So, It Doesn't Get Easier - and One-Pot Lentil Chicken Recipe

First let me say that we took our family portraits yesterday for our Christmas cards and it was a beautiful snowy wintery day. We got lucky! 

Second - I am actually loving our pictures! Beachbody - specifically Turbofire and Shakeology have given me my confidence back and I like how I look. I am now down 12 lbs in 29 days. That is quite an accomplishment for me. Plus I am getting abs of steel! I love it. 

As for the "It doesn't get easier..."  I initially thought - It is a workout DVD, won't I get sick of it or plateau out on doing the same workouts over and over (well - we do a different combo of about 6 different workouts right now, there are 5 more to add to the mix over the next 60 days.) But no! As we learn the kickboxing moves and choreography it gets harder, because we can work harder! I still wake up every day sore. Which is perfect because I know my body is still changing and I love that. 

Now for the good stuff - I made this Clean Eating One Pot Lentils and Chicken for dinner last night and it was so good!

I made the recipe for 4 servings: 

4 thin Chicken Breasts

4 tsp of curry powder

3 cups of green lentils

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt /Pepper

2 tbsp minced garlic or 2 cloves of garlic minced

1 1/2cup Veggie Broth (low sodium, organic, and no msg)

Baby Bell Light Spreadable Swiss Cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat oil on medium-high. Add chicken and cook, turning occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes or until lightly browned. Add curry powder and garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Add lentils to saucepan and stir to coat. Stir in broth and 3 1/2 cups cold water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender and most liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Divide evenly among serving bowls, season to taste with salt and pepper, and garnish each with baby bell and 2 tbsp cilantro(if wanted). (NOTE: if lentils are still hard after 30 minutes, add 1/2 cup more water and continue to cook until softened.)

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I used to think that the Beachbody infomercials were fake....

For the past 25 days I have been diligent- and for the past 23 days I have been doing Turbofire. Busting my ass really, eating right, no snacking after dinner, healthy snacks (think carrots and celery or an apple) during the day and faithfully drinking my Shakeology. For the past 3 days my weight hasn't budged, but I feel better still - tighter still - and sore every day from the way Turbo makes me push myself harder than I have in a very long time. (probably since my gymnastics days)  I just have this intense need to be healthy, to feel good about myself, and to help others feel the same way. You have to be "proof the product works" that is a Beachbody motto. 

All red in the face after a HIIT class. 

So last week I posted my 19 day before and after... and since I am off of work today, I had time to post my 25 day before and after.... 

I mean really! I feel like one of those infomercial people for Beachbody! This is only 25 days in! I have 65 days to go! I am so psyched to see what happens at my 45, 60, and 90 day mark! I want that turbofire tank top and I want to be one of their featured transformations. 

I could not have done this without a team and a coach behind me. My coach is such an inspiration to me every single day and I strive to be the leader that she is. 

I know the holidays are upon us and it is hard to stay on track with eating and fitness... but I know you can do it. Do it with Corey and I! 

Ask me questions, join a challenge group of ours! It's only 30,60,90 days out of your life, but I promise it will change your life! 

Join me and take the Beachbody Challenge!

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3 (or 4) Ingredients for Clean Eating Pancakes... And Brody loved them, too!

2  eggs, 1 banana, cinnamon to taste (we also added Pumpkin Pie Spice since pumpkin seems to be Brody's favorite flavor right now!) 

Blend until smooth.

I didn't have to use cooking spray or oil in the pan - my pans are great, but you can use a Misto with olive oil if you need too. 

Pour into pan in small round circles. 

Cook one minute on each side! 

Super excited about cooking!

Has to smell the spices he is using!

Blending!

Yum!

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Day 16 - Rest Day

So today is a rest day - and my legs needed that rest!  I did do ab igniter today though and walked about 2 miles between walking outside with my patients today. (It was a gorgeous 65 degree Nov. day here in CO and most of my patients wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather and walk outside!) My 98 year old patient walked 4,589 feet today. Just short of a mile- Over hills, curbs, and grass. If that is not inspiring - I don't know what is!

I literally missed my workout today. I missed Chalene! Can't wait until tomorrow!

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Ok... I am literally bareing it all here.

I promised I would show my before and afters... I am so disgusted with my day 1 photos. This is the heaviest I have ever been at 138.7 when I started. I am now at 130.8 - 15 days later. I feel tighter all over. I just think - If this is what 15 days bring, I cannot wait to see my 30 day shot, 60 days, 90 days. That is the motivation that keeps me going. That and my incredible coach Annie Reid :) So here it is. I am warning you... it's not pretty- Yet. But something to be proud of in 15 days? I think so!

