How P90X3 will get you RIPPED!

One thing that makes me sad about Beachbody programs, is when they get a bad rep about how much they cost. 

To me, no one could ever truly understand their value until they experience them through and through. When you find your soul mate program, the one that inspires and speaks to you and that you look forward to doing every morning- there is no price limit on that!!! For me to have been able to buy an exercise program that could give me all of the results I could have ever dreamed of, without me having to literally throw money out of my pockets for a gym membership I would never use, and trainers, that although are usually incredible are still pretty expensive--- how does it get any better than that? 

When you purchase a Beachbody program, you purchase much more than DVD's to throw into your DVD player. You are buying the extremely hard work of an extremely talented professional trainer that is with you every.single.minute you are doing that workout. Helping you with form, telling you every move to do every day to get in amazing shape, and pushing you to go hard til the very end. The amount of money you may spend on a 2 to 3 month program is probably as much as you would spend on maybe a week of sessions with a professional trainer at a gym. Not only that, but you keep these programs forever. *Side note: that's why you should always buy through a Beachbody coach that you know! If you buy one anywhere other than the Beachbody site, you risk purchasing something that has no guarantee whatsoever. No replaced scratched or lost disks, no money back guarantee, etc. Or if you purchase through the website without a coach, they assign you a random person anyway, so why not contact someone you know and trust?

But, there's more. When you decide on and purchase a Beachbody program, you join a team; a community. With me and my team, you join the ability to have a huge support group that has been there giving you tips, and meal plans, and accountability. There is seriously nothing like it in the world! 

Beachbody cares about so much more than the health of our diet, like some other companies strive off of. We have top of the line fitness programs that cannot be found on any shelf in stores or at any gym. There's a reason Beachbody barely has any bad reviews and is such a successful company. They care, and we as coaches care!

Now this video... this is just a tidbit of the first video of P90X3 and why it is so effective. These are just snippets of a few of the different moves you will see. P90X3 has everything. Weight lifting, yoga, pilates, cardio with weights, 5 different kinds of cardio that you won't get bored of (agility training, MMX, deceleration/acceleration, etc.). The reason the P90X series are so popular, is because they work. They work, because there are about 18 different videos designed in a schedule so that your body never gets used to what it is doing.

You don't need to spend $30-$100/month on a gym membership. You don't need hundreds of dollars of equipment in your house to get in incredible shape. You barely need any room or any time. What you do need, is to MAKE the time and MAKE the DEDICATION!

I never thought I could do this, but I'm on the road to it. And you can be too. You are WORTH this!

Find me on Facebook to follow my journey {Facebook.com/AmandaGotFit}, and apply below to be in my New Year, New You new year's challenge group starting NEXT WEEK!

With love, 

Amanda James

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Let 2015 Begin!

Hi!! I feel like it's been a bit since I've given a real update on everything going on lately. November got hectic with wedding planning, and then of course the wedding and then honeymoon, but I never stopped staying active and doing the best I could in my diet! Well, excluding some moments during the honeymoon.

The incredible Kiersten Grant photographed our wedding and I could not have asked for more beautiful pictures that really captured how we felt. It was honestly the best day of our lives, and we wish we could relive it! (minus the planning. ha!)

Peak of Our Wedding:

Peak of Our Honeymoon (Jamaica & Haiti):

Now, the Holidays have consisted of lots of travel between coming back home after a week at sea, Thanksgiving, birthdays, now Christmas for both sides of the families. But, I couldn't ask for anything better. I know how incredibly lucky we are to have remained so close to our families and to have families to spend these holidays with, so bring the travel on!

I'm getting more and more excited each day for my upcoming New Year, New You challenge group. Not only for the challengers that will be joining me (ladies doing their own programs in the group), but for hitting the restart button on my own fitness journey. While I've kept doing the minimum to maintain during these busy months, that also means I haven't gone any further with my goals, which I'm not too happy about.

Today I am officially starting P90X3 over again from scratch! Day 1 is in the books and I'm ecstatic about it. This has been my favorite program by far, and I'm excited to see what results Round 2 will bring while incorporating a higher calorie bracket of the 21 Day Fix meal plan. I'm using the 21 Day Fix meal plan just to continue to help me realize how much of each food group is necessary for my body with the amount of calories I'm consuming. I know how easy it would be to say I have 1,800 allotted calories for the day, and fill most of those with carbs and sugars, etc. But to know I have 3 servings of complex carbs, 2 servings of fruit, 4 servings of protein, and so on, helps me tremendously (which is why 21 Day Fix is also the bomb!)

My New Year, New You group is open to any and all programs. I never want to shut anyone out because their interests and goals call for a different program than what I'm doing. For some, P90X3 may sound terrible because they hate weight lifting, but also way too intense because they are just starting out on their fitness journey, and that's ok! There are so so so many programs to choose from, which is why I would LOVE for you to fill out my application for the group and contact me so I can help you choose the best program for you!

I am meal prepping today for the week and keeping it super simple. Grilled chicken with fresh Italian herbs, garlic and parmesan quinoa, and fresh green beans for the main course. I always have chopped up fruits in the freezer for my Shakeology smoothies along with fresh spinach and kale to throw in (because Lord knows I am not good at getting my veggies in otherwise), and a clean eating pot rost in the crockpot for dinners! Snacks will consist of Tony Horton's Stick Bars, other fresh veggies, almonds & organic craisins, and anything else quick and healthy I can find. I definitely recommend going ahead and having your snacks all bagged up to be able to grab on the go, on the way to work or on your errands! It never hurts to have some extras in your purse/backpack/etc to have on the go so you don't get so starving that fast food starts calling your name!

