Look like a beauty, train like a BEAST.

HECK YES. I have been excited about this post for umm well.... a month or so now!!!!! I am almost in week 5 of the whole program, and in the second phase.

 I have seen quite a bit of definition in my back especially. I am just waiting or the definition in my arms to come thru.... and I am thinking it's going to happen any day now!!!

The workouts were almost EXACTLY what I do in a normal gym setting, and I felt right at home. I absolutely loved the build phase, but by the last week, I was getting ready for a change. Did you know that muscle confusion is key when it comes to getting results?? My body adapts SO QUICKLY. The workouts were 50 min, and were two body parts a day, which I love, and am used to doing, so these workouts went by so fast for me, and were the best part of my day.

The first few weeks I was literately sore every single day, for weeks at a time. I could definitely feel the changes that were taking place from the inside out. I have found myself ALWAYS HUNGRY, and am snacking all day, and downing my protein as much as I can. This is honestly my biggest struggle in this program is eating ENOUGH food. So if know me, and see that I am ALWAYS eating... now you know why!!!

But lets get down to the facts guys gals... Why YOU should be lifting weights:

1. You will lose 40 percent more fat. FORTY!!! This is because if you stick to just cardio alone, you can lose muscle, and muscle aids in burning fat and calories even at rest! So adding weight lifting to your week can help against muscle loss!!!
2. Did I mention you will burn more calories even with your butt parked on the couch?! This is because after you workout, your muscles need energy to repair their fibers. Researchers have found that When people do a total body workout with 3 big muscle moves, their metabolism was raised for 39 hours afterwards??!! (Hence why I have been so dang hungry everyday!) 
3. Your diet will improve. Exercise helps your brain stick to a diet plan, and your body actually CRAVES good food to help support what you just put it through!!
4. You handle stress better. I know this has been so apparent in my life. I am a much happier, and less stressed person because of the amount of Endorphines pumping thru my veins!!! 
5. Your bones will be stronger. There's a study out there that states that 16 weeks of resistance training increased hip bone density and elevated blood levels of Osteocalcin, a marker of bone growth, by 19 percent.
6. Your heart will be healthier. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that people that did three total body workouts a week for two months decreased their diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) by an average of eight points. Thats enough to reduce your risk of of a stroke by 40% and the chance of a heart attack by 15%.
7. You'll be way more productive. Researchers found that workers were 15% more productive on days that they exercised then on days that they didn't! 
8. You'll live longer. Total body strength is linked to lower risks of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer!

The more I do my homework and read about all the benefits of lifting weights, the more meaningful it is to me, rather than to just look strong! I am SO THANKFUL for my body. I am so grateful to have a strong, capable body that allows me to work it so hard so that I may be able to better my body, inside and out!!!

Do more of what makes you HAPPY! This is my life, forever and always! 

This was within 2 weeks! 2 freaking weeks and I was already seeing definition!

Week 3 baby! and the last week of the 'Build' Phase!

That was the last picture I took in phase one.. the build phase, and I am so proud of all the definition I gained in my back, and traps. I just feel STRONG. 

SOOOOO....... ALL IN ALL...... Would I recommend Body Beast? YES YES YES. To guys, Heck yeah. To girls.... DEFINITELY!!! To all the girls out there: DON'T BE AFRAID TO LIFT HEAVY!!!!!!

xoxoxox

Hi, I am Jessica,

and I am a QUITTER.

Well, as of a month ago, I used to be a quitter. I can't even tell you how many Beachbody programs I have bounced back and forth between, all with good intentions, but ZERO drive. This started when I was younger with Beachbody. I did Turbo Jam, never stuck to a schedule or routine, but I did the workouts consistently for a few weeks, then would fall off the earth for a few more, and get back at it. Then I looked into Turbo Fire. Same thing. Chalene Extreme, did it for a few weeks, then fell off again. Brazil Butt Lift? Yep. got it. P90x, about 3 weeks. Insanity, tried it. T25, own it.  21 day fix.. got the nutrition down, the workouts.. not "hard enough" for me with all the lifting I was used to in the gym.....

Are you catching my drift here???????

EMBARRASSING.

But guess what? I had a SERIOUS eye opening experience when I was in a Coach training group on facebook, and it got to the part of why I need a transformation. It was like a hard slap in the face (you know, the kind you need sometimes) of why on earth I can not stick to a dang program!!!!!!

