It's not about Perfection

Wow, what a week!  Tonight's post is all about being real with y'all and talking about something that I believe is key to our success on our fitness journey, the idea of perfection, or really, the lack there of.  If you've been following my posts for awhile, you probably know by now that I am very "Type A".  It has taken a long time, and many set-backs for me to overcome my personality type when it comes to health and fitness. A few years ago when I was starting and failing at losing weight, I would take one slip up, one missed workout as a reason to quit.  Now I wasn't telling myself I was quitting, just starting over, but when you have to "start over" enough times, eventually you give up.  This was a vicious cycle for me. 

Trying to be perfect doesn't work. It's not sustainable.  It's the reason so many people start a diet or exercise plan and burn themselves out, quitting because of the stress to do everything exactly they way it's written, following all of the rules to a "t".  This doesn't work. Life will get in the way at some point. You will have a bad day. Your kids, or even you will get sick.  You will have to travel.  There will be holidays, parties, and events with temptations.  It's how you handle these obstacles that will determine your success.  What do you do when you miss a workout?  How do you feel the day after you cheated on your diet?  Do you use these obstacles as an excuse to quit or do you acknowledge that you made a bad decision, or you had a rough day and vow to better today?

Like I said before, a few years ago, I would have made excuses, I would have started over or quit. Nowadays, I view setbacks very differently.  I acknowledge them and move forward.  What's changed? I gained perspective.  4 years ago, right around this time of year, I started yet another diet plan.  The difference this time? I took it day by day.  I didn't look at my plan as a month long plan or even a week long plan. I took it day by day. And I saw great results.  Did I stumble along the way? Of course I did!  And you know what? I saw those mistakes on the scale, but I also noticed something.  Those mistakes reflected on the scale were temporary!  After a day or two back on track, I was seeing progress again.  If the mistakes I made were only temporary. If the mistakes I made didn't negate all my previous successes, then why the heck had I been "starting over" or quitting every time I slipped up before? I had just gained perspective. 

This week, I've been sick. Not like nagging sniffles sick, rather full on fever, can't breathe, can't swallow sick.  This was week 3 of TurboFire for me.  Did I get all my workouts in? Unfortunately, no, but I got most of them in.  Was my eating on point?  Some days yes, some days no.  Salads just aren't appealing with you have a sore throat, you feel me?  The old me would have looked at this week and vowed to start completely over on TurboFire.  I missed a workout, doesn't it make sense to start Week 1 all over again?  Sounds so silly to me now, but the old me seriously would have tried to do it, and you know what? I would have gotten discouraged, and quit.  The new me is simply a day behind on my workouts.  Will I sacrifice a rest day to catch up? Maybe, I am only one workout behind, but if I end up feeling like I need the rest day, I will take it.  Knowing that my eating wasn't perfect, I will be staying off the scale for a week to let everything sort itself out again.

You see, it isn't about being perfect all along your fitness journey.  Every small step you take, every positive decision you make, is bringing you closer to the you that you are working to become.  Now I am not giving you my blessing to cheat yourself, but if you happen to stumble, maybe you already have, acknowledge that you messed up, own it, accept it, and move forward.

Workout Review: TurboFire Fire 45

Quick update:  Just finished up week 2 of TurboFire. I can tell my technique is already getting better, and I am really enjoying this program.  I came down with some kind of illness yesterday, and am still feeling pretty crappy, so I will make this post short.  Here is a review of Fire 45, and the information for my next challenge group!

Fire 45 Review:

This workout was very similar to Fire 30 in format.  There were 4 different sequences with 3 fire drills mixed in between them.  I thought the sequences in this workout were a little harder than the Fire 30 and Fire 55 EZ workouts.  There was a lot more kicking in this workout, and my kick technique, I found out, is pretty poor, so there is room for improvement there.  Great music as always.  The cool down was short, but you are also expected to complete stretch 10 after this workout to get a complete stretch.  I've said this before, and I'll say it again: don't skip the stretch!  Your body will definitely need it after this workout!  I usually like my workouts to be around 30 minutes, but time flew by during this workout, so I didn't mind it being a little longer.  There is some jumping as well as a short set of burpees. Both can be modified easily if you don't like to jump.  I love how easy it is to follow the modifier in the TurboFire workouts (I don't like jumping), and you will still be working up a sweat if you follow her the entire time, so no worries there!  Overall, tougher sequences, but a great, fun workout.  I would suggest picking "new to class" if this is your first time through the workout.

