Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Shakeology

Are you craving candy as much as this girl?! That Halloween candy did a number on me as far as wanting more! However, Shakeology is saving me! I made this recipe this afternoon, and it totally didn't disappoint! Try.it!

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 scoop of Vanilla Shakeology
• 1 tsp of dark chocolate cocoa
• 1 tbsp of peanut butter (or 2 tbsp of PB2)
• 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
• 5-6 ice cubes

DIRECTIONS:

Mix in a blender and enjoy!

Scare Off those Halloween Pounds

It is Halloween week, and it's always a week filled with lots of fun, parties, and of course, candy and treats! It's no surprise that this time of year the number on the scale tends to rise.

So the question is, how can I avoid Halloween weight gain without missing out on the fun?

Here are some tips that will help you get through this week.

1. Carry your water bottle with you everywhere. If you are drinking lots of water, you are less likely to eat junk. A good rule is to drink half your body weight in ounces if you are trying to lose weight. 
   
2. Continue eating 5-6 small meals each day. Just because it is a holiday week doesn't mean you should throw all of your basic clean eating principals out the window. When you stick to eating your 5-6 meals, you will avoid reaching the point of being extremely hungry. This will help you from reaching for that candy bowl. 
3. Buy candy you don't like, and buy it late. When you buy candy you love, you are asking for trouble. In the past, we have gone to Costco and bought a big box of pretzels to hand out. That way I am avoiding any temptation for myself. Chocolate is a major weakness for me. Buy the candy late. There is no reason you need to buy the stuff as soon as it hits the store shelves. The less time you have it in your house, the less that means you will have to resist it.
4. Track what you eat. It is so vital to sticking to your goals to track everything you put in your mouth, especially as we are moving into the holidays. It is so easy to not realize what you are eating because we get so busy with all the hustle and bustle that the holidays bring. But one bite here and one bite there, which doesn't seem like a big deal in the moment adds up! This is why when you track what you eat, you ask yourself if that bite size candy bar or that handful of candy corn is really worth it. For me, tracking my food makes all the difference in the world.
5. Exercise. Continue on with your fitness routine. Even though Halloween is this Friday, I still plan to get up that morning, workout to my INSANITY, drink my Shakeology afterwards, and have some healthy snacks during the day. We will go trick-or-treating and then over to our church for our fall festival. I will enjoy the supper they are grilling out for all of us, and maybe a piece of candy or two, but I am not going to throw away the whole day just because it's a day filled with candy and treats. All things in moderation, right?!
   
   
   
6. Keep treats out of sight. Out of sight, out of mind, right? I won't set candy dishes out because I know I would walk by and snack on those endlessly all day. Put the candy up high, in a place you don't visit daily. I have a basket I keep the kids' snacks in and I put it up on the top shelf of our pantry. I can't see what's in there, and it's not at eye level, so it is something that doesn't tempt me.
7. Enjoy healthy alternatives. For me, this includes Shakeology. Others I enjoy include the no-bake Mini Peanut Butter Oat Cups, and Clif bars.

Hope you find these tips helpful to get through this week. 

Question for you:

What tips do you have to survive the Halloween weight gain?

INSANITY // Week 5 Plan & Progress Report

Well, it is officially time to try and get back in a routine over at our house. My mom flew out Saturday morning; we were all very sad to see her go. What a blessing she is! She comes right in and takes over helping with everything that needs to be done. She was an extra special encouragement this time as she helped guide, encourage, and reassure me on learning how to take care of my little man and his diabetes. 

Today starts my second month of INSANITY. I honestly can't believe it. The first month flew by, and I am sure this month will too because...

Yes, that's right, we will be moving in a couple weeks! When we moved here 2 1/2 years ago, our intentions were to buy right away, but life kind of threw us some curve balls with my third pregnancy and looking for houses was put on the back burner. My Hunter and I have been going out with our realtor for the past 6 months looking at house after house. I thought we would never find one, because after owning once before, we now had a better idea of what works and doesn't work for us. But two Fridays ago, we pulled into the driveway of this house, and I instantly knew it was for us! My Hunter fell in love too! Needless to say, between homeschooling and packing... and then unpacking and settling in, this second month of INSANITY will probably slip by. 

Okay, so I did get a chance to lay down Friday evening with my girls during our family movie night and plan out our menu for the week. Here is a peek at what we will be having for supper each night. 

Monday - Black Bean Soup with Cheese Muffins

Tuesday - Pumpkin Pasta

Wednesday - Toasted Almond Chicken Salad Sandwich

Thursday - Vegetarian Stew {My meat-lovin' man will love this one when he finds out. ;) }

Friday - Pizza {Whole-Wheat crust! We found that kept Little Man's numbers lower than the week before when we had white crust.}

Saturday - Chili with Cornbread 

Sunday - Crockpot Chicken Greek Chicken Soup

What does my week look like with working out? 

