Spring Clean Inside & Out

Whether you're hoping to lose some extra weight or simply reset your body, consider joining me for an Ultimate Reset.

It's the time of year when I begin to get that itch to throw open the doors and clean my house inside and out. That itch generally lasts through the first room or two and then I just get tired and want to take a nap. Seriously, why does my family turn into a bunch of hoarders every winter???

So this year I'm taking a different approach. I'm going to start by cleansing my body of all the toxins, chemicals, and processed foods I've built up over the winter. (And believe me, I've built up quite a bit of them...because I'm pretty sure I'm part bear and I will eat whatever is put in front of me when the weather is cold.) 

I did the Ultimate Reset last summer and had phenomenal results. I didn't have a lot of weight to lose, but I did manage to drop those last few extra pounds anyway. More than that, I FELT amazing. I LOOKED amazing. I WAS amazing.

So, it's time I felt amazing again. Maybe then I can get through spring cleaning my house without the urge to just nap. 

It takes 21 days. That's it. It's not easy, I ain't gonna lie. The first week was ok, mostly because I was doing this cool new program. Week two was an issue, though. I was missing my Doritos and really wanting to take up MMA just so I could have an excuse to hit someone without catching a felony. But by the third week, I was feeling amazing enough that I no longer craved all the processed foods I'd become addicted to. I figure, if I can surround myself with other people going through the same thing, I may be less likely to want to throat punch random strangers during that second week of sugar withdrawal. (Am I making it sound fun yet?)

If you'd like to join me (because I've made it sound so inviting) or just learn more about this gradual and gentle approach to cleansing your system, check out my website:
 http://www.MyUltimateReset.com/SunShineStrong. 

And if you order now, you can still take advantage of the discount promotion (until April 9th). 

These are some of the benefits reported by those completing the 21 days of Ultimate Reset:

• Remove Harmful Toxins
• Lose Weight Safely
• Increase Energy
• Lower "Bad" Cholesterol
• Boost Mood and Mental Clarity
• Reduce Inflammation
• Improve Regularity

So, withdrawal symptoms or not, it is TOTALLY worth it. You should probably join me. 

Excuse Me While I Slip Into A Sugar Coma

Let me start this post by saying, I'M FREE!!!

My Beachbody Ultimate Reset is over and I am free to once again eat and drink whatever I want. It's an exhilarating and oddly liberating feeling. I can literally go to the store and buy whatever I want and eat it. I think I recall reading something in the booklet about easing back into various types of foods like sugar and dairy. Not sure. But here's what I do know.

I suck at transitioning slowly back into normal eating patterns while still retaining some semblance of the healthy eating habits I learned on this program.

For the past two weeks, folks have been asking what my first meal would be after finishing my Ultimate Reset. I wanted to say that it would be something all healthy and noble, like whole grain pasta and peanut sauce made from natural peanut butter (which actually sounds good, but takes way too much time to make). You see, my issue with the Ultimate Reset diet isn't so much the lack of Doritos and beer on the menu, it is the extensive ingredient lists, cooking time, and dishwashing involved. It. was. exhausting. At a certain point I just didn't even want to eat anymore. It was too much work.

So, my first day post-UR may have involved a quick trip to the grocery store shopping all of the interior aisles. You know, the aisles where all the unhealthy processed foods are? My cart may have been filled with two pints of Cherry Garcia ice cream, a bag of Doritos, a block of cream cheese, a box of Entenmann's donuts, and a Hungry Man frozen dinner.

Therefore, I may have gained back whatever fat I lost during my 3-week Ultimate Reset all in one day. *sigh*

Here is who might benefit from this program: people with decent will power who don't live with a bunch of teenagers bringing chips and cookies and candy into the house all the time and waiving it around in front of your face. That, I believe, is what kicked off the cravings. And people who have the time and desire to cook. People who enjoy cooking. People who are good at it. Because the program had tons of delicious-looking recipes, but I lacked the skill and motivation to actually make them. Or maybe people with cooks and maids to do all the hard work for them, because quite honestly, all I really wanted to do by the time week 2 hit was nap.

