The Whole30

My really cool friend, Sarah Brown, introduced me to the whole 30. I guess it's a paleo diet? It sounds interesting and hey it's summer which means I have access to lots of yummy fresh local produce! I am always looking for ways to eat better, live better, so I am jumping in! I will start on June 1 as I just prefer to start things on the 1st, makes it easier on my poor little brain!

I am still going with my P90X as well, following an altered plan for building mass which also means I have increased my food intake. I admit I am nervous about possible fat gain but so far (I'm only on week 2 of the new plan) it seems to be all right and I swear I am seeing a bit of definition in my thighs. For anyone else interested in this schedule check out Get Ripped At Home, they even have a sample meal plan which I use as a guide. One thing I do that is not listed is on my light cardio/off days I eat far less. Weight days I aim for 2300 calories and light/off days I aim for 1500-1600. Since the whole30 commands no calorie counting and no jumping on the scale (I'll have to get my husband to hide ours!) this should get realllly interesting!

High Five Friday

My mentor and new bff loves to theme her days. I think that's kind of cool, but I admit to being a smitten fan girl ;) My favorite of course is Awesomeday, known to the general public as Wednesday. Friday of course also has a theme and it's High Five's all around! Heck it even has a theme song courtesy of one Rebecca Black. Now her singing might not be so great and the lyrics are kind of lame but damnit the tune is catchy and I constantly find myself singing "Friday, Friday, gettin down on Friday" and other lyrics. It does not help that there are some amazing artists out there doing covers of this song, I mean damn talk about taking it to the next level right?

Ok so along with this whole high five friday thing she also asks 5 questions. This is something I generally suck at so I may need a little google-fu help to come up with good questions ;)

What are your plans for the weekend?
Mine have had to change a little due to a family emergency and my husband flying out last minute tonight to MO however the general plan is to take 1 rest day and do some spring cleaning in the house, finish knitting a contest sock, and run a 5k, oh and the usual grocery shopping ::groan::

What was your last workout?
Husband and I just killed P90X legs and back and ab ripper X. I still have some step ups to do tonight and should probably get on that as soon as I am done here.

Do you have a favorite after workout meal or supplement?
Totally depends on the day and workout. If I am just doing cardio then I load up on P90X recovery formula (mmm that stuff is NUMMY!!). On weight lifting days it's either straight to dinner or I'll have a protein shake with 1/2 a fruit and 1/4 c oats blended with vanilla almond milk.

What is your favorite television show?
I have a few but I find it hard to keep up on shows as I only watch during a small timeframe while the kids are at school. I have my guilty pleasures like Nikita, HellCats, One Tree Hill & The Vampire Diaries and some more not so guilty pleasures such as Castle, Dr Who, Survivor, Lie to Me, Body of Evidence, The Big Bang Theory & HIMYM. And then I have my classics like Buffy, Firefly, Angel, That 70's show & Roseanne. Man it sounds like I watch a lot of tv but really only 2 maybe 3 hours a day and I am always knitting while watching.

What is a dream you have or something you'd like to accomplish in your life?
Oh gosh I have so many, but isn't that the wonderful thing about dreams and goals? I want to finish getting certified as a childbirth educator first and foremost and then delve into becoming a certified pre/post natal fitness instructor and nutritionist, I would like to continue to move up in my hooping skills and eventually open a women's only gym in Charleston with my sister, my cousin and a friend. I think the gym is the ultimate goal right now and it would have so many fabulous things going on with it. I am super excited to be able to get to that point in our lives where we can fund it and run it together.

ADA & Beachbody Team up to help ppl with type 2 diabetes

A fantastic regimine designed by Kathy Smith in partnership with the American Diabetes Association. You get a 12 week fitnes and nutrition plan and it's a fabulous price!

Another AWESOMEDAY recap :-)

Another awesomeday in the books and this one made even more awesome by the fantabulous weather we had yesterday. A nice little preview to spring :) So awesomeday went a little something like this

things that are awesome #1 My fav song from my fav movie http://t.co/EU3oeP8 via @youtube #awesomeday

things that are awesome #2 #starwarsday May the 4th be with you!

things that are awesome #3 Being a @Beachbody coach and getting paid to do what I love doing!

thing that are awesome #4 surprisingly enough this chocolate omelet with pb on top!

things that are awesome #5 pull up assist bands, no way i could do this pull up challenge without them!

things that are awesome #6 #Insanity core cardio & balance recovery wk workout @shaunTfitness makes me sweat and works my core the best!

