The January 2017 Health Bet Challenge

OMG - As many of you know, what started me on this journey was a Health Bet Challenge that Beachbody offered in September.

Well, it's back, and it's double (or maybe even triple!!).  Click Here for my Event Page on Facebook for all the info.

For now, let's recap my results with the Health Bet Challenge!  I did this in September, not an easy time.  In my 2nd week, I had a business trip without a lot of food choices.  My kids were starting up with Marching Band, which put my schedule all over the place.  I do work full time, and my volunteer hours are many.  I chose PiYo as my program, and while I didn't follow it 100% (because I didn't want to give up my regular yoga practice), I did follow it quite a bit.  Learning to change my eating habits were the hardest for me - what's your biggest struggle?  Comment, and we'll talk!

So, overall during this particular challenge I lost 8 lbs. and 7 inches.  My goal that I noted at the time was 'getting rid of excess belly pouch, and going back to just 1 chin instead of 2'.  I think I did just that.  Still have work to do, but now I'm in a better rhythm, I have more energy, I sleep better.  So many benefits from this challenge.

I know, I wish I were smiling in the 'after' shot, but I was in the bathroom at work, hoping no one would walk in, LOL.

So, now there's even bigger news (yes, bigger than Beachbody giving away 2-3 million dollars).  There's a new challenge pack out starting TODAY.   It's the Annual All-Access Beachbody On Demand and Shakeology Challenge Pack.  What do you get with this???  

• Your first 30-day supply of Shakeology – the superfood supplement shake with dense nutrition to help support weight loss, healthy energy levels, and reduced cravings‡, Shakeology is your catalyst for change to simplify your nutrition without compromising on taste—delivered on Home Direct, our monthly automatic shipment delivery program which you can cancel at any time.*
• Annual Membership to Beachbody On Demand includes unlimited, total access to every single program, even all deluxe and Beachbody On Demand exclusive workouts. Your Membership also includes access to Beachbody's newest Cooking Show – FIXATE™. There's nothing more to buy, and all future programs are also included. When a new program launches, you get it, FREE. When it's time to renew your membership, you'll automatically be billed annually until you cancel. Cancel anytime!*
• Portion Fix – an easy-to-follow system with seven color-coded containers, Shakeology shaker cup, and nutrition guide that tells you how much to eat to lose weight!
• Premium annual membership to the Team Beachbody Club, where you'll find all the support you'll need to get amazing results, plus a 10% discount on all future purchases on TeamBeachbody.com.

Click here to purchase your All-Access Challenge Pack today!  Then, comment below if you'd like to participate in my Challenge Group for the Health Bet Challenge.  

Please Contact Me with any questions!

My Beachbody Website

My Shakeology Website

Core De Force - Check it Out HERE!

Thanksgiving is over, Christmas is coming.  I need a fat-burning program, NOW.  Enter Core De Force. 

What is Core De Force, you ask?  It's an explosive mixed martial arts-inspired TOTAL BODY WORKOUT designed by Beachbody Super Trainers Joel Freeman and Jericho McMatthews to blast fat and carve your waist in JUST 30 DAYS!!  And, no equipment!! 

Order your CDF and Shakeology Challenge Pack HERE! 

Each workout has a series of three minute rounds, where you do a combination of punches and kicks, followed by a 'spike'.  These are intense!  And, then a break, not for long though before the next round continues.  

Is Core De Force for you?? 

• Do you want to work your core and gain strength?
• Are you tired of a flabby tummy and want to let go of your belly fat?
• Interested in MMA, karate, tae kwon do?
• Like high intensity workouts?  (even if you don't, there's a modifier)
• Don't want a 'dance' workout or complex choreography?
• Enjoy Bootcamp style workouts?
• Don't want to spend hours at the gym?
• Don't want to bother with equipment?
• Do you want to lose weight?

CORE DE FORCE! 

Well, what if I've never done a program like this before?  

• Modify 
• Modify
• Modify!

As with any Beachbody program, there is a modifier, and when you use Beachbody On Demand, you can choose the split screen option so you can more easily follow the modifier.  #fightforit

 Don't like High Impact Workouts?  That's OK!  CDF is high INTENSITY with some high impact moves, but if you can't do the high impact, just MODIFY!

I started Core De Force yesterday, so please continue to follow me on my CDF Journey.  I'm super excited about it, and it's only 30 days.  It comes with a calendar to tell you what workout to do on which day, 7 days a week - don't worry, Day 7 of each week is an Active Recovery.  Workouts are 21-47 minutes long.  

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!  IT'S ONLY 30 DAYS!!!  Combine with Shakeology and the eating plan that comes with it for the best results!

 

ORDER HERE 

Already have Shakeology, and just need the program?  

Click here for the Base Kit.