Whatever. What I've learned is that I might just survive the zombie apocalypse because I can go without food for much longer than I thought. And now that I've moved onto Les Mills Combat and Turbo Fire, I will be better equipped to engage the zombies in hand-to-hand combat. I am much happier to return to my lifestyle of eating relatively healthy 80% of the time and working off the bad stuff every morning with a kick-ass workout and long run.

Now if you'll excuse me, I must slip into my sugar coma now...

BB Ultimate Reset: End of Week Two

You might have noticed a lack of posts over the past few days. Life has been, ummmm, temperamental of late. Actually, she's been a straight B-word. My bosses have gotten together in an effort to force me onto mood-regulating medication. My pursuit of a PhD has been halted by my inability to speak French. My air conditioning has stopped working. Not for the entire house, mind you. Only for the upstairs portion where my bedroom, bathroom, and office are. Whatever. These are not insurmountable or tragic issues. But I can't go for a nice long run or engage in an intense workout to relieve my stress.

So, I am admitting here and now that I fell off the clean eating wagon yesterday. Ok. I didn't just fall off. I jumped off, rolled over a cliff, bounced off several rocks, and landed at the bottom of a ravine. It was bad.

Here's what happened, just so you know that it wasn't all my fault. It started with a friend who had tickets to a wine festival. Well, you can't go to a festival without eating festival food and you can't go to a wine festival without drinking wine. Following those rules, I ordered a corn dog and fries. Let me tell you that the corn dog did not comply with standard corn dog dimensions. In fact, when it came out of the fryer (oh yes, fresh fried corn dog - super healthy), it looked very much like fried fish on a stick. I was starving, so I went for it anyway. Result? I felt dirty. And not just "I need to wash my hands and face" dirty, but "I NEED to shower twice and wash my hair" dirty. So, I did what anyone in my situation would have done. I drank wine. Not in huge amounts, but enough to bring on a swift headache and a desire to lie in bed for a week. But the festival supports animal rescue in our area, so really I was eating and drinking to support an important cause.

Later that evening, my mother and I went to a play to benefit Bedford Domestic Violence Services where they laid out an appetizer spread that was impossible to resist. I did well, initially. However, this play was so gut-wrenchingly devastating that I had no choice but to fill my plate full of meatballs, pigs in blankets, and chocolate-covered strawberries in an effort to eat my emotions. An excellent performance, but I was already in an emotionally fragile state. Oh, and there was wine. But again, I was eating and drinking to support an important cause.

So, if you think about it, is was really my altruism that forced me off of the wagon. What can I say? I'm a giver.

So, here I am at the end of week two and feeling a bit guilty. But, all is not lost. I managed to climb my way out of the ravine, chase down the clean eating wagon, and climb back on board. Only one week left of my Ultimate Reset and then I can get back to a higher calorie intake and more intense workouts. Turbo Fire is calling my name.

Turbo Fire Challenge Group starts 7/22! Contact me for more information!

BB Ultimate Reset: Day Ten

Halfway There and Already Hitting Goals! Woo Hoo!

So, I am sharing a little early today because I'm excited to report that this Ultimate Reset has helped me reach my weight goal. And I'm oh so painfully close to my measurement goals.

 

If you already have a free or club Team Beachbody Membership, then you know what the picture below means. All of that green means that I have met most of my fitness goals. At the completion of my Ultimate Reset, I will have my blood work and check up done to see where I am at with my internal fitness goals. It's beautiful.

 

 

 

I didn't do the Ultimate Reset to lose weight, but often weight loss is a by product of getting healthy. And it all began with setting up my Free Team Beachbody account.

