Financial Peace...two words that obviously don't go together for the vast majority of us. But look no further cause this chica is enrolled in Financial Peace University! You may be asking...so what is FPU? FPU is Dave Ramsey's course on getting your finances right the way God intended you to. God doesn't like the fact that we are in debt, that we borrow money, that we live paycheck-to-paycheck. So why do we? Because we try to live our lives our way and not His.
Starting this Sunday, January 13th I will be going to FPU at my church and learning how to handle our money. Now I've taken this course before and if you work the plan it works. However, if you veer off the path like me you may struggle to get back on which is why I decided to take it again. I need that support from others in the same situation. It's nice to be able to count on others for support!
You know what's funny...as I typed that I was thinking that its the same with health and fitness. Most of us struggle with it so why is it so difficult for us to look towards other for support? We always want to do everything on our own. I know...I'm the same way. Which is why I'll be starting a fitness/health challenge on February 4th. I'm gearing it towards other moms but anyone is more than welcome to join. We'll be doing Turbo Jam together. If you don't what Turbo Jam is watch below!
Our little group will be accountable to one another through this program. If you are totally interested in joining me send me an email here.You can choose to purchase the program alone or as a Challenge Pack. Challenge Packs offer Turbo Jam along with a 30-Day supply of Shakeology. The Challenge Pack is really the way to go!
I can't wait to start this challenge with you! I also can't wait to start FPU!
Hey there! So below is my workout for yesterday. I'm going to be REALLY good the next 6 weeks because I'm partcipating in two challenges that end on Valentine's Day.
The first is Tone It Up's Love Your Body challenge which started January 1. Check it out here.
And then I'm hosting a 30-day Shakeology challenge - woop woop! Just replace one meal a day with Shakeology for 30 days and get moving. Your workouts can be whatever you like whether it is a Beachbody program (and we have some great packages that include the workout program along with a bag of Shakeology at a DISCOUNT!) OR you go to your gym, get moving outside...whatever you want! JUST MOVE! We are starting this challenge on Monday, January 14. My hubby will be doing the challenge with me so hopefully your sweetie will join you! Order your ShakeO here.
So after all that are you sitting there in anticipation for what my workout was?! Well here ya go...
After two days of running intervals with the Tone It Up chicas my groin and hip flexors were sooorrreee. So in the A.M. I did the Sunset workout from TIU.
For my P.M. workout I had planned on going to the gym to do another cardio circuit from TIU but my legs still hurt. So I went home and did this yoga video from Tara Stiles. It was wonderful...you should try it out!
Oh hot dang...I almost forgot to mention that I'm also doing Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge. Yesterday's assignment was to come up with 10 goals that I'd like to accomplish in the next year. So here ya go...BA BAM!
I wear a size 6 comfortably.
I am a life coach.
I am DEBT FREE!
I practice my meditation/spirituality everyday.
I quit my J.O.B.
I am a Diamond Beachbody coach.
I make $1500 per week.
I vacation 2 - 3 times per year.
I have a good relationship with food.
I am a teacher of A Course In Miracles.
So what are your goals for the year?! Leave them in a comment below...
Yippee! Only thing is that it doesn't feel like it's Christmas. I guess cause here in Texas it ain't cold and the fact that I work today and the day after Christmas makes it not feel like a holiday either. Oh well! As long as the kids have fun...right?!
Any who...so I've been feeling icky because I've been eating out a lot and really not paying attention to what I'm eating. SO with that said I'm taking the plunge and starting my No Grains, No Cheese, No Sugar challenge EARLY...I'm starting on Wednesday. Yep, that's right the day after Christmas. I might even throw in a couple of days of a Shakeology cleanse in there...not sure just yet.
Let me know if you're interested in joining me on the challenge. I got the idea from one of my friends, Healthy Hits the Spot. If you have any questions about the challenge just ask or you can even check out her site. She has a link titled 6-8 Challenge under Categories that discusses what she ate and bought at the store. I'm going to try to post my meals here as much as possible as well.
I'm also going to start hitting the gym again. I went with my hubby on Friday night for a "couples happy hour" and it felt good. There is just something about working out around other people that motivate you to do more.