21 Day Fix Challenge Groups starting 1/19 and 1/26!

We just wrapped up Week 1 of our 21 Day Fix Accountability Group and my challengers are LOSING so many pounds and inches we’ve lost count!  Don’t you want to be part of it?  Isn’t it TIME for you to COMMIT your LIFE to getting/staying healthy and reaching your fitness goals?

This is not about vanity; this is about SAVING YOUR LIFE.  This is about being here to see your kids graduate, walk your daughters down the aisle, retire and enjoy life with your spouse.  This is about the QUALITY of your life. Having the energy to do the things you want to do.  YOU are responsible for making that happen and only you can make the decision to invest in yourself.  Your health and happiness are PRICELESS and are the best GIFT you can give yourself.

I have challenge groups starting 1/19 and 1/26.  These are the last two groups in January and the program is ON SALE this month!

Click this link to get the sale price---> 

Http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCP21D160?referringRepID=499028

The program includes:
*Color containers for portion control and food macros
*A month of Shakeology (the HEALTHIEST MEAL OF THE DAY!)
*Shakeology Blender Cup
*30 min daily workouts (suitable for all fitness levels)
*Private FB group with personal coaching, meal plans, instruction, and encouragement
*A free t-shirt and a chance to win at least $500 cash for submitting your results
TODAY is your day.  Let’s DO THIS!

Fill out the form below, or comment with your email to get more information!

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Workout Review: TurboFire Core 20 and Stretch 40

I am nearing the end of my second week of TurboFire, and there were several new workouts this week, so I am a bit behind on my workout reviews.  Tonight I will review Core 20 and Stretch 40, the last workout from Week 1.

Core 20 -- 

Dude! This workout works EVERY SINGLE MUSCLE of your core, plus some!  The first half of this workout is a standing ab routine.  You start with your basic standing crunches and oblique work and then Chalene introduces the resistance band to your workout.  This little bit of extra resistance makes a huge difference, my obliques and lower abs were burning by the 10 minute mark.  Then you transition to the floor.  This is where Chalene turns it up!  On the floor, you are using the resistance band around your feet and spend most of your time in a modified v-sit doing various exercises, including some killer bicycles.  This part only lasts for about 5 minutes, but that was more than enough for me!  Then the band gets put away and you continue with a few more sets of bicycles (not my favorite ab move, but it is effective).  You then move into modified oblique crunches where you are on one hip lifting both your shoulders and legs, allowing you to move within your full range of motion on your side.  Way more effective than your standard oblique crunch!  An ab workout wouldn't be complete without some planking and push-ups, which is exactly how this workout ends.

Overall, this workout kicked my butt!  I'm used to feeling the burn during ab routines, but that soreness quickly goes away for me.  With this workout, on the other hand, I felt like it took your typical ab routine and turned it up a notch.  I was feeling this workout the next day for sure!  I will say that the stretch at the end of Core 20 is really short, so you have got to also play one of the two stretch workouts included on the DVD.  Stretching is so important, don't skip it!

Stretch 40 -- 

If you are sore and in need of a good long stretch, this workout will do the trick!  It is scheduled for the end of the week, and I really needed a workout like this one to work all the kinks out of my body and start the new week fresh.  The stretch workout moves at a decent pace, not too fast, but not pain-stakingly slow like some stretch routines I have done.  It is a flow style workout with a natural progression of muscle groups.  Something new I encountered with this workout was the use of the lower body band during some of the stretches.  The band was used in many of the lower body stretches (hence the name).  I feel like the band helped get a deeper stretch and allowed my body to relax into each stretch better.

I love how Chalene is focused on form all throughout the workouts, regularly reminding us to lead with our chests and keep our tailbones up.  One of my pet-peeves when I was teaching group fitness was poor stretching technique.  I'm sure my students were sick of my constant reminders, but form really does matter!  I can see this workout being my go-to stretch workout when I'm feeling sore. I also did this workout right before bed, and I was so relaxed when I was done, that I think I had a better night sleep!  

TurboFire Week 1 Results

The results are in!  

