Feeling like a Super Hero

This was an eye opener for me yesterday as I went to put on my batman utility belt, getting ready the Super Heroes and Villians 5K Run. Last year when I wore it, I punched grommets at the ends of the belt and tied it on me with ribbon. It actually has velcro on the belt but it didn't fit me that way then.

Yesterday, I was completely shocked at the difference when I went to wrap it around my waist and realized just how much I have lost since then. Sadly, just a year ago, I didn't even realize that I even could lose that much and that I had it in me to make that kind of progress. But now, seeing how far I have actually come, truly makes me feel like my own super hero. I did that! I made the changes in my life to get those results.

The size difference. The grommets are where I had my batman belt tied on my waist last year.

It's been a slow gradual progress, in a healthy consistent way, and I don't spend a ridiculous amount of time working out. In fact, I've missed many scheduled workouts, hit some road blocks here and there, and I actually don't eat perfectly clean and perfectly stick to my meal plan ALL the time. But I continue to work hard to reach my fitness goals, consistently not sporadically, and I have never given up!

This little journey of dropping some weight and getting my booty fit and back in shape has definitely had some ups and downs. Throughout the weight loss, there has also been some weight gain. Weight loss is certainly not a constant downhill drop. There have been moments where I felt I was making great progress, and then moments where I felt completely bloated and frustrated with the scale. Of course I know that the scale does not tell all, but it can still be discouraging at times when you are not seeing or feeling changes and progress seems to be stalled or going in the wrong direction.

The important thing to remember is that road bumps are completely normal and going to happen. Some days are going to be harder than others when it's time to get your workout done. And some days it will be hard to resist the urge to binge on foods that you might later regret. But you can't let those days stop you from going on and trying harder. You have to be proud of your progress along the way and how far you have come in the long run.

Slow progress is still progress! Just keep going and don't worry about how long it will take you to see the changes you want to see.

If you're interested in doing what has worked for me and having someone help you stay accountable, shoot me a message and talk to me. I don't share my progress to brag, I share it to inspire and motivate others and to gain trust that what I do works and that I can help.

You can Contact Me here on my blog. If you are serious and dedicated to making some improvements in your nutrition and fitness, I'd love to have you in my next Fitness Challenge Group for one-on-one support and accountability. To help me learn more about you and what your fitness and nutrition goals are, I have a brief questionnaire here.

-To good health and happiness,

Sandy

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The Final Quarter Challenge Group

Did you make a New Year's Resolution to lose weight and get in shape this year? I did! That was my resolution many times in the last 10 years since having my first child. So often, I started and then gave up and quit, thinking I would try again later. Timing was never right. I was too busy because our family made a PCS move (Permanent Change of Station - military move). I was too busy because my husband was deployed a lot. I couldn't get my butt back in shape because I was too busy with work, or I was too busy being a mom. There was ALWAYS some good reason and explanation why I just couldn't do it. 

Finally, when my daughter was 7 and my son was 5, I managed to MAKE time get back to my pre-preggo days weight and size. A year later, I was pregnant once again with our third little munchkin. After he was born in September, I of course made that typical New Year's resolution to get the weight back off again. I was tipping the scale at 191 pounds just before he was born, so I had a lot of work to do this time! And I finally came through, stuck to my resolution, and I did it!

If you are one of the many that made a resolution this year focused on fitness, and you have not started yet or met your goal, then guess what? The year is not over yet! It is the final quarter of 2014 and there is still time left in the game! 3 months! Do you know what you are capable of and what you can do in 3 months? I started this year off by losing 19 pounds in 3 months. So why not you? 

I came across this gem of a photo this morning (on the left). It's one of the few that I actually have that I didn't delete or crop my body out of.

Looking at these pics, other than the difference in weight, posture, and physique, do you see what else I see? A smile! Yea, that right there speaks a thousand words! It saddens me to look back at this before photo and remember how I felt then. At that time, losing the weight and feeling confident in my skin again seemed like such a distant concept. I was tired and sluggish and a busy mom of three, and I thought that was just the way mommy-hood was supposed to be.

