Monday, September 29, 2014

What's Next?

I love that as soon as I finish up one program, I almost immediately get the question, "What's Next?"  Speaking seriously here, not being sarcastic, I really do love that!  I love it because I have been told by so many that I have inspired them, or motivated them, or gave them inspiration, when in actuality, you guys are motivating me!  When I hear that "What's next?", I think... "I've gotta hop to it!"  What's my next challenge?  Gotta get another free shirt, right? Ha!


So to answer the minds of the curious, today I began day one of the Les Mills "Combat" program.  It is a 60 day program, and so far day 1 went very well.  I felt like a total badass ninja warrior this afternoon in my own living room punching and kicking at air.  It was amazing! Seriously.  I don't know a whole lot about the program, and I pray that I continue to enjoy it, but one thing I did notice today is that cardio wise, it is not the intensity of Turbo Fire.  Granted that's judging day one, so we'll see what the rest of the program has in store, but in actuality less cardio in the program could be a good thing because it will push me to add in extra running which I need to do anyway.

I have 2 races coming up in November-- a 10k on November 1st, and a 5k on November 22nd and I'm shooting for a PR on the 5k so I definitely need to get out and do some running as well.

I also plan to continue eating per the 21 Day Fix guidelines, because I'm hooked on it and until I get a hang of portions visually and feel equipped to go sans containers, I will continue using my little containers to portion my meals.  And I also plan to continue with some of the 21 Day Fix workouts because I really love Autumn's ab routine and her upper and lower body weight lifting routines.

So that is what's next in the world of fitness for me-- I'm a little nervous, I'm not gonna lie.  Last year at this time was about the time that I picked up Turbo Fire and then I didn't finish it.  Thankfully I got back up and continued on when I began half marathon training a few months later, but there's something about cooler weather and the holidays that makes the commitment so much more difficult. The chill in the air makes me crave "comfort foods" which are not so great for me, and then we get to the Holidays and we get busy hopping from celebration to celebration and I miss workouts and eat traditional holiday "junk food."  It's tough!  My goal is to conquer this season.  To learn from last year's mistakes, and push through this busy season in our lives.  Are you with me?   :)

Friday, September 26, 2014

Turbo Fire Results

So before you scroll down to the end and see the changes in photos in measurements, I want to give a little update of how this last month has gone for me.  I continued to add in Abs 10 on my HIIT days, and on one day I added in a family run, yep Daniel joined me along with the jogger stroller full of our two sweet little boys and we went on a run.  But I'm not gonna lie, this month was a struggle.  I missed probably a total of 5 workouts-- one was expected because family was visiting, one I was sick and that was also expected, but the other three were just tough days.  So no, I'm not super woman.  I have days that I'm exhausted.  I have days that I lack motivation.  I have days that I just want to sit and read a book instead.   I also got a little lax with eating habits-- there were a few celebrations with family where I indulged in cake, and with the increase in metabolism this month came the munchies, and sometimes I succumbed to a few "not so great for me" snacks.  It happens.  With all of that said, I still remember that this is a lifestyle, and that sometimes life just happens and it's what you do about it afterwards that counts-- you get back up and you get back on the clean eating plan.


Now in other news, while I'm mostly pleased with my photos and measurements this go round, I also want to say that I'm extra ecstatic about one "non-scale victory."  So my clothes have been literally falling off of me for a couple of months now-- seriously, Hayden yanked on my shorts to get my attention in a store, and it could have ended very badly if it weren't for my cat like reflexes.  So I finally got up the guts to hit the dressing room with a pair of jeans.... because yes, even after you shrink and find a little self-confidence with shedding weight, the dressing room is still VERY intimidating.

My recollection of dressing room moments include me sweating profusely and nothing going up over my thighs or hips.... ever....  So one night we were out and about at a shopping center and I talked Daniel into going into Old Navy where I marched into the dressing room with a large stack of "skinny" jeans while he watched our wild boys try to grab things off the shelves and make as much noise as possible.  (Thanks honey!)  The large stack was because I had no idea what size would fit... AND, for anyone not familiar with Old Navy, they have several different styles that are supposed to be for different body types and I had no idea what my body type was.  Well, I walked out that night from the store buying my very first size 8's in a VERY VERY long time!  I don't even remember being an 8 in High School.  Maybe middle school?  I've always been in the double digits, and just for reference, last year when I started my journey before P90x, I was wearing a size 14.


So dear friends, if you are also out there working hard, please take note of those non-scale victories!  How your clothes fit, the amount of energy you have, how you are lifting heavier weights than ever before.... all of those things are victories.  The scale doesn't always tell the whole truth, so take note of those victories and celebrate them along the way!

So just for reference, these photos and measurements include 12 weeks of Turbo Fire, and I added in the "3 Day Quick Fix" meal plan for 3 days right after I finished Turbo Fire.  The 3 day Quick Fix was the one part of the 21 Day Fix program that I didn't get to at the end of it, and I had been wanting to try it, so I just tacked it on to the end of Turbo Fire for "fun."  Though I will say it isn't a whole lot of fun.....  For those who may not know what the 3 Day Quick Fix is, it is a strenuous high protein eating plan, like what a bodybuilder or bikini competitor might do just before an event.  6 meals a day, every one laid out a certain way, each one with very specific proteins, steamed green vegetables, very little carbs (only in 2 meals), absolutely NO salt, and downing it all with a gallon of water.  So for the past 3 days, I've been daydreaming of a spoonful of peanut butter!! MMM....  Yes, peanut butter.  I guess you've made it in the fitness world, when peanut butter is your special treat?  You can bet that this wonderful Friday morning, I'm taking great pleasure in my spoon of peanut butter while typing this friends.

