Nashville!

Super excited about my trip to Nashville for work - yep, I get to come to Nashville with my closest friends all as a part of my 'job' if you can call something you love so much work (I love my job).

But it didn't come without lots of snuggles from my little guy - I said goodbye to him a day before I left as he was headed to visit Nana and Pa with Daddy!

And then it was my turn!!  Here's one of my very first Team Members - we were the only ones on my team to attend last year... Now my team is up to 100 and there are seven of us here - next year there'll be even more!

I am looking forward to some rejuvenation during this trip.  Since the miscarriage I've been struggling a lot with some basics including going back to biting my nails and being inconsistent with flossing.  I took the trip as an opportunity to get my nails done and start fresh.  It just feels so good to have that mental commitment to bettering me.

The second my feet hit TN soil my excitement flew through the roof.  We picked up our recognition medals and lasses for various live workouts (yep, we get to workout with the actual trainers from the fitness programs).

And then as we waited for the team to get in, we started with a Team Workout streamed on the iPad through the hotel gym - country dancing anyone?!

And here it is, all cleaned up, half the team exploring the city!

And the whole team in one of the many amazing trainings we got to participate in!

And of course... Group workouts! Why I love this community - you are never alone - there is every shape, size, gender, age, ethnicity and we are all happy and working on our health. 

Post workout!

The weekend also had some fun - complete with a Billy Idol concert decked out in 80s garb!

One of the things that really hit me was the saying 'be unapologetically you' - meaning by being me the world does get value - but only if I'm me and not trying to be someone else.  So each day I work on being me, and being proud of it. 

Here's something I'm super proud of - I got to get in front of 30,000 other coaches and be recognized for a level of leadership in our organization.  When guy love what you do, the recognition follows 💕

And visiting Shaun T 😂

This is a screen shot taken from a video of our super workout - we shut down Broadway Street in Nashville and did an hour long workout.  This part really hit me.   A year ago I saw another coach do this move and I thought 'I won't ever be able to do that'. But then one day I tried it, and here I am a year later and the simple act of trying got me to where I can not only do it, but well!

We did so many other things, but summing it up with my food news!

Lots of drinking Shakeolgy 😜

Making it in the room was so easy with the immersion blender!

And we packed lunches each day - veggie burger, veggies and hummus on a wrap.  And did you know you can cook corn in the husk in a microwave?!

Oh yeah, more Shakeology!

Another hotel trick... Scrambled eggs in the microwave! We put tomatoes, chives and eggs in a container and microwaved every 30 seconds scrambling it until it was cooked.

If you enjoy my blog, I'd love to have you in my private (women only) Facebook Group dedicated to health, fitness and nutrition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitandHealthyPrivateGroup/

Find me on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjzh-8_DCDzaC77CKbIAmMg 

If you'd like to work with me as your coach, create a free account:  http://www.beachbodycoach.com/chapmaki

Mommy & Me Website: http://www.fitandbalancedmom.com/

Time to Chisel

Weekly Update: I decided last week enough was enough of 'vacation mode' - I took new photos, and a weight (didn't look but I sent to a fellow coach friend for accountability) and measurements.   I have noticed my strength has gone down the last 3 weeks, and I'm ready to be back to me.   My push ups are now on my knees, but I know by the end of the next 30 days, I'll be back to my normal push ups!!

In the mean time, I'm not letting myself get down about it.  Here is a reminder (same dress) of how much my body has changed in the last 3 years!

And here is a reminder how my life has changed.  Because of coaching, I get to spend my days with THIS guy - something never in a million years did I imagine.

So here is one of the photos I took- not happy about it, but I WILL get my strong arms back.

Food is prepped, which means I'm serious! Unfortunately our fridge broke just hours after all this prep - luckily we have a few other spaces to put the food (helloooo mini fridge).  So far this week has been GREAT!

Here is a favorite that I hadn't made in a while - butternut squash crust pizza - delish!

And this was a last minute make once I saw we had TONS of beans!  Beans (3 varieties), onion, tomato, salt, pepper, oil and vinegar - SO GOOD!

I made these with my son - it was his request, we actually made them TWICE this week.  Totall healthy pumpkin muffins.