Today will be tough I am sure. I have done two fits tests so far, and that is a workout in itself. I will be pushing to beat the numbers I had from Fit Test 2, you can bet that. Now that I am on month two, Shaun T is upping the game and adding in Max Interval Circuits too. I'm up for the challenge though! ;)

Challenge yourself this week! Whether in your workouts, fighting to get one more rep or with your job, there is always something to improve.

And, if you are up for a whole new challenge, consider joining my next challenge group where we will be detoxing from Halloween and working towards having more energy as we move into the holidays.

I am linking up with Katie today, because it was such a marvelous weekend with us finding our new home. Stop by and check out some of the other fun blogs.

Have a great Monday, friends!

Friday Favorites

Friday always feels like a party to me. The weekend is at the tip of our fingers, and our family has an especially exciting something happening tonight! :-) Follow on my Facebook Page and I hope to share with you all soon! To kick off our Friday morning though, I thought it would be fun to share some of the fitness stuff I have been eyeing lately.

I thought this tank was so fun! Totally what I am aiming for... workin' off that fluff.

This outfit! I love everything about it. The back is super adorable, and I love how the bottom of her capris matches the tank pattern.

Fun, bright colors! I would love these headbands to throw on to keep the hair out of my face during my morning workouts. I don't know if you are like me, but anything as simple and cute as this makes me more excited to workout. 

In my opinion, this product is just pure genius! I can't believe it wasn't thought of earlier. My MIL and I were just talking last week about how when we go walking we have nowhere to put our house key. I am always afraid I will lose it while we are out and be locked out of my house *forever*! ;)

I decided to link-up with Erika, Andrea, and Narci today. I read Erika's blog weekly and love her Friday Favorites post. Join in the fun and check out some of their favorite things. 

Have a great weekend, friends!

{Link}

INSANITY // Recovery Week & Progress Report

It's Thursday and I still haven't gotten around to posting about what my week of INSANITY looks like. That's life, right?! Busier weeks than others at times.

I have officially completed month one of INSANITY. These past four weeks flew by! Honestly, it doesn't even feel like I have been doing this program for that long. I am absolutely loving it and loving the way it is making my body feel.

My meal planning needs to get back on track, that's for certain. I just feel so much more prepared and accomplished when I get that all set-up over the weekend. With things being so hectic here, that has been put on the back burner, but I need and plan to move that to the front of my to-do list this weekend. My evening snacking needs to slow down, my bites here and there that I am not counting need to be fewer and I just want to get back to choosing my veggies and hummus for snack over the Halloween cookies. ;)

What have been some of the meals over here this week?

Monday - Grilled Mozzarella Cheese Sandwiches w/veggies & hummus

Tuesday - Homemade Chicken & Veggie Soup

Wednesday - Leftovers

Tonight - Planning that now!

Tomorrow night we are making homemade pizzas. It is Grandma Laurie's last night with us before she heads home. :-(

This week is my recovery week. Each day I have been doing 35 minutes of Core Cardio and Balance. It feels great to have an easier week and really stretch these sore muscles out. Sunday will be my off day, and then Monday morning starts my second month.

You can continue to follow my progress right here on my blog. I love having you all join me on this journey and hearing about what you are doing in your own life. New recipes will be appearing soon too! We have been trying out more and more and *most* have been hits. ;)

INSANITY // Week 4 Plan & Progress Report

Happy Monday! I hope you are all enjoying a fabulous start to your week. I wanted to update you on my progress with INSANITY. The end of week two and the start of week three went a little different than planned. We ended up in the emergency room with my little guy a week ago this past Saturday. After some blood work and x-rays, it was discovered that he has Type 1 Diabetes. Our world has forever changed in that moment. It has been scary and overwhelming, but at the same time we are finding blessings and trying to focus on some positive. 

We had to spend three days in the hospital, which meant my workouts took a back seat, as they should. My eating has also been so-so. Hospital food? Yep. Dessert? Some. Snacking at night. You bet. Isn't this how it goes at times? We can't all be perfect all the time with our eating and working out. But we don't have to let these moments ruin it all. Get back on track, plan meals, start the workouts back up, and make it go time!

I was ready to start working out again Wednesday morning. I found that pushing myself to the limits really helped with kicking any pity I was starting to feel to the curb. No time for that! I was a sweating machine by the time I was done, and it was sweet to have the encouragement from my oldest daughter as she cheered me on from the couch.

Week three started out with my second fit test. I pulled out the numbers from my first fit test and was determined to beat or at least match those. Here are my week two numbers with week one numbers in parenthesis. 

