30 Days are UP! I've Arrived at Greatness.

Friends, I am happy to say that I have completed my 30 Days to Greatness fitness challenge. Yesterday and today I continued to follow the P90X lean program. Yesterday was Core Synergistics and today was Kenpo. This is the first time in my adult life that I have been active every day for 30 days in a row and I must say it has been a wonderful, fulfilling journey in which I have learned a lot. I have absolutely cultivated this healthy habit into my life and am looking forward to continuing a fit and healthy lifestyle. Here is what I have discovered so far on this journey...

Some benefits:
Boosted confidence and esteem
Relief from back pain / knots
Increased physical strength
Increased mental strength
Freedom from really painful cramps and fatigue during my period.

The joy of keeping my promise to myself.

The realization of how powerful I am and can be.
*There have been many things to celebrate, this is just some of the list.

Why am I writing this? Because I'm a person just like you:
I owned the P90X DVDs for a couple of years and it wasn't until now that I started using them.
I was previously a member of Bally's and then LA Fitness and like many people would pay for membership a lot more than I would use it.
I believed I didn't have enough time to work out.
I wondered why I would start a fitness regimen totally jazzed and then fizzle out one to two weeks after making a commitment.
I started to believe I would need a personal trainer to change my pattern.
*I think we can all relate to this. But now those days are over. I'm here to tell you if I can do it, you can too.

What changed?
1. DESIRE. For once in my life my desire to cultivate this healthy habit for the rest of my life outweighed any of the previous excuses that used to stand in my way.
2. I also went about it differently. Instead of wondering if I could do it or would do it this time, I made the decision that it had already been done. When you think of yourself as someone fit and healthy, you start acting like it. This helped me keep my promise to myself, not sabotage myself with food, and engage in my workouts with vigor and the knowing I was coming back tomorrow. You know, the marathon vs. the sprint mentality.

Friends, I will continue to post up about fitness, health, and nutrition. My new goal is to continue the P90X Lean Program for a total of 90 Days and then, purchase another workout like the Insanity or Zumba programs. If you have missed my daily posts while on this journey, click below and remember that subscribing and commenting is love. I write about all kinds of goodness on this blog and I'd love for you to be a part of it. Cheers to living our best life! xo

Day's 28 & 29 of 30 Days to Greatness

Day 27 of 30 Days to Greatness

30 Days to Greatness #26

30 Days to Greatness, Day 25.

30 Days to Greatness, Day 24

30 Days to Greatness, 22 and 23

30 Days to Greatness. Days 20 & 21. Let's go!!!

30 Days to Greatness. Day 19, Hitting a Wall...

30 Days to Greatness, Days 17 & 18!

30 Days to Greatness, #16

30 Days to Greatness. I'm Halfway There at Day 15!!!!

30 Days to Greatness Day 12

30 Days to Greatness, Day 11

30 Days to Greatness Day 10

30 Days to Greatness, # 9

30 Days to Greatness, THIS is Day 8.

30 Days to Greatness Day 6

30 Days to Greatness, Day 5

30 Days to Greatness, # 4

30 Days to Greatness, Day 3

30 Days to Greatness, Day 2

30 Days to Greatness

Day's 28 & 29 of 30 Days to Greatness

Hi friends, it is already my 29th day of this challenge. I can tell you that I feel great. I have noticed all kinds of changes and am happy to report I am having the best period in a long time. I usually suffer from bad cramps and fatigue but none of that has happened this month. I am hoping that is due to my new fit lifestyle. I was supposed to change up my workout after the third week and didn't realize it so I am now changing up my workout after my 4th week. I am still following the P90X lean plan and have made the modifications they have specified. Here are today's stats.....

Today's Workout:
P90X Yoga X as directed by their lean plan.

Today's Nutrition:
Breakfast - An egg scramble with tomato, onion, spinach, and an English muffin. 3 cups of coffee.
Lunch post workout - leftover wheat pasta with tomato sauce, tomato, onion, and portobello mushrooms with a garlic toast. Low sodium V8 to drink
Water all day.