In other exciting news, I have also started a brand new like page on Facebook to start really following my health and fitness journey through all of the little details. I just hope this can expand for me to really be able to find others that need help, and to further help those in need!
To start following me, just go here -->AmandaGotFit<-- nbsp="">

So, what are your fitness goals for the New Year? How can I help you?

If you would like to join my upcoming fitness group, please feel free to apply below and I will get in touch with you!

Amanda James

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Strawberry Shakeology Protein Muffins

When I have some extra Shakeology/protein powder around the house, and I'm in the mood for some baking, I love whipping up some healthy concoctions that won't bust the waistline.

With the extra Strawberry Shakeology I had, visions of strawberry pancakes and muffins filled my mind and I had to find a yummy recipe I could make my own with Shakeo! So, this is what I came up with... I even got extra naughty and put some semi-sweet chocolate morsels in there ;) (they're 21 Day Fix approved, ok?!)

Try these babies out when you need a sweet fix the HEALTHY way! They would be great with any flavor of Shakeology.

What You'll Need:

-2-3 scoops of Shakeology (about 1 cup)
-1 tsp. baking soda
-1 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
-1/2 cup applesauce
-1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
-1 1/2 tbsps. maple syrup
-2 egg whites
-1/2 cup mini or regular chocolate chips (*optional)


Preparation:

-Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
-In a medium bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients (Shakeology, baking soda, cinnamon),
-In a large bowl, mix applesauce, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and egg whites. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips and let mixture sit to thicken for a few minutes.

-Pour mixture evenly into muffin cups and bake 15-20 minutes, or until cooked all the way through.
-Let cool and then enjoy!

 With love,

Amanda James

New Year, New YOU!

Every year in the past, I always stayed far away from New Year's resolutions.

I would tell myself and everyone else that I thought that they were silly, or useless, or what have you, but the truth is... they scared me. I have always been the opposite of a goal setter. I used to think that setting goals was one in the same as setting myself up for failure. I was way more comfortable just going with the flow and never having real goals or reals failures, when in reality, what I didn't realize at the time... is that you MUST fail before you can EVER succeed!

Everything changed when my husband, at the time fiance, deployed shortly after we had moved in together. I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired--- eating poorly, never working out, exhausted from my job, constantly sick, you name it. I decided for the first time to set some goals (and surprise him when he got home), and those goals were to lose 10 pounds, gain my energy, health and life back, and be happy in my own skin.

Getting TurboFire, Shakeology, and joining my first ever Bombshell Challenge Group literally saved my life. For the first time, I had a support group cheering me on and I reached every single one of those goals!

This year, I am at it again! I am setting MAJOR goals for myself, and as a Beachbody Coach for my first New Year ever, I want to be that support system for others around me. I want to help women gain their strength, health, and confidence back, while having fun, feeling comfortable, while really challenging themselves and meeting new friends. It was the best thing to ever happen to my life, and I am ready to pass it on more than ever!

I am officially going back to my second round of P90X3, the fitness program that got me in the best shape of my life! While Turbo Fire helped me shed that last bit of unwanted fat, P90X3 really took me to the next level- extreme fat loss and extreme lean muscle gain! I got back in a size 2 pants and was ecstatic. Check out my YouTube transformation video to really get the whole story!

However, there are so many programs to choose from and I want to help you find the perfect one for your specific wants, needs, and goals for your health! Please comment on this post and fill out my application to be considered for this incredible group. I will be helping you through every step of the way, and I want serious inquiries only! This is your health and future and while I am going to take it very seriously with you, I can only do that if you take it seriously too!

For further questions and information, feel free to e-mail me at a_corry@aol.com!

With love,

Amanda James

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P90- This Could Be YOUR Beginning!

Many of you who hear the name "Beachbody" automatically think, "Ohhhh, P90X right? That's what Beachbody is?" And RIGHTLY so! Tony Horton's P90X series is one of the BEST in the entire world; and no, I do not think I am exaggerating. It truly is that incredible. P90X3 did absolute wonders for me, and I plan to go back to it many times in the future, probably with the help of the 21 Day Fix containers for my portion control!

So, yes, Tony Horton was one of the first trainers to ever jump on the Beachbody board with Beachbody's CEO Carl Dakeiler, way back in the day! Tony is an amazing person (I got to meet him at Coach Summit in 2014), and when he makes a program, he truly puts his heart and soul into every single move and video, even if he is cracking jokes to the guys about how whimpy they are! He knows what people NEED, and he knows what people want. P90X, P90X2, and P90X3 have all been breakthrough programs in themselves, but have you ever looked at them and thought to yourself, "That is WAY too intense for me!!!"?

Well, Tony heard those voices, and he actually LISTENED! He has created his newest program P90 just for those of you who have always wanted to try his programs, but wanted a way to ease into them without injury, failure, and to just know what to expect! It will still be 90 days of a top of the line program, with a multitude of exercises to get you in incredible shape, but will be without that "X" for that crazy extreme the other P90X videos have!

