Do I Really Need One More Book?

Since posting yesterday's challenge group announcement, I've been hit with tons of questions about what exactly this whole "Made to Crave" thing is all about. Why do I want you to add one more step to the already ridiculously hard process of trying to lose weight and get healthy? I mean how in the world are you supposed to cram even one more thing into your schedule?

Trust me. My schedule is as busy as yours. I mean my calendar has scribbles all over it and papers sticking out all woppy-jawed (yes, that's a word...at least here in the south). My calendar is such a hot mess that looking at it would give very little indication of just how OCD I really am. But trust me, this book is like the secret sauce, let's call it the BOOM SAUCE, that little extra oomph that's not only going to help you reach your goals, but help you tackle the demons that will drag you back to your starting place if you're not careful.

{Photo Cred: Lysa TerKeurst}

Why this book? Well, Lysa won my heart within the first few pages of her book when she confessed a secret love of Cheez-Its, which I've shared many times is my kryptonite. Hi, my name is Alina and I'm addicted to Cheez-Its...you think I'm joking, but I'm not!! And neither is she. She confesses that she hates working out and has never craved a carrot stick. She would happily chow down on any junk food you put in front of her, as would I, but she also battles the guilt that comes in the morning.

But I'll leave you with this quote from Lysa that perfectly sums up why I feel like this book is the BOOM SAUCE you need on this journey, because I could never word it as beautifully (or as hysterically) as she does.

"...I am well acquainted with the words muffin top and cellulite. Muffin tops and cellulite with stretch marks, thank you very much and have a nice day. I also know what it's like to feel sad and powerless in this battle to get healthy.

I want to lead Jesus girls on a journey that will help them find a stick-to-itiveness and a lasting want-to that taps into something much more powerful than the surface desires of wanting to weigh less and wear a smaller size. We need to tap into this power because the battle we face isn't just with sugary, fatty, or salty foods. There is a spiritual battle going on. It's real. And it's amazing how perfectly the Bible gives us specific ways to find victory with our food struggles.

Even for girls like us who don't crave carrot sticks." - Lysa TerKeurst, "Made to Crave Devotional"

{Photo Cred: Lysa TerKeurst}

Girl, if you're tired of trying to hide that muffin top with loose flowing tops, if you can't stand the thought of squeezing into a pair of jeans, or if you're avoiding stepping on the scale because you're just not prepared for the number staring back at you...YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! This group, complete with workouts, nutrition, and the secret BOOM SAUCE that is this book, is going to change your life in so many ways.

Are you ready to put down your excuses and finally commit to getting healthy? Today is the day!! Comment below with your email or head over to my Facebook page, Get Fit with Alina, and shoot me a message.

You can also learn more about my exclusive 40 day Made to Crave Challenge Group HERE.

Made To Crave: 40 Day Challenge

Months have passed since my last post. Life has gotten in the way and I've let my focus be taken elsewhere, but that ends today. If you want to know the truth, I've been struggling big time to stick to regular clean eating and exercise. I've struggled to pick a workout program and actually make it to the finish line. For weeks things are going well and then it's like I've run face first into a brick wall...WHAM! And just like that I'm back off track, back to old eating habits, and skipping workouts. It's this crazy never-ending cycle.

So for the last couple of months I've been contemplating why it was so easy to find success in 2013 and why I just seem to be chasing it now, but always coming up short. I'm tired of the back and forth, the inconsistency, and of hearing myself use the tired excuse that I'll start tomorrow. Enough is enough, today is the day. But this is definitely not a journey I want to take alone, so I'm challenging you to join me.

If you're tired of getting on the scale in nothing but your skivvies and still cringing at the number staring back at you...If you're waking up each morning regretting food choices from the day before...If you've tried every diet or workout program you can find and still nothing works...If you're ready to take your life back...then this is for you.

Starting July 31st, the doors are opening to my exclusive 40 day "Made to Crave" VIRTUAL GYM. 

Why 40 days? Throughout the Bible, God uses 40-day periods to orchestrate life changing events, like:

• Moses presented the 10 Commandments to the Israelites after spending 40 days and nights alone with God on Mount Sinai.
• Elijah spent 40 days with God being refreshed and renewed after his standoff against the prophets of Baal.
• After his baptism, Jesus spent 40 days in the desert fasting and praying, preparing for His mission.
• Jesus appeared to believers over a period of 40 days after His resurrection.

