After a hiatus...I'm back! Ahhh!!!

Okay, so I was a little absent...okay, MORE than a little absent from this blog for a while. A long while. Between my computer being destroyed (thanks to my two year old, who knocked it off of our coffee table during an epic fit) and at the same time feeling like I wasn't reaching many people...you all have knocked my socks off!  I've received message after message saying that you found me on Pinterest or through Google and where have I been???  It's touched me and so, I'm back. I'm back for you and for me. The break was just what I needed to get my head right again. I had gotten so caught up in the fact that I wanted to help others that I forgot that I started this blog to help ME! To post the things that I love, find inspiring, enjoy eating. The attitude of this community starts with me and I want it to be positive, full of light, and I was not in that place at the time. 

So, epic fit or not, it was meant to be for me to have this little break to get my head back to where it needed to be. My waistline, unfortunately, has suffered for it. I'll be posting pictures in a later post today. But, for now, I'll tell you about my Team Beachbody Coach Summit experience. 

It.was.amazing. It was my second time at Summit, but my husband's first time. I enjoyed everything a little bit more because he was with me. He got to see my passion, now understands why I spend so much time on the computer and on my phone, gets why I love all of my "online" friends so much! He got to connect with people that he would have otherwise never spoken to and we got to experience an awesome event together! He is now 100% supportive of me and my business, which 3 months ago, had you told me that would happen, I would have laughed in your face! 

We got to hang out with my incredible team and connect with them on such a bigger level than what we ever could online. I'm blessed to be a part of this awesome company, Beachbody, and to be a part of something so much bigger than I ever could have dreamed of on my own. 

I can only pray that YOU find your own passion to follow and pursue. I've found mine in helping others succeed with their health and fitness, as well as, financially through Team Beachbody. If you ever feel like you would want to be a part of this company or would like to learn more, friend request me or shoot me a message on Facebook - find me here. I love to share not only our awesome products, but the opportunity to live a life unbound. I have freedom with this business that I never would have dreamed of having as a stay at home mom. I'm already registered to go to Summit 2015 in Nashville July 15-19th. I CAN'T WAIT! I hope to have YOU with me there! 

Fit Tip Friday: Fit Family Lifestyle Month!

Fit Tip Friday

 

 

Did you know that the month of January is not only the month of personal resolutions, but it is also the month to really get your family in on the act!  It's officially Fit Family Lifestyles Month! (I had no idea until a kind reader emailed and pointed it out, Thanks Kendra!)

 

So, today, I thought that I would share five tips to keep your healthy habits all in the family! :)

 

1. BE THE EXAMPLE!  Be the example that you want your children to model. If they need to get moving a little more, you need to get moving yourself!  If they are eating a lot of junk -- it's usually because they see one or both parents enjoying the not so healthy stuff. If they need to drink more water, start drinking more water yourself!  You're probably dehydrated anyway. ;)

 

2. KEEP EACH OTHER ON BOARD!  If you're making getting healthy a family affair, it's pretty difficult to hang out inside while the rest of the family is outside playing and having a good time. Cheer one another on as you learn new ways to move your body and as progress is made!

 

3. PUT IT ON THE CALENDAR! Schedule your fitness as you would any other appointment. If your family has made a commitment to walk every evening after dinner -- put it on the calendar and keep that commitment as if it were any other important appointment!

 

4. REWARD YOURSELVES! If your family has stuck to the program and has done their daily movement and healthy eating with little to no complaint for 3 days or so, have a family game night! Or, if they've committed to a sporting league, get them a new piece of gear as a reward for making that healthy commitment!

 

5. KEEP IT FUN!  This is the most important, especially for small children. If they are not deriving some sort of enjoyment from an activity, they are less likely to continue to do it on a regular basis. So, keep it interesting and keep them interested by doing things that they enjoy. If you have children that are total opposites (say, one is wild and one is calm) - alternate between activities that one or the other would enjoy more, that way each child (and parent!) experiences something that they otherwise would have written off. Who knows they may end up loving soccer or football, when they otherwise would have been hanging out on the couch.

 

 

For more recipes, tips, motivation, and support - come join me at Flabby Mom to FIT Mom on Facebook!



Motivation Monday: What motivates YOU?!

Motivation Monday

   What motivates you to pursue a dream, achieve a goal, step outside of your comfort zone?? I know that for me, seeing others achieve success in their professional/personal life helps to motivate me to emulate their success in my own life. It's not so much a competition with them as it is with myself. To be stronger, better, faster, more efficient, more fit, more healthy, just MORE than I was the previous day.  It's not about power, money, fame, etc. for me -- it's about the challenge with myself.