 

Now, only eleven more days until I get to start my next challenge group with Chalene Johnson's Turbo Fire on July 22nd! Order your challenge pack by clicking on the Turbo Fire link and follow me on Facebook to join me!

BB Ultimate Reset: Day Nine

Day nine of my Beachbody Ultimate Reset and everyone around me survives despite my complete breakdown last night.

I ended up huddled on the couch, blanket pulled up over me with my arm flung across my eyes in true Scarlet O'Hara fashion. Ok. I've never seen Gone With the Wind. That admission may get me kicked out of the south, which is a shame because I've grown fond of using the term "y'all" without getting weird looks. Anyway, this is the image I have in my head of Scarlet O'Hara. "Oh, Rett. Ma head is positively aching." Dude's name was Rett, right?

So, I've spent most of my life believing I have a very high threshold for pain. Nu-uh. Untrue. I am a pansy. I am a little poo poo crybaby. I was pretty sure I was dying last night. There was a moment when I thought some long-dormant creature might actually have been awakened by a lack of processed sugar and was trying to burrow its way out of my head. My parents told me about this show they watched about strange illnesses where this woman had worms living in her scalp and none of the doctors would believe her until one finally saw them moving under her skin. Ok. Now I'm creeped out again.

At any rate, I managed to get to sleep at some point last night, or maybe it was this morning. But I woke up headache-free. Like all the pain never even happened.

Last night I was vowing to quit. However, having several people ask me about it today made me realize that I've made this commitment way too public to stop now. Whatever.

I'm officially declaring that Beachbody was WRONG about which days are usually the worst. Day 8 totally sucked. Actually, it was evening 8 that totally sucked balls. I'm better today, though I am starting to feel the nudgings of another headache, so we'll see what 8pm brings. It better bring sunshine and daisies because my Hoosiers Will Sheehey and Yogi Ferrell are representing in the World University Games. I need to be alert and pain-free to enjoy it.

On a bright note, I was reminded how badass I am for completing my ChaLEAN Extreme challenge last month:

BB Ultimate Reset: Day Eight

My first day in the Release Phase of my Beachbody Ultimate Reset Challenge. Yep. That's what it is.

The foods in this phase are more restrictive, focused primarily on fruits and vegetables with some soups mixed in.

Definitely more tired today, although that could result from the very few hours of sleep I have gotten over the past few days.

I also have a slight headache for the first time in this challenge. I'm not sure what that stems from, but it is not unbearable, so I'm not whining about it. Yet.

What I am whining about is my irrational mood. It would seem that the Release Phase has actually unleashed PMS-like mood swings for me. So, that's fun for everyone around me. Luckily my kids have been spending most of their time at work, sports, or friends houses (where the parents actually cook) lately, so only the ultra-forgiving dog and cats have to endure my b-wordness.

On the bright side, this appears to be the week where I'm going so see the most health benefits through weight loss and toxin release. And I learned that I love baked sweet potatoes. Who knew? I mean, I find baked potatoes to be boring and gross, even when smothered in sour cream. But baked sweet potatoes are perfection. Or that may be the severe lack of processed foods talking.

On another positive note, I received my free Beachbody Challenge t-shirt for completing my ChaLEAN Extreme program. It's super cute, even if it is a crew neck. And covered in cat hair.

BB Ultimate Reset: Week One Recap

Week One is done. It feels good to say that. Allow me to reflect a moment on my experiences in Week One, the Reclaim Phase.

I haven't cooked for my children in over a week and so far they haven't seemed to notice. I'm not sure what that means except that I may not have to go back to cooking for them after my Ultimate Reset is over. So, yay me.

If I'm going to cheat on this program, it's going to be in the evenings when I'm on the couch watching TV. Couch = Food. Actually, Couch = Mindless Snacking on Processed GMO Food. So, clearly I need to establish a long-term plan to counteract this issue. Since I refuse to stop watching sports (almost all of which air in the evenings) or Rizzoli and Isles, I have to hope that I can develop the habit of opting for healthy snacks during this reset. (OK, yes Big Brother should also be added to the list of evening television viewing. I'm not proud of it. It's a recent addiction and I'm very resentful that I've finally been sucked into the mindless drama.)

