10 Things Only Other Beachbody Coaches Will Understand

Woah!  So I came back from Beachbody Coach Summit in Nashville on Sunday, but man, was I exhausted!  This is really the first chance I've had to write a post between catching up on sleep and catching up on some things that need to be caught up on after you've been out of state for five days!
First let me just tell you that Summit was an AMAZING experience.  I made great new friends, learned SOOO much, had dream-come-true workouts with celebrity trainers, and savored some of the delicious cuisine of downtown Nashville.
It is SO WONDERFUL to be around other coaches.  Coaches GET IT.  This is a lifestyle, a culture.  Even though I have been a coach for over a year, I don't think I truly appreciated all that being a coach MEANS until I went to Summit.  So  today, I present my list of things only other Beachbody Coaches will understand:

1.  Taking a road trip with other people you may have never met before in real life.  On my trip, there were four women riding in my car to Nashville.  One of them was one of my personally sponsored coaches whom I used to work with.  I haven't seen her in person in YEARS.  Another woman was another coach on my team who I've met in person ONCE, in January when we flew to Pittsburgh for a Super Saturday.  The other woman was one of HER personally sponsored coaches, who I had never met at all.  Was it weird?  For maybe five minutes.  Just let me tell you:  these women are INCREDIBLE.  No wonder people say their coach friends become their best friends.  We have similar lifestyles, goals, and attitudes.  These chicks are FIERCE.

2.  The surreal feeling you get when you finally meet people in person that you've only talked to online.  You feel like you are meeting for the first time, but you aren't!  And you aren't sure at first if they know who YOU are (but they always do).

3.  No one in the car drinks soda.  No one.  Not once, in the five days we were there, did any of us.  I cannot imagine myself in a group of any other four people in my normal life where I can say that.

4.  The only new clothes we bought for our big annual convention trip were new workout clothes.  All.  Four.  Of.  Us.  Isn't that funny?  I threw together dresses I've had for awhile and some cool, comfortable clothes, but I just HAD to have some new workout pants and a snazzy new tank.

5.   Workout clothes, by the way, are perfectly legitimate outfits for the training sessions for said convention.  I'm not sure there are other conventions where this is true.

6.  It's pretty funny when the local Panera runs out of egg white and avocados.  Only sort of - that's what I was going to order!  This was on the second day of Summit.  True story!  Next year we should call the week ahead and warn them we are coming so they can be better prepared.

7.  We can identify other coaches by their toned and sexy arms!  It is true that coaches come in all shapes and sizes, but we could definitely tell other coaches by their shapely arms and comfort wearing workout clothes just about anywhere.

8.  Getting up at 5:00 AM to go STAND IN LINE for a workout.  Now, I wouldn't do this for just any workout, but I would do this for a CELEBRITY workout, say with Shaun T or Chalene Johnson.  And I did!  I would do it again!  Working out with Chalene LIVE has been an item on my bucket list for a LONG time.  She is MY HERO!

9.  Packing a cooler with lots and lots of water and lots and lots of healthy snacks.  I'm glad we did, because let me tell you - Beachbody kept us SO BUSY between workouts, general sessions, training, and parties, that there was NOT much time to eat or sleep.  Having cheese sticks, fruit, carrots, hummus, and healthy sandwiches in our mini fridge at our hotel SAVED OUR LIVES.  Packets of Shakeology helped a ton, too!  At least we knew we were being nourished.

10.  Feeling like you've found your TRIBE.  Some people just don't get the whole working out thing.  It's hard.  It's boring.  It's drudgery.  They would rather have their entire body waxed.  Not coaches.  Coaches have pushed through that point and CRAVE movement.  Sure, there are days we just don't wanna, but we know if we do we won't regret it.  Coaches are people just like you who have made a commitment to be the best version of themselves, and they love to help others do the same!  While we are all different, we have different lives and personalities, we are SO alike in that we love what we do.  We LOVE being a part of those after pictures.  We LOVE being a part of helping people to find their confidence, and then passing it on.

Have you ever wondered EXACTLY what it is that I do as a coach?  Have you wondered how I make money, or how much I make?  How much time or commitment does it take to be a coach?  You can have all of these questions and more answered in my 5 Day Coaching Sneak Peek that begins on Monday!  Just shoot me a message and let me know that you are in!  No pressure or obligation; just information.
Are you ready to BE FIERCE?

CLX Week 10 Update and Meal Plan

FINALLY!  Finally, I feel like I am back on track.  I never thought it would have been my birthday week, of all weeks.
I dug in, I had my Shakeology every day, I got my workouts in, and I ate according to my meal plan.  After several weeks of feeling frustrated and constant failure, I am BACK, baby!
This last week, I ONLY had ONE cheat meal (at the Melting Pot; yum!).  On my actual birthday, instead of giving myself the go-ahead to pig out, my gift to myself was to allow myself to go to bed a little early (big party, I know).

As for my workouts this week, I was a little surprised that on some exercises, I had to go down on the weight or the number of reps.  I think that is because when I make an increase in one place, my muscles are too exhausted to make increases later in the workout.  That's okay, because I still feel stronger!
My effort is paying off!  I can already feel it in my pants; they are fitting the way I like them to, and the way I am most comfortable.  I feel comfortable in my own skin.  I'm not starving nor constantly craving.
Now, the plan is to KEEP IT UP this week!  There is still a little birthday celebrating going on, so I still need to be careful and conscious, but I am confident I can do it!
Here is my meal plan for this week:

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Meal Plan for 3.30
Workout	Lean Circuit 1	Rest	Lean Circuit 2	Get Lean Intervals and I’ve Got Abs	Lean Circuit 3	Fat Burn Challenge and Recharge	Rest
Breakfast Protein, CCFV, protein	Shakeology, almond milk, and frozen fruit	Shakeology, almond milk, and frozen fruit	Shakeology, almond milk, and frozen fruit	Shakeology, almond milk, and frozen fruit	Shakeology, almond milk, and frozen fruit	Greek yogurt pancakes, eggs, bacon, and fruit	Shakeology, almond milk, and frozen fruit
Snack Protein, CCFV,	Apple and peanut butter	Apple and peanut butter	Apple and peanut butter	Apple and peanut butter	Apple and peanut butter	Apple and peanut butter	Apple and peanut butter
Lunch CCFV; protein; CC-S; HF	Leftover turkey burger and salad	Steak fajitas w/ onions and peppers, corn tortillas, and salad	Steak fajitas w/ onions and peppers, corn tortillas, and salad	Cod, Baked potato, veggies	Chicken spaghetti and salad	Cheat – family birthday party (Mexican food an CARROT CAKE!)	Leftovers
Snack Protein, CCFV,	Blackberries, greek yogurt, and honey	Blackberries, greek yogurt, and honey	Blackberries, greek yogurt, and honey	Blackberries, greek yogurt, and honey	Blackberries, greek yogurt, and honey	Blackberries, greek yogurt, and honey	Blackberries, greek yogurt, and honey
Dinner CCFV(2); protein; CC-S(2); HF(2)	Steak fajitas w/ onions and peppers, corn tortillas, and salad	Birthday dinner @ Tucano’s – eat clean!	Cod, Baked potato, veggies	Chicken spaghetti and salad	BBQ Pork Steaks, grilled corn, mashed potatoes	Leftovers	Grilled steaks, zucchini ribbon salad, steamed potatoes
Snack Protein, CC-S,	Celery and almonds	Celery and almonds	Celery and almonds	Celery and almonds	Celery and almonds	Shakeology and almond milk	Celery and almonds

What is YOUR plan?  Besides to BE FIERCE, of course :)

Pepper Asparagus Pasta

When I was doing my student teaching, my cooperating teacher was Elizabeth.  I really lucked out with her; she is smart, she has a great sense of humor, and as green as I was back then, she was very patient and understanding with me.  I was so nervous!  I was practically afraid of the teenagers.  I so desperately wanted to do well that I stressed and fretted the entire semester.  

At the time, Elizabeth was pregnant.  I couldn’t figure out why a pregnant woman would choose the additional stress of having a student teacher, but about halfway through the semester when she asked if I would be her long-term sub while she was on maternity leave, I was ecstatic!  She made me feel like I must have done okay.

Anyway, in addition to being so wonderful in many ways, Elizabeth is also a vegetarian.  Every so often she would bring in this pasta dish for lunch; it was so pretty, and it smelled divine!  I would ogle it every time she brought it.  Finally, I asked her for the recipe, and she was kind enough to share it with me.

I’ve made the dish several times since then, and once I began my clean-eating journey, I made one small change to it: I replaced what originally was bow-tie noodles with whole wheat rotini noodles (if I could find whole wheat bow-ties, I would use those, but as of yet, no such luck).  It is still clean, still wonderful, still fresh and vibrant, just like Elizabeth.

This Pepper Asparagus Pasta makes a great lunch or dinner and reheats beautifully.

