The 21 Day Fix

Ever since I began this journey on November 4th, 2015 I keep wondering what is working and why it is working. Certainly when I began in November I had NO idea it would stick- and I had many doubts that crept up in my mind. Will this just be a fad? Will it only last for a bit? Will I put any weight I lose right back on? Can I sustain this healthy lifestyle?

Officially down 32.6lbs
since 11/4/15

So, so many of those questions are 100% the little demons in my head- those voices that say you're not good enough, not perfect, not strong enough. Those voices suck. They really suck. We all have them- right? Doubts, nagging thoughts, recurring issues. 

Well- they can suck it. Here I am, almost 5 months later and 32+ pounds lighter, fitting in to clothing 4 sizes from where I started and seeing muscles develop that I didn't even know existed. Are those voices there, still? Uh, duh- yes! But I'm shutting them up each time I prepare a healthy meal and get that workout in. I'm shutting them up by helping others and holding myself accountable to myself and others around me. 

The focus for today is going to be the 21 Day Fix and why I think it worked (and still works!) for me. First- the 21 Day Fix is a workout DVD program by BeachBody (who I'm a coach for) that gives you seven unique workouts (1 per day) for a total body workout throughout the week. You workout for 30 minutes each day with a different planned program- all at home.

Why was it different... why did it stick... here goes:

1- It takes the brain work out of it. When you order the 21 Day Fix you get the workout DVDs (and a bonus DVD if you order from me) as well as the 21 Day Fix containers. You're given a booklet with the list of foods, recipes and of course the scheduled workouts. You don't have to count points, calories or macros (see more below). You don't have to worry about what workout to do or what cardio to fit in (see more below)- it is all given to you in a well-researched and thought out program. 

1a- The workouts are lined out for you. You don't have to wander around a gym wondering what to do next, how to use a machine or how to pair workouts together to get results. Autumn lays out the workouts, in order of when to do them, for the entire 21 days. You can do every workout in your home with a DVD player, weights (light and heavy set) and a bit of space. Bonus: They're ONLY 30 minutes. I LOVE this aspect because I can get up at the same time every morning, pound out that workout and get on with my day. 

There are seven workouts- one for each day: *Total Body Cardio Fix
*Upper Body Fix
*Lower Body Fix
*Pilates
*Cardio Fix
*Dirty 30 (weights and mixed body movements)
*Yoga

It is such a fun mix/match that even if you hate one of the workouts- you have six other, totally unique, ones to count on. Oh- and with that mix/match- you get results. Serious results.

1b- The food is lined out for you, too. Think of the containers as measuring cups. Autumn lines out what you can put in that cup to make meals- and of course I'm here to help you with meal prep, too. Bonus: There are no "can't have" foods. You get treats, you can enjoy alcohol, carbs are not demonized, you're allowed to enjoy healthy fats. It's all there. It makes for a life style change- something you can sustain. The foods approved in each container aren't just kale and lemon (though, I've learned to like kale, actually!). There are good for you foods that are easy to make in to delicious and healthy meals for you, your partner and your family. If you want to join one of my free Healthy Eating groups- just go here to get more information. 

2- It is JUST 21 Days and JUST 30 minute workouts. Habits take 21 Days to stick- so it's the perfect length. It's not 30 or 60 or even 90 days. It is a chewable, easy to do, 21 Days.  I have done 3 rounds (am in #4 right now) of the 21 Day Fix. You can choose to do it back to back, try another BeachBody program or do a hybrid program.  Sometimes knowing it's just 3 weeks is what keeps me going- I can set my jaw and commit for 21 days. If I had initially committed to a 60 day program I would have quit- just the thought of something that long would have made me quit.

And it's JUST 30 minutes- you do not have to add more cardio, more weights, more of anything. Push play for 30 minutes a day (2% of your day), eat according to the plan and you WILL see results. 

3- You do it at home. Now, this may not be a barrier for you- but for me, the thought of getting in the car and driving to a gym was enough most days to make me not workout. With the 21 Day Fix (and all BeachBody programs) you just load the DVD and press play. You can wear your jammies to workout, for heck sake! Also- I workout barefoot. I hate wearing shoes (and pants, for that matter, but that's a different story). So, you can workout in comfy clothes, no shoes and with your hair a mess. Winning.

Meet Kat- your 21 Day Fix
role model, modifier, savior! 

4- The workouts are challenging, but doable. I remember when I started with P90X a few years ago- the screen flashed on and people were shirtless with tattoos and extremely tight muscles. Not one of them looked like me. My first thought "oh shit...". I did the program for three weeks and didn't finish. I wasn't ready. Enter the 21 Day Fix- and meet Kat. Kat will be your best friend, the sister you want to hang out with and your savior. Kat is the modifier. She's not the fit 100lb person taking it slow to show the modifier- she actually is a size that is real and makes you think "I can do this too- with Kat's help!".  No matter where your fitness level is at, you can do this program. My mom has arthritis and a knee replacement- and she does it. There are people who are severely overweight and they do it. Believe me- you. can. do. it. Don't get me wrong- most of the other fools working out are shirtless and ripped... but Kat is a saving grace. Now that I'm six rounds in I am pushing myself harder and harder with heavier weights and intensity but in those early days, Kat was where it's at. 

5- You get support. From me- which is huge. I've been there, walked in your shoes (seriously, I have!) and have learned so much. You get support from our accountability group, from large Facebook groups, from your friends who join you on this journey. Challenge Groups, for me, were a game changer. I didn't have to physically go anywhere and could post/stalk from the comfort of my computer or phone. You pick up so many ideas, get questions answered and get motivation from others via these groups. 

6- It's the complete package. When you order the 21 Day Fix nothing is left out. You get the workouts, the meal plan, the coach (me!). When I did Weight Watchers I definitely lost weight but did not get the workout support piece. When I did P90X I got the workout but did not get the food part right. The Fix gives you both in a holistic approach. If you're not looking to lose weight- you bump up a calorie bracket and WILL see gain in muscle. The workouts are 2% of your time each day- fighting that battle in the kitchen is (in my opinion) the hard part. The Fix makes it easier for you to be successful.