When I have cheated, it has made my stomach hurt. My stomach no longer wants Doritos. My stomach definitely doesn't want cookies and milk. I haven't checked to see how my stomach feels about beer, but I'm guessing it won't be as excited about it as my taste buds are.

Tai Cheng, while exceptionally easy compared to the rather intense ChaLEAN Extreme, has been both relaxing and beneficial. It is moving rather slowly for my taste and I look forward to combining some of the Tai Chi movements in Week Two.

All in all, Week One was fairly easy. No headaches despite the near elimination of caffeine. (I have snuck a small coffee here and there. I don't want to quit coffee and you can't make me.) I slept better and had more energy throughout the day despite stopping my iron supplements. I feel fully prepared for Week Two.

Week Two is the Release Phase. I think I know what that means. Luckily, I work from home and the bathroom is right beside my office. And while some reviewers will share with you every detail of how the Reset impacted their bathroom habits, I'll spare you that information. I'm willing to share if you really want to know, although that would make for an odd email subject line.

Want to get started on your own journey? Start by setting up your own FREE Team Beachbody membership to help you establish and track your fitness goals. You'll love your new Beachbody Coach. She's pretty awesome.

BB Ultimate Reset: Day Six

Oh so close to finishing out the first week. I get up every morning and put on my Ultimate Reset bracelet as a symbol and reminder of my commitment to this challenge.

 

It's actually kind of cool and stylish. I think. Actually I don't know what's considered cool and stylish anymore, but in my mind I'm all hip and cool (and not in a "hipster" kind of way because when my son uses that word his tone is dripping with disdain).

 

 

Anyway, Stinky Butt (there's a very good reason for the name, though probably not what you might guess) thinks that I'm wearing a special toy designed just for him. If I pass by him sitting on the back of a chair, he will grab the dangly strings and attempt to use them as a leash to lead me around the house.

 

 

On a food-related note, I am going to enjoy my last day of semi-real food tomorrow as week two, the Release Phase, moves me into an even more restrictive diet. I wonder how much I will grow to love or hate miso soup...

 

 

You can create your own FREE Team Beachbody account here to track your fitness goals and progress and find workout buddies to motivate you. Plus you'll get me as a coach, which is what would really make you lucky. Cause as we've already learned above, I'm all hip and cool.



BB Ultimate Reset: Day Five

"Come on, Craig. It's Friday. You ain't got no job, man." That's the voice I heard in my head as my son held the freshly baked cinnamon rolls under my nose.

"Go ahead, mom. Just have one." What happened to the mean kid that wouldn't let me have any chocolate chip cookies? Apparently he's been replaced by a different mean kid that wants to bully me into failure. His friend suggested he was just trying to test my resolve. Ok, so the teenager didn't use the word "resolve," but that's what he meant.

Whatever. I said no and I didn't even punch the child in his face. (There was part of me that wanted to, though.)

Outside of that little moment, the day was beautiful. Went for a nice long walk with my momma before coming home to do my Tai Cheng. It was a peaceful start to a rather stressful work day. But even with all the stress of demanding students and ridiculously complicated new classroom setups, I feel calm and relaxed.

While I'm anxious to finish this journey to see where it takes me, I am enjoying the process as I go.

Watching the numbers inch closer to my goals is one of my motivators. You can do the same by signing up here for a Team Beachbody profile account and start tracking your own progress.

Now, I get to enjoy a small cup of coffee while I plan the child's punishment for his cruel behavior. I'm thinking about selling all of his stuff and using the proceeds to buy the new wardrobe I'm going to need at the end of this journey.

