So much life has happened

I know I keep saying that I will be better with my blog.  I have no excuses.  I know for a while, I had no inspiration.  I didn't feel like I could talk about health or nutrition, because I felt stuck.  And then Thanksgiving came, my birthday arrived, Christmas arrived... The New Year.  And this finds me at the middle to end of January.

So what have I been doing that life hit me so hard?  Like I said, Thanksgiving, my birthday.  Then my hubby came for a visit (he is stationed in DC right now).  On Dec 23, my mother-in-law was supposed to arrive at our house for Christmas.  Well...  She never did arrive.  

Unfortunately, she unexpectedly passed.  We were obviously in shock, but we tried to keep it together for the kids to have a "normal" Christmas.

Then the New Year came, and I decided I really needed to focus on running.  I had signed up to run the Disney Glass Slipper Challenge in February.  If you don't know what that is, we run a 10K on Sat & then turn around and run a half marathon on Sunday.  Back-to-back.

Yup... I'm nuts!  I haven't run further than a 5k before.  I had only wanted to sign up for the 10K, but got caught up in the excitement with my friend!

So, as of today, my furtherest run has been 6 miles.  I am due to run 8 this weekend!  Yikes! I'm a little nervous about it, but I know it is all mental.

It is funny to me, because I now say, "I'm only running 4-5 miles today."  Ha!  I never thought that would be the norm for me.

Since the New Year, I also had to put my beloved dog to sleep.  She had been wih me since the first Christmas after I got married... Back in Jan of 2002, we rescued her from the SPCA.  I've known she wasn't doing well, health wise, but it still doesn't make it any easier.  I just feel empty right now. I miss having her curled up at my feet or greeting me at the door, or sleeping on my floor at night.

The only time I feel better is when I run.  So running I will continue to do, at least until my 10K/half weekend.  

I haven't fully decided which program I am going to do, once I'm done with the races.  I have PiYo, 21 Day Fix, Les Mills Pump, and I think that's all I have.  I believe my hubby has the other programs (P90x series).  I think I want to focus on lifting because I keep reading these blogs of people who transformed their bodies with lifting.  

What are you focusing on in 2015?

A new recipe

So I do drink Shakeology, and sometimes it gets boring....  I make the same one, every.single.time.  I always forget about the Team Beachbody website.  If you aren't a member, click here for your FREE (yes, FREE) membership....  click here.  I will become your FREE, yes I said it FREE, coach.  I promise to help you, to motivate you, give you ideas, and check in on you.  Plus, you can join any of my accountability groups, get great ideas for menus, etc.

Anyway, I am always looking for a new way to make my Shakeology.  And I stumbled upon this one today... sounds yummy!  I do have a few 12 Jumpstart Packs still available (email me to purchase or learn more about what is in those packs).  I also have a few Vanilla Shakeology sampler packs (email me to request one).

Tell me what you think of this recipe.

Vanilla Latte Shakeology

Turn a cup of coffee into a frosty whipped smoothie with almond milk and Vanilla Shakeology.

Total Time: 5 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:
1 cup brewed coffee, cooled
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
1 tsp. pure maple syrup (or raw honey)
1 cup ice

Preparation:
1. Place coffee, almond milk, Shakeology, maple syrup, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 172

Fat: 4 g

Saturated Fat: 0 g

Cholesterol: 5 mg

Sodium: 302 mg

Carbohydrate: 21 g

Fiber: 4 g

Sugar: 12 g

Protein: 17 g

  

P90X/P90X2 Portions (per serving)

½ protein

½ carb/legume

Body Beast Portions (per serving)

1 liquid protein

2 balanced liquid

So, I have been sidelined

Just to let you all know, I have been sidelined, but not for too long.  

I had my gallbladder removed yesterday, Dec 2.  But I am not down completely.  Obviously, I am not currently working out.  

But once I am cleared, I am back at it.  I will be continuing my half marathon training, and doing PiYo. 

After the half, I will be switching to LES MIlLS PUMP.  I always wanted to try it, because it was offered at the different gyms I had been a member at.  I was always so intimidated to try it though.

Anyway, now I have no excuse.  I am excited to see what my results will be.

What are your fitness goals?  What do you need help with?

I will also probably be going to the gym, as well.  I am taking a new approach to my workouts.  I am, once I am finished 

Black Friday Deals & December Specials

I know, I know, Black Friday is over....BUT, I just checked my website today & the company has extended the sales.  They are still up!  So don't delay, because the offers are only good until supplies last.

Also, December's specials, other than the Black Friday deals, are:

Click here to learn more, http://bit.ly/1tNuBMw

These are 30-minute, in-home workouts where the goal is to push you to your personal MAX for insane results in 60 days!

The challenge pack, which includes a month of Shakeology and an extra workout DVD, is only $180 (regularly $205)!  Accountability groups starting soon!