During the 40 days of this group, we will read through Lysa TerKeurst's "Made to Crave" while tackling a workout program and getting our food in check. We will learn to break the cycle of "I'll start again on Monday," to stop agonizing over numbers on the scale, we'll reach our healthy goals and grow closer to God through the process, and we will replace rationalizations that lead to failure with wisdom that lead to victory.

I am opening this group to 10 amazing women who are ready to link arms with one another, cheering each other on as we grow closer to God and take back our lives from the unhealthy habits that are ruling them today. It doesn't matter where you live, how in shape or out of shape you are or how crazy your schedule is...WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER!

It's time to take our lives back from all of the excuses we con ourselves into believing, from jam-packed schedules, and from unhealthy food cravings that are ruling our thoughts and causing constant regret and poor food choices. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! 

So, how to you join?

• You invest in your CHALLENGE PACK (the most bang you can possibly get for your buck) which includes:
• A FULL DVD workout package (comes with a calendar so you know what workouts to do each day and always has ways to modify)
• A complete nutrition guide and meal prep booklet customized for YOUR journey on this program
• A 30 day supply of the best health shake on the market to FUEL your body
• Purchase "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst, so you can follow along with each day's reading
• You'll also receive:
• Access to this exclusive Made To Crave Challenge Group which is full of healthy resources!
• A positive and uplifting community that will keep you excited and accountable
• A coach (ME!) to help you along the way and keep you accountable
• A 30 day trial of Beachbody on Demand which includes a TON of different workouts to stream online AND  a clean cooking show to help you make some awesome recipes and meal prep.

I truly believe this is exactly the group you've been waiting for. This is exactly what's going to help you bust through that plateau and finally put down every single excuse you've been holding on to. This group is what is going to help you CRUSH YOUR GOALS!!

I'm beyond excited for this group to begin and I hope you'll join me on this amazing journey!! Comment below with your email or hop on over to my Facebook page, Get Fit with Alina, and message me to get signed up.

Day 5: Show It Off

You made it!! It's the final day of the Closet Clean Out Challenge and I am so proud of you!! I hope you're already enjoying how easy it is to find what you're looking for and rocking some of the great pieces you discovered hiding in your closet!

Today, we're pulling together some outfits and we're showing them off! That means we're going back to the pin board you created on day 1. I want you to take a moment to refresh yourself with what's on there and then I want you to take some time pulling together 5 different outfits. Put them on. How do you feel in them? 

Don't be afraid to experiment and don't worry about how others will think you look!! Be you, bravely and rock whatever makes you feel amazing!!

Alright, now you've got several outfits that you know look great and I'm sure you're wondering where that super time saving tip is, right? Well, do you remember the photo I posted of my closet yesterday? Don't worry, you don't have to look for yesterday's post, I've put it below for you. 

On the right hand side you'll notice an outfit hanging up that matches the pin board I shared with you. As I finished my closet, I installed 3 hooks. One at the top where I hang this super adorable, Mrs. Thompson hanger, and 2 on the bottom. One for my purse and the other for any accessories I may need. With this particular outfit, I just had a necklace so it is actually hanging with the outfit on the hanger.

Y'all these hooks have been what takes my morning from chaos to calm. My outfit is picked out the day before and it's ready and waiting for me the next morning. And I don't have to wonder if it looks good, because I already know it does!

Girl, you did it!! You completed all 5 days of the Closet Clean Out Challenge and along the way found your own style and created some amazing outfits! I would absolutely love for you to share your favorite(s) with me on Pinterest! Head over them and send me a pic!

Thanks so much for taking this journey with me. If you've enjoyed this group and would like more content to help make your life more organized, healthy, and fun, please be sure to follow me. My Facebook page, Get Fit with Alina, is a great resource for recipes, workouts, and inspiration and you'll find my favorite meals, motivation, Scripture, and more on my Instagram page, @alinamfthompson .

