STATurday

November 30, 2013 By

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

I haven’t updated my stats here on the blog recently so I thought it was about time! As I mentioned in my last post, I purchased my own set of T25 DVDs and am starting the program over to see maximum results. It’s been 1 week and I am actually shocked at my stats from last Saturday to today. Especially because Thanksgiving was this past week. I didn’t watch what I ate on Thanksgiving… I actually had a little bit of everything and 3 glasses of wine, but I didn’t go back for seconds. However, a few hours later I was curled up in the fetal position on the couch trying not to hurl. It’s crazy how your body reacts after you start eating super clean. Enough chit chat, let’s see the numbers. (I’m 5’5″ to give you a little perspective)

Dates:

Sept 8 – day before I started Round 1 of T25 (Alpha)
Oct 16 – day before I started Round 2 of T25 (Beta)
Nov 23 – day before I started Alpha for the second time
Nov 30 – after 1 week of Alpha

Stats1130

 I measured my chest wrong in the first two columns so I deleted the data.

I am just blown away by changes I have seen in the last week alone! T25 may only be 25 mins a day, but I work my butt off and am a sweaty, red-faced mess when I’m done. I am also drinking Shakeology for lunch every day to maximize my results. I love it and look forward to it, which makes me laugh because I was so skeptical of it in the beginning. I am still eating very clean — it’s just a habit now. However, I haven’t been very good about tracking my calories, but that is mainly because I pretty much eat the same things every day and I know how many calories I’m consuming. I’m trying to get back to tracking though because, for me, it is very crucial to maintaining good habits.

If you are on a weight loss journey keep track of your numbers but also, TAKE PICTURES! You may not want to because you’re uncomfortable, but it is the best way to see a difference — especially if you are feeling like you aren’t making change. Once you look at your photos you will see that all your hard work is paying off! I posted this photo on my Facebook page the other day that just blew my mind.

marchtonovemwatermark

My goal is to keep you updated each week with my stats! If you need any help PLEASE email me: nikki.hill.johnson@gmail.com. I can be your FREE Beachbody Coach and/or get you set up with a workout plan that works for your lifestyle and goals. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made!

Filed Under: Exercise, Health Tagged With: , , , , , 2 Comments

Falling Off the Wagon

November 20, 2013 By

Both of the kids are asleep and I have loads of work to do, but I’m going to write a blog post because procrastinating is something I excel at! I also excel at ending sentences in prepositions, creating run-on sentences and beginning sentences with and. YES! My 8th grade honors English teacher would be SO proud. {I have erased that awful woman’s name from my memory}

So, guess what? I fell off the workout wagon! And it hurt. Well, I mean, not really — I definitely enjoyed sleeping in but I did not enjoy the little voice in my head guilt tripping me about it. But I’m only human.

We went on a trip and I worked out every.single. day I was on that trip. ALL THE DAYS! I went running 3 of the days and did P90x yoga on another day — that yoga is HARD yo. But then, I got back from my trip and I became a total slacker. I’ll tell you why…

Up until yesterday I did not own the T25 DVDs. I was attending a group class at the gym in my community. We met every M-F at 6am and did the T25 workouts together. It was awesome and great, but not when I was traveling. It meant that I missed my workout and I had to do something different — something on my own and usually something that wasn’t pushing me as hard as Shaun T would push me. I ended up not even finishing the class because once I got back from my trip there were only two days left and I was like, what’s the point? {BAD NIKKI!}

So I sucked it up and paid for my own set of DVDs. Yeah they are expensive and we don’t have a lot of money at the moment, but you know what? It’s my little magic weight loss pill. T25 and Shakeology freakin’ WORK. And I love them. To me, it’s worth the $$$ because otherwise I’m getting chewed out by the little voice in my head and feeling like a blob. No one likes to look in the mirror and feel gross.

This morning I set my alarm for 5:30am, pressed snooze twice and busted out the DVDs on my laptop in my bedroom. It was glorious. I feel strong, I feel energized and I feel like I can handle two little kids, a shit ton of work and everything else the day throws at me.

