Book Review- "Push" by Chalene Johnson

  

You have probably heard me talk about how much I appreciate Chalene Johnson's workouts (such as Turbo Fire, Turbo Jam, Chalean Extreme).  As you know, I am currently in my 2nd month of Turbo Fire and loving it. Well, I recently started reading Chalene's book "Push". I love the layout of the book.

 The first part of the book is a 30 day challenge to read a chapter for 30 days and each day do the exercises they suggest. Now, these are more mental exercise, not physical. She refers to them as your daily Push. For example,  the first  Push exercise has you thinking about and writing out your priorities. 

 The next section of the book after the 30 day PUSH shows different exercises to do, and then the final section of the book has tons of great, quick recipes. The books has pictures and it is an easy read. It feels more like reading a magazine lay-out rather than a book. Trust me, after my long days it takes a special type of book (like this one) to keep my attention and not make me fall asleep! 

This book has really, truly been the extra PUSH that I need to stay encouraged to stick with my Turbo Fire series. I have only completed three days of the push challenge exercises and I  appreciate the way they help me self-reflect and stay motivated to continue to make positive changes in my life. 


If you are interested in finding out more information on any of Chalene's Work-out DVD's follow this link and sign up for a free account.

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Well...I am mighty proud of myself! I have made it through three weeks of Turbo Fire. I did not miss a single work-out and I felt like I kept up with the workouts pretty good. So, it was to my dismay when I saw that I had only lost two more pounds. I know that they say to not get caught up on the scale but these last fifteen pounds I need to lose sure don't seem to want to go anywhere!


I finally came to accept the fact that I can't just workout but I also need to watch what I eat. My biggest culprit these last few weeks has been frozen custard. My husband and I have been frequent visitors. So, this week I decided to quit ice cream and any other unnecessary junk. So, what would you know but while I'm grocery shopping I get a text message from my husband requesting on my way home I stop and get us frozen custard!


On the way to the custard place I had a dialog in my head that went something like this, "You do not need ice cream. Just because you are getting him ice cream doesn't mean you need any."  "Okay, I won't get any....but...if the flavor of the week is raspberry chip then I can have some"  (Funny how we can bend the rules so easily).  Would you believe that when I pulled up to the custard place a big sign said that the flavor of the week was raspberry chip?!! "Okay, guess I was meant to have ice cream" I thought.  Well, the health Angels must have been looking out for me because the next thing that happened was when I pulled up to the drive through to order another sign said that their debit machine was broke and they could only take cash. I peered into my wallet to find a $5.00 bill. Only enough to cover my husband's ice cream.  Good thing that happened because obviously I did not have enough will power to handle it on my own. 


The moral of the story is that there is always going to be a reason why we feel we shouldn't start that diet or exercise program the day we decided we were going to. There is also always going to be someone's birthday at work that we have to have a piece of cake for. If we really want to start to look and feel great then we have to make some sacrifices. So, I guess mine will be starting to eat better!!




If you want me to help keep you motivated as well (click here) and I can be your coach for free!
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As Stephanie Tanner would say, "How Rude!"

It has amazed me my entire life how people so openly comment on my weight. It probably started when I was in Junior High. A lot of girls around me developed quicker (okay who am I kidding I don't know if I ever did develop-ha ha). I felt really self-conscious about my weight back then because I was so all bones and no shape like other girls. Finally when I was about a sophomore in high school I gained some weight. Immediately girls started making comments about how I had gotten "fat". I finally grew into my body and before I knew it I had graduated high school and had put on the famous freshman fifteen. I felt like it was a never ending battle about either being too skinny or not skinny enough. It didn't help that everyone around me had a comment about it.


 Before I got pregnant I was at my lowest weight but probably my best shape ever. However, a lot of people kept telling me that I looked too thin. I was so excited when I started packing on the pounds immediately when I got pregnant. I thought, "good! now that I am gaining weight people will be happy". To my dismay, it was the opposite. I remember going into the doctor's office and him politely telling me that I was "ahead of schedule" with my weight gain. After the appointment I went to the car and cried. At that moment it hit me that I would never be able to please anyone. I was either going to get criticized for being too thin or being too "fat". Throughout my pregnancy I couldn't believe the comments people would tell me. Even complete strangers. One minute someone would say, "Wow! You are seven months pregnant?! You look like you are only a couple months pregnant" and then literally an hour later someone different would say "Wow-you are really filling out".  It amazed me how night and day the opinions were...it really messed with my head. I just wanted to be healthy and have a healthy baby.