Day 3: Try It On

The last 2 days have been spent pinning some awesome threads and pinpointing your own personal style. But today, we're finally opening the closet door. 

Before we actually turn the handle though, I want you to pull up that amazing pin board you created. We're not adding anything to it today, but I want it in front of you. Turn on some awesome tunes, some that make you feel good and maybe even make you want to shake your groove thang all over the house. 

Ready...open the door. Beware of anything tumbling off the top shelf and all those woppyjawed hangers.

The most important thing right now is not to be overwhelmed. If you're anything like me, that closet is packed to the brim with clothes. Clothes you've spent hard earned money on and aren't looking forward to parting with. You're not alone. But remember, those clothes you spent all that money on...that you never wear...are just taking up space in your closet and in your brain. THEY'VE GOT TO GO!! 

Ready to get started?

1. Don't hate me...you're going to pull everything out of your closet (and your drawers). Every. Single. Item. NO EXCEPTIONS!! Yes, your underwear too!

2. Try it all on. Yep, every single piece. (See, why I was worried you were going to hate me?) And yes, the underwear too! 

3. Every time you put an item on, I want you to ask yourself if you would pin that item to your pin board? Does that item make you feel the way you told me you want to feel every single time you get dressed?

**Side note, I don't care what size is on the tag and neither should you. Girl, sizes vary everywhere!! You might be a large in one store and a small in another. If it looks good, who cares what the tag says?! Yes, a fitness coach just said that to you!! If the number bothers you enough that you would get rid of a piece you love, cut that dang tag out!!!**

4. Now it's time to decide what to do with those pieces. Does it match your style board and make you feel AMAZING? Keep pile it is. Do you love those jeans, but they're in desperate need of a hem? Alterations pile! Maybe it's a great piece that just doesn't fit the style you're trying to create. Maybe it even still has the tag on it. Donate or sell it! 

So, how many piles do you need?

KEEP | These are clothes that perfectly fit into the style you're creating. You would pin them to your own pin board and they make you feel like the #girlboss that you are!

ALTER | These are pieces that would easily fit into the KEEP pile if a little tweak was made. Maybe they need to be let out, hemmed, or mended in some way. 

SELL | Let's be realistic, when your closet purge is done, you're most likely going to convince yourself that there is some magical piece from that pin board that you absolutely must purchase. For me, it was that yellow blazer!! If the items are in good condition (and you genuinely have a few items to purchase) consider putting them here first. Sell what you can and donate the rest. Use whatever money you can get, to purchase the items you need to complete your closet. But remember, the items that you purchase should fit into your style board (you would pin them to the board) and they should make you feel amazing...and not just because they're new or were on sale!

DONATE | Maybe you're uber awesome and you're perfectly content with the items left in your closet. In that case, find another awesome mama or charity to donate to. Just remember, these clothes should be in good condition. Don't donate junk full of holes that no one can reasonably use. 

TRASH | This pile is strictly for clothes that can no longer be used. If you're still hanging on to your jeans for sentimental reasons even though they have an enormous rip in the crotch...TRASH THEM!!

STORE | I'm going to need for you to be pretty strict about this pile. I would suggest storing clothes seasonally. So right now, leave out spring and summer clothes for us to organize in the next couple of days and store your fall\winter clothes. However, I'm going to give you an exception. If you are currently on a weight loss journey...like you've already lost 10+ pounds and you're getting close to those jeans that are a smidge too tight...you can store them. If you've been dreaming about losing 10 pounds for the last 5 years, but you can't even get a leg in those high school jeans, let them go.

Now, I want to be clear...I am not telling you to give up on that goal of losing 10 pounds. If you want/need to lose that to be a healthier, happier version of yourself, let me know. I will help you. But let's be real, that article of clothing isn't motivating you. Let it go and let's find something that will work.

?? | I feel pretty confident in saying that you're going to have at least a few pieces that you're not sure what to do with them. They're going in this pile, but here's the deal...you've got 30 days to wear them or get rid of them. You can hang them up with the hangers turned a different way or if you're OCD like me and can't stand them turned different ways, attach a small piece of ribbon to the hanger. I remove the ribbon when I've worn the item. Set a reminder on your phone or mark your calendar for 30 days from now. If the ribbon is still there or the hanger is still turned, let it go.