BB Ultimate Reset: Day Four

Before I begin, I need to just let folks know that I'm going to have to start unfriending folks on Facebook. You all KNOW I'm restricting the foods I eat during the Ultimate Reset, but you insist on posting photos of things like Crock Pot Parmesan Honey Pork Roast, Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas, and Dorito Chicken and Cheese Casserole (that last one was posted deliberately to undermine my success, I know it). Uncool, people. Uncool.

Still, I am sticking to my challenge and not feeling too deprived. I'm in kind of a rhythm now and my body is enjoying the light feeling of not being full nonstop throughout the day. I no longer go into panic mode at the slightest tummy rumble. Apparently I used to think I was living in feast or famine times and had to have a constant supply of food lest I whither away in the dead of winter never to see another spring. Now, I don't mind feeling a little hungry off and on throughout the day. But what's weird is that despite the lack of constant food, I have not heard or felt my stomach growl once on this challenge. I have had more than enough to eat while taking in significantly fewer calories.

The real motivator came when I randomly decided to measure my thighs. 21 23/4 inches. That's less than 22 inches. That's smaller than my thighs have been in dang near forever. I am literally shrinking, making me literally happy.

My reward for my progress and stick-to-it-tiveness is a special Tiramisu Shakeology. Probably not completely in line with my UR menu, but this new vanilla flavor gives me so many recipe options for my healthiest meal of the day that I just had to have it twice today. I had an Orange Julius Shake-O this morning and Tiramisu Shake-O to end my day. Perfection.

I am four days in and feeling good, not craving Doritos or beer or pasta. Well, at least not until I see the photos on my FB newsfeed. It seems to be a psychological craving. So I'm going to have to psychologically unfriend half of these people. Or perhaps I will just counter every post of Dorito Chicken and Cheese Casserole with my own post of vanilla Shake-O and my Ultimate Reset. That'll learn em.

Want to feel this good? Join me for an Ultimate Reset challenge group on Facebook starting next week. https://www.facebook.com/SunShineStrongNow We'll have fun, I promise.

BB Ultimate Reset: Day Three

I woke up feeling good. Not hungry, which is odd for me. I only ate breakfast because it is part of the plan and because I love my Shakeology. New vanilla flavor, what? Mmmmmm.

I felt happy and pleasant as I went to the grocery store, where half of America was stocking up on chips and beer for tomorrow's holiday. I, by the way, was stocking up on veggies and nacho-flavored kale chips (not a suitable Doritos substitute, by the way). No beer for me. No real chips. Nope. I get veggies and nacho-flavored kale chips. *sigh*

All of the warnings in the booklet about days three through five being the hardest days must be for the other people, cause I am so fine.

I will say that later in the day I finally started to feel the achy feeling they talk about in the booklet. It is an odd mix between a very mild flu and vague PMS-type cramping. It's the kind that only makes you mildly annoyed with the world, not the kind that makes you plot how you might be able to start ripping people's hearts out without a life sentence. And this is where I am probably the odd one, but I kind of enjoy it. It makes me feel like I should be taking care of myself and relaxing more. The flu gives you permission to be lazy. So mild flu-like achiness is ok with me.

Also enjoying my Tai Cheng. Dr. Mark Cheng is nice to look at during these relaxing movements, plus he shows you how each Tai Chi move can be used as self-defense, so I get to feel a badass doing them. Still, I miss my more intense workouts and I'm itching to do some Turbo Fire. I shouldn't, but I REALLY want to.

Though I delayed the start of my Ultimate Reset and Tai Cheng challenge groups so I could give folks an idea of what to expect, I have rescheduled the start date for those groups for Monday, July 8th. Check out event details at https://www.facebook.com/SunShineStrongNow if you'd like to join me!

BB Ultimate Reset: Day Two

Slept like a baby last night. It was quite phenomenal, really. I've never had trouble sleeping, but I do generally wake up several times throughout the night. Not last night. I was completely at peace with the world.