Have you tried CDF?  I'd love to hear about your results!  Comment below 👍👍

Disclosure:  I am an Independent Beachbody Coach. I do receive a commission or discount on all products, but I spend my own money on these products because they work. All opinions are my own.

My Beachbody Site

My Shakeology Site 

Strawberry Shakeology Recipes

This morning I had a Strawberry Pomegranate Shakeo, and now I'm like, I gotta share this one!!  Seriously, if I were drinking it at home, instead of my drive to work and at my desk, it would have been in a nice hurricane glass with an umbrella!

STRAWBERRY POMEGRANATE SHAKEOLOGY

1 scoop or packet Strawberry Shakeology

Ice, as desired

3/4 C. Water

1/2 C. Pomegranate Juice

Blend

That's it.  So easy, so delicious.

Buy your Strawberry (or any other flavor Shakeology) HERE!

First time I had Strawberry, I had this recipe for Strawberry Lemonade.  YUM!!!

STRAWBERRY LEMONADE

1 scoop or packet Strawberry Shakeology

1 C. Water

2 Tbsp. Fresh Lemon Juice

1 tsp. pure maple syrup

Ice, as desired

Blend

I always like a thicker shake, so I always add ice.    

😋😋😋😋

Comment below on any recipes you've tried & would like to share!!  These are just 2 of my favorites for strawberry.  Have you tried the Tropical Vegan Strawberry yet?   I've had the Fruity Colada...

FRUITY COLADA

1 scoop or packet Tropical Strawberry Shakeology

1 cup coconut water

1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple chunks

1/2 tsp. coconut extract

ice, as desired

Seriously, stick an umbrella in it, and no one would know you're drinking healthy!  And, it tastes good too!

Disclosure:  I am an Independent Beachbody Coach. I do receive a commission or discount on all products, but I spend my own money on these products because they work. All opinions are my own.

My Beachbody Site 

My Shakeology Site

   

Chocolate Shakeology Recipes

One thing I know about me, is that I do not want the same thing EVERY SINGLE DAY.  I need to mix it up.  But, here you are with a 30 day bag of whatever flavor Shakeology you chose, and you start to get bored.  It's delicious and all, but let's mix it up a bit! 

Today we'll focus just on the Chocolate - probably most popular.  How do you usually make it?  Please comment, I'd love try more recipes!!! My favorites are always made in a blender, I make them nice & thick, like a Wendy's shake, but so much less fat, and so much more nutritious, and really a lot more delicious, too.  I kid you not. 

Need to Order Shakeology?  Click Here!

Let's start with a plain old shake.  Add 1 c water and 1 c of ice with 1 scoop of your shakeo.  Blend.  Yea, when I'm taking my shake at home, I use a beer mug with my name on it.  No Judgy McJudgerson's here, please!  LOL!

Now, my favorite way to take my chocolate (and my Cafe Latte Shakeo for that matter).

Salty Caramel Chocolate Shakeology

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup ice

1 cup unsweetened coconut or almond milk

1 tsp caramel extract (I ordered from Amazon)
Dash of Sea Salt
😋

Another favorite? 

 Mocha Chillaxer

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup ice

1/2 cup black coffee (decaf or regular, up to you)

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut or almond milk

😋

How about a couple of recipes that I haven't tried yet?  Will soon, but in the meantime, if you try them, let me know!!  

 Ingredients:
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp sweetener Stevia (optional)
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
dash of salt
1 egg
optional mix in: 1 tsp peanut butter, cocoa powder
2 or 3 tbsp vanilla almond milk (unsweetened)

Directions: 
In a mug mix Shakeology, baking powder, salt, cocoa, and sweetener.  Next, mix in an egg and  2-3 tablespoons of water/milk.  Mix until dry ingredients are wet.
If you’d like to add peanut butter, put one dollop in the center and push it down a bit.  Microwave for 90 sec.
When it is done the edges will pull from the sides.

 Calories: 230
Calories with PB: 260

Or THIS???

Still Haven't Ordered Shakeology?  Order Here!

 

PS - I've played with the size of the font on this post for like 20 minutes and it won't go bigger.  Frustrating.

Disclosure:  I am an Independent Beachbody Coach. I do receive a commission or discount on all products, but I spend my own money on these products because they work. All opinions are my own.

My Beachbody Website 

My Shakeology Website 

Grateful November - Grateful for Health!

Every November on Facebook, I post daily what I'm grateful for.  Today's post will have little to do with my Beachbody or Shakeology (though I will self promote at the end, LOL).  It's just me, telling my boob story of 2015/2016 and that I'm grateful it turned out the way it did. 

I'll start by telling you to get your 'girls' checked.  Check them yourself monthly, get a yearly mammo.  If you have to pay extra for the 3D imaging, just do it.  Your health, your family, your friends want you to do it.  Early Detection is Your Best Prevention.