Ingredients:

1 bunch of asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 red and/or orange bell peppers, chopped

1 lemon, zested, juice reserved

1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1 tsp. black pepper

½ tsp. salt

2 cups whole grain pasta such as rotini or mostaccioli (if you can find bowties or farfalle, go for it!)

¼ cup olive oil

Parmesan cheese,shredded

Directions:

1. Cook pasta.  Drain.
2. Saute lemon zest, peppers, asparagus, salt, and pepper in olive oil over medium heat until vegetables are crisp-tender.
3. Add beans and juice from lemon.  Cook until warm.  
4. Stir in pasta and additional salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve either warm or room temperature with shredded parmesan cheese.

Let me know what you think if you try it!  In the meantime...

BE FIERCE!

How to Stay on Track During Spring Break

Spring break:  for teachers, it is a definite benchmark in the school year.  Personally, for me, it feels like the rest of the year is a downhill ride; we save the most enjoyable units for that last stretch. Let's face it; we LOVE our students. They are the absolute best parts of our job. They are the REASON we do the job. I once read a statistic somewhere that said the teachers make over 200 decisions before 8 AM; day after day, that can wear a person out . In a profession that sometimes requires “hanging on” until the next break, spring break is a good place to be because the next break after that is SUMMER!

However, an extended break from work can derail your efforts in weight loss and fitness.  I myself would like nothing more than to sleep, eat, nap, and catch up on the DVR, but I know how difficult it is to get back on track!  Here are my tips for staying on track this year during spring break:

1. Go play outside.  People, IT IS SPRING!  Go out and enjoy the weather.  Take your dog for a hike, go for a run at the park, catch up with some friends for a game of softball.  Get some sunshine, some vitamin D, and some relaxation time all at once!
   
2. Make an interesting meal plan.  With TEN whole days off (counting the weekends), I finally have time to try some new recipes I’ve been wanting to take for a spin, but seem like too big of a commitment to undertake on a weeknight the first time out.  Since I have more time, I am making some really yummy, interesting meals that will make me WANT to eat healthy.
3. Schedule your cheat meal.  Notice the word meal is singular.  Pick that one meal you have really been craving, put it on your meal plan, and use it as your carrot.
4. Don’t use your break as a catch-up.  This is me; I am always tempted to do this.  I even made a spring break to-do list, but once I realized how much I was putting on it and how much time it would all take, I reigned myself in.  Pick two or three things you would like to accomplish over break, and then schedule those things in.  Then, on the other days, strategically schedule such practical items as sleeping in, meeting a friend for lunch, taking a nap with the dog, and taking a walk with your husband.  This break is a time for your to relax and recharge, and you can’t do that if you are running yourself ragged.  You need to be refreshed for the last leg of the school year.  Take care of what is really necessary, and let the rest wait until summer.
   
5. Meal prep like it is a regular week.  Go ahead and prep your snacks at the very least; the last thing you want to have to do is slice strawberries in the middle of your Downton Abbey marathon.  You might be relaxing, but you will still be busy doing it; remember that FAILING to PLAN is PLANNING to FAIL.
6. Find ways other than food to indulge.  Get a message AND/OR a mani-pedi.  Plant some spring flowers.  Splurge on that new salon-quality shampoo that smells AMAZING.  Take a bath, light a candle, and have a glass of wine.  Don’t use your vacation as an excuse to also take a vacation from your diet.
7. Going on vacation?  Make sure you are staying active!  Take your laptop or tablet with you and use Beachbody On Demand to keep up with your workouts.  Get them done in the morning before the fun of the day begins.  Pack snacks that do not need to be refrigerated and your Shakeology to help you stay on track.  Decide in advance what your ONE cheat meal will be, and stay as clean as you can the rest of the time.

Let’s rejoice because SPRING is HERE and WINTER is (nearly) over!  Come out of your shell, shed your old skin, and feel renewed, but don’t have cause to beat yourself up for a backslide.  

What is YOUR spring break plan?

Do you plan to

BE FIERCE?

ChaLEAN Extreme Week 7 Update and Meal Plan

Do you ever feel like the Universe is just trying to tell you something?  Like you are trying to force something that just isn’t meant to be?  Maybe sometime in the future, just not right now?