BRING.IT.ON.

 

t25

oh look, it’s me in MY ROOM working out — BOOM.

{don’t judge my shorts. yeah i wore them when i was preg. so what? who wants to take me shopping?}

Filed Under: Exercise, Health Tagged With: , , , 2 Comments

Social Media Love

November 6, 2013 By

Just popping in here to make sure you are following me on one of the many social media platforms. I may not get the chance to update you on the blog as much as I would like, but I’m ALWAYS on social media. I mean, that is my job!

Follow me on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

PINTEREST

 

Show me some love on social media and I’ll be sure to return the favor!

xoxo

Filed Under: From Nikki Tagged With: , , , 1 Comment

Femworking Conference 2013

October 28, 2013 By

Over the weekend I attended the first Femworking Blogging & Small Business Conference. The company I work for was a sponsor, but as a blogger & a “sort of” small business owner, I was really excited to learn and network! And I was super excited for the headliner — Jill Smokler aka the fabulous Scary Mommy.

I enjoyed all the panels, in particular the one about social media, my wheelhouse. Everyone was engaged and tweeting out quotes of the day. Search #femcon13 across facebook, twitter and instagram for some highlights.

I always see bloggers going to fabulous conferences around the country and there was finally one I could attend! It far exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait for next year’s conference!

amynikki with my fabulous coworker, Amy

Filed Under: From Nikki Tagged With: , , , , Leave a Comment

Count Me Healthy

October 16, 2013 By

I received this beautiful Count Me Healthy bracelet and decided to make y’all a little video about it instead of just writing. I hope you like it! :)

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: , , , , Leave a Comment

Obsessed with Health

October 15, 2013 By

During my run today I was thinking — that I should run more often because I come up with great writing material, like my matron of honor speech, NAILED IT! — but really, I was thinking about my weight loss journey and this so called “obsession” with health and fitness. When I tell people I joined Beachbody a lot of people are like, “Well I hope you don’t get all obsessed with it.” But, really, why not? I mean, why shouldn’t we be obsessed with health and making it our number 1 priority? This is our life. Our bodies, our minds. I don’t have to remind you about the obesity statistics and the road this country is traveling down. I don’t want to be another statistic nor do I want that for my kids.

I’m already kind of obsessed with health and fitness without really broadcasting it much. It’s part of my every.single.day life and always at the forefront of my mind. I shouldn’t worry about people unfollowing me on Instagram or Facebook if I post too much about it. I shouldn’t worry about losing readers. I want to motivate people — to show other moms that you CAN find time for yourself and you CAN change your life.

I used to roll my eyes at people always posting their workouts on Facebook. Yeah yeah, we know you work out, you look awesome. But now I think, “don’t stop. get it get it” and it motivates me to get my workout done. And maybe I can beat your mileage. ;)

This mom changed my life by helping me and I want to pay it forward. So yes, I will be that annoying person in your feed talking about how great I feel and motivating you in anyway I possibly can. Hide me if you want, but I’ll be here waiting for you when you’re ready!

 

weightloss-progress

Filed Under: Exercise, Health Tagged With: , , , , Leave a Comment

1 Year Postpartum!

October 9, 2013 By

Well here we are… 1 year later! I don’t really know how that happened, but I guess the world just keeps on spinning and it’s fall again. My favorite season. But before I totally go off on a tangent about how awesome fall is with the leaves changing and pumpkin EVERYTHING, I need to update you on my weight loss. I definitely hit a plateau this month as far as actual pounds lost — however, as you know, I started T25 so I don’t know if I plateaued due to gaining some muscle or if my body just needs a change. (I recorded measurements last month so I need to remeasure). I’m also still breastfeeding, so I know that my body is hanging on to fat.

I start the beta round of T25 next week and I’m scared/excited. Getting up at 5:30am every day to workout is definitely going to start getting a lot harder when the weather gets cold! But, I love being able to get my workout over with first thing in the morning. My new fitness goals are no longer going to be based on losing pounds because I want to tone and see muscle definition, neither of which are measured by stepping on a scale. Photos are going to be key to seeing changes as well as measurements. Although I’m a year postpartum, I’m really only 5 months into my complete health/fitness overhaul and I still have a ways to go. I will still keep y’all updated!

