Making the MENTAL Shift

This week was ALL about the mental shift! What I love most about these programs is that they aren't just about getting physical results! They truly help in so many areas of your life! This program is EXACTLY what I believe about fitness, its about SHIFT that happens in your mind! When you dig down deep and find your why!

Why are you doing this!? Why do I wake up every day at 5:30? Why did I wait till Saturday evening and still workout at 7pm? What drives you!? And when you figure that out, there is NOTHING that can get in your way! 

                          

The hardest part this week was not the workouts, but was sticking to nutrition! I had so many opportunities to cheat! I passed up sausage at a BBQ and homemade brewed beer, I passed on donuts, pastries and cheese at the Farmers Market, and a free Peach Bellini at brunch on Sunday! Why? Because I know that I can do anything for 21 days! I don't want food to control me! 

But you better believe I am going ALL out when this is over :) 

This week I did not do as great of a job taking photos of what I ate, but I did have some pretty amazing meals! 

                   

I was  only allowed one yellow container per day, which means one starch! They were limited basically to squash and potatoes as my options! But I was still able to make a great hash, sweet potato fries, and even some baked sweet potato chips! 

For dinner we followed some recipes from the Shift Shop cook book which included Peach Pork Chops, Zucchini Boats, Hawaii Chicken Salad, and some potato skins for a snack :) 

                                   

I did not feel hungry at ALL this week! I was over the bloating phase and I didn't crave any sweet thanks to my chocolate shakeology! I sometimes had to force myself to eat a little more to make sure I wasn't skipping any containers! 

This is my favorite to report!! I am down 10lbs! I am about 7lbs heavier than I was in high school and about 7lbs from my goal weight!! 

                       

I also am down a few inches and a size in pants :) 

This Sunday I got to wear, for the first time ever, my skinny jeans! I bought these years ago as my "I am going to fit into these someday" and that day was yesterday! It was the BEST feeling! 

Not only am I physically in great shape but most importantly I FEEL awesome! I feel confident, happy, mentally sound, and emotionally stable! I wouldn't trade that feeling for the world! 

                         

If you are interested in joining me, I am happy to help! I run accountability groups every month to help people reach their health and fitness goals! And I promise, If I can give up wine and donuts for 21 days, you can do ANYTHING! 

Linking Up: BlovedBoston Hello Monday  Weekly Wrap Up

Friday Favorites!

Hey everyone!!! 

What a week! I can't believe its already Friday! Linking up with some awesome ladies today for 5 things on my mind and Friday favorites! 

1. Wedding 

I eventually will post a whole post about my wedding! There are so many great photos and I love to look through them but I just haven't taken the time to write out a post yet! Maybe next week!?! Anyway, I SO want to go back to the day :) It was magical! I can't wait till we receive our video! 

2. House

This week I went a little nuts at Homegoods! My husband did a GREAT job decorating his house as a bachelor, but I just wanted to make it OUR home! So new pillows, blankets, lamps, and vases to spice things up :) 

3. Workouts! 

Holy Moly people! I am LOVING this program! One week left and I am seeing such great results! I can't wait to share them! However, next week is no starches :( WISH ME LUCK!! Lol 

4. Flowers

I have tried my best to keep these bad boys living and so far so good! But this 100 degree weather and pure sunshine has not made it easy! Luckily anytime they look near death they sprout right up with some H2O 

5. Work

This was my first FULL week working from home and I LOVE it!! I am SO excited about the opportunity to help people change their lives! It's really the greatest! Somedays are exhausting but when I get the message from a client who is SO happy she has the confidence to wear a tank top or can fit into her high school clothes, its worth :) 

Hope you all have a fantastic week! If you would like to know more about what I do or join any of my fitness groups just let me know! 

The Perfect Hard Boiled Egg

How many times have you made these bad boys and they just aren't right! Either over cooked in the middle or the yolk is still funny! Oh and they just don't peel!

My husband and I LOVE hard boiled eggs! They are the perfect on the go breakfast and a great source of protein when you just need a quick snack! We usually keep some in the fridge at all times! 

Well here are some helpful tips to get these eggs to boil to perfection :) 

Ingredients:

1/2 dozen eggs (or as many as you would like)

Water 

Salt

Pepper 

Directions:

1. Take a sauce pan and fill 2/3 of the way full with water. Bring water to a boil first 

2. After the water is boiled, gently place each egg into the boiling water (make sure water is boiling first)

3. Set timer for 14 minutes and let the eggs cook! 

4. When the time goes off, take the pan off the burner and let eggs sit for 5 minutes in hot water

5. After 5 minutes place eggs in a bowl of ICE cold water! Or run them under cold water in the sink for several minutes! 

6. Peel, add a little salt and pepper, and enjoy :) 

Link Up:  What's up Wednesday

Week One is Done

Week One is in the books!!! I am using this little space the next three weeks to talk about this program, the things that went well, and the things I really struggled with!!