7- It is a lifestyle. I have repeated the 21 Day Fix for a few rounds and even done the 21 Day Fix Extreme (next set of workout DVDs) once. Each time I find I can up my weights, sneak in a few more reps, press harder. It never gets old or too easy! The eating is a habit that is easy to maintain because it is balanced. The workouts become a 30 minute daily habit that is easy to stick to. It becomes a habit, a lifestyle. You can use it as a great supplemental workout to what you're already doing, too! Are you a runner? Great- add this in for toning and strength. Love taking that class at the YMCA? Awesome- add this in for a daily boost of energy and endurance.

8- You see immediate improvements! Each week you are doing the same seven workouts so you get a great measuring stick on your results. From week one to two you'll see improvements in your plank time or how many pushups you can do. It's immediate gratification- which is SO huge when starting off a new lifestyle. 

These are the reasons the 21 Day Fix worked for me. I think it can work for you, too. I really, believe in my bones and feel in my soul know it can change your life. Won't you join the 21 Day Fix journey with me? If you're ready, right now, to get started- you can find it here to order on my site. If you have questions, hesitations, need more- reach out to me. I can't wait to see you on the other side! 

Why Red Rover? I don't know to be honest... I think I've used Red Rover for a while now because I love trying new things, traveling, taking journeys of all types. Red for the hair, obviously- Rover because of the journey.  If you're interested in roving into your own fitness journey with my support reach out to me here. Or check out my BeachBody site. Oh, and for sure follow me on Instagram. 

Join my Challenge Group- take a step towards a healthier and happier you. 

Fill out my interest form here- 

and I'll see you in the group!

Financial freedom

Let me start off by saying this is not meant to brag- but rather to celebrate and to maybe provide help to others! Today is a big, big day at the Johnson household. When Ryan and I got engaged we chose to join bank accounts about 4 months before we got married.  This is clearly a personal decision- couples choose to handle money in a thousand different ways! We both brought in some consumer debt to the marriage and have been slowly chipping away at it. But as we all know, life gets in the way. We have changed jobs a few times, bought and sold a house, bought another house, had a kid, moved... that's just the big picture stuff that. It doesn't include surprise medical stuff, house repairs, utility bills rising and all of the fun day-to-day expenses.

Anyone who has had debt knows that it takes up headspace daily. It weighs on you every time a bill comes in a bit bigger than expected and you have to direct funds to that bill instead of taking away that debt. The fun is sucked out of a vacation because you can't help thinking of the damage being done to your bank account.

New Fabletics top- and flex Saturday!

We implemented an "envelope" system- done through an Excel document. Basically we portion out each paycheck in to a group (Water bill, mortgage, dining out, car tabs, gas, etc. etc.). It has been extremely functional for us- though requires adjustments as things change. For instance I moved jobs to one that is much closer so we adjusted gas to reflect that. It requires communication that can sometimes not be fun- but being transparent with each other has helped us to keep on track. I know that I for sure need a check every once in a while- do we really need that? Can we find the same thing for a better price? Let's indulge and treat ourselves- how do we save for that? Ryan is WAY better than I am at price comparison especially when it comes to grocery shopping. I've learned a lot from him- and still do!

So, today is the day. We have paid our consumer debt off. We. Have. Paid. It. Off. Can you feel the weight of 10,000 boulders come off of our shoulders? After a few hugs and kisses, taking time to realize the feat we just accomplished and of course buying steak, shrimp and champagne for dinner- we got to reorganizing our now more freed up funds. It was a less weighty conversation- we actually got to pump up some of those "envelopes" and will hopefully be doing less stealing from one envelope to pay another.

Celebratory dinner!

Handling the financial baggage we all bring in to relationships around money can be quite the journey. Ryan and I are not perfect, but we work on it. Weekly, sometimes daily. It takes trust in the person you choose to join your life with- and communication. Not to say there aren't heated moments and frustration, but for us, it's worth it.

Getting to this point of having paid it off off has taken a lot of time and energy. We have made sacrifices, sweated over how to pay it down (pretty much daily) and taken both minor and major steps towards getting to this day. Are we stinkin' rich, hitting the high seas and buying a yacht? No, not yet. :) But eliminating this dark cloud has helped us get one step closer!

So, tonight we celebrate. 

My hope (planting that seed right now!) is that some of my coaching through BeachBody (ya know, P90X, Insanity, 21 Day Fix- you can get those and support through me!) and Norwex business will provide us even more income to reach deeper into those goals we have. Where am I starting? I've learned SO much about meal prep and making good tasting, yet healthy meals. Do you want to be my guinea pig group? Just check out more info here to see if it is for you!

**If you want me to share the template I use for our finances- I'm happy to do so!**

Meals for 3/19/16:

Lunch- yum!

Breakfast: Vegan Chocolate Shakeology (more about Shakeology here) blended with spinach, cold press coffee (recipe here), two drops doTerra Peppermint oil,  and frozen raspberries. (1 red, 1 purple, 2 green)

Lunch: Fixate Meatballs, tomato sauce, parm (1 red, 1/4 purple, 1/2 blue)

Dinner: Steak, shrimp, baked broccoli, champagne (1.5 red, green, 2 yellow)

Snacks: Greek yogurt and apples (1 red, 1 purple)

Workout:  21 Day Fix- Total Body Cardio. Gosh, I am loving being more fit and being able to really kill workouts. You can see a snippet on my Instagram, too. Today I rocked a new shirt I got from Kate Hudson's line Fabletics. To be honest I'm not 100% sure I put it in the right way... and may have been wearing it backwards. It was actually comfy and a huge change from what I usually wear which is yoga pants and a beer shirt! It was also fun to wear because I got to show off my muscles a bit (see above picture) and saw some new friends- helloooo baby triceps!

**Check out my clean eating group- starting this week (3/23!)**

Why Red Rover? I don't know to be honest... I think I've used Red Rover for a while now because I love trying new things, traveling, taking journeys of all types. Red for the hair, obviously- Rover because of the journey.  If you're interested in roving into your own fitness journey with my support reach out to me here. Or check out my BeachBody site. Oh, and for sure follow me on Instagram. 

Join my Challenge Group- take a step towards a healthier and happier you. 

