Funk

I'm in such a funk today. All I wanted to do was lie in bed with all of the animals around me and catch up on Grimm. And then I was reminded to do my workout. And then all of the other things that I need to do today to get this house into semi-decent shape flooded into my brain.

And then the funk set in. I did my workout, but it hasn't helped. I tried to get into it, but I was just grumpy. 

And so now, I do some of the things I have on my slate today. I might even get out the camera and do some of the fun chores. And find something to feed us eventually.

~Katie

Black Friday!

More like pink & purple Friday here!

I'm a sucker for workout shoes. These purple ones arrived a couple days ago. They have a special sole that make it easier to pivot on the carpet I workout on. So it's easier for me to protect my knees with all of the cross punches.

So far, I really like them.

Anyways, today was Fire 55. I didn't have breakfast before doing it, so I was dragging by the end. But I made it through!

~Katie

Thanksgiving Workout

Turkey Day is here!

I am so grateful for being able to spend this day with my fiancé focusing on just being together and doing things we love.

We spent the morning being a bit lazy, but we're going to a movie soon, so we decided to kick it into gear and get our workouts in. Yes, I realize that it's a day we're supposed to spend with family, but we did that Sunday & my immediate family is out of town. We're being a bit non traditional today & spending it together in non-cooking ways. We've both been looking forward to seeing Catching Fire & we have a date night at a nice restaurant this evening, so it's a day of togetherness.

Anyways, today, I have two workouts on the slate. I've done one: Fire 30. I felt like I could actually give it my all this time. No feeling like I was going to die halfway through. So I'm getting more fit! Yay!

There's still Tone 30 on the slate, which I may have to make up tomorrow while James is at work.

Now to get ready for the day!

~Katie

A few things that I'm grateful for:

A great job & career that puts me to a position to be an advocate and example for women in STEM

A wonderful community

Being able to own our home

The love of a good man

The success of my BeerSox business

Our 3 animals

My family

Security

My health

Happy Holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!

If you're interested in joining in the giveaway, go over to the giveaway post. I'm giving away a free Fire Starter Pack! It's a seriously no-strings-attached giveaway. I send you free workout DVDs if your name is chosen from the commenters.

For those of you in the market for buying a Beachbody workout program, there are some black friday deals going on! So head over to my Beachbody page, click on the "Shop Team Beachbody" Link on the lower left side and the deals should highlight themselves if you drill down to P90X®, TurboFire®, INSANITY: THE ASYLUM®, Derm Exclusive®.

From looking through it all, The best deal is the TurboFire Complete System for $99. Seriously, with my coach discount, I think I spent $200 on all of this combined. So if you've been waiting for a time to click purchase on one of the programs I've been working out to, this is the time. I'm kindof jealous.

What You'll Get with TurboFire: The Complete System (the number in each title designates the class length):

• Get Fired Up: Chalene guides you through the program to help you get the best results.
• Fire 30 Class/Stretch 10 Class: Throw smoking-hot hooks and make big leaps to the bass of "Give Up the Funk."
• HIIT 15 Class/Stretch 10 Class: Dial it up for your first High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) class.
• Fire 55 EZ Class/Stretch 10 Class: Don't let EZ fool you—you'll be sweating to "Dazzey Dukes."
• Core 20 Class/Stretch 40 Class/Stretch 10 Class: Chalene's most popular class targets your tummy with moves that deliver incredible abs.
• Fire 45 Class/Stretch 10 Class: Kick, dance, and punch your way into shape to the beat of "Wiggle It."
• HIIT 20 Class/Stretch 10 Class: "Turn This Mutha Out" with 7 sizzling Fire Drills in 20 minutes.
• Fire 45 EZ Class/Stretch 10 Class: Take a break from the Fire Drills—but not the fire—as you sweat to "In the Ayer."
• HIIT 25 Class/Stretch 10 Class: Here's 25 minutes of your most intense Fire Drills yet with Chalene.
• Sculpt 30 Class/Tone 30 Class: Develop shapely muscles with Chalene's challenging resistance classes.
• Stretch 40 Class/Stretch 10 Class: Increase your flexibility and lengthen your muscles for a long, lean look.

