Working Out With A Partner aka Miracles DO Happen

I've never been so happy before during my workout.

Here's why:

For the past 5 days, I've been working out with my husband! <3 This has been so thrilling for me, mostly because the past two years have gone something like this...

Me: Will you work out with me?
Hubby: No.
Me: Why not? Please?!
Hubby: No. Because I don't want to.
Me: Why not?!
Hubby: Because I just don't. 

This was a vicious cycle that kept repeating itself. Every few weeks or so I would ask. Every few weeks or so his response was usually the same.

Then one day, the heavens opened, unicorns and rainbows appeared, and the conversation changed! My begging and pleading hadn't worked, but something had changed his mind and my hubby committed to first completing a 21 day reset (gentle cleanse) with me and then working out for 21 days doing the 21 Day Fix workout.

It. Was. A. Miracle.

And so, for the past 5 days, we've not only been consistently working out together...but we've been getting up at 5:30am to do it! We decided that we were going to commit to early morning workouts so that NOTHING would stand in our way. So far, so good!

I'll update you at the end of the 3 weeks with our results, but for now, here's how our 5 days have looked when we've finished:

Have a Heart

Do you have a heart for helping others? I truly believe that helping others is a calling. There are people that are naturally born to do this. We call them Pearls. My mentor, Lindsay Matway, explains that Pearls see the world in terms of service to others. They are motivated by helping others! They like to have a cause in their work. They are a SAFE PLACE for most people, very giving of themselves and are usually the first ones to volunteer. If this sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place! This month, I’m finishing up with three different fundraisers. You can help if you’d like! And if you’re a Pearl, I know you’ll want to! 1) The Chemo Bag is a local, non-profit organization that provides gift bags to cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. This month, all of the sales from any challenge packs, Shakeology orders, workouts, supplements, and clothing will be donated to The Chemo Bag. I am also accepting donations to be included with my own donation. If you’d like to help out by placing an order, or simply by making a donation, please get in touch with me or order from my shop. 2) The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is hosting an annual Walk for MS this Sunday, April 27th. I will be participating to help raise money to fund research for a cure for this horrible disease. If you would like to join my team, or make a donation, check out this link 3) Finally, the third way you can help is to donate to the Trike-a-Thon to benefit St. Andrew’s Nursery School. I will be collecting donations for this event up until May 1st. Please message me for how to get the donations to me OR to see about attending the event! Thank you so much to everyone who has already donated to these wonderful causes. I know that I am so blessed and appreciative to have your support. I hope you’ll join me in supporting these three organizations. Have a wonderful day!

30 Days of X3

When I think about posting my transformations...any pictures of myself, really, that show a lot of skin, I cringe a little on the inside. Has anyone ever felt afraid of stuff like this? I know I should be proud but also, I'm a little shy and a little bit modest when it comes to this stuff so putting my whole body out there...that's scary! 30 days ago, I started P90X3. I also decided that I was going to do the 21 Day Fix at the same time. Double workouts. Focused on nutrition (which I ended up slipping up on more than I care to admit...chocaholic right here and I need help! Even Shakeology, which usually helps, wasn't cutting it. I blame it on the breastfeeding...). I finished the first month of X3 AND finished the 21 Day Fix. I did not lose any weight. It was really disappointing and I felt really upset. I started beating myself up (almost literally) for not being more disciplined with my food choices. I felt ashamed...I wanted to hide in a closet. Then... I took my 30 day pictures. The pictures I had been dreading. I wanted to avoid them, but decided it was time to be held accountable. WOW! Am I glad I did! I am excited to share with you all my results. While the number on the scale didn't budge, my inches did and so did my definition! I am proud to say that I can now see more muscles. Don't let the scale define you. I almost forgot that lesson. Now, I have proof that it's a lesson I never want to forget. Sooooo without further adieu, my 30 day results:

My plan for the next 30 days of X3 is to conquer it head on and have no regrets. I also plan to do T25 in the evenings and X3 in the mornings. I admit, I miss T25 and Shaun T. too much to just not do T25 right now. It's my favorite program...my soul mate program HAHA and I cannot live without it. If you can relate, I'd love to know! Feel free to share these results or any of the posts on my blog with a friend that might want to hear about it. Keep smiling and keep pushing play. Have a wonderful evening.