Last week (the day I had already planned on starting Turbo Fire) I was at work and a complete stranger came up to me and put her hand on my belly and said "Awww...you are expecting?" I couldn't believe that she was so bold to do that. I gracefully told her that I had just had a baby a couple months ago. 


My point to this story is that there comes a time when you have to block out the voices and the opinions and worry about how YOU feel inside. The important thing is that you are healthy and feel confident. You are never going to please everyone. This is a lesson that I am learning and continuing to learn every day.  I guess I have always tried to live with the old saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all". Unfortunately, I don't think everyone got that memo.  Pin It

I usually spend Sundays preparing some healthy snacks for the week. If I am not armed with healthy snacks I end up eating whatever is in front of me. Today I cut-up some strawberries and added some blueberries and raspberries into small containers to take to work this week. I also made some Shakeology Protein Bites.   My husband loves them and has already eaten half of the batch. If you would like to make them check this out!

No Bake Energy Bites:
1 Cup Oatmeal (I used steal cut oats)
1/2 cup peanut butter (I like to use crunchy)
1/3 Cup Honey
1 cup coconut flakes (I leave these out)
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1 scoop Chocoloate Shakeoogy
1 twp vanilla

Mix all together in a bowel and form into balls and store and chill in the fridge.

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Week One Down-Turbo Fire

I made it! One week down into my Turbo Fire Workout. Can't wait to have a body like Chalene's! I was amazed that even working full-time I still had plenty of time to work-out and spend quality time with my baby and husband. I even managed to squeeze in some much needed girl time with my friends this week. It is all about prioritizing. Some days instead of sleeping in an extra hour I got up while the baby was still sleeping so that I could workout. I also cut out some T.V time and other things that wasted my time. I'm excited to see what next week brings!





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I Want To Zip My Pants Challenge

I couldn't wait to start TurboFire. I had done Chalene's other programs and loved them. However, I had to wait for the clear from the doctor after my C-section. Finally after nine weeks I was able to start working out. I wasn't quite sure how I could balance working full time, having a new born, and working out.  However, three days into the challenge, I have managed to make it work and I am already feeling great about it.  They say it takes 21 days to make something a habit so I am hoping that it will get easier after that. If you want to join me on my quest to zip up my pants; you can make me your coach for free, by clicking here and signing up.  That way I can help you with any questions you may have.

Check out the TurboFire Workout Preview Video.

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Shakeology For New Moms

When I decided to get pregnant I was at my smallest weight and best shape ever. I had been doing Turbo Jam and Chalean Extreme, running, and aerobics. I tried to stick with aerobics and running but I finally had to quit and just do light walking during my last few months of pregnancy because my feet and ankles hurt and began swelling.

  I was sure I could bounce right back into working out soon after I had my daughter but I ended up having to have a C-section. Therefore, I wasn't allowed to do any type of exercising until nine weeks after having her. I was left doing a lot of sitting on the couch and nursing (I had decided to breastfeed).  Thank goodness my husband had discovered Shakeology.

   Two weeks after I had our baby he went back to work and I was left not able to move around very well with a newborn. I didn't have time or energy to make any food, go to the grocery store, or think of anything healthy to make. However, I felt like I owed it to my daughter to provide the best nutrients possible since I was nursing. Every morning before my husband would leave for work he would make me a Shakeology shake for breakfast. I was amazed at how full I felt and how much energy I had. I wasn't usually hungry for another four hours or so. I also felt confident that even if I ate crappy (or didn't have time to eat) the rest of the day that I had at least one wholesome meal that day. Between burning calories by breastfeeding and drinking Shakeology, I dropped around thirty pounds in a month. Even though I am back to work and moving around better I still have to start every day with my Shakeology. Pin It