Happy Halloween!

Hope you guys all had a safe and spooky Halloween!

GPP Turkey Challenge

 

Well, Another Monday come and gone!

First thing, I want to give a shout out to everyone out east. Sandy is CRAZY. I have family and friends out there and luckily they both still have power and have not been evacuated or anything. My prayers and thoughts are with all involved.

I started out this morning with a workout at GPP

I was craving a good sweat today since yesterday was a rest day.

SHAPE SHIFTER

I was practically drinking my sweat during those incline pushups and mountain climbers!

I also taught Body Attack today! It has been two weeks since I taught Attack and I missed it! I had a great class and can’t wait to launch the latest release next week!

We had our first Halloween Party today at Brent’s Dads house, I didn’t necessarily dress the twins up for the event but they had on their skeleton pajamas. We played games, and frosted cookies! All the kids had a blast and I’m sure my children will be on a sugar high for the next 3 days.

 

Yesterday I mentioned the GPP challenge starts today and goes until midnight Nov. 21.

Here is the challenge if you would like to join in to!

The GPP Turkey Day Challenge

From the GPP Website- GPPFIT.com

Beginning Monday Oct. 29 we issue this challenge to those who need to clean up their eating, become more committed to exercise and improve health.

There are 3 parts to this challenge that you must commit to:

You may eat NO ADDED SUGAR - no white sugar, no brown sugar, no high fructose corn syrup (you’ll have to check labels for this sneaky beast). Honey and agave are ok. Unprocessed fruits are OK.  You can have Splenda and Aspartame, but why the H would you want to?  Basically, anything that is a sugary sweet eaten for pleasure alone is off limits.  Just until Thanksgiving day.

You must complete 5 GPP workouts per week PLUS three extra 30 minute cardio sessions per week.

You are to pick a health related challenge to stick to.  Once picked, you should post this healthy challenge and how you will be accountable for compliance to it.  For example: you may choose to begin a few rounds of BCD & post (daily) whether or not you stuck to it.   Below are a few suggestions of health related challenges you may consider:

Comply strictly with a GPP meal plan.

Get 6-8 hours of sleep per night.

50 extra burpees per day.

Pray/meditate daily

No unhealthy snacks.

Take a daily multi vitamin.

5 servings of fruits + 5 servings of vegetables per day.

Eat .9 g of lean protein per lb. of lean body weight daily.

Eat healthy & correct portions of breakfast/lunch/dinner.

Weekly community service.

Weigh & measure weekly.

The TEETH

If you are going to commit to any of the above, you have to be committed enough to put some teeth into it.  In other words, it has to HURT if you break your commitment.  So here is how that works:

You must commit to, and define your intention to complete the challenge to comments.

You must post daily results of your challenge to comments.

There are penalties for not following through.  Each time you miss a workout, indulge in a sugary treat, or mess up on your personal goal (your observable, measurable & repeatable one) you are to pay $1, or 1 can of food for every offense!  Strictly enforced by HONOR.  These are to be dropped off at GPP HQ.  Questions or exceptions are to be voted upon by those in the challenge.  Majority rules!

All of the money raised and food items collected will be donated to the Bountiful Food Pantry.

Challenge ends at midnight, Nov. 21st.

Since I am following a pretty tight diet with THF. I have got most things down pact. But like everyone I have a few things that need improvement. I wanted to be a part of this challenge. SO many people are in on this and its always fun doing a challenge when you have some back up support to get you through!

You can click HERE for more info and inspiration!

I picked these goals because they are things I really struggle with.

#1 SLEEP! Lately, I have been enjoying hanging out, watching movies, blogging, texting, internet browsing late at night. I REALLY just need to go to bed. Even if I know I won’t fall asleep immediately, I know it would be good for me to get a little more sleep.

#2 Artificial Sweetener- My diet is clean and has been absolutely perfect the past few weeks with THF (I know I owe you all an update..) BUT artificial sweeteners are sneaky and are in everything. The challenge does allow aspartame and splenda etc. but sense sugar is out of my diet anyway, I may as well cut out the artificial crap as well. I didn’t put much thought into it and figured that it would be easy  when I first decided that as part of my challenge.. I don’t drink any diet sodas but sparkling water, and my pre-workout also have some sucralose in it. So I think it is going to be ROUGH for me to do .

