Here we are on the final day of January 2015! I have been thinking lately about the term "taking off". I have not flown a ton of times in my life, but I do find the take-off to be exhilarating, nerve-wracking, mind-boggling and just plain amazing. I mean, even looking at a photo here, how incredible is it that all of this works? I am not an aerospace engineer for whoever it is that really masters all of this... but I do spend quite a bit of time with people who are on the runway and preparing to "take off" in their own life! I also get to work directly with those who have lifted off and are on their way. Sometimes it is bumpy and unseemly as we transition. But there is NOTHING like the celebration that takes place when someone is successful with reaching their own next chapter!
Earlier this week I had posted the following on my own FB page. I had taken the "basement mirror selfie" which you will see on the right-hand side in the collage below -
"Ow. Ow. Ow. Each flight of 7 stairs feels like 20 today! Modifying less and less in Max 30 and I am FEELING it
Today I saw myself in the mirror while coming down to switch laundry. And I could SEE it."
Earlier this week I had posted the following on my own FB page. I had taken the "basement mirror selfie" which you will see on the right-hand side in the collage below -
"Ow. Ow. Ow. Each flight of 7 stairs feels like 20 today! Modifying less and less in Max 30 and I am FEELING it
Today I saw myself in the mirror while coming down to switch laundry. And I could SEE it."
Now, here's the thing. I have been on the journey for some time now. 16+ months of clean eating, daily home workouts and Shakeology for breakfast! I am still not yet at my overall goal. This progress has not happened overnight. Actually, this morning I had the idea to go back to my own "Day 1" photos which some of you have seen. (eeeeekkkkkk!) But then I have my "Day 30" photos which no one outside of my own family has seen. Not that they are any "worse" than Day 1 but I am accustomed to sharing Day 1 when I can look at the contrast of the results of many more days time in that side-by-side. I will never forget the day that I reached Day 60 and felt brave enough to message these photos just to my own immediate family. I was so mortified that I almost did not send them to my mom and sisters! Let's just get something out of the way here - I am not wearing actual shorts in these photos because I did not own a pair that fit me when I started this journey. Thus the photo-shopping with the little gray oval overlay below...
In March of 2014 I began coaching with Team Beachbody. I had experienced such amazing life change that I was ready to share this with everyone in my circle and beyond! I lead challenge groups and help others to reach their own health goals. I also work with my team which is full of other quality people who are on this same mission! When you are just at the beginning - at the "taking off" point yourself and you see something like my orange collage above, with the bridesmaid dress and basement selfie contrast, that sort of transformation can be inspiring but may also feel soooooo out of reach. How do we get from here to there? It is truly in our daily choices. The little things that we do each day make all the difference! Looking at the Day 1 to Day 30 collage above certainly puts the Day 1 to Day 500-something collage in perspective, right? There is a saying that has meant more to me personally than any other statement that I oftentimes encourage myself while on this journey:
Wherever you are today, on this final day of January, KEEP WORKING AT IT! I currently have two challenge groups running and I am really enjoying both of them! Our Insanity Max 30 test group has been together for nearly two months now and I so appreciate the camaraderie while in the midst of this incredibly intense program! These people are determined and have navigated multiple holidays, seasonal illness, travel and many other things. Yet we are moving forward! One more week until I chart my own results from 60 days of Max 30! My "New Year, New YOU" group is just coming to the end of Week 3! This means that many of my 21 Day Fix challengers there are just about to complete their own first round of that program. OH THE SUSPENSE! Tomorrow is the day to chart their progress and they have been working hard! I am enjoying the "newness" of this group as many there are on their first round of any program while learning about clean eating and how to make all of this work in everyday life. They inspire me! And guess what will be available on Monday, February 2nd?? The 21 Day Fix EXTREME! Oh boy - I am planning to do that one. Let me know if you would like some details on our exclusive test group!
One of the challengers in my New Year, New You group has been coming up with some "cleaned up" versions of family favorites. This is what it is all about! I LOVE this sort of thing! Last night she shared this with the groups and she has given me permission to share...
We had another winner in the "cleaning up family favorites experiment." We are a casserole family, but I was sure that canned condensed soup was not the cleanest thing in the world.