Move: 

1. Switch Kicks - 57 (48)
2. Power Jacks - 54 (54)
3. Power Knees - 120 (109)
4. Power Jumps - 33 (30)
5. Globe Jumps - 12 (10)
6. Suicide Jumps - 25 (21)
7. Push-Up Jacks - 21 (20)
8. Low Plank Oblique - 38 (38) 

Week four is about to start now. I am sitting here updating and drinking my E&E again. I have been tired in the mornings and have recently been doing my workouts in the afternoons. Getting up to do those 2 AM blood glucose checks on my little man have made me feel like I have a newborn again. I am exhausted. This morning, however, we have a doctor's appointment to get to, so I knew if I wanted to get a workout in, I had to get up anyway. I have goals I want to accomplish so I am just moving things around in my schedule, sleeping in and working out at different times. Here is what week four is going to look like for me: 

Meals have been a bit up in the air and put together the day of. I am trying to redo our meals, just because I now have to count carbs and track those for my little one. We have tried out some new recipes over the weekend and so far they have been given thumbs up from the family. I will definitely be sharing those here on the blog.

Here is a general idea of meals for the upcoming week:
Breakfasts: Shakeology
Lunches: Avocado Quesadillas, Leftovers, Salads
Snacks: Veggies & hummus, Apples w/PB, Nuts and fruit
Suppers: Tacos, Chicken, Chili, Spaghetti

I can't wait to have this whole diabetes thing down a bit more so I can feel prepared for the week. So thankful my MIL is out here helping. Even with her help, our day is super busy and packed as we are adjusting.

How is your week looking? Have you hit some bumps in the road with your fitness and health goals? If so, I challenge you to find some ways this week to work around those and keep moving forward. You can totally do it!

Have a great week, friends!

INSANITY // Week 2 Plan & Progress Report

Hello Monday! Where is September going?! Seriously! Fall is officially here in our house. We put up our decorations last week and love the cozy feel it gives. Life is in full swing with school, Bible study, gymnastics and all the other activities our family has going on. With the busy hustle and bustle of life, it is important to have a plan to stay on track with your health and fitness goals so you don't fall off the wagon, because we all know that is easy to do too.

I just finished my first week of INSANITY, and I am feeling great! The first day I had to take a fit test. This was a twenty-five minute test, involving eight different moves. I had to try and see how many of each move I could do in one minute. I will repeat this test every two weeks to track progress.

I remember My Hunter doing the first fit test and watching him sweat buckets during, so I knew in advance that this was still going to be a workout.

Move:

1. Switch Kicks - 48
2. Power Jacks - 54
3. Power Knees - 109
4. Power Jumps - 30
5. Globe Jumps - 10
6. Suicide Jumps - 21
7. Push-Up Jacks - 20
8. Low Plank Oblique - 38

The rest day I had yesterday couldn't have come at a better time though. I was starting to feel tightness in places I haven't in a long time.

Week 2 is about to start as I sit here drinking my E&E getting ready to start my Cardio Power and Resistance workout.

I created a vision board last Monday night, and I track my progress there. It is the best feeling to go to bed at night and cross off another successful day. Even better was taking down the "Week 1" sticky note!

Last night I snuggled up on the couch after getting the kids in bed with a cup of tea and my favorite show playing and started planning out my meals for the week. Here is what is on the plan. It's not set in stone. If something comes up, or I just don't feel like eating a certain meal, I will change it. But a lot of my meals are repetitive. I find things I like and I am okay eating them again and again.

Monday -
Breakfast - Proatmeal with berries, almonds and rice milk
Snack - Shakeology (2 scoops)
Lunch - Venison Burger Salad and berries
Snack - Carrots and hummus
Supper - Grilled Salmon with asparagus and squash

Tuesday - 
Breakfast - Yogurt Bowl
Snack - Shakeology (2 scoops)
Lunch - Grilled Chicken Salad
Snack - Tuna Salad in a tomato
Supper - Flank Steak, baked potato, and asparagus

Wednesday - 
Breakfast - Fruit and Cottage Cheese
Snack - Shakeology
Lunch - Venison Burger Salad and berries
Snack - Cold Cut Platter
Supper - Chicken Stir Fry

Thursday - 
Breakfast - Shakeology
Snack - PB&J bread and cottage cheese
Lunch - Venison Burger Salad and berries
Snack - Tuna Salad in a tomato
Supper - Crockpot Chicken

Friday -
Breakfast - PB&J toast and cottage cheese
Snack - Shakeology
Lunch - Grilled Chicken Salad
Snack - Cold Cut Platter
Supper - Pizza Braid

Saturday -
Breakfast - Egg White Breakfast Wrap
Snack - Shakeology
Lunch - Grilled Chicken Salad
Snack - PB&J toast with cottage cheese
Supper - Venison Meatballs and pasta

Sunday - 
Breakfast - Shakeology
Snack - Apple and cashews
Lunch - Tuna Salad
Snack - Cold Cut Platter
Supper - Grill Burgers

There we have it! This is my plan. Bring on week two!! Remember that you can follow along weekly right here on the blog and daily over on my Facebook page. I have a new recipe I will be sharing here tomorrow and hope to get one or two other posts in this week yet with tips, ideas and motivation.

