My New Obsession

I have always tried to stay active, getting at least a few workouts in each week and eating pretty healthy. We live a pretty active lifestyle, taking walks, playing on playgrounds, 5K’s for good causes here and there, riding dirt bikes and honestly, I love to play anything with my kids (and try to beat them, haha!). Since I had baby number 3, I felt it harder to keep up with racing in the backyard, and my oldest (15 year old) beat me in arm wrestling for the first time late this fall… THIS SENT ME INTO A STATE OF PANIC… Am I getting older? Am I being too lazy… Was I letting our 2 year old and my husband’s schedule alter my workout habits…. Was I coming home and eating more oreo’s than I should…. D: all of the above. Now, I should say that I didn’t gain a huge amount of weight (it wasn’t about that, it was never about the weight), it was about how I felt. I didn’t have as much energy, I was grumpy after eating so many oreos, I was resentful toward my husband who was making his daily workout a priority. I needed a change of some sort.

I have been a Beachbody coach (to get the Shakeology at a discount) for a few years now. I have bought so many of their programs over the years (Insanity, T25, Brazilian Butt Lift, P90X, Pi-YO, which is my all time favorite) and than Beachbody came out with Beachbody On Demand which is amazing, so I bought that too! I have access to ALL THE BEACHBODY PROGRAMS ON DEMAND, ON ANY DEVICE, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME! I have NO EXCUSES!!! They even have 10 min videos (that I have on DVD too). All of us have at least 10 minutes a day to devote to ourselves!

Once Beachbody announced their newest program, 80 Day Obsession, it sounded like a challenge that I needed. 80 days is the WHOLE reason I choose it. I can push myself for 25 mins to finish T-25, I can push myself for 21 days to complete 21 Day Fix and then go back to all my old habits, but 80 days will change my lifestyle for the better! It is long enough to make those daily changes that in the end become how I live. Today was Day 13 and I feel so good! I literally saw changes on Day 4… Since so many of you have been asking about the program, and how I am doing it, I thought this would a great place to lay it all out… THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY! Get your drink (make it water, since we talking healthy) and get ready to dig in…

When I first saw the 80 Day Obsession, I have no idea that there was a eating plan with it. For weeks, I told people it was just the workout, 6 days a week, with Sundays off. I obviously didn’t do my homework, haha! I started doing Little Obsessed here and there (to get myself ready, learning the moves). It is just a shorter version, not as intense, still using the rubber band things (that is what I called them), haha! I used Tupperware lids for the moves that required sliders. They worked… Before investing any money, I wanted to make sure it was something that was good for my fitness level (not too hard or too easy), and something I would enjoy, and stick with. Luckily, there are several types of bands (giving different resistance) and I can choose what dumbbells work for me. This was my first time using the resistance loops.

These are the ones I bought on Amazon Beachbody also sells them(Beachbody On Demand)

I LOVE THE BANDS… And I never would have thought they could challenge myself like they do. If you get bored with a workout, these are a great way to switch it up, especially if you want to see results fast! Not sure about you guys, but I like to see that my hard work is paying off.

So I had my loops, I did get the sliders    and I was ready on January 15th to get the ball rolling! I decided to jump on board with the eating plan as well, but I am not being REALLY strict in that department. I can’t make two separate meals for dinner (one for myself and one for the rest of my squad). I could cut out all alcohol, eating out, cookies, desserts, and than what after the 80 days? Go back to all that and loose the progress I made during the program? No Thanks! I wanted to change my lifestyle, and honestly not for the way I look, I want to be healthy, and live a long healthy life. I don’t want to be out of breath taking the stairs. I want to be healthy for my kids, but really for myself!