After my first full week of TurboFire, I am down 1.6 pounds!  I'm having so much fun with these workouts!  This is my first experience with a cardio kickboxing type of program and my first experience with HIIT workouts, and all I can say is wow, it really works!  Even though I haven't lifted a single weight this week, I am feeling stronger.  It's Crazy!  I am following the 21 Day Fix meal plan with this program currently, because I love it so much.  TurboFire comes with it's own meal plan too, which I will be adopting during my second month of this program, so by the end of month #2, I will be able to give you guys a good comparison between the 2 eating plans.  I really like the the TurboFire schedule.  i feel like it is well thought out.  The HIIT workouts, are spread out throughout the week. The rest day comes at the perfect time, right when I needed it most.  There is a good balance between cardio, HIIT, and core/sculpting workouts and plenty of opportunities for stretching.  I enjoy the way music and some dancing is incorporated into the workouts. It's a lot of fun!

Last night, I participated in Beachbody's January Surge event.  It is live-streamed event in which Beachbody shares important information and incentives, recognizes top coaches, and builds excitement and momentum for the coming quarter.  I am so proud to be able to say that 4 out of the top 10 coaches are members of the Bombshell Dynasty.  Our team has some tremendous leaders to look up to and everyone is so kind and willing to help other coaches succeed.  In a couple of years, I hope to hear my name announced as one of the top 10 coaches in the organization!  

The yearly Success Club trip was also announced during the surge last night.  This trip is attainable for any coach in the organization.  This past year, my upline coach earned her trip in less than 6 months.  She is getting to go to Cancun FOR FREE in April! I started as a coach in October, and was not able to get in on Cancun, but this year, it is GAME ON.  I will be earning the 2016 success club trip, and you can too! Want to hear where we will be going together?  The 2016 Success Club Tip is...... A CRUISE.... to.... JAMAICA..... and.... the private island of Labadee!

Want to ride the high seas and kick back with me in Jamaica next Spring?  Fill out the form below and let's get you started with helping others on their fitness journeys and earn your own free trip in the process! 

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Workout Review: TurboFire Fire 55 EZ

It's sweaty Saturday people and I am fresh off of my day's workout, TurboFire's Fire 55 EZ.  Of course by fresh, I mean I am sitting here in a puddle of my own sweat writing this review. 

Fire 55 EZ:

I think I have found my new favorite workout!  It's been awhile since I've done a cardio workout longer than 30 minutes. Before starting TurboFire, I did 2 rounds of 21 Day Fix and before that was PiYo.  I could definitely tell that my body is conditioned for the shorter workouts, but I was having so much fun that I didn't mind.  The music was awesome in this workout and included several cardio mixes of songs I have in my own library.  The sequences were quick to pick up and flowed really well.  There was more of a focus on core work in this workout than the other workouts so far in the schedule.  There is very little jumping and only 2 fire drills (HIIT Intervals).  Overall, a little long, but really fun and a great cardio workout!  

The month of January is a really busy month!  Currently, I have a 21 Day Fix Challenge Group that I am co-coaching with my team that is in preseason.  We just started our January Fitness Challenge, New Year, New Rear (a squat challenge).  Monday starts my 30-day Anything Goes Beachbody Challenge Group for my clients who are doing any program other than 21 Day Fix, and we have 2 more 21 Day Fix Groups starting the following 2 Mondays!  Wow! So many people are ready to change their lives and I am so happy to be a part of it! There are still spots in both 21 Day Fix challenge groups later in the month and in the Anything Goes Group starting on Monday.  If you are interested in joining one of my challenge groups and facing your New Year's Resolutions head-on, please fill out the form at the end of this post!  All of my challengers receive daily support, motivation, and accountability in a private Facebook group and one-on-one check-ins weekly (or more) with me, your personal coach. I can help you with meal planning as well! All of my coaching services are completely free! It can't get better than that!

My first 5-day clean eating group just rapped up yesterday, and it was a success!  I received awesome feedback from my participants, and I am totally pumped to be running another clean eating challenge starting January 19th!  For this challenge, a meal plan, grocery guide, recipes, and workouts are provided for 5 days for free with an option to purchase 5 days of Shakology to drink during the challenge for $25.  This is a great way to try before you buy a full month supply! For more information about how to join this group, fill out the form below! 

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