  For example, right now, as you all know, I am pursuing my goal of completing ChaLEAN Extreme again and getting 10 lbs off of me by New Years. I still have 7 lbs to get to that goal and only a few weeks to do it. I know that my eating hasn't been 100% and my workouts this past week were less than perfect -- so over the next 3 weeks, I will be very strict with my diet and really push myself with my workouts to reach my goal!

  I also have a business goal of reaching Diamond rank in my Beachbody business by New Years. In order to do that, I will have to not only step outside of my comfort zone in speaking to new people, but actually discussing the business side of Beachbody with them. It's one of those things that make me nervous -- so much so that I break out in a sweat. I WILL do it, though, because I have committed to the goal -- not only to myself, but to others close to me.

   So, I ask YOU -- what motivates you to do what you do?  Leave me a comment below -- I love to hear about what makes others tick. :)

 

 

 

Wonder Wednesday: Pasta and Depression in Women?

Wonder Wednesday: Pasta and Depression in Women??

 

     Pasta and depression?  WHAT?  In a new study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, that is exactly what medical professionals have discovered. Over the course of 12 years, the Harvard school of Public Health followed the diets of 43,000 women and discovered a link to a diet high in refined grains, such as pasta, and fatty, red meats and a 29-41% likelihood that those women would be treated for depression. Blood tests revealed that women who consumed this type of diet tested significantly higher for three biomarkers of inflammation.This new study isn’t the first to link certain diet choices to inflammation and depression, but it is one of the most complete to date. 

 

 

Dr. Michel Lucas, co-author of the study, says that the link between inflammation and depression is not clear, but evidence is accumulating that relates certain foods to an increased risk of inflammation and depression, while others seem to have the opposite effect.

 

Dr. Lucas' research shows that foods such as coffee, olive oil, wine, and vegetables, including carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens - if consumed daiy - can actually reduce inflammation and depression. A Mediterranean style diet is recommended, heavy in olive oil and fish,  has been linked to lower rates of mood disorder.

 

 

What are YOUR thoughts on this new study and do you agree with what has been found throughout the conducted study? 

 





Transformation Thursday: Rebecca P.

Obviously, if you follow my blog, I usually post these stories on Tuesdays, but I read Rebecca's story and know a few people that it MIGHT inspire, so I wanted to share it with you all today!

Meet Rebecca P. - she lost over 100 lbs. and 21" off of her WAIST -- read her story in her own words. Incredible!



Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?* I have grown up my entire life over weight, I thought this is how I was meant to live and that was it. I tried to hide from cameras, I was embarrassed to be introduced to new people, and I hurt all over. I grew up being told that I would be so much prettier if I had lost weight by family and friends. I basically accepted that I would never be anything but the heavy girl. I was unable to do things I enjoyed with friends because I was to big, I couldn't fit in booths at restaurants, or in a normal seat at the doctors office, even some cars were uncomfortable. I FEARED being out in public because not being able to sit in a sit was scary, I dropped classes because the desk were so tight I did not want people to see me trying to sit in them.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?* After I had gotten married in April of 2011 I did my first 5K it took me over an hour to complete it and I was hurting ALL OVER. I was the last person to finish the race that day. So that, the fact I had been on bed rest due to my high blood pressure, and then having to have my wedding dress made because I was so big I couldn't buy one in my size I knew it was time to change. I was newly married and late 20s I was sick of always eating and sitting on the couch! My weight had caused me to have a miscarriage at 24 weeks pregnancy, stopped me from buying cars, clothes, you name it my weight was controlling me and I was tired of it! I was tired of seeing pictures of myself and not being happy with it.

 

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?* I have used Slim in 6, Les Mills Pump, Turbo Jam, TurboFire (which I now have been doing for over a year), and P90X to get where I am at a total weight loss of 180lbs. The biggest challenge before beginning the program was being open minded in giving it a chance. You see the commercials and you really think there is no way that this could happen with out paying for a trainer or having major surgery. Beachbody helped me because they have something at every level of fitness. My very first program was Slim in 6 and it was perfect for me to get moving, once I completed this I started doing more cardio such as the elliptical and then I saw the Les Mill Pump commercial and I knew that this would be a perfect way to start weight training, after that TurboJam I wasn't using TurboJam to long before I was ready to set this thing on FIRE! And I haven't looked back! I have used it alone and with P90X TWICE!! It's a godsend, the nutrition guides have taught me how to eat more than any trainer.

