BEACHBODY BLACK FRIDAY SALE

Seriously,  these are amazing deals!  They WILL sell out so you better order quick.  It starts tonight (Tuesday). If you're a coach these deals are really awesome!!!
Black Friday Sales

Body Beast Progress Update

As many of you know, I am currently doing the program Body Beast.  I've NEVER had upper body strength, so let me tell you, this program has been TOUGH!  I've been pushed to my limit and I'll be damned if my body doesn't change after this!  The funny thing about it though is that I've come to love it.  I was worried about not having enough equipment, but you can really get a great workout with a limited amount.

I hate showing these pictures, but I know you all want to see REAL pictures of how this program can change your body.  I know it can be hard to trust the infomercials :)  So anyways, here is where I started.

I just completed my first 3 weeks, the BUILD phase.  In this phase I've had to eat.... A LOT.  I'm building my muscle so that requires me to eat more so that my muscles can repair themselves after my workouts.  I've had to really trust the process and stay away from that dang scale! LOL.

So after 3 weeks, I've maintained my weight (yes I finally got on the scale), and I've lost an couple inches in my waist, and hips (yay!!!).  I was really surprised to find that I already am seeing changes, but I'm very happy about it.

I'm now onto the  BULK phase for the next 3 weeks...wish me luck! :)

If you would like to join me in doing this program (which I HIGHLY recommend), then send me a facebook message! www.facebook.com/katie.blank1

What's Normal Anyways?

I know you all probably all see the fitness posts and maybe they irritate you, but let me give you a little insight as to what my days are really like and maybe you can see my point of view better.

Here's the thing, I'm just like you...Normal! Well normal in the sense that I struggle with eating healthy all the time and with wanting to workout daily. I can't tell you how many times I've started a workout program in the past and quit. It wasn't until I gained a lot of weight (65lbs) with my second pregnancy that I really stuck to working out. In some ways, I'm really glad I gained that weight because I'm not sure I'd be living a healthy lifestyle today if I hadn't.  That's not the only reason I'm glad though.

Some of you know this, but I've struggled with anxiety for the past six years. I don't mean the "I get nervous sometimes" kind, but the "out of nowhere, I can't breathe, complete panic attack kind."   If you're thinking, what?? Really?? It's because I've learned how to deal with it. And I mean, I've really learned how to deal with it. There was a time when I literally could not leave the apartment I lived in. WORST YEAR OF MY LIFE. I couldn't be around anyone besides my mom. I lost a job I loved, lost friends and really lost my life. I felt horrible 24/7 and wasn't even sure I could really live again. The sad part is when I told a couple of "friends" what was going on with me they literally abandoned me. That's when I learned what true friendship was. That's also when I learned that I didn't really have that many true friends.  Yeah I know. Poor me poor me, blah blah blah. I'm telling you this so that you can get a real picture of me. The real me.

Honestly, this is very difficult for me to talk about because I don't like people looking at me as if I'm crazy, or not "normal".  I had learned many techniques to help me live a more normal life, but it wasn't until this past year that I found an outlet for everything. I truly feel like myself again and here is how it happened. I was going on with life, but I still felt like I had this void that I couldn't quite fill.

After gaining so much weight, I started a workout program, ChaLean Extreme. I was determined to lose my baby weight! I was COMMITTED. I was DETERMINED. I had DRIVE. I was struggling with post partum depression and I started noticing that my workouts were relieving a lot of my problems. I went on to do P90X3 and I was in what I call a challenge group to help keep me on track. While in this group I was surrounded by so much love and positivity. I had so much encouragement and I couldn't help but feel close with those participating. By this time I had created a habit of working out and I was actually getting to a point where I couldn't not workout. I noticed a change in me from being surrounded with these positive people. The workouts got my endorphins going and tamed the anxiety, but the group and beachbody coaches I was surrounded by changed my thinking. Instead of giving into depression and anxiety, I was dealing with it. I was fueling my body with nutrition (thank you Shakeology) and I was fueling my mind with positive thoughts.

I never understood the power of surrounding yourself with good people until I became a coach. I originally wanted to try coaching to help others lose weight and to keep myself working out, but now I don't know that I could give up some if the people I've met. It's a place where I'm surrounded by positivity and encouragement. No judging or competition. Just good people trying to help others.

Through working out and feeding my mind positive thoughts, I feel normal. I am normal. I love life again. Beachbody has filled this void I had. I can concentrate on something good for me. It's a healthy outlet. I know not everyone struggles with anxiety, but I do believe a lot of people struggle with having a void in their life that they can't quite fill. Beachbody has changed everything for me.


This is why I post about my workouts and healthy lifestyle. It's not because I'm bragging that I worked out, or am trying to let everyone know I'm fit (trust me I have a long way to go before I say I'm super fit). I just want to reach that one person who needs help in some way. That one person who is inspired to change. I have this amazing opportunity to share how you can make your life more fulfilling and healthy so how could I not share?!  It's not about the money or the "sale". It's about the chance to change a life.

Contact me if you want that change. I'm here because I truly want to help! Katiesblank@gmail.com.

Chocolate chip cookies

I have the biggest sweet tooth so these babies help me out a lot!

Ingredients:
3 ripe bananas
1teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup applesauce
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 1/2 cups instant oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 /2 cup raisins
1/4 cup walnuts (optional)
1/4 cup stevia

Mix all ingredients very well. Lightly spray Cookie sheet. I put tablespoon size drops of cookie batter on the cookie sheet. Then I take a fork and press the cookie down.