Plus, get these great tools to help you reach your fitness goals:

• Turn Up the Burn Fitness Guide: Get more in the know about HIIT and why TurboFire really works.
• TurboFire Class Schedule: We've taken the guesswork out of working out so you can get the best results.
• TurboFire Lower-Body Band: Add definition and build long, lean muscles with this body-sculpting band.*
• Fuel the Fire Nutrition Guide: Maintain high energy while you train with easy-to-prepare snacks and recipes.
• The TurboFire 5-Day Inferno Plan: See how you can lose up to 10 pounds in 5 days.
• 24/7 Online Support: Stay motivated with easy access to friends, fitness experts, and live chats with Chalene.

Plus, TurboFire: The Complete System also includes the TurboFire Advanced Classes!

• Fire 60 Class: Add variety to your schedule with Chalene's longest Fire HIIT Class. This one will have you HIITing it 4 times with Turbo Tracks to motivate you along the way.
• HIIT 30 Class: Get through your longest HIIT Class and the AfterBurn Effect will be working overtime.
• Upper 20 Class: Sculpt your arms and reshape your entire upper body.
• Lower 20 Class: Tone your inner and outer thighs, hips, and booty.
• Abs 10 Class: Get tight, flat abs in no time with this short, efficient core workout.
• Stretch 10 Class: Increase your flexibility, reduce soreness, and lengthen your hardworking muscles by warming down after your HIIT and Fire classes.

And get these tools for rapid results:

• Pink Toning Band with Handles*
• Results and Recovery Formula®
• Weighted Gloves
• TurboTracker Journal

Again, Happy Holidays!

~Katie

November Update

This morning, I did the first of my two workouts for today. Fire 30 was on the schedule and I knew I wanted to get in my photos and measurements. I like having these benchmarks, it helps me keep things in perspective. I have still come a long way from where I started last January. And I can build that momentum back!

Fire 30 was taking it out of me this morning!

And this is the not-so-excited to get ready for photos face.

But, nonetheless, I still tracked. I haven't taken photos since July. And the happy pounds have come back.

I am still 6.6 pounds down from where I started in January!

My waist is still down over 3 inches from where I started!

My back rolls have come back, but I'm determined to whittle those away with better eating, and more exercise!

Back: well, those rolls are back. Time to work on them a lot more.

Front: Luckily, my waist is still there!

Side: There's some work to do to get back to July's trim shape

And there you have it.

174.6 pounds of backtracking. But I'm geared up and ready to take the rest of the holidays by storm.

James & I have our challenge, and I can power through this slump.

I have been putting off buying new jeans because I still have a couple brand new pairs in a size down. I know that if I buy new jeans that fit, that I'll just feel comfortable in them. I'm trying to motivate myself and also keep my spending to a minimum. I tend to overbuy at the same time that I overeat, they go hand in hand as default stress actions.

Also, don't forget to check out the giveaway post if you're interested in a free Fire Starter Pack!

~Katie

Monday Workout

Today, my workout was Fire 55 EZ.

I missed both of my weekend workouts. And I went to a big party on Saturday & my family's Fakesgiving yesterday. So needless to say, my photo update will be tomorrow. It will not be pretty, but it's how I keep it real. I'm not going to wait until I get lower than I was in August to take an update. This blog is about life & accountability, right? 

~Katie

Holiday Giveaway

So, I often get asked about some of the programs that I use and I know some of you are curious to try something out before committing to one of them.

I have an extra Fire Starter Pack that leads you in to TurboFire!

This is how to get your fire started!

New to intense workouts like TurboFire? Or want to move like Chalene Johnson? Then, the Fire Starter Pack is for you! It includes:

Get Fired Up

Chalene guides you through the program to prepare you for the challenge and help you get the best results.

Fire Starter Class

Chalene breaks down every move you'll do in TurboFire. So if you're new to class, you'll get started on the right foot. Or, if you're a TurboFire fanatic, you'll learn how to perfect your form to become a true knockout!

Low HIIT 20 and Low HIIT 25 Classes

Chalene will show you how to burn fat the low-impact way. But low impact doesn't mean low intensity! Use these to build up to or take a breather from the high-intensity HIIT workouts.

Stretch 10 Class

Increase your flexibility through yoga and special stretching techniques that help you create long, sexy muscles.

I thought that this would be a great time to have a giveaway of it, since it's an extra for me and I'd love to share it, especially if you've been curious about it for a while.