Lastly, before you get in front of that mirror and start criticizing yourself, I want you to remember that you are AMAZING!!! Absolutely, stunningly, beautiful and I want you to have fun with this!! Your fashion show awaits!!

Day 2: Back to the Pin Board

Welcome back, pretty lady!! Yesterday, we spent some time in the rabbit hole we know fondly as Pinterest. You took time to pin anything swoon worthy and I know you created an epic style pin board full of things you love.

Now, that you've got your board full of those beautiful outfits and pieces, it's time for us to make sense of it all. I mean it's great to throw everything on the board, but stopping there doesn't help us a bit. In order to purge your closet of the items you no longer need, we really need to fine tune your style and figure out what needs to stay. This exercise is the ultimate fix for that closet full of clothes without a dang thing to wear.

So, what exactly are you supposed to do? I want you to put that pin board back up and figure out what these items have in common. If you browsed through the pin board I posted yesterday, you'll find that I may have a love affair with blazers. I don't know why and my job as a fitness coach doesn't provide lots of opportunities to wear them, but oh, how I LOVE them!!! My biggest task as I was purging my closet was finding ways to work my blazers into spring outfits and incorporate them even into the hot summer months. Is that even possible? Apparently, yes.

So, I'm willing to bet that you'll also find a trend in the things you pinned. It may not be one particular piece, but I want you to ask yourself...

Is there a particular style that keeps popping up? Bohemian? Bold? Feminine? Glamorous? Rocker? Romantic? Seductive? Sporty? Whatever you're seeing, jot it down. It's going to come in handy later.

{Photo Cred: Ariana Ayutopia}

Alright, what colors are you drawn to? Is your board full of feminine pale pinks and pastels? Or maybe your an earthy gal with a board full of dark reds, olive greens, and burnt orange. You might be into bold and bright yellows, greens, reds, and blues. Or you might have a pin board full of different shades of black. My board was full of corals, pinks, and teals. Whatever you're seeing, jot it down.

{Photo Cred: Pantone}

Scroll back through your board. Are you seeing a certain fabric or pattern repeating itself? Maybe you've pinned several soft and flowy tops or dresses. Maybe rocker chic is more your thing and you're seeing lots of leather or you're so fabulous that everything you pinned has some sparkle! You may see multiple pins with floral prints, plaid, or gingham. Whatever you're seeing, jot it down. Loose, solid color tops seem to be pretty prevalent on my board and usually a necklace or scarf is added for a pop of color or pattern.

Alright, you should have a list going, something to help you pinpoint what you like about the things you pinned. Now, I want you to ask yourself if the outfits you pinned fit your lifestyle. As a fitness coach, blazers and flowy dresses every day aren't realistic. But they're perfect for church, dinner with the hubs or my girls. And considering that I spend the majority of my time in yoga pants and sports bras, it's a treat to get dressed up. So, even if what you've pinned doesn't perfectly meet the "requirements" of your lifestyle that doesn't mean you're back at square one. Be practical and be creative. I only want you to nix something off your list if it doesn't fit into your lifestyle at all. For example, if your a mama who doesn't go out and spends the majority of your time at the playground with your kiddo, those itty bitty mini skirts and 6 inch stilettos can probably be crossed off. Even if they're super cute, if they don't fit your lifestyle, they're not going to get worn.

Your last task for the day is the biggest and I want you to complete it by commenting below or in the Pinterest group...

How do you want to feel when you get dressed EVERY SINGLE DAY?

Day 1: Permission to Pin

Can I just say...I'm so glad you're here!! I know adding just one more thing into your schedule, especially for 5 days is no easy task so I'm super excited you've decided to join me for the next few days while we purge your closet, find some clothes you LOVE (and already own), and put together some pretty magical outfits.

Today is going to be a pretty awesome, fun, and easy day. Why, you ask? Because I'm giving you PERMISSION TO PIN! That's right, day 1 is taking us straight to Pinterest!

Now, before I lose you and you get lost in the amazingness that is the never-ending supply of pretty things to look at, there are a few ground rules.

