Hammer and Chisel- My Journey Starts Here!

DAY 1 HAMMER AND CHISEL JOURNEY STARTS NOW!!

I have had quite a journey of my own.. I have gone through numerous home fitness programs with Beachbody, working out at the gym, running outside, and I have found what I love and what works for me. Being a mom of two boys, a busy mom at that (as most mommies and daddies are) I do not always have the opportunity to just head out to the gym like some may be able to.   So having the ability to just wake up and get my workout in before everyone else wakes up makes life so much easier, and I'm still getting amazing results... more than I ever have even working out at the gym!

I have found having everything I need to reach my fitness goals with Beachbody.  You get the nutrition, fitness, support, and results! Its easy to go to the gym and workout, or google a workout and do some crunches and lunges, but adding in the support system and accountability changes it all!!

So here I am.. DAY 1 of my new beginning of another awesome journey! Our newest program that was just released Hammer and Chisel is about to go down for the next 60 days!! 6 days a week with 30-40 minute workouts, incorporating weight training and cardio to help build muscle and shred, and get in tip top shape!! There is no waiting for a new year for me, this is about making my health and fitness a lifestyle!  So Sunday was prepping for the big DAY 1!! 

I got my lean proteins (ground turkey meat, chicken, Filet Mignon), my good carbs (oatmeal, brown rice, sweet potatoes), lots of green veggies, and of course my Shakeology to give me my superfoods and dense nutrients to help with my energy, cravings, and bloating naturally!

I got my meal plan done, food prepped, and ready to rock it!!! My meal plan is using the color coded containers from the 21 Day Fix .  Its so much easier to measure out those portions, than to count every single calorie you eat.  Reality is, if you portion control, you will likely stay within the range you need to for reaching your goals.  But remember, not all food groups are the same portion!! You do not need the same size portion of carbs as veggies!! That's why these containers are so beneficial and I love the fact that they come with these programs!! 

This morning was my very first Hammer and Chisel workout!!! Ok, I thought, 38 minutes.. I can totally get through this without a problem... then I got into the second move and my legs and glutes were on fire!! Seriously, excuse me but my A$$ is still on fire and Im still shaking!!!! That was one heck of a workout!! The exercises and moves are different than any other program I have done, which is why I love it so much already!!  Today's workout was Balance.  I am pretty good with that.. didn't think I would have issues... until I realized I am also adding weights! GAHHH!! 

Needless to say, I was drenched, but felt AMAZING!!!!!!! It was a challenge for sure and I did say I love challenges!! Now, time to get through the rest of this week!!! It's going to be fun, interesting, and I'm going to make it successful!! 

My before pictures and Measurements are done and locked away!! I cannot wait to continue this journey and show you in 30 days what changes!! I will be posting here every week to share my progress along the way as well!! 

If you would like to join me on this journey to success and a fitter, healthier bod, please fill out the application below for an exclusive spot in my Hammer and Chisel Test Group starting Dec 14!! This is my very first Challenge Group for my customers and cannot wait to do this journey together!!! 

*Please take note, you will be required to actively participate daily and use the new Beachbody Hammer and Chisel home fitness program, along with incorporating Shakeology daily into you regimen to get your maximum results and nutrition!

Herb Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

You can't do Thanksgiving without a turkey, right?!? Instead of frying a turkey which sounds really good, but not so healthy, I am going to give you a healthy alternative so you can stay on track for the holidays and continue moving forward with your fitness goals instead of backtracking and then living with the bloat and guilt afterwards!

Herb Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

Ingredients:

• 1 turkey (about 12 pounds), thawed if frozen, rinsed and patted dry 
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley 
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves 
• 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped (3 tablespoons) 
• 5 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil 
• Coarse salt and ground pepper 
• 2 lemons, poked all over with a fork 
• 1 quart apple cider

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in lowest position. Remove packet of giblets and neck from cavity. Discard liver. Rinse remaining giblets and neck; refrigerate until ready to make broth. 

Turn turkey on its back and bend wing tips forward and underneath neck cavity of bird so they stay in place (you may have to break the bones).

In a small bowl, combine parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, garlic, 4 tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Using your fingers, carefully loosen skin of breast and around thighs and rub herb mixture under skin of both. 

Season cavity with salt and pepper and loosely fill with lemons and rosemary sprigs. Using cotton kitchen twine, tie legs together so bird retains its shape and moisture during cooking.

Pour cider in bottom of pan. Set roasting rack on top. Lift turkey onto rack, breast side up; rub with remaining tablespoon oil; season generously with salt and pepper. Tent turkey loosely with foil. Roast 1 hour. Uncover and continue to roast, basting frequently with pan juices, until an instant read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh (avoiding bone) registers 170 degrees, 2 1/2 to 3 hours more.  Top off with foil if browning too quickly; add water if pan becomes dry. Cover loosely with foil, and let stand 30 minutes before carving. 

Serve with your favorite vegetables and potatoes!

FITNESS FRIDAY! BEACH BODY TRANSFORMATION & SUCCESS STORY

Happy Fitness Friday!! Today, I want to inspire you all by sharing an amazing weight loss and health success story.

A good friend and fellow coach on my team Erin Traill started her journey with me 14 months ago.  She was working full time as a nurse, had 2 beautiful baby girls, and from the outside, she had everything going for her! 