All you have to do is comment on this post and make sure your email is included in your contact (and if you don't feel like writing out your email in the comment, feel free to comment and then email me directly katieworksout@beachbodycoach.com). I will close the entries at midnight Central Time on Wednesday, November 27. I will then write out all of the names and pick out of a hat. I'll announce the winner here on the blog, but I'll also email you so we can arrange to mail it out to you.

Fitting It In

Today, I could have told myself that I didn't have time to work out & still go to Ladies of Craft Beer. But I didn't!

Just finished my workout & now it's time to shower & head to dinner with the ladies!

And I also got new glasses in! 

Nothing like new glasses to give you a new outlook on life! BA-dum-Ching!

~Katie

Getting Back

It's been a rough start. I'll admit that. I fell off the wagon less than a week into my new program. I are everything & drank everything that was high in calories. A week and a half later & I'm about 5 pounds up from where I was aiming.

And I'm not going to let that make me quit. 

Last night, I did most of my workout before going out to see friends. I was very tempted to not do a workout at all. VERY TEMPTED. But I put on my duds & pushed play. 

And then I went to see some great old friends, one who is a former roommate who's back visiting. Yes, I had beers. Yes, I are dinner (grilled salmon Caesar salad), and my mood started coming out of it's funk.

Sorry for the blurriness. Low light does not make for good iPhone focusing. (Oops)

Don't you love how spending time with friends can snap you out of it?

Today was a productive morning! I did laundry, put away laundry, did dishes & then did my HIIT 15 workout. I was supposed to also do another workout, but I have to finish chores, shower, eat, and get downtown for the Untapped Festival! We'll be working the booth from 1 pm until 10:30 pm today. So I'll be on my feet for a number of hours.

Yay!

~Katie

I did it!

PLast night, I forgot to blog this, but it was HIIT 15 & Sculpt 30. Let's just say that the last time I did Sculpt 30, I was crying like a baby because I couldn't do even a third of the delt exercises without feeling horrible strain. So I just stopped doing it.

This time, I struggled through. No crying or whining. I didn't finish every rep. I had to recover a bit, but I never quit.

And I'll be stronger because of that.

And then James & I started making dinner & a crock pot turkey/quinoa meatball recipe I found online.

We are trying to make an effort to cook more often, in order to keep our waistbands & our wallets fit. When I saw the recipe for the meatballs, we had over half of the ingredients in the pantry, and they just sounded fantastic!

I don't have any photos of them, but they were ready to be put in the fridge for later when I woke up. I love crock pot recipes!

~Katie

Maintenance Update

So a bit ago, I made a list of the things that I wanted to get done that are hanging around in the background whenever I try to read, watch TV, go out to see friends, etc. These are the sucks on my attention, and things that I tend to let bring me down, but they are also things that need, or have needed, to get done for a while.

Clean up the backyard  (did this on Sunday rather than going to a social event)

Fix the sink

Fix the ceiling fan in the kitchen

Set up the studio

Work out (5/8 times so far)

Sort through my books (completed!)

Do the laundry (only a couple small loads remain)

Clean & organize the front room

Make the bed (1/2 of the time I get this done)

And to add to the list:
Unpack & put away my luggage
Devise hat storage
Stick to the budget
Go to the dentist
Go to the eye doctor
Do my nails
Take 5 minutes to be quiet and be grateful each day
Cook dinner 5 times per week
Bring lunch 4 times per week

I think that's enough to work on right now.
Nothing is too difficult, but everything needs a little bit of attention each day, and a plan to execute.

~Katie

Start the day off right

Starting the transition to morning workouts! I have lots of things to do in the evenings, so morning workouts are necessary!

Today: HIIT 20

~Katie

Week 2, Day 1 TurboFire

Today was Fire 45. I so did not want to work out today, but I did! So now, it's time to make dinner!

Yay!

I had nearly an entire post on the weekend's maintainance projects, and forgot to save the draft. 

Basically:

1) stopped myself in the middle of a self-shame-down

2) worked out at least once (behind schedule, but at least I didn't quit)

3) cleaned up the backyard

4) went to the dentist for the first time in 5 years & got 2 cavities filled & teeth cleaned. I go for some follow up work next week.

~Katie