Yesterday (day 27) was my rest day but I still enjoyed a wonderfully active time. Myself and Tony went to Descanso Gardens and enjoyed nature by way of plants, flowers, trees, insects, Koi, Turtles, and more. We took photos and had great conversation. We both have pedometer apps on our phones but I was lower than usual on my battery and taking photos with my phone so I asked him (a little late in our stay) to track our progress with the pedometer. Yesterday's outing was approximately 2 miles of walking and a lot of fun. :)

Tip:
1. Don't have a gym membership or workout DVD? Get out and WALK. This is free and can start low impact as you warm up if you have not been doing much activity. This is also very good for your mood as it will get your blood pumping and your mind out and into nature and the world at large. Track your progress with a Pedometer App. I started with this one and now I use this one.
2. Places to walk:
Your neighborhood.
The park.
The mall.
The beach.
To a nearby errand that needs to get done like the store, post office, video rental, dry cleaners, etc.

The best things in life are free! So get out there and enjoy what's waiting for you. You are worth it. your mind and body will thank you for it.

<3

Day 27 of 30 Days to Greatness

Today has been a great day overall. I must admit I am quite tired and sore. But I have been enjoying major breakthroughs and for that I am grateful. Today I went to spend time at my Grandma's house and got up and ready to go quite early. Since I had gone to bed after 2 am last night and had a vigorous workout late, I was sore and desiring sleep in the moring. In order to be my word to both my family and myself, I decided to do my workout when I returned from family time. While with family, I ate well, made good choices and stuck to what was best for me. I was really happy about that because as much as we love our families, sometimes they do not know what's best. Especially in the food department. I think we can all relate to that a bit no? Anyway, here's today's stats....

Today's Workout:
P90X Kenpo as per their lean plan

Today's Nutrition:
Breakfast - Cream of Wheat with ground flaxseeds, almonds, honey, and cinnamon. 2 cups of coffee.
Lunch - Rotisserie chicken, potato salad, veggie salad with mushrooms, tomato, cabbage, carrots, iceburg lettuce, spinach, and romaine, no dressing. Water to drink.
Dinner post workout - Hot dog at movies with catsup and mustard, 1 cup unbuttered popcorn, and water to drink.
Water all day.

Tip: 
What ever you think is possible is what will be possible for you. That's in fitness, nutrition, or life in general. Instead of saying I can't, how about asking how can I?

Cheering on the greatness in us all. Blog soon....

30 Days to Greatness #26

Today I didn't eat good and I just finished my workout at 11:35pm making it my latest workout ever! I am really happy and proud of showing up and I am not beating myself up over the food although I am aware I did not make the healthiest choices. Here's the stats:

Today's Workout:
P90X Legs & Back with Ab Ripper X

Today's Nutrition: 
Breakfast - Steel cut oats with ground flaxseeds, almonds, strawberries, and blueberries. 2 cups of coffee.
Lunch - Patty melt with french fries. Water to drink.
Dinner - Thai food Mee Krob, Noodles with chicken and shrimp, and a vegetable medley consisting of bok choy, broccoli, asparagus, and snow peas. Water to drink.
Water all day.

Workout Tip:
Gyms are great, but an awesome DVD / workout series that motivates you is where it's at. I LOVE that I can workout at home at any time and I can pause my trainer if I need to get more water, go to the bathroom. I LOVE that I save on gas, gym membership fees, and time! It's great that I can show up and do my best every time without having to think of anything else. All I have to do is what they instruct on the video. If you are thinking of giving it a try, DO IT.

I can't wait to hit the shower. this quick post is sent to you with lots of love. See you tomorrow! <3

30 Days to Greatness, 22 and 23

So yesterday (Monday) I used as my rest day due to a Model job I was booked on. Normally my rest day is on Sunday... For more on this

Today, I got my workout on with the A.C. blasting which I didn't really care for because I actually like to feel myself breaking a sweat. Additionally, feeling cold air blasting my way was distracting. So it wasn't my most centered, focused workout but I did it and for that I felt good. So here are the stats:

Day 22 Nutrition:
Breakfast on the go at Subway. I had the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich* toasted on an english muffin. I added bell peppers, onions, tomato, spinach, and mustard. I also opted to double my egg. I had one regular and one egg white. 1 cup Coffee.
Lunch was provided on set. I made it as healthy as possible by choosing the chicken, tomato, cucumber, feta sandwich and having 1/2 open faced and 1/2 without any bread at all. Fruit on side.
Drive home snack - A Tall Vanilla Creme Frappucino* from Starbucks. I cut calories but opting for Nonfat Milk and found it even more refreshing!
Dinner - Once home I was hungry!! It kind of became a free for all. Maybe it was because the day was 16 hours+ with activity. maybe because I was tired. Either way, bowl of Golden Flaxseed cereal, fresh juice made of carrot apple and lemon, and a couscous chicken tomato dish leftover of my husbands.
Water all day.
*Defaulted Nutritional Information does not reflect true numbers with my modifications calculated. For that information, please enter the information outlined after visiting the item via the link.

Day 23 Workout:
P90X Cardio as per their lean plan.

Day 23 Nutrition:
Breakfast pre workout - Egg, cheese, tomato, and zucchini shreds with 2 cups of coffee.
Lunch post workout - Egg scramble with portobello mushroom, tomato, onion, spinach and baked red potato and onion on the side. 1 cracked wheat sourdough toast and water.
Snack - Greek yogurt with banana, almonds, ground flaxseed, and honey.
Dinner - I don't know yet. ;)

Tip:
1. When working out, be focused on the workout and the muscles you're working. No reading, sitting down, watching T.V, texting, or talking on the phone. If you are proud like me and wanna capture pictures do so before or after your workout. Your fitness date is special, treat it as such.

Wishing you the best of life, health, and love. All ways.....

30 Days to Greatness, #16

Could you change your life by creating a healthy habit in 30 days? That's my mission and I am on day 16. Today, was really cool because I did something totally different. With no food in the house and having slept late, I wanted to get a jump on my day so upon arising and having a glass of water, I dove right in and worked out! Here are today's stats.

Workout:

P90X Cardio X as dictated by their lean plan. 

Nutrition:

Brunch post workout - Egg, cheese, and zucchini shreds with 2 cups of coffee.

Lunch - Subway 6 inch Veggie Delight with Avocado on Whole Wheat no cheese, bag of Lays Salt and Vinegar chips, water to drink.  This was my first time trying this sandwich and I really loved it. It was refreshing and healthy. Thumbs up!

Dinner - TBD :)

I am owed a reward of a new workout outfit which I will get since I did not like the options at Target. I am happy to say I had bought a scale though so now I will be able to factor in those numbers as well. I am now 115 lbs which is 3 pounds lighter than when I started two weeks ago.  I am trying to keep things short and sweet. My hope is that any readers will stay, go through the content, and be inspired!! So with that, I'm off!! 

Big hugs.....

30 Days to Greatness. I'm Halfway There at Day 15!!!!

Gosh, here I am at the middle mark of my challenge. I am so excited and feeling really good about it. It's so funny because I had given myself an incentive of a nice new workout outfit (I currently do not own workout clothes) and now here I am and just making it here is awesome enough!!! I will get myself my reward too though ;)

I just realized I did not post on Saturday so we will start there:

Saturday's Stats:

Workout: 

P90X Lean Plan called for Kenpo. It was my first time doing Kenpo and although there were difficult moments I LOVED IT! I really enjoyed the fighting stances and the movements because it felt as though I was training. We also incorporated sound and it felt goooood. Talk about a total release. 

In addition to the P90X workout, I also swam and danced at a friends pool party. It was funny because I felt the fatigue in my muscles after dancing hard for a bit but that just served to remind me of what I am doing and it's like a little proud secret when it sneaks up on you like that. 

Nutrition:

Breakfast pre workout - Cream of Wheat with ground flaxseeds, almonds, and honey. 2 cups of coffee.

Lunch post workout - 4 Blue Moon beers, 6 watermelon wedges (thinly sliced), 3 carne asada tacos (soft shell al carbon style with 1 corn tortilla each only) at the pool party.  

Dinner - 1/2 of a burger from The Habit with cheese (1 of the bun halves removed, water to drink)

**On a whole this day was not good nutritionally. I do not recommend this to anyone wanting to lose weight. If anything, please note the ways I modified my choices to save myself from empty calories. 