1. There is a point to this exercise. We aren't going to blindly post every single thing we see to a board already cluttered with pins we've been collecting for years. This is a FOCUSED time to really explore and figure out what our style really looks like. 

2. Even if you think you're 100% sure what your style looks like, you're going to want to participate today. I promise it's still going to be revealing for you and will be necessary for tomorrow's task. 

{Photo Cred:Who What Wear}

3. Even if you already have a style themed pin board...START A NEW ONE! You're welcome to move some of your older pins to the new board, but I want you to start fresh. 

4. I want you to pin anything that jumps out a you. If you love it, pin it. Try to pin at least 30 images. You definitely can't have too many, but this also shouldn't consume your entire day. 

5. There is absolutely ZERO self-doubt or negativity happening here. It's important that you get that now, because that is going to carry over during every single day of this challenge. We're not beating ourselves up if we're not a size 2. We're not stressing over that muffin top or wishing we could count our abs. NONE OF THAT!! You are absolutely fabulous and if you need to repeat that to yourself 100 times before we start, go ahead, we'll wait for you beautiful girl!! Shoot, make it your wallpaper on your phone. Whatever it takes. Just get it in your head now...there is only one of you and YOU ARE AMAZING!! Got it? Ok, let's move on.

6. Refer back to #5...YOU ARE AWESOME!!

Alright, I think you've got it! If you need some help getting started, feel free to check out my style pin board, created specifically for this group. You can also join the Closet Clean Out Group on Pinterest and feel free to browse and share ideas with some other fabulous ladies!

Ready. Set. Get to pinning!!

Upcoming: Closet Clean Out Challenge

Since getting back from an epic road trip to Texas and back (which I promise to share photos from soon), I've been spring cleaning in full force. And with the coming of a new season, that means it's time to pack up our winter clothes and bring out all of our warm weather clothes. 

{At the Alamo with Ma, the hubs, the mini, & GB}

Before we left for Texas, I had the hubs pull down our tubs of clothes down from the attic because our North Carolina winter clothes just weren't going to cut it in the Texas heat! We picked out the items we needed and then there sat the tubs, in the way, collecting dust, and definitely not getting put away. Y'all, I thrive on organization!! My schedule stays jam-packed and without being pretty ridiculously organized, it all falls apart.

Plus, for me, organization is just another part of my health and well-being. I struggle with some pretty intense anxiety and when I'm living in chaos, it means I'm also battling the anxiety demon too. I'll notice I'm feeling crabby and grouchy, and over the years my hubby has picked up on it too. 

Sunday afternoon when we got home from church, there were those dang tubs just staring at me and I had had enough!! But tackling these tubs is no five minute project. It means the complete disassembling of 3 closets, trying on last year's clothes to figure out what even still fits (or maybe if we're lucky, is now a couple sizes too big!) and then reassembling the closets...and drawers!! 

As I stared at those tubs and thought about the work ahead of me, I realized that I wasn't the only mama facing this spring project and I had some tips and tricks to share. In recent years, I've been asked to come to friends' houses to organize their closets and to bring some order (and hopefully even some joy) to a "room" in their homes that was bringing so much frustration. Clothes that don't fit, clothes we can't find, or clothes that just plain don't look good on us can make us feel pretty crappy. 

There's some sort of awesome magic that comes in putting on the perfect outfit. Think how you feel when you get your hair cut and you leave the salon feeling like a million bucks. Isn't that how you want to feel every single time you get dressed? Y'all even when I'm rocking my workout clothes at the grocery store, I still want to feel good in my clothes. I don't want to feel like I'm constantly tucking that pesky muffin top back in or even worse, see a photo of myself in an outfit I think looks good only to find out I was oh, so wrong!!

For the next couple of days we're going to be detouring from the world of physical health and fitness and into cleaning up a completely different area of your life. The best part? When you makeover your closet, that can be one of the most motivating things you'll ever do to encourage yourself to get healthy. I mean, what's better than the healthiest version of yourself smiling and rocking the awesome outfits you're about to put together?!

Over the next few days we're going to figure out what your personal style really looks like, we're going to purge that closet, re-organize it, and put together some really killer outfits!!

So, how does it work? 

