Tuesday, November 12, 2013

So Far so Good...or well Ok I guess

So Yesterday Myself and 4 other wonderful ladies started on a 30 day clean eating challenge....

Day 1 wasn't so bad except I didn't eat nearly enough...

Breakfast
2 Egg Muffins ( 2 Eggs, Mushroom, Onions, Salsa, thats it! ) Over Spinach

Which came after a GREAT BodyPump Class 

Lunch was a DELICIOUS Combo of roasted veggies.!!!!

Roasted Carrots, Beats and Spinach

 Roasted Broccoli with fresh lemon juice


I figured I had made it through Breakfast with #MeatlessMonday why not keep it going.....

But then the day got busy.....

Next thing I know it is 4pm and the school bus is coming. I grabbed a handful of cashews and ran out to get my girls.

Hugs, Snacks, Homework, then time to get ready for Classes.

Monday I have Body Combat and Body Jam, so Steve and the girls went swimming.

When I got home from classes tired, hungry and sweaty in all the weird places, they were all eating Chick-Fil-A.

So around 8:30 I grabbed these to eat 

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with cranberry's...


Only to drop them on the floor .....FAIL

SO I finished my #meatlessmonday unsuccessfully by eating a handful of Turkey, Yes I have already cooked a turkey  some turkeys this year! 

On to Day 2 and seeing what wonderful foods I can come up with today!

I'll be keeping this at the fore front of my mind!

~A

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Not NO November NOW November

I have seen 8,342,643,643 NO November list! I hate being told NO I hate not having options and a whole month of NO seems awful!

So my November is NOW November! Not putting off my right choices. I'm making the right healthy choices NOW, not on Monday or tomorrow or after this cupcakes...RIGHT NOW! ( PS I'm not really eating a cupcake its only 9am!)

So this is my plan and I have at least 3 ladies joining me on this NOW journey!

These are my choices I will be making! Feel free to join me or comment with your own! We'll support each other the whole way through!

I will only eat real food in its most natural forms sticking mainly to Vegetables, Whole Clean Meats and Fish, Nuts, seeds and Fruit. Basically I will be adhering to the Whole 30 guidelines 98% ( Simply left 2% for new knowledge to shape my decisions. )

I am more then happy to give you suggestions and help along with way! 

MY Goal ( BUT We all know how good I am at blogging ) 

Is to at least get a few recipes and blogs up a week. Also if we have enough interest I will start a FB group to help support our NOW decisions!

For those who asked .... Now you know!

Happy Sunday and HOORAY for Football!

~A

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

HI, Im back with 2 things: 12 & Boobs

Hi,
How are you?,
I'm attempting this blogging thing again.
 I missed it.
 I missed this connection we have,
 ( that I've probably created in my own mind... )
I missed the therapy of  writing
, and I hope you may have missed me too.....
So here we go....
 
12 ( Twelve ) 
12- I ate 12 different vegetables yesterday ( and I may have repeated some more then once ). I'm very proud of myself. I use to struggle to get all my veggies! And, well 12, That's a lot of veggies AND I LOVED them!!! How many did you eat?

BOOBS
October is Breast cancer awareness month ( in case you've been living under a rock :) )
It just so happens that I was scheduled to have my 1 year check-up from breast cancer at the end of September ( so pretty close to October ).
So on 9/18 I headed off to my appointment, expecting to get an all clear. Instead we found another lump in the same spot. Proceed through some test since then and fast forward to today when I head in to the doctors today to speak with a specialist.
GOOD NEWS - CANCER FREE! WooHoo YIPPIIEEE YAY....
 However for (at least) the next 30 days I will be on Tamoxifen as a precautionary measure for areas that are "concerning".
Excited for my GREAT news and will be even more excited when I am through the next 30 days.
 
Typical Amy style is to keep this to myself and carry on as if everything is normal, SO I am sharing it instead. The other way is too stressful, lets try this. :) 
 
That's all I have time for today, Launch at the gym is quickly approaching and I have so much choreography to learn it scares me!
 
~A
 

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

They are ALWAYS watching!

“Never underestimate your ability to make someone else’s life better—even if you never know it.”—Greg Louganis

The past two days, or perhaps even longer but my brain has finally caught on for the past two days, we never fully realize how much our actions OR lack of actions affect people. 

