And the Results Are In!!

Weekly Update:  So the results are in!!!  I finished the program this weekend, totaling 14.2 pounds and 16.5 inches. I don't usually weigh mid-week but I needed to see what the final results where.  That being said, the day after the program I started to get a little 'lax' with food - nothing I regret, but as a result I chose to stay off the scale this week.    The good news is, I am feeling a little sluggish and can't wait to head right into another 60 days of this particular program and nutrition plan because it made me FEEL so good!

Here are my Day 1 and Day 60 photos, I naturally always look at my stomach first, but after sharing with some friends got some great feedback and I can see THAT more now - my face is leaner, my shoulders are more defined and my back changed a ton!

I really find this photo the most important, when I first saw my 'after' photos I thought 'darn it, my arms still hang!' but then I said to myself STOP thinking that way, and decided to blow up the photos and really do a comparison, and here it is - they may not be perfect, but looking at this is proof that my arms are seeing a shape they have never been in my entire life.  That 'hang' is actually pretty small compared to what it had been just two months ago.

And keep in mind I did all of this OVER the holidays, New Years and Christmas indulgences included.

I find it important to continue to share where I am coming from - each day I change, but my Day 1 was not easy.  My month one and a lot of my year one.  Sometimes it's still not easy - but every day instead of focusing on what was 'hard' I focus on what I'm proud of and it makes everything better.

Like this - I was brushing my teeth the other day and saw my shoulders and thought 'wow! is that really you?  really?'   What I see her is strength and determination and willingness to keep picking myself back up over and over again.

And THIS is why.   This little 35 pound kiddo.   I want him to see me being healthy, and liking being healthy. I don't want him to see me hating myself.  I want him to love himself, and to live a healthy active lifestyle and be HAPPY.

A great Non Scale Victory (NSV) that happened this week was this dress.   Before starting my recent workout program, I tried it on thinking it would fit and it was wayyyy too snug even if I sucked in my stomach. I was defeated but I didn't use it as an excuse to give up, I put the dress aside and thought "Ok, not yet, but it WILL happen".   The other day I thought I'd try it on for kicks - and even pressing my tummy out it fit like a charm!

Food news!   I can't get enough of this amazing pizza - I've shared it every week pretty much since I invented it, but it is so good yet tastes so rich and amazing!

Another recent favorite - my veggie burgers on bib lettuce and wild rice with some olive oil on top!

I have also been making this amazing sauce from a cookbook I recently got - it's so easy and tastes good on anything - my latest favorite is to douse my eggs with it!

And this, I have to be honest.  I told you this weekend after my program ended a went a little overboard?  It was intentional, and I'm OK with it - but this is what started it!   Three pretzels a friend brought me back from Philly - I mean, PHILLY!   So good. I am not happy I felt sluggish after, but I also do not regret them because I totally enjoyed each bite.

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

Last Week!!

Weekly Update:  This week I am up .8 for a total of 82.8 pounds.  And I am HAPPY. I have noticed so many changes in my body this week it's not even funny, I am proud of my nutrition and fitness choices this week and I FEEL good.  Not sure why I gained, but I also don't care. I am finishing my very last week of Hammer & Chisel- my newest workout program.  There have been few fitness programs I've loved enough to do again, but this one takes the cake. I am going to finish up this weekend (and share photos next week), and head right back into it.  I love how strong it makes me feel.

Getting up is not easy every morning - but the thing is, within minutes I'm FULL of energy. The best part of loving this particular set of workouts, I actually DO get excited to do them, once my brain wakes up a little. 

Here is a 'teaser - my 6 week progress photos.   I was a little extra puffy in the top one from some post Thanksgiving bloat - but it's safe to say I have changed a lot in a very little period of time.  And I FEEL great. 

Speaking of change.   this is a fun view of how I've changed over the last 17 months - it still amazes me how far I have come by focusing on SMALL things and forgetting about the 'big' things.

One thing that really hit me this week - I went to go in the snow with my now 2 year old.    I put on snow pants, they fit, and I was able to PLAY.  My very first winter with him, the only things that fit were very stretchy skirts and dresses. I ran around outside in boots and a maternity skirt.  I was freezing.  Not even my coats fit.  I am so proud of how far I've come.