April Showers...lead to SUMMER TIME!

April showers bring May Flowers...and May quickly turns to June and SUMMER TIME! I plan on getting into a bikini for the first time in a long time this summer. What about you? Are you ready to get toned and trim for summer? It's not that far away. I mean, it's already April 2nd!!! Crazy, right?! Where does the time go?

This month, Beachbody has released not one, but TWO amazing programs on sale. Focus T25 (my soulmate program for sure! I love it so much! Loved my results, loved the small amount of time it required, LOVED LOVED LOVED it!) is one of the challenge packs on sale. Originally $205, the sale price is $180. They are selling it at the introductory price, which is AMAZING. Also, as you all know, 100% of my profits are going to benefit The Chemo Bag (a non-profit that provides gift bags to cancer patients receiving chemotherapy). What does that mean for your challenge pack order? What will you get??

You will get: Focus T25 workouts, meal plan, resistance bands, Shakeology in flavor of your choosing, FREE 30-day club membership (includes a meal planner!), FREE spot in my next challenge group, entry into Beachbody challenge upon completion (can win $100,000 grand prize! or smaller prizes of $500). PLUS $60 will be donated to The Chemo Bag. Your price for all of this? $180! Plus, you'll only pay $2 super-saver shipping. Sweet deal? Yes, yes it is!

The second challenge pack that's on sale is Brazil Butt Lift. This challenge pack includes: Brazil Butt Lift workouts, meal plan, Shakeology in flavor of your choosing, FREE 30-day club membership (includes a meal planner!), FREE spot in my next challenge group, entry into Beachbody challenge upon completion (can win $100,000 grand prize! or smaller prizes of $500). PLUS $40 will be donated to The Chemo Bag. Your price for all of this? $140! Plus, you'll only pay $2 super-saver shipping.

BONUS Challenge Pack! Not into working out but still want to get healthier? This one is for you! The Ultimate Reset Challenge Pack. This includes: The Ultimate Reset meal plan dvds & supplements, Shakeology flavor of your choosing, FREE 30-day club membership. PLUS $90 will be donated to The Chemo Bag!!! Your price for all of this? $275. Plus, you'll still only pay $2 super-saver shipping.

My recommendation: as always, I recommend T25. I achieved AMAZING results with this program and I will stand by it 100%. Results do not lie! If you want help getting into shape for summer and just feeling better about yourself, let me help you. Join my challenge and let's do this!

Check out my results! -------------------->

New Year’s Resolutions Revisited!

LONG POST ALERT!!! Bear with me, as I am about to bear my soul. Many thanks in advance ;)

Picture this: New Year’s Eve 2013. I’m about to ring in the new year and I have to make some resolutions. I want to make a resolution that I will stick to. Something that I won’t give up on after a month (like usual) but also something that is a BIG goal. I want to make 2014 count. Sound familiar? Most of us wind up with similar feelings around the beginning of a new year. Hopes are high and people are feeling refreshed; ready to take action with their lives. I am no different. I set some big goals for myself in 2014. It’s almost the end of the first quarter of the year, and I’m ready to do some self-reflection to see where I stand on meeting the goals I set just three months ago. 

 

My Dream Board for 2014

Goal #1- Personal Development: I set a goal for myself to read more personal development. If I’m not willing to grow myself, then what’s the point? So far, I am not happy with what I’ve been doing in this department. I have only completed a total of 4 books this year for this category. I need to do better. I am pledging myself to a minimum of 10 minutes per day. No matter what! Starting today.

Goal #2- Go on a vacation: This is something that I KNOW my family needs. I booked a vacation- the success club trip to Mexico in March of 2015. I know it’s far away, but I’m slowing paying for it and I am excited to attend this trip. My girls are going to love the resort! I also booked my hotel for our coach summit in Vegas this June. I am psyched. Even though this is technically a “business trip,” I still think it counts as a vacation because I plan on having some FUN with my Beachbody Family!!!