If you enjoy my blog, I'd love to have you in my private (women only) Facebook Group dedicated to health, fitness and nutrition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitandHealthyPrivateGroup/

Find me on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjzh-8_DCDzaC77CKbIAmMg 

If you'd like to work with me as your coach, create a free account:  http://www.beachbodycoach.com/chapmaki

Mommy & Me Website: http://www.fitandbalancedmom.com/

Home Sweet Home

Weekly Update: We ended vacation this weekend and came home - the last day of vacation I told my little guy I would let him workout with me at 5:30am.  We had a 'sleepover' - I slept in his room at the cabin and told him when the sun came up to wake me up - and he did! At 5:26am I hear 'morning mommy, it's workout time!' So we packed up and crossed the yard to go to the attic of the garage.   Here we are post workout!

Then we hit the boat for one more trip on the lake - we had planned to waterski, but decided not to once we got on the boat and realized it was raining.   I am still super happy about our week - being able to waterski with no issue and being able to help my son waterski for the first time is totally priceless.

While my nutrition wasn't perfect on vacation (and actually was pretty crummy), I am proud of myself for not missing a workout and for really focusing on my time with this guy.  

Some fun news when I got home - I got my certification renewal in the mail for my personal trainer certification.  While I coach as my main job, I love to teach fitness classes and help others through in person training as well - getting this renewal was exciting!

I also got home to some great goodies from the company I coach for.  They never cease to amaze me - my husband and I both finished fitness programs last month and submitted our photos.  Just for submitting we received t-shirts, a cookbook and a 'performance line' sampler.  I also got my "1 Star" tank top which signifies a significant promotion in my coaching business.

Once we got back it was time for a serious food overhaul.  My food hasn't been perfect since being back, but it's been MUCH better. I started with some stuffed shells using basil from the garden, rice I cooked up and some sauce I had made and frozen before we left.

Then with the leftover basil I made fresh pesto!

This was an experiment 'inside out stuffed shells' - spinach, butternut squash, eggs, ricotta and mini shells in a casserole dish - delish!

Here's the finished product of the shells!

And of course, my week and days would never be complete without this amazing superfood drink!

If you enjoy my blog, I'd love to have you in my private (women only) Facebook Group dedicated to health, fitness and nutrition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitandHealthyPrivateGroup/

Find me on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjzh-8_DCDzaC77CKbIAmMg 

If you'd like to work with me as your coach, create a free account:  http://www.beachbodycoach.com/chapmaki

Mommy & Me Website: http://www.fitandbalancedmom.com/

Contact: fitandbalancedmom@gmail.com

Vacation!

Weekly Update: No update this week on weight, intentionally - but I will still give an update!   So this week we are in NH for our family vacation which makes for a lot of fun.   I decided early on (before vacation) that I was going to let myself indulge in food, but not skip workouts.

I have a few observations.   First one, some foods are worth indulging in (my favorite ice cream sandwiches) and some are totally not (chips!).    Second one, I LOVE my morning workouts, and actually even on vacation prefer to do them at 5:30am.   This may sound crazy, but especially as a mom, I feel like at 5:30am I have no distractions and nothing else I could possibly be doing  - but when I sleep in (my husband was awesome and let me sleep to 8am a few days), I feel rushed and like I missed out on my ME time.

For me it's about the workout but also the half hour I get after just to relax and enjoy the post workout bliss.

That being said, I have LOVED vacation.  The above photo is of my son and I on our first day - I taught him how to waterski (while holding him the entire time) which brought me SO much joy.  It may sound silly, but my original reason for starting my weight loss journey 2 years ago was because I tried to waterski, something I've done my entire life, and was too big to get up.

I wish I could say it was originally to be a good example for my son, but it was actually selfishly because I couldn't do something in life I loved.

What makes me so happy about THIS year is that not only could I ski, but I also could teach my son to ski  - and he wanted to because he has grown up WATCHING me do it!

This photo above is a non scale victory I had while doing my workout one morning of vacation.  I saw some muscles in my leg I've never seen before! My food may be wishy washy this past week, but I am still strong!

I also wasn't all bad with choices, I stuck to my morning banana and Shakeology - my absolute favorite breakfast!

Now here's to a great week of getting back in my habit post vacation!

If you enjoy my blog, I'd love to have you in my private (women only) Facebook Group dedicated to health, fitness and nutrition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitandHealthyPrivateGroup/

Find me on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjzh-8_DCDzaC77CKbIAmMg 

If you'd like to work with me as your coach, create a free account:  http://www.beachbodycoach.com/chapmaki

Mommy & Me Website: http://www.fitandbalancedmom.com/

Contact: fitandbalancedmom@gmail.com

Finding Me Again

Weekly Update: I did it! I did a solid 3 weeks of ME to get my self back to feeling like me. It had nothing to do with weight, and everything to do with emotional healing, but I did of course see physical changes too.   I worked out every day for 30 minutes, and I ate clean foods (but a lot of them!!!)  I  lost 4.8 pounds, 13.5 inches and gained my smile back.

I culminated the 3 weeks with a 5K with some of the moms from my Couch to 5K running program.   I am a health and wellness coach, but also teach group fitness to local moms (boot camp, running, pilates).   It was so hot, but we did it!  I gave my son the medal when we got home, he earned it for 'helping me teach' class for 10 weeks (he was my little cheer leader to the various moms as we would run).    The day of my miscarriage, I took him to class but didn't run since I was not yet sure what was happening.    We stood on the sidelines, and he cheered and gave high 5's to each of the moms.   It was a wonderful day despite the sadness.

This sums up how I feel about my job.   I get to help people, particularly moms, while also living a healthy and fullfilling life myself.

I used to daydream about being able to really love what I did - but then my practical mind always got in the way.  I'm glad I let myself leap, and so grateful for my husband for having faith in me.

Having just completed a 'solid' 3 weeks of the program that changed my life, I wanted to look back and see what my first results looked like.   

I dedicated 3 weeks of my life almost exactly 2 years ago.  I had no idea what to expect, little did I know that 2 years later I'd be a full time coach helping others reach their goals while continuing to reach my own.  Little did I know that the same program that helped me lose 75 pounds would also help me emotionally deal with the pain after a miscarriage.   

I am seriously grateful every single day.

One of the things I am grateful for these days is that my flexible schedule allows me to spend every other Thursday with my grandmother, and my son's great grandmother (he is lucky enough to have two great grandmothers!).   She is still living in her own house, and is moving around as good as could be expected for a 90 year old woman.    I never want to take for granted this time I have with her and am so grateful that twice a month we get to have a luncheon with 4 generations. 

Food news!    Back to food prep.  This is an easy staple in the house - I always have all the ingredients so it's super easy to pull together.    Qunioa, a bag of frozen veggies, salt, pepper and olive oil!

And I continue to make these every week (so far not sick of them!)  Stuffed peppers with homemade sauce, rice (or quinoa depending on the day), peppers, onions and spinach.  

This is my salad from my lunch with my Grandmother last week - it's proof that you can be creative at restaurants.  As a vegetarian it's hard for me to get protein in.  Most vegetarian dishes are some sort of carb and protein and usually chese (unless it's vegan).   All good in moderation, but for years I would end up hungry after going out to eat.   Not any more! This salad actually is not on the menu, but I request a 'double salad with eggs added on' and I am specific that I want 2 full eggs.  Not once have they given me a hard time!  All you need to do is ask.

If you enjoy my blog, I'd love to have you in my private (women only) Facebook Group dedicated to health, fitness and nutrition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitandHealthyPrivateGroup/

Find me on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjzh-8_DCDzaC77CKbIAmMg 

If you'd like to work with me as your coach, create a free account:  http://www.beachbodycoach.com/chapmaki

Mommy & Me Website: http://www.fitandbalancedmom.com/

Contact: fitandbalancedmom@gmail.com

Stronger Every Day

Weekly Update!  I have to say, I forgot how great it feels to have a plan for both nutrition and fitness.  I am not one to be 'perfect' all the time, but before the miscarriage with the pregnancy my nutrition was a total mess (lots of morning sickness, and I literally was trying just to not get sick).   Since being back on my favorite clean eating plan - I just FEEL better.  I have just a few days left to share my final results (my 'before' photos are the ones on the right below).    

