Ok, Dani

My Focus T25 Results for #transformationtuesday

July 22, 2014 by Dani 28 Comments

Well, I’m being brave.

Really brave.

Showing you my belly fat all hanging out sloppy-like.

::sigh::

I wasn’t going to share these because I didn’t think they were… “transformy” enough. I was hoping to have dramatic aesthetic results, but I think what I’ve achieved with T25 is… decent.

Before T25

I had zero core strength
I was well over my normal weight
I was sluggish
I couldn’t really do anything that required cardio without panting, and
I was stressed out and mildly sleep deprived

When I started I was using the modifiers a whole lot, but by the end I was kinda keeping up with Shaun T! It was hard and I skipped some days but I made them up with a few 2-a-days and just continuing the program a bit longer.

Now After T25:

My weight only went down a few lbs and I lost a couple inches, but the non-scale results are great.
I can run 3 miles nonstop again with no walking (probably more, but the loop I run in FL is about 3 mi. so I haven’t tried longer)
My legs and shoulders feel stronger.
Even my core feels sliiiiightly stronger (but they’re in ROUGH shape after these c-sections)
My cardio has seriously improved, a lot less huffin’ and puffin’ when playing with Rohan. (And that one is the BEST of all the results)
Plus there’s the satisfaction of completing a program I started.
Oh yeah, and my back fat rolls have gone down a bit too!

I did not use the T25 nutrition plan. If I had, I’m sure my results would be seriously more dramatic. The first month of the program I was eating cleaner, but still a lot so I could compensate for the breastfeeding. The second month…I was in Florida…so you know I was eating like a horse, and it wasn’t clean. The only healthy thing I maintained while in Florida was drinking my shakeology every day.

I also didn’t do the Sunday stretch dvds…though I wish I had, I think I did it twice out of the whole two months.

At first when I took my t25 results photos I was disappointed. But I’m feeling a bit more realistic about it now. I made some physical improvements in just 2 months, spending only 25 minutes a day! That’s not bad at all. I had lots of excuses (working, travel, lethargia, deadlines, lack of time, marriage stress, and 2 very adorable excuses) but I pushed that aside and did what I had to do. I mean…it’s only 25 minutes!

What honestly helped me the most was being a part of my challenge group. I ran it with a fellow coach, and had some great, dedicated challengers. I knew I had to check in daily with my group whether I did the work out or not, whether I ate well or not, and having that accountability is what kept me from scrapping it when it got tough.

At one point I skipped 3 days in a row, and was like F it, I’ll just start over when I get back to NY…but I scrolled through the group and saw my girls working hard and gettin’ it in and it really motivated me to suck it up, and get back on the horse. That’s when I pulled out a few 2-a-days and tried to catch back up.

I’m currently doing Body Beast (weight training program) and will be mixing in T25 and PiYo videos as well for cardio and stretch/balance. I’m excited to get more results and can’t wait to see where I am in the next 30, 60, 90 days. (I’ll keep updating you here for sure)

Overall I’m happy with T25 and would recommend it to anyone who wants an effective workout that is short on time. I’m happy to help you stay focused and get results too. If you’re interested in joining my next challenge group (starts August 4) let me know!

Have you tried Focus T25? How’d you like it?

Dani

Happily married mom of two.

Filed Under: Beachbody, Exercise, Fit Fridays, focust25, My Life

Mind Right Monday

July 21, 2014 by Dani 1 Comment

Happy Monday!!

Before anything else, please don’t forget to enter to win $200 cash in our giveaway!! CLICK HERE TO ENTER

How was your weekend? Mine was semi-relaxing, just hanging out with the family, and semi-productive, getting stuff in gear for a few projects. I’m glad it’s monday though because I have about 4 thousand phone calls to make today between 9 and 5.

OK let’s get to it. How did I do last week:

Post to OKDani at least 3 times – Done!
Be physically out of my bed before 5:20am each day – Failed! But a good fail, I was out before 7am all but 1 day
Daily workouts (Piyo and BodyBeast combo) – Done/Failed!! LOL – I am doing Bodybeast and mixing more T25 in so I can lose more belly!
Continue with herbal teas (ONLY! no more coffee or lipton w/ milk) – Done!! Can’t believe I quit my stuff cold turkey!)
BlogHer’14 prep – Done!! ordered cards, got sched together, etc.
Read a book (this one!!) and do the activities – Done!! It’s really a great book, I’m going to keep referring to it through the month and beyond
Do something nice for myself – Done!! I took a lil mommy break and had tea, watched the godfather and chilled while everyone was sleeping
Do another faux minimalist clothes overhaul/downsizing – Ummm… Failed
Get back on my beachbody and writing grind – Done!! I’ve got a new challenge group scheduled, and as for writing…well…ok I failed that part.

Not too bad!! I have a really big week this week, and heading to BlogHer bright and early Thursday a.m. so I have to shove a lot of ‘to dos’ into 3 days. *gulp*

This week’s goals:

Post to OKDani 3+ times
Chronicle my BlogHer journey via pics n vids (come with me via instagram :))
Take some time to chillax while child-free
Enjoy a hot meal in PEACE
Go through applications and enroll people in my challenge group
Read a book
Pack for BlogHer BEFORE Wendesday at 11pm
Clothes overhaul/downsizing
Work on beachbody challenge group curriculum/content
Start Writing again
Wake up 6am daily
Workout each day – Bodybeast / T25 / Piyo Core

It’s going to be a great week!

I am extremely grateful for:

Roey and Kaya and their sweet relationship (look)
My family’s health, my health, the health of my clients
NYC
The internet and making a living using it
Having options and making good choices
Elmo
Abcmouse.com
Kaya being a good sleeper
My phone
Fruits & Veggies, and Roey being an adventurous eater
Moving to Florida eventually
Child free vacays
Blogging and the big ol blogging community
Working out and getting stronger
Online recipes
Virgin America
Having a backyard
My mom n dad
Roey’s increasing vocab and independence
Friends old and new
The future

What about you?

Dani

Happily married mom of two.

Filed Under: Mind Right Monday

Sunday Social

July 20, 2014 by Dani 2 Comments

At it again, linking up with Ashley and Neely! Why dont ya join us?!

1. What is the most difficult thing you have been through?

Look, I’m always 100 with you here, so I’ll say this. I can’t discuss the most difficult thing I’ve been through here. But I will tell ya the 2nd most difficult. Cool? OK. I’d have to say it’s probably a tie between relationship troubles with John that have popped up throughout our time together. When you’re with someone for so long there are lots of ups, lots of middles, and some downs too. The downs are just really difficult for me.

2. What was your best birthday?

Not sure. I don’t ever do anything huge for my birthdays so they’re all equally okay. