Craziest Month EVER: Month 1 Insanity Review

I can't believe it has been one month since I started the Insanity program! This is the program that I always told myself I couldn't do, and that I wasn't strong enough for, so the fact that I have followed it to a T for the past month is a HUGE accomplishment for me! It's been hard, sweaty, painful, and challenging, but I can honestly say that this program has been the most rewarding one I have done; not only for my body, but for my mental strength and endurance as well. 

First and foremost, here are my one month results!

I can't believe the results I am seeing. For the first time ever, I feel like my body is literally shedding all of that excess fluff and bloat. I'm seeing definition in my abs, and that is just SO exciting to me! This program is pushing me to my limits. After each and every workout, I feel a sense of accomplishment I have never felt before. 

Of course, it isn't just the workout that I should contribute my results to. As a dietitian, I know more than anyone that weight loss, getting in shape, toning up, and reaching your goals is 80% food and 20% exercise. I've overeaten my way through programs with zero results to show for it. SO, my nutrition during insanity has been imperative. I've been following the 21 day fix portion control system, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that it is the BEST meal plan out there to help you reach your goals. 

I made sure to eat all my containers, drink water, and of course, have my Shakeology daily!

And I still had room to enjoy my favorites on this meal plan! Like Waffle Wednesday with the hubby! :) 

The most important thing to remember is to eat for your goals. My goals are to lean out a bit and tone up in the process, while not starving. This meal plan was PERFECT for that! It is so important to have a "plan."

If we call it a diet in our minds, it is only temporary. The plan needs to be one that we can follow for a lifetime, and I can see myself following this one for a lifetime! I felt energized, full, and excited for each meal! 

Overall, I am beyond thrilled with my results and how I am feeling! I can't wait to see what this next month will hold! Right now, I am in my "recovery" week between month 1 and month 2 for insanity. I am looking forward to the rest of this program, and will keep you all updated!!

This, and any program really, will work for you if you follow through and stick to it. Do you need some extra accountability? I can be your coach and coach you through the program that is best suited for YOU and YOUR goals! My September Joyfully Fit Bootcamp starts in a few weeks, and I would love to have you join! The accountability in this group is what has helped me get this far in my journey. The deadline to sign up in September 10th, so make sure to fill out the form below if you are interested!!! I can't wait to begin working with you!

Inspiration and Imperfection

 

This post has been on my heart for a while. It’s a topic that gets in my head, brews into fear, and colors every aspect of my life. It is a part of my life that I feel called to share and be honest about, even if it’s not well received by others.

 

I am not perfect, and that sounds like a “duh” statement, but I feel the need to say it. Because sometimes people assume that, as a registered dietitian and a Beach Body health and fitness coach, my diet must be cleaner than soap and my self-control and motivation must never fail me. And that is far from the truth. I think I speak for the majority of those in my profession when I say that the reason we went into this field is BECAUSE of our issues. Because we struggled, fell, got back up, struggled again, etc. Because we are not perfect. I became a health and fitness professional because I got me some issues!

 

Growing up, I was the skinny girl. My grandpa used to tickle me and count my ribs. Food and weight was something I never struggled with. I used to be able to put down multiple donuts, bowls of goldfish crackers, and slices of pizza with no problem. But, like many girls, once I hit 13-15 years of age, my metabolism slowed down, and the foods I was eating started to stick. I started getting comments from older adults stating how I was filling out and getting chubby. I got told by multiple people that I should start exercising or I would get bigger and bigger. My self esteem took a huge hit, and I started to diet. And by diet, I mean a 500-600 calories a day kind of diet.

 

I am blessed with an UNBELIEVABLY aware mom, and she caught on in just a few weeks and took me straight to the doctor. I remember feeling almost relieved at 14 years old that my mom had found out, because now I could finally EAT! And eat I did...which is when the binging cycles started. I would eat snacks all day long. When I finally was able to drive, I would go on grocery store runs or stop by fast food places on my way home from high school. I went in completely the other direction with my health. I entered into a binge-restrict cycle that lasted for many, many years.

 

I have over 1000 followers on Instagram, write regularly on this blog about health and fitness, post motivational quotes, healthy meals, and daily inspiration. I want to inspire everyone around me. But that does not mean I am perfect!

 

I never EVER want people to feel judgement from me, because trust me, I have been on every end of the spectrum when it comes to food issues. I decided to be a dietitian, and then pursue Beach Body coaching, because I WANT people to have a healthy relationship with themselves, their food, and their health. Because I know what it’s like to eat the bare minimum, to stuff myself and not be able to move, to just think about when to get my next sugar high, and to fear the scale. I KNOW. I am all too familiar with it.

 

God has done such a work in me, and I want the same for you! I have found that the more I open up about my struggles and the more honest I am with others, the more HE uses me for His purposes and to help others. And that is where true freedom lies. I know that I have struggled all these years for a reason, and now it is time for me to pay it forward and help others.

 

And that is why I am so unbelievably passionate about what I do. I am passionate about healthy eating, working out, and finding balance. So what if I’m not perfect? None of us are. That is the beauty of this life: we get to mess up and help others along the way.

 

So let me help you, because trust me I have been there! I would love to hear from you. Click on the “contact me” tab and fill out a form, and we can get started sharing our stories with each other! 

 

Food essentials to ALWAYS have on hand!

Hello out there! I hope everyone is having a fabulous week. Mine has been busy but in such a good and challenging way. Stresses have turned into joys, and thoughts have turned into actions, and I am just so happy to see what the Lord will bring me in the days, weeks, and months to come! I decided to take a rest day today from my workout since I've been feeling kind of sick and don't want to come down with a full blown flu, which apparently everyone has! I started off my day with this yummy and huge breakfast, my favorite!

Eggs, taters, veggies, and fruit. Never gets old!

I thought I would drop in just to talk about a few essential foods and snacks I always, and I mean ALWAYS, make sure to have at home. When it comes to hunger, I'm no nice girl. I want food, and I want it now. The best way to ensure eating healthy foods is to make sure these foods are always on hand. I compiled a list of foods I always make sure to stock my fridge and pantry with so I don't find myself in a food emergency and reaching for whatever seems to be around.

1. Hummus and carrots. I pretty much eat this combination every single day. It's the perfect mid morning snack and yes, I usually smell like garlic for a while, but it's so worth it. It's a great way to get some veggies and fiber in and keeps me full until lunch time!

2. Nuts. I am nuts for nuts. I go crazy for them. Nuts are usually my afternoon snack. Afternoons are tough since I have lunch and then find myself feeling snacky by 3pm. Not fully hungry mind you, just snacky. Nuts are perfect since they take a while to eat, and all that healthy fat keeps me full and happy until dinner time! I know what you're thinking; it is SO easy to overeat nuts! I've solved this problem by keeping a 1/4 cup measuring cup in my container of nuts to make sure I always have an appropriate portion!

3. Hard-boiled eggs. I would not survive without these beauties. Hard boiled eggs are probably the easiest things to prepare and the most versatile food to carry around with you that has a great nutritional punch!

Eggs are packed with healthy fat and protein that keeps you going for a while. I usually have them as a pre-workout or even as part of my breakfast. To prep, I will boil 5 to 6 eggs at the beginning of the week, usually while getting ready for church on Sunday morning and have them ready for me throughout the week. My little trick to make them easy to peel it's to dump them in some ice water immediately after then they are done boiling, and then store them in the fridge.

4. Larabars.

I'm a big proponent of eating whole meals and whole food before eating convenience foods. But, if I were to pick a bar, I would definitely pick Larabars. Larabars usually have between three and five ingredients and are made from whole foods, no added junk and no chemicals! I keep a few at work and at home for a quick preworkout meal or an afternoon treat.

Those are just a few of my favorite food essentials that I keep on hand! The more healthy foods you stock up on, the healthier you will eat! I hope this post gave some easy and convenient meal and snack ideas for you all! Have an awesome Wednesday!