Sunday I was sore all over and tired. I enjoyed healthy calorie conscious foods, walked around Hollywood with my husband, and enjoyed the rest of my day off. 

Today's Stats:

Workout:

P90X Core Synergistics as dictated by their lean plan.

Nutrition:

Breakfast - Steel cut oats with blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, ground flaxseeds, and 2 cups of coffee. 

Lunch pre workout - Vegetable Ramen from Ajisen with 1/2 side of chicken, water to drink. 

Dinner post workout - Mahi Mahi with brown rice, garnished with sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and ground flaxseeds. Water to drink. 

I was so happy to see someone comment on my blog and show appreciation for the content. This was coming from a personal trainer which made it even sweeter. Thanks to anyone who is reading this. 

If you are having trouble starting or sticking with your fitness and nutrition goals, here are a couple tips!

1. No matter what weight you are now, YOU CAN DO IT!!! Don't believe me? Watch Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition These wonderful people will inspire you as will their trainer Chris. 

2. Finding it easy to slip away from your goal? Write it down and put it where you can see it!! Bonus points if you add an encouraging phrase or a picture of your dream body. :)

Remember.....

Pain is temporary, GLORY IS FOREVER. 

Go get it! I believe in us. :)

30 Days to Greatness Day 12

Gosh, I feel myself getting stronger. Make no mistake I could totally take a nap right now but I feel myself being able to handle the workouts better. I seriously encourage anyone that is interested in achieving a fitness goal to do it today. There is much to gain both physically and mentally.

Today's workout:
P90X Legs and Back with the Ab Ripper X.

Today's Nutrition:
Many glasses of water. I am up to 9+ now.
Breakfast - Cream of Wheat with almonds, ground flaxseeds, and honey. 3 cups of coffee.
Lunch post workout - Fresh juice made of carrots, apple, and lemon. 1 cracked wheat sourdough toast with hummus. 2 hardboiled eggs.

*I sense I am not eating enough to fuel my added activity. I am making due now because I will have to go grocery shopping soon.

Today's Tip:
Have a hard time maintaining your focus when in the middle of a tough workout or exercise? Think about what you are working for. Example: Today while my muscles were burning instead of thinking about that pain, I was imagining my body transformed into my ideal vision. This kept me going and focused on the exercise.

Hope this helps!

& remember.....   You can do it!!!!!!!

30 Days to Greatness, Day 11

Ever feel like you could just dream forever?? That's how I awoke this morning. Had to be up and at 'em for 2 auditions and other business. Fit my workout in between it all and now, at 7:08 pm, I'm beat. I can feel myself getting stronger already though. There are exercises that are getting easier and muscle groups that are not burning so badly. Also, I am noticing less soreness which is wonderful. Night's are great because I am genuinely tired and I don't have to work to get to sleep. I am also noticing freedom from back pain which is something I used to feel regularly. I posted about it in my 1st 30 Day Challenge post. My back is where I hold my stress and I know that working out is helping me release stress. It's great to get physical every day. With that said, here are today's stats...

Today's workout:
P90X Yoga X as dictated by their lean plan.

Today's nutrition:
Breakfast - 1 egg on a piece of sourdough toast, 2 cups of coffee.
Lunch pre workout - 2 blueberry waffles with syrup 1 cup of coffee.
Dinner - Chipotle Bowl with romaine lettuce, black beans, fajita vegetables, carnitas, light sour cream and light cheese. Chips and guacamole.
Lots of water all day, I am averaging roughly 10 glasses a day now.

Today's workout tip:
I had posted about working out on my facebook page and asked people when they like to work out. It was then that Luis let me know he was still trying to get started. In honor of him, here's a tip!!

How about approaching a friend, family member, coworker, and seeing if they will work out with you or lend you their workout DVD so you can get your fitness goals started! This can help make you accountable because you will have a partner counting on you and can save you money if you are not interested in joining the gym  or purchasing DVDs right now. Where there's a will, there's a way. So go and find your's today!

;)
See you tomorrow...