Goal #3- Do the 3 vital behaviors every day. Some days, I admit, I am slacking in this. I am a product of the product (I drink my Shakeology & complete my daily workouts). They are considered non-negotiable with me. I do not always complete my personal development. I do not always invite people. I need to do better. I vow to do better!

Goal #4- Build muscle & tone/Create defined abs. I am well on my way to achieving this! I am getting some great results with X3 and the 21 Day Fix. I finished ChaLean Extreme, which helped. I am doing this right! I also plan on adding T25 back into my schedule. 

Goal #5- Lose 5 more pounds. I have not done such a great job in this. I confess, my nutrition is not always what it should be and I have more cheat meals than I would like to admit. I commit to doing better!

Goal #6- Eat Clean. Right now, I’m at about a 75% clean diet. I will be upping this to 85/90%. I feel better when I eat clean, so I’m just going to go for it!

Goal #7- Lead by example. I believe I am trying to do this for my team, but I pledge to do better and lead from the front. 

Goal #8- Date nights once a month. This has not happened yet, and I NEED to make this a priority. I will do this! I believe it’s important for my marriage and my sanity. 

Goal #9- Start a fit club. I have attempted to start one at my church, but they turned me down because I am moving. I felt defeated, and gave up on this goal. Now that I am revisiting it, I do not want to take no for an answer. I have made a new plan to look for a different location for fit club. Also, I will attend the fit club in Allentown and check it out- that way I can see how it’s supposed to be run and I can get ideas for when I find my own location. Never give up on a goal! 

Goal #10- Spend time with my girls. This is seriously my favorite goal. I love my daughters and I love seeing them laughing and smiling. It melts my heart. I have been spending a lot of quality time with them, and I plan to do more. Once it gets nice out, I plan to go for runs/walks and the park with them a lot. I also plan on spending more quality time away from television/iPads/iPhones, etc. I think it’s so important for their development to stay away from all of the gizmos and gadgets and just have time to be kids. I cannot wait to help them do more of that!

Goal #11- Read the Bible daily/attend church weekly. I have been pretty faithful when it comes to this goal. I just completed day 321 and I couldn’t be happier. I am going to add to this goal and say that if I miss a church service for any reason, I will go back and listen to the podcast. I don’t want to miss a message, because I know it’s important for my soul! Also, I think that my pastor has the ability to motivate and encourage. He also has the ability to say exactly what I need to hear every week. It’s uncanny and also a blessing. Why would I want to miss out on that?

Goal #12- SC5 every month. No excuses. So far, so good in this department! I am not going to take no for an answer here!!!

Goal #13- Move into a nice, dream home in Texas. This one, I don’t have much control over. I am (not so) patiently waiting for my house in Pennsylvania to sell. Until then, this goal is on HOLD. 

Goal #14- Get to Ruby and then Diamond status. I am pledging to learn more about how to motivate and encourage my team to be leaders. I am pledging to find business builders and then help them to learn this business so they can achieve their goals/wants/desires. Only then will I see success with this goal. 

Goal #15- Financial Freedom! Pay off debt! I am going to start working more on this. One bill at a time. One loan at a time. One payment at a time until it’s done! 

I will create my own destiny. Setting goals, re-evaluating them periodically, and pushing to meet them will guarantee my success. She believed she could, and so she did! <---that will be me!!! 

*If you want to know how to create a dream board, or if you want help defining your goals and setting smaller goals to help you reach the big ones, message me. I’d love to help! 

XOXO,

Stephanie

Spring Fever, 21 Day Fix/P90X3 Updates, and My Confession

Today we finally had some warmer weather. The warm weather makes me want to jump for joy! I can sense that I will be able to run outside sometime in the near future. Running is something that I’ve been missing. I have a double stroller ready to go and I cannot wait to get back on the trail.