Fill out my interest form here- 

and I'll see you in the group!

What is your Hobby and Meals for 3/17/16

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This week my boss asked me what my hobby was. I had to pause and think a bit - because life gets in the way and hobbies become more of an issue than a fun thing! Some people knit, some hunt for antiques, some (my husband!) read and play video games.  I'd say watching television is my hobby, or maybe social media. Wait. Yes- that's it. Social media is my hobby, and my job- which is kinda nice when you love your job like I do!

Why would I call it a hobby? It's something about the community that I find enjoyment in. I also am always learning something not only from content posted but about how it functions and how I can maximize my interactions with people. I consider this blog a part of my hobby, too!

I am fully aware of the addiction and the negative side of social media- and for sure have issues with balancing it and being present. However, I do find my downtime is spent not only scrolling through but also learning about how the algorithms work, what's the new app and more. It is also spent being inspired by others, learning from their journey and more.

Extra greens for St. Paddy's!

My other hobby? Learning and trying new things. I'm spontaneous (often impulsive) but I am learning to own that and channel it in to experiences and learning new things. Most recently it has been diving in to being a BeachBody Coach which has me reading more about health and fitness, working out and enjoying Shakeology daily and being a part of fitness challenge groups and teams.

If you want to follow me or my journey through social media- please do!

Here is where you can find me:
*This blog- duh! I update it daily!
*Instagram- I post random family pictures, workouts and meal ideas.
*Facebook

For work I use Instagram, Twitter, Periscope, Facebook, Untappd, Snapchat and more! Look us up at Badger Hill Brewing Company and see more of "me" (through the lens of a brewery!). Sometimes it's tough to keep up with all the new formats but I enjoy learning about them and seeing how people use them to be successful in business and also connect in their personal life.

What is YOUR favorite social media platform? Why? Comment below!

Meals for 3/17/16:
Breakfast: Vegan Chocolate Shakeology (more about Shakeology here) blended with EXTRA spinach (greens for St. Paddy's Day!), cold press coffee (recipe here), and frozen raspberries. Green tea with lemon. (1 red, 1 purple, 2 green)

Dinner!

Lunch: Shredded chicken, fajita veggies, (recipe here), two corn tortillas topped with 1/2 a blue of shredded cheese and a dollop of greek yogurt. (1.5 red, 1 green, 1 yellow, 1/2 blue)

Dinner: Fixate Turkey meatballs, Fixate sauce, roasted sweet potato slices, roasted broccoli and cauliflower. Zeke ate what I ate tonight, too! He's such a great eater and I love exposing him to healthy, tasty foods. (1 red, 1.5 green, 1 yellow)

Snacks: Caveman Bar (see review below- from my Bulu Box), apple slices with PB (1 yellow, 1 purple, tsp)

But seriously people- WHY don't you have the Fixate Cookbook yet? You can order it through my BeachBody site here- under Shop, then use the search bar at the top left and search for Fixate. It's SO worth the money with kid friendly, adult friendly and just plain delicious 21 Day Fix approved food.

Workout: 21 Day Fix Dirty 30. LOVE this workout. It's a shorter one- and I almost wish there was one more round of a bonus round (did I just write that?!) but I love the full body workout it gives! I'm looking forward to Yoga tomorrow to get some stretching in. My right IT band is a bit tight! 

Caveman Bar from my Bulu Box

Bulu Box Product Review:
*Here's the complete unboxing video if you want to see all of the goodies I got!*

Today I enjoyed a Caveman Dark Chocolate Almond Coconut bar. It says "paleo inspired" - made with ingredients I can actually pronounce. About two bites big with lots of chew to it. I'd say it's a Yellow swap- and nice treat. I love coconut and almonds so adding chocolate to that is a win for me.

NeuEnergy from my Bulu Box

I was also feeling the 2p energy slump and decided to give the NeuEnergy tablets a shot. In reading the directions you're supposed to take two tablets (the sample was 6 total) and not need water. I chewed two- the consistency was like a crunchy tums. Flavor was sweet, a bit fruity- but not exactly pleasant. It left a very perfumey flavor in my mouth that lasted quite a while and definitely needed water to rinse out. It did give a good energy boost. I worked out about an hour after taking them and definitely felt a good boost (rare for 3:30p!). No jitters- just focused energy. The taste was still horrible but maybe I'd endure it for this type of energy!

Want to get Bulu Box for yourself? Check it out here- and when you sign up enter code MYSUB5 at checkout (top left) to get your boxes for just $5/mo, for life!

Why Red Rover? I don't know to be honest... I think I've used Red Rover for a while now because I love trying new things, traveling, taking journeys of all types. Red for the hair, obviously- Rover because of the journey.  If you're interested in roving into your own fitness journey with my support reach out to me here. Or check out my BeachBody site. Oh, and for sure follow me on Instagram. 

Join my Challenge Group- take a step towards a healthier and happier you. 

Fill out my interest form here- 

and I'll see you in the group!

Hydration Tips and Meals for 3/15/16

Stealing my apple snack...

Another dreary day here in Minnesota- gosh, this weather is such a bummer. I got up before work and rocked Pilates Fix. I'm loving that I can hold planks so much longer and really push myself during workouts by upping weights and holding it longer. After my neck being in pain the last few days I've been taking it a bit easier- but Pilates Fix today felt goooood.

I've mentioned it before, but typically Ryan will feed Zeke and eat with him while I prepare a Fix approved meal. Tonight Ryan was gone so it was the Zeke man and me. I was making dinner (what I ate is below!) and pulled the kale out of the oven. When Zeke saw it he exclaimed "Broccoli!". He wouldn't calm down until I gave him some roasted kale (what he thought was broccoli) and he devoured a few handfuls. We ate the same dinner tonight- and he loved every bite! Just goes to show you- don't discount your kids and what they will/will not eat. While I fully expect him to not want to eat any of this tomorrow (toddler life), tonight was a good eating night.