Last November, I went for my screening mammography, as I've done yearly since I turned 40 (and once in my late 30's as allowed by my health insurance).  After that was done, I got called back for a screening ultrasound for 'dense breasts' as sooooo many women do.  Nothing to concern myself with...  really, I work in radiology, so I know this is the norm.  So, I went for that ultrasound, and found the technologist spending a LOT of time on my right breast in 2 areas, and seem to fly through the left, in comparison.  After that ultrasound, I immediately wanted to cry.  She didn't say anything, as she shouldn't - she's not a doctor, she's a tech - but I got scared.  Of course, I was called back for some targeted views on the right breast and the radiologist felt it was nothing.  So, cool, right?

Well, my gynecologist just suggested that I follow up with a breast specialist.  Not that she didn't trust the radiologists opinion.  She just isn't a breast specialist so she was just suggesting I get one.  Now, I'm in no rush, and I want the best doc in the area, so I set up an appoint for February.  I see her, no lumps and she agreed with the radiologists' assessment, but because of family history (an aunt and grandmother, both on my father's side), she suggests I get a baseline MRI of both breasts.  So, I do.  This part was kinda funny.  When you get a breast MRI, you lie on your stomach and drop your girls into holes and then put you in the MRI machine (I went in head first, not like this picture, but whatever).

Now, the MRI shows "enhancements" in my left breast.  WTF does that mean?  Well, to start, another ultrasound.  The ultrasound shows a mass, and bibopsy is recommended.  You can imagine my fear at this time.... through the roof.

Let's now talk about the truth about a "bibopsy".  I honestly went in thinking it'd fairly easy and I could head back to work when I was done.  This was a mistake.  It started out easy enough, they numb you, tell you what to expect, sign your waiver, etc (not in that order).  Mine was an ultrasound guided bibopsy (they come in different forms, some get MRI guided, others mammography guided), so they use the ultrasound wand to find the mass to guide the doctor to get their samples.  I am NOT looking at the tool they're using to take the sample.  While I gave birth to 2 kids without the use of even an epidural, I still don't want to see a needle of any sort stuck in me, let alone one big enough to suck a sample of tissue (or a few) out of my breast.  In the end, I think my issue was that this procedure lasted longer than I was anticipating.  I do yoga, so I started to focus on my breathing.  OK, a couple more minutes passed.  What now?  I'm getting to the point where I just need it to end.  Doctor is asking me if I'm ok, I'm saying yes because I want her to get it overwith, but really, I'm now sweating and feeling lightheaded.  I don't recommend lying to the doctor.  She did get it done and when she was done, I finally admitted I wasn't feeling well.  The call in the nurse, take my blood pressure (too low), give me ice packs and orange juice and she sat with me until I felt better.  Of course, now the whole thing isn't quite over.  I still have to have a mammography because the last thing they do in the bibopsy is insert a clip.  The clip is really just a marker in your breast so that on future mammographies they know where you previously had a bibopsy.  Ok, mammo done (that was a piece of cake after the bibopsy, and I'm still numb), they give you an ice pack and send you on your way.  I did go back to work.  I should've gone home to bed. 

Bibopsy isn't a word, you say?  Well, it's the word I used because it's less scary and somehow kept my attitude more positive during this process.

End result, which I felt took years to come in were filled with words like "negative" and "benign".  All I needed to hear.  I truly couldn't focus on anything else in those few days.  I know in my head that this is most often the case, but needed to see it.  I believe most doctors these days will err on the side of caution and suggest you get the biopsy.  I 100% agree.  How else do you know for sure? 

In a couple of weeks from now, I'm go in for my screening mammography, and follow up ultrasounds.  Wish me luck!  

After this was all done, I keep thinking, I'm not getting any younger and I really need to focus on my health and my weight.  I continued with Yoga and added some walking in when/where I could.  Exercise just isn't enough.  It wasn't until October that I accepted that it's so much more about food.  Healthy food, whole food, real food. 

Disclosure:  I am an Independent Beachbody Coach. I do receive a commission or discount on all products, but I spend my own money on these products because they work. All opinions are my own.

My Website

#Rocktober

I won't bore you with every step, like I did in the Health Bet Challenge.  #Rocktober is more about the continuation of my journey.  I wasn't winning any money, just striving for good health.

I continued with my mostly daily shakes, and mostly daily exercising.  Though, it did start out rough due to illness.  I quickly got over it and got back on track, with some missteps.  We all have them, and I plan to continue to have them!  As long as I also continue to get back to my goals, I'll be just fine!