Aside from running, I’ve been making some progress in my new programs. One week complete for the 21 Day Fix AND P90X3. I am happy to be seeing the number move on the scale, even if it’s only a little bit. I was up recently, due to the fact that I had been justifying WAY TOO MANY cheat meals which turned into cheat days...you get the picture. Too much junk food was allowed due to all of these circumstances I swore were out of my control. I was not home a lot recently, and so I justified eating junk. What should I have done instead? I should have packed healthy foods for me and my family and not made any excuses. This is my confession. I will move forward and continue to do what I should have been doing all along.

21 Day Fix Update:

The 21 Day Fix is a really great program. The workouts are intense, but there is a modifier in case you need one in the beginning (I used the modifier for some of the moves and I still felt the burn!). I am LOVING the portion-control container system. It’s definitely something that I know I can continue to use, even after my 21 days are up. Also, it’s something that can be done while eating out, which is also a really big bonus in my opinion.

P90X3 Update:

Tony Horton is NO JOKE. He brings it in intensity for X3, however it is completely reasonable and does have a modifier if any beginner wants to take a crack at it. I am getting used to the workouts, some of which are really difficult for me. One workout, called The Challenge, is 30 minutes of pushups and pullups. That’s it! Various types of these bad boys...it’s difficult but I definitely need to practice both of these since they are my weakness. I recommend choosing a low number to start! 

Additionally, one thing I really love is Tony’s sense of humor. He makes working out seem less like a mundane task and it’s something that I find enjoyable. Plus, I never know what’s going to come out of his mouth next. 

Week One Totals:

Even though I was HORRIBLE with following the nutrition plan for the 21 Day Fix this week (I cheated at least once per day, which I hate to admit but I need to confess so that I never do it again), I still lost 2 pounds. I cannot wait to finish my last 2 weeks and see how many inches and pounds drop off now that I am going to be perfect with my nutrition. (Thankfully, the plan allows me to have chocolate and wine so those cheats are allowed!)

Thank You. In loving memory of my mother-in-law.

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all of my challengers. Thank you to all of my friends. Thank you to all of you reading this! Thank you for being so understanding this week. Thank you for allowing me time to grieve, and for understanding that I am still grieving and that it will take time! Thank you for checking up on me!! I need your support, too! 

This past week has been tough for me and for my family. We lost my mother-in-law in her battle to cancer, even though she put up one heck of a fight! It was amazing for me to see the outpouring of love and support from people that know- and even from some who don’t know- my mother-in-law. We appreciate the kind words, the food (and for trying to make us “clean eating” food!), the thoughts & prayers (some of you have been our prayer warriors, praying for us since this all began back at the end of December!). The kind words that some of you spoke to me/us, and the kind words that were spoken at her funeral, have shown our family that LOVE is the most important thing in the world. It’s what my mother-in-law sought to cultivate in her relationships. She showed love and was given it in return by many. And those of us who were lucky enough to know her and hold her close will cherish that love that she gave us with all of our hearts. I know I will, because I felt her love every day.

For those of you who don’t know, my mother-in-law was one of my biggest supporters in this business. She was one of the first people to sign up for my first challenge group and she bragged to others about how great she felt when she completed my 7-day Shakeology challenge. She also proceeded to purchase a workout program from me- Slim in 6- and was planning on starting the program when her health began to decline. Even though she was unable to start the workouts as she had planned, she still encouraged me and encouraged others to put their faith in me to help them achieve their goals. I am not going to let her down. I WILL help others and show my LOVE for my challengers, just as I know that she would be proud of me for doing so. Many of my other family members tease me for my healthy lifestyle choices, and while they support me, they don’t necessarily “get it” or feel that they really want to make a commitment to changing their unhealthy habits. Karen was willing to give me the benefit of the doubt and try it out and I will always be grateful for that. She never made fun of me and she always had faith in me and that I could be successful in this journey. 

If she could hear me now, I would say to her, “Momma, I plan to do you proud. I will help everyone that I can, in any way that I can, so that they can lead healthy lives and fulfill their dreams & meet their goals. I love you!” ~Always & Forever in my heart. XOXO