Monday, June 30, 2014

Fun Stuff

Hey friends! I know I have been awful about blogging lately. Life has been crazy busy and this seems to always be the first thing to fall away. I am starting today by letting you all know about a couple of free challenge groups I have coming up on July 7th!

The first is a 30 day Little Black Dress Challenge. Summer is here which means holidays are soon to follow, get Little Black Dress ready during the month of July! This will all be done in a private group on Facebook where we can share our progress and tips with each other!

The second is a 7 day clean eating group. I will provide you with the menu and daily fitness challenges you just show up and do the work! This will also be in a private Facebook group!

Let me know soon if you are interested!


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Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Weighing In

Wow, posting twice in a week! Hopefully I can keep this up! I wanted to check in with you all and let you know that I am still alive. I hit a bit of a plateau for a while and am finally seeing the scale move again which feels great! So here it is...

Today - 167.4
This is a loss of .6 from last week. Not huge but seeing as how I have been stuck 168 or 169 for WEEKS this felt great! I am now just 5.2 pounds away from hitting the 100 pounds lost mark! 100 pounds? Are you kidding me? I NEVER thought a year ago I would really see this day and now it is right in front of me! It is really pushing me to work harder.

I started a second round of Les Mills Combat and I am loving it! This is seriously my soul mate workout! I have liked all the others I have done but Dan and Rach just get me going and push me in a way I can't really put into words! I keep hoping they will come out with a second Combat!

Speaking of Dan and Rach I might just get to meet them in two weeks! The hubby and kiddo and I are all heading down to Las Vegas for a visit with family and the Team Beachbody Coach Summit! They have a Combat live workout that I WILL be at! To work out with those two live and maybe, just maybe get to shake their hands. GAH! So exciting!

Okay, that is really I have for you all! I promise to try and be a better blogger!

Weigh In Wednesday 
 
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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Reflections

I have been doing a lot of reflecting on my journey that I have been on over the last year to be a healthier, happier version of myself over the past few weeks. 

In 2013 I was overweight, tired, sick, and so incredibly unhappy with myself. I made a choice to change that. I made a choice to be done feeling sorry for myself, done making excuses, and done putting my health last. I dedicated myself over the year to different things. The first was getting some sort of physical activity, anything would do I just needed to get moving. Next, was cutting down on the amount I ate. Soon I knew I needed more so I upped the intensity on my workouts and focused more on what I was eating rather than the amount. 

Again, I knew I needed more. That is when I was introduced to Team Beachbody, Les Mills Combat, and Clean Eating. That day that I made the choice to invest in my health things changed for me. Today I have lost nearly 95 pounds but I have gained so much more. I gained confidence, a sense of self, determination, strength (both inner and outer), and self-control to name a few. 

Have I always been perfect? No

Have I made some bad choices and had some slip ups? Yes

Have I done my very best 90% of the time? You better believe it!

That is honestly what this journey is about, doing YOUR best. No two people are the same, no two stories are the same. You have to find what works for you and then push your hardest! Be ready to forgive yourself and give up on self pity! And ultimately, be ready to be proud of yourself in a way you never thought possible!



 

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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

10 Day Clean Eating Accountability Group


 Hi ladies! Just checking in real quick to let you know I am running a FREE 10 Day Clean Eating Accountability Group! I give you a menu, you commit to exercising 30 minutes a day, and we all work together on Facebook to support and learn on Facebook! If you are interested send me an email.



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Thursday, May 15, 2014

I'm Sorry!

I know I have been MIA and I apologize. My goal is to get back in the swing of things next week! BUT in the mean time I wanted to reach out  to all of you and let you know about a FREE Clean Eating Group I am starting.

I'm putting together a 10 day FREE Health & Fitness Accountability Group that will start Tuesday, May 27th. We will focus on Fitness, Nutrition and (of course) Accountability. You'll get added to a private group on Facebook, and be given a 10 day meal plan and exercise for a minimum of 30min a day. Comment below or message me for details!

The one and only requirement is that you aren't already working with another Beachbody Coach and that you sign up for a free membership with me as your coach! 

I hope you will all join me and get a jump start for summer!

 
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Wednesday, May 14, 2014

{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday #38

Hey everyone!

Thanks to those of you who offered to co-host! We will be getting in touch with you shortly.

In case you missed it...

