Summit summary

I just got back from an amazing trip to the annual Team Beachbody Summit in Nashville, TN. I drove myself both there and back. It was really a rough journey for me physically. I had worked myself into a pretty bad migraine that kind of stuck with me through the whole event. Makes travel difficult on the best of days.

That said, I had a fantastic workout on Thursday with a few hundred people and Chalene Johnson. On only two hours of sleep and little nutrients.

The opening session was filled with motivation and new product announcements. I am particularly jazzed about Core de Force, a new mixed martial arts program, and the Beachbody Health Bet. The latter I love, because Beachbody is putting forward up to three million dollars to encourage people to workout and drink shakeology in September. That is basically all there is to it. However, connect with your coach to get details. If you don't have a coach, get one!!  

See that skirt? My new obsession of Lula Roe azure skirt in a size medium!! Somebody tell me why my skirts are 8-10's, but my pants are 14's? 😛

Back to Summit, the trainings, the celebration, and the general sessions all provided me with a renewed sense of purpose, and the knowledge that I will be a part of this company for life. The heart of the company is to help people through its products, and through charity work. Nothing dearer to my heart.

Two last things. First if you are ever in Nashville, catch the Grand Ole Opry radio show (checked off my bucket list). It was totally worth the money, and I got lucky enough to see both Diamond Rio and the Oak Ridge Boys. The second thing is that if you love dancing, then you totally need to get the new workout from Autumn Calebrese. Join me in cardio dancing our way to healthier people!

Cize Challenge Week 5

I have had a rough couple of weeks. I don't share publicly often, but I suffer from severe PMS fatigue for about a week every month. Takes every ounce of energy I have to just make it through a normal day. Working out helps, but sometimes there just isn't that energy there. Add to that some sort of creeping crud/cold/allergy thing going around our house, and somehow I have been very out of it.

That said, week 5 went pretty well. I got in three work outs with Go for it, and two with Livin' in the 8's. That latter is dang hard. Gah!!

Go for it

 

Livin' in the 8's

My Story

Let me preface this a bit. This story has been percolating for the last five years. It isn't complete nor does it really tell the whole story. It does give a glimpse into how I came to where I am today, and is a product of a training I am doing through Beachbody. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

 

Growing up I was active in dance and swimming. I rode my bike everywhere, skated or walked when the bike wasn’t feasible. I was a healthy kid. Even when puberty hit, and I got these child bearing hips I was still comfortable with who I was. Then something happened in high school. I started to be self conscious of my big butt and breasts. I felt fat. I went through two bouts of borderline anorexia. Lunch would be an apple and a small Pepsi. I wouldn't eat much more. I was depressed, and had suicidal thoughts. The raging migraines didn't help. I kept going through college where I continued to feel more insecure about my body, which wasn't helped by not ever having any dates and the belief that I wasn't attractive to the opposite sex. By the time I hit grad school in 1997, I was over 180 pounds. The year before I had my son I was at an all time high of 225, and finally worried about my weight. That was 2003 when I discovered Jazzercise, and decided to try portioned eating. In that year, I gained some of me back, and lost 25 pounds. The same 25 pounds I gained while pregnant, but because I continued with Jazzercise and my portioned eating (bbq chip craving the exception) a week after giving birth I weighed 9 pounds less than when I got pregnant. It was amazing. 

 

In 2005 when my son was 8 months old, I moved from an area I loved to a new job close to my family. It was a big change, and a stressful one. Four years later, I was depressed, and feeling like I had no worth at all after losing my job. It was compounded over the next year as I applied for jobs in state and out within my field, which all the job aid people told me I needed to do. There was nothing out there for me, and then in the middle of this my friend Sarah started about this awesome thing called Beachbody and an amazing drink called Shakeology. I was still unemployed, drinking soda like it was water, and gaining weight every day. Something struck me though as I continued to follow Sarah, and when she was having her second child I signed up as a coach. I was unemployed for another year, but despite the horribleness of that I know it allowed me to establish the road to a better, healthier me. It hasn't been all rosy. I struggle to stay true to my food choices, and I don't always win the battle. My weight goes up and goes down. I stress eat, and I deal with some chronic health issues that prevent me from exercising on occasion. Yet each day I make a commitment to myself and my son to continuing my fight for a healthier, longer life for both of us.  

 

All shapes and sizes

My friend, Peggy, mentioned today that Beachbody coaches come in all and shapes and sizes. I will add that certified Beachbody instructors come in all shapes and sizes.

Three years ago, I was over the moon when I got certified to be a S.T.R.I.D.E. Instructor until a mean spirited person pointed out that basically they let fat people teach. Given that I was the only person in that group photo that was overweight, I knew it was directed at me. It really hit me hard. Yeah, I am not super thin or even really super fit, but I worked hard during that day. Could I do the same things as the other girls? Nope, and I still can't do quick burpees. I am an amazing dancer AND I am constantly pushing myself to improve. And isn't that what an instructor should be doing?

Just my random thoughts as I start saving to become a Cize certified instructor.

Mother's Day Goal

When I started the 21 day fix almost six weeks ago, I set a goal with my challenge group that I have been working toward for quite awhile. The goal was to be a size 12 by Mother's Day. 

Why a size? I have been a 14 for almost two years, and it is frankly depressing. I know why I haven't moved down. The extreme fatigue and dizzy spells that started in 2013 really halted everything. I could exercise sporadically, because I just never knew when a spell would hit me. With the help of my fabulous naturopath I am slowly getting better, and I am close to finishing a second round of The Fix. 

Did I meet my goal? They are snug, but those capris are a 12. Next up? Starting a 90 day program. Cross your fingers and say a prayer for me.

Fabulous Friday

Can I tell you about my Thursday?

Wednesday evening my boss asks me to come in for a 5-9 am. After consulting with my family, I agreed to this. So I get home at almost 10:30. I put together my meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack), and pack my boy's lunch for the following day. Then catch a shower and four hours of sleep. Yes, you read that right. Four hours of sleep.

I was up at 3:30 and out the door by 4:20. Then my boss provided fresh, like still warm from the oven with melty frosting, apple Danish. I ended up having two pieces. After work I rushed over to the base so I could get in day 3, week 1 of Ease into 5k done on the track. I had promised the boy to do it. I ended up getting 1.79 miles, and a pretty good average mph. And I was able to clean up, change, and scarf down a yogurt to clock in for a 10 a.m. start.

A nice day at work included a fantastic meal, and about 8 Jelly Belly Belly Flops. And more coffee. So tired I nearly passed out at work. Clock out at 6:30 to rush and get the boy and nephew from their youth group. Snack dinner of deli turkey, cheddar cheese and wheat thins in the car while waiting for them. No shake today, because by the time I made it home and through showers and homework I was ready to pass out.

So after about seven hours of sleep, and yesterday's Pilates Fix workout I am feeling much better. Big bowl of oats and coffee have been a great start to a fabulous Friday!

Turkey pesto sandwich

When I was doing the five day fast track with my new workout program, Focus T25, I posted a lot of yummy food photos. Someone mentioned that I should post the recipes or at least share. This is my take on the turkey pesto sandwich, which was the highlight of the foods I enjoyed & proof that "dieting" is not about deprivation. 

Start by toasting two slices of whole grain bread. In my case, I used Rudi's original gluten free bread.

Then add a slice of Swiss cheese.

A tablespoon of prepared pesto.

Two slices of deli turkey.

Some cucumber and red bell pepper.

A small mound of fresh spinach.

Slice in half and enjoy!!