P90X Evaluation

Today was my last day doing the 90 day P90X workout program. I think I mentioned before that I was not to fond of it after having done the first workout and really hoped it would grow on me. Well grow on me it did! I love the strength training in this program and I love the results! I did not lose any weight which for me is ok as I am happy with my current weight. I did have an increase in muscle definition and also an increase in energy. There is only one thing I didn't like about these workouts at first, and that is that they are kind of long. I think each workout is at least 50 minutes long which normally I might have one workout during the week that was that long and the rest would be 40 min or less. However, I don't mind the time anymore, probably because I am so happy with the results that I am more willing to set aside that much time for working out. The other thing I liked about this program is I really didn't follow it exactly and still had good results. Here are a few things I did differently...

- I did not stick to the diet. They give you an entire meal plan and tell you exactly how to calculate your calories too. I'm just not that disciplined. Maybe one day:)

- I only did the ab workout twice in the whole 90 days. I just didn't want to do an extra 15 minutes of abs on top of a 50 minute- 1 hour workout. However I think my abs still became more toned, probably as a result of the core work required in each workout.

- I never did the yoga video. It's an hour and a half long and I hate yoga.

- Never did the stretch video.

- Sometimes I would substitute running for the cardio workouts.

- I used a chair to do modified pull ups and was on my knees for almost every push up.

Point being you do not have to be a psycho to get results, you just have to do the best you can!

I would recommend home workouts for anyone who is trying to lose weight. There are so many benefits to sticking to a workout plan and really it doesn't take that much time out of the day to do it. Exercise is the best way to rev up the metabolism so that you burn calories even when you are resting. I love home workouts because they allow you the convenience to exercise privately in your own home, they come with a personal trainer on screen to motivate you, cheaper than a gym membership, and there is lots of variety out there to keep exercise different and interesting. All you have to do is set aside that time and push play!

Now I am onto 5 weeks of triathlon training however I think I will continue to do 3 days a week of the resistance workouts. I'm addicted!  Looking forward to trying out P90X2 after the triathlon is over!

Hippie at Heart

It is true, I believe in caring for the mind body and soul holistically for optimal health, using food and nutrition as medicine to heal sickness and build immunity, essential oils, herbal remedies and singing to the trees. But I tell you what, when it's 10 o'clock at night and your baby is laboring to breath and you are trying to calm him down because crying makes the gasping even worse, and the oils and the humidifier and the hot shower haven't worked, I am THANKFUL for modern medicine! This is my first baby to ever have croup. It was almost unbearable to watch my little one suffer, but what a relief after the first breathing treatment to see him breathe normal again. He is doing much better today, still has a barking cough and raspy breathing, but not strained like it was last night. It's kind of funny that now every time I hear a dog bark outside I immediately think he is coughing and waking up from his nap! What an amazing day and age we live in where we have access to instant relief of sickness symptoms. Yes I have my concerns about some of the practices in the medical industry, but right now I really appreciate medical science and technology that helped my baby breathe again and eased my burden when I needed it.

Motivation Monday

Over the last year as I have been losing the baby weight and trying to be fit and healthy, I have been lucky to establish exercise as a habit. It's just something that I've committed to doing and I make the time for it. I would like to say the same thing about my diet as it takes some time and planning to eat healthy, but that is still a work in progress. I am also lucky that I get to stay home with the kids and be a mom! I wouldn't label this an easy job, but it definitely has it's perks. I get to make up my own schedule for the most part, work in my pajamas if I want to, and of course spend lots of time with my babies. Having said that I still have to make time to do the things I want/need to do and exercise is one of those things! What do you do in your leisure time that you could be using to achieve your health and fitness goals instead? Researching healthy recipes, working out, grocery shopping and preparing healthy meals in advance are all things that take time, but will make achieving goals a lot easier. Put living a healthy lifestyle as a priority and then make time for it, no excuses!

Hubby's 100 Day Sugar Fast Results

He did it! My husband went from drinking a gallon of soda per day, to 100 days without soda and keeping his sugar intake to 30grams or less. The best part about achieving this goal is that he no longer NEEDS sugar to function. Before the challenge he literally could not wake up in the morning or survive through the day without multiple sodas or some kind of sweet to keep him going. He is definitely proud of his physical results and is happy that he can wear clothes without his stomach sticking out. But more than any of those results, he is relieved to be free of his soda/sugar addiction. 

To quote him directly "I'm not living to eat anymore." 

Before: 200lbs

 After: 170lbs

One of the great things about this challenge is that he did not have to eat any crazy meals that taste bad or do an insane amount of exercise. To be honest he really did the bare minimum and still had amazing results. He did minimal exercise and still occasionally ate some of his favorite foods like pizza and chips which happen to be low in sugar. Here is a quick breakdown of what he did to achieve his results.

• Food: Eat whatever you want as long as the total daily intake of sugar accumulates to 30g or less (including fruit)
• Exercise: Interval running twice a week (he also joined a gym and started weight lifting the last 30 days)
• Incorporated Zeta8 supplements into his diet

A special shout out needs to go to Tayce and Josh, our Zeta8 sponsors! None of this would have been possible without their their knowledge, motivation, support, and passion for healthy living! Thank you so much for guiding Ethan down this road. If anyone reading this blog is interested in achieving these same results please let me give you their number! I am so proud of my hunny. It makes me so happy to see his confidence grow and him enjoying life even more now that he feels physically better. I cannot wait for him to feel the difference when he jumps on a snowboard this winter!