I don't really think about the fact that day in and day out my neighbors see me go in and out early in the morning to train clients or workout myself. I've been doing this for years now. However this morning as I walked out I realized we now have 4-5 neighbors all leaving same time as me in gym clothes. 

Did you workout when you were pregnant? You don't know how many stories I have heard from people that said, 'well I saw so and so working out while they were pregnant and it really inspired me to workout through my pregnancy as well.' 

Or how about just by living your healthy lifestyle others begin to make small changes. 

I know simply from talking about weight loss some clients have seen my own family has started to discuss their health changes and weight loss with me every time I see them.... I LOVE IT!

YOU are an inspiration or perhaps even a FIT-spiration! 

So those days you just don't want to, DO IT!
 You never know who you will inspire! Who's life will change because of you!

On the flip side...has someone inspired you or motivated you and you've never told them? 
WHY?
 Imagine how incredible it would be to go into a class one day and have someone say,
 'by the way, you inspire to go heavy on my weights?'
 or
 'Thanks for leading by example.' 
There are so many opportunities to appreciate people.

SO to all the many many people who inspire me daily, Thank you!

 I am blessed to be surrounded by amazing professionals, athletes, and novice. But each group pushes and challenges me in new ways.
 To all those people who lead by example and ate clean before my brain grasped the importance, to those who showed me how to improve and pushed me even though I didn't want to! I am STRONGER today then I have ever been because of people pushing me, even when they didn't know it!

Thank you!

Monday, July 15, 2013

15 Things for a Monday....I Think I can ;-)

I think I can get this done lets jump right to it ( I'll be honest a little nervous with anticipation! ).

1. Getting Gritty!!!! Last week I had the pleasure of presenting #LesMillsGrit to the ladies of Lululemon.....
What you ask is GRIT??? Check out this video



#Lululemon Ladies

They killed it!!!!!! Killer start to the day!


2. Infused water. Do you love it as much as I do?

My favorite right now is a big mix, lemon, limes, cucumber, and mint!



 So refreshing I have to fight my girls for it. What's your favorite?

Ava has created her own.... Orange juice and watermelon. 





She loves it!!!! I mean L.O.V.E.S it!!!!!

3. Afro Circus! Yep that's exactly what I meant to type, Afro Circus and I am not talking about Madagascar 2 ( although my head is signing the da da dadada  Afro Circus...)



 All the Jammers know I am talking about BodyJam 65 Afro Circus.



 G ( our crazy program director  ) has yet again provided a great release that the members are Loving!!!!

For our launch week we like to wear snazzy outfits and have fun! So I took my girls shopping with me, I was shopping for me and another instructor so we text pics.....




how much fun did my girls have hahahah!!!


4. Summer Dinners! I LOVE summer dinners! They are never over filling fresh and delicious! I let Ava chose dinner last week. This was her choice! What a smart girl!!!!


5. Are your kids making you do this ... 
?

You are not alone. I took my girls up to the pool yesterday and had a lovely chat with a sweet friend and co-worker who was literally saying the thoughts I've been having all week!!!!

Why am I ALWAYS yelling at my kids?
Where the %#$@ did their common sense go?
Would you just stop for a min?!?!
Are you serious?
Would you two stop arguing?!?!

Hello Summer you are truly in full swing! 

So maybe be a little kinder to the moms you know. They are ready to pull both their own and their children's hair out. Give them a hug or even better a strong drink! 

6. A New Recipe I want to try a new recipe a week....Seems totally doable, but I know me, this is going to take some effort! I have quite a few I have been wanting to try but if you have something I should give a try or try to put a healthy twist on it I'd love your suggestions. 

My most recent experiment that turned out AMAZING.... Hawaiian Pork.


I am not a pork fan normally but this is so delicious! I made the most amazing sliders yesterday with this....Recipe on Friday!!!

7. Congratulations to Jim!!!! I have to give a big congrats to my PT client Jim. We have been working together for 3 years and the transformation is mind blowing! When we began working together A sit-up and/or push-up was not even a possibility on the table! Saturday we "Celebrated" dropping below 200lbs by introducing burpee's into his workout ( Did I mention he is over 60 years old?!?! ) There have been few people I have met in my life who have worked harder to turn their health around! Congratulations Sir! On to our next goal... Mr. Universe? 

8. Touching Emails....8 is a direct result of 7 being mentioned on Facebook , I received an email from a friend .... Well here read it.....