Not only am I physically able to move better, but I FEEL better these days. I'm happier, I'm spunkier, I have more fun.   

Here's a fun shot from the week - I had a friend and her family over for the day on Saturday - the dads cooked, the toddlers played and the mom's worked out!  

Food news!! Here is my FAVORITE new recipe. I make it constantly.  Butternut squash pizza crust - it's insanely easy, and extremely 'decadent'.  

A quick snack - veggie burger on bib lettuce, tea and a Shakeology PB cup.

Speaking of Shakeology - my NEW FAVORITE is the newest flavor, Cafe Latte.  I literally could drink it all day long.

Some more fun food - I've been back on an egg kick - here is homemade sauce with an egg and avocado - so good!

As you can see, I am loving my veggie burgers on bib lettuce.  This was a Mexican themed lunch with fresh salsa, avocado and toasted pita chips.

And this - this was good but also dangerous.  Very yummy brownies using coconut oil, cocoa powder, chick peas and a few other clean ingredients.  They were so good - however I definitely ate one too many of them.

Here is a double batch of sauce from the weekend - I froze all the tiny ones for easy grabbing!

And perhaps my FAVORITE of the week, butternut squash mac and cheese! I added brocolli to it and instead of putting the cheese IN it, put it on top this week. It had the same amount, but a much cheesier feel to it!

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

My WHY

Weekly Update:  This week, I continued to move forward with my current nutrition and fitness plan, with 2 weeks to go, I'm already plotting doing it again, I love it that much!    This week I am down 2.4lbs for a NEW total of 83.6 pounds!!  Regardless of my weight, I have to say I am just FEELING great recently, and that's a feeling no number can give or take away from me.

I got this awesome sign from a friend earlier in the week - I put it right in front of my TV where I do my workouts at 5:30am.   Mornings aren't always easy, food choices are sometimes challenging - but when I hone in on my WHY, it makes it all a little easier.

I am really excited to share this photo transformation college.   The first photo  is one of the few I have of myself from that summer, and really I have NON in a bathing suit - this one was sent to me by a friend who had it on her phone (had I known, I would have probably 'forced' her to delete it, glad I didn't because it's one of the few I have).    The second photo I remember being my first really "I'm PROUD" photo - I had my mom take this. I was so PROUD to be this size, having shed about 50 pounds already.   The third photo, still just as proud - feeling more and more like me each day - down another 20 (70 total), and then the last photo, pride isn't even a factor - I'm just RELAXED.  I'm just 'me'.   The third one is my current state.

I talked a little about my WHY earlier.  This guy, on so many levels is my biggest WHY.  I started because I wanted to be able to play with him with out fear of getting stuck on the ground.   Then I continued because I wanted to show him how to LIVE life, I didn't want to hide behind cameras or say no to activities that I loved because my size got in the way.   As he gets older, it has transformed into a WHY about showing him how to be healthy.  As a kid, I didn't know what healthy was, I knew I was overweight, and I knew it was 'bad' but I had no idea why.    And honestly, I hate the word 'bad' - I like to focus on how we FEEL and we FEEL better when we are healthy.  End of story.

This photo was taken the same day as the one above with the swim suit comparisons.    I love this photo, because after the fact I noticed something I am extremely proud of and thought I'd never have.   My arms!    I have always struggled with my arms, never really changing their shape or size.  This photo, I wasn't even thinking as we snapped it, but after the FIRST thing I saw was the definition in my arms!  I worked for that definition, that strength. I am proud of it.

The top photo was probably about 60 pounds down already - I remember posting this to my private group, admitting how much I struggled with my 'arm hang' and how it was something that always bothered me.  I shared that no matter what, I was proud of where I was.  Truthfully, I never thought this 'hang' would change.   Now I'm not saying I'm perfect, but I am insanely proud of how much I have been able to change my arms - it's not just the 20 pounds that has changed them, it's the definition from all the hard work I've been putting in.