Over the next 5 days, I'll be sharing some awesome tips and giving you a daily task to complete. At the end, you'll have a completely made over closet!!! 

How do you get all the info?

You can check here daily (or subscribe to get all of my new posts dropped directly into your inbox) and/or join the Pinterest group!! Within the group, you'll have access to even more fun tips and tricks, plus a direct link to each day's post!

If you love this challenge, I hope you'll check out my FB page for recipes, workouts, inspiration, motivation, coffee-related humor, and so much more!!

We're one week into 2017 and hopefully one week closer to achieving our New Year's resolutions, but did you know that almost 90% of resolutions fail? That's a pretty scary statistic! Today, I'm sharing 7 steps to help you create good habits which will help make that resolution fool proof! 

Do you need somewhere to get the support and accountability mentioned in this infographic? An online accountability group might be the perfect solution for you. You can learn more about these group on my Facebook page, Get Fit with Alina, or email me and we'll find a way to help you knock those resolutions out of the park!

New Year, New You

It's that time of year again. Time to start making our new year's resolutions and the time the most of us are most likely to focus on getting fit, but did you know that only about 8% of people that make resolutions actually succeed?! That's a pretty intimidating statistic.

So I'm challenging 10 ladies to join me for 21 days to start the new year off right and learn the healthy habits you need to stick to your resolution and be part of that 8%. No matter what your fitness level is you can find success with this group. Each workout includes a modifier and different levels of intensity to help you improve your strength, flexibility, and endurance every time you press play.

We start our 21 days on January 1st, just in time to rock those resolutions!

What's included?

>Workout program of your choice, done in the comfort of your own home!
>Simple, easy to follow meal plans
>Delicious recipes
>Superfood nutrition shake that replaces one meal a day
>Online access to my PRIVATE Facebook support group
>Surround yourself with other women on the same journey
>Accountability and support from ME!
>RESULTS OR YOUR MONEY BACK!!

PLUS Beachbody is doing it's HEALTH BET again, which means you have the ability to get fit, lose weight, AND EARN MONEY!!!

During the course of this group you will learn how to navigate your meal plan, get help setting realistic and achievable goals, have daily accountability to help you stay on track, and have access to clean eating recipes that will help you replace bad habits with healthier ones!

While this group will surround you with other women on the same journey, I would also challenge you to INVITE A FRIEND to join you. Success is not only easier to achieve with an accountability partner, but it's just more fun to have a friend with you!!

Ready to join? Click GOING on the Facebook Event Page and I'll be in touch to get you signed up with everything you need.

Let's make 2017 our healthiest year yet!!

FREE Workout + Rock Your Resolution

Next month, I'll be running a Rock Your Resolution Challenge Group to help us kick 2017 off right and knock all of those resolutions out of the park. You definitely won't want to miss out on this group. You can learn more and sign up HERE.

Did you miss this month's 12 Days of Fitmas Challenge Group? Don't worry, I'm sharing the full workout with you right here!! 

Now What?

How many of us spent yesterday binging on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and everything else you can imagine? Or maybe you mixed it up like we did and chose to binge on tacos instead??

Either way, I'm guessing most of us are waking up today feeling heavy, full, and wanting to nip these bad habits in the bud before they spiral out of control and our scale has crept up 10-15 pounds before the end of the year. So what can you do?

1. Drink LOTS of water!! Water flushes out toxins and helps eliminate water weight.

2. Eat fruits and vegetables today. Your body is waking up nutrient deprived, plus fruits and veggies are calorie light!

3. Take time to workout TODAY! Give your metabolism a boost and make that workout happen TODAY...NO EXCUSES!

4. Make a game plan! We haven't made it through the holidays yet and you've got to figure out how you're going to navigate the rest of this season. This doesn't mean you can't indulge. It doesn't mean you have to give up all of your favorite treats. But you need a game plan. You've got to know in advance what you're willing to splurge on and what's just not worth it. 

{Click HERE for more info}

I would love to help you with that!! If you're interested in joining my 12 Days of Fitness Mini Challenge or my 21 Day Resolution Reboot, comment below or email me. Let's make a plan for the rest of the holiday season and let's help you not only make it through, but maybe even shed a few pounds along the way.

