A few of my favorite things: Fitness Programs

I often get asked about my favorite programs and Shakeology flavors from Beachbody. I've compiled my list below of my favorites. All of the programs are wonderful, but these are simply my personal favorites.

Fitness Programs

The list of my favorite programs is growing. They are great, because they work! Beachbody offers programs for people of all ages, sizes, and fitness levels. I encourage everyone to check out the Challenge Packs offered when you purchase a program. Challenge packs offer the program and a 30-day supply of Shakeology for a lesser price than if you bought them individually. You can also enter the Beachbody Challenge for your chance to win a cash prize. Lose weight, get in shape, AND  an have an opportunity to win money? I'll take it!

• All Beachbody Challenge Packs

• Turbo Fire

• Focus T25

• P90X3

• Slim in 6

• P90X

My story

I joined Beachbody as a customer several years ago when a friend of mine asked me to join his Slim in 6 Challenge Group. I got my membership and ordered my Slim in 6 Challenge Pack. While I had already been on my fitness track, I gained so much emotional and mental strength from the challenge group. From my coach to my fellow challengers, I was primed and ready to tackle my nutrition and fitness!

Over the past couple of years, I've continued to use Beachbody programs like P90X and Turbo Fire. Our body compositions are based 10% on exercise, 10% on genetics, and 80% on nutrition. WOW! Along with my clean eating, I incorporate Shakeology in to my diet. It packs an amazing nutritional punch, and it's the healthiest meal of my day. I'm so busy, it's great to know I'm still fueling my body properly.

After boasting about Beachbody  products, I finally decided to become a Beachbody Independent Coach. This not only increased my own accountability, but it also helped fuel my passion to help others on their journey and get paid for it. What I love about coaching is that my assistance is completely free. I don't charge people to guide them along their journey, just like I provide my own tips and recipes on Piece Love and Peanut Butter for free. I have a passion for helping others and a passion for fitness.

I've lost about 25 pounds with the help of Beachbody programs like Turbo Fire and P90X. Being a single mom, it's hard to get to the gym. Thankfully, I can get a powerful workout at home and not have to worry about my little one. As a Beach Body Coach, I don't have to worry about childcare to teach others about taking control of their own health and reach their goals. I can do it from my home!

If you are interested in joining my Beachbody Team as a Coach or to get free fitness and nutrition advice from me, visit my Team Beach Body Coach page. Join with the free membership - there's nothing to lose!

2014 is right around the corner...

so here is to a new year and a NEW YOU! At the end of each year, I find myself looking back at the events over the year and wondering what the upcoming one has in store for me. I'm sure many people do this, but it is still awe inspiring to look at our struggles and triumphs and how He has seen us through it all. Last year, I was in Dubai and reflecting over my mom's sickness through the years and the loss of her in 2012. This year I find myself looking at how strong my family has become and our faith has endured the storms, and also how drastically my life has changed in the past 12 months. I went from being a technical writing in corporate America to a school teacher in 2013. In 2013, I also found myself in the best shape of my life - literally. None of it has been easy, but all of the babysteps were a part of a long journey. I couldn't be happier than I am right now, my career, my family, etc are all where God wants us (right now). 

In 2014, I aim to focus quite a bit more on my overall health. Does that mean losing weight? Yes, but that's not my primary goal. I just want to be FIT and HEALTHY. I learned my son may have some more food intolerances, so that pushes me even further to be the best role model for him I can be. This focus is also not just for me, but for helping others. All of that being said, I am excited to have SEVERAL challenge groups starting January 2nd! I am SUPER excited one of these is P90X3 - which is released TODAY! I love P90X, but sometimes I don't have time for an hour-long workout. P90X3 is 30 minutes! I also will have a T25 and Turbo Fire group, too. You can JOIN my groups and workout from the comfort of your home. That's one thing I love about Beach Body progress, the recent winter weather did NOT deter my workouts. Gym, shym! :) 

Sign-up up for a FREE membership with me as your coach on my site, http://www.beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/pieceloveandpb. Send me a message, if you would like, or I will contact you about my upcoming groups! :)

An injury interfering with my fitness program and how I'm healing... and a GIVEAWAY!

This week has been pretty hectic, since it we were back to school after a week-long Thanksgiving break. It was much needed and now I'm counting down the days until Christmas break! Late, I've been filling my days (and tummy) with Starbucks. A tall, Skinny Vanilla Latte. Yes, this has a lot of sugar (13g) in it but it also kicks a with 9g of protein at 100 calories. Not too shabby for the holiday treat!

While I always log my food, I am EXTRA diligent lately. Why do you ask? Well, I was doing my TurboFire HIIT workout on Black Friday and I ended up rolling my ankle. Coinicentally, I had just ordered new sneakers for myself for Christmas, as I knew my other pair were losing their support. I KNEW I was bound to roll my ankle if I didn't replace those shoes. My ankles are pretty weak because of past injuries like this that I didn't treat properly when I was younger. I'm an old hand at it now, so I spent much of my weekend RICE-ing. If you aren't familiar with RICE, it stands for:

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation.

RICE is what many healthy professional recommend if you injure yourself like I did. Of course, that doesn't replace seeing your doctor! I learned about RICE in health class during my freshman year of high school. :) Clearly, I was listening!

I also have a brace that my doctor gave me from the last time I sprained my (other)ankle. Between RICE and the brace, I am healing SO quickly. Which makes for a happy girl!

Since my ankle is sprained, and I don't want to do further damage to it I've been focusing my fitness efforts on other areas. Hello, (girlie) push-ups, pull-ups, etc. :)

It's not quite where I want to be, but SOME progress is better than NO progress! Since my injury, I've been using the following programs and tweaking as needed if something would aggravate my ankle.

• TurboFire Core 20 
• Turbo Fire Tone 30
• Turbo Fire Sculpt 30
• Turbo Fire Abs 10

• P90X Shoulders and Arms
• P90X Chest Shoulders and Triceps
• P90X Chest and Back
• P90X Ab RipperX

If you are interested in starting your own program, or if you simply just having questions and have NO idea where to start CONTACT ME! :) I would love to you discover your own fitness, become stronger, healthier, happier and reach YOUR goals. Remember, your goals are YOURS. Each person's level of fitness is different, and each body looks different. I want you to be YOUR best. :)

GIVEAWAY

Now, I have a SPECIAL surprise! ::::drumroll:::: It's a giveway from Zevia! I absolutely LOVE Zevia, and checkout my review of their products. Zevia is a natural soda sweetened with stevia. To enter the contest, do the following:

• Comment below and tell me why you want to try Zevia! If you've tried Zevia before, tell me why you love it and what is your favorite flavor!
• Please include your name and email, so I can contact the winner for your shipping info.
• Deadline to comment is Saturday, December 7th 2013 at 11:59 PM cst. 
• For an extra entry, "Like" my Facebook page.

Busy times... Fitness updates

Whew - I've been INSANELY busy lately, but yes I'm still here. :) Between grad school and my own homework at the end of the semester, and teaching with rounding out the end of the semester there - I am one crazy lady. I have several new recipes (new to me, at least) that I will post soon! Homemade granola, anyone? Yes - that happened.

I'm ROCKING out my P90X/Turbo Fire program. It is crazy how strong your body gets! P90X Plyo is probably my favorite workout. It kicks my butt, but I get so excited when I see it on my schedule! It is the "mother" of all P90X workouts, because it works you so hard and is a major calorie burner! I LOVE IT! There is one exercise called "hot foot" that was always a killer for me. Partially because it was hard on the leg that I injured ( see my post on Injury and Set Backs), and because it just took so much strength and balance that I didn't have - plain and simple. There I was in my workout and I saw it was "hot foot" time. UGHHH - then the next thing I knew, I was doing it! And doing it right without problems, mind you. Just that small feat showed me just how far I have come in my fitness.

What feats (big or small) have showed you how far you have come in your own journey?

Core workouts

Since beginning Turbo Fire I've discovered I have muscles! I've got compliments on my calves and I've got guns (not REAL guns, I mean my arms... :) ) I looked in their mirror one day and said, "WOW! Where did those come from!?" How does that happen? Weight gain and weight loss both just sneak up on you! Thankfully mine wasn't the latter of the 2!

Nowadays I'm doing a P90X / Turbo Fire Hybrid. My FAVORITE workouts are the core workouts. Core 20 (Turbo Fire) and Core Synergistics (P90X) both strengthen my core so much. It's always an amazing feeling when you are just riding in the car and realize your core is engaged without even thinking about it! Like many women, I tend to carry more weight in my core - tummy, sides, etc. These workouts really have helped me wittle down those areas.

For October only - you can get a P90X Challenge Pack at a crazy discount. Just click on the pic below for info. Remember - this ends the 31st! :)

A change of pace and exciting adventures

For years I've doted on Beach Body products and I've been a devoted to the programs they offer. Currently, I'm doing a P90X / Turbo Fire Hybrid.




I've done both programs individually before, and LOVE them. After years of doting, I finally decided to make the jump and become a health and fitness coach with Beach Body. I'm so excited about this opportunity. Not only can I help others meet their personal goals, it will also help keep me accountable!

 

And there's a CRAZY deal for P90X. Check it out!