GETTING IN SHAPE

 Well, folks I finally finished my workout goal! Yay!! At the beginning of the year I made a new years resolution to get back in shape.  So I decided on the Tracy Anderson Method.  Bought the Metamorphosis box set and went for it.  I do have to say, her method includes a pretty crazy diet plan which I did not follow.  I did however try to eat healthier.  I cut out my daily chunks of cheese I would consume every night before bed, and just tried to eat clean.  Protein & veggies for dinner, veggie shakes, protein bars, and lots and lots of salads throughout the day.  I wanted to make a diet change that I knew I could continue through out life.  I know I could have probably got better results had I dieted, but I am perfectly happy with the results and I truly feel that I can continue this plan.  I feel so much healthier, I feel happier, and best of all I have so much more energy for my kids.  I had finished the workouts literally the day before we left on vacation to California (boy do I need a tan!).  And well, needless to say I took full advantage of being on vacation.  I ate sooo much you guys.  Lots of junk food, and lots of deserts right before bed.  But now that I am back, I plan to get back into it.  

I did this post series because I wanted to first give myself a place to document my results and also to share how much I loved this workout series.  It is crazy difficult, and you really have to be dedicated to it, but I would highly recommend it.  After the first 2 months, I actually looked forward to it and in my opinion, having the ability to get in shape at home for 1 hour a day is worth every penny.  I also have heard about Ballet Beautiful from my sister and plan to incorporate that series as well, just to give me more variety.  I would love to hear if anyone else has a favorite work out series that they do and that I could do at home!! 

HALF WAY

#2 Goal: Get in the best shape of my post high school life!! 

Guys... I am over half way done with this crazy 90 day workout! If I'm being totally honest here, I really feel like it should be over by now.  Don't get me wrong, I am supper proud of myself for getting this far.  I tend to start workouts, and then they slip away pretty quickly, so to say that I'm over 45 days in is pretty good for me.  There have been many missed days however.  Family in town, our family out of town, kids sick, then I am sick... blah blah there are alot of excuses, but the reality is my family comes first.  I still want a life and I don't always feel like doing an hour work out.  Sometimes, sitting on the couch feels real good!  

How do I feel you ask? (hehe) Well... I feel stronger, I feel like I can keep up with my kiddos more.  For instance, yesterday I was pushing a cart full of groceries, while Rhone was hanging on the side, my purse on one shoulder, holding Lachlyn like a football while she kicks and screams (she's full on tantrums now) and pushing the cart with one hand and an elbow for leverage.  It was not fun, but I did it and I didn't even break a sweat.  The biggest upside, for all you moms out there, you know how this goes, but my butt is actually back where it was vertically I mean before kids.  So exciting.  I don't know why it happens but all my mom friends complain about that one all the time.  And I can say that you too can have it back, if you jump for 30 mins and then do 400 leg lifts a day.  haha.

beginning // now // what I should look like at the end

MY 2014 GOALS

So I know, I am a little late on posting about my new years goals... but if I'm being honest here, I didn't really acknowledge that I was doing them until now.  But it's February now, and I am more pumped up than I was in January!  So I thought it would be fun to have a new post section for myself as a reminder and as a obligation to follow through with my goals.  

#1 Goal: Finish my bachelors degree!!
This is a pretty huge one for me.  Lets start with a little boring history on myself... After high school, I started college not exactly knowing what I wanted to be.  So general classes it was for 2 years.  I then decided to do Medical Radiography.  So 1 year pre-reqs + 2 year program.  This is when I earned my associates degree and certification.  I got married! And then went on for another 12 months of school for my Radiation Therapy license.  I got a job in Chicago, IL and have been working full time ever since well until last year :)  During the time of 2006-2014 I have been taking online classes here and there, skipping years, taking 1-2 classes a semester.  Well I finally can see the end.  I am enrolled in my last 2 classes that I need for my degree!! After that, I have a 6 week internship and then I get my bachelors in Health Sciences. whoop whoop! The funny thing is, in all this school, I have taken so many extra classes that I will be graduating with 285 credits (only 120 was required for a bachelors degree)! I mean really? Where's my doctorate? haha. This degree won't really do anything for me in my career other than advancing to management which I probably will never want to do.  But it is a goal that I had years and years ago.  So I am excited and pumped up to finish it this year!

#2 Goal: Get in the best shape of my post high school life!!
I really think that this is one of the hardest things I've done in a very long time. Minus growing 2 kids inside my body of course.  Taking 1 hour out of the day for just myself seems easy but for me, it's been the biggest struggle.  Nap time, after kids go to sleep is really the only time.  But with also squeezing goal # 1 in to the day and needing wanting a bit of time to just sit and relax I am finding that there aren't enough hours in the day.  But I am doing it.  6 days a week, and I am making it a priority.  You know what, when I do get it done, it feels sooo good.  I can just relax and not feel guilty about missing a day.  So what are you doing you might ask?...  I started on Jan. 1st the Tracy Anderson metamorphosis package.  For those of you who haven't heard of this, go look it up! I am in love with this work out program.  For many many years I have tried so many things! Gym: not for me. Yoga: for a bout 6 months then I get bored. Pilates: nice for doing at home but never got the results I wanted. Running: bigger thighs and I hated running.  Needless to say, I am a girl who likes to work out at home.  Tracy Anderson specialized in toning and shrinking your body by working not just your large muscle groups but your accessory muscles as well.  And I can honestly say that after this first brutal month, it works!  I have only lost 7 lbs, but my arms and legs are a lot skinner and I just fit better in my clothes than I did before.  The other positive about this routine is it changes every 10 days.  And she does moves that I have never done before.  They are hard, it makes me wanta cry and give up but because she moves so fast, it keeps my attention and before you know it, your done.  She does recommend a diet plan along with the workouts but the reality is for me this would just never happen. But I am eating healthier.  More protein and veggies.  Smoothies. Eggs not cereal and lots of water and tea.  I feel so much better, I have more energy and feel like I have more control over my body.  And better yet, I have 2 more months to go.  So by the end, I am hoping that I will be in the best shape of my life! Just in time for a vacation to California.  

So I debated this for awhile (so embarrassing) but I am going to post pictures with these posts to encourage me to keep going and hopefully to see progress through photos.  

 Me now  // What I should look like in 2 more months