Kristin and I are considering letting go of the party responsibilities. We're nearing on 40 parties and a lot has happened in that time. Kristin is doing awesome with her Beachbody coaching, and I am trying to find time to devote to a new site (a project I'm so excited about, but I need contributors if you're interested! There are a ton of different special talents that would be helpful and the time committment is very minimal - check it out! You can fill out a form for contributor consideration here). So before we ditch the party and miss out on hearing from all of you each week, we thought we'd open up the option of more co-hosts, specifically, people to promote the party, visit links and comment, and someone who would like to take over features each week. If you are interested, please email Exploringdomesticity (at) gmail (dot) com. We have three interested now and would love a couple more to round it out, so shoot us an email! When I was activity promoting the party and had more time to shoutout features and links, the party was getting over 1000 views, so with a little help we could get a lot more exposure for all of us.
{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday
  Be sure to check the Tips and Tricks Tuesday Pinterest board to see if your post was featured there!
{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday
Now on with the show!  photo d3a5e9f1-e795-4f5b-b118-e3b34a33db5f_zps444f078e.jpg

Monday, May 5, 2014

{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday #37 - Call for Co-Hosts

Hey everyone!

We have some news today.

Kristin and I are considering letting go of the party responsibilities. We're nearing on 40 parties and a lot has happened in that time. Kristin is doing awesome with her Beachbody coaching, and I am trying to find time to devote to a new site (a project I'm so excited about, but I need contributors if you're interested! There are a ton of different special talents that would be helpful and the time committment is very minimal - check it out! You can fill out a form for contributor consideration here). So before we ditch the party and miss out on hearing from all of you each week, we thought we'd open up the option of more co-hosts, specifically, people to promote the party, visit links and comment, and someone who would like to take over features each week. If you are interested, please email Exploringdomesticity (at) gmail (dot) com. When I was activity promoting the party and had more time to shoutout features and links, the party was getting over 1000 views, so with a little help we could get a lot more exposure for all of us.

{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday
Be sure to check the Tips and Tricks Tuesday Pinterest board to see if your post was featured there!
{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday
Now on with the show!
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Thursday, May 1, 2014

Birthday Bucket List

I saw this idea on How Does She the other day and thought it was brilliant! I think I am going to try to do this during the remainder of this year!


I have changed some and added my notes in blue! It may take me until this time next year but I want to give it a shot! I will do monthly re-caps to let you all know how I am doing! How wants to do it with me?


1.     Reconnect with a family member (estranged or separated by distance) - Family Reunion in July

2.     Participate in a race (run, bike, walk, swim, etc.) - 5K this summer

3.     Travel somewhere you’ve never been - Garden Valley in August

4.     Go to a concert.

5.     Call an old friend you haven’t talked to in a while.

6.     Treat yourself to a massage.

7.     Go on a weekend trip with just your spouse - Maybe Baker City?

8.     Take a class to further your education or learn a fun new skil

  1. Visit the dermatologist for a skin cancer screening.
  2. Try an activity you’ve never tried before - Float the Boise River
  3. Get a facial.
  4. Go on a girls trip - Wyoming with the bestie!
  5. Read at least ONE book from THIS LIST that you haven’t read before.
  6. Revisit something you used to love to do, but don’t anymore (like playing an instrument, a sport, or a hobby).
  7. Choose one space in your house to completely reorganize or redecorate - Living Room or Our Bedroom
  8. Do something extreme (skydiving, zip lining, scuba diving, hot air balloon, etc.)
  9. Make a fitness goal and achieve it - Ultimate Reset in July
  10. Get out of debt - Pay off our last credit card
  11. Give up one thing that may not be so good for you - Gum
  12. Make a new friend.
  13. Try a new restaurant that is out of your comfort zone - Epi's
  14. Visit a state park - Eagle Island State Park
  15. Visit a national park - Maybe Hagerman Fossil Beds or the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
  16. Learn a new skill (a new language, how to use a chainsaw, fix a bike, bake a soufflé, etc.)
  17. Host a dinner party
  18. Get at least 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep
  19. Have a picnic in the mountains - Garden Valley in August
  20. Have a picnic on the beach - Lucky Peak
  21. Need something here....
  22. Need something here....
  23. Go to a professional sporting game- Go to Boise State Football Game
  24. Eat something you’ve never eaten before.
  25. Wear RED lipstick.
  26. Volunteer for a good cause- Wish Granters
  27. Grow something you can eat - Herb Garden
  28. Find your perfect pair of jeans
  29. Need something here...
  30. Get family pictures done
  31. Do 100HappyDays - Already in progress
  32. Give your hair a deep moisture treatment. (Try our #1 DIY coconut oil moisture treatment!)
  33. Need something here...
  34. Write in your journal at least once a week (or month).
  35. Get prepared for an emergency.  (Survival kits, 72 hour kits, and food storage)
  36. Go to a drive-in movie - Parma
  37. See a Broadway show - Wicked
  38. Create a family time capsule.
  39. Stay in the mountains - Garden Valley in August
  40. Soak in a natural hot springs - Garden Valley in August
  41. Finish a project you started and discarded (or have been meaning to start) - James Baby Album
  42. See an eclipse- Oct 8 or 23

