you’re ready to get serious, 21 Day Fix can help you lose the weight.

Why is 21 Day Fix effective?
Because it’s so simple! You don’t have to count calories, points, or log your food
into diet software. With 21 Day Fix, everything is laid out for you. All you have to
do is use the specially designed portion-control containers and do one 30-minute
workout per day. Commit to it for 21 days, and you’re going to love your results.

How does 21 Day Fix work?

With the 21 Day Fix container system,  you’ll learn how to create healthy portions simply and intuitively. It shows you how to eat whatever you want, in the right amounts, so you can reach your goals fast.  No guesswork, and no calorie counting!  The 21 Day Fix workouts are designed to burn a lot of calories in only 30 minutes.  Any fitness level can do them. If you’re a beginner, follow the on-screen modifier.  And if you’re an advanced exerciser looking  to shed those last few pounds, dial up the intensity and challenge yourself to push harder.

To help you succeed with this program I created original meal planning tools and video explaining how I use them.  (Available way down at the bottom!)  They will help you keep track of your meals and containers used throughout the day.  At the end of the day you can look back on all that you have accomplished and feel really proud of yourself.  At least that is what I do!  

Click the the video below to see how I use my meal planners and leave me a comment telling me what you rock at more; meal planning and healthy eating, working out, or both!  

For more information about the Fix click the logo below!

To download my free meal planning templates just click the link below for the calorie bracket that you need!  

21day1200pdf

21day1500pdf

21day1800pdf

21day2100pdf

Will you do me a favor?!   If you download these will you please leave a comment so I know that you did?  I'm just curious how many people are here.  :)  I would love to know how they have helped you!

Thanks!

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.

DIY boxwood wreath tutorial

One of my favorite things about my home gym spruce up has to be the boxwood wreath that I created.  Since I'm not a huge wreath person, I wanted a small, inexpensive and naturally relaxed one.  It was hard to find one (I'm too picky) so I made my own.  And since it was so easy, I thought I would share how I made mine.  Here's what you need:

{It was $12.99 for that sprig of boxwood so use that Hobby Lobby coupon!}

Pull off the leaves instead of cutting them with wire cutters.  I'm all about not cramping up my hand with those blasted wire cutters.  Maybe if I bought some better ones? One more thing to add to the list.    

Place individual leaves on and inside the vines of the wreath.  Then wrap the thin wire around and around.  Take care to arrange the leaves in a circular pattern and not straight up and down.  

Keep going until you either run out (like I did) or the wreath is as full as you like it.  

Don't look too closely because you will see the wires.  But that's ok with me because I follow 

Nester's rules of It Doesn't Have to be Perfect to be Beautiful.  

This exact same scenario happened with the topiary in the the first picture.  I saw, I hunted, I got discouraged, I thought, and then I just made one myself.  Except I didn't take any pictures when I was creating it.  I'm itching to make another one so I just might be doing a tutorial on a topiary soon.

Linked up to:
Nutmeg Place
Funky Junk Interiors

My home gym spruce up

I've been sprucing up my home gym for months now.  I stand in front of the this TV and setup everyday working out and I wanted it to be more motivating.  It was around Christmastime when I got the urge to paint the backs of my bookshelves black.  You know, with all of the extra time that I had.  I'm pretty sure I was painting the day before my in-laws arrived.  

 

I got the idea from Edie's place to paint the back black to sort of hide the TV.  I've always thought mine stuck out like a sore thumb.  

I used some leftover chalkboard paint so I could add and change out quotes easily.

It makes me happy that the TV isn't the first thing seen anymore.

For me, the things that should stick out the most are the inspirational ones.  Like Tony Horton's motto:  "Do your best, and forget the rest" and a Spartan helmet.  Yes, a Spartan helmet.  This became a must because hubby and I just signed up to run a Spartan race in the Spring.  I need some serious motivation staring me in the face while I work out to get myself ready for it!

And my favorite pictures of my family are definitely not up to date but I chose them because they make me smile.  It motivates me to work hard and stay healthy for them.

Here is the saying in the frame:

{I found it on Pinterest but unfortunately it's not a direct link}

It's a great quote for all areas of my life right now.  Blogging, volunteering, mothering, etc.....

Since I'm such a visual person all of these things help me to stay on track.  What about you?  Do you have things around your house to hold you accountable and motivate you?  

I would love to hear about them. 

This is my home gym

I have had a really hard time with my front room since we moved in.  We didn't have any furniture to put in it so it is pretty bare.  That was three years ago! About a year ago we took one of the gigantic built in desks in our home office from the previous owners and painted it white.  That was pre blogging so no pics here.  This room is the first thing you see when you come into our house.  Nice, right?  Right after I was going to turn this beautiful white desk into a "me zone" complete with a skirted chair and a new laptop, we decided to work out at home.  Since then, it has become even more cluttered with our gear and unbearable. 

I got to work and used Command hooks in the inside to hang up our bands. 

Then it was just a matter of sorting through and organizing.  We also play all of our board games in here since it is close to the kitchen and we don't have an official play room.

I added a cheap and easy skirt made out of a tension rod and a scrap of a left over drop cloth from a previous project.  I didn't sew, I hot-glued and it was glorious.

  I love working out at home.  All you need is a little space devoted to it.  My mother in law moved the coffee table in their family room every morning before the kids got up to exercise with her "tapes". (-:   I'm researching bloggers that can give me advice on how to use this space for working out and family time.  I would also like a picture or mock up of what the room will look like.  Anyone have any referrals for someone who could do that for me? More to come on this room that drives me crazy but is the most used room in the house!

Why the name?

Fit2feelbetter

At only 5’1 I have always been the small girl. I was small but definitely not toned and healthy. Two years ago, we moved to a big city and I was out of shape and miserable. I did a little walking in our previous town with my two young kids but not much else.  The big city was overwhelming and I didn’t know anyone or have a support system. I was sad, sluggish, moody and napped all of the time. My husband decided to sign us up at a local gym connected to the golf course. It was small, had great childcare, and many times I was the only one in there. I got set up with a trainer and was learning so much and feeling better until they suddenly closed down my gym. I was crushed! We tried other small local gyms but they kept closing down. One would close down and another would take us in for a trial period. But I didn’t want to go to the “big” gyms because my daughter was freaked out enough.

We were ready to give more money to another gym until my husband saw a high school friend on Facebook. He looked incredible and told us all about his transformation from P90X. That was it! Why give money to a huge gym (that might close down) when we can invest it in a home gym? We put the money into a small tv, some weights and a few other things and set up shop in our unused front room. A few weeks later we were on our way to pushing play with P90X everyday. I loved it when I opened the box and it said “this is your gym for the next 90 days” on the inside cover. We decided, committed and are succeeding.

I love working out at home! Sometimes I get interrupted but it is so much better than seeing my daughter’s sad face in a huge crazy childcare setting. So here I am. I am now done with my twi rounds of P90X and one round of TurboFire and can really see results. But what I am most excited about is how much better I feel. I could kick myself for not starting this sooner! (-:  Moms out there, you are worth it! Take some time for yourself and you will feel the difference!

So I just bought this:

to go with this (that I already have)

Yes.  I'm a huge Chalene Johnson fan and I have a blast working out with her.