Make it a great Monday, friends!

Coming Soon... P90!

Beachbody just announced that they would be coming out with a NEW workout program on September 23rd... my birthday! :-) I always love when a new program is released! I have heard so much about P90X and P90X3, but honestly I have never tried any of Tony Horton's programs. I have heard that they are pretty tough, which is why I was even more excited when I discovered he created this program... a program for beginners, a program for those just getting started with their fitness journey, a program for people like you and me! P90 will be great for those that maybe have wanted to get into strength training but just haven't yet. He designed P90 for those that need a good foundation in order to advance to more extreme workouts.

Who is P90 for?

• Anyone who wants to lose weight but doesn't want a hardcore workout.
• Anyone who wants to build or tone their muscles.
• Anyone who wants to get in good shape and wants a place to start.
• Anyone who has been injured previously and wants to build their strength back.
• Anyone who wants to improve their health but avoid injury.

What is P90?

P90 is simple cardio, simple workouts for 25-45 minutes a day, for 90 days to totally transform your body and health. This program is not high-intensity and there is no pounding of your joints. P90 also has a modifier that you can follow along with. Included in this program is a simple nutrition guide that will help you determine what to eat in order to properly fuel your body and clean up your diet.

When is P90 available for purchase?

The release date is Tuesday, September 23 through a Team Beachbody Coach, which is ME!

What is the cost?

The price of the challenge pack is on SALE for $160 {regular $180}. The best part is that when you purchase the challenge pack, the program (fitness) plus the Shakeology (nutrition) come together, and you save $$$!

This includes:

* the workout DVD's

* a nutrition guide and meal plans

* 30 day supply of Shakeology

* exclusive access to the private Facebook group

* daily coaching and tips from me

* daily accountability and support of the group

* continued support from me even when the challenge is over so we can continue to work towards your goals.

How do I get it?

While I would love for you to purchase this program, I do want to make sure you don't just buy it and throw it to the side where it is going to collect dust. I want you to have a plan so that you will succeed with this! My job as your coach is to support you. I want to make sure you understand the meal plan and will help motivate you through this journey.

What is a test group?

The P90 ELITE Test Group

This group is a private, online Facebook group where only the members in the group can see what is being posted. I will help you set goals, meal plan, and get the best possible results. Each day you will log into our group for the post of the day, recipe ideas and motivation. This is YOUR time! But any fears aside and realize you CAN do this! I am here to meet you half way! 

The requirements are that you purchase the P90 Challenge Pack through me as your coach. You first need to complete an application to be considered for a spot, and then I will touch base with you giving you more details. 

There is LIMITED space, so be sure to complete THIS APPLICATION now and you can join my elite test group here -----> ELITE TEST GROUP.

Insanity // Week 1 Plan

After doing PiYo, I am ready to start something a little more intense. We have had INSANITY at our house for months now, and I have joined in with My Hunter whenever he worked out with it on the weekends. I decided I wanted to commit to doing this workout program from beginning to end and experience the whole thing. I want to see what kind of results I can get if I commit 100% to this program. I feel like I have been back and forth with my eating lately, and I am ready to get back on track, back into a routine. 

What is it? 
INSANITY is a 60-day, cardio-based, total-body conditioning program that’s pretty intense. Fitness expert Shaun T drew on his collegiate track-and-field training, plus his subsequent years of experience as an elite trainer, to create a program that takes total-body conditioning to an extreme level. INSANITY is the pinnacle of cardio training. 

Why is it effective?
Interval training allows you to beat the “stress adaptation response,” which is what happens when your body gets used to exercising at one level of exertion and stops improving. An interval workout includes a set where you perform at your maximum, followed by one of lower intensity, with the cycle repeated to achieve a cumulative effect.

INSANITY uses MAX Interval Training, which replaces your moderate-intensity exercise with maximum-intensity exercise, and your short intervals of intensity with short periods of rest. Adding high-intensity exercise, during which your heart rate increases to 80% or more of its maximum capacity, forces your body to use fast-twitch muscle fibers not normally engaged in cardio exercise. These fast-twitch fibers continue burning extra fuel even during lower-intensity exercise.

This program’s high-intensity activity is likely to have you working out at over 85% of your maximum capacity, instead of the lower rate recommended in other programs. As a result, you’ll experience faster increases in fitness and more efficient burning of carbohydrates and fat—as much as 1,000 calories per hour. 

What equipment is needed? 

I love that you use only the power and resistance of your own body to amp up your cardio, lower your body fat percentage, and sculpt your muscles. You don’t need any gear other than water, a towel, and your own strength of purpose.

Week 1 Workouts:
Monday - Fit Test
Tuesday - Plyometric Cardio Circuit
Wednesday - Cardio Power & Resistance
Thursday - Cardio Recovery
Friday - Pure Cardio
Saturday - Plyometric Cardio Circuit
Sunday - Off

I am ready to start this morning, and I refuse to let the busyness of fall and getting back into school, along with all our other activities and obligations ruin the goals I have for my health and fitness. Who's with me??? I am starting a brand new transformation group on October 6th! More to come on that soon, but if you are interested, be sure to contact me now to reserve your spot on the list!