things that are awesome #7 gorgeous warm sunshine, going for a walk with the dog right now :D

awesome things #8 prepping the rest of the wks breakfast -spinach/mush/broccoli eggwhite crustless quiche YUM

awesome thing #9 having a group of friends that can quickly recommend some good shin stretches ♥

awesome thing #10 blueberry chicken salad for lunch! http://flic.kr/p/9EBwr8

awesome thing #11 granny smith apple dipped in plain greek yogurt

awesome thing #12 ticket prices for flights to SC going down and becoming a bit more in my budget zone

awesome thing #13 having friends working through the same path to a new/healthier life as you are ♥

awesome thing #14, being a part of this company #forbesvideo Million Dollar Hula Hoop Business http://cptl.st/kFcRXu

awesome thing #15, @shakeology shake, buttery real popcorn, & Pixie's bedtime snuggles. Good night friends! #awesomeday

And 2 more awesome things I didn't post about? Getting a cafepress store started for Team Awesome! And The preliminary website up and running for Team Awesome!

Month 1 woooo!

Tomorrow is my last work out for month 1 of Insanity! This month really flew by and my cardio has so greatly improved. I may not be seeing much in the way of physical results but seriously I love how much more lung capacity I have. During Pure cardio today I was thinking man if it weren't for the fact my quads are on fire I wouldn't need to take a break at all. And then all of a sudden the workout was over and I was totally bummed that I was done. 4 weeks ago I thought this workout was going to kill me, funny how hat has changed.

Despite my rather odd addiction to the Insanity I am very much looking forward to recovery week. Not to mention I'll be starting the P90X again with my husband now that he has finally been cleared to workout again. I have to say one thing I have truly missed with all of this cardio is lifting weights. I have noticed my arms and back are losing some of that definition I had gained from my last round and I want it back!

Now if I could just pinpoint why it is I can't get my body to let go of this little layer of fat on my belly & thighs and get my abs ripped again I'll be golden!

Hooping at a Park opening

On a somewhat last minute invitation I was asked to hoop and bring hoops to a park opening in Seattle WA today. I was thrilled, a paid hooping gig where I get to share something I love with a bunch of people? Heck yea! There were camera/news crews there but to be honest I have no idea how much of the hooping they got as I was totally consumed with having fun in my hoop, helping others learn to hoop and making sure none of my hoop suddenly walked away ;)

It was such a gloriously beautiful day today, I mean we could not have asked for more perfect weather for this. I think I got about a months worth of Vitamin Sun in 2 hours, and a little bit if a sunburn to boot. I am physically exhausted, hooping for 2 hours is HARD, plus smiling, talking, walking, teaching. I should sleep good to night!

Now if I can figure out how to edit video I'll have something to post on my youtube page, looking for me there? You can find me under the name JennKnits. For now I leave you with this doofy faced happy hooper!

Wednesday = Awesomeday

So my coaches coach and friend/mentor of mine decided to make Wednesdays Awesomedays, I loved it last week and decided to jump on board with Team Awesome and do the same. So all day long on fb/twitter we post something awesome. I am going to recap my awesome day right here!

Awesome things
#1, losing 2.5" off my thighs bitches! (after 2 weeks of Insanity!)
#2 -- 4-20, party now for tomorrow skynet will get ya ;)
#3- jamming to Paula Cole in the car with the music turned as loud as I want!
#4- The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing
#5 -- procrastinating everything so I can enjoy my 1st latte in weeks!
#6 rewarding myself with a new bikini(s) saving $15 and getting a $25 swim tote for free :)
#7 getting my new HR monitor and my netrition order 1 day early!
#8 chocolate Shakeology® with PB2, frozen blueberries & vanilla almond milk for a quick healthy lunch ♥
#9 rocking my Dr Who TARDIS shirt :D

#10 when your son receives an award for ranking 10% of his 8th grade class in the district. Take that principals who all thought he should be stuck in 7th grade rather than skipping to 8th :P Eat my shorts!
#11 being able to pull my jeans down without having to unbutton them lol
#12 burning 620 cal with pure cardio & cardio abs Insanity®
#13 my husband cooking a kickass dinner while I workout ♥
#14 vanilla protein shake with banana & pb2
#15 is having a kid make it for you
#16 completing my hoarwars sock before getting killed (knitting game like assassin)
#17 peace & quiet before I fall asleep
#18 being part of Team Awesome, Sarah Brown & Brooke Lippy

and that is it! I am exhausted and ready to pass out, peace!