You may love P90 if...

-You are totally new to fitness and don't know where to begin
-You used to work out ALL of the time, but over time have gotten sidetracked and want a spot to begin again
-You have been injured in the past and want something that will push you, but keep you safe from further injury
-If you have always been a Tony Horton lover, but not able to handle his other series quite yet!
-If you have just finished P90X, P90X2, or P90X3, and want to maintain your results and check out some new moves!

P90 will still be incredibly effective without as much of the intensity, because similar to the other P90X programs, it will focus on sectional progression. Basically what that means, is that it will be cut down into different phases. Each phase will give you a period of time in which the moves are a little hard, then you begin to master them, then you have time to do them well and confidently. As soon as your body is used to them, it moves on to the next phase that is a little tougher, so your body never gets used to one spot and is always progressing, equaling intensified results!

You will get 10 workouts on 4 DVD's, all ranging from 25-45 minutes long! You will be able to do all of these workouts right in the comfort of your own home! The only space you will need is enough to step from side to side, so move the coffee table out of the middle of the living room floor with me and get to WORK! ;)

You will also receive...

*Super simple nutrition plan: no counting calories or cutting out food groups, just simple nutrition to maximize your results and burn fat throughout the day!

*4 Step Power Plan: Tony's "golden rules" for you to abide by on the first day that will maximize your results for the entirety of the program!

*Resistance Band: no need to go buy an entire gym for your house! This is ALL you need!

*6 Day Shred: a plan for the times that you need a QUICK FIX, faster than fast!

*Your 90 Day Workout Calendar: abide by this specific calendar for the program- it was made perfectly to give you the BEST results you can get!

Get the P90 Challenge Pack with Shakeology for an INCREDIBLE deal! No more $50/month gym memberships that you're barely going to use. Invest money in a program that works, that you will have forever, with the best trainer out there right there in your home helping you every step of the way. Also, a nutrient dense shake that will change you from the inside out in ways you could never imagine!

Want to join my next Fitness Support Group to have help, support, nutrition tips, fitness tips, and encouragement with a few other people along the way? Apply below!

 This could be YOUR beginning to fitness FOREVER!

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P90X3 Week TWO!

This past week has been a little crazy with family get together's, wedding planning, unexpected road-trips, among other things... BUT I am proud that I was able to get my workout in every.single.DAY! I am feeling amazing and already notice some differences. I have missed all of the variety of the P90X3 workouts sooo much. Every single workout is designed to make you stronger, more agile, flexible, and ready for anything.  It will have you working muscles that you didn't even know you had!!!

The Workouts

Since it's week 2, next week will be the last week of doing the same 7 workouts that I've been doing. Then, just when my body is used to the moves and has mastered them, it will already be time for transition week, and then into the 2nd Phase of the program! Which means, even MORE intense workouts!

I am SO close to mastering 100% real pull-ups- I will have to get a video of how I am modifying them now so everyone can have a good laugh! ;) But the plyo push-ups, 5 different kinds of pull-ups, and elevator push-ups, have all increased my upper body strength so much! It's amazing.

The Meal Plan

It has been surprisingly really difficult to up my calorie intake and eat as many of the 21 Day Fix meal plan containers that I'm supposed to for the 1,500-1,800 calorie bracket. I've been able to consume all of them by pretty much throwing in all of the leftover containers I have into my Shakeology shake each night if I hadn't met the requirements yet! 

I know that my diet will be of utmost importance to my overall results, and I want to make SURE I am properly fueling my body! The wedding is less than 30 days away now, so it's time to go FULL FORCE with my nutrition!

I am currently smelling the deliciousness of this pot roast simmering in the crockpot! I love making big meals that will easily be portioned out into tupperware for Stephen and I to eat off of throughout the week! It saves so much time and money. This will be the perfect mixture of lean protein, veggies, and healthy carbs!

My sweet tooth has also been taking a turn for the worst, but Shakeology has come to the rescue, like always! I just recently made these Vanilla Shakeology pancakes and I cannot even describe how delicious they are! I made them out of:

-2 scoops vanilla Shakeology

-1/2 cup whole wheat quick oats

-2 eggs

-1 spoonful unsweetened applesauce

-1 tbsp flaxseed

-2 tbsps fresh blueberries

-2 tbsps almond milk

I blended everything in my food processor and sprinkled with semi sweet chocolate morsels while they cooked into pancakes! I like to be bad and take them off of the stove before they're fully cooked- I love warm, mushy desserts! They are my weakness!

I have also recently made these Shakeology cookies, but with vanilla Shakeology instead and OH MY GOODNESS! I think they are wayyyy better with the vanilla! I love having extra Shakeology around the house to make these delicious, and super healthy clean desserts!

The Business

My team is soaring STRAIGHT to the top, and fast! I could not have been more blessed with more amazing men and women to work with. It took me a bit to find them, but the wait was well worth it. They are the most selfless, hard working, passionate individuals that are taking their results to the next level, and finding other people to help along the way! The fact that we are all working towards either $500/month extra income, or an entire 6-FIGURE CAREER by doing what we love, helping others, and becoming our healthiest selves, is the most AMAZING blessing!!!