What's fun about the photos below, they are literally the exact same weight just a year apart.  This is why these days I don't focus on weight at all. The one on the right I am much firmer despite having just been pregnant for 3 months.  Time, clean eating, and fitness really do make a bigger difference then a 'number' on a scale.  

This weekend we had a total blast - I've been really trying to just live in the moment, you are never guaranteed a tomorrow, even if you work to be insanely healthy.   We didn't leave the house all weekend and it was awesome!! 

Back to my comment above, while we are never guaranteed a tomorrow, I still workout, and eat well - because it enhances my TODAY.  It helps me cope with hard things, it gives me energy, and it makes me move freely in a body that is healthy so that I can really enjoy the life I do have. 

Here are some half way photos of my 3 week commitment to myself - you may or may not see changes from the above photo, but I FEEL different and that's all that I care about.  I am also much less sad then I was 3 weeks ago, a total win.

As I was working out this week I looked around and smiled.   I have this amazing basement gym. I realize for some  people the idea of working out in a basement may seem isolating, but I never feel alone.  I share my workouts in the various groups or with individuals I coach - I feel like I am 'with' hundreds of others when I workout - except the beauty of it all is I can do it on my own schedule, and in my pjs!

While I lived at the gym for a long time, I always wanted an at home space too - mainly to 'practice' things that I do when I teach classes, but I never thought I'd get my space.  Over 10 years later, and here it is!  The equipment in my gym has slowly been accumulating over the years. My favorite is the orange yoga mat - I got it 15 years ago for my very first Pilates class and have kept it because I chuckle at it - it's actually a children's mat and about half the size of a normal one - but it reminds me of my very first encounter with fitness, and Pilates. 

This photo was taken from this past week in my Couch to 5K class during the Core part of class after our run.  Ben has been coming to classes with me for close to 2 years now and typically plays - but recently he's been mimicking me and even verbally 'cueing' various moves - this past week he dropped down and got into a perfect plank!

Here are some of the moms from my Couch to 5K class (there are 17 total in the class), our official 5K is this weekend, but a bunch of us decided to do an earlier run as well - it was at 8pm and we wore neon glow sticks - totally a weird race compared to all the others I've done in my life time, but also a blast!

Pre race bliss!

And now, my favorite part...food news!!!

I let a mom in my running class a running stroller for the 10 weeks, and she surprised me last week with a bunch of BANANAS!!!   I cracked up - some teachers get apples, but my students know me well enough to know how happy bananas make me!

And strawberries!  Here is my son with all of our 'loot' from a day on the fields berry picking.    We have been eating them, dehydrating them and freezing them all week!

I've been really enjoying taking time to make healthy meals - what's nuts is when I'm eating well the 'stress' of eating healthy isn't there - I think of healthy stuff pretty easily even if we only have odds and ends in the house for recipes.   Here is a Mexican stir fry - wild rice, tofu, peppers, spinach, onions and tomatoes with a little cheese. SO GOOD! And I might note, this is my GIANT pasta bowl.  When you eat well, you certainly don't starve.

Another new favorite is actually very similar ingredients - stuffed peppers!    The filling: wild rice, homemade red sauce (all veggies - so easy and so good!), tomatoes, the tops of the peppers cut up, onions and spinach.

Finished product!

And last but not least - I have been dying to make this for the last 2 weeks but have been too lazy to cut up the squash.  I invented this one during a cauliflower shortage a few months ago.  It's so good and so simple! The crust is sage, egg, almond flour and squash and then I cook it, and then top it with whatever I want (this one has mozzarella, ricotta, peppers, sundried tomatoes, spinach, and onions).   Delish!

If you enjoy my blog, I'd love to have you in my private (women only) Facebook Group dedicated to health, fitness and nutrition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitandHealthyPrivateGroup/

Find me on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjzh-8_DCDzaC77CKbIAmMg 

If you'd like to work with me as your coach, create a free account:  http://www.beachbodycoach.com/chapmaki

Mommy & Me Website: http://www.fitandbalancedmom.com/

Contact: fitandbalancedmom@gmail.com