The Scale is a Liar.

The Scale is a Liar.  A. Big. Fat. Liar.

 

I finished sixty days of Insanity Max 30 about five days ago.  Woo hoo!

 

And, I subsequently shared my 60-day photos with my online accountability groups.  The positive support and comments I received were overwhelming.  I owe my fitness friends and supporters much gratitude.  Love you all!

 

 

See the joy and excitement in my face above upon completing the sixty days?  I do!

 

Sixty days of Insanity Max: 30 -----> behind me. Man, oh, man!   Sweat, tears, and cursing (maybe just a little).

• Increased strength.
• Increased confidence.
• Increased stamina.

 

Priceless.  It may not have been always pretty (hardly ever!), but I am proud to say I finished!  

 

To be honest?  I wasn't going to share my "before" and "after" photos publicly here in my blog, or on my Facebook page.  It felt humiliating.  And, scary.  And, somehow "icky".

 

BUT THEN.

 

I read what I wrote above.  And, I see that thrilled look on my face when I finished.  I am PROUD to have completed this program.  It was the hardest program I've done in at least 2 years.  And, I finished it.  I didn't miss one, single workout.  Even with our crazy, hockey-filled lives.  My nutrition was spot-on for about 90% of the program. 

 

Do you want to know what held me back from sharing my photos?  (Well, besides the unattractive "before" photo?) 

 

THE SCALE.

 

I lost one pound.  In 60 days.  One.  Pound.  Yes - you read that right.

 

But, you can't always trust the scale. Sometimes, you need to do yourself a favor and not listen to its insidious lies.

 

The scale can be a serious and negative addiction.

 

Your scale tells you one thing and one thing only -- how much you weigh (at this exact moment, on this planet).

 

The scale doesn’t tell you how much fat you have.  The scale can’t tell you if you’ve gained muscle. A pound of muscle is like a brick:  small and compact. A pound of fat is like a fluffy feather pillow:  bulky and lumpy. When you gain muscle and lose fat, your body gets smaller and tighter. Building muscle also makes it possible to drop clothing sizes without a big change in weight. Perhaps after a 60-day program, the scale says you lost 1 pound, which may not sound like much. Right?

 

BUT, what if you actually lost 8 pounds of fat and gained 7 pounds of muscle?  Hello?  That's GOLDEN.  That’s a remarkable improvement in your body composition, but you wouldn’t know it if you only used your regular bathroom scale to track your progress.

 

A-FREAKING-MEN.

 

The scale also shouldn't dictate how you feel about yourself.  On any given day.  It shouldn't determine whether you  have a negative day or a positive day.  If you are stepping on the scale daily -- STOP.  Especially if it really isn't working for you.  Just think about it.

SO, in the spirit of being transparent as a Team Beachbody Coach, and admitting that 2014 was the roughest year ever for me, fitness-wise (just due to life circumstances) ....... here I am.  In all of my sports-bra and tight-shorts glory.   Day #1 photos, Day #30 photos, and Day #60 photos. 

I don't see one pound lost here.  Do you want to know what I see?

• EIGHT INCHES lost.
• A tighter and leaner abdomen.
• Smaller arms.
• A booty lift.
• Leaner thighs and hips.
• A happier, healthier, more fit gal!
• And, someone who can hang with Shaun T. for 60 days!  Phew.

If you are interested in Insanity Max 30, or need any sort of fitness or weight-loss help and accountability, OR need help with your addiction to the scale -- please reach out to me here.  I would love to help you walk your journey to a better life.

ALL THE BEST,
xo
Christine

What's Next?

So, I have just more than one week left of Insanity Max: 30 -- it has been a REALLY TOUGH 60 days.  Insanity-style workouts ALWAYS challenge me. 

But, I'm so thrilled with my progress up to this point.  REAL progress: 

• increased cardio endurance (which I've slacked on last year), 
• I've been able to DOUBLE my "max out" times,
• much better strength,
• my core is SO much stronger than it was,
• and I've really been able to increase my push-up strength and number(s), too. 

I shared my 30-day *photos* (eek!) with my Insanity Max accountability group AND my free online fitness group.  I WILL be taking my 60-day photos, final measurements, and weigh-in at the end of next week -- so I look forward to sharing my final results with you all!

NOW -- what is next?  I am 100% a planner.  I need to follow a schedule and have a plan for what is coming up NEXT.  Are you like that too?  It totally helps to keep ME on track!

(Meal plan available to my group members exclusively FIRST.)

The 21 Day Fix Extreme is NEXT!  I will be doing this alongside a group of folks who are either doing the 21 Day Fix Extreme or the 21 Day Fix original program.  I can't wait! 

This past week, I just finished working on the meal-plan for the first week of the program. This will be made available to group members one week prior to our start.

 If you are ready to join us, and make this Winter YOUR time to finally get those results you've been wanting -- please email me here, and I'll message you the details within 24 hours.  Time is running out to join, as the group begins on Monday March 2nd and we all need to have our supplies before then.  Don't delay! 

There have been some AMAZING RESULTS coming out of initial "test groups" for the 21 Day Fix Extreme (AND the 21 Day Fix)!  Check them out below!

21 Day Fix Extreme

21 Day Fix

21 Day Fix

Here are more details about the 21 Day Fix Extreme:

• Extreme 30-minute workouts that combine steady-state aerobics, resistance training, and explosive power moves that target every muscle in the body.
• You'll not only be practicing portion control for your nutrition—you'll be eating ONLY clean foods. No treats. No cheats. No excuses.
• It's going to take guts, intensity, and drive. But it's only 21 days. And at the end of it, you're going to look and feel awesome.
• If you get 21 Day Fix EXTREME through me, I can get you a FREE workout DVD called The Fix Challenge—a fast and vigorous bodyweight routine that scorches a ton of calories in only 30 minutes.