Let me breakdown what I am doing for the eating portion of the 80 days:

  • I am watching portions. I got these containers Beachbody has them as well Beachbody On Demand
  • For more info on Portions 
  • I am eating every 2-3 hours. For the most part, I have been doing this for years. If I let my body go too long on empty, I will fill it up with a whole package of oreos (the golden ones, double stuffed). Yup, I can clear a whole container! I get so hungry after not eating, and it isn’t good for anyone when that happens. I read the 80 day starter guide, which broke down exactly how much I should be eating.
  • This part was new for me: I eat about 45 mins to an hour BEFORE working out. I like to workout first thing in the morning, It gives me energy for the day ahead. I never had breakfast first. I was pushing my body while running out of fuel. And I never even considered a veggie in the morning. Now, I use my portion containers, and have a veggie, a carb and either my fruit or protein for a PRE-WORKOUT meal. If you have instagram, just search the #preworkoutmeal and a million of other peoples meals will come up. This morning, I had spinach, and oatmeal with bananas. I wasn’t Thanksgiving stuffed, but it gave me just enough to be ready to rock-n-roll. You know the rules though: no activity until your body gets a chance to start digesting that meal, haha! (reminds me of swimming lessons when I was little, haha!) I wait 45 mins to an hour and start the workout. This is a great time to pack your bags for the day. Get your water bottle filled up, do the breakfast dishes, make your bed, get your chores done!
  • I need 4 veggies, 4 proteins, 2 carbs, 2 fruits, one healthy fat and 1 serving of seeds for dressings, and 3 teaspoons per day. I make sure I get that. I also reward myself with one serving of something else. I still try to make healthier choices. Ginger snaps have been my go to this last few days. Last night we just had sandwiches for dinner, with chips, I had a ham and mustard wrap, side of veggies and I did have a few Cape Cod chips. NOT A BAG, but a little less than a serving of chips with my wrap. I have to live, right? haha! It was funny because I ate my veggies first and most of my wrap, so I wasn’t hungry for a ton of chips, it was more than enough.
  • CALL ME CRAZY, but there have been several days when I didn’t even think about having that extra serving of “junk.” I wasn’t hungry for it… Maybe, my body wasn’t craving the junk.. I don’t know, but I am not going to question it, haha!
  • Fixate on Beachbody on Demand has been extremely helpful for recipes that are kid and husband approved. We have made their Chicken Stuffed Peppers, Pork and Apples, Turkey Sloppy Joes, Chicken and Sweet Potatoes wraps, Lemon Garlic Chicken with asparagus… I like how Fixate tells me right on the top what containers the recipe counts for. My husband will pretty much eat anything. The kids are also good eaters, and don’t complain too much. I did tell them that the Quinoa was rice (in the stuffed peppers) and no one questioned it, and they ate it, haha! I do add more to their meals, for example: When we had the Lemon-Garlic Chicken, we all had the chicken and asparagus and I made mashed potatoes for the rest of the fam to have with theirs. I had already had my carbs for the day, so I didn’t have them. I was filled up by having all my other meals for the day, so NO I WASN’T HUNGRY FOR MORE!!! I am getting more than enough food through out the day.
  • I didn’t want to spend an insane amount of money on a bunch of different groceries that the recipes called for (and than only use them for that specific recipe). So I do make substitutes. A few things called for Ghee (and honestly, I had to google it to find out what it was), and I used unsalted butter instead. Once I saw it in a few more recipes I looked for it at the grocery store and our Hannaford didn’t carry it. I did order it on Amazonand it is coming on Monday. So I will try it out.
  • I think it is a combination of working out everyday, and all the good stuff I am fueling my body with, because I feel great. So much more energy. Sleeping great, and the results are proving that 80 Day Obsession works!

 

Now on to the workouts….

 

  • Every single day of the 80 days is different. Might be the same workout, but switched around some.
  • Wednesdays and Saturdays are cardio. I completed them, but let me tell you that I wasn’t sure if I could the first week. I felt stronger this week, and it wasn’t as hard to complete. But I was still dripping in sweat (and I am not a big sweater, haha!) I had to push myself.
  • Mondays are Total Body Core, which works through your body while doing core in between. This whole program focuses a lot on your bootie and abs (two spots I need help with most!)
  • Tuesdays are booty days!
  • Thursdays are AAA (Abs, Arms and Ass)
  • Fridays are leg days
  • The way it is broke up, really works well for your body. Each week, you should be increasing your weights and using harder bands. I wasn’t feeling like the heaviest band was enough for a few exercises, so I doubled up a few days this week. What a difference!
  • I do not want to bulk up, and that was a big concern of mine. However, Autumn (the creator and instructor) is so small and she is using 20-25lb weights at times (especially on leg day!) I was shocked how much my body could actually lift. And I actually see my arms getting toned, not bulky… I am going to keep watching them though and hopefully they don’t get any bigger, haha! I have shoveled more than my fair share of mulch, so my arms are as big as I want them to be!
  • There are 3 phases of the program. I am on Phase One, so I am not exactly sure what 2 and 3 will be about. I can only imagine they will get harder. But after 26 days in phase one, I will most likely be ready (physically and mentally) for phase 2 when I get there!
  • All Beachbody workouts on demand have a section titled “Program Materials” and this is where you will find calendars, recipes, workout and eating plans (including samples to follow, different eating schedules) etc. In 80 Day, they have grocery lists, food lists for each container, weigh tracking (meaning how much you are lifting), vegan eating plans, and a very helpful starting guide (which I suggest starting there!)
  • I am not good about tracking how much I am lifting, but I think as I continue, I will start. I only have three sets of weights right now, but my husband has those Bowflex dumbbells that he keeps in my father in laws basement (in his home gym) so I foresee them coming home soon, so I can up my weights. The 6, 10 and 12’s have worked great for me these first two weeks. I could go another week without increasing too much more.