We still also have openings for our totally FREE and purely informational 5 Day Sneak Peak into Beachbody Coaching!!! No obligation at the end whatsoever, but if you have been curious as to what Beachbody Coaching entails, and think you might be interested, add me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/amanda.corry.9) and request to join our group TONIGHT! We start all of the information tomorrow! --> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=686166521455327

Those of them that got Success Club 10 in September are getting these goodies along with me! A totally free P90 baseball cap and women's or men's shirt- I cannot WAIT to see them!!!! I love this company and how it takes care of its contractors so well. This month a lot of us coaches are in the Fall Classic, working hard to help others and earn some fun prizes in the process- so stay tuned to see what we get after October ends!

Everything Else

Stephen and I are so lucky to still be stationed so close to our families! His grandparents traveled down to FL for a few weeks, and we got to meet up with them at a delicious BBQ place right on the bay. It was a gorgeous view, and this October fall weather is FINALLY starting to cool us down during the daytime so we can enjoy sitting outside!

This weekend we also had the privilege of honoring his great grandmother's life in Parker, FL. It's so amazing to know that his family's past generations had grown up right around the corner from my childhood home. His family and my family finally got to meet for the first time, and I could not have asked for a better reunion! November 15th cannot come soon enough!

-->Above everything else, no matter what has happened in the past, no matter what is going on now, no matter HOW hard it is or how long it takes to reach your goals... never, EVER give up! YOU are worth it, and DESERVE everything in the world! Remember- it's going to get tough before it will ever get easy. 

YOU can DO THIS!

If you want help getting to where you want to be, fill out my form below and I will get RIGHT in contact with you!

With love,

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P90X3 Week 1: The Good, The Bad, The UGLY!

If you have been following me, you probably already know that 21 Day Fix and P90X3 are my absolute favorite Beachbody fitness programs of all time! I love that they are a mixture of every element of physical health and wellness all rolled into one: weight lifting, cardio, pilates, yoga, cardio WITH weights, plyometrics... you name it, they have it.

21 Day Fix was a really big game changer for me when it came to the meal plan and color coded tupperware containers. Clean eating has always been my biggest foe, and while I have gotten much better with clean eating food choices and finding what I love, I knew that I was still suffering with portion control, so 21 Day Fix SAVED me in that department.

However, after about 6+ straight weeks of 21 Day Fix workouts, I was looking for a bit more. I started incorporating some of my old PiYo and Turbo Fire workouts in, but I am a stickler for organization, and love going by a strict schedule. P90X3 is the workout that to this day has gotten me in the best shape of my life, so I decided to turn back to it! The one complaint I have about 21 Day Fix is that it only has 7 different workouts (well, 8, including the awesome bonus Plyo DVD). I love every workout soooo much, but I love the variety of the 17 different workouts P90X3 has! You will never get bored, and your body will never quite get used to what you're doing. THAT is what makes the results of P90X3 so incredible!

The Workouts

Week 1-3 involve doing the same 7 workouts Monday-Friday: Synergistics, Agility X, Yoga, The Challenge, CVX, The Warrior. Thankfully, they are all only 30 minutes each, so they are totally doable and there are NO excuses to not getting them done!

I LOVE these workouts, with the exception of CVX. Haha! CVX is cardio with weights, and I mean HARDCORE cardio with weights. This and plyo workouts are the hardest for me to do, so naturally, I try to avoid them like the plague. But, what is the hardest for us are the things that will get us in the best shape and what we need to work on the most, so I make sure to never actually skip it.
*My tip to getting through workouts you hate: Turn off the talking and music of the workout DVD, and blare your own favorite music mix! It will make the time go by WAY faster.

Synergistics is what the name explains: syngergy of everything in your body working together. You will balance on one leg and lift weights, go from plank to side balance and crunches, boat/plow moves, knee up pull ups, EVERYTHING! There isn't one body part that doesn't get worked in this video.

Agility X is a hardcore cardio video that works on, you guessed it, your agility! You will be jumping from one "x" to the next, jumping over targets, doing different running sequences, etc. If you're not dripping sweat and on the ground gasping for air at the end of it, you're doing it wrong.

The Warrior is one of my all-time favorites! It's one of the workouts that Tony teaches at military bases around the world. It gets your body ripped with your body. Push-ups, burpees, one-legged squats, plank sequences... it's just pure awesomeness. I love workouts I could do anywhere at anytime like this one.

The Challenge is alllll pushin' and pullin'! This one IS definitely a challenge for me, because I haven't quite mastered pull-ups. However, I was exponentially closer to mastering one the first time I did P90X3, so I fully intend to get there in these 90 days! I LOVE push-ups, so I enjoy that part. If you upper body isn't dying and you need help lifting a fork to your face the day after this workout, you're doing it wrong!

*If you would like to ease into the P90X series, but need to start out slower and less intense, look into the newest program P90! It may be JUST what you need!*

The Meal Plan

The P90X3 meal plan isn't detailed enough for me, so I'm going to stick to the 21 Day Fix container/meal plan. However, I'm more excited because I know I will be exerting much more energy doing P90X3, and therefore going with the calorie count with that meal plan book, I will be upping my calorie intake to the next container bracket for the Fix. That means- more food! I am not all about trying to starve myself to get to my goals. Doing extreme workouts like the ones in P90X3, means needing more food to replenish and build your muscles. If not, eating less can take you away from your goals and possibly even to weight gain, or your body at least holding on to all of the fat and calories you have then (meaning no loss of fat or weight at all). I will be consuming around 1,500-1,800 calories a day. 1,800 would be a better goal, so I will do that best I can!