Before I answer that, here's a little back ground on me:
 For about 3 years, I have had this dream of becoming a bodybuilding.com athlete and spokesmodel. I have used their site for years and years researching programs, techniques, and I have spent ALOT of time in a gym setting. I know all about what supplements to take when, what workouts to do, and how to do them. I know ALOT in this little brain about lifting weights, and the science behind it. I also have my personal training supplies to study and take my exam. I have always had the dream of being the type of girl that many look up to, and to be able to inspire many. If you haven't figured it out, I LOVE lifting weights, and became very advanced.

When I finished 21 day fix, I had lost some fat, and my abs started to pop through. I was doing some workouts at work in our gym (Besides pilates, the workouts weren't that difficult for me..I needed more), and I was seeing some amazing results... because mostly of the clean eating i was doing allllll dayyyyyy lonnngggggg, and drinking my SHAKEOLOGY every single day.

Then.............

My knee was re-injured, putting me into a serious slump. no more hard cardio, no more long hikes, just therapy exercises. But guess what? I work in Physical Therapy, I know what I need to do. I need to PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH, and not get discouraged. Our bodies are important, so we need to take care of them!!!

I listened to the videos, and recordings in the coach training, and realized.... I NEED TO PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH. Would I want people I care about to bounce around program to program? NO. I need to get my act together. So I did.

I am WEEK 3 into body beast.... and I am OBSESSED. These are the workouts I did in the gym. These are the RESULTS I know I can get. This is my program. This is my time.

I'm tired of being a quitter, because frankly, that's not who I am, or how I was raised. I am publicly PROMISING MYSELF to never quit again, if I choose this way of life, I CHOOSE IT FOREVER. 

WHAT WILL YOU PROMISE YOURSELF??

My most important progress thus far... and it isn't physical.

If you're finding me off Facebook, you've probably seen my transformation pics. You've probably seen how far I've come PHYSICALLY, but if you've lived a day in my shoes, you'd see the REAL progress I've made. The progress you can't see on the outside. I have this AMAZING friend, and actually she's like a sister to me, and we actually met through our upline coach, and my coach told me that I need this girl as a success partner. I was actually potentially paired up with another coach.. but it just didn't feel "right". Kind of like when you pick your husband.. you want THE BEST partner for you out there. One that challenges you to be better, one that can be your BEST FRIEND, one that you can rely on. Well, I've got TWO of them!! We are the trio made in heaven I swear!!! When I met the two of them.... I knew there was a reason I waited for that right partnership.. it was because I was waiting to meet them. SOOOOOO cheesy I know... whatever :)..... So Kate.. which I consider a sister.. her and I decided to do the BODY BEAST program TOGETHER because well.... her and I are sooooo much alike. I have struggled with inconsistency, quitting, and making excuses. I had a hard time finding MY PROGRAM that I would make MY PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM... so when she said she needed and wanted an accountability partner... HECK YES!!! We talk every day, and holds me to it when I just don't want to do it!! She keeps me motivated, and so excited to share how I did that day. I hope I am the same for her!! There is nothing I love more than being able to have that type of friendship with someone... it really is one of a kind!!

Since starting the program... (THIS IS WEEK 3) Here is what has changed in my lifestyle:

1. I quit caffeine, COLD TURKEY.
2. I don't eat out every day
3. I have been CONSISTENT in my workout program, and haven't missed A DAY.

Wanna know what these 3 things have done for me?????

I haven't taken my anxiety/anti depressant medication in 3  and a half weeks. Now some of you may think... psssh. whats's the big deal?? Well let me tell you. Relying on a pill to make sure you don't panic that day, or become overly sad for no reason... it's pretty dang liberating to know that I CAN DO THIS. When I am staying consistent with all those 3 above...  I actually have totally FORGOTTEN because I just feel so good. It was today that I realized I haven't touched my pill case. 

SO this is my greatest progress thus far. and I am totally pleased with this. 

This to me, is WHY this is a LIFESTYLE and not just a phase. THIS is what keeps me motivated and going every single morning! 

If you can relate to having to battle anxiety and depression, you are not alone!!! If you ever need a friend, you've got a friend in me!!!! (Toy story flashback!) 

XOX