{Click HERE for more info}

5. MOVE ON!! You can't change yesterday. What happened, happened. Let it go and seize today.

Throwback Thursday

Throwbacks like this make me so thankful for how far I've come. I hardly recognize the girl in the photo from 2011, but seeing that reminds me how she felt. Sad, miserable, unhealthy, lost, and drowning in depression. The sparkle is completely gone from her eyes.✨

For years, I could only dream about running around on the playground with my little girl. To be completely honest just bending over or going up and down the stairs was a struggle. Every slight bit of physical activity was completely exhausting and draining. The more exhausted or winded I felt, the more I would beat myself up. I truly hated what I saw in the mirror and little by little I was losing what was left of myself.

So many of us have been there and I know there are people reading this that are still there. If you're that person, please know you're not alone! I've stood in your shoes, I've lived in them, and I know how easy it is to think there's no way out. That it's too late or too hard to change your life...IT'S NOT!!⏰

Don't wait another day. Shoot, don't wait another minute! This is your wake up call. This is your chance! You too can change your life, get healthy, and put that sparkle back in your eyes...and I'm here to help you THE WHOLE WAY!! 

I'm getting ready to run a 21 day challenge group to help you shed some pounds before the end of the year. Why wait for a new year's resolution when you can get a head start today?!

Resolutions are HARD and if you're anything like me, as the year has dragged on, those resolutions have probably gotten set aside and forgotten about. Don't worry though...this year isn't over yet!! It's not too late to make those resolutions happen!

I'm hosting a Resolution Reboot group next month to help us finish the year stronger than we started! This group will give us the opportunity to get back on track and actually get those resolutions done.

During the course of this group, we'll work through the 21 Day Fix (or 21 Day Fix EXTREME, if you're looking for a bigger challenge) program. By joining this group, you'll get help achieving the best results possible.

What do you need to REBOOT YOUR RESOLUTION?

> Purchase your 21 Day Fix (or 21 Day Fix EXTREME) program or challenge pack

> Commit to doing 1 workout per day (unless you choose to go EXTREME) for at least 21 days

> Participate in the group daily

To reserve a space in the group, please click "going" on THE RESOLUTION REBOOT EVENT PAGE and I will send you the full sign-up details.

This group is your first step to an amazing throwback picture like the one I shared. You'll be looking back at today as the turning point, the time you finally shook off all of your excuses and dove in! You've got this! It's time to be brave and go for it...and I'll be here with you the entire way, cheering you own and holding you accountable to make sure you reach those goals!

Resolution REBOOT

Resolutions are HARD and if you're anything like me, as the year has dragged on, those resolutions have probably gotten set aside and forgotten about. Don't worry though...this year isn't over yet!!

I'm hosting a Resolution Reboot group next month to help us finish the year stronger than we started! This group will give us the opportunity to get back on track and actually get those resolutions done.

During the course of this group, we'll work through the 21 Day Fix (or 21 Day Fix EXTREME, if you're looking for a bigger challenge) program. By joining this group, you'll get help achieving the best results possibile.

What do you need to reboot your resolution?

> Purchase your 21 Day Fix (or 21 Day Fix EXTREME) program or challenge pack

> Commit to doing 1 workout per day (unless you choose to go EXTREME) for at least 21 days

> Participate in the group daily

To reserve a space in the group, please click "going" on this event page and I will send you the full sign-up details.

TurboFire Challenge

Last month, I gave TurboFire a try and y'all, it has quickly become my favorite workout. I love the high intensity workouts that I can fit in no matter how little time I have! And now, I'm ready to dive in to the full TurboFire progam, but it's no fun to do it alone!

So, I'm looking for 3-5 women to join me for the next 90 days. Making a commitment to one another to stick with the program for the entire 90 days. Maybe you're not sure exactly what TurboFire really is. You can read a more in depth description HERE, but the short version...it's HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) that includes cardio, dance, kickboxing, and more! And the best part, there are workouts as short as 20 MINUTES!! I mean seriously, who doesn't have 20 minutes?!

What do you need to join? All you need is the TurboFire program! And if this is your first challenge, you can get your first 30 days of the program FREE!!! Sign up below and I'll tell you how to get it FREE!!