 

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Tuesday, April 29, 2014

21 Day Fix - Week One Review

Okay, so I originally planned to have measurements and the such for you but honestly I don't like doing measurements once a week! So, you will all have to wait until I am done for those bad boys. But, that doesn't mean I can't tell you how my first week went!

Positives
  • First, let me tell you right now that anyone who thinks this program is going to be too easy (like I did) you are wrong, oh so very wrong! Autumn is a killer and she PUSHES you big time! 
  • It is fast paced. Those 20 minutes FLY by like no other! 
  • There isn't really any downtime. You get 20 seconds between workouts and that is it!
  • It works every single last part of your body from one day to the next and you have weights in your hands for 4 of the 7 workouts which I love!

Negatives
  • There are only 7 workouts. So you repeat the same thing each and every week. But at least it is only 7 weeks.
  • I didn't love the Yoga. It was good and a nice stretch but after doing the Yoga in P90X3 that really works you for those 30 minutes I found myself wanting more when I was done with this one.
  • All of the warm ups and cool downs are the same. I like my warm up and cool down to better reflect what is coming up and what I just did.
So now on to the workouts:

Monday - Total Body Cardio Fix - So you start out with the typical warm-up for a few minutes, short but effective. Then you have four rounds with two exercises per round and you repeat each of those exercises twice with a 20 second rest in between. The first move is by far the hardest of the whole workout and she tells you as much while you are doing it. It seems oh so simple when you start but by the end your muscles are screaming at you to stop. Mostly I love that each round is very different and you don't put the weight down until the last round which is focused on the abs! You finish up with a cool down! I promise this one will not disappoint.

Tuesday - Upper Fix - For this one you will need (and want) two different sets of weights (heavy and light). I used a 5lb and an 8lb. This one is just two rounds with five moves in a round which are then repeated! The entire second round is done from the floor! You definitely feel the burn in this one and are happy when you get to move to lighter weights! Even my big strong husband wanted my 8lb weights at one point!

Wednesday - Lower Fix - I'm not going to lie I was a little surprised we didn't have Yoga or Pilates in between Upper and Lower but you work a completely different part of your body so it wasn't really necessary. I promise you are going to FEEL this workout the next day (and probably days later). I made the mistake of doubling this one up with Pilates because I got a day behind and boy will I NEVER do that again! Autumn works those legs like no other has done before! You go back to the four rounds with 2 moves in a round (repeated) like you had in Total Body Cardio Fix the difference here is for some moves you are moving for 50 of the 60 seconds and then the last 10 you have to HOLD it! But wait...just as you are finishing up the fourth round and thanking your lucky stars you get to cool down she surprises you with a BONUS round! You will have your weights in your hands for most of the workout to give you that little extra resistance and make you push a little harder. Go with your heavy weights here, you won't regret it!

Thursday - Pilates Fix - Never, and I do mean NEVER try to do Lower and Pilates in the same day. Your legs will try to kill you! Like most Pilates workouts the focus here is on your breathing and movement. You flow through the moves and do counts instead of timed movements for the most part. This was a KILLER Pilates workout. I loved the one in P90X3 but this one can hold it's own ground for sure! Autumn moves you through focus areas with this (such as planks, legs, etc) so you may do three versions of a plank and then move on to something else.

Friday - Cardio Fix - This was the first (other than Pilates) workout of the week that didn't involve weights. While I was excited for that prospect I found myself missing them just a bit in certain parts! This was the same 4 round 2 move format. The first two rounds are very cardio intensive and then in the third round you get a cardio recovery move. Still not easy but not crazy heart racing cardio either. It was during this move I wished I had my weights and I may just grab them this week! But the big surprise burpees make an appearance. Yep, one full minute of burpees followed by a different move and then another FULL minute of burpees. Now, I'm not saying I hate burpees but lets just say we don't have a loving relationship! It was killer for sure! And again, just as you think you are coming up to the finish line Autumn throws in a bonus move again!