This is what I plan on doing for my workouts:
Everyday possible...I'll jog with Bud first thing in the morning and do yoga or stretching afterwards
Strength training - 4 days / week (I'm going to follow Jamie Eason's workouts from her LiveFit trainer program for the first 4 - 5 weeks OR I'll workout with my hubby or son and follow what they do)
SO, are ya with me?!
Have a GREAT Christmas folks...
By the way...I'm starting a 30-Day Shakeology Challenge on January 7th. All you have to do is replace 1 meal a day with Shakeology and workout. Your workout is whatever you choose whether it is a Beachbody program or your own. Doesn't matter. This challenge is about improving our HEALTH! We'll focus on fitness in February - woop woop! Order your bag of ShakeO here.
So I'm listening to a conference call right now and it's really getting me to thinking....why not me?! Why haven't I reached my full potential in life? Why am I not the woman that God has created me to be? I have one answer for that...ME. I get in my own way of success. Does that sound familiar?!
I'm sure a lot of us do the same thing and we stay in the same situations that we are comfortable with. Why is it soooo hard to step out of our comfort zone? Why am I so scared of the unknown? God wants us to step out and be the woman or man he created us to be. We gotta drop that fear and move through it like a bulldozer. We gotta believe in ourselves!
I'm striving for 2013 to be the best year of my life and my family's life as well.
So this gets me thinking...well what the heck do you want to be when you grow up?!
I want to help people. I want to help people with their health and fitness, with their finances, with their spirituality, with EVERYTHING! But how do I get to that point where I can help others if I'm still on my own journey? I know I need to make a plan to conquer each area of my life and become "that person" who everyone asks when they have a question. I want to be that "guru" for people.
I, myself, need to build up my confidence. And all of my leaders say...this is only done with reading great books. That is what I have been focusing on at the end of this year.
How about you? Do you need to build confidence, get organized, find your way?! How about you join me and a lot of my friends for Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge?! You won't regret it and you don't have ANYTHING to lose...it's totally FREE! It starts January 7th and if you are going to do it then sign up here! Also, let me know so I can add you to a private FB group only for those doing the challenge.
Also, starting in January I'll be doing the following:
Reading Gabrielle Bernstein's book May Cause Miracles. You can pre-order yours today...it releases on January 1, 2013! Gabrielle also has a great YouTube channel you should check out.
I'll also be doing a sort of cleanse starting January 1. I'll be doing a No Grains, No Cheese, No Sugar challenge for at least 6 weeks. Who knows I might eliminate one, two, or all of the items from my diet completely! Well, maybe not the grains cause I love me some oatmeal and bread...
And last but totally not least, I'll be hosting a 30-Day Shakeology Challenge that starts January 7. We'll be replacing 1 meal a day with Shakeology and doing a workout program of your choice whether it's a home program, at the gym, or elsewhere. Order your ShakeO here!
So if you're interested in ANY of the above...shoot me a comment or email and I'll be glad to chat with you about it!
I'm super stoked y'all...my Beachbody Coach is hosting a challenge that I have been excepted to! Yippee! I so need this challenge to hold me accountable. My goal for the rest of the year was to simply "maintain"...I have failed to do that. I know...how hard can it be to "maintain"?! Well, ya can't do it if you are eating like a piglet and not working out.
So this challenge is called Eat Cleaner. Train Meaner. Get Leaner. And it starts.......NEXT TUESDAY! We have to post all our meals and workouts for the day on a private FB group page, incorporate a Beachbody program, drink Shakeology, and take our measurements and weight on Monday.
It's great because I'm starting Turbo Fire on Monday and have scheduled all my workouts for the morning along with some Tone It Up strength training and yoga in there. I know it sounds like a lot, but really the yoga part is what I consider my "stretching" and it's at the most 15 minutes. I'll be doing some Tara Stiles videos from You Tube.
Next up on the list is to go grocery shopping! My fav. I definitely want to make a stop at Whole Foods for some good veggies and free range meats.