1 year postpartum

I need a tan.

Fitness Journey

Stats:

Height: 5’5

Weight the day I gave birth: 190

Current Weight: 134.4

Total pounds lost: 55.6

The past few months of focusing on my health have completely changed my life and I’ve never felt better. In the upcoming months I will be renaming my blog and most likely be totally focused on blogging about my journey. It’s been hard for me to keep up with this blog, but I’m hoping to carve out some time each week that will be completely dedicated to my blog. It’s easy to let work consume me, but I need to remember to still find time for other things I like to do. So that will be a big goal of mine moving forward. :)

To see my previous posts on my postpartum weight loss click below:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

 

Filed Under: Exercise, Health Tagged With: , , 2 Comments

Recipe Roundup

September 12, 2013 By

So I’m up to one post a week! Progress people, progress!

I just started the Focus T25 workout program and what started out fairly easy has quickly turned difficult. I’m happy it’s only 25 minutes! And although, setting my alarm for 5:30am has been pretty brutal, I have to admit it’s so nice to get my workout done early and have the rest of the day not worrying about when to squeeze in my exercise (and then pass out on the couch at 8pm).

Lacey asked me on my Facebook page for some of my go-to healthy recipes and I promised her a round up so here we go!

Breakfast

I am a creature of habit and literally eat the same thing every day for breakfast. An omelet:

  • 1 egg
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1/8 cup arugula or spinach
  • 1/2 oz cheese of choice
  • 1 slice turkey bacon

omelet

(I must’ve been out of turkey bacon the day I took this photo)

Yep, that’s about it. However, I’ve recently gotten into overnight oats. Here are some overnight oat recipes. If you don’t like any of those, google will help you out.

Lunch

Okay, so like I said before — creature of habit. Here are my two go-to lunches.

Salad

  • 3 cups mixed greens
  • 1/4 avocado
  • 6 grape tomatoes
  • 1/8 cup raw almonds
  • 1/2 oz goat cheese
  • 2 tbsp Annie’s ginger dressing

Or I drink Shakeology – just my Shakeology mixed in unsweetened almond milk with a tablespoon of PB2. DELICIOUS!!

Snacks

Oh man I love snacks. Snacks, snacks snacks!

  • CHEESEEEEEE. Seriously love cheese. (I have a food scale so I always measure my cheese.)
  • pistachios
  • fresh fruit – blueberries, strawberries, peaches, grapes, banana
  • popcorn
  • hummus w/ cucumber
  • sweet potatoes

Dinner

I have a rotation of recipes, but I really try to mix things up. One go-to is always a turkey burger on a bed of greens. My other go-to is spaghetti squash and marinara — I add turkey meat and zucchini/squash to the marinara sauce to beef it up. Here are some of my favorite recipes:

carrot crust pizza

Dessert

Obviously, the best meal of the day! I typically will eat a greek yogurt sprinkled with chocolate chips, but my new obsession is this:

Rice Cake Dessert

1 plain rice cake
1 tbsp Skippy Natural PB & Dark Chocolate (omg so yummy)
1 tsp mini choc chips

Filed Under: Advice, Breakfast, Dessert, Dinner, Health, Healthy, Meals/Recipes Tagged With: , , , , , 1 Comment

11 Months Postpartum

September 5, 2013 By

WOW! I’m one month away from having a 1-year-old and two months away from having a 3-year-old. That is just crazy to me! The year totally flew by and my Facebook feed is blowing up with new babies being born left and right. LOVE me some babies!

I also can’t believe where I’m at in this weight loss journey. I have been taking it one day at a time and am super proud of how far I’ve come. So, to answer everyone’s questions I created a list of random thoughts and advice. {Disclaimer: these are my opinions and I have zero expertise, just experience :) }

1) I believe you have to be mentally ready to lose weight. If you find yourself making excuses then you probably aren’t ready. If you want to lose weight you will make time to workout and you will find it easier to make hard {food} choices. But I promise you, once you commit you will feel awesome!