BBQ Chicken Chili

I love regular chili, but sometimes it's nice to change it up. This recipe is simple and won't break the bank.

What you need:
2tsp sea salt
2Tbsp chili powder
2 cloves of minced garlic
12 oz Can of diced tomatoes
1/2 cup all natural BBQ sauce
2 Tbsp honey
2tsp pepper
1lb shredded cooked chicken
Can of kidney beans
Can of cannelli beans
1/4 cup diced onions
1/2 cup of chopped red peppers (or pepper of choice)
2Tbsp coconut oil

I've put approx. Measurements on the seasonings. I honestly change the amount every time depending on what I think it needs.

Instructions:
In a medium sauce pan over medium heat melt your coconut oil. Add onions and peppers. Cook until they are soft (5 min.).  Add in chili powder, garlic, pepper, salt. Cook over medium low for a few minutes. At this point I like to use a medium-large pot. I pour the tomatoes, bbq sauce, honey, chicken and beans in over medium heat. Then add in everything from the sauce pan. Cook for about 7-10 minutes over medium heat. Add spices to your liking and enjoy!

Introducing P90

Tony Horton has done it again!   He has come out with a new workout program for those of you who find P90X just a little to high impact.  Want to know the best part?  You can still get extreme results!  The transformations are astounding with this program!



 P90 is in Tony's words, "Straightforward. Fundamental. Doable."

The workouts are easy to follow.  Nothing crazy!  Sometimes you just want SIMPLE. 

P90 is great, because it's designed to work for EVERYONE! Anyone can do this!  With several cardio blasting, resistance and sculpting workouts, you're sure to change you body in the best way. It's broken up into three phases, A, B and C. 

Can I lose a substantial amount of weight with this program?
YES!  Absolutely!  Just because the workout is simple doesn't mean it's easy.  It's still very much a workout!  

Can I get my abs back with this program?
Uh Heck Yeah!  With THREE Ab ripper workouts (around 15min) that are sure make your abs BURN.

When can I get this program?
You can get it through a coach in just three days!  Fill out my contact form or message me on Facebook if you're interested.  

How The Space Cadet Mom Functions

If you know me, then you know that I can be a total space cadet.  I have every intention of doing everything I say I'm going to do...I just get distracted and forget.  After having my second child, it seemed like I had 24/7 baby brain.  It was worse than it had ever been!  I forgot to pay bills (something I NEVER do!) and I was double booking appts.  I just couldn't seem to remember anything!  It was embarrassing and made me feel really stupid.

The last couple of months I have been working on a system to keep me on track.  I have had to find what works best for me and my family.  It's taken some trial and error, but I finally found a system that works for me.  I don't know that it will work for you, but I wanted to share my system anyways.

First things first.  A clean house helps keep a clear mind.  Having a three year old tornado and a 10 month old makes it very difficult to keep things clean.  There are always toys everywhere! I'm not a mom who tells her child she can only have one toy at a time, and I won't kid myself into believing that I will ever be that way.  I do not have a designated play room in my house, so the toys are spread out all over our family room.  Honestly, I used to be so embarrassed by this, but I think you have to learn how to not care what other people think.  I've tried to organize the toys by having a variety of containers for certain toys, but the organization takes forever and it just doesn't work for me!  If that works for you, then that is amazing.  Keep it up.  I am using several containers for toys, but I'm not so knit picky about what goes in what container.  Instead, I have a large toy box for larger toys and a few small containers for smaller toys.  It's easy to just throw the toys in each container.  I try to keep girly stuff in one and animals in another ( you get the picture ), but if they get mixed up then, who cares.  The stuff is off the floor and that is what matters. 

I have devised a DAILY cleaning schedule for myself that actually really works.  Unless you are Supermom, you just can't do everything in one day.  It's easy if you get yourself in a habit of doing certain things on certain days, and it really keeps your house pretty clean.  There are things that you need to do daily, like clean the kitchen counters and pick up toys, but other things you can schedule into your week.  For example, Mondays are floor days for me.  Generally I do have to sweep up my house daily due to the kids dropping crumbs everywhere, but on Mondays I really concentrate on it and I mop EVERY floor that is not carpet.  I have posted my schedule below. 

Like a lot of things, you can have every intention of keeping up with a cleaning schedule, but you just fall off schedule because you forget or you're tired.  I have downloaded To Do Tasks on my Android, and it has made my life so much more orderly!  I put EVERYTHING in there.  I schedule out my days and a little alarm goes off every time I have something I need to be doing.  I have an alarm for Laundry that goes off every day at 7:25AM.  That way I remember to put the laundry in the wash daily, so that I don't end up with piles to do at the end of the week.  If I have an appt. I put it in there.  If I have a bill to pay, I put it in there. I have my whole day planned and put in my To Do app.  I have an example of my day below.  By doing this, I am able to have designated time for work, cleaning, and play time with my kids.  It makes my day go so much smoother! 

Another thing I've done is make a board where I have dinners for the week listed, a calendar, and a place for bills.  For bills, I take sticky notes and write the bill on it and when it's due.  I stick it on the board and when I pay it, I just take it off the board.  Having a visual really helps me see what I need to do.  I love it!  I have a few other little things that I've learned to do and will be sharing them in my FREE 7 day group about keeping your life in order (or more so than it was! haha).  If you are a naturally organized Supermom, then this probably isn't helpful for you.  I happen to be super spacey and distract able so I have to really focus to keep things in order.  If you are like me, then I hope this helps! If you want to join my 7 day group just friend me and ask to join! I'm hoping it can be a great place for moms to post good advice as well. Facebook Group