Now to the final measurements and photos that you have all been waiting for.... OR maybe you didn't even read any of the above paragraphs and just skipped right down to this... either way....

Before:
Chest- 34 1/2 inches
Biceps- 12 1/4 inches
Waist- 29 3/4 inches
Hips- 39 inches
Thighs- 24 3/4 inches
Weight- 157 pounds
After:
Chest- 35 inches
Biceps- 12 inches
Waist- 28 1/2 inches
Hips- 38 1/4 inches
Thighs- 23 1/2 inches
Weight- 146.8 pounds

As you can see, I had to get a new outfit for my photos because the mint shorts and black bra were falling off of me.  Down 10 pounds and a couple inches.  I'll take it!! 


And just for fun, here's a share of the beginning to current....  I began this journey 15 months ago!  I have been overwhelmed with an outpour of support, love and kindness by so many while I have been on this journey to a healthier me.  AND, I also get loads of questions and messages from friends and family who are just starting their journey.  I will not claim to know it all, because I DO NOT, but I am so happy to share what I do know with others, and am amazed that my story has inspired so many.  But dear friends, please remember that it takes time!  Many of the messages I've received have been frustrations over results or the lack there of, and to that I say, give yourself grace (most importantly) and give yourself time!  This change didn't happen over night, I've been at it for fifteen months. 15!! Don't compare your beginning to someone else's end-- if you are eating clean, and working hard, keep doing it... just give it time!  


And the winner is.....

You guys!!!  While I'm so shocked that the entries were so low for the Albion Fit Giveaway, I still just absolutely love giving stuff away.  Those who have been following me for a while know that I, myself, am just a little bit crazy about entering giveaways, but never did I imagine how much more fun it would be to host them!

So first, thank you to all of those who entered and pinned their favorite items.  I really enjoyed seeing what everyone liked from Albion Fit.  ALSO, you can still get 15% off of your order until September 28th with the code "dana15."  But without further ado, I used random.org to pick a number from the amount of comments on the post and then counted down the comments to see who won, and the winner of the $25 gift card to Albion Fit is......
Lauren Childrey!!!! 

Congrats Lauren!!  I will be in touch about getting you your prize.  And thank you again to all who entered!  

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Albion Fit Giveaway!!

You guys I am beyond thrilled to do this giveaway!  Like, if I could jump up and down and type at the same time... I would be doing that right now.  I first shared my love of Albion Fit last year in this post, and I've been a little obsessed with them ever since.  I currently own 2 swimsuits by Albion Fit and I CANNOT wait to own more pieces.

So why am I so obsessed?  Well, for one, all of their stuff is just so cute.  But for two, not only is it stylish, but they are quality pieces.  Quality fabrics, excellent fit, and oh so so so comfortable!  Here's some shots from our beach vacation this year in the ruffly red swimsuit that I purchased from Albion Fit.

I've never been a fan of swimsuit shopping, and I mostly just feel awkward in one pieces- you know, that whole getting used to my new mommy body thing.  But this swimsuit is so comfortable!  And the ruffles, the v-neck, and criss cross straps in the back, it's just perfect!  So thank you Albion Fit, I truly appreciate your work.

So now for the fun part of this post-- Albion Fit has graciously allowed me to do a GIVEAWAY!!!  You guys, I'm so thrilled!  I've wanted to work with them for such a long time.  So you all have a chance to win a $25 gift card to Albion Fit!!!  

So what would you buy with your gift card if you won? Here's some things that I've been drooling over.....



The new Unwind Pullover

And.... the White/Grey Petal Pant

How to Enter the giveaway:

Two things....  1. Go "follow" @AlbionFit on Instagram.  and 2. Pin your favorite item from Albion Fit to Pinterest.  Leave me ONE comment below saying that you follow them and with a link to your pin. That's it!  And you could win $25 to shop!!  I will draw a winner and contact them the morning of the 26th.  Feel free to share with your friends! 

AND you can use the code "dana15" for 15% off of your order until September 28th! 

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Tasty Tuesday Feature

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread recipe is being featured by my pal Brittany over at Life Unscripted Ministries today!  Go check it out, bake yourself a couple of loaves and stick around to read some of her posts.  She speaks love and truth straight from the heart ya'll!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Starbucks gift card winner!

Spent my morning dropping off a huge load of baby clothes at a local church consignment sale, and I'm not gonna lie, dropping off all of those sweet, tiny, little baby clothes that were worn by both of our sweet tiny little babies... when they were babies... was a little sad.  So I headed over to Starbucks to pick up the $10 gift card for the giveaway and snagged myself a Grande 2 pump, no whip, with foam pumpkin spice latte to console my wounds.

But anyway, this isn't supposed to be a sappy post.... it's a happy post because someone is getting a Starbucks gift card in their mailbox very soon!!  And that someone is.....
YAY Veronica!!!  I do hope you enjoy your Starbucks deliciousness that is headed your way.  Thanks to you and everyone who entered and shared the giveaway!  :)