I found this recipe for condensed soup substitute from Clean Eating magazine:
Serves: Makes 1 cup soup base
INGREDIENTS:
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup minced onion
3 tbsp whole-wheat flour
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, boiled and reduced by half
1/2 cup skim milk (maybe unsweetened almond? Haven't tried that yet)
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a saucepan or pot, heat oil on medium. Add onion and sauté until translucent. Add flour and stir for 2 minutes, until golden brown. Stir in broth, milk and optional top flavor ingredient (I used 1/2 cup minced mushrooms).Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, until thickened. Allow to cool and use as desired.
Nutrients per 1/2-cup serving (using cremini mushrooms): Calories: 115, Total Fat: 7 g, Sat. Fat: 1.5 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Carbs: 8 g, Fiber: 1 g, Sugars: 2 g, Protein: 4 g, Sodium: 37 mg, Cholesterol: 1 mg
I made extra and divided it into 10 1/2 oz. portions (the weight of one can of soup). I froze them in Food Saver bags, but I'm sure zip lock freezer bags would work fine.
Our cleaned up tuna casserole tasted better than ever with whole grain noodles and bread crumbs.
Wherever you are today, on this final day of January, KEEP WORKING AT IT! I currently have two challenge groups running and I am really enjoying both of them! Our Insanity Max 30 test group has been together for nearly two months now and I so appreciate the camaraderie while in the midst of this incredibly intense program! These people are determined and have navigated multiple holidays, seasonal illness, travel and many other things. Yet we are moving forward! One more week until I chart my own results from 60 days of Max 30! My "New Year, New YOU" group is just coming to the end of Week 3! This means that many of my 21 Day Fix challengers there are just about to complete their own first round of that program. OH THE SUSPENSE! Tomorrow is the day to chart their progress and they have been working hard! I am enjoying the "newness" of this group as many there are on their first round of any program while learning about clean eating and how to make all of this work in everyday life. They inspire me! And guess what will be available on Monday, February 2nd?? The 21 Day Fix EXTREME! Oh boy - I am planning to do that one. Let me know if you would like some details on our exclusive test group!
One of the challengers in my New Year, New You group has been coming up with some "cleaned up" versions of family favorites. This is what it is all about! I LOVE this sort of thing! Last night she shared this with the groups and she has given me permission to share...
We had another winner in the "cleaning up family favorites experiment." We are a casserole family, but I was sure that canned condensed soup was not the cleanest thing in the world.
I found this recipe for condensed soup substitute from Clean Eating magazine:
Serves: Makes 1 cup soup base
INGREDIENTS:
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup minced onion
3 tbsp whole-wheat flour
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, boiled and reduced by half
1/2 cup skim milk (maybe unsweetened almond? Haven't tried that yet)
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a saucepan or pot, heat oil on medium. Add onion and sauté until translucent. Add flour and stir for 2 minutes, until golden brown. Stir in broth, milk and optional top flavor ingredient (I used 1/2 cup minced mushrooms).Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, until thickened. Allow to cool and use as desired.
Nutrients per 1/2-cup serving (using cremini mushrooms): Calories: 115, Total Fat: 7 g, Sat. Fat: 1.5 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Carbs: 8 g, Fiber: 1 g, Sugars: 2 g, Protein: 4 g, Sodium: 37 mg, Cholesterol: 1 mg
I made extra and divided it into 10 1/2 oz. portions (the weight of one can of soup). I froze them in Food Saver bags, but I'm sure zip lock freezer bags would work fine.
Our cleaned up tuna casserole tasted better than ever with whole grain noodles and bread crumbs.
You know what? The challenger referenced above is a woman who is "taking off" with her health and her family is benefiting as well! The biggest thing is to find an approach that is going to make all of this fit into your own life. I can help with that and our other challengers are also full of ideas! What an excellent environment! Can you see why I enjoy this "job" so much??? Not to mention all of the flexibility, training tools, product discounts, team camaraderie and significant contribution to the household budget... In recent days I have been able to see my coaching business "taking off" as well. It is amazing to see our team growing. I LOVE the enthusiasm and I am getting to know some fantastic people. If you are interested in "taking off" with coaching as a career, just let me know ASAP and we will get you started! Our next Smart Start Coach Basics training begins on Monday, February 2nd!
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