PiYo - Define Yourself Like Never Before

I wanted to write this blog post about PiYo because I just loooooove this program.  I love everything about it - the workouts, the trainer, and the results.  It is literally one of the best workouts I have done in my entire life because it gives you everything you need all at once – stretching, strengthening, and cardio- and it makes you feel AMAZING on the inside and out. 

I tend to get a lot of questions about this particular program so I wanted to put together this review to share some basic information about the program,  so you can decide if this would be a good fit for you. 

What is PiYo? 

PiYo is a low-impact, high-intensity home workout program designed by top trainer Chalene Johnson.  It uses the most effective Pilates- and yoga-inspired moves set to a fast pace to help you burn fat while you sculpt long, lean muscles.  You’ll carve every inch of your body without jumps, without weights, and without straining your joints.  It’s a highly efficient workout because you get your strength, your cardio, and your flexibility training all in one program.

The program comes with a 60 day schedule to follow.  Chalene designed the workout  schedule to make sure you progress each week as you build up your strength, flexibility, and stamina as you go along.  The workouts aren't long either.  Most are 30 minutes or less, with the exception of two longer ones- Sweat (35 mins) and Drench (45 mins).   

Who is Piyo for? 

In my opinion, PiYo is truly a universal program.  I think anyone and everyone can benefit from this workout (as long as you are healthy enough to do low impact exercise)!  No matter if you are new to exercise or a hardcore athlete, PiYo will make you feel great and get you results.  Each workout includes several variations of each move to show a beginner, intermediate and advanced option.  

If you are like me and you like workouts that make you work up a sweat, you may not typically enjoy doing the slower paced workout like yoga.  BUT… if you aren’t getting enough stretching you can really do some damage to your body.  PiYo is great because you get to stretch during your workout.  It's dynamic and fast-paced, yet still gives you the healing and restorative results of a yoga workout.  

What is included with PiYo? 
The base PiYo package includes the following: 

• 8 PiYo workouts, plus 1 bonus workout
• PiYo Quick Start program guide
• Workout calendar
• Get Lean Eating Plan
• Tape Measure

You can upgrade the package to include the Strength workouts and the PiYo Strength Slides.  I highly recommend adding these in once you complete the 60 day program because the slides are totally awesome to boost your results.  They may look simple but they work your body in a truly unique way. 

As with all Beachbody programs, you have the option to upgrade to a Challenge Pack.  The PiYo Challenge pack will include the full base package as well as an entire month supply of the super-food meal replacement – Shakeology.  This is a great way to try both and get them at a discounted rate. 

What type of results can be expected from PiYo?   

When I started PiYo I was feeling somewhat broken.  My body was incredibly tight, and I was battling with lower back and knee pain.  After a couple of weeks of PiYo all of my aches and pains went away.  The functional stretching was so healing for me.  Many of the clients and fellow coaches I work with have experienced similar healing results from PiYo.

After completing Piyo, I was most impressed with the definition and slimming I saw in my waist and arms.  It seemed like the results kind of crept up on me.  I didn't quite notice anything dramatic right off the bat, but little by little I could see my pants getting looser at the waist and I noticed my upper arms were slowly toning up. 

Check out these impressive results:  Rachel G. lost 42.9 lbs in 60 days of PiYo!  She says "PiYo focuses on every aspect of fitness: flexibility, cardio, balance, strength, agility and stamina. PiYo changed my body drastically in just 8 weeks, and is something I will continue to do for the rest of my life." 

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Check out the video below for a sample of PiYo to see what its all about. 

If you would like to try PiYo you can order here or email me at fabfitfunjen@gmail.com.  I can get you set up in one of my monthly challenge groups to provide you with support, motivation, and accountability that will greatly improve your results and make your journey a lot of fun! 

Fluffy Coconut Flour Pancakes

My two year old son loaves his pancakes and muffins, so I am on the constant quest to make healthier recipes that can give him a more balanced breakfast (as opposed to just straight up carbs and sugar).  I decided to try out a grain-free recipe by using coconut flour.  I am still fairly new to using coconut flour and this stuff is tricky  It can really thicken up a batter so you have to watch your measurements closely!   

The below recipe was the final result of some pretty fluffy and tasty pancakes.  They were a big hit with my son so I'd say its a winner!  

Note: normally I use coconut oil in place of butter but we lost 3 pancakes with this method because they just stuck to the pan like glue.  Butter worked perfectly!  