#Rocktober consisted of  various themes to your days:

#moveyourassmonday

#trysomethingnewtuesday

#wackywednesday

#throwoutthursday

#feelingfitfriday

#shakeosaturday

#keepitsimplesunday

What are YOU doing to get yourself moving this week?  On Tuesday, maybe a new healthy recipe?  Thursday, throw out junk food that's not in your new plan.  Things like this we'd use to get through the month.  One Wacky Wednedsay, I'd done a PiYo Working and nearly fell over.  Maybe not wacky, but I did laugh at myself.  

Maybe try this shakeo recipe:

FRUITY COLADA

1 Scoop (or packet) Tropical Strawberry Shakeology (Vegan)

1 Cup Coconut Water

1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple chunks

1/2 tsp coconut extract

I like to use ice and a blender.  The more ice, the thicker your shake!

Calories:  248

Throughout this challenge, I am continuing to walk, do Yoga and PiYo.  I also like to occasionally throw in the CDJ (Challenge Du Jour) offered on Beachbody on Demand.  And, to that, I'm so excited for the new Core De Force workouts to come out November 1st!  

Let's start with my starting weight/measurements:

October 3rd (In September, I'd lost a total of 8 pounds, and 7 inches in the Health Bet Challenge).

Weight 125

Waist 31

Hips 37

Chest 36

 

October 31st

Weight - 122 - so, 3 pounds this month, totaling 11 pounds in 2 months

Waist - 30

Hips - 36

Chest -34 (not where I wanted to lose from, but I know you can't "spot" lose). 

My biggest struggle, I'm finding, is lunch.  I've been doing a lot of hard boiled eggs, turkey bacon, sauteed veggies.  It takes planning ahead, as I'm eating this at my office.  Something I did find to help me with that are the Portion Control Fix containers.  I'm also checking out some recipes in Fixate.  If you'd like more info, Click Here

Please be sure to check back in to when I complete this challenge, and see what challenge I'll be up to next.  Maybe you'd like to join me for the November challenge?!?  Email Me!

Disclosure:  I am an Independent Beachbody Coach. I do receive a commission or discount on all products, but I spend my own money on these products because they work. All opinions are my own.

My Website 

Health Bet Challenge - Final Week!

Thanks for following me this far in my Health Bet Challenge!  I've had my ups and downs.  I really enjoy these shakes, and you can see you can mix up your workouts - in fact, it's good to mix up your workouts.

Let's recap my stats:
Weight - 127 (down 2, 4 total)
Chest - still 37
Waist - 32 (down 1, 3 total)
Hips - 37 (down 2).


Now, Final week and we'll take a look at how I made out in this challenge at the end.

Monday, September 26th - Cafe Latte for Lunch.  I'm mostly doing these for breakfast now, with a piece of fruit, but sometimes it ends up being lunch.  Whatever, just get it in.  That night, I did PiYo Sweat, and yea, I did.  Not a long workout, but intense.  Push through it, you'll be glad you did.

Day 23 - Chocolate Shakeo (breakfast again), not much in the way of exercise, but I was feeling very stressed, so I did a short, sweet bedtime yoga routine.  It was perfect.

Day 24 - Strawberry Daquiri.  Yoga at the studio.

Day 25 - We're almost there.  Salty Caramel Latte.  Did PiYo Define, BOTH Upper & Lower Body today.  I'm getting the hang of this!

Day 26 - Coconut Delight.  No Exercise - feeling a cold coming on. 

Day 27, Saturday, October 1st - Salty Caramel Latte.  Could it be a favorite?  Again, no exercise, yes, that's a cold coming on.  Better rest than sorry.  And, tonight, I have to sit out in the cold rain watching a band competition.

Day 28 - Final Day.  I do wish I wasn't wrapping up this challenge sick, but it happens.  I am feeling slightly better and my opinion is that I'm getting through it more quickly because I have changed my lifestyle.  I did do shake, but still no exercise.  Last night's stint in the cold rain wasn't the best idea, but I will not miss my kids' competitions, even for a bad cold.

Final Stats - I'm so excited at the results!!!  Remember, of course that results may very depending on what you've put it as well as how much you have to lose.
10/2/16
Weight 125 (2 MORE pounds, total of 8)
Chest - 36 (now, down 1 inch)
Waist - 31 (down 1 more, total 4)
Hips - 37 (down total 2 inches)

Right now, I'm going to continue with my "regimen" of Yoga, Walking & PiYo, along with continuing with Shakeology.  #Rocktober Starts official on October 10th, with October 3rd as a prep week.  Basically, I'm just going to continue and see where this leads me.

Want to try PiYo?   Click Here!

Oh, and my share of the over $1,000,000?  A little over $16.  So, not a lot, but since I was expecting 5, it's like triple!  Look for a new Health Bet Challenge coming in January with over $2,000,000!!!

Disclosure:  As of the end of this Health Bet Challenge, now...  I am an Independent Beachbody Coach. I do receive a commission or discount on all products, but I spend my own money on these products because they work. All opinions are my own.

My Website