I felt much more comfortable with the process today. I didn't crave coffee and have yet to experience any caffeine withdrawal headaches.

Completed Day Two of my Tai Cheng, as well. It's an oddly relaxing workout and I'm noticing that I really have lost some range of motion in my shoulders/arms. Hopefully this program will help restore that before I get into my next intense challenge.

Clearly one of the pieces of this reset is reducing the number of calories I'm consuming daily. What I'm realizing is that I eat to fill time. I eat all of the time. I eat nonstop throughout the day. I eat when I'm grading. I eat right before teaching and again right after. I eat when I'm lesson planning. I eat when I'm researching. About the only time I don't eat is when I'm feeding the animals or working out. And while I was able to do that and still lose weight during my ChaLEAN Extreme program (seriously, the miracle of strength training), it was clearly holding me back from seeing full results.

So I am getting more comfortable with being slightly hungry throughout the day. It is not the horrifying feeling of deprivation that I always imagined it to be. We're not supposed to be full all day long. According to the USDA, "Americans consume 530 more calories per day than they did in 1970" (as cited in an article in the Success magazine my super-awesome coach sent me today). Worse yet, most of those foods are highly processed and filled with chemicals. I am focused on flushing those chemicals out of my body and continuing this habit of healthier eating even after I finish this challenge.

On the down side, it is only day two and I don't want to see another piece of tofu. This means I'm going to have to go shopping and put a little more thought and effort into menu planning. Evenings have always been my downfall where food is concerned. I usually fill my evenings with Doritos and beer. Lots of flavor and no cooking required. So, tofu and steamed broccoli aren't cutting it. I need more flavor than that for my evening meals. I'm eyeing up that sweet potato and red pepper bisque.

http://www.MyUltimateReset.com/SunShineStrong

BB Ultimate Reset: Day One

4:00am - I feel hungover and all I really want is coffee. Why can't I have coffee? Teenagers up all night. Loud. Kitchen mess. Tornado? No. Teenagers. Chocolate chip muffins everywhere. Pancake batter. No coffee. Why can't I have coffee?

6:00am - I drink my Mineralized water and take my Optimize pills. Still no coffee. I want to reach into the television and punch the kid on the Honey Nut Cheerios commercial in the face. I can't eat for another thirty minutes. I may be dying.

6:15am - I am not yet feeling compelled to stand on my front porch with my arms in the air praising the heavens for this beautiful life I've been given. Still no coffee.

6:30am - Shakeology. I run the blender as long and loud as possible...just because.

7:00am - Tai Cheng. It's a somewhat startling, but relaxing change from Chalene Johnson yelling at me to go hard or go home (which is odd because she must know that I AM home when doing these programs). Feeling a little light, but not really in a bad way. I would like some coffee, though.

9:00am - Feeling less inclined to hurt someone. Still wanting coffee.

10:00am - Children awake. Cooking more pancakes. Eggs. Bacon. Hot Pockets. I want to punch them all in their faces. I don't even like Hot Pockets. They're gross, but I want to snatch one out of their greedy little hands and inhale it. Still no coffee. All I really want is coffee. They can keep the Hot Pockets if I can just have come coffee.

11:00am - I Mineralize and Optimize again. Then I wait. Still no coffee.

11:30am - Thank goodness for lunch. I love lunch. Lunch is, like, the BEST. THING. EVER. Scrambled eggs, steamed kale, and 1 slice of whole-grain toast. No salt. No butter. Just plain eggs, kale, and toast. And it is freakin delicious.

2:30pm - Time to Mineralize and Alkalinize. What in heaven's name is this? It's green. It looks like seaweed water. It smells like seaweed water. It tastes...like seaweed water. Oddly enough, though, it's not that bad. Actually, my new-found love of edamame has prepared me for this, because it also smells and tastes very much like the edamame pods. I might just make it through this.