I want to thank you for all your help on loosing weight... i started in Jan.. trying my ..so i thought hardest ..to loose 55 pounds before my 2nd wedding anniversary.. so there was a day when you told me that the MAC had a free week for anyone. So I went 3 of those 7 days and the 1st time i went.. well... u had the hardest work out #BODYCOMBAT...  it was fun and YES I was sore for a week after but that did not stop me... I bought things for the house to do work outs at home.. and I just want to let you know because of your positive attitude You made me strong enough to loose weight.. I started out in Jan. at 190.. i am now down to 141 and the happiest person I have been in years... I did it because I wanted to show myself and others that it is not hard and IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF TIME AND WORK.. BUT U CAN DO IT.. thanks again Mrs. Lady (AMY) for all the post on a daily to keep my mind going and to try new things to help me out.. my goal was to be 140 by June 18th and i was at 144.. now im 141.. 3 weeks later and I'm going to go ahead and loose that pound just to say I DID IT!!! thanks a bunch You are AMAZING!!!

WOW That makes my heart smile!!!!

9. LAUNCH WEEK so much fun but OH so Busy! 
I know I have talked about Launch Week before but it is the week at the gym where we introduce all new choreography, moves, and music. It's a fun and stressful time for the instructors as we usually LOVE the new stuff but stress ourselves out learning it. We make a big deal and team teach with other instructors and invite guest to come try the classes. So last week was ours and it wasn't without its glitches which required extra work and some scrambling, Over all it was a great launch and I think both the members and the instructors are feeling the affects of the new stuff! 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the new releases and/or how your launches went!!!


 10. 6 week clean eating Challenge
You should join me on this 6 week challenge where we will support each other and get healthier together!

11. Exercise of the week!
Introducing the exercise of the week!....Try to do this exercise each day 30sec 3x's

Mt. Climbers..... 

or if you dare....Wall Mt. Climbers




Have Fun!!!!

12. Do you like  Your Daily Fitness & CO2 Fit ?
Make sure to like both these facebook pages to get all the latest updates and information!!!!

You can Also follow me on twitter @AmySMcNeil

13. Have you Wrapped?
This awesome little wrap takes only 45 mins and will help slim your waist line, and just TIGHTEN everything! only $25!

14. Jack Johnson
I entered a lottery to win the chance to buy tickets for Jack Johnson's upcoming tour, he is going to be in DC on my birthday how perfect and meant to be is that?!? 

Apparently not because I didn't win :( But I still love Jack and my girls have decided this is our summer song and we need to listen to it every day!....




15. Baby Shower 
We are deep in the middle of baby shower planning for my sweet little sister

It's a co-ed shower and if you have any brilliant ideas that worked great we won't turn them away!!!

PHEW I did it!!!! Now I need FOOD!!!

~A




Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Oh my crazy little ladies!!!!

So my crazy little ladies have had a busy summer! Last night Ava came out in the kitchen to give me a hug and said....can it be bed time yet? That NEVER happens!!!

Then she followed it up with this....

Ava "Mom wouldn't you like to win 5 tickets to NEW YORK!?!?!" ( With the BIGGEST eyes you have ever seen! )

Me " Well sure"

Ava " Well if you eat danimals you can win so you know let's eat danimals and go to New York" ( With a little shoulder shurgg that meant OBVIOUSLY!! ) 

OH kids and commercials!

Last night was swim meet and while it is a LONG night, I enjoy them!!! All you other swim team parents and coaches can shake your heads at me, but I enjoy the activity and all the swimmers giving it their best. I think the support is amazing and I just love to watch my girls have a good time. I am sure I will get tired of it eventually but all I have to do is look at them all excited for their swim meet and I can suck it up!

This is how swim meets go for us ( or at least last night ) 

Get there at 4:30 and wait :)


Eat a little dinner.... and then get all decorated for the meet


Last night Ava came over with about 4-5 friends and they all wanted my markers....after they colored all over themselves they ran off....Hope their mom's didn't mind LOL

Then meet starts at 6 and we didn't leave till 9pm last night. Like I said LONG night but so much fun!!!! 

I know not every one will be interested but for those who are here are a couple links to videos of their races last night.....





Well I had more to talk about but I need to get my little ladies up to go see a movie with Grandpa. Did you know Regal theaters has movies for $1 every Tuesday and Wednesday morning?!?!

So until next time 


~A