Today is day 5 of CJ's Challenge - woop woop! Let's see what is in store for me today!
Chao baby!
Cheers to 2013...
BTW - if you're interested in joining me on this Eat Cleaner. Train Meaner. Get Leaner. challenge just let me know. We can do it together!
Last night and this morning I've done a lot of thinking while watching videos that "speak" to me. On my jog with Bud I was listening to the new Eric Thomas download I bought last night. This is what I listened to on my jog...
Now this is only Episode 1...make sure you watch/listen to the others too. These are mind-changing messages. We can all achieve greatness and we can all achieve our dreams...but we have to put in the work. We can't just sit on the couch hoping it'll happen. We have to make it happen. We can't just wish or dream for it to happen...get it done.
If you're like me and didn't have a clue who Giavanni Ruffin is...this vid is my fav and my first exposure to him. He too, is an inspiration. Take No Days Off.....
This hottie gets up at 3am to get his grind on. Seriously?! The rest of the world is still sleeping, but not him. He is on the road to making his dreams come true. You gotta put in the time if you want the success you dream of! Don't forget to watch part 2 of this vid. Also check out his YT channel.
I've been getting up for the last 2 weeks at 4am during the week. Not until today did I decide to do the same on the weekend. It's Sunday, but my butt set the alarm for 5am and let me tell ya my body was ready for it. I was eager to get up that I got up before my alarm went off. And I'm happy to say that Bud and I got a full 45 minutes of jogging in. It was great! During the week I sometimes can get in a good 30 minutes, but if I snooze then I try to get him at least 20 minutes. The boy is knocked out now! I finally got my mojo back when it comes to jogging. I push myself a little each time, but I'm still enjoying it. The wind in our hair...Bud's tongue hanging out with a big smile as we stroll down the road.
I'm sorry...but I have to put a little PSA in here - IF YOU ARE A DOG OWNER, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET YOUR BUTT UP AND TAKE YOUR DOG FOR A JOG. DOGS NEED AT LEAST 45 MINUTES OF EXERCISE DAILY. IF YOU CAN'T JOG OR AREN'T READY FOR IT...START WITH WALKING. YOUR DOG WILL THANK YOU. IF YOU HAVE AN ACTIVE DOG (LIKE I DO) THEY NEED IT IN ORDER TO NOT GET ALL STRESSED OUT OR WILD. AND NO, LETTING YOUR DOG OUT IN THE BACK YARD TO RUN AROUND IS NOT SUFFICIENT. DOG OWNERS NEED TO PUT THEIR LAZINESS ASIDE AND GET THEIR DOG MOVING!
And now on to the rest....
Bud and I jogged for 45 minutes and had a nice little light show thanks to the Man above. We got back and popped in Insanity. I didn't work out yesterday so I did what was scheduled for that day - Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs. My total workout time was 100 minutes with a calorie burn of 996 calories! 4 calories away from 1000...
Oh and if you have a rough time getting some energy in the morning or just want more, I highly recommend Gaspari's Superpump Max. I've been using it for about 2 weeks now and love it! You're supposed to take it 30 - 40 minutes before you workout. I take it right before I go for my jog because I want the extra energy for Insanity. I hope I'm not hindering the effects of it cause I still feel really energetic when Insanity rolls around. I bet I wouldn't be as energetic if I didn't take it and still did the jog and followed it with Insanity. So I'm going to stick with it. BUT if you know for a fact that I could be hindering the effects...let me know!
And now on to RECOVERY! I made a shake with extra greens in it. Today's concoction was Vegan Chocolate Shakeology with 2 handfuls of baby spinach, 2 T PB2 (powdered peanut butter), 3 scoops of Glutamine, 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk, 2 packs of stevia and ice. It was pretty tasty!