But something was missing.   She did not feel the way everyone else viewed her.  She was suffering from severe post-partum depression, anxiety, and struggling with hypothyroidism.  When she would go to the doctors, they didn't even believe in her that she could overcome her obstacles in her way...

I am excited to let her share a little more of her story:

 My daughter Kate was born in late January of 2014. She was my miracle baby, the baby we hoped for for over a year. So when I had her, I expected to feel this deep connection, because I had longed for her all that time. But I didn’t have it. My friends would come and visit and say “I told you that you could love another baby like your first” and I would fake smile and nod, immediately sensing that something was wrong. Kate’s birth turned our world upside down. My 3.5 year old, Aubrey regressed - potty accidents, up all night, anger issues at school and behavior issues at home. Kate was difficult to nurse, resulting me having to take several rounds of antibiotics which she did not tolerate well. She stopped gaining weight, and ultimately I had to make the decision to stop nursing her. I felt like a failure. I would look in the mirror and say “what did I do?” and “I can’t do this.” Postpartum depression is a lonely, guilty place to be, I felt like I should be happy and I wanted to be - but I wasn’t.   

I was never one to ask for help, so I just continued to go through the motions. But I started to feel myself spiraling out of control - isolating, having anxiety attacks, not sleeping… I felt like my skin was crawling. After many weeks of sleepless nights due to anxiety, I went into my medicine basket, looking for benadryl to help me sleep when I stumbled upon the prescription narcotic pain reliever I was given after birth but never took. Being a nurse, I knew they would help me sleep. So I popped a few, and slept amazingly. The next day, I felt a little better - so I popped a few more at night. And I did this night after night…. I was talking to my friend, and I told her about my situation and that i was so relieved to be finally sleeping thanks to my little secret. My friend, Deb said “you know this isn’t normal. promise me you will get help.” Her words really spoke to me, and I decided I needed to see my PCP.   

I went to my doctor and we discussed the anxiety, depression and he never brought up my weight. But I could see on my chart that my BMI was 33. I was disguisted. I told him I felt like I needed to lose weight and that it would really help. He turned to me and said, “well good luck - you are not a spring chicken anymore and you have hypothroidism.” I was devistated - not even my dr believed in me! I left there feeling helpless and alone.  I was the girl who seemed unbreakable but I was broken. Everyone thought I was super mom with this perfect life, but every ounce of me was hurting.

The moment that changed everything… Aubrey was at preschool and I needed a dress for an upcoming event. In the dressing room, there was an angled full length mirror and while I was undressing I caught a glimpse of myself. All I could think is, “this can’t be” - I broke down and with tears streaming down my face, I studied my body… the stretch marks, the dark circles, the cellulite, double chin… and I said “you are disgusting, ugly and fat. I hate you” and I continued to sob.  I ended up waking Kate up, who was in her car seat. In the refelction of the mirror I could see her playing with her car seat toys and cooing. My flood of emotion quickly changed to anxiety - I realized I was killing myself in front of them. They were watching me self hate, self destruct and destroy myself every day. How could I teach them to be confident, vibrant, independent, happy girls when I couldn’t be? Finally, my Ah-Ha moment - I needed a hero, and I was going to be that hero.   
I collected myself, the whole way home I thought about how I would do this. Couldn’t go to a gym, too much time, no babysitter. Couldn’t run, lets face it Pittsburgh weather combined with two young kids - it would never last. 

My husband, got me in contact with my coach, Deidra. With knowing very little about the program, I went with T25 - because I could do anything for 25 minutes!  But honestly when I got the price of the challenge pack - I quickly backed out… but i thought about it constantly, until one day I thought “screw it, im not going to let 200$ get in the way of changing my life.” So I stole my husbands credit card and joined my first challenge.  

And so it began, I cried every workout because I knew how hard it was going to be. But I did it with the mindset that each day I would eat cleaner, modify less and push harder. I embraced my challenge group and shakeology. And as I invested in my wellness the weight, anxiety, and depression all started melting away. And as I shared my journey, I accidently fell into coaching. When I realized how many women probably felt like me, I continued my journey but now with a new motivation of helping others along the way and being accountable to them.   

It wasn’t always easy, but it was a way of life. As I looked in the mirror, I no longer felt ugly and disguisted - I started to feel proud and honored. After losing 30 pounds in 60 days with T25, I went on to do the 21 Day Fix, insanity max 30, a little more T25 and the 21 Day Fix extreme with a sprinkle of turbo fire, piyo and pump.

Today, I am 8 pounds lighter than the day I got married and went from having a BMI of 33 to a BMI of 21! Which is pretty cool. But what is the best part of this whole journey is that my girls got their mom back and the role model they deserve. I went from taking 13 pills a day to just one. And my thyroid medication has not needed adjusted since I started this journey. I have been anti-anxiety and depression med free for 10 months. So yes, I lost 75 pounds and that is great but regaining my life is priceless and unbelievable. Without a doubt this journey changed the future of these girls and because of that, I am forever thankful.

There are so many moms, and women who feel the way Erin did when she started her journey.  This is meant to make awareness for you all and show YOU what is POSSIBLE!!!  

If you would like to support Erin now in having the ability to share her story in LA, which is a huge goal of hers, please VOTE!!! She is the first one when you get to the voting page!!

If you have a free Team Beachbody account, you can CLICK HERE!

If you would like to create a FREE account so I can also help you along your journey as your coach, please CLICK HERE!