What I love about this program is that it is exactly what the name says, its a shift! Its all about shifting your body. mind. to reach goals! You see, when you workout, its a mental game! You tell yourself one of two things: "I can't do this" or "5 more!" Its all in your head! 

This program really shifts your mind to MAKE you believe in yourself! Chris, the trainer, pushes you mentally to give it all you have! I love that the focus isn't just on your body! If you get your mindset right then you can accomplish ANYTHING! 

I also love that he goes through and explains each move in detail and ALWAYS gives you a modifier! Ill be honest, I used it every now and then! When I couldn't push myself any further I would do the modifier move and I still was a sweaty mess! 

One thing that is very unique in this program is that your meal plan changes week to week! There is a formula in your jump start guide that helps you figure out exactly what you can eat! It has you put in your gender, weight, etc and then gives you which of the 4 options you fit in. Based on that, each plan uses the color coded portion size containers and it will tell you exactly how many of each color you can eat! THE KEY is that it changes every week! 

Which sounds super complicated! But Chris makes it easy! He came up with his own recipe book for EACH week with about 20 different breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options! He even tells you how many servings each recipe makes and what containers are being used! 

AND IT GETS EASIER!! He actually gives you a grocery list!! So all you have to do is figure out the following:

1. What plan are you?

2. Go to that plans recipe guide

3. Print off the meal plan calendar

4. Print off the grocery list

BAM easyyyyyyy

After ONE week I am seeing some MAJOR changes in my body!! I have lost 2.5 inches around my stomach, 1 inch around my leg, 1 inch around my hips, and am down about 3lbs! Thats just in ONE week! 

I FEEL so much more energized! I feel full all the time and I never really have hunger pains or over eat! 

CELEBRATIONS: I have not cheated ONCE! I have passed up donuts, out to eat, bread, and we even went wine tasting with friends and I didn't have a sip!! 

Now before everyone has a cow I am TOTALLY about balance! In fact I encourage it! I think its silly to deprive yourself forever of foods and drinks! But, I want to show everyone that this can happen! You can do anything for 21 days! So I am following this to the T! And when its done you know I am going for a glazed coconut donut! 

But until then! I am going to keep at! Keep following the plan! Keep getting results :) 

Links: Weekly Wrap Up Bianna Mix It Monday Heather

My life actually changed forever.....from food.

I set my alarm. I drank my energizer. I got it done! Week One and DAY one of our new program the Shift Shop!

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I am SO excited to start this group and to get back into a routine! Seriously, after the honeymoon I have had a hard time of getting back into my groove! As you can see by all the delicious food I ate below! Haha! 

Since I am following a strict nutrition plan, STILL SUPER YUMMY FOOD but no room for donuts or desserts the next 3 weeks, I decided to have two cheat meals this weekend! Breakfast Saturday and lunch on Sunday! 

We have loved exploring our new home and found this little gem hidden right downtown! Its easy to judge our small little town as a "dump" with nothing to offer, but after exploring we found that this town is quaint and actually quite beautiful, especially the farther from Post you get :) 

                          

This little cafe has become my new favorite! If you know me, you know my relationship with donuts is unhealthy. I don't know what it is about that fried piece of bread but it truly speaks to my heart (and hips). Well this place has the BEST donut I truly have ever had in my life! I started off with a plain glaze that blew my mind! Saturday morning we got there early to head to the farmers market across the street and I couldn't even take a photo of the coconut glaze donut because I inhaled it so quickly! Maybe next time! 

Sunday after church we followed our YELP list and found this cute Italian cafe right downtown KS! We started with a house sparkle (Prosecco and house made limoncello). We then had the variety crostini followed by the best sandwich I have ever come across! It is house made Pastrami that is smoked with house made sauerkraut! I was blow away by this sandwich but the real life changing moment was about to happen....

                                   

                                   

You see up to this point in my life I was in a very serious relationship with the Chocolate Creme Brûlée from Bonefish Grill. Until the first spoonful of this Chocolate Budino! You guys.....a life altering experience!!! 

                                    

It was like a bowl of chocolate fudge. I kinda teared up, I kinda felt like I was cheating on C who was sitting across from wondering why I could no longer wanted to speak with him for the next 10 min, and I called it quits with the Brûlée! 

So yeah, I ate like a pig this weekend! Mostly because I knew these next three weeks its GAME ON! 

I can't wait to share my results, my struggles, and my success with you all! Until then, I shall dream of the donuts and Budino for the next 3 weeks! My normal 80/20 rule is off to the side for the next 3 weeks and its just me and Chris getting down in my home gym! I kinda hate him already! 