When I first heard of Shakeology, it was pitched to me as a meal replacment - that's it. So can you imagine my surprise when I went online to the lady's website who gave me the sample to see how much a bag...a 30 day supply cost. My immediate reaction was "Hell No!" So pretty much I never tried the sample she gave me. It just sat in my pantry for months. Until...until the day that I was approached by another lady who was also a Beachbody coach but who lived all the way in Michigan. Suprisingly, she sent me a full page email explaining what exactly Shakeology was. It wasn't just a silly 'ol meal replacement like the ones you can buy at your local grocery store. HECK NO...this "meal replacement" is filled to the brim with all sorts of GREATNESS! Greatness that I can't even pronounce to say the least. It has your vitamins, your aminos, your minerals, your protein and carbs AND so much more. There are 70 ingredients in each serving of Shakeology. So you may be asking...well what convinced you to spend your money on this stuff?! Well, plan and simple - I love the way it makes me feel. I feel so much better physically when I drink it and I also mentally feel much better about myself. I know that what is going in my body is the best of the best. For sure, when I first started drinking it I only looked at it for a weightloss solution but not anymore...it's more to me than that now. It's my secret to not ever being diagnosed with a lifelong disease that I'll have to take medications for (which is one of my worst fears). It's my way of knowing that when I drink it, I am getting my veggies in (and that can be hard for all of us). Now the plan is to get the family drinking it! My hubby drinks and loves it - especially if I make it for him. But my kids don't drink it and I'd love for them to, but they just look at it like it's some crazy, nasty drink they aren't interested in. So I've got to come up with a plan... My whole point in writing this post is to tell you that I'm willing to pay for the price of my health NOW. When are you going to be willing to do it?! Why does our health carry a price tag with it? Why are we willing to spend money on things that do not make us healthy but given the opportunity to make a better choice we do not. And don't get me wrong...I struggle daily with making poor choices and I feel upset with myself about it. But every choice I make and that you make doesn't have to be a poor one. Pay for your health NOW so that you don't have to pay for it later with doctors visits or daily medication. And don't forget that all those medications out there...unfortunately have side effects that come along with them. Isn't that just crazy?! Anyways...sorry for ranting! Make your day a better one by making a choice that will benefit you in the long run............
So I've been checking out different protein powders that are natural. I'm trying to stay away from mainstream powders that use splenda or have a lot of ingredients that I don't know what they do. So I've been researching powders that aren't made with whey protein. All the mainstream powders usually are whey protein.
Here's a video promoting Perfect Fit Protein. I really like how it comes in individual packets for traveling purposes. Of all the brown rice proteins I've tried, this is the best tasting...SERIOUSLY!
Vega Sport's Performance Protein is delish too! It uses plant-based protein such as pea protein in its formula. I must say for my first taste of plant-based protein...this one is really good.
Now, if you have only been accustomed to whey protein powders, you may need to transition into brown rice or plant-based. They do not tend to have a creamy, sweet texture like whey does.
You may be thinking..."This girl promotes Shakeology and drinks it daily so why does she need a protein powder?!" Well, Shakeology is a meal replacement with protein, veggies, fruits, aminos, super greens, etc. - it is not a means for recovery. Now when I say that, I should clarify that it is not a means of recovery for me...I still prefer an actual protein powder. Vega Sport also has 5,500 mg of BCAAs and 5,000 mg of glutamine per serving. Both needed for muscle recovery. Since I've been drinking the Vega Sport I haven't been as sore as I normally was.
From Perfect Fit's site:
Perfect Fit Protein boasts a complete and balanced amino acid profile, making it a complete protein. Your body needs help synthesizing certain essential amino acids to build and repair tissue, and all 8 of them are naturally occurring components in organic, whole grain, sprouted brown rice.
So what are your favorite protein powders and WHY?!
Well, well...Jeff's birthday is vastly approaching and both of us want to be leaner. So we've set out on a mission to lose 10lbs each by his birthday...June 18.
That gives us 7 weeks to do some DAMAGE!
While in the shower this morning, the place I tend to do most of my great thinking, we chatted about how we wanted to go about this mission. Here's our game plan:
1. Workout 6x per week
2. Replace 1 meal per day with Shakeology
3. Eat lean, green and clean for dinner - no carbs!
So today is the day we start. My weight this morning was 155.2. I'll check with Jeff again but he mentioned his was probably 225.
I've also started the TIU Bikini Challenge so that should help me along the way!