Today's focus topic is hydration! Do you get your oh-zees (ozs!) in each day? Most of us don't. They say you should drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water each day and a bit more if you are working out and sweating a lot. Don't get too focused on plain old water though (unless you love it- then do!). Each morning I drink a 24oz shake, 16oz green tea and water throughout the day- all of those count towards my total intake! By the time I get to work I've consumed over 48oz of liquid. Some folks go as far as to get a gallon jug and use marks to show where they should be during certain times of a day. Whatever works for you!

*Use your Shakeology cup- keep one always with you! I use mine for water (my ninja is used to blend/store my morning shakes). I love the Shakeology cups because they hold 25+ozs of water, the top is easy to put on and off and when the top is on it's spill proof. I've purchased 4 programs so far that each have come with a cup- so I keep one cup in my car (refill as needed), one at work, one by my bedside and one at home with me. You rarely ever see me without a shaker cup for water! PS: You can use your Shakeology cup for layered salads on the go, too- fun, huh?

*Your coffee, tea, morning Shakeology and more count, too! There was a debate about coffee and tea but over and over it has been proven to be beneficial to your water intake, so drink up. 

*Beware of diuretics! Alcohol is the biggest offender- and we all know it. Enjoy in moderation, but don't count it toward your daily ounces.

*Keep an eye on calorie rich bevvies. That Starbucks venti latte with whole milk, caramel and whip may count toward your daily ounces, but you'll be seeing it on the scale later. Keep your beverages light (no added creamer, sugar) and your waistline will thank you. 

*Get fancy with bubbly. You certainly can drink that bubbly water (i.e. La Croix) just make sure it's not soda. We all know soda is no bueno but that doesn't mean you have to stay away from bubbles all together. I love flavored (no sugar added) bubbly water as a treat occasionally.

Lunch

*Infuse water! They make individual water bottles, pitchers and more now that you can shove fruit, herbs and veggies in to for flavor. Another idea is to freeze ice cubes with fruit in them. Add lemon to be simple or get crazy and use watermelon, rosemary and lime! There are endless infused water possibilities for you when plain water just won't cut it.

*Your fruits and veggies have lots of water, too. If you're following the 21 Day Fix program you know that you're getting your daily fruits and veggies. Many of them are water-dense so you get the additional benefits of that water intake! However, it's hard to calculate how many ounces you're getting so I'd just stick to tracking liquid.

*Still need more ideas? BeachBody just posted a great article with 25 Ways to Drink More Water! Cooking Light also has some great ideas for tracking consumption with rubber bands.

Nitty gritty- your pee should be fairly clear, folks. If it's not you are most likely dehydrated which isn't good for many reasons. Dehydration can cause dry mouth and skin, headaches, confusion (to name just a few). Being hydrated is better for your skin, hair, nails, joints, digestive system and SO much more. Feeling sore? Flush out those toxins and help repair muscles by being hydrated!

So, drink up friends!

Meals for 3/15/16:

Dinner

Breakfast: Vegan Chocolate Shakeology (more about Shakeology here) blended with spinach, cold press coffee (recipe here), almond extract and frozen raspberries. Green tea with lemon. (1 red, 1 purple, 2 green)

Lunch: Shredded chicken, fajita veggies, (recipe here), two corn tortillas topped with 1/2 a blue of shredded cheese and a dollop of greek yogurt (1.5 red, 1 green, 1 yellow, 1/2 blue)

Dinner: Turkey Meatballs, roasted garlic kale, spaghetti sauce, sweet potato fries (1 red, 1 green, 1/4 purple, 1 yellow)

Snacks: Tuna with apple slices (1 red, 1 purple)

Workout: 21 Day Fix Pilates Fix. This is the workout I've seen the most improvement in since the beginning. I can actually do a 60 second plank, my shoulders get higher off the ground when doing ab work and I can do the leg exercises longer. What a great reward for kicking my own ass for so long.

Recipes:
Nothing related to the above food- but I found this great link to cauliflower recipes. Just bought a huge head of it- I'll have to give it a try!

Here's also a great recipe for cauliflower rice/couscous- have any of you tried this? It'd save a yellow and add a green!

Why Red Rover? I don't know to be honest... I think I've used Red Rover for a while now because I love trying new things, traveling, taking journeys of all types. Red for the hair, obviously- Rover because of the journey.  If you're interested in roving into your own fitness journey with my support reach out to me here. Or check out my BeachBody site. Oh, and for sure follow me on Instagram. 

Join my Challenge Group- take a step towards a healthier and happier you. 

Fill out my interest form here- 

and I'll see you in the group!

Ready to get Summer Strong? and Meals for 3/14/16...

Daylight Savings started yesterday- and to be honest I don't see what all the hubbub is about. Perhaps I'm the lucky mom of a toddler who really doesn't seem to be impacted by it, he still went to be last night at 8:30 and woke up around 7:45a. I'm dragging a bit this morning- but that's every morning plus it's the dreaded Monday, and it's dreary outside.

Are you ready to get Summer Strong with me?

But do you hear that? That sound? Yea. It's summer- and it's coming quickly! Are you where you want to be with your fitness goals? Do you have a BeachBody workout DVD collecting dust? Are those colorful containers now stacking toys for your toddler?

Well- here's your wake up call and invitation! Join me (starting April 4th) for #SummerStrong with BeachBody and the 21 Day Fix. How do you join? Purchase (if you haven't already) the 21 Day Fix program and containers (purchase here under Shop). You have time to order it NOW and have it shipped in time to start April 4th. Join my Challenge Group (here) and join the BeachBody mega Challenge Group (here).

Why? Because now is the time- if not now, when... right? Need more? You'll get a free t-shirt for completing and entering your results in to the Summer Strong round, a chance to win prize money AND another free t-shirt from BeachBody for completing the 21 Day Fix. Need even more? I'll be here through this blog, our Challenge Group and via email or private FB message to coach you, help you, answer any and all questions.

Dinner!

Don't let another summer come and go while sweating your ass off wearing jeans because you don't feel comfortable in shorts. Don't pass up another summer enjoying splashing in the pool with your kid because you don't like your body in a swimsuit. How do I know about these things? Because this has been me the last, oh, I can't even keep count how many summers. Life is TOO short to avoid the simple pleasures because you don't feel comfortable with the skin you're in. Let me help you, challenge you, support you.