                                  

Link Ups: MixitMOnday BlovedBoston WeeklyWrapUp

Feta Bruschetta Dip

It's recipe Wednesday and I have a GREAT healthy option for you to bring to your next outdoor BBQ or even wine night!

This past weekend C and I went to go meet our neighbors at a neighborhood BBQ! It was so awesome to get to know some people in KS! One of the best parts is that I am now 10 houses away from my blogging friend who was also the host of the BBQ! 

I decided to make a healthier option but still delicious! BBQ are all about the meet, the beverages, and there are always your creamy potato salads or slaw and can really make your calorie intake high! So here is a great lighter alternative! 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Feta Cheese

6-8 Roma Tomatoes 

4 Green Onions 

1 Lemon

Cilantro

Salt 

Directions:

1. Dice the Roma tomatoes into small pieces. Also chop the 4 green onion stalks.

2. Combine tomatoes, green onion, and feta cheese in a bowl 

3. Chop up about 1/2 cup of cilantro and add to the bowl

4. Top off with 1/2 lemon squeezed and a dash of salt and mix all together

5. Serve with any type of bread or cracker you wish :) 

Coming in ONE WEEK

Happy Monday all!! What an awesome weekend spent with our brand new neighbors and exploring Kansas City!

Most importantly, I am SO pumped for the launch of my July accountability group because I have a brand new program to introduce! Its quick, you get results, and its the perfect way to head into August and finish the summer strong!!

This program is a SHIFT!! It is ALL about what I represent, a shift in your Body. Mind. Soul. This 3 week program will shift you physically to get results, mentally to push yourself, and in your soul by completing something you started!

Who is this program for? 

Everyone at ALL fitness levels! You can follow right alongside of Chris where he will model EVERY move, or follow along with the modifier where all moves will be modeled for you! This is the best program where the modifier will show you exactly what to do! 

What are the workouts like?

Chris Downing’s breakthrough program starts you off slow, with 25-minute workouts you can really do in Week 1. Then, just as your body adapts, he increases the workout length to 35 minutes in Week 2. Finally, when your body is primed and ready for its most signi cant results, he increases the workout length again—to 45 minutes in Week 3. 

What does it come with?

All workouts and workout guide to tell you EXACTLY what workout to do on each day, a meal plan and preparation guide full of recipes and a calendar to follow, portion control containers to help you stick with the meal plan, Shakeology (your daily dose of nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants) to help you maximize your results, me as your coach! I will add you to my accountability group to ensure that you STICK with your program for 3 weeks and get the best results you can! 

My results will be coming end of August 2017!! Check out my fellow coaches below! 

      

  

  

If you are interested, or want to know more, or maybe don't have a clue what I am talking about but you would like to be held accountable to a  workout check out the event for my next accountability group or let me know how I can help! It's what I am here for :) Enjoy your week everyone! 

Linking up with: Weekly Wrap Bianna, Mix it Monday CaryLee

S'more desserts please

Hi. I'm Erica and I LOVE food!! I love all sorts, from all different countries, and all different flavors!

That's one thing I LOVE about C! Is that he loves food as much as I do! We love trying new places to eat, love eating foods from different cultures, and we both LOOOOVVVVEEE sweets!

Tiramisu 

On our honeymoon, we basically ate our way through the resort! From delicious eggs Benedict breakfast with homemade pastries (the chocolate one is the BEST!), to a HUGE award winning cheeseburger at lunch! Then there was snack time! Lol yes, they left a snack box in our room every day around 2pm for us to snack on! 

Oh and the desserts!! They were AMAZING!! Banana Splits, Tiramisu, homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches!

Let's not forget about dinner!! 4 course meal every. single. night! Plus all the delicious drinks! I think by the time we left we each gained at least 5lbs! No joke! 

To get to dinner you have to walk two flights of stairs. Night one, no problem at all! Last night, couldn't breath! hahaha

The point is we love food and we enjoyed every moment of our honeymoon! However, I can't KEEP eating like this! So after the fourth of July and I splurge and multiple s'mores I am hosting a 5 day online group! No sweets for 5 days and learning about healthier sugar/sweet alternatives!! 

I could REALLY use the support! So if you want to join me and go 5 days with no sugar to detox yourself from the holiday weekend or just summer treats in general, if you want to support the ladies who are participating, or if you want to learn more about how sugar effects the body and what we can do to still have sweets but make them healthier, click the link here or comment on my post! 

Click here for more info

I hope you ALL enjoy your holiday weekend! Having some cheat meals once in awhile is totally fine so don't feel guilty! But when your ready to commit and be held accountable let me know! I could use your help!!

Links: Weekly Wrap Up Bianna Mix it Monday Carylee