#3 Extra Cardio- I get extra cardio in weekly pretty easy with teaching classes 3-4 times a week so I just want to make sure to get the extra in just in case I don’t teach or something.

#4 30 minutes of Cleaning per day! – My house has taken about 4 steps back ever since we remodeled the floor and kitchen stuff. My laundry was piled up with about 2 weeks worth and I did do a whole vomit of laundry yesterday but random chores that need to be done weekly.. NEED to be done. So I am going to make a list of things to do, set the timer and get to work!

During the 30 minutes I am going to turn of my phone, computer, TV etc. besides maybe the radio for a little tunes and get to work!! Most likely during the twins naps or bedtime, because I’ll be honest.. cleaning anything with them awake is a little difficult. It is 2 against 1 and they can be little tornados sometimes.

#5 Be Budget Aware: Guys, I’m married to an accountant.. and lets just say he is A LOT better with money then I will EVER be. I am a money spender extrordinaire. I don’t necessarily blow money buying things for me, like clothes or such but I am guilty of buying things I don’t really need. Kid clothes..(TARGET!), groceries, etc.Especially during the holidays with gifts and décor and crap.

Its not good.. and I know I could be a little bit better about it. I could even try using coupons and going through my cart and get rid of things that aren’t really a necessity. I will make list and stick to it!

LETS. DO. THIS.

I know this chick is in. ARE YOU?

Weekend Repeat

Last night, my sister in law, Charla and I went to see pitch perfect. I saw it last weekend and I’am sure I will purchase that movie when it is released!

I can’t get enough.


LOVE this show. If your into chick flicks, comedy, singing and dancing this show is right up your alley. Its right up there with “How to lose a guy in 10 days,” “Matilda” and “Mean Girls”.---{Don’t hate}
I believe I am the only person who did not go to a Halloween party this weekend.. But don’t worry, we have one tomorrow, Tuesday and of course Wednesday! I have yet to find a costume…
Talk about procrastinating… I am excited to get T and B all dressed up!
Today, we all slept in! {much needed} then made some omelets for breakfast!




The rest of the day was spent cooking and prepping meals because I know my week is going to be a little crazy, so I wanted to be sure to have healthy meals ready to go!
I also had to make a Sunday treat for the fam!




It can’t be fall without Pumpkin Cookies! Each one of these cookies has 50 calories! I want to make a little change to them before sharing the recipe..


Since it was almost 70 degrees today, we decided to take 2 mile walk around our neighborhood.





If your wondering why T is holding those two jeeps, its because he takes them EVERYWHERE we go.. the grocery store, shopping, gym, walking, nap, and to bed. They are never farther then 2 feet from him.
This may of also happened this weekend.





I have this whole fashion thing down pact.

Tomorrow is day one of a 3 week challenge at GPP!! If you need some accountability over the next few weeks, especially with Halloween in the next few days get in on this.


Question of the day:


What is your favorite movie of all time?

Spooky Sprints

 

Just so you guys know, the snow melted {Phew!} and it was actually semi warm today!

 

Aren’t you glad I mentioned that on the blog instead of FB? Did you ever notice that during a certain time of year, your timeline is filled with weather stats…?

Thursday, we scored some tickets to the Jazz game! We took the twins and had a great time cheering, dancing and the best part? They WON!!

I love Basketball! Weird, I know- A food person obsessed with such a sport, but I assure you its completely normal.

With the cold weather lately, I have been running inside on the treadmill.

Thursday and Today, my sprints looked like this!

 

After a quick 2 minute walking warm-up, you turn up the speed and get to work! You end up covering almost 3 miles total.

Today, I ran a quick mile afterward to make it an even 4

My legs were pretty tired after THIS ski workout yesterday, so the sprints helped break that up a little bit.

After teaching pump this morning, I went straight up to eat my post-workout meal!

Chicken, sweet potato, strawberries and spinach! –This week with THF we switched up my diet a bit, Ill re-cap it next week with the details. Lets just say, I don’t have any post workout protein smoothie.. {Weird}.To me, anyway. I have had a recovery smoothie post workout for years!