3:00pm - Snack. Best edamame I've ever had. Ever.

5:30pm - Took my last Mineralize, Optimize, and Soothe.

6:00pm - Baked tofu, steamed broccoli, and brown rice. The most delicious bland food ever. It is very much like finishing a half marathon and scarfing down stale wheat bagels covered in peanut butter and telling everyone around you that it's the best meal you've ever had. Ever. Still, a post-meal coffee would be super.

6:30pm - Reading through my Beachbody Ultimate Reset booklet. Just curious what each of these elements is supposed to do for me. Alkalinize helps maintain alkalinity. Sure. Mineralize adds natural minerals needed by the body. Ok. Optimize promotes healthy metabolism and effective body functions. Yep. Body's been functioning quite a bit today.

Then I decide to peruse the Frequently Asked Questions, just to kind of cut to the chase. What happens if I cheat during the Ultimate Reset? No biggie. Just start right back. Cool. Can I drink coffee during the Ultimate Reset? Yes. Wait, WHAT? What the f---????? What in the heck is going on? WHY didn't I read this first???? Dangit!

Ok, so you're not supposed to drink coffee on this program, but you can, in small amounts. And this is what I have learned today. READ thoroughly before jumping into a program. I might have been able to communicate with more humans today if I had done so.

http://www.MyUltimateReset.com/SunShineStrong

What Will Life Be Like?

In less than 12 hours, my Ultimate Reset begins. As such, I have spent the last 12 hours consuming whatever bad foods I can. I just had half a chocolate cake. Yeah.

Currently, there are more than half a dozen teenagers cooking pancakes and chocolate chip muffins in my kitchen. If by some miracle any of it turns out even slightly edible, I will probably just take it from them.

I really feel like I must eat all the food tonight because tomorrow begins the unknown. What will life be like without coffee and beer? More importantly, what will life be like for everyone else?

I'll let you know...

Check out my Ultimate Reset Website to learn more!

We All Need More Shaun T in Our Lives

I'm not speaking to Beachbody.

Yeah, it was all cool and exciting when I got my first commission check and signed my first coach. And yeah, it was fully excellent when I lost 13 pounds and found my inner strength again. And sure, the idea of one day being able to stop working for 5 different companies and be my own boss is empowering. (And restful. Five different companies. Just thinking about it makes me tired.)

But seriously, Beachbody, you wait until I'm about to embark on a 21-Day Ultimate Reset to release my Shaun T's newest workout??? You KNOW I can't do this kind of intense workout while resetting my body! I have to do my Tai Cheng while resetting my body. You could have waited to release this new program, but nooooo.

FocusT25. Just 25 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Shaun T. It's perfection.

And yet, I don't get to jump on the T25 bandwagon until at least July 22nd and honestly, I have Turbo Fire, Insanity, and Body Gospel all on my list of programs to try next. And I've heard great things about Les Mills Combat, too.

So, I'm going to need you to just stop it. Stop releasing anymore cool new programs until I've had a chance to catch up. Unless...

Who's up for a Turbo Fire/Insanity/Body Gospel/T25/Les Mills Combat hybrid? I'd even be willing to throw some Hip Hop Abs in there. Because really, we all need a little more Shaun T in our lives.

https://www.facebook.com/SunShineStrongNow

Contact me today if you'd like to try T25. Just don't tell me how much you love it until I get to try it, too.

One Week From Today

One week. In one week I will wake up and I won't turn on my coffee pot. I won't grab a cookie out of the fridge (we keep them in the fridge because nothing beats a cold chocolate chip cookie). I won't steal one of my son's frozen waffles from the freezer.

Instead, one week from today, I will wake up and put on my Ultimate Reset Bracelet to symbolize my commitment to myself. Then I will begin my 21-day journey to becoming healthier, happier, and more energized.