So, how can you join? It's simple, just click the sign up button below and you're in! Once you're signed up, I'll email to get you set up with the program and get you added to the Facebook group.

POUND Fitness {Review}

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to take my first POUND Fitness class. One of my September challengers, told me about this class early on in our group and invited me to join her. 

It was awesome and the hour long class flew by. We tried to get more of this month's challengers to join us, but tight schedules and a school night made that difficult, but they all wanted to know what they missed. 

WHAT IS POUND FITNESS?

WHAT IS THE FLOW OF A TYPICAL CLASS?

We dove right in at the beginning of our class. The instructor, Katie Queen, gave us a quick rundown of the moves used in the upcoming routine and we got busy. The routines gradually get harder and the music more intense as the workout progresses. By the end, my legs were like jelly!!! We finished up with a fun cool down. 

{Thanks for the invite, Brooke!}

WHAT MAKES POUND FITNESS UNIQUE?

This class was unlike anything else I've ever done. It was relatively easy to follow, but INTENSE! I honestly walked in expecting it to be pretty easy. I mean, fitness is my thing, surely hitting some drumsticks on the ground would be a piece of cake. I was wrong, y'all!! 

MY BREAKDOWN

We burned about 445 calories during the hour long class and had a blast doing it!! Even the moves that were a little difficult to figure out were just something to laugh about. I never felt uncomfortable if I couldn't get something and Katie was a great encourager. She gave me pointers and shared modified moves with the group so that someone at any fitness level could participate. 

{Photo Cred: Katie Queen}

WOULD I GO BACK?

You bet! This class was AWESOME!! Don't get me wrong, I love my Beachbody workouts and most days I would rather be working out in my home with Tony Horton, BUT this class was such a fun way to mix it up and spend time with friends. I'll be incorporating POUND Fitness into my weekly workout schedule. 

{Even the mini got in on the fun!}

WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR? WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING TO CLASS?

I went with a loose tshirt and workout capris and that was perfect. I was comfortable and didn't have to adjust my outfit at all. There is a lot of bending over so I wouldn't recommend shorts. Shoes are not required, but I was glad to have my tennis shoes on.

Definitely bring your water bottle and $6 for the class. If you like it, she even offers a punch card that rewards you with a FREE class! I'm not sure if prices vary for different locations though, so you may want to check with your own local instructor to see if their fee is different.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Challenge Group Sneak Peek, Part 2

Yesterday, you guys got to laugh and the hilarity of our wacky water challenge and today I'm going to share some of the other awesome things my challengers have been posting. This group has been so active, so fun, and best of all every single one of them is in there daily encouraging one another. People that have never even met each other are cheering one another on and building friendships. It's a really beautiful thing to see! They're sharing struggles and helping each other push past barriers, they're sharing some of the most delicious recipes I've ever seen, and watching them compete to see which team is the daily winner has been a hoot and a half. They love the points!!!

The struggle was real for one challenger who made sure her grocery shopping left her with a house full of clean eating foods, but what she didn't account for were roommates with a "slightly" different diet. She was brave enough to share with us when she caved and devoured a pizza. And the response was as amazing as her authenticity. People were encouraging her to shake it off and not give up and reminding her of all the awesome things she had already accomplished this month.

They're daily sharing their water intake, tricks for staying hydrated, completing silly challenges and sharing their workouts. And having Beachbody on Demand has been a great way for them to try new workouts and mix up their routine. 

They're working on more than just their nutrition and fitness. They're also spending daily time working on their minds. Personal development is such an integral part of our challenge groups. They've shared Bible studies they're working on, blogs they've written, and more. We even have several girls in the same Bible study so it's given them another venue to discuss what they're learning.

And the food, y'all. It's incredible!!! They make the most incredible food!!! I feel like my mouth is watering every single time I check in on the group. And they share the recipes too!! 

We're having a blast this month! Ready to make some changes, see results, and have a blast in the process? It's time to join my October Challenge Group!! My challenge groups are a great way to learn some new skills, get encouraged to start and sick with your fitness journey, and reach your goals. You won't want to miss the next group! Follow the link above or email me for more information.