I said my son was my WHY.  Showing him how to live a healthy lifestyle is a big part of my WHY.   I started teaching "Mommy & Me" classes as a way to help other moms fit in some time for their health but still be with their little ones.  But as my son grows older, it's becoming so clear to me that my real purpose with these classes is to show him, and other kids, that fitness can be FUN.   As a kid, I always thought fitness was a 'punishment' for being 'overweight' - it never occurred to me that it could make me feel good or be fun.  

I want my son to see the fun in it.

I went from a mom who was barely awake, and scraping by on little energy, happy as a mom, but miserable as a person - to a mom who can bring my son with me to work - and show him just how much I value my health.

Food news!  This is the third or fourth week of me making this butternut squash curry - I can't get enough of it! And it's so easy.

One of the most exciting things this week is that the newest flavor of Shakeology came out!   Cafe Latte!!   I wasn't sure if I'd like it, but truthfully I LOVE it.  It tastes just like coffee ice cream.

Getting these green boxes made me literally jump and down with excitement this week.

Banana news!   I know I have shared this before, but I love my bananas! I love love love them when they are spotty like this.

My newest treat is a banana (or half a banana) each with 1/8 a teaspoon of PB on it.  So good!!

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/

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

Compliments, Compliments!

Weekly Update: This week I am up 0.2lbs for a total of 81.2lbs.  I continue to notice significant changes in my body with this most recent program and my commitment to my nutrition, I can't get over how quickly my body is changing!

I went to an event this Friday and it felt AWESOME! I never really have a need to dress up these days, but I do have some great clothes that didn't fit for years - to my surprise the one outfit I really wanted to fit (but wasn't sure if it would fit), not only fit, but fit like a glove!   It made me feel so special all night long!

That being said I wanted to share a 'real photo' comparison.  I have so many conversations with people who criticize parts of their bodies, assuming things about other people - the thing is we ALL have these social 'flaws' we just hide them.  Now, I'm not saying I look perfect in the first photo, but I'm pretty proud of where I am.  What I wanted to show here is that you see one thing on the left, but if I were to just move my swimsuit down a little, you'd see something totally different.

It's all about perspective.

Here is another photo from the coaching event on Friday night.   This is just a small subset of my amazing team - I am so grateful for each and every one of them!

Another 'closet' story - as I was rifling through my closet, I saw this dress. I wore this at my rehearsal dinner the day before I got married. I wore it only that one time.   I loved it but it was honestly even tight the day I wore it and then I gained weight after my honeymooon and it never fit again.

Putting it on this week, it's still snug, but it zipped to the top and I KNOW it will fit, it's just a matter of time.

So this photo - another 'reality photo' - I have an on going group of amazing women (and a few men!) who have committed to morning workouts - whatever the workout is, we post photos of ourselves first thing either right before we work out (like this photo), during, or just after.  It's motivation to know that others are getting up and doing the same thing in their homes!  Sometimes I throw out fun challenges like Pig Tail Monday - we all had to post pig tail photos!

A really prideful moment for me happened post workout this same day.    Something that has always been a sticking point for me was crossing my legs. Since I can remember, I have always struggled being 'able' to cross my legs.  Now I know it's not great for your hips, and nerves, but it still has always been this thing in the back of my head.    Genes play a part, as does weight.  What I'm excited about is that somehow over the last year this 'happened' - the ability for me to cross my legs again.

Food news!!

Here is my little guy sneaking some sips of my Shakeology - I pretend to be upset, but honestly I'm so happy he loves something so healthy!

Speaking of healthy - we got a "Nesspresso" for Christmas, and I have been playing around with healthy alternatives to my beloved Starbucks lattes - I think I found a winner! An espresso pod, almond milk, honey, and cocoa powder!

Another favorite in the house are my shakeology and coconut butter cups - they are really easy and fast to make and hit the spot when all I want is a piece of chocolate (half a red and 2-4 teaspoons on the fix for both depending on how you make them and if you add PB).

I decided to crack open my Fix cook book this week too and make some cupcakes with my little guy.  They came out SO good!!  Next time I'll probably add some extra spices, but they were insanely easy, very tasty and had very few ingredients!

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/

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