 

Why did you choose this particular program?* I love to get loud and crazy when I work out, if you're not having fun then why do it?! So I loved PUMP the music was wonderful and great trainers, so I decided to order Turbo Jam after previewing it at a Fit Club and it came with a surprise the Greatest HIITs DVD! Wow I found myself wanting more and more of the that little fire disk I purchased the program!!! It's such a well made program the music is older but STILL good even present day!! It's challenging me still right now!! I mean where else can you get all of these classes, great trainer, great music, and ALWAYS challenging you, not at my gyms!!

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?* None stop challenging and if you feel like you wanna stick your butt out or shake it a little you can and it's highly encouraged by Mrs. Chalene Johnson so is always saying this is your WORKOUT go for it. The class is fun even if your not really there you feel like you are. The HIIT trainings have helped me in so many ways, I hate running but the cardio conditioning I do with this program has really helped me even succeed in RUNNING!

 

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?* My weight loss is unreal still to me! Mouths drop and some even cry when they ask what I have been doing and that I'm using the at home workouts. I tell them I dont have to spend hours in the gym, you can get results at home with BeachBody!!! My clothes fit different almost every week so much that I will not buy any new clothes since I seem to go down a jean size every month. And the fact that I'm inspiring so many other people is the best achievement!! Another honor was that Under Armour Women have been following my progress to loss 200lbs and are so inspired by me they said I was redefining the female athlete and are proud of me.

 

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?* Since I have been using Beachbody I have been asked to be the spokes person for our know your numbers campaign at work to encourage others to get healthy, I have been recognized on the Under Armour Women What's Beautiful Site as a featured Athlete, I have watched as a woman I have inspired loss 30lbs since Jan 2013, I felt confident to get a better job, I'm graduating with me AA this May, and I got Turbo Kick Certified. I don't know if I would have ever gotten to this point with out Beachbody or the community of people that are associated with this AMAZING company.

How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable? My beachbody coach has now become my friend. She is so humble and real, when she first emailed me my husband said it's a scam...haha, but turns out she is totally real. She continues to motivate me and encourage me to keep pressing play, I never took my before and after pictures before I met her. She said it would keep me motivated to see my results and she was so right it does. I hear from her almost daily, I think she is my biggest fan. Theres not one day she doesnt tell me how proud of me she is.

How did your Team Beachbody® Coach support you on your journey? I love the Shakeology, I believe it really set the bar to eating clean and healthy. I have used all of them you name it and Shakeology is the only one I have been able to continue using. It gives me energy, makes me feel better, the taste is amazing and you can do so much with it. with Shakeology and working out I have brought my grades up, have less cravings, learned what super foods are. Shakeology really helps you learn to rethink all of your daily choices.

How did a Beachbody Supplement or Nutritional Product or Program affect any existing health conditions you have? At one point I was taking four pills a day, three for blood pressure, and one for depression but not any longer!

Did you achieve any other measureable improvements with a Beachbody Supplement or Nutritional Product or Program? (e.g. Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, triglycerides, etc...) Team Beachbody home page has a million great tips, I encourage everyone to get on there and browse, everything from nutrition to success stories theres something to inspire and help everyone.

Motivation Monday: What drives you?

 

Motivation Monday: What DRIVES you?

 

 

 

 

    Everyone has SOMETHING that drives them, motivates them to do the things that they do. It is WHY they do what they do!  It could be faith, family, money, power, service, etc.

 

    Most people are motivated by money or the pursuit of it. They want to do more, be more, make more.  BUT, then there are others, who are motivated by service and faith and making a difference in others lives.

 

   Personally, I'm motivated by three things.  First, faith; second, family; and third, service. I want to be a person who does things for the glory of the Lord, whether it be leading others to Him or being an example of a Christian woman.  I want to be that person for my family, especially my two boys. I want them to always remember their mom as generous, kind, and caring. But, most of all, strong. I want to be a service to others, in whatever way that I can be. I enjoy helping others with the health and fitness, but if I can be of service in other ways, I would like to be.

 

    So, what motivates you to be the person that you are?  Is it fame, fortune, faith, family? Is it to be remembered as a Godly person or as a star? Post below in the comments!  I would love to hear about your WHY! :)

 

 



Worship Wednesday: Our New Home!

Worship Wednesday: Our New Home

Joshua 24:15 "...As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord."