One of the biggest excuses that people often have, and it was certainly mine too, is that they don't have enough time. With 30 minute workout programs like T25 and 21 Day Fix (2 of my personal faves that I have completed), there's NO REASON to not have that small amount of time to devote to yourself. We all have the same 24 hours in a day. Time is going to pass regardless and it's up to you to choose how to spend it.

One thing that was KEY for my SUCCESS when I finally threw my excuses out the door, was having a coach and a support group for motivation and accountability. Over the months, my focus has turned from improving my own health and fitness, to helping others with theirs through private challenge groups. If you have been considering starting a workout program and are done making excuses, I'm here to help you and I'd love to hear from you.

For those that are wondering what exactly these Fitness Challenge Groups are that I speak of, there is a short video on {this page} for a visual idea.

After helping you choose a fitness program that will be a good fit for you, I don't just leave you to do the workouts alone. I am by your side (virtually) working out and eating clean WITH you! The groups I host are private, hidden pages on Facebook with a small number of people all working on their fitness goals. You will hear from me EVERY DAY, so you have constant motivation and support right in front of you and a group of people to relate to, to cheer each other on, and hold each other accountable.

I am finishing up a 60-day challenge this week with a small group of ladies, 4 of us were doing PiYo and 2 were doing 21 Day Fix. So what's next for me now that I am finishing PiYo? I have the 3-Day Refresh sitting on the kitchen counter (2 actually - 1 for me, and 1 for hubby), so I will finally test that out next week and log and blog my review and results of it. Then, for the next upcoming challenge group, I am hopping back into the 21 Day Fix workouts. My FAVE program so far!

The 21 Day Fix Challenge Pack (comes with the fitness program, meal plan, and month supply of Shakeology) happens to be the Beachbody Promo for September with a $70 savings. While I do highly recommend the 21 Day Fix as a great fit for most people, and a perfect plan for getting your nutrition in check, I do not require that everyone in the group do the same program I choose to do.

SO, if this looks like something you are interested in being a part of, let me hear from you! My next challenge group will be kicking off on October 6th. Last day to commit so that you are set up and ready to go is September 30th. If you're finally ready to turn your fitness dreams into reality, let's talk. Don't you think it's about time you have someone on your side to support you and motivate you and cheer you on, someone that has been there and understands? I do! If you can relate to this, you need to join me. Really, you do!

To be considered for a spot in the group: APPLY HERE

Together, we will accomplish our fitness goals with a

Beachbody Home Workout Program & Shakeology.

Be in touch with you soon!

- Sandy

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My Brazil Butt Lift Results

I'm just a LITTLE bit behind in posting this. Behind... Ha! No pun intended. So here are my results from the Brazil Butt Lift program that I completed last month. Making some progress in my journey!! Slow and steady wins the race, right?! I've been pretty consistent in losing about 5 months a month since starting New Year's of this year.

With Brazil Butt Lift and Shakeology, I am down another 10 pounds! Started at 145 pounds on Day 1 and finished at 135 pounds on Day 60. Lost 3.5" in my waistline, 2" in my hips, 2" in my booty, 1" in each thigh, 1/2" in each arm, and down 5% in body fat.

While I am pleased with and happy of my accomplishments so far, please know that I am not sharing this to boast or brag. This is not all about me and "Hey, look what I did!". I struggled to get to the point where I am now and to find what works for me and to find the motivation and support to do it and stick with it. Shakeology and Beachbody workout programs have been my success tools and have really improved and changed my life for the better. But I didn't do it alone. I had help along the way; LOTS of motivation and support! I too, am just a customer using the products and have a coach that has inspired me to reach my goals. My group of challengers continue to push me and encourage me and help me stay accountable.

I share my journey and my stories and my success because I know I am not alone. I know there are others that also struggle and need help, need that extra push and need someone to hold their hand... and maybe even drag them along and kick them in the rear from time to time. So all of this that I share, is to HELP others, and to also help keep myself accountable and to keep going. Thank you to all of you that have helped me and encouraged me along the way, and to those of you that have joined me and given me the privilege to be on YOUR journey with you.

To fitness and better health! :)
~Sandy

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