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Better than the Gym?!? No way....

I never ever thought I would say this about a home fitness program - I have tried so many- 30 day Shred, Carmen Electras Striptease Aerobics (yes I did and I am not ashamed to admit it!), The Grind workout.... and none of them have worked. I LOVED my gym. It had so many class options, childcare for free, and a killer pool in the summertime. I never thought I would love a home fitness program as much. Then Turbofire came along... 

Beachbody - Turbofire and Shakeology are totally convincing me otherwise. I love it. I love that I don't have to rush home to get to the gym on time for a class, to rush to get Brody in the childcare and run up the stairs to Spin class to try and get a seat in time. I come home, hang out with my family, then workout on my schedule. You know what - I haven't missed a day in 2 weeks! I can't say I ever did that in the gym! 

Even on beloved Bronco Football Sunday we still fit our workout + a bike ride in yesterday! 

I have lost so much already, my clothes fit better, I feel amazing. 

I love helping others become healthy. 

It's been 2 short weeks and Beachbody, my coach, and my team have already begun changing my life! 

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Busy Week! Days 6-11- Where did the time go?

Oh my gosh, I have not been great at keeping up with my days. But in all fairness it was the weekend and then I was out of town for work until tonight. We ended the weekend with firestarter as well as fire40 - both workouts we had become comfortable enough with, however making them more challenging for myself by adding the jumps instead of just the kicks or knee lifts. Then on Sunday we did Abs 10 - 12 minutes of intense ab work. It is now Thursday and it is the first day my abs have not been sore!

We started adding in some HITT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts this week and holy freakin cow are they intense. For me though when I am sore I KNOW I am getting results. There has not been a day since I started Turbofire that I have not been sore.  So I know it must be working pretty well!

Every time I get tired or feel like my muscles just cannot handle anymore I think of this:

Then I laugh and work even harder. (I love Forrest Gump) 

Now at day 11 - I am down 7.1 lbs. 

I fit into pants that didn't fit me last week. 

I cannot wait to see what day 90 holds!

November 12th starts off my first challenge: The 5 day jump start to fitness is a great way to introduce yourself to a challenge group and meet new people in the process. People that will help hold you accountable for completing your exercise and eating right. 

Tip of the day: SCHEDULE! Schedule your workouts, put them in your planner. Make sure you make time for them when they work for you. Schedule your eating as well. Don't leave it to chance - that is when you fall off the wagon and eat unhealthy. Plan it out and have a goal in mind. I will help you get it!

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Rest Day & 5 Day Challenge!

Happy Halloween!

Today is my FAVORITE holiday. I don't know why Halloween has always appealed to me. I love haunted houses, love scary movies, and love being scared! 

I have a sweet tooth as well - and weirdly enough that started when I found out I was a T1 diabetic.  Before then don't get me wrong, I snacked, but I craved more of a salty snack. I will not be diving into Brody's Halloween candy this year (well except to sort it) but instead am feeding my chocolate cravings with Shakeology - and it's so good....

Well today is our first rest day. I am bummed! I did do some upper body bicep curls and shoulder presses with my patients today, and took Brody for a 1.5 mile walk before his nap, but I will miss my cardio today, that's for sure. I do realize that my muscles need a break though as I am totally sore.   I said I wasn't going to weight myself until day 15 but curiosity got the better of me this morning and I was so pleasantly surprised :

 I stopped drinking soda on Saturday, started eating clean on Sunday, started Turbo on Monday, and Shakeology on Tuesday. I started at 138.4 lbs and weighed in today at 133.4!  That's 5lbs baby!! 

And now for some non-Beachbody/ Health&Fitness Halloween fun: 

Here's Brody: 

And Corey & I: 

And our Halloween House: 

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Day 3 - Should Have Listened to the Rules and Brody Gets In on the Action!

I needed this today. I got into a big fight with my sister last night, had a long tough day at work and I just needed to get home and workout. And YES... it helped!

I came home on lunch to make our shakes today, and got a second blender today as well, so I don't have to keep coming home (it would be nice to always visit my hubby at lunch...but work is 15 miles away from our house, so I need the option to make my shake at work.). 

Breakfast was our Turkey, Red Pepper, Onion, 1 egg 2 egg white omelet a person; 1 vegetarian sausage; a bowl of berries. Filling and tasty! 