 

    The Lord just continues to bless our family!  One thing that has been on our hearts (and minds) and in our prayers as of late was to be able to find our forever home. We've been living in my in-laws vacation property for the last four years and to be honest, it was just time. So, my husband and I first set about deciding what area would be best to move...somewhere larger? Somewhere smaller? Stay near where we are? Move farther away?  Well, we decided to move closer to where he works and to a slightly larger city.

 

    I am so proud to announce that the Taylor family will soon be residents of Dothan, AL! 

 

    After touring numerous houses and nit-picking them to death, we decided on the first house that we went to see. Our wonderful realtor, Brett (of Heisler Homes & Realty, HIGHLY recommended if looking in the area), said that the first house you look at usually is the house you end up buying. I don't know if that's true or not, but it was for us.

Our New Home!

    I'm excited for the opportunity for Kevin and I to re-connect with old friends and make new ones, as well as, spending more time with family that live up that way. I am also excited for the boys to have the opportunity to meet other children that live in the neighborhood and make friends, as there are few children their age that live near our current home.

   May I ask that you say a small prayer for us that the closing goes smoothly and there are no hiccups along the way?  We appreciate the prayers and know that the Lord is by our side during this new chapter in our lives.

 

God bless you and your family!

 

Transformation Tuesday: Marciel M.

 

Transformation Tuesday - Marciel M.

 

(in her own words)

"Before I started TurboFire, I was depressed, lonely and defeated. Ever since elementary school, I was teased for being fat. In fact, I heard it so much, I just stopped caring. I felt like there was nothing left for me to do except accept that I was fat and live the way I was living—eating fast food, lounging around and doing nothing.

But when I developed sleep apnea, weighed in at 253 pounds, and my doctors said I was morbidly obese, that’s when I knew I had to do something. I knew I didn’t want to take blood pressure medication for the rest of my life. And when my doctors tried to get me on a diet program that would cost $3,000 a month, I knew I could do better.

So I found a Beachbody Coach and started doing TurboFire. TurboFire was awesome. To my surprise, it was actually fun. I mean, it was hard, but I loved the energy Chalene gave me. Plus, I also got the best spot in the class. So I kept going.

And every time I felt like giving up, my Coach, Kelli helped me fight through every bump I came across. She gave me the accountability I needed. Thanks to her, I made it through—and lost over 100 pounds. I used to wear XXX-Large t-shirts and now I wear a small!!! I went from size 18 pants, and now I’m down to a size 7.

I don’t have sleep apnea any more—and I’ve stopped taking my blood pressure medication!

My life has changed so much. I’m much more positive. I love my life. I love fitness. And I’ve become a religious user of Beachbody products. I believe the combination of Shakeology, TurboFire, LES MILLS PUMP, INSANITY, and ChaLEAN Extreme helped me get rid of all the health problems I had.

Shakeology helped my digestion, stopped my cravings, curbed my appetite, and gives me so much energy. As a student with very little extra time, it’s a real Godsend. But then again, so is my Coach. Without her support and her accountability, I don’t know if I would have been able to transform my life. When I started my journey, she asked me to define my goals, then worked with me to make sure I didn’t give up.

Now that I’ve reached them, I couldn’t be happier—or more thankful."

If you need the type of support and encouragement that Marciel got from her coach, please feel free to email me at cgranberrytaylor@gmail.com -- I would love to help you!

Program Spotlight: Focus T25

 

 

So, you may or may not have heard of this incredible program, since it is BRAND SPANKIN' NEW!  But, this program is going to revolutionize getting fit. It's the EXCUSE-BUSTING workout program that people have been seeking. No more hour long workout sessions for you, because you are going to have FOCUS T25.

 

 

Focus T25 is the latest collaboration from Shaun T (of Insanity fame) and Beachbody, LLC...the world leader in at-home fitness programs. The program was born of Beachbody founder, Carl Daikeler's, need for a shorter workout so that he could spend more time with his kids in the mornings. It's roots are in Shaun T's Insanity Fast and Furious 20 minute workout. So, read on to find out more about this awesome program!

 THE BASICS:

• Every workout in this program is 25 minutes.
• The schedule for the program is 5 days per week for Monday-Friday.
• You do a different workout each day of the week.
• The entire program is 10 weeks long with two phases which are each 5 weeks
• The Alpha Phase is the first phase which is 5 weeks. There is no equipment, no weights, and it’s a progressive workout where the focus is on getting the correct form. Shaun T described it as “Gym Class 101″. So, regardless of your current fitness level, you can do this!
• The Beta Phase is the second phase which is also 5 weeks. This is where you ramp it up a notch and use what you learned in the first phase to work hard. This phase is all about strengthening your core.
• There is an optional Gamma Phase that can be purchased separately as an add-on which is where he starts to incorporate weights.
• This workout is awesome for both men and women. If the program is too intense, you can always follow the modifier named Tania who does a lower-impact version of all of the moves.

