Before and still working on it pics

I promised you guys pics of my progress in this post

I took a pic on 2/27 when I took the "March" pic and took my "June pic" May 27th

Since "March"  

I've lost 

14 pounds 

2 inches in my arms and legs

5 inches in waist

6 inches in hips 

7 inches in bum :-)

The main work out I have been doing since my April 2nd post is 21 day Fix along with walking and running, as well as a lot more that I talk about in the June 19th post.

When I took my "before" pics, I waited 3 months to do so. At that point, I was still on maternity leave and doing the best I could to work out as much as possible. I felt like the weight would never come off.  It wasn't about the weight as much as it was about feeling like me again. My entire body had been JB's for the past year. Everything I did, was for him. To keep him safe, and full of nutrients and some times a little lot of ice cream and pizza.. mmm pizza. As much as I made sure I ate well, those two things were definitely my downfall. So fast forward to the baby, now he is here, and I want to eat much better (no little ice cream, and less pizza, I cannot give up pizza). I still wasn't comfortable in my own skin, which is why it took me so long to take my "before" pics. 

Luckily I have a very supportive husband who would constantly tell me I looked great, and assure me I would get back to myself before long and who supports me in having time to work out. This definitely helped, in me not taking short cuts or going to the extreme. Slow and steady wins the race, right?  I believe so. Short cuts, do not work for the long term, and aid in the yo yo effect, which I want nothing to do with. Anyone I have ever known who has lost weight via a short cut gains it back tenfold!  who wants that?? Not I, not I.

No matter your size or fitness level, be comfortable in your skin. Be confident in you.  You are beautiful! You are a work in progress. Every day you have the chance to make yourself who you want to be (or stay)  Every day I tell myself that. You are what you believe.  Believe in yourself!  Know you can be whoever you want, and nothing is out of reach. If you slack off, and lay in bed/couch for a day, week, month, know that you can always begin again. Now if you do not like starting back up, then don't quit. Make a daily, every other day, whatever fits your schedule, appt with yourself to work out. When eating, make that healthier choice. Once you get into the habit of ordering fruit instead of fries, you will no longer want or even crave the fries. Fries will no longer be a viable option for you. You will search the menu at a restaurant for a healthier choice, even when the fried, buttery, (insert your fave bad bad food) on the menu. Your new fave food will be a healthier item, that will be the one you crave. This doesn't happen over night, but eventually you will get there. (I promise, trust me, I never thought I would give up fries but now I get a little irritated if fruit is not an option). I look for the spinach salad on the menu now. Ps greens are good for you. Watch this "How Much Do You Eat In A Week?"  I talk about it in this post. Watch it and let us know how well you eat!  Would love to hear!

No matter where you are beginning or starting over, know that there are tons of us out there chugging along right beside you. You are never alone in your fitness journey, or healthy lifestyle!  

Check me out at Beachbody or Facebook!

Http://beachbodycoach.com/jlgray22

https://www.facebook.com/fitnesswithjamie

Have a very fit day!

How much do you eat in a week?

I want  you to watch this "How Much Do You Eat In A Week?"

Now, think about how much you eat.  Track it for a week, think about laying it out on a table. Really visualize what you eat and drink. Would you be as shocked as these people were?  Where do you think you rate in eating healthy?

I sometimes laugh at myself, because I go through easily a bag of salad a day. That is what I take to work. Then I come home and usually eat another salad for dinner. I love it, my body craves the green. Now I am not talking about a salad filled with ranch dressing, and every unhealthy item you can put on it (some days that is what my husbands salads look like sadly) If I can remember I will bring some almonds and cranberries to top it with, a few croutons because I love the crunch and a healthier salad dressing or just some balsmasic vinegar and olive oil. If I am home, I will make a fish fillet to add on top, but at the office I am limited.   For breakfast, scrambled eggs, sometimes if I feel like I need extra carbs I will make a breakfast taco. Then i start on my eating salad kick, sometimes I go through 2 bags a day. I eat about every 2 hours a small bowl (about a cup of salad). My body never feels hungry or overly full. I am quite satisfied all day. Now if I run out of salad before 3, then by the time I get home I am STARVING and that is never good. Even with all of that, I am not sure how my week would look. I am not sure if I would be one of those people who think I am a very healthy eater, and in reality am shocked at the food laid out. If I look at my food diary, I like to think I would not be so shocked. On paper, I look like I eat well. And I feel like I look like I eat well.

So try it for one week, mark down everything in your mouth. Every drink, every m & m, every thing that you put in your mouth, including water and let us know how you did!

Check me out at Beachbody or Facebook!

Http://beachbodycoach.com/jlgray22

https://www.facebook.com/fitnesswithjamie

Have a very fit day!

After Shock work out

This work out will shock your core!  Pick your fitness level for how many reps to do, and while you may hate me today, you will love me tomorrow :D or maybe next week

Have a very fit day!

Baby weight gone!

On June 12th I hit my pre-pregnancy weight 6 and a half months after giving birth!  That is a HUGE feat, considering I gained 55 lbs with my sweet bundle of energy joy. I had told myself that it took 9 months to gain, that I had 9 months to get it off, so the fact it happened sooner, made me jump up and down and shout it out!  Am I back in my pre-pregnancy clothes???? For the most part yes. Just a few pants still do not fit just right, so I know I still have some ways to go. I still have a few more months before the 9 month goal hits. I like goals, so this doesn't bother me. I am back to being comfy walking around in shorts and a sports bra, and can see my abs again  YAY For ABS!!!!!!!  I never thought I would see those defined again.