PiYo Update // Weeks 2 & 3

Sorry I am late on getting updates up on how PiYo is going. I have completed weeks two and three and will be starting week 4 today.

So the question you may all be wanting me to answer... what do I think of PiYo so far?

I will be honest with you and admit that I have had a hard time slowing down to do these workouts. I am so used to pushing myself with cardio and lifting weights that this has been a challenge in the sense that I have to clear my mind and really be present in these workouts. However, I do feel my core getting more defined, which has been really encouraging!

Week 2 Workouts: 

Monday - Sweat

Tuesday - Define: Lower Body

Wednesday - Core

Thursday - Define: Upper Body

Friday - Rest

Saturday - Sweat 

Sunday - Core

At this point my two favorite workouts from week two are Core and Sweat. When I do the core workout, I can feel it working *every* angle, and I love that because my stomach is not my strongest area after having three kiddos via three c-sections. 

I have found that Define: Upper Body and Define: Lower Body are quite short so I have been adding in a cardio, usually one of my 21 Day Fix workouts, on those days as well. What can I say, I love getting my sweat on. ;)

It's summertime, so sticking to my meal plan each week has honestly been a challenge for me. I have no problem getting each workout in; that is the easy part. I try to stick to what I have planned for breakfast, lunch and snacks, and then when it comes to dinner and we are out and about for gatherings, I make the best choices I can. All three of my kids have summer birthdays, two of them were last week, and I did have cake and a few other treats.

The thing about PiYo is that you don't burn a ton of calories so you have to be diligent about staying within your calorie range if you want to see results. Making sure I eat less carbs and more protein is what I have found I need to do, and that is a challenge because this girl *loves* her carbs! 

Portion sizes are a bit different than what they are for the 21 Day Fix program. For example, with the 21 Day Fix I could have 12 almonds whereas with PiYo it calls for 6. No more reaching in my almond container and mindlessly snacking!

I have my week three meal plan to share, but I will warn you that I am a creature of habit and tend to eat the same things over and over so it's not super exciting. I pick foods that are nutritious and that I love to eat, and then I incorporate those into my plan.

Week 3 Workouts: 

Monday - Define: Upper Body

Tuesday - Buns

Wednesday - Core

Thursday - Define: Lower Body

Friday - Rest

Saturday - Sweat

Sunday - Strength Intervals

For week three, two new workouts were added, Buns and Strength Intervals. I would say these two were my favorite this week. Buns in no joke! I could feel the work it did on me the next day as I was walking up and down our stairs. 

Strength Intervals is a great workout too. It is a 25 minute calorie burning, body sculpting, no weights  workout. 

I am off to start week four now and am super excited! While the first three weeks have been enjoyable, I felt like I was trying to learn the moves and form, as well as build up my strength. I have noticed that I am starting to sweat more during my workouts now that I am getting more familiar with the program. 

A question I have been getting asked so often is, "Is this workout going to give me results?" My answer to this is that you have to give the program time and try your absolute hardest. You have to trust the program and Chalene Johnson! The workouts do get harder as you move along and you will be pushed more and more as you move through the PiYo program. Just because you aren't sweating buckets by the time you are done with your workout does not mean it's not working. You are building strength, burning calories and getting rid of fat... maybe in a different way than you are used to. Another way I look at this program is by thinking of yoga masters. Do they look overweight or unhealthy to you? Heck no! They look amazing! They are lean and flexible! There is more than one way to get results and PiYo is one of those ways.

Count Those Calories

I am SOOOO behind on posting my PiYo updates. I'm sorry for anyone that has been waiting for those. Hopefully I can get one up this week. 

I wanted to pop over really quick today and share a fit tip that I have found really helps me, counting calories.

Counting calories is a great motivator because it gives you something to work towards each day. It’s also one of the most effective ways to lose weight which, when combined with your workouts, will speed you towards your fitness goals.

Download an app to have right on your phone so you can easily track all your calories and workouts. "MyFitnessPal" is my favorite! Would love for you to follow along with me! (brirun23)

QUESTIONS:

• Do you count calories? If so, how do you keep track or what app do you use?
• Do you find you do better when you have the accountability of an app or others?

Abs Are Made in the Kitchen

Are you striving for that 6-pack? And I'm not talking beer here! ;) I'm talking about your abs!

I always thought the secret to getting those flat abs meant that I had to do a ton of sit-ups and crunches. I could not have been more wrong. 

Three kids, 3 c-sections later, and I have a flatter stomach than I did back in my college days when I was hitting the gym targeting those abs hard. How did I get there?! I changed what I did in the kitchen. I started eating clean and healthy. 