Imagine from melaniemitro.com

For 21 Day Fix, that will mean: 4 green (veggies), 3 purple (fruits), 4 reds (proteins), 3 yellow (complex carbs), 1 blue (healthy fats), 1 orange (nuts/oils), and 4 teaspoons (nut butters, chocolate, etc).
*My tip to easily keep up with the meal plan is that when you buy the program or just the containers, print out the worksheets that they have for you on the Team Beachbody website! They make it so easy to tally off the containers you use and see what you will have left for the day!

So, How am I Feeling?

The first time I completed, P90X3, I was actually very shocked by my results because I pretty much never once felt sore. If I did, it was very slight, so it made me feel like I was never accomplishing anything.

This time, however, I am so sore I can barely function!!! I know I'm probably a freak, but I love this feeling. I love being sore and sweaty after a workout, barely able to do the next day's... it makes me feel like I am kicking butt! My friend said it's because she believes that I am probably working harder now that I have done it before, and I'm really hoping that's the case! That, and I will get even better results this time!

If you'd like to join me in this journey, please fill out the form below! It will be a blast, and I love having others with me!

With love,

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Unapologetically ME!

I did something that I wasn't proud of yesterday.

I randomly flexed in the mirror, was shocked at my most recent improvements, snapped a picture, and shared on Instagram. But, I was nervous and didn't share it on Facebook. I was scared of what people may think. I was scared of being judged for being a female with slightly larger than normal muscle mass. 

When I realized that these thoughts were coursing through my head, I then started to think, "WHAT?!?!? Everything you have worked so hard for, the things you have taught OTHERS not to fear, including judgement from others... and now you're going to run scared from the progress you are making because it may not match someone else's goals?"

So, no more. I am firm believer in practicing what you preach. So many of the beautiful women on my team have been nervous to share their progress photos. Either they are not where they want to be yet, or just have not yet become comfortable with the thought of baring skin on social media. I always comfort them and let them know, "You know what? Someone needs to see this. Someone needs to know that you are going through the same things that they are, and you have tools to help them. You have succeeded no matter WHAT stage in your progress you are currently in." They always come to a realization, share their pictures, and draw in the people that NEEDED them in that moment, and needed their help.

Why am I not telling myself the same things? Who cares if someone is going to judge my muscular figure? That's ok. Maybe I will not connect with them. But you know what, I can and will connect with someone that has the same goals as me, that is ready to shed those last few pounds of fat, that is in love with weightlifting and hates cardio, that would be proud to see defined muscles when they flex in the mirror.

Goals change over time for each person. Mine are now to become the most fit, trim version of me with proper diet and exercise. I REFUSE to be ashamed of that. On Monday, I'm even going to restart P90X3 + Shakeology with one of my girls while using the 21 Day Fix containers to maintain portion control. I hope to be even MORE defined by the end of that!

So, this is me. Unapologetically me. I like lifting heavy weights, I have a hard time giving up carbs, but I am seeing and striving for improvements every day. 

I will never stop doing what I love!

xoxo,

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How I FINALLY Kicked My Bad Eating Habits!

Something you may not know about me, is that I have a slight addiction to bad foods. I am not being sarcastic, but totally serious. Honestly, I'm sure about 90% of American children and adults do as well, without us even realizing it. The addicting chemicals in delicious fast foods surrounds us everywhere we turn. Don't lie- you know you can't mistake the smell of McDonald's, even if you just ordered a coke from them and it's sitting on the table! Their smell is just there, and it's there for a reason. They know exactly what they are doing when they make their foods, and it is literally addicting. That is why it is so hard for us, especially adults who have been surrounded by these addicting foods for years, to finally kick the habit.

How many of you, like me, have looked in the mirror horrified at your reflection, and said to yourself, "Ok. This is it SERIOUSLY this time! Tomorrow I'm waking up, eating totally clean, and never eating sugar again!" only to wake up and grab a Starbucks frappuccino and brownie on your way to work? Yeah. Me too. Been there done that at least 100 times. So, what helped me finally kick the bad habit?

There were a few things that played into that fact:

DEDICATION. PERSISTENCE. SHAKEOLOGY. MY FUTURE. MY BODY. MY RELATIONSHIPS.

So, let's start with Dedication & Persistence. Folks, beginning to eat clean is not a walk in the park. In fact, it's not even timed miles in the park, for crying out loud. It is the single hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But you know what? It was also the most rewarding. There are going to be nights that you are on your knees crying to the sky, "WHY OH WHY CAN'T I JUST HAVE ONE PIECE OF PIZZA!?!? Just one piece won't be too bad, right!?" WRONG. One piece of pizza compounded over time is bad news. Say NO. DO NOT eat that one piece when you are fresh on your journey to clean eating. I'm not saying to never eat pizza again. I am saying that when you are in the beginning of your walk to true health and fitness, which starts with your diet, do yourself a favor, say no, and feel CONFIDENT about it. Who cares what people think? Who cares if they tell you you will never succeed with this and you are bound to give up? Who cares if people are jealous of your new lifestyle choice? It's because of who THEY are and the choices THEY are making, not you! The longer you hold out and say no to temptations, the MUCH easier it will become.

