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

Home made Chocolate Protein Bars AKA amazingness

Wanna hear a story?? **Proud moment**

My 13 year old sister in-law got home from her first day of school, and she was hungrrrrrayyy. Dinner was still a bit away, and I started pulling out the "brownies" from the fridge from setting up so I could try these pups and get a review typed up.... This was my chance. My moment. To get a real, 100% non-biased opinion of my protein bars.... after hearing that she was hungry, I asked her if she wanted one, and she said, "well, I haven't eaten much so I don't want to eat something super bad for me and get a headache...."  and my response went something like... "well... these actually are pretty good for you..." So she decided to have a go. YES!!!! I watched her like a freaking creeper would, and she LOVED THEM!! and even asked for a second one.... WINNING!! One thing I've learned... if its any sort of "healthy treat", has the word protein in it... most people cringe and turn away, spit it out, or try and be nice until you walk away.... but I nailed it on this one.... I got one picky, critical, teenager to like, and want seconds of my protein brownie bars.... SO YOU KNOW THEY'RE GOOD.

 Thank you ChocolateCoveredKatie!!!!!!

HOLLLLAHHHH WHAAAAAAT!?!?

I am STOKED about this. I decided last week that I was going to experiment when I got home from vacay, and TODAY WAS THEEEE DAY. I love love love experimenting with healthy treats... because guess what??? I am a freaking sweet tooth addict. So when I can spare myself just a little... I'M ALL OVER THAT! I got this recipe from www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com, and her site is AMAZING!!! Pretty much my favorite blog a of late... ;)

This recipe was super easy to make, and didn't take me long at all.

Head over to My favorite treat blog for more amazningness... here's whatcha need to know for these pups....

Fudge Brownie Chocolate Protein Bars

Adapted from Black Bean Brownies

• 1 1/2 cups black beans (1 15-oz can, drained and rinsed very well) (250g after draining)
• 3 tbsp dutch or regular cocoa powder (15g)
• 7 tbsp chocolate protein powder (I used Nutribiotic) (45g)
• scant 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup or agave or honey (Honey is not for strict vegans.) (75g)
• pinch pure stevia, or 2 tbsp sugar of choice
• 3 1/2 tbsp coconut or vegetable oil (35g)
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/3 cup to 2/3 cup chocolate chips (Not optional; omit at your own risk.)

Homemade Chocolate Protein Bars: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Combine all ingredients except chips in a high-quality food processor, and blend until absolutely and completely smooth. (A blender works if you absolutely must, but the texture and taste will be much better in a food processor.) Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour into a greased 8×8 square pan. Optional: sprinkle extra chocolate chips over the top. Cook the homemade chocolate protein bars 16 minutes. They will still look underdone when you take them from the oven, but this is okay. Let cool, then pat down with a pancake spatula. Refrigerate overnight. The bars will have firmed up and are now ready to cut and eat. Store leftovers in the refrigerator. Makes about 10 bars.

ENJOY FRIENDS!!! I know I will ;)

XOX

Total, 100% honesty with myself.

I am going to do something a little different this time around... I am going to post as if this was my journal. I have a few things I need to confront MYSELF about.... my "come to Jesus talk" with myself (as we would say growing up)... I've got a few things that need to be fixed, and the only way to accomplish that is by a little  alot of reflection, some sacrifice, and serious hard work and dedication. Enough is enough, no more. Tough love is sometimes the best love.. Breathe in..... breathe out.... lets go.

Dear Self,

Today you stooped back into some very very bad habits. It's time to confront yourself. Remember about two years ago when you literately ate ANYTHING you wanted, and how much sugar and sweets you ate? Remember how sad you were? You ate those things not because you were hungry but because you liked the way you felt after. Those 4 cupcakes were good today, but were they really that good? Remember how well you did once at cutting out sugar, and HOW GOOD YOU FELT when you did so?? Yeah yeah yeah, blame it on the fact that you have genetically inherited a gnarly sweet tooth.. you don't take responsibility that you really want that treat more than you want your dreams and goals... that's pretty sad. You know how to eat things in moderation, because YOU'VE DONE IT! You know what to do. But why don't you do it? What is holding you back? Honestly. What are you afraid of? Why do you make excuses? You can't live life in fear anymore. I know deep down, you're afraid of failing yourself, afraid of success. But why? don't you know that you're worth it? Surely you must, otherwise you would have never started in the first place. I don't want to be that unhappy again, and I CAN DO THIS. Sugar is an addiction, and I am addicted. Remember the time (two weeks ago actually) that you quit caffeine COLD TURKEY that you relied on so much? and was so tied down to that you didn't know if you could go a day without it?? YEAH.. YOU DID THAT. You did it then, you can do it again. You've already proved that to yourself. Take a look back at your life... you CAN do hard things. YOU CAN. You owe it to yourself Jessica, to follow through. To achieve your goals. You ARE worth it. You are better than your excuses, and you know that. Either you want it or you don't. So this week, do yourself a favor, and do this. No more sugar. Work hard this week. YOU DESERVE IT!!!!!!! You know WHO you are, and WHAT you are capable of, so make it happen!!!