Did you know we all have that 6-pack of abs already? It's true! It's hidden under our belly fat. Just look at kids. You will see that they have abs, and they probably have not done a sit-up in their life.

By simply changing what you eat, you can start to break down those fatty tissues that are stored around your abs and bring out those beautiful abs of yours.

What changes do you need to make in your kitchen if you desire a flat mid-section?

• Commit! You have to make the decision to change your habits! Start eating clean. Am I saying you can't have cheat meals and treats? No! But the majority of what you eat should be clean, and when you do have treats, make sure you count those into your calorie intake and continue exercising to make up for it.
• Cut back on processed food. Cut back on store bought treats and make more of your own food. Read labels and avoiding unnatural ingredients and chemicals.
• Cut way back on white flour and refined sugar. The way they make white flour is by stripping wheat of everything useful. When picking out your flour, you want to make sure to choose whole-grain flour or sprouted-grain flour.  As for the refined sugar, that along with salt can cause extreme bloating. If you want something to sweeten up your meal, try adding honey or agave nectar. Switch your salt to sea salt.
• Add healthy fats, such as nuts, avocados and coconut oil. There is a big difference between the fat you get from avocados versus what you get from a bag of chips! Healthy fats are so good for you and a must-have in order to burn the bad fat. 
• Track calories. It's easy to forget all that you eat throughout the day. Track those calories! It's simple, you want to eat less calories than you burn. I use MyFitnessPal to track what I am burning and consuming.
• Increase water intake. Water helps flush out toxins, excess water and sodium.

Day 1... DONE!

Tuesday night I decided I needed to hit the reset button! I was slipping on my eating habits and starting to gravatate to all those sugary treats after having some Easter weekend. Isn't it funny how once you get that sugar back in your system, your body craves it just like that again?!

What I am doing to get back on track is the 3-Day Shakeology Cleanse. This isn't about weight loss for me, but already since completely day one yesterday, I am down a little over two pounds! Not going to complain since I had put about four pounds on recently. For me, this is more about getting back on track physically and mentally.

{Click to Enlarge}

I will do a complete recap post on the cleanse next week, so pop back over to check it out. But right now I can already say I feel fantastic!

For now, I off to enjoy my green tea, followed up by my Shakeology for breakfast and a lot of water so that I can stay hydrated.

My workouts for the next few days are just going to be light recovery days. Since I am cutting back the calories for this cleanse, I want to keep those lower impact because my energy will definitely not be there to get through my regularly scheduled Insanity workouts. {Sorry Shaun T! I will be back Saturday morning to work out with ya. ;) }

Hope you all have an amazing Thursday!

Questions for you:

• Have you ever done a cleanse before?
• If so, how long and what did you think?
• What was {or would be} the one food/meal you couldn't wait to have afterwards?

Slim Down for Summer Challenge

How is it that summer is right around the corner? Here I am planning for the girls' summer swimming lessons, Vacation Bible School, family vacations, etc. when I feel like we were just visiting our family back in Wisconsin!

As I am sitting here, memories of two summers ago are flooding back in my mind as though it were yesterday. I was laying in a hospital bed praying and doing all I could to keep our baby safe and inside me "cooking" longer. We made it through to mid August... I had been put in the hospital in June. I am sure you can imagine what laying in a bed for that long did to my body {If you can't... stay tuned for a picture below.}. I came home, all muscle lost, not being able to walk up our stairs without having to stop one or two times to catch my breath. My body no longer was the same.

Three months after having our little guy I knew something needed to change. I hated that all I wanted to do was sleep. I hated that in the morning I would wake up to the sounds of my 6 year old daughter whispering and quietly pouring her 4 year old sister's cereal in a bowl, trying not to wake me up. I was supposed to be doing that job, not her. They are children, and here they were trying to take care of each other and their mama!

Enough was enough. No more excuses. I had too many of those, and I was sick of it. So, I joined my first challenge group and started TurboFire. I was determined to get in the best shape of my life. I wanted my muscle back, plus some. I wanted to have energy to keep up with my three kids, and I also didn't want to dread and cry at the thought of having to put a swimming suit on when summer rolled around.

I hated seeing my before pictures, but here I post them again, still not liking to look at them anymore than the day I took them. Who likes to see those?! However, I am now so thankful I have them, because I see the results of all this hard work! Was it easy? Heck no! There were days I was pushing through my workouts crying. There were days, I later found out, that my husband would sit on the stairs where I couldn't see him so that he could pop in the room to encourage me when he heard me getting frustrated or about to give up. That right there brings tears to my eyes now. He was and still is my biggest cheerleader. He knew how bad I wanted this, and he was right there to keep me going when I needed it most.

This is why I do what I do. This one challenge group that I decided to spend the money on, the money my husband, at the time, thought could be better used somewhere else. I am a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom, so we have to choose wisely where we spend. But, let me tell you, that was the BEST purchase I have ever made. Hands down! Life changing! And, I am never going back. Never.