It was also all about finding healthy foods and recipes that I truly loved. Eating clean does not have to mean giving up good tasting foods and forcing down disgusting ones! If you cannot stand brussel sprouts, don't think you have to shove them down just because they're healthy. Rather, find your favorite veggies and ways to season them, and chow down on that instead. Hide some spinach in your shakes. Do what you gotta do to succeed. Soon, your tastebuds will change and I swear to you, you will barely be able to tolerate sweets any more. The addiction will be over, and you will be well on your way to a new life of health. And abs. :)

Shakeology. Shakeology is my BFF for real. I am not joking you when I say this: the first morning that I drank Shakeology for breakfast after getting it in my Turbo Fire Challenge Pack, my cravings for sweets (my biggest weakness) were GONE! Shakeology was really the beginning to my everything for being able to eat clean. It was literally satisfying the voids that I had in my life that I used to fill with unhealthy foods. You see, our bodies are more malnourished for nutrients than we realize. There are so many vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants, etc. that our bodies are not receiving in day to day life. When we crave hot fudge sundaes and ooey gooey fatty cheese pizza, it is not because our bodies need those foods. In fact, our bodies need something else- but our brains are so addicted to our easy, yummy fast foods and quick fixes, that those foods are automatically what we revert to. However, when I started drinking Shakeology and actually receiving the nutrients that my body biologically needed, my brain turned off those switches for the bad foods, because it was finally fulfilled, for the first time, like.... EVER. Now, when I crave foods, it is real, whole foods that will serve a purpose and nourish my body, not sabotage it.

Does this mean I eat perfectly every single day and I'm just an eat clean angel sent from above? Absolutely not! In fact, this past week of mine was awful... which is why I was even more motivated to get back to it and write this post! I do still get cravings sometimes, and I do purposefully give in to them once a week! I give myself a cheat meal once a weekend to be able to let loose, and it's really (in my opinion) better for our bodies to feed them some bad every once in awhile. I think it keeps them guessing and get a little more revved up! Also, in case cravings had been particularly bad, I remind myself to hold out until that cheat meal. It helps me know that there's a finish line and time and place to be bad, which is NOT every day!

My Body, My Relationships, & My Family. I hear this phrase a lot: "just eat the damn cupcake" because this is our one life here on earth and we might as well indulge. I have to disagree. Like I said, I give myself times and places to eat "that damn cupcake," but if that was every chance I had, and my excuse was because "this was my one life to live," I would be living an extremely agonizing and miserable life for how unhealthy I know I would be, and how little I would be able to enjoy day to day activities. Our bodies are not meant to process those sugars that way. In fact, one cupcake probably holds more sugars than our recommended serving for the ENTIRE day! Do I judge others that want to eat all of the cupcakes they come across in a day? Not at all, but I ask to not have the same judgement back when I choose not to. I am doing it for my body today, and particularly for the future. I had no idea how good my body was meant to feel, until I truly started eating better and treating it the way it was supposed to be treated with daily exercise.

Which brings me to my family and relationships. I want to get in the best shape of my life that I can now, for my future. I know that may sound a little strange, but I want to have beliefs so firm in my life, that I will pass them to my future children without the blink of an eye. I want be able to bounce back from pregnancies more easily. I want to stay healthy and energized for my marriage and my family. I want to prevent illnesses as much as I can and failed bones, organs, and muscles as much as I can. I want to be that awesome old lady that is still doing her morning walks and yoga and can remember all of her great grandchildren's names.

That is why I do what I do and eat the way that I do. It was a long, hard road for me, and I now want to be able to pass on what I learned to those around me. I want to help them in their journeys, and help hold myself accountable as well!

It will not be easy, but it will be so worth it. I spent years not appreciating what I saw in the mirror, and that is such a dreadful way to live. I am not proud that I ever had negative thoughts, and still do when I see myself, but I am striving to put an end to that every day. I don't do what I do to be skinny, I do what I do to be healthy and fit and be so damn proud of myself at the end of every day, that I know I tried my best in the end!

Losing those first few pounds is priceless. Feeling light and energized has no words. Seeing those first traces of abs for the first time... there is nothing else like it in the world!

Want more help on the track to a fitter, healthier you? Join me as I continue my own journey each and every day!

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Why I'm GIDDY With Excitement!

Man, SO much has been happening, I didn't even know how to make this blog post about ONE topic! I feel like I haven't been able to just share the random things that have been going on in my life with you guys, so today is better late than never!

21 Day Fix: Round 2!

If you checked out my review of 21 Day Fix the first round, you know how crazy I am about this program!! I have completed a few over the last (almost) year [Turbo Fire, P90X3, PiYo, 21 Day Fix] and I have to say, it is my favorite so far. That's so tough to decide since each program has been so different and what I needed at each point in my life.

Turbo Fire was the most fun, upbeat cardio program I have EVER done in my life. I had about 10 pounds of extra blubber I wanted to shed, and hate hate hate cardio, so I really went out on a limb with it... and fell in love. Well, ok I hated it for about the first couple of weeks lol, but I pushed through and I am SO glad that I did!!! It made me break down walls and barriers that I never had before... like to the point of tears after finishing Fire 40 all the way through- Chalene Johnson is just that powerful. I did shed the weight, and am forever thankful for that program! Even if I never finish it again, I could never let it go!