Ingredients

• 4 eggs, room temperature

• 1 cup whole milk (can substitute non-dairy milk if preferred)

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 TBL maple syrup

• 2 tsp cinnamon

• 1 TBL coconut sugar

• 1/2 cup coconut flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp sea salt

• butter (for frying)

Directions

• Preheat griddle over medium-low heat. In a small bowl beat eggs until frothy, about two minutes. Mix in milk, vanilla, and maple syrup.

• In a medium-sized bowl combine all dry ingredients.  

• Stir wet mixture into dry until coconut flour is incorporated.

• Grease pan with butter . Ladle a one heaping tablespoon of batter into pan for each pancake (for silver dollar size). Spread out slightly with the back of a spoon. The pancakes should be fairly thick. The thinner you smooth them out, the harder they will be to flip.  

• Cook for a few minutes on each side, until the tops dry out slightly and the bottoms start to brown. Flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.

• Serve topped with coconut oil, cinnamon, and honey, or syrup.  I think fruit would be good too!  

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Healthy Hidden Veggie Pasta

My two year old son has become quite the picky eater lately.  It's forced me to get creative so I can get him to eat more vegetables.  Pasta is a favorite of his (he calls it "roni") so I thought of ways to make it healthier.  

So here is what I came up with:  

Mix 1-2 jars of baby food (I used carrots and squash) in with the tomato sauce.  The flavor of the tomato sauce totally masks the flavor of the added veggie).  

Ingredients 

- Quinoa elbow style pasta

- Organic marinara sauce 

- 1 jar of puréed baby food carrots

- 1 jar of puréed baby food squash 

For this recipe shown here I cooked the quinoa pasta as directed.  While it was boiling I poured the marinara in a small pot and stirred in the baby food.  

I used a half box of the pasta, with a quarter to a third of a jar of the marinara.  You can alter the measurements depending on how much you need and how you like  it to taste.  I would start with only one jar of the baby food first and then play around with the sauce until you get the right amount and flavor.  

This meal takes NO PREP and is ready very quickly.  This is perfect when you need something quick to feed your picky kid (or yourself!).  

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Everything You Need to Know about Beachbody On Demand

Beachbody on Demand is here! Here is my review and answers to FAQs.

In March 2015, Beachbody released its newest offering called Beachbody on Demand (as part of the Team Beachbody Club Membership).  Members now have unlimited streaming access to some of the top selling programs offered by Beachbody.  You can have access to this catalog of fitness programs from any device with an internet connection.  

The cost of this membership is only $38.87 per quarter.  That breaks down to about $2.99 per week, for access to over $1500 worth of fitness programs.  Pretty amazing right?  

I am obsessed with this because it not only makes fitness super accessible and affordable, but you also get the full program and nutrition guides to these programs, plus the support of your coach (hopefully me!) and the Team Beachbody community.  The membership also gives you a 10% discount off all orders, as well as other tools such as meal planners and VIP access to chats with the celebrity trainers.  Have I mentioned yet what an AMAZING VALUE this is???  

Please read the FAQs below for additional information on this program.  

Beachbody on Demand – Frequently Asked Questions

What fitness programs are available through Beachbody on Demand?  

As of March 2015, the Beachbody on Demand library includes the full workout catalog and nutrition guides for the following programs:

• P90X
• P90X2
• P90X3
• Insanity
• 10 Minute Trainer
• ChaLean Extreme
• Insanity the Asylum volume 1
• Hip Hop Abs
• Turbofire
• Brazil Butt Lift

Will new programs be added to Beachbody on Demand?

Yes.  Beachbody on Demand offers individual sample workouts from their other programs so members can "try before they buy".  There are currently sample workouts from PiYo, 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, T25, Insanity Max 30 and more!  Beachbody has stated that they will be expanding the On Demand catalog every month and will also be including sneak peak workouts from their upcoming programs before they even get released for sale.  

Can I access my purchased workouts from the Beachbody on Demand catalog?  

Yes, the "Purchased Programs" feature allows members to stream their DVD programs that they have previously purchased through Beachbody.  Programs that are currently available under this "Purchased Programs" feature include 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, and T25.  This catalog is expected to expand each month so don't be mad if you don’t see your favorite program offered there yet!  

Can I download the workouts?  

No the workouts are for streaming only.  You can only view them through an internet connection.  

What is the cost for Beachbody on Demand?  

As I mentioned above, Beachbody on Demand is an added service for Team Beachbody Club members.  The Club membership only costs $38.87 per quarter.  You do not pay any additional fees for streaming videos.  

What is the Team Beachbody Club Membership?