Accountability. Support. Help. A shoulder to cry on. Someone to celebrate with.

Let me be all of that for you! Let me help you move into summer being happier and more confident then ever. This is not some quick fix or diet. This is the start to a new you, a whole new healthy lifestyle. I am inviting you to join my "Slim Down for Summer Challenge" staring Monday, April 28th and going through Sunday, May 18th. 

We will find a challenge program that you will love and fits you. You can start by checking out all the options on my site. T25 is on promo this month with a savings of $90, and Shaun T is amazing! You push play and get your workout in with only 25 minutes! Brazil Butt Lift is the other program on promotion this month, with a savings of $70, and although I have not tried it out yet, I have heard many great things about the program!

All our programs give modifications so don't worry about that. No matter what your fitness level, you can push harder or follow the modifiers and you are still going to get a great workout.

The great part is that when you purchase a challenge pack the Shakeology will come with. This is part of the designed meal plan I will put you on. It will help you with cravings, "clean you out," make you regular, increase your energy, and lose weight of course.

You will also get me as your coach! You will be added to a secret Facebook group, where only the members of the group will see what is being posted. This is where you will get support, encouragement, and be held accountable. The group will open up one week before our starting date so we can plan and prepare for the start of this challenge! We will work on your goals and why statement. You will take your measurements and before pictures during this week. We will talk meal planning and prep. And, then throughout this challenge, you will check-in daily for encouragement, tips, recipes, ideas, as well as to record your workout for the day and how you did on your eating. You will have moments of temptation and moments where you may want to give up, but that is why we have this group. I will help you!

So... are you ready? Are you in?? If you are tired of the excuses like I was and are ready to dive in head first, comment below for more information and to be considered for a spot in my "Slim Down for Summer Challenge" group. This all starts April 28th, which is just around the corner, so don't wait too long. Now is the time to become the best you!

21 Day Fix Results from one of my challengers!
4 pounds & 5.25 inches lost!

So What is Shakeology? And is it Worth it?

Alright, I am not going to lie. I was probably the biggest skeptic when I first heard about Shakeology. I have never been a believer of fad diets, trends or things that seem too good to be true. And when I heard about Shakeology, those were the first things I thought.

However, I was wrong.

I put in some time researching it and found that this is actually just what I needed in my life.

Why did I choose Shakeology? 

Not because I had a lot of weight to lose {although this is a benefit of Shakeology too & it did help me lose the last of my baby weight}, but for me the main reason was because I was the worst eater on this planet. I am not joking when I say that. I would eat sweets the majority of my day, and I was lucky if I got in one single serving of fruits or veggies! So when I found you could get all of this in one drink, I knew I needed it! 

Also, finding out that Shakeology has a "Bottom of the Bag" Guarantee, which means you can use the entire bag and return it to get your money back if you are not 100% satisfied, I figured I really have nothing to lose! {I mean, this tells you right there that this company knows they have a great product!}

What is Shakeology?

Shakeology, although a powder, is food. Unlike other "protein shakes," this is complete nutrition and is so much more than a protein shake! Highly trained professionals have searched all over the world to find the best foods and made them into this shake. The ground that they grow in is *not* treated with chemicals or pesticides. It is not made in a factory. It is made in a LAB right here in the U.S. It is not processed and contains NOTHING artificial, which is why there are limited flavors! Shakeology is much higher quality than something you can pick up in the store. There are four flavors to choose from: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry and Greenberry. The Chocolate also comes in a Vegan option.

What is in Shakeology?

This one drink holds almost all the nutrition I need in one meal, one meal I don't even have to plan or think about! There are 70 ultra high-quality ingredients in this one drink that will be used to repair, change and improve your body! 

• Protein & Amino Acids - Helps build lean muscles, improve skin and hair, support optimal brain function, improve mood, and reduce cravings.
• Antioxidants & Super-Fruits - Helps reduce oxidative damage from free radicals, promote heart health, support joint health, and keep your brain healthy.
• Phytonutrients & Super-Greens - Helps alkalize the body and promote detoxification of the liver, kidneys, and blood to restore health and vitality.
• Adaptogen Herbs - Helps protect the body from stress, support the immune system, and balance the endocrine system.
• Prebiotics & Probiotics - Helps promote regularity, support a balanced microflora environment in the intestinal tract, and improve digestion.
• Digestive Enzymes - Helps the body break down foods and increase absorption of nutrients. 

What can you expect?

There are so many benefits to drinking this; I just can't list them all here. When you drink this every day, along with working out and eating a balanced diet, here are some of what you can expect to happen:

• Lose weight 
• Improve your digestion and regularity
• Reduce junk food cravings
• Increase your energy and stamina
• Regulate blood sugar
• Lower cholesterol
• Improve hair, skin, eyes & nails

Is this a quick fix? 