We had birthday party for my niece, who turned 9 today! She is here visiting from NY

Someone really liked the cake..

Now were home cheering on our Utes!

Hope your having a great weekend!!

Question of the Day:

Anyone do a race this weekend?

Did you dress up?

Oatmeal Pumpkin Wave.

 

I woke up and got my tabata on this morning! I decided I really LOVE working out early in the morning. It gets me up and moving and I feel a little more productive throughout the day.

I’m still following my THF plan but decided this morning to try something a little different but with the same ingredients. I first attempted to turn my bowl of oatmeal into pancakes, and that failed so secondly I blended all the ingredients together in a ramekin and put it in the microwave for 2 minutes.

Voila!

 

Ingredients:

• 3/4 C. Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
• 1/2 C. Water
• 1/2 C. Pumpkin
• 3 Egg Whites
• 1 Whole egg
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
• 2-3 drops liquid stevia

Directions:

Blend all ingredients together on high in blender until batter forms

Add 1/4 tsp. of Xanthan gum (thickening agent)

Blend on low for an additional 30-45 seconds

Pour into ramekin or microwave safe bowl and cook in microwave on high for 2 minutes.

It turned out pretty dense but had the texture and flavor of pumpkin pie! I would of topped it with a little raw honey and bananas if I could of. This was pretty bomb.com.

When lunch rolled around I whipped out the good old George Forman to “George” some chicken

Grilled chicken> “Georged” chicken

I prefer actual grilled chicken off the BBQ, but the snow storm today forced me to option #2.

 

I lost the grease/water catcher so I had to put it on the edge of my sink…

Now I have chicken prepared for the rest of the week!

The George actually cooked my chicken in about 10 minutes and I zapped my sweet potato in the microwave in 5 – Mashed and sprinkled it with cinnamon and had about a cup of broccoli on the side.

I can’t get enough sweet potatoes lately, but zapping them in the microwave is not the #1 way to go.

Sprinkling cinnamon on them though definitely is.

I had a cup of the largest raspberries to wrap up my lunch!

You can never go wrong with driscoll’s!

Now, all of you people in warmer parts of the country can you take a minute and note, how “lucky” you are right now…

 

Check out the size of those snowflakes!!

 

Question of the Day:

 Do you usually grill, crockpot, or bake chicken?

Love snow, miss snow, hate snow?

In a sort of way.

 

My friend posted this on instagram yesterday, I couldn’t agree more.

So I took it and re-posted it. –Thanks, Deb!

Let me tell you how much I LOVE this.

As a group fitness instructor, trainer, nutrition guru I love to introduce people to health.

Do I consider myself an athlete?

Sure. In a kb swinging, jumping, kipping sort of way…

This might sound crazy but I feel the most beautiful after a workout like this.

Source via gppfit.com

In a no make-up, my hair tied back, sweating, and out of breath sort of way.

Because after I accomplish a workout like this, no matter how long it takes me, I take pride in the fact that I finished it, I fought through every rep and kept going when the going got tough. After doing something hard or lifting heavy shiz, I feel better about me. Weird. I know.

When I watch or workout next to my friends that are going through the same fight it brings us together like PB and jelly. ---> how is that for a simile?

So, the point I’m getting to here, is to invite a friend. Invite that person to do something for themselves, to be an fitness athlete. If not with working out, maybe a healthy meal or recipe? Everyone deserves the feeling of accomplishment.

For example, when we eat well, its no surprise we feel better about ourselves, and when we get a good workout in, we feel better about ourselves.—It doesn’t have to be a hard workout or a long run. Just move! And I don’t mean from the couch to the kitchen.

I like to push my limits and l like to push others to theirs. I want others to achieve anything they put their mind to, to think of themselves as an athlete, not just a fancy ornament.

What do you do to feel better about yourself?

Shopping spree? Manicure? Sweat sesh?

Tonight, I ended up subbing a body pump class at skills and they had a Body Combat launch afterwards. These chicks know how to fight. I stuck around for two tracks then peaced out. 

Dinner came right out of tupperware again.. fancy nancy.

I also had some sweet potato that I inhaled while the tilapia was cooking.

I have a new favorite flavor of Mrs. Dash!