Good luck to all who are getting fit not only for Summer but for all the other seasons of the year! We deserve to be the best version of ourselves!
It's day 3 people! And I must say that I'm a happy camper...
I started theTone It Up 5 Day Slim Down on Monday and I'm down 2 pounds as of this morning! My upper body is extremely sore from the past 2 days of workouts so today I'm going to keep it to just cardio. I think I'm going to do either Fire 55 EZ or Fire 45 ofTurbo Firewhen I get home.
Here is what I have on the menu for today:
6:45 am - Bombshell Spell 7:30 am - Pineapple Pancake w/extra pineapple on top & green tea 10:30 am - Banana 1:00 pm - Spicy Mustard Wrap, Pink Lady Apple, Kombucha 3:30 pm -Greenberry Shakeology w/almond milk & 1 stick of Sugar Free On-the-Go Raspberry Lemonade drink mix (Target's Market Pantry)
Yesterday we left our great city to head up to Houston for my son's Lacrosse games. I did my morning workout yesterday and started the day out with good intentions...as many of us do. Fast food quickly made it into my mouth and good decision making went out the door. I'm also feeling the effects of not drinking enough water.
BUT today is a new day and I started it off with Fire 45 and Stretch 10. Drank 32 oz of H2O in the process and followed it with a chocolate Shakeology made with H2O and ice. I'm going to try to concentrate on choosing better food options as well ;)
So...moral of the story is....although you may be away from home you can ALWAYS take your workouts with you!
I’m on day 2 of Turbo Fire for the next 90 days of my life. All workouts have been scheduled in my Cozi calendar so that I know what I’m doing each morning. I prefer to do my workouts first thing in the morning so that I know they will get done. I have an alarm that goes off on my phone each morning with Chalene Johnson talking about how people who are able to maintain their weight loss work out first thing. It’s a little motivational trick I use to wake myself up…
So I was thinking…we have to do things in baby steps in order to accomplish any goals – right?! So I need to focus my thoughts on doing that with my weight loss journey too. In the past I’ve just been looking at the big picture and I think that is what messes me up and I get frustrated because I don’t lose what I want by a certain date. Five pounds at a time is what I’m striving for…and I’m going to do it! As Under Armour would say “I WILL”!
I also need to start drinking Shakeology on a daily basis. I’m going to alternate drinking it for each meal – so one day I’ll have it with breakfast, the next for lunch and then dinner. Hopefully this will also contribute to losing the pounds and toning up. I need me some muscle action!
I tore it up at the gym last night – hadn’t been in a long while. Probably since December some time. My cardio has definitely suffered since my foot injury. I started P90X2 January 1st and there isn’t a lot of cardio in that so I felt like I needed to go back to cardio. Which is why I went back to doing Turbo Fire and I’m having a great time. I look forward to waking up and working out now…NO MORE EXCUSES ;)
I've been hearing this motto "if you are too ashamed of writing down what you eat, then you shouldn't be eating it" or something to that affect. And it is so true. My daughter recently gave me a journal that she got for herself and told me to use it for writing down my exercises. So that is what I'm doing!
When I was hard-core doing the Tone It Up diet, I would Tweet pics of the food I was eating BUT only when it was healthy. I wasn't going to confess that I ate horrible food...no way! But I had to realize the only one I'm cheating is MYSELF! I don't eat perfectly every day of my life, let alone for every meal I have. It is a daily struggle for me to do so, but you bet that I do regret it when I put something not-so-healthy in my mouth. This past weekend was a perfect example...I ate at Jack In the Box, Pluckers, and Whataburger. Come Monday morning I so enjoyed my daily dose of Shakeology because it makes me feel like I'm doing something really good for my body.
Journaling also requires practice. I notice that during the weekends, I usually tend to not even open my journal and write in it. NOT A GOOD THING! The weekends are usually when I eat the worst. This is going to be one habit I'll need to start practicing religiously, especially with vacation next week.
Oh and don't forget it's DAY 19 OF MY SODA CHALLENGE! I've officially gone more than half the month of July without a soda - YAY!