DON'T DELAY!

Just stop by my website and check it out. Or contact me directly here, and I'll tell you more about it!

Group begins on March 2nd!

ALL THE BEST,

Weekly Meal Plan -- Week #3 of the 21 Day Sugar Detox

WOW.  Hard to believe it is the final week of the 21 Day Sugar Detox!  Let the countdown begin. 

I will be writing up my review of my second week on the Detox by tomorrow (so, stay tuned for that!), but you can read about my first week here. 

So, here's our plan (my plan) for this final week!:

Monday:  Mexican-Spiced Roast Chicken
Tuesday:  Leftovers (our most busy night of the week)
Wednesday:  Crispy Lemon Rosemary Chicken
Thursday:  Paleo Chili
Friday:  Italian Sausage & Peppers over "Zoodles" (I use Al Fresco Chicken Sausage)
Saturday:  Fend-For-Yourself
Sunday:  Pulled Pork Barbecue

I will also be making a few "extras".  I've found that it is best to be UBER-prepared with this, and having leftovers available for lunch every day and an occasional "not-so-sweet treat" on hand is crucial for me to stick with it.  So, I'll be making Sugar Detox Truffles, too! 

Additionally, I've been drinking my Shakeology daily, even though it isn't really 21 Day Sugar Detox "approved".  I'm okay with that, as I receive SO many other benefits from my daily dose of dense nutrition! 

AND, I also just wrapped up my second week of Insanity Max: 30 -- holy bananas!  I am a little sore.  But, getting a fabulous sweat on in just 30 minutes.  Can't beat that. 

Anyway, enjoy this week's menu plan.  If you try any of the linked recipes, let me know what you think!

ALL THE BEST,

Review of My First Week of the 21 Day Sugar Detox .... and Insanity Max: 30!

WHY Am I Doing the 21 Day Sugar Detox?

So, you may or may not know that for the past few years, I've been experiencing what I've come to believe are symptoms of being hypothyroid.  I had a pituitary adenoma many years ago -- it was removed and was benign -- and I also have read that this predisposes me to being hypothyroid.  I have had a few light tests done, and my ranges came back in the "normal range" BUT NOT in the "optimal range". 

So, as I work through finding a new physician who will work with me and my symptoms, I wanted to try to see if changing up my nutrition intake will help alleviate at least some of my symptoms.

I have read that the Paleo diet or the 21 Sugar Detox can be of assistance with symptom alleviation.  And, also with weight-loss. 

So, with the 21 Day Sugar Detox, I am basically eliminating: sugar (in any form, in any amount—no honey, maple syrup, date sugar, no sweeteners at all–not even a small amount in salad dressing), all processed foods, grains, legumes, gluten, and white potatoes.

Make no mistake -- sugar is in EVERYTHING.  So, these things are key:

• Read your labels.  Sugar is disguised as many other ingredients.  Sucrose, dextrose, etc.
• Read up on the program.  Know what you can have and can't have.
• Make a plan.  Research -- I used Pinterest -- tons of recipes that sound good to you and that you can adapt for your family, too.
• Meal-prep!  Since this plan allows for NO processed foods, you need to have food on hand.  Especially for those times you need to grab-and-go.

The ONLY modification I am making for this program is continuing to drink my Shakeology.  This is non-negotiable for me.  It has helped with some of my symptoms, too, and I am not willing to give it up. 

So, to MY REVIEW of the first week (almost) of the 21 Day Sugar Detox:

• It really isn't as hard as I thought it was going to be!  My detox "symptoms" were pretty minimal.  Once I got through the first 1-2 days, I was fine.  I had a dull headache for the first two days.  And, my first night of sleep was pretty horrendous.  Since then, I've been sleeping like a baby.
• I am loving the food.  I don't feel deprived at all.  I've only had a very small craving for additional fruit and a few crackers.  Crackers are my downfall though, so that's pretty standard for me.
• I feel GREAT.  I have more energy.  My skin is clearing up.  My digestive issues are nearly GONE (if you want more "TMI-style" specifics, feel free to message me.  I'll share!)  And -- weirdly -- I glanced at my reflection in the mirror today and the deep, dark circles that I usually have under my eyes were nearly gone.  I'm not sure if that's normal or not?  I'll take it. 
• I haven't gotten on the scale yet.  I am hoping for a bit of weight-loss, but honestly?  The way that I feel is MORE than worth this.

I'm also in my first week of Insanity Max: 30.  Insanity Max: 30 is 30 minutes a day of tough cardio and tabata-style workouts.  One of the best parts?  Every workout has a modifier on screen. So even if you’re just starting out, you can follow the modifier and still get a killer workout.  I modify 90% of the workouts!  And, there's no equipment needed -- all you need is your own body.

I'm eating properly AND getting a great 30-minute workout in.  Talk about treating the body right.  And, feeling GREAT!

If YOU need a REAL-Solution for your health and fitness goals (NOT a resolution!), I would love to chat with you.  Find a workout that works for YOU, personally.  And a nutrition plan that works for YOU, personally!

I also have a FREE 7-Day Clean-Eats Crockpot Challenge coming up.  Free!  Check it out.

Would love to help YOU create YOUR "Success Story" in 2015!

ALL THE BEST,