A FRESH start...

With a blog focused on health and fitness, you might imagine me to be something that I am not; FIT! I hate to say it but eating healthy just isn't enough. It takes a combination of good nutrition and exercise. There is just no way around it. And for those of you who have children, you know the struggle is all too real of loosing that baby weight (or in my case baby weight x2, plus years of unhealthy eating in my past). I was finally cleared a few months ago for rigorous exercise after having my second. I thought chasing after one kid was tough, but now throw another in the mix and boy do I need to get in shape for what's to come. I knew I needed to get my butt to a gym. I am sure you mommies out there can sympathize with me that it's easier said than done. Especially when you are a stay at home mom, because our job never ends. Working out just seemed impossible to me. Then a friend of mine introduced me to Beach Body's 21 Day Fix. An easy to follow meal plan and a workout program that you can do from home (30 minutes! Hey I can do that during nap time :) ) I decided to give it a try. I mean what do I have to lose (besides weight of course)! I've officially completed two rounds of the program and I lost 14lbs. I know I still have a long journey ahead of me, but these initial results were huge for me. It made me realize that I can do this. I have also created some new recipes that I am looking forward to sharing for those that are also doing the program or interested in joining. You will soon learn that loosing weight doesn't mean you have to give up delicious tasty food. I used to dread diets, thinking once I loose the weight I can go back to eating what I want (boy was I wrong! You just gain it all back). This program has taught me how to live my life while still enjoying the things I love. You can still indulge in desserts, and carbs, and all the things you love. But you learn to do it in moderation. For once in my life I found a program that works and is sustainable. I hope you will all join me in my FRESH START to a happy, healthy, and active lifestyle.

My promise to be healthy!

I still remember the promise I made the day I found out I was pregnant with my first. Hubby wrote on a piece of paper, "I promise to not eat junk food until the birth of my child" and I signed it. No I am not being dramatic, we really did this! We always said when we had children we would want the very best for them, and that started in the womb. I signed it and we put it in the drawer of our nightstand, knowing it will be pulled out to confront me during any moment of weakness. I completely cut out processed and fast foods from my diet. My loving hubby was right on board with me. We began a whole new lifestyle of healthy eating. We scrutinized food labels, researched ingredients unknown to us, bought only organic, non-GMO foods, and taught ourselves how to cook. Things were going great util those pregnancy cravings kicked in. Chocolate to be more precise. So what did I do? I learned to bake. I started creating delicious desserts to satisfy my sweet tooth. Where they healthy? Not always. But they were made with real ingredients, made from scratch, and ate in moderation (whatever you want to consider moderate for a hungry prego lady LOL). I became the master chef in my house. I used to hate cooking and here I was coming up with my own recipes. (Stay tuned for all the yummy goodness to come... I can't wait to share it with you all) Well the day finally came to welcome my sweet baby girl into the world; two weeks past my due date nonetheless. I know what you're thinking...what did I indulge in first? My contract was up! Haha! Well, what didn't even occur to me when I signed that little piece of paper was that I would also be breastfeeding my little bundle of joy. She would still be receiving her nutrition solely from what I put in my body. I can honestly say I didn't even remember that piece of paper existed. Time went on and it was long forgotten. I found it a year after she was born while I was packing up our house and getting ready to move. And might I add, I was pregnant with our second child. I remembering laughing and showing my hubby right away. We couldn't believe the foods we used to put in our bodies. Sadly, fast food used to be a regular staple for us. We've come such a long way from that point in our lives. I am proud to say it's been 3 years and I've kept that promise. Now more than ever, I make a promise to live a healthier lifestyle for myself and my growing family.