If you’d like to try Shakeology before buying a whole bag, purchase your samples here!
Sample Packs:
1 single serving pack – $5 + $3 shipping
3 pack – $15 + $3 shipping
6 pack – $30 + $4 shipping
9 pack – $45 + $5 shipping
12 pack – $60 + $5 shipping
Some coaches give out free samples, but one serving is not enough for you to see how great Shakeology will make you feel, how much more energy you have, and how it will help you lose weight. Replace one meal a day with Shakeology for 5 days and let me know how great you feel afterwards. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do! To order your samples:
Send payment to me via PayPal to stephanie.alaniz@gmail.com. Make sure your ship to address is current in your PayPal account because that’s the address I’ll ship your order to.
Be sure to indicate the package you are ordering and the flavor you want: Chocolate or Greenberry
I’ll include a recipe card and a Shakeology DVD that tells you what Shakeology is all about, the ingredients and why it’s Beachbody’s #1 selling nutritional product.
Thank you for your order. If you have any questions at all after you receive your sample pack, visit http://www.stephalaniz.com/, call or email me!
That’s right - you heard me - TRANSFORM your health or you DONT pay! How you ask….Well let me explain!
SHAKEOLOGY! I know you hear me or see me talk about this amazing shake, so let me tell you exactly what Shakeology does as the most healthiest meal of the day!
It nourishes your body with nutrients it needs for optimal health
Lose weight (**ding ding ding everyone likes this one**)
Reduce Cravings
Increase energy levels and stamina
Promotes regularity and healthy digestions
Are you one of those people that have struggled with a healthy diet to lose those unwanted pounds?? This is a proven method that gives you healthy results. All you have to do is replace 1 meal a day with Shakeology.
Here are some results that are proven true to people who drank 1 shake a day for 90 days!
By the end of week 1 - There was improved digestion and regularity as well as reduced cravings!
By the end of week 4 - Increased energy and stamina, lost weight and improved mental clarity
By the end of week 12 - Lost 10 pounds and inches of waist (on average) - just imagine all the weightloss/inches lost with a regular daily workout, reduced risk for diseases like heart disease, lowered cholesterol on average by 30% and at the highest 70% and even developed healthier skin, hair and nails!
Shakeology contains 70 of the BEST ingredients!!!! There is no other shake that has some of the worlds most powerful superfoods….
Plus, there is a bottom of the bag guarantee! Try Shakeology for 30 days and if you dont feel healthier, send it back and your money will be refunded - even if the entire bag is empty! Now, thats for real…
Want to order Shakeology or learn more about it? Watch this short video on what 100 Doctors are saying about Shakeology! SHAKEOLOGY VIDEO!
So, it arrived on Monday - YIPPEE! I went home ready to take on the challenge of the fitness test and the Day 1 workout. WELL, let's just say that didn't happen. I did the fitness test and that's about it. Man, in the 25 minutes it took for the test I burned 295 calories and was exhausted. BUT that is how Shaun T brings it, right?!
Yesterday, I did the Day 1 scheduled workout for agility and speed. My left side of my body is SOOO not coordinated. I seriously had a hard time getting it to function properly. I don't know how many times I said "What tha HELL!" - ahaha!
Anyhoo...I survived! I feel like I can only get better from here. Today's workout is strength so we'll see how I stand up to that one!
OH and I almost forgot to mention that my hubby took the fitness test last night and he did the Day 1 workout during his lunch today. I'm so proud of him! It was definitely a struggle for him and he's a very active and fit guy.
I must say that I REALLY like Shaun T! Now I'm a girl who only has ever bought workout DVDs by other women. I'm a female so I figured it only right to get workouts done by other females. WELL...Mr. Shaun T has really won me over. I already feel like an athlete after one workout...but this athlete has a ways to go. I probably should have started out with Insanity, but its too late I've already gotten Asylum and I'm sticking with it. Once my 30 days is complete though...watch out cause I'm going to order Insanity and do the 30 day hybrid workout!! This sista is going to be bangin' for her birthday in November and for Christmas and for New Year's. Are you going to be bangin'?!