For me, the decision to start was fueled out of anger. I was angry, and sad. If you're angry, sad or just plain ready- join my group (sign up here).  Wondering what you need to get started? I talk a little about that, here. But honestly- the first step is reaching out to me!

Meals for 3/14/16:
Breakfast: Vegan Chocolate Shakeology (more about Shakeology here) blended with spinach, cold press coffee (recipe here) and frozen raspberries. Green tea. (1 red, 1 purple, 2 green)

Lunch: Shredded chicken, fajita veggies, (recipe here) 1 whole wheat tortilla topped with 1/2 a blue of shredded cheese and a dollop of greek yogurt (1.5 red, 1 green, 1 yellow, 1/2 blue)

Lunch- chicken fajita

Dinner: Sweet potatoes, turkey meatballs, tomato sauce, parm, sauteed kale (recipe below) (1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green, 1/2 blue, tsp)

Snacks: Apple slices with PB (1 red, tsp)

Container Counts- 3.5 red, 2 purple, 2 yellow, 4 green

Workout: 21 Day Fix Lower Fix- used 15lb weights in each hand the entire time. Definitely felt it, but I then look back to November 4th, 2015 when I was carrying around that extra 30lbs with me every day. Sure helps to motivate me to use them for just 30 minutes- and to NEVER put that weight back on!

Recipes:
Sauteed kale- slice up about 3 cups of kale (stems out), heat pan to medium, add 2 tsp of oil. Add 2tsp chopped garlic- when it starts to brown add the kale. Sautee- stirring so it doesn't burn. I like it a liiiittle crispy, so sautee it about 12 minutes or until wilted.

Roasted sweet potato- slice up one sweet potato (I leave the skin on), toss in 2 tsp of oil, sprinkle with salt. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes, flip over and bake another 20-30. Measure in yellow container and enjoy!

Why Red Rover? I don't know to be honest... I think I've used Red Rover for a while now because I love trying new things, traveling, taking journeys of all types. Red for the hair, obviously- Rover because of the journey.  If you're interested in roving into your own fitness journey with my support reach out to me here. Or check out my BeachBody site. Oh, and for sure follow me on Instagram. 

Join my Challenge Group- take a step towards a healthier and happier you. 

Fill out my interest form here- 

and I'll see you in the group!

Tools of the Trade and Meals for 3/13/16

I couldn't agree more with this quote. I like a balance of preparation and relaxation on my Sundays. Zeke (and I!) slept in until 9am, after he was fed breakfast (Ryan slept in) and made my morning Shakeology I went down and started laundry. Pushed play and got my 2nd day of the 21 Day Fix done.

After showering I headed out for a late lunch at the Good Day Cafe with my friends Lisa and Meg. Meg is days away from giving birth to her second daughter- I can't wait to meet the little peanut! It was great to catch up with them. Friend time is always appreciated and valuable.  After we got done I headed to Target to get some groceries for the week. I do find myself at the grocery store at least twice a week getting fresh produce!

When I got back I put away groceries, started the next load of laundry and watched some TV while putting the touches on today's blog post!

I'm going to offer some things that I dub "Tools of the Trade" that I think are necessary to have before starting a BeachBody journey... read on!

Tools of the Trade:

Some shots of the 21 Day Fix App- get it!

*The 21 Day Fix App- this is made by BeachBody and is an amazing way to track your daily food intake. It automatically calculates your container needs for your weight and ticks down as you use your containers during the day. It also lists everything on the approved foods list if you need that as a reference!

*Shakeology- many people see success without using Shakeology every day. However- as I've stated in a previous post, I find Shakeology to be a necessity. It's the healthiest protein shake/meal replacement/superfood amazingness on the market. It gets your day (or afternoon, or night) started off right. It is an investment in your success.

*Meal prepping- I cannot express how freaking important meal prepping is. Please read my previous post, here, with information on the How Tos. How I had to start off was me making my meals seperate from Ryan- which worked for me. We'd still eat at the same time, but eat different things. Now we occasionally cook together and my hope is that we can eventually make meals together that are healthy and Fix approved!

*Workout clothes- now, they don't need to be pretty or fancy. Make sure your sports bra fits and that you don't have to be fidgeting with anything while you're working out (i.e. pants that don't fit, socks falling down, shoes untying). I love the 21 Day Fix and PiYo because you don't need to wear shoes. In Fix Extreme there are some resistance bands that you have to wear shoes with (which is a bummer for me!).

*A good DVD player- seems silly but it's a requirement. :) If you choose to do BeachBody on Demand (BOD) you can also stream it using wireless, so make sure you have a good connection. Personally I just use the DVDs and have been happy with that!

Get a foam roller, folks!

*Weights, Resistance Band, and more- this is alllllll based on the program you're using. PiYo doesn't require any equipment, 21 Day Fix requires weights, Fix Extreme is weights and a resistance band, Hammer & Chisel is weights, a bench and pull-up bar. Check in to your program you're starting and see what equipment you need. I started doing Extreme (after not reading the requirements!) and didn't have a resistance band- which set me back a few days while I procured one. You can find some of these things on Craigslist, from friends (just ask!), Play it Again Sports or other discount places!

*A Foam Roller- while this isn't 100% required it will help SO much in the early days of super soreness. You know the kind of soreness I'm talking about, right? The kind that makes it difficult to sit on the toilet or walk down stairs.

These are the game changers!

*A schedule- you have to decide WHEN you are going to make time for working out. One of the reasons I love the 21 Day Fix is that all workouts are around 30 minutes and you can schedule your day easily around them. It's only 2% of your day- but you still have to schedule it. I'm NOT a morning person but I do love working out before work because my only excuse is "I'm too tired..". If I workout after work the excuse list gets considerably longer "I am hungry, I am tired, I have to do laundry, I need to make dinner etc. etc. etc.".

*Join a Challenge Group- these are fairly unique to BeachBody. You need to join a challenge group not just for accountability but to be able to bounce questions off people, get great meal ideas, be motivated by the successes of others. Find a good coach (hey, that's me!) when you sign up so that you know they'll motivate you the way you need to be motivated.