Saturday - Dirty 30 - Oh Dirty 30 how I love and hate you. I want you to be my favorite routine of all of them but then you make me hurt the next day and I hate you all over again! Dirty 30 is a primarily strength based workout. Most of the moves are very familiar but she will kill you in this workout and I promise you will still feel the Dirty 30 on Monday!

Sunday - Yoga Fix - As I said above this wasn't my favorite Yoga of all time. It is a MUCH welcome stretch after a hard week of workouts but it isn't the workout I was hoping for. I have to remind myself that my body does need to recover sometimes and that I need to be thankful for Yoga, but I may or may not have added the 10 Minute Abs on to the end for a little extra oomph!

So there it is! That is what my week looked like last week and will look like again this week! The third week you double up some days and I am looking forward to it and am scared of it all at the same time!

Want more info? You can find it here!




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Monday, April 28, 2014

{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday #36

Hey everyone! It's Tuesday, and time to share our healthy living / fitness tips and tricks or to look for support, guidance, or inspiration from others to make this journey a little smoother. Join us and share all of your amazing weight loss advice, or link up a topic to get some advice.
{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday
 
Thanks to everyone who shared last week! I'm running late tonight, so there is no featured link.

Be sure to check the Tips and Tricks Tuesday Pinterest board to see if your post was featured there!
{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday

So, here's the deal:
  • Link up any past posts you have that you think may benefit others in any way - advice, recipes, reviews, workouts, motivation, inspiration, etc...
  • Link up any past posts in which you are searching out advice from others - help staying on track, products, workouts, food, motivation, etc...
  • Make sure to include the topic of your post in your title (I've noticed putting "Kristin @ Exploring Domesticity" in the title spot is a total weight loss blog trend - we're looking for the subject so people know what they're clicking on.)
  • Follow your lovely hosts, Kristin and Kristin - let us know and we will gladly follow you back! Hey, we're all here for the same support, right?
  • Place our button somewhere on your blog or link back in your posts - let's gather as much advice from as many people as we can!
  • Last, visit as many links as you can - help answer questions from those looking for help and let the others know how much you appreciate them sharing their own tips and tricks.
  • Each week we will try to feature the most clicked link, as well as others that seem particularly helpful and deserve a little more recognition.
    Now on with the show!
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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday #34

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Today is the last day for voting! Please help vote for Kristin to present at BlogFest and spread the word! She is proposal #1 "Blogging Helped Me Lose 50lbs" and would LOVE this opportunity! Thanks so much!
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Hey everyone! It's Tuesday, and time to share our healthy living / fitness tips and tricks or to look for support, guidance, or inspiration from others to make this journey a little smoother. Join us and share all of your amazing weight loss advice, or link up a topic to get some advice.

{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday
   
Thanks to everyone who shared last week! I'm running late tonight, so there is no featured link. Be sure to check the Tips and Tricks Tuesday Pinterest board to see if your post was featured there!
{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday

So, here's the deal:
  • Link up any past posts you have that you think may benefit others in any way - advice, recipes, reviews, workouts, motivation, inspiration, etc...
  • Link up any past posts in which you are searching out advice from others - help staying on track, products, workouts, food, motivation, etc...
  • Make sure to include the topic of your post in your title (I've noticed putting "Kristin @ Exploring Domesticity" in the title spot is a total weight loss blog trend - we're looking for the subject so people know what they're clicking on.)
  • Follow your lovely hosts, Kristin and Kristin - let us know and we will gladly follow you back! Hey, we're all here for the same support, right?
  • Place our button somewhere on your blog or link back in your posts - let's gather as much advice from as many people as we can!
  • Last, visit as many links as you can - help answer questions from those looking for help and let the others know how much you appreciate them sharing their own tips and tricks.
  • Each week we will try to feature the most clicked link, as well as others that seem particularly helpful and deserve a little more recognition.
    Now on with the show!
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Thursday, April 17, 2014

NSV - Results Pics

Okay, I know they are a day late but here are my results photos! I am hoping to get some more this year/last year done but this is what I have for now! Enjoy!

The first is my day one Les Mills Combat picture and the second is my day 91 P90X3 picture (I finally got a new shirt that fits a bit better)!
This is just a difference of 30 days! I love how different my back looks and the sports bra is a whole size smaller in the second pic!