This is me and the 21 Day Fix Extreme.  I cannot adequately explain to you the frustration I have experienced with the USPS since February 7th, when the program was supposedly delivered to my house.  I have spent at least an hour and a half on hold with USPS corporate offices.  They even closed the inquiry once (Why?  I have no idea because it certainly wasn’t resolved and they never contacted me about it).  But alas, I do not want this sort of negativity in my vortex, so I am taking it as a sign from the Universe that this is not a good time for me to attempt the 21 Day Fix Extreme.  And you know what?  That’s okay because I am enjoying the HECK out the ChaLEAN Extreme (CLX) (again!).  I just finished week 7.  So, instead of fighting what is happening, I am embracing it!  I AM GOING TO COMPLETE CHALEAN EXTREME!  And then, if I have received my 21 Day Fix Extreme by that time, I will move on to that.

It is probably for the better, anyway.  March in my birthday month, so I will want to take my weekly cheat meals.  I will also want my wine and chocolate, and wine, chocolate, and cheat meals are not a part of the 21 Day Fix Extreme.  Perhaps this is Providence.

I will tell you that since I am lifting so heavy I feel like I CANNOT FEED MY BODY ENOUGH FOOD!  In a way, it is a nice feeling!  I know I am hungry because my body is building muscle! So this week I am going to add an extra serving of protein to my three meals to see if that helps with the feeling of being so hungry that I could eat my own arm.

I KNOW I am getting stronger; seriously, check this out!  

I have upped my weights nearly every week on nearly every exercise.  On some exercises, I am even matching Chalene’s weight!  The stars are to remind me to increase my weight next week. I’m almost finished with the PUSH month and I am super excited about the LEAN Phase; I remember the last time I did this program, that was the Phase when the magic happened.  Since I already have a baseline of fitness, I am curious to see what will happen this time.

My meal plan was sort of difficult this week.  Many meals are repeated from last week because schedules between myself and my husband didn’t go as planned, and I ended up eating a lot of leftovers; therefore, meals that were on last week’s plan are now on this week’s.  Then this week is tough, too, because on Tuesday I have parent teacher conferences (it just makes for an extremely long day); then on Thursday, I am getting a root canal after work, and then on Friday, I am accompanying the student Equity Team to a Middle Eastern restaurant and a Jewish Temple (I am incredibly excited; it is going to be so much fun!).  I know that because I am so busy, I need to plan well and pack my snacks in order to be successful.  And just because this is the way life works sometimes, I have to have THREE rest days instead of TWO, and I have to double-up workouts on Sunday to stay on track.

Life happens when you are trying to be fit and healthy!

Anyway, here is the plan:

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Meal Plan for 3.2 Meal Plan
Workout	Push Circuit 1	Rest	Push Circuit 2	Rest	Rest	Burn Intervals and Extreme Abs	Push Circuit 3 Burn it off and Recharge (doubles)
Breakfast Protein, CCFV, protein	Shakeology, almond milk, and frozen fruit	Shakeology, almond milk, and frozen fruit	Shakeology, almond milk, and frozen fruit	Shakeology, almond milk, and frozen fruit	Shakeology, almond milk, and frozen fruit	Shakeology, almond milk, and frozen fruit	Shakeology, almond milk, and frozen fruit
Snack Protein, CCFV,	Blackberries, greek yogurt, and honey	Blackberries	greek yogurt	and honey	Blackberries	greek yogurt	and honey
Lunch CCFV; protein; CC-S; HF	Leftover taco casserole, salad, dressing	Chicken, spinach, and mozzarella roll ups, cous cous, veggies, salad	Chicken, spinach, and mozzarella roll ups, cous cous, veggies, salad	Salmon, steamed veggies, baked sweet potato w/ olive oil, bread, salad, dressing	- soup	Leftovers	Leftovers
Snack Protein, CCFV,	Carrots  and hummus	Carrots  and hummus	Carrots  and hummus	Carrots  and hummus	Carrots  and hummus	Carrots  and hummus	Carrots  and hummus
Dinner CCFV(2); protein; CC-S(2); HF(2)	Chicken, spinach, and mozzarella roll ups, cous cous, veggies, salad	Parent-teacher conferences – EAT CLEAN!	Salmon, steamed veggies, baked sweet potato w/ olive oil, bread, salad, dressing	Root canal - soup	Petra field trip with students; cheat meal	Leftovers	Spaghetti and Turkey meat balls; salad, dressing
Snack Protein, CC-S,	Apple and almonds	Apple and almonds	Apple and almonds	Apple and almonds	Apple and almonds	Apple and almonds	Apple and almonds

I hope you have an amazing week!  If you have any questions or need help, shoot me a message on the ol’ Facebook; that’s what I’m here for ;)

BE FIERCE!