*The 21 Day Fix containers- this goes hand in hand with meal prepping but to be successful you need to get these colorful containers. You can purchase them alone (from me!) or with the 21 Day Fix DVDs (which I'd recommend). If you aren't ready or willing to workout- you can start the meal plan without the DVDs. If you really want to see results, do the containers with the DVDs. The best part about the containers? You get to eat all types of foods- healthy fats, carbs, veggies, fruits, proteins... it is all there. You aren't cutting anything out!

*Supplements- I have enjoyed using BeachBody Energize from time to time before really tough workouts. It puts a little more gas in the tank to push for extra time and reps. I also, of course, enjoy Shakeology (see above!). I've also started taking BCAAs before and after my tougher workouts- which if you're doing a calorie deficit diet is recommended so your muscles have something to munch on that isn't necessary protein. When I was doing the 21 Day Fix Extreme I also enjoyed taking BeachBody Recharge at night. I found I slept better and was less sore in the morning- which allowed my to workout at my full ability.

These are what I can think of today- what do YOU think are the other must haves to be successful?

Meals for 3/13/16

Breakfast: Chocolate Vegan Shakeology, frozen raspberries, two drops doTerra Peppermint oil, cold press coffee, water (1 red, 1 purple)

Lunch: Ate at the Good Day Cafe- enjoyed at Wild Mushroom Benedict with a side of hash browns (appx 2 red, 2 yellow, 1 blue, 2 tsp)

Dinner: Leftover hibachi from last night- even better than the night before!

Workout: 21 Day Fix Upper Fix

I LOVE the 21 Day Fix. I will say this over and over and over again. It's a great workout- and the Upper Fix left my arms like jello today. I'm so glad I made the switch back to doing it! Today during the plank I held it for the entire 60 seconds the first time and just took a 3 second break during the second. I was definitely NOT able to do that a month or so ago.

Why Red Rover? I don't know to be honest... I think I've used Red Rover for a while now because I love trying new things, traveling, taking journeys of all types. Red for the hair, obviously- Rover because of the journey.  If you're interested in roving into your own fitness journey with my support reach out to me here. Or check out my BeachBody site. Oh, and for sure follow me on Instagram. 

Join my Challenge Group- take a step towards a healthier and happier you. 

Fill out my interest form here- 

and I'll see you in the group!

Coming back to the 21 Day Fix and Meals for 3/12/16

Switching back to the 21 Day Fix-
and I'm so happy!

Today I woke up and had a choice- continue my PiYo program or go back to 21 Day Fix. The last 10 days or so I'd really been dreading doing PiYo for a few reasons: the variety in length of workouts, the stress it was putting on my wrists, lack of cardio. I have started reading the new Kate Hudson book Pretty Happy and she stresses not dreading your choice of exercise- find something that works for you and makes you happy. She's said it over 1/2 a dozen times in the book so far- and I'm only two chapters in. It really rang true- so.... I am back to the 21 Day Fix- the program that started it all for me!

Now, to be fair- PiYo did help me in many ways. I know my core is stronger, I'm for sure better at pushups and I have gained upper body strength. I felt that today when I did the Cardio Fix Bonus Round. I will for sure still supplement some of the workouts in PiYo sometimes, but as a program whole it's not what I'm looking for right now.

Meal prepping!

You know what? I smiled during most of my workout (except burpees.. those suck) because I missed the pattern of this workout, I missed Autumn's training style, I missed knowing the workout was going to be around 30 minutes. It felt good to be breathless, sweaty and have my butt kicked.

This morning after I worked out I joined Zeke and Ryan in the yard. It was great to spend some time outdoors because it's beauuuuutiful! These Minnesota souls need sunshine and fresh air.  Ryan got the short stick and spent most of the time picking up the now-exposed-winter-dog-poop and sticks (love him for doing this!!). Zeke and I ran around and hit the slide a few times. It's great to get some fresh air.

I also began the meal prepping for the week. I had bought a few peppers and a zucchini earlier this week and they were getting a bit wrinkly so it was time to use them up. I'm going to make slow cooker fajitas for lunches this week- they were so good two weeks ago (recipe at the bottom). I'm going to switch my 3p snack up to be tuna salad over apples- looking forward to a change from fruit/yogurt/cottage cheese which I'm pretty sure I've been eating every afternoon for about 3 months now. :)

Quote from the Kate Hudson book, Pretty Happy. This kind
of thinking is what gets me in to trouble!

Tonight was a fun experience- we took Zeke to a hibachi! We hadn't hung out with our neighbors in a while so it was good to see them- and seeing Zeke's face when they lit the hibachi was priceless. He had a great time and ate like a rockstar!

Being with friends is good for the soul- it was a great day!



Meals for 3/12/16:

Breakfast: Vegan Chocolate Shakeology blended with frozen raspberries, spinach, cold press coffee and coconut extract.  (1 red, 1 purple, 1 green)

Lunch: Hasselback Chicken with a side of baked broccoli (1 red, 1/2 blue, 1 green)

Portioned out fajitas- a red of chicken,
green of veggies, dollop of greek yogurt and
1/2 blue (stored in orange) of cheese plus two
corn tortillas!

Snacks: Canned no-sugar mango, cottage cheese (1 red, 1 purple)

Dinner: Hibachi- rice, shrimp, steak, scallops, veggies (1 green, 1.5 red, 2 yellow, lotsa tsp!)

Workout: 21 Day Fix Cardio Fix

I wish I could talk to November 4th, 2015 Jen- when I started the 21 Day Fix program and did this workout for the first time. It's STILL an ass beating- but I know I'm so much stronger. I was able to completely do the entire first round of the bonus round- and ALMOST did the entire second without pausing. It is so rewarding to see progress in major ways in such a short amount of time.

Recipe:
Slow cooker chicken fajitas- cut up four peppers of various colors, one container of mushrooms, 1/2 an onion, one zucchini (honestly- any veggies you like!). Add a layer of the mixed veggies to the bottom of the crock-pot, layer 5 reds worth of frozen chicken on top, layer the rest of the veggies on top. Mix together taco seasoning mix- use a bottled mix if you want.  Put slow cooker on high for 3hrs- stir 2-3 times to mix it all up and make sure nothing is sticking to the side. Portion out in to 5 portions (one for each lunch week day).