Absolutely not! To put on weight and be unhealthy takes time, so it is going to take time to get that back off. However, I will say that people have seen results in a week... one week!

What if I can't afford it?

I do hear this often... "It's too expensive!" And, well, it is! It breaks down to about $4 a shake. But what it comes down to is priorities! If you are going to Starbucks everyday or if you are like my husband who is on the road each day for work and was eating fast food, then those are things you could choose to cut out. Eating out costs about $7 each time. Switch to Shakeology and you will not only be making a healthier choice, you will be saving money too! 

And then there are some of you who truly can not even afford any of the above things I mentioned. If this is the case, talk with me about becoming a coach and I can share with you how to save money on your Shakology or even get it for free.

What are other people like you saying about it?

• Lindsey O., 26 - "Shakeology is the most important piece of the fitness puzzle to me. In my first week I lost 12 pounds and my cravings were all gone, which in turn has helped me lose even more weight and keep it off! I never go a day without my shake."
• Richard N., 27 - "When I tried Shakeology, I said, 'This is HEALTHY?' It was so good. I felt a big boost in my metabolism. I craved it! I even quit using it to see if it was legit - and started craving junk, was fatigued and irritable. I got back on Shakeology and it's let me keep my body on a healthy schedule."
• Allison S., 38 - "Shakeology is KEY in helping me keep the weight off and helping my digestion. I struggled with constipation and on the days that I miss a shake I am bloated and uncomfortable. I have never been a veggie eater, so Chocolate Shakeology is a perfect way for me to get the nutrition my body is calling for. Love the stuff!"
• Walt S., 43 - "When my doctor told me drinking Shakeology was like eating a cup of mixed berries but healthier, I went straight home and mixed up a Chocolate shake. I was in CHOCOLATE HEAVEN! The first week on Shakeology, I lost 8 lbs. Being a health drink, it shouldn't be delicious, yet even on my limited diet plan, Shakeology remains my guilty pleasure and it's great for me!"
• Adam B., 24 - "Shakeology is a game changer for sure. Since using Shakeology, my energy levels increased, I feel more focused and alert, I don't have sweet cravings, I recover faster from my workouts, and one of my favorite things about Shakeology is how it satiates my appetite. It's filling, delicious, and can travel with me.
• Kim D., 40 - "Shakeology was huge in my transformation. Since I didn't know what it was like to eat healthy, it played an important part in my new diet. Within days of starting it I could feel a difference. I was amazed by the natural energy I began to feel. All of the cravings that I once had for sweets and chocolate were gone!"
• Robb P., 28 - "I LOVE SHAKEOLOGY! Shakeology has saved me money and changed my life! Every morning, it helps me detox, satisfies my hunger, and jump-starts my day! It completely kills any cravings I have for sweets!"
• Deidra P., 27 - "After having my second child I was unable to get the weight off. So I replaced one meal a day with Shakeology and instantly my ice cream, chocolate, and cereal cravings went away - and my body started to change. I lost 37 lbs., my digestion improved, and my self-esteem and energy skyrocketed! Now I'm in better shape and feel so much happier with myself than ever before!"

What are doctors saying?

• Dr. Arno Sungarian, Neurological Surgeon - "Shakeology has changed the way I live my life."
• Dr. Lauren Kallina, Ophthalmologist - "I would absolutely recommend Shakeology to family and friends."
• Dr. Gwendolyn Cobbs, OB/GYN - "I have definitely found that Shakeology has suppressed my appetite."
• Dr. Marvin Slepian, Cardiologist and Co-Creator of the Artificial Heart - "Use Shakeology as a substitute for a meal if you're attempting to achieve weight loss. I've used this product, and I think it really works."
• Dr. R. Dale Christensen, Emergency Medicine - "You look at the cost of Shakeology vs. going out and having a fast-food meal. It's half the cost but you're getting 10x the nutrients."

How do you make it?

I have never tried it with just water, but I know many have. I honestly don't think I would like it just that way, although if that was my only option, I would still do it. I have a Ninja that blends up the recipes I like to a super creamy texture that makes it taste like I am having dessert. My favorite is the Vanilla Shakeology with almond milk, ice cubes and natural peanut butter! There are over hundreds of healthy recipes that you can try out. If you want to see some of my other favorites with Vanilla, check out my post here. And, be watching for when I share my favorite Chocolate and Strawberry recipes soon. :-)

How do I order? 

It's easy! 

1. Go to my website, here: shakeology.com/brirun23.
2. Click on the "Buy Now" tab in green on the top
3. Select Your Favorite Flavor
4. Choose your "Packaging Size": a. 30 Servings in a resealable Bag or b. 24 Single-Serve Packets in a box {As you can see, you get more servings in the bag.}
5. Select "Monthly Autoship (with Super Discount Shipping)" {This is how you save money each month, because it is FREE s/h when you do it this way.}

That's it! :-) Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to chat more about this. I would be happy to help!