As of today, I haven't had a great response in folks stepping up to join me in this journey. I ain't mad. I can't blame you for not jumping into the unknown. Well, maybe I can blame you a little, cause I'm gonna need some support to give up my Doritos and coffee for 21 days. But I get it.

So, for those who are curious, but unconvinced, I will be documenting my daily experiences. It may not be pretty and some days may require an "Explicit Language" label, so be prepared for brutal honesty. For those that prefer shiny, happy posts, my UR guide says that days 3 through 5 can be particularly challenging. Those may be the days you want to be prepared for Grumpy Shine. Most people don't like her.

But at some point during the process, I hope to begin standing out on my porch every morning doing this:

In the off chance that you want to jump into your own Ultimate Reset, check out the website http://www.MyUltimateReset.com/SunShineStrong or check out my Challenge Group Event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SunShineStrongNow.

I'd really hate to be the only one standing out on my front porch every morning with my hands raised to the heavens welcoming the new day...

Resetting My Body

In less than 2 weeks, I will be finished with my ChaLEAN Extreme (CLX) program and embarking on my next challenge, the Ultimate Reset. I have a feeling that the Ultimate Reset will prove far more challenging that CLX, but the rewards will also be powerful.

The benefits that other participants have reported include:

Flushed toxins from organs

Improved digestion

Increased energy

More positive mood and better focus

Weight loss

Improved BMI

Lowered cholesterol

Eliminated dependencies on sugar and caffeine

Improved overall health

 

 

 

 

I’ve had tremendous results from CLX, losing more than 10 pounds and toning up all over. I don't feel a strong need to lose more weight. It's not that I don't have a few extra pounds to spare, but I am entirely happy with my physical fitness and body image. If I lose a few more pounds, then that will be icing on the cake that I'm no longer eating.

 

So my goal with the Ultimate Reset is to focus on those things that are not reflected in before and after photos or numbers on the scale. I want to flush out toxins, increase my energy, and improve my overall health. I have made some positive changes in the foods I eat, shifting to cleaner eating. I could do better in that area, but I’m taking baby steps in that direction to ensure lasting change rather than an all or nothing approach that would likely lead to failure. I’m hoping the Ultimate Reset can help move me closer to my ultimate goal of reducing the amount of toxic chemicals that I take into my body.

My Ultimate Reset challenge starts on July 1^st and will last for 21 days. I will record my daily experiences with the program for those that are considering, but unsure of committing to the challenge. Coincidentally, my annual checkup falls just after the end of my challenge, so I’m anxious to see what those numbers tell me about the overall effect of the Reset.

I welcome you to join me in this challenge. You can read more about the Ultimate Reset and even purchase it here:

http://www.MyUltimateReset.com/SunShineStrong

 

Together, we can support one another through the process via a Facebook Challenge Group.

https://www.facebook.com/SunShineStrongNow

 

 

Summer Schedule of Free Online Challenge Groups

I've had phenomenal success on my ChaLEAN Extreme program (are y'all sick of hearing me schmooze about Chalene Johnson, yet?) and I'm already looking forward to my next ventures. The free online Challenge Group has been the key to my success on this program. We hold each other accountable and provide that added encouragement that we all need to be successful. We support one another and these people have become like my second family. I'd love to share that experience with all of you. I'll be holding the following free challenge groups this summer and invite you to join me in one (or all) of them!

Starting June 1st:
Looking for a fun way to flatten your abs without having to do crunches?

Hip Hop Abs Challenge Group


Starting July 1st:
Looking for a gentle way to get started with a new fitness program?

Ultimate Reset Challenge Group


Tai Cheng Challenge Group

Starting July 21st:
Want to step up your results with a more powerful program?

Turbo Fire Challenge Group

Insanity Challenge Group

Starting August 1st:
Would you like to combine the power of your faith with your desire to lose weight and get fit?

Body Gospel Challenge Group

Ready to make a change in your life? Email me at SunShineStrong@beachbodycoach.com and I will tell you how to get started!