P90X3 has to be a close second as my all time favorite program to the Fix. It's intense, quick, and combines a TON of different workouts into one- which is what I love! I'm a huge weight lifting fan, I would choose it over cardio any day of the week, so naturally I enjoyed it a lot. But, even the cardio bits were fun because they were never your average cardio, but were MMX, Agility X, Warrior X- a TON of different fun, heart racing exercises in a 30 minute video. It was just a blast and got me the most ripped I have ever been. I lost 8 inches, but gained 2 pounds in lean muscle, and I was NOT sad about it. I'm still waiting to hear if I got accepted into the newest P90X3 infomercial!

Getting ready to record some clips to send in to Team Beachbody for the infomercial!

PiYo was really great. I will be honest and say that it wasn't my typical thing, but it definitely opened the doors to fitness for so many women around me, that when I had my very first PiYo only challenge group, that was one of the closest knit groups I have EVER had. It's an amazing gateway program to fitness for all fitness levels. It really did improve my strength and flexibility, and I had little muscles showing up from places I didn't even know I had muscles, lol! I still like to go to it for active recovery days, and days that my joints just aren't too happy with me, but it wasn't totally me, if that makes sense.

Then... 21 Day Fix came into my life. It is everything I love PLUS some. It's a ton of different exercises, quick to have you in and out, but included one extra thing that NO other program has so far: the. best. meal. plan. EVER. I was honestly super skeptical about it working, but every single person I knew that had finished the 3 weeks of the program before had gotten killer results, so I wanted to try! I had just a few extra stubborn pounds around the belly/thigh area that I was looking to shred, and it totally did that. In 21 days. And while the workouts are so important, I know that the food was CRUCIAL, and that the exact way this program has you eating was fat burning POWER to my body all darn day long! Ask ANYONE you know that has done this program- it is the best!

WHY 21 Day Fix is so important to me right now:

As many of you know, I am military family. I've been living with my Air Force man for about a year, and his job results in him leaving. A lot. To many different places and with VERY short notice! So, when this happens, all we can really do is survive with laughter and try to make a positive out of it. The first time he ever deployed, I decided I was going to get in tip top shape and surprise him when he got back. I was still in school at FSU, so I did what I could at the gym, and did totally surprise him when he got back! But guess what happened?! Happy weight came right back on when he got back. Haha! The second time he deployed, I got really serious about it. I had gained all the weight back at that point, and I felt awful. Many people said I didn't look it, but to me it's not always about how you look- it's about how you feel. Anyway, that's when I did Turbo Fire, and then became a Beachbody coach quickly after that because I was obsessed with what the program and Shakeology did for my life, that I had to spread it to everyone around me!!!

Thank goodness I became a coach, because now I could never allow myself to go back to my old ways- that's just a personal choice. To me, if I am going to be a role model leading others to health and fitness, I need to be the best example of that as possible! So, it's amazing accountability.

Anywho, Stephen has left again for a much shorter amount of time, but this time it is RIGHT before our wedding! So, I'm throwing myself into fitness again! It's how I stay sane, and how I survive. I like to see how fit I can get before he gets back! Luckily since this one is only 21 days long, it'll be just about perfect! Since the food is so important, I know that's why I get in the best shape even faster than any of the other programs- since abs are SERIOUSLY made in the kitchen!

As for my BOMBSQUAD Fitness Team...

I have just recently had some of the most incredible people join my team. They are on fire, have been getting shredded with Beachbody programs and Shakeology, and like me, have become ready to share it with the world! I am so happy for them. I am so excited for the people that they will reach. We are ready to end the trend of obesity and help those that need our help, like we one day did when our coaches found us. Really, I think fitness should always be done with a tribe like mine- we uplift each other, support each other, give each other advice and tips, and never let one another fail!

I've heard some people make fun of Beachbody coaches, saying "why do I need one?! I already have the program and shakes- I already know what to do each day." And to that I say, that is totally fine. If you don't want someone's help and want to do it alone, that is a personal choice and I totally stand by it. To each their own. As coaches, we are not nutritional and fitness experts. We are not going to stand by you and train you when you are working out. We are here to support you and help you through this life changing process. Starting over is hard- making huge life changes are hard. We are just people who have been there and struggled with it too, and now want to help you do the same. We have groups with other people doing the same programs and try to bring everyone together, and there is nothing like it. I will never be ashamed for what I do, because I know I needed it at one point (still do), and someone else does too! You don't have to go through your fitness journey alone!

I am starting a new coach training for a couple of my coaches, and if you think now is the time you'd like to start your own journey and get awesome discounts, or continue your journey and help others, then here you go! Go ahead and fill out the form below and we will chat! 21 Day Fix is on an incredible discount for this month only, so go ahead and get it and join me today!

Love you guys, thanks for reading!

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Tony Horton's Sticky Bars

This goes down as one of my FAVORITE snacks EVER! It's full of complex carbs, healthy fats, natural sugars and ingredients... oh man, just so mouth watering. If you love peanut butter and bananas like me, you will LOVE these sticky bars straight from the man himself! #TonyHorton

I did make one little tweak that you won't find if you look up his original recipe, and that's the type of granola. Tony recommends an unsweetened plain granola. When I first went out for the ingredients to make these yummy bars myself, I couldn't find any such granola, and picked Bear Naked's Blueberry Granola. Can I just say: "best decision ever"?! It gave it a little kick that I don't think I'd want to go without now!