What does Focus T25 include?

• 11 Workouts on 9 DVDs that are each exactly 25 minutes
• 10-Week Schedule for the Alpha and Beta Phases showing you which workout to do each day
• Red resistance bands which you’ll use in the Beta phase
• 5-day Quick-start Guide including a workout schedule and menu plan
• T25 ‘Get it Done’ Nutrition Guide with recipes and meal plans
• BONUS – If you order through a coach like me, you’ll also get the “Core Speed” bonus DVD.
• Info on how to get a FREE “T25 – Nailed It!” T-shirt from Beachbody.
• With the Challenge Pack, you’ll also get a 30-day supply of Shakeology in your choice of flavor: Chocolate, Vegan Chocolate, Vegan Tropical Strawberry, Greenberry or the NEW Vanilla flavor.
• And, you get ME as your coach to support you through the program.

Focus T25 Schedules for the Alpha and Beta Phases

Here are the 5- Week Schedules for the Alpha and Beta phases. You’ll workout Monday-Friday, take your measurements on Saturday, and Stretch on Sunday.

If you are interested in learning more about the program and how YOU can purchase it, please feel free to shoot me an email at cgranberrytaylor@gmail.com or head over to http://www.beachbodycoach.com/cgtaylor85 and have a look around!

 

Transformation Tuesday : Jeffrey H.

Meet Jeffrey H., he's a big inspiration to me and should be to you, too.

     Want to know how to balloon up to 385 pounds by age 35? Grow up gorging on all the junk food your mom hid (but not very well) and become the fattest kid in class who gets picked on every day of his life. Then move into adulthood and choose a job that keeps you on the road for 10 to 14 hours a day, eat TWO Mickey D’s Steak, Egg & Cheese bagel sandwiches and a LARGE soda, or a chocolate brownie Pop-Tart every morning for breakfast, then chase it with more fast food at lunch.

     Want to know I lost 130 lbs. in 18 months and changed my life forever? It all started when my dad shocked the heck out of me when he said he’s surprised that I made it to my 35th birthday because he always thought I’d die early due to my unhealthy lifestyle. And the clincher was when my size 48 shorts and my 5XL t-shirts were getting tight on me. If those two things aren’t inspiration to change, nothing is. So how’d I do it? With two rounds of P90X, one round of INSANITY, one round of INSANITY/P90X hybrid, two rounds of Asylum, and a whole lot of Shakeology. So why did I start with P90X? Because a friend of mine was doing the program and was getting great results—and I thought if he can do it, so can I. So I did it. It took a while. But I did it!!!

     Like everyone always says, the workouts were only part of the transformation process. Revamping my diet was the other. And boy was that hard. Thankfully I had Shakeology, which was great because it helped so much with getting the correct nutrition in my body every single day. Before Shakeology, I was diagnosed as a pre-diabetic, but after drinking Shakeology for 2 ½ years, I’m finally a “normal person” and am not on any medications.

     Since my journey began in August 2010, my life has changed in so many ways. Now I have so much energy it’s not even funny. I'm doing things I never imagined I’d ever do in my life, like running 5 and 10K’s, and doing The Warrior Dash. My shoulders are more defined, my legs are skinnier, I’m seeing muscles I didn’t even know I had, and I’m starting to see the excess skin on my belly shrink back into itself.

     When I first started my journey, I was popping 10 prescription pills a day. I was taking 3 blood pressure pills, 2 cholesterol pills, a painkiller, a bladder pill, a sleeping pill, an anti-depression pill, and a heart pill! Today, I’m proud to say that I’m on ZERO meds. ZEEEERRRRRRROOOOOOO!!!!!!!

     Right now I’m doing LES MILLS PUMP and am continuing to lose weight. So far I’ve lost 54 inches off my body and 26% body fat. The old me wore a size 50 pant, but today I wear a 34 and those are getting big on me! My starting weight was 385 lbs., today I weigh in at 225—that’s a 160-pound difference. I haven’t been this weight since middle school, and that was 20 years ago. Never in my life have I had so much energy; even as a kid I didn’t have this kind of energy. It’s absolutely amazing! Thank you Beachbody. Because of you, I get to celebrate many more birthdays.