Click here to learn more, http://bit.ly/15PcSjT

Worldwide phenomenon LES MILLS PUMP is here!  It's the first-ever at-home version of BODYPUmP® - the incredibly popular series of gym classes created by Les Mills International and taught in 80 countries across the globe.

The challenge pack is only $140, which is getting your Shakeology plus the workout for only $10! (regularly $180)

Click here to learn more, http://bit.ly/1yQcDPM

LES MIlLs COMBaT is the first home-based mixed martial arts-inspired workout program designed to get you a lean, chiseled body - in just 60 days!

The challenge pack, which includes a month of Shakeololgy, is only $180 (regularly $245).

Why not start your fitness goals now?  I know my bikini body is being made this winter.  I am not waiting.  Start now, loose a little extra weight, tighten up, all before the holidays & get a jumpstart on your New Year's resolutions.

Black Friday Specials

Team Beachbody has some AWESOME specials going on right now (while supplies last) at my website, www.teambeachbody.com/fitforlifeliz.

We got word that they were opening up our Black Friday specials yesterday early afternoon.

Some of the programs are already sold out.  But there are still many available.  These will be available, while supplies last, until Dec 1.

Click here to learn more about the programs for sale, https://www.teambeachbody.com/shop/holidayspecials?referringrepid=372462

I just purchased Les Mills Pump.  I can't wait to start it, after my half marathon training is complete, and after I am cleared to exercise again.  I am currently on a break because I am having my gallbladder removed out on Tuesday of next week.  Anyway, once I am cleared to exercise again, I will be back to running and doing PiYo.

I also have a 12 Day Shakeology Challenge starting on Dec 1.  Don't wait until after the New Year to start on your fitness goals.  Start now! 

Remember:

This year, well really 2014-2015, I will not be scrambling to get "bikini" ready in March!  I am starting now.  Want to join me?  I have several accountability groups starting soon.  Come get support, motivation, meal plans, recipe ideas and tons of help!  Email me at fitforlifeliz (at) gmail (dot) com

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Don't eat too much!  

November's specials & the rest of 2014

Wow, it is already November.  Can you believe it?  I can't. It blows my mind how fast 2014 has gone already.  

What is the one thing you dread about going into this holiday season?  For me, it's all the yummy foods.  Yes, I watch my portions, but it still doesn't matter because of all the food.  Yes, I still continue to workout during the holidays, but it doesn't seem to matter.  

My mother-in-law always arrives at my parents' house with, no joke, 20 lbs of cookies, cakes, and candy!  She loves to bake.  And she is excellent at it.  But that doesn't make it excellent for my waist line, because I am excellent at trying all of her cookies, cakes & candies.  And then on top of that, my mom makes cookies & coffee cakes & delicious meals.  I usually end up gaining 5-10 lbs around Christmas!  Yikes!

I am bound and determined this year to not allow that to happen.  I'm not saying I won't indulge a bit, but I am going to watch & track what I eat & drink much better!  

For the month of Novmber, our newest set is on special.  I call this our newest set, because this is the first time since both programs have been released that the company is combining them.  

PiYo, the 3 Day Refresh & a month's supply of Shakeology are on special right now.

Click here to learn more, http://www.teambeachbody.com/checkout/-/bbcheckout/challenge pack/PiYo-kickstart?referringrepid=372462.

The Ultimate Reset is also on special, but I haven't tried the program, so I cannot give you mush information about it.  I have done both PiYo & the 3 Day Refresh.  I am about to start mixing PiYo back into my running schedule.  I have found that I really need the stretching.

 

Meal prep & I don't mix

So meal prep...  Yeah, it didn't go at all.  I am the type of person who spends more money when I meal prep.  I know, it makes no sense.  People always say they save money when they meal prep.  Not me, because I want to make these delicious, but not typical meals for me or my family.  Makes life interesting.

I did find that I do better buying chicken, lean meats, fruits, veggies, and whole grains.  And then deciding daily what to make.  I stick to a better diet that way, as well.

Let's chat about this...  Part of the 21 Day Fix, well a huge part of it, is meal prep & meals.  But honestly, I do much better looking at my pantry or the list of foods, and picking out my containers that way.  

I do need to refigure my bracket, because I think I might have moved a bracket.  I also find it very difficult to eat all my containers.  I never thought I'd say that about a "diet". But it really is a lot of food!

And even when I don't have my containers handy, I am still able to eyeball the amounts which is amaizng.  I belong to several Facebook groups dedicated to people doing the 21 Day Fix.  And several of the people in the group's have gotten to the place where they could eyeball their portions.  I was in awe of them.  But amazingly enough, it has happened to me as well.  

Have I been amazing at it lately?  Nope.  And I noticed as I increased my running, I also was craving more carbs.  So I do add a few of those in, even though they aren't in my bracket.  

I also drink a little more wine than I am supposed to, but I'm sure I'll cut back again soon. 

So, do you meal prep?