I couldn't believe the difference in my stomach in these two pictures! I still have a ways to go but I will get there!

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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Running and Stuff!

Well, I don't really have a lot to share today because I shared my final P90X3 results with you all yesterday (see that here)! So, I weighed in at 169 which is a .8 loss! I will take it!

This week is a break week for us before we start up 21 Day Fix so I decided to go for a run last night. You all might remember that a year ago I was doing C25K on our old elliptical trainer and then tried doing it outside before I quickly decided running was not for me and started Les Mills Combat. Well, I must say I was pleasantly surprised last night at how well I did! I had WAY better endurance than ever before, I didn't have the old aches and pains like I did a year ago. It is amazing what having 90+ pounds off your body can do for you! I am looking forward to getting a couple more runs in this week and then maybe mixing it in a couple times a week. I would love to run a 5K this summer!

Speaking of last year. I decided today to look at my weight loss chart on MyFitnessPal. I wish you could go more than a year back but I liked the way this looked! Seriously hard to believe how far I have come since this time last year!


I am pretty excited to do 21 Day Fix in full starting next week and then I think a round of Combat is in order. Once that is done I am SUPER excited to do the Ultimate Reset! They are having an amazing sale on it this month and I can't wait to try it out and get back to my "factory settings"!

How was your week?

 


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Tuesday, April 15, 2014

P90X3 Final Results

I cannot believe I am done with P90X3. I remember when I started and thinking how long 90 days seemed. I had never done a program longer than 63 days. Could I really stick with it that long? Was it too long? Would I get bored?

  • Well, I DID stick with it! 
  • It wasn't too long it went SO fast. 
  • And I definitely did not get bored! 

Okay, I know you are all waiting for the numbers aren't you? I know I was!!!


Yep, I lost another 9 inches and 11 pounds with this workout! I dropped down TWO decades during P90X3! Overall Beachbody has helped me say goodbye to 47.25 inches and 57.8 pounds! That is crazy to me! I look back at day 1 of Les Mills Combat and it seems like a lifetime ago. I mean really it was...things have changed so hugely for me since July 2013. I am happier, healthier, more active, a better Mom, a better employee, more successful in life in general!


And here are my overall results. As usual I will point out I don't have my measurements way back to my heaviest so you have to be happy with the May 2013 numbers!

Here are some stats:
  • I have dropped from size 22 to 8
  • My blood pressure has lowered
  • My body fat percentage is in the lean category now
  • I am SO close to the normal BMI range I can taste it! 
  • I have lost over 90 pounds and 50 inches!
My pros and cons of the program really have not changed. I know that this program changed my body and for that it is a win in my book! It pushed me in very different ways than any of the other programs I have done. I highly suggest this program to anyone at any fitness level! It is amazing!

Make sure you check out my 30 and 60 day reviews as well!

Okay, that is it for today! Look for pictures tomorrow (hopefully)!


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Monday, April 14, 2014

{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday #33

Hey everyone! It's Tuesday, and time to share our healthy living / fitness tips and tricks or to look for support, guidance, or inspiration from others to make this journey a little smoother. Join us and share all of your amazing weight loss advice, or link up a topic to get some advice.

{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday

  Thanks to everyone who shared last week! Here is the most-clicked link:
 
  Also, be sure to check the Tips and Tricks Tuesday Pinterest board to see if your post was featured there!

{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday

So, here's the deal:
  • Link up any past posts you have that you think may benefit others in any way - advice, recipes, reviews, workouts, motivation, inspiration, etc...
  • Link up any past posts in which you are searching out advice from others - help staying on track, products, workouts, food, motivation, etc...
  • Make sure to include the topic of your post in your title (I've noticed putting "Kristin @ Exploring Domesticity" in the title spot is a total weight loss blog trend - we're looking for the subject so people know what they're clicking on.)
  • Follow your lovely hosts, Kristin and Kristin - let us know and we will gladly follow you back! Hey, we're all here for the same support, right?
  • Place our button somewhere on your blog or link back in your posts - let's gather as much advice from as many people as we can!
  • Last, visit as many links as you can - help answer questions from those looking for help and let the others know how much you appreciate them sharing their own tips and tricks.
  • Each week we will try to feature the most clicked link, as well as others that seem particularly helpful and deserve a little more recognition.
    Now on with the show!
 photo d3a5e9f1-e795-4f5b-b118-e3b34a33db5f_zps444f078e.jpg