Sincerely, Self

I am honestly sick and tired of being sick and tired. Today I realized how much better I could be doing. I know I can do it, but honestly lately, I have had ZERO drive. I've fallen out of a few habits, and I need to stop. or start? hahah! Guess what though? The beauty about life is that whenever you DECIDE that enough is enough, YOU are responsible for that change. This week, I am going sugar free. I know I can do it, yes it is going to be hard, but I can do hard things. I will be on vacation, but that is NO EXCUSE. remember, no excuses? So here we go.

This is my goal for this 'READY SET SUNDAY' for my goal setting.

"The Heavens just opened up!!"

Alright guys.... curiosity killed the cat today. Or the heavens just opened up... you pick ;)

Two things:

1. It FREAKING MAKES MY DAY when my shakeology comes a day early. I mean SERIOUSLY.
2. I am ALWAYS on the hunt for new healthy TREATS!!!! <----did you know I've been cursed with a wicked sweet tooth???

So here's how my mind was working today...... I kept thinking to myself: .....man.... I am hungry for something delisssshhhh right now... ugh.... wish my Shakeology was coming today... sigh....I need to get on and find some recipes I can make..... Nla for her always has some AWESOME recipes on their website ( Go check it out btw...)...mmm those look good... and easy...... coconut butter??.... I know what coconut oil is... but what's coconut butter??..... maybe I should ask my coaches group.......who is here??..... is that my Shakeology?!?!?!?.......

BAM!!!

I got my Shakeology, and also found out about the coolest thing I've come across yet....COCONUT BUTTER!!!!

Did you know there is a difference between coconut butter and coconut oil?? I figured so, but I was, and sort of still uneducated about the whole coconut this and that.....

"Think peanut butter vs. peanut oil. One is thick and smooth, while the other is liquid (at room temperature). Coconut butter includes the meat of the coconut, while coconut oil does not."

I also just found my newwwwww favorite blog for healthy(er) treats.... yipppppppeeeeeee!!!! If you haven't been over to chocolatecoveredkatie.com you probably should get over there right now.. or after you read this ;)

I did find out however, how to MAKE your own coconut butter... isn't this UHMAZING!!! I think it is!!! SO I think maybe today, or this weekend, I will experiment with this, and make some bomb diggity treats..... ****STAY TUNED-Check back Sunday for review ;)****  but from the amazing website, this is how I learned how I can MAKE my very OWN coconut butter... check this out:

Homemade Coconut Butter

• Shredded, unsweetened coconut (full-fat)
• Oh wait, there aren’t any other ingredients!

I took a bag of shredded coconut (Let’s Do Organic brand) and simply blended it in my Vita-Mix for about 3-5 minutes. (Note: If you use a food processor, blend for 10-ish minutes.) That’s all there is to it! Chocoholics can also make Homemade Chocolate Butter.

Side note: Depending on where you live–and the temperature/altitude–you might have trouble with this recipe. It works perfectly for me (and many of the commenters). Coconut butter is very tempermental and reacts oddly in different climates. I wish this would work for everyone, but a few people have left comments saying they’ve encountered trouble. So please know before trying that there’s a chance this recipe might not work for you. Also, if it refuses to turn to butter for you, it might be worth a shot to add some coconut oil to the blender… sometimes that fixes things right up!

I can't wait to get baking!!!!!!! 

Happy Thursday everyone!!!! 

My chaotic, wonderful, beautiful mess.

Well... It's been a while!!! 

I wanted to share with you my crazy life the past few weeks, and why I've been a little MIA. :)

We are officially moved into our new place, where my husbands wonderful family were kind enough to take us in for a while we get a few things paid off. I am absolutely in love with living here. I have never felt so relaxed in my entire life, and I know this is where I want to be, and where I belong. Let me paint a picture for you... The house sits on 20 acres. They have 3 MASSIVE gardens where everything you can think of grows. We have 2 dogs, 2 grown cats, and 4 kittens. Life out here is slow. Kids run wild outside, and there is so much room to run and be free. I love this lifestyle. 

This past week I also decided to quit some of the supplements I was using. Last Monday night I noticed some pain in my kidneys, and right then and there, I decided enough was enough. I quit COLD TURKEY. and let me tell you...... for those who have not had an addiction to caffeine and stimulants... you REALLY feel like you are dying. I didn't realize how much I was really relying on those stimulants and caffeine to get my by every single day. It was rough, but I have been 6 days with absolutely ZERO caffeine. I honestly am so proud of myself. There is a night and day difference to how I feel... I AM FINALLY feeling like my normal self...calm, chill, go with the flow... my anxiety has completely stopped, and I feel so calm and okay again. I definitely made the right choice. This past week, I have LITERATELY slept every chance I got, and I am so glad I made time for me to jut get better. 

The only thing I am taking everyday is my Shakeology, and I just feel so much better inside when I give my body something SO GOOD. I am getting natural energy, and it still helps curb my monster appetite ;) 

My goals this week are to listen to my body, but to get myself a good workout in again. I will stay consistent with my blog, and get a post up on Thursday... (stay tuned its gonna be good!) and to keep my body energized and fed well!

I hope everyone has an excellent week!!!!

XOX