2) If you just had a baby give yourself time. You have plenty of time in the future to lose weight but you will never ever ever get back this time with your baby. Plus, if you’re breastfeeding you don’t want to compromise your supply. Screw our culture and the outrageous ideals of what a postpartum woman should look like. You will be a hot mess and hormones will be crazy… embrace it.

3) Do what works for you. I’ve tried South Beach, Atkins, WW, etc, but I always ended up back where I started. For me, counting my calories/tracking my food on the LoseIt app is 100% what works and keeps me accountable. I’m not depriving myself of anything if I want it. 90% of the time I eat clean — no processed foods, lots of fresh fruit and veggies, plenty of protein and some dairy thrown in here and there. Ben is gluten free so I really don’t eat much bread. I aim to end my day at 40% carbs, 30% fat, 30% protein, but that’s just a goal. I give myself a cheat day — I don’t go crazy eating everything in sight, but I’ll indulge in some beers and tailgate food for sure. And I won’t feel the least bit guilty. (Side note on eating out — I rarely ever eat out, but if I do I try to look up the nutritional information beforehand or I just eat half my meal… those portions are ridic).

4) Running has literally melted away my fat. When I first started getting back in shape I could barely run for 20 mins… today I ran 5 miles in 51 mins! I slowly up my goals (just one more street, just one more minute) and eventually I hit them. But, I also lift weights, do a lot of circuit work (jumping jacks, planks, squats, burpees) and HIIT routines. I never really have my week planned out, I just listen to my body and do what I will be least bored with! If my body says rest, I rest. And honestly, I have spent my life working out like a mad woman to see zero results and now I feel like I can skip a workout without feeling guilty. Like they say, “You can’t out-workout a bad diet.” Btw, if you don’t like running try the elliptical or the bike or even just go on a walk. Any cardio is better than none! For those of you having a hard time fitting a workout in — wake up early, stay up late, do it during nap time — just do it and you will be glad you did.

5) A support system is crucial. My husband, mom and sister are all on LoseIt with me. They know that I’m trying to make better food choices so when I go over to my mom’s house to eat dinner I can trust that it will be something healthy (and delicious!).

Okay that was kind of long, sorry. So in closing, I am going to be focusing much more on health and nutrition on this blog moving forward. For me, this is a lifestyle change and I’ve never felt better, so I want to continue on this path! I also want to inspire other moms because if I can do this, so can you!

11monthsfinal

Stats:

Height: 5’5

Weight the day I gave birth: 190

Current Weight: 137.6

Total pounds lost: 52.4

Goal weight: 135

Pounds to go: 2.6

———————————————————————————–

To see my previous posts on my postpartum weight loss click below:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Filed Under: Exercise, Health Tagged With: , , , , 2 Comments

Can’t Get to the Gym Workout

August 28, 2013 By

Okay, so lets just pretend I haven’t totally neglected the blog this summer. Between moving, upping my hours at work and my sister’s wedding, I’ve been really busy. Every day I think about blogging, but finding the time to actually sit down at my computer and do it is hard. So I decided to take my JUST DO IT attitude I have about working out and put it towards my blog as well. Today it’s working!

A lot of you have been asking me on Instagram about finding the time and motivation to workout. My answer to both is actually Instagram! No really! I have been following a lot of fitness people (just search #fitspo) and they are constantly posting photos of workouts and their amazing bodies. It just takes one scroll through for me to be like, “um, okay time to hit the gym.” But what about those times where you can’t make it to the gym or you don’t feel like schlepping all the way there? That happens to me quite a bit. I found this workout on one of my favorite fitness blogs and it never fails to give me a great high intensity workout. Try it and let me know how it goes!

at home workout

 

(60 second plank is hardcore for real… I’m still working my way up. Feel free to modify and work towards these as your goal!)

Filed Under: Exercise, Health Tagged With: , , , , Leave a Comment
Next Page»