So, here are the exact ingredients and steps I used when making them!

Tony Horton's Sticky Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup Bear Naked Blueberry granola
1/2 cup crunchy all natural peanut butter
1/2 banana
wax paper or aluminum foil



Preparation:

-Mix and mash granola, peanut butter, and banana in a bowl until mixed well.
-Spoon mixture onto wax paper or aluminum foil, and roll into a "log" shape.
-Stick in freezer for at least 2 hours.
-Remove from freezer and slice into pieces!

Enjoy as a post workout snack, or healthy snack on the go!

WARNING: You may just become addicted. 



With love,

Which Path Are You Going to Take?

Making big changes to our lives can be really scary. I think the scariest part about the change isn't the change itself, but rather our fear of failing and what everyone around us will think. It becomes easier to just sit back and remain what we are, with a far off dream of what we want to be and what we want to accomplish just floating softly in the back of our minds. We start thinking of the time it will take to get there, the things we must give up, the people we may lose along the way that have different priorities and goals than us, and the inevitable fear of failure.

I just want to say that I've felt all of those emotions, and have been through all of those obstacles. For me, I have experienced this and more in my decision to become the fittest, healthiest version of myself, and to begin my own business as an online health and wellness coach. I knew it was going to be a big, scary, hairy change and goal. I knew I was going to be judged. I knew I was going to have to give a lot of things up to reach my goals. I knew I was probably going to lose the respect of some people along the way. What I didn't realize, was how trying it would truly be. What I also didn't realize, is that every single person that has knocked me down, made fun of me, told me what I was doing was stupid. told me "I don't care about your progress and Shakeology, why do you have to post it for everyone to see?!" -that those people, the ones who continue to stay negative and just plain mean, are FULL of their own self hatred. The negativity they are portraying onto me, and onto you, is a reflection of THEM, NOT of the wonderful things that YOU are doing and that YOU are trying to accomplish!

It took so long for me to realize that, and so many painful nights of tears and embarrassment. Was what I was doing truly that stupid? Am I really annoying everyone around me? Do people not really care?

But, you know what conclusion I have come to now? That that is ok. I can't please everyone. I can't make everyone see how happy I am and how amazing my journey has been. But I CAN help SOMEONE! I can help the people who care to listen, who are ready to change their lives too, who are happy for those around them and open to positivity and love in their lives. For each person I have lost in my journey to my dreams, I have gained 10 more beautiful ones in my life.

Not everyone is going to care for you. Not everyone is going to have your back. But are we going to let the one mean, hurtful comment overshadow the HUNDREDS and THOUSANDS of beautiful, meaningful, thankful comments we have gotten from the ones who truly matter?

When I first started my weight loss journey with at home fitness programs, I had friends telling me that they knew me, and I'd never finish the program. I'd never drink my shakes every day. It would be cool for a few weeks, and then I'd drop off. I had friends that were mad at me when I said "no" to our lunch dates to Chili's, or our drinking nights to the local bar, or our ice cream dates... not because they were mad at me, but because they had different goals and were mad at themselves in the process. I have learned that as painful as giving those things up, that if those people can't support me and understand my life changes, then that's ok. I had to do what was right for me, and I am the only one I need to ever prove anything to, after all.

And you know what? I finished that program. And have now completed many more. Each program has meant something so incredible to me at that point in my life. Each program I did was what I needed at that time, and has brought me closer to my goals than I have ever imagined. They were more than just "silly fitness programs." They were what have brought me my confidence, happiness, laughter, self worth, and love for fitness again. Maybe that will annoy some people when I want to share my passion with them. Maybe some people will not understand. But that is ok with me now. I appreciate and love the support from each and every single person I have received it from. I LOVE watching people on their own health and fitness journeys, whether it's with me or not! I love watching the training that some are doing at their gym for the next show they're entering, or the way people are training for their next big marathons. It may not be what I'm doing, but I'm so happy and proud for them. I know the hard work and dedication it takes, and I understand the hurt of the naysayers that they must endure.

But what's more beautiful than anything- is their ability to outshine that negativity and prove everyone around them wrong, and prove themselves right. Watching them finish their shows and their marathons- there is nothing like it.

That's part of what I try to do. I share my progress, how I looked and felt before Beachbody programs, in the hopes that I can connect with someone that feels the way I feel, and has felt the way I felt. I want to show them that they can do this- they can make those changes in their lives, and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. It will be hard, but it can be done, and with the support of our fitness challenge groups- you will have a community that understands and has the same goals as you.

So, what I hope someone can take away from this post, is to live your life, as who you TRULY are, unapologetically. Scream it from the rooftops! Have huge scary dreams that seem INSANE- so embarrassing that you don't even want to tell anyone about them! Then, after that, GO AFTER THEM. Reach those goals. Walk past the haters with your head held high, and don't let ANYONE knock you down. They're not really trying to knock you down, but build themselves up on top of the foundation of their self doubt and hatred. 

We have so little time on this earth. Are we going to spend it shrinking in the shadows, scraping by day by day with the absolute minimum, keeping our hopes and dreams to the side? Or are we going to fearlessly step out into the spotlight, let our passions steer our lives, and NEVER GIVE UP for anything or anyone?

I know which path I'm going for.... and ain't nobody stopping me.