I see these women who give birth and are suddenly back in shape. I think a few things
A. they do nothing but work out,
B. they have great genes and didn't gain that much weight or
C. are totally photo-shopping their pics.
I am none of the above. I lost my weight by, not eating so much ice cream and pizza (that is hard for me, but made a little easier since the lil' seems to have a reaction to lactose in my milk, so ice cream is low on my eating list these days), and working out.

How do I work out with a wee one at home and working full time, you ask.  Well a few things.

I started the 2nd week after birth walking, then running when I felt up to it on our walks. By 5 weeks post-partum I started back doing Insanity videos as well as doing our walk/run daily. (since I was still on maternity leave and had more free time). Since I had free time (like those lucky women I mentioned above) I was able to do 4- 5 mile walks/runs daily. I would even swing by Publix and pick up groceries, since it was on our way. That got me further down but still no where near my pre-pregnancy weight by the 12 week mark.  At 12 weeks, that was a little more difficult. I was back working full time, I have a little one who hates a bottle so cluster feeds his "booby" at night. I was getting very little sleep. But I still dragged myself out of bed. and did my work out videos at home. I was doing T25 which I love love love, but then 21 day fix came out. I thought, why not try this one? so I did.. 30 mins or less a day, 7 days a week, it hits every body part you have and includes, cardio, weights, yoga and pilates!  What's not to love about all of those in one work out program? So every day I drag myself out of bed. Some mornings the little one sleeps through it, other mornings he cheers me on. Those days are awesome!  Nothing like having a cheerleader while working out. So I at least get in 30 mins a day. Then 3 days a week, I walk the little one too and from school (half mile each way). On the trip back in the mornings and back in the evenings I run. On the days that we leave early enough I get in an extra 2-5 mile walk/run in. Now that summer has hit FL, I am doing lots of swimming and will be switching to an inside bike instead of running, though will keep walking little one too and from school (he loves it and so do I since he is up in a ring sling). So that is my working out.  If you can get in 3 to 4 days of working out, 30 mins at a time, you are doing good!  Do not forget to add in weights with your cardio, weights are good!  Weights help you gain muscle that in turns burns more fat.  Now on to food, as the kitchen is really more than half your battle in losing or maintaining weight.

21 day fix comes with a meal plan and containers to help you portion control. Portion control isn't an issue for me most of the time, and at the moment since I am still breastfeeding, I cannot really cut my calories (though I am burning around an extra 500 a day from breastfeeding, so I like to think of this as my calorie cut). I chose the path of eating cleaner. As during my pregnancy I did not eat soo clean. (I blame the baby.. he is a piglet)  I went back to eating whole foods, fruits, veggies, lots of salads (not much dressing especially the fatty dressing, lots of balsamic vinegar/olive oil), making sure I eat coconut oil, avocados (good fats are really good for you and help aid in weight loss). I eat balanced, making sure I get protein in my diet (I am a pescatarian but rarely eat fish, so really have to try to make sure I eat enough beans, nuts and do my best to add in fish for protein) I also drink Shakeology every morning, which aids in getting protein and lots of veggies and fruits in my system first thing in the morning to help get my body started (eat breakfast!  its IMPORTANT!!!) and carbs. I know some people are against carbs but your body needs fuel and carbs are fuel. Also, I eat the most during the day, and eat a light dinner, sometimes I even drink  a Shakeology drink at night, loads me up with what my body needs but is light and easily digestible. My meals are small, but I eat every 2 to 3 hours, with my last meal being around 6 pm, that way it gives me time to digest before I lay down to sleep.  (I go to bed early, laugh at me if you want, I am okay with it.)  Just make sure you eat 3 hours before you go to bed, to give you time to digest your food. Water.. drink LOTS of water!  I go through SOOOOOO much water a day. It is good for you, it keeps you hydrated so you do not think you are hungry when you are really just thirsty, it flushes toxins and so much more. Water is your friend!

Lastly, do not be sad if the scale goes up, but your clothes loosen up. the scale is NOT your friend. The scale does not take into consideration your muscle mass. Get a tape measure and measure your, arms, legs, waist, hips and bum. Take measurements every 30 days as well as pics front, side and back every 30 days so that you can see your improvement.

So a recap:
Work out
Watch what  and how you eat
Drink water
Do not watch the scale.. the scale lies!

Easy right? You can do this!! You really can!!!  Believe in yourself!

As always I am here to be your cheerleader, coach, mentor, friend etc!  I want to help you, so let me!  I still have a little more defining to go, but am very pleased with my progress and would love love to have you along side me in my fitness journey. In turn I would love love love to be involved with your fitness journey. So let me help you!

Check me out at Beachbody or Facebook!

Http://beachbodycoach.com/jlgray22

https://www.facebook.com/fitnesswithjamie

Have a very fit day!

If you want to see before/after pics, just out this post

Blade Runner

Want to improve your running?  This circuit will do that! Pick your level and go for it!

have a very fit day!