Why Red Rover? I don't know to be honest... I think I've used Red Rover for a while now because I love trying new things, traveling, taking journeys of all types. Red for the hair, obviously- Rover because of the journey.  If you're interested in roving into your own fitness journey with my support reach out to me here. Or check out my BeachBody site. Oh, and for sure follow me on Instagram. 

Join my Challenge Group- take a step towards a healthier and happier you. 

Fill out my interest form here- 

and I'll see you in the group!

Focus on the Red Container and Meals for 3/7/16

I need to say one thing- this blog is about authenticity. Not just the ponies, rainbows and easy/good days. I promise to be authentic, write down what I eat/do honestly and get better at putting my thoughts in to honest words. I want to show you that life is real, it is a journey and that it's not a quick fix. There will be a meal, a day, a week or more that you may de-rail and that does. not. mean. you are less than or finished on this journey. If I could hug and high-five each of you today, I would. Thank you for joining ME on this journey!

My amazing egg steamer!

I weigh myself weekly on Monday. No, the scale doesn't always matter- but for me I like to see progress knowing that I do still have pounds to lose. After a weekend of indulgence I stepped on and closed my eyes- fearing the worst. And yep- up 1.1lbs. Bummer, dude- though it is the first gain I've had in over 3 months. I knew it was going to happen given the amount of indulgences I had, alcohol I drank and lack of water. Though a gain of that little could honestly be a big poop... we'll see. What now? Onward and learn from the experience!

Blend 1 blue of oats, two eggs,
half a banana-
 cook like pancakes!

Happy Monday- did you get your workout in? I live by the mantra "Never Miss a Monday"- it just gets that week started off right and fights the Monday blues. I rocked PiYo Sculpt for the first time- I tell ya... the deeper I get in to this program the more I love it (and the ass-beating it gives!).

Today Ryan and I worked- and then after work headed up to Duluth for a night away (took tomorrow off). Eating-wise I am going to "enjoy" myself- though I know "bad" food shouldn't necessarily equate enjoyment. It's easy to enjoy yourself and eat well- too. Anyhow.. I'm going off the rails a bit!

On to the Red container! Ahhhh protein! A building block (literally) of muscle growth and weight loss. When I'm doing a more intense program like the 21 Day Fix Extreme my body craaaaaves protein.  There are so many fun ways to get good protein- here are a few ideas:

Baked tofu over zoodles

*Shakeology- duh! One scoop is one red. You can drink it alone for a pre/post workout boost or add veggies (spinach!), fruit and more to it to make it a whole meal. This is my VIP when I'm in a rush and need some protein- I love the regular and Vegan chocolate plus you can make some awesome recipes with extracts (caramel, coconut, almond etc.), too!

*Don't have time to cook? Pre-cooked meats may work for you! I love the Tyson chicken breast chunks, Target brand chicken sausages, turkey bacon and of course yogurts/cottage cheese.

*Speaking of yogurt- use it in diverse ways! My 3p snack each day is almost always plain Greek yogurt with a fruit of some kind. Use Greek yogurt as a replacement for sour cream- one of my faves is on top of fajitas. Use your yogurt as a dipping sauce for fruit or for veggies- just add honey or spices (powdered ranch, dill, chives etc.). If you HATE the taste of plain Greek yogurt just add a drizzle of agave or honey over the top and some pumpkin seeds for crunch. Or add some cinnamon and apple chunks. Lastly, yogurt is a great marinade for chicken- I mix some powdered ranch dressing and coat chicken chunks in it, refrigerate over night and bake!

Meal prepping from Sunday- Fixate Meatballs,
chopped broccoli and kale, marinated brussel
sprouts and Fixate Grandma's Sauce

*Eggs! Eggs! Eggs! I bought an egg steamer which cooks the perfect soft or hard-boiled eggs. Eggs are my go-to when I'm lazy and don't want to think of a protein option. Plus with eggs you can often sneak some good Green containers in there, too! People also make those egg muffins which are easy to reheat and take on the go. Another favorite recipe is protein pancakes using eggs- blend together 1 blue of oats, 2 eggs, 1/2 a banana and cook like pancakes. I love to add a tsp or two of PB and a drizzle of agave or honey!

*Sushi, ohhh yea. When you go for sushi get sashimi- raw slices of delicious fish. Eat a side of rice for your yellow container and you're set.

*Speaking of sushi- fish and seafood are awesome. I like to buy the frozen tilapia or salmon. Tilapia I'll cut up in to chunks and bread lightly- then bake and serve in tacos or over couscous. A new favorite recipe is coconut shrimp (frozen, cooked)- dip shrimp (tails on) in a beaten egg, coat in unsweetened coconut flakes and bake 8 minutes, flip, bake another 8 minutes until breading is nice and crispy! Cut the tails off and serve over zoodles, couscous, rice and more.

Cart of groceries for the week!

*Tofu, yea, tofu. It's not my favorite but it's awesome because it's fairly flavorless so you can make it in to anything you want! I've blended it in to a smoothie, baked it and added it to Zoodles and used it as a protein in stir fry. It also stays good for a while- so you can use it gradually.

*Of course the regulars- chicken, turkey and beef! I like to brown up beef in a big batch and use it different ways- tacos, burgers, mixed with veggies. Another easy "what are we going to do for dinner?!" is grabbing a rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store. Turkey bacon or eggs (breakfast or breakfast for dinner!) are easy in a pinch. I like to use stew meat to make fajitas or beef and broccoli. Make (and love!) the Fixate Cookbook chili with ground beef or turkey. I also love buffalo sauce- so toss any of these meats in that, add some blue cheese crumbles and I'm set. Last- the Fixate Turkey Meatballs are easy to make in bulk and eat for lunches or dinner- or freeze and defrost in a pinch. Obviously there are SO many ways to use these two!

I keep mentioning Fixate- which is the cookbook by Autumn Calabrese (the 21 Day Fix instructor). Snag it (it is a steal for the amazing recipes it contains!) here, under Shop.

Looking for a complete list of the containers and what to fill them with? Go here!