So yesterday (Tuesday) we made the decision to switch our rest day from today to Thursday... and we both felt like that was a big mistake. Especially in our first week. We are so busy on Thursdays and with Halloween being a Thursday this year, we decided to just switch it. I don't recommend it. It was Firestarter again + stretch 10.  While I felt like I can definitely do the combinations easier... Mine and Corey's arms were like jelly during the punches. We both said "So that's why today is a rest day".  However overall once finished we both felt great and each of us are sore, muscles are tight, and both are feeling generally toned up - ONLY after 3 days!! We haven't worked out 3 days in a row since we left our beloved VillaSport.

On the topic of Villa (That was our gym.) - I complained the first two months that we lived in the new house about how much I missed it and loved it and needed to go back - financially it was not in the cards for us. Our homeowner assoc. fees were the same price and we just couldn't afford it. But... I LOVE not having to come home from work and get to the gym on time for a class- dropping Brody off at Villa Kids and running upstairs to make sure we got a spin bike. It was stressful. I love coming home, relaxing for a few, saying hi to my husband and Brody, and then firing up our DVD on our own time!

On a side note - Brody LOVES Turbofire as well! He does his best to keep up and cracks me up. I like his version of the stretch on the lower left corner!

Tonight's dinner was: Fresh Garden Salad with Kale;  whole wheat pasta; Basil Tomato Natural Organic  Sauce with green and red peppers, fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions. Small but tasty serving size. YUM!

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Day Two: Fire 40 + Stretch 10 and our first day on Shakeology!

Today feels great. I am not going to lie, the choreography in Fire 40 was much harder than Firestarter... but I still loved it and even when I would mess up a move I just kept bouncing around to keep my heart rate up. I remembered to set my HR monitor today and burned 563 calories and my husband burned 800! I LOVE Stretch 10 - it feels so good to stretch after all of that cardio and kicking! I also LOVE LOVE LOVE how I feel after a workout. I love how tight my muscles feel. It's been 2 months - but I already feel like I am back.

Shakeology was amazing. We made sure to get some good recipes today prior to just jumping in and trying it on our own. Thanks to everyone's suggestions we made delicious shakes and I (YES ME) was full! If you know me you know - I am never full!  

I can't believe I have 88 days left. Not because that seems so far away and I can't handle the workouts, but because that seems so far away and I can't wait to see results! If I feel this good after 2 days I cannot even fathom how I will feel on day 90!

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TurboFire and Shakeology - My 90 Day Challenge

Day 1: I cannot even tell you my excitement when I opened the mailbox today and my Beachbody boxes were in the mailbox a whole day early!  I have a few friends who are coaches and I have always wanted to do it, but in my head there was this or that holding me back until last week. My friend from college - who is an amazing success story and an incredible coach - posted that she was going to hold an internship for new coaches and I just put all excuses aside and jumped right in. I signed up to be a coach, and ordered my first challenge pack.

Why I started: For the past year my husband and I have been extremely fit. We belonged to a gym and went 5/7 days during the week. We went vegetarian for the health benefits. We didn't eat fast food. We were strict with our workout regimen and it showed.  Then the move happened. We moved out of town and had to leave our gym - I can't really say what happened next. I can give all the excuses in the book: we got busy, we moved too far, it's been too cold to work out outside... whatever. All I can say is that excuses suck. We even started going to eat at fast food again. BIG mistake. What took over a year to build, our health and fitness. we just threw away in about 2.5 months. Pants don't fit me, my bathing suit that I was so proud to be wearing at the beginning of the summer was embarrassing to even try to put on, when you are getting ready to go to a costume party and are frustrated with the world because your costume doesn't fit and you threw out your spanx 6 months ago - you know it is time for a change. So I changed. Just like that. You make a decision about your life and you do it. That is the only way. No more excuses. 

How I felt about Day 1:  Firestarter + Stretch 10 Oh MY GOSH! I think Chalene was trying to kill me. Literally. We moved another 1000 ft up in elevation when we moved to our new house outside of the Springs and my lungs could feel it. There is a lot of choreography and kicking and punching... I was lost a few times but kept just jumping around when I was. Doesn't matter as long as you're moving, you're burning. My arms were quivering and I didn't know if I was going to make it. But I did. We did. My husband is joining me on this challenge and I am so happy that he is. Brody was a little encouragement as well moving and punching and kicking along with us. (After the workout he thanked Chalene for being a "good girl and teaching us all the exercises" (then wondered why she didn't respond to him!) It was great. I was sweating, I was sore, I felt amazing. No More Excuses. 

Tomorrow we start adding Shakeology to our day and I can't wait for that either. So ready to take charge of my health and fitness again. This time there's no going back.

Oh and I am also a type 1 insulin dependent juvenile onset diabetic. I am on a pump. I cannot wait to help people with and without diabetes that think they can't do this! You totally can!

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