I am huge fan of these seasonings, no salt and gives a blast of flavor to your meat/veggies. Have you tried them? I just get it at Smiths.

Now, Brent and I have some modern family to catch up on… (love this show!)

The debate tonight gave me a great idea for a post… or 3, in a sort of way.

Have a great night y’all.

Week 3 of THF

Okay, so I skipped a recap of week 2. Oops.

Quick recap- Same thing as week 1

Week 3, Porter added had me start carb cycling into my diet.

 

So I had two different meal plans to do- every other or every two days to switch it up.

“A” diet is a little lower in carbs then the normal “B” diet. On my high cardio days/two a-days I would make it a B day (higher carbs).

I’m still eating 7-8 meals throughout the day,every 2 hours I have a meal scheduled to eat, I do have a hard time getting them right on time most days, but I’m not ever going longer then 3 hours without fuel. 

As far as cravings go, I am not really wanting candy or ice cream.. even fro-yo! But I’m still missing bananas and coconut flour waffles.

 

Supplements I’m taking are still the same:

• Protein Powder- Fitmixer, 2x a day post-workout & before bed.
• Fish Oil: 3x a day
• CLA: 3x a day
• Calcium with D3
• Multi-Vitamin
• B12
• Mio energy: When needed.

Something we learned over week 2-3 is that I can gain muscle very easily. My weight didn’t change much, it fluctuates the same 5-6 pounds every week, but my body fat was down even more. So I took out some of the body building type workouts and I did GPP workouts along with teaching a few Body pump and Body attack classes.

So far, I have been feeling really good. Less bloating this week (Yay!) but my sleep went down the drain this week with remodeling our house and staying up waaaaaaay to late laying the floor.

Results don’t happen in a day… right?

I’m sticking with the same thing for going into week 4, so we will see if my weight will drop a bit without doing additional lifting then what I do weekly.

My workout schedule this week:

Monday: GPP, 30 min HIIT/Body Attack

Tuesday: GPP, Body Pump

Wednesday: GPP

Thursday: GPP, 30 min HIIT

Friday: GPP, Spin

I added some 30 min of HIIT twice this week to fuel my love for running. I have been missing long runs lately. (I can’t believe I just admitted that..)

So, goals for this week:

• Get my workouts done everyday
• Get to sleep at a decent hour.
• Be better at getting my meals on time.
• Drink more water.

Question of the day:

What is your goal for the week?

The Burpee Mile

 

The Burpee mile was amazing! By far one of my favorite events of this year!

So great, I did not take one picture, Grade A blogger right here. Good thing this girl was there. I also got some pictures from other friends that were at the event! There are so many more pictures, I’ll have to post a little later because I haven’t gotten ahold of them.

Before we started Burping we had a quick Zumba warm up my Teresa! This girl, rocks it. Love her Zumba! (I’m not a zumba fan per say, so when I say that..that is BIG.)

After a quick welcome and booty shakin, it was time to get burpin.

We all followed Neil out on the first lap. Together we burped to one end of the park and back.

Each gym/sponsor had a turn to lead! I even had the opportunity to lead part of it! (pics to come of that action!)

There was a lot of burping and some walking.. I even saw some lunging!

After the event, there were granola bars, bagels, vita waters and a little H2O to refuel with along side of free massages and a free foot analysis by a few sponsors!

There were SO many sponsors at the burpee mile!

 Fitmixer was there, serving a bit of this for some pre-workout energy! As a proud ambassador, I was excited to have them there!

There was even a inflatable bounce house for the kids!

After the race, I stuck around to help with clean up and take a few pics with a few friends.

Kym, me and my sister, Heather.

Janetha, me, Kym, Heather and Melissa Post Burp!

GPP sure knows how to throw together an amazing event in only a few weeks! Liz was the captain of this thing, and she was a rock star through the whole thing! I am so lucky to be surrounded by such amazing people. It’s ALL or nothing with us. I love it!

With the help of all the participants and sponsors we were able to raise thousands of dollars for

“no more victims”!

Would I do a mile of burpees ever again?

In a heart beat! Especially for this cause.

Hope your having a great weekend! I’m going to head out to see “Pitch Perfect.”  with my sister in-law, Janey! Off to get ready!!