Meals for 3/7/16

Breakfast: Vegan Chocolate Shakeology blended with spinach, frozen raspberries and cold press. (1 red, 1 green, 1 purple)

Lunch: Sweet potatoes, Grandma's Tomato Sauce from Fixate, Fixate Turkey Meatballs (1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green)

Snacks: No-sugar added fruit, greek yogurt (1 red, 1 purple)

Dinner: Olive/Cream Cheese Burger, side of ranch fries, flight of beer- at 7West in Duluth. We split a flight of beers at Canal Park, too!

Workout: PiYo Sculpt

Why Red Rover? I don't know to be honest... I think I've used Red Rover for a while now because I love trying new things, traveling, taking journeys of all types. Red for the hair, obviously- Rover because of the journey.  If you're interested in roving into your own fitness journey with my support reach out to me here. Or check out my BeachBody site. Oh, and for sure follow me on Instagram. 

Join my Challenge Group- take a step towards a healthier and happier you. 

Fill out my interest form here- 

and I'll see you in the group!

Focus on the Yellow Container and Meals for 3/6/16

Tortilla pizza

It is Sunday- and a windy, yet warm(er) one here in Minnesota!  Today we got up early with my parents and went to IHOP. The land of pancakes, waffles, whipped cream and more- of course I was thinking about what I'd eat from the get go. When I arrive and looked at the menu they had a few fit choices that were under 600 calories- and listed the calories next to it. I chose the omelette (see today's food!) that fell at 320 calories and felt pretty good about that! Zeke ate most of my fruit, too.

Today my parents are taking Zeke back to Iowa for the week- we don't have daycare all week so they're going to spend some quality Granny and Poppa time together. We drove separately to IHOP with Zeke riding with my parents- and Ryan and I got a bit sad in the car on the way there. We are really, really, realllllly going to miss him. I know he will have so much fun in Iowa with my parents- I'm not worried about him. I'm worried about me.

When we got home (after my parents and Zeke left) I started picking up toys and realized how quiet the house is going to be. Started crying, again. Hugged my amazing husband and took a deep breath. What a weird week it is going to be, right?

On to today's topic- the Yellow Container. Should I even put ideas for this one? This is the easy one to demolish daily- right? Right. However- here are some creative ways you can use that yellow! One suggestion from Autumn is if you are not seeing the results you want- try eating from the top 1/3 of the food list for more nutrient dense foods. Just a tip!

*Sweeeeeet potatoes. These are a staple and almost everyone loves sweet potatoes, right? I like them under eggs, paired with brussel sprouts and broccoli and all by themselves. Regular potatoes are a yellow too- just don't get crazy with the cheese, butter and such.

Tortilla sliced up and tossed in
cinnamon and sugar- baked

*Tortillas- amiright? This is an easy yellow to use. If you use a whole wheat one you only get one- if you choose corn tortillas you get two. I go back and forth and have two creative ideas for you. First- pizza! Use the tortilla as your crust, add tomato sauce (Fixate- green or store bought- purple), other veggies and top with a blue of cheese. Pre-heat the oven to 350, put your pizza on a pan and bake until you see the cheese browning. Your second creative idea is cinnamon/sugar tortilla chips! I sliced up a whole wheat tortilla (corn would work too!) and tossed it in cinnamon and just a little sugar- baked at 350 until they got crispy. It was a nice, sweet treat!

*Beans, beans, the magical... yellow. I love beans in the Fixate Chili- it's one of my favorite ways to eat the yellow. They're also great over rice or with tacos.

*Grains- there are some interesting ones! I haven't ventured out too much in grain and typically stick to couscous (technically a pasta), rice and have now tried bulgur. Head to your local bulk-food bins and try something new out- let me know what you find! Breakfast bowls with quinoa are super popular and there really are some great grains out there.

Fixate Chili- mmm beans!

*Pasta. Nuff said... though the toppings can be a great way to sneak in Greens. Use the Fixate Grandma's Tomato sauce and you're set!

*The ole' standby, bread. 1/2 an English muffin, bagels, waffles, whole-grain bread. It's great when you just want something comfortable. I love Ezekiel sprouted grain bread and keep a loaf frozen- pulling out a slice as I need it. Make french toast, make a ham/egg sandwich, turkey on whole-grain.

*Oatmeal. Now- note, it is one COOKED yellow. So measure out your uncooked oats in a blue and they cook up to be a yellow.

Fixate Mac and Cheese

*Corn and popped corn. To measure out corn on the cob or cooked corn use your yellow container. For popcorn kernels - once they're popped you get 3 cups of air-popped popcorn (read- not oil and butter drenched). This is considered a treat- so you can eat popcorn up to 3x a week. I love using fun recipes like 2 tsp of coconut oil drizzled over the top with unsweetened coconut flakes and cinnamon or a little bit of sea salt and dill. Zeke LOVES popcorn- so it's a fun treat to share.

We also measure our treats in the yellow container or consider them a yellow swap. Typically 1-2x a week I'll swap a yellow for some wine or beer, chocolate or popcorn.  Look in your guidebook for a complete list of treats and some recipe ideas!  Yellow is the easy one- try to balance your containers out over as many meals as possible. I typically have a yellow for lunch and a yellow for dinner- Autumn recommends eating your yellow (and purple) before 7p.

Looking for a complete list of the containers and what to fill them with? Go here!

Ready to go to Iowa for
the week!

Meals for 3/6/16:

Breakfast: IHOP Simple & Fit Omelette with a pork sausage link, black coffee

Lunch: Vegan Chocolate Shakeology, spinach, frozen banana, 2 tsp peanut butter, 4oz almond milk

Dinner: Went to Buca di Beppo- enjoyed chicken stuffed with proscuitto, a red sangria and a side of broccoli.

Workout: PiYo Sweat

Why Red Rover? I don't know to be honest... I think I've used Red Rover for a while now because I love trying new things, traveling, taking journeys of all types. Red for the hair, obviously- Rover because of the journey.  If you're interested in roving into your own fitness journey with my support reach out to me here. Or check out my BeachBody site. Oh, and for sure follow me on Instagram. 

Join my Challenge Group- take a step towards a healthier and happier you. 

Fill out my interest form here- 

and I'll see you in the group!