Benefits of the Club membership include:

• Beachbody on Demand
• 10% discount off all Beachbody orders
• Access to live trainer chats
• Customized meal plans and recipes

You are billed $38.87 per quarter for this membership.  You can cancel at any time, and you can even get a full refund within the first 30 days of your enrollment if you are unsatisfied with the service.  

How can I sign up?  

If you are already a enrolled in the Team Beachbody Club membership, then you don't have to do anything! You already have access to Beachbody on Demand. Just log into your account at www.teambeachbody.com and click on Beachbody on Demand to access the portal.  

If you are not currently a Club member, you can sign up and get your first 30 days for FREE. To enroll in the Team Beachbody Club Membership and unlock your free trial CLICK HERE.   

Or you can also enroll with the Team Beachbody Club Challenge pack.  This gives you a discounted price on your first three months of the Club membership and your first month's supply of Shakeology.  This is a great option because I know that nutrition is a huge component of your results.  I know that Shakelogy offers a simplified way to get your daily does of nutrition so that you can feel your best and get expedited results.  

Click here to purchase the Team Beachbody Club Challenge pack.  

Healthy Shakeology Shamrock Shake

Ahhh the shamrock shake. It's minty and delicious, and usually loaded with unhealthy fat and sugar. Well I have my own version that is just as delicious, but actually very healthy for you! 

Here's the recipe: 

- 1 scoop vegan chocolate Shakeology
- 1 handful baby kale
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1 frozen avocado ball (or 1 TBL avocado)
- TBL hemp seeds
- splash of peppermint extract
- water
- 10-12 oz unsweetened cashew milk
- ice

Toss everything in the blender and you got yourself a delicious superfood shamrock Shakeology shake! 

Click here to learn more about the health and weight-loss benefits of Shakeology.

Motivation 101

Unless you've been living under a rock your entire life, I'm sure you are well aware of the many health benefits that exercise has to offer.   But this knowledge doesn't always get us motivated t get those workouts in.  And that's OK!  We all have those days when we feel like the last thing we wold ever want to do is exercise.  

So here is my lesson for you all today:  Motivation 101.  I am going to share some tips to help you get motivated and get your sweat on.  

Tip #1:  Find your why.  
What is the real reason behind your health and fitness goals?  Many people will say to lose weight or feel good, but I want you to identify WHY.  Here are a couple of examples:  I want to lose weight because I am not proud of the way I look.  I want to improve my fitness so I can have the energy to play with my kids.  I want to exercise to be a good role model for my children.  
I want you to think about your why and write it down.  Look at this every day for motivation!  

Tip #2: Think about how good you'll feel once your done.  
Unless you are sick and need to rest your body, getting your workout in will always prove to be more rewarding than other activities like watching TV, or playing games / checking social media on your phone.  After you exercise you will be energized and accomplished, so remind yourself of that when you are thinking of skipping that workout.  

Tip #3:  Promise yourself that you will exercise for 5 minutes no matter what.  
There is no way you can't spare 5 minutes for a quick workout.  So put on some music that gets you pumped up and get crackin!  I bet once you hit the 5 minute mark you will be into it and will end up getting in a longer workout.  

Tip #4:  Get creative.  
Set an alarm on your phone to go off when it's time for your workout.  Use a motivational phrase as the alarm title so you see that when it goes off.  You can also build a collection of inspiring quotes and images and keep them on hand to look at when you are feeling unmotivated.  Make a motivation board on Pinterest and fill it with motivating content that you can look back on for a little motivation boost.  

Tip #5:  Try something new!  
Adding something new into your fitness route not only helps break through or prevent plateaus, but it is also a great way to give yourself something to look forward to.  It's easy to get bored if you are doing the same thing over and over.  

Tip #6:  Sweat in style.  
Throw away those ratty workout clothes and put something cute on.  Wearing an outfit that makes you feel confident and stylish makes you feel good no matter what you are doing.  So treat yourself to a nice new workout outfit and see how good you feel when yo wear it, and how you may feel more motivated knowing you get to wear your new duds.  I set goals for my business and each month i hot those goals I allow myself to purchase a new Fabletics outfit.  I just love this brand because their clothes are high quality and super cute.  I am always very motivated to do the next workout after my new outfit arrives in the mail because I am excited to wear it.  

Tip #7:  Make a playlist.  
Pull together a playlist with all of your favorite music.  If you are feeling tired and unmotivated, cue up the music and let it work its magic on you.  its amazing at what music can do for your mood and energy level!  

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