I FEEL STRONGER… Maybe it is in my mind, but I will take it!!

Overall, planning is key. If I don’t pack my meals, I could easily go off the plan. It doesn’t take a crazy amount of time, just focusing. Today was my daughters birthday party at a roller skating rink. I knew I would be there for 4 hours, so that was 2 meals. I needed to know that ahead of time. One of the meals was my shakeology and a pear. Easy! I have a shaker cup, so just needed water and my cup. The other meal was cucumbers and guacamole (single serve) simple. I don’t peel or cut up my cucumbers, I just wash and eat. I had my pre-work meal and post work out meals before leaving this morning, which were bigger meals. Than just dinner out, which was a salad topped with steak (dressing on the side, so I could eye out how much was equal to my orange container) and added it myself. I did not bring my containers with me today. I am getting use to their sizes and what that looks like on a plate/bowl. But I do always use them at home, just to make sure I am really getting what I need.

Is this program for everyone… No. It isn’t a beginner workout program, but start with 21 Day Fix if you don’t ever workout.

Or start with  like I did!  Both with Autumn!

Pi-Yo is another one of my favorite and another one were results show up quick! If you have worked out (on and off) like myself for years now, YOU GOT 80 Days! It will be challenging, like it is for me, but it is worth it! Push yourself, you will be shocked what your body can do!

Whatever you do, we all can make changes in the way we take care of our bodies. I am not perfect (or even close to it) when it comes to taking care of myself. However, the last 13 days have proven that it pays to work hard, and give myself that time each day. Watch your portions, get in some sort of exercise, even if it isn’t 80 Day Obsession. Take the stairs, park further away (unless is under 20 degrees, that would be crazy, haha!) Eat your veggies, there is a reason they always said that growing up. Food from the ground is the best!

 

Working out with a 2 year old can add it’s own challenges. A few tips I can say about that:

-Watch out for toys, safety first!
-When your helper is trying to steer you away from the workout, ask them to join you, make it seem fun. Ask them to cheer you on, “Go Mommy Go” is our little cheer!
-Have them count the reps… If older, have them count down… make it interesting. Instead of counting, saying ABC’s or sing a silly song. You are working out to a video, so they are doing the counting, so you don’t really have to… Include your little one.
-Pausing to take care of your family is okay! Just make sure you un-pause and continue. If pausing for hours, stretch and warm up again… once again, safety first.  However, don’t make it an excuse!! 

As the weather gets warmer, go to a park, let your little helpers run around and play… and you be that Mom (like I have before and other Mom’s have too) and get your workout in. It doesn’t have to be a burden, just make it a priority!

One more tip: If you don’t buy it when grocery shopping, it won’t be teasing you in the cabinets begging to be eaten, haha!

Hopefully this helps all of you that have been asking!  Leave any other questions in the comments.  I would love to hear your thoughts!  If you really want ALL the details check out: Beachbody On Demand

Thank you for reading, and following along!  Your feedback has been great, and I am still shocked at the numbers.. are there really this many of you reading? CRAZY to think I have something you want to hear, haha, but I am humbled and I really appreciate it 🙂

Now go get your body fueled and ready for the changes you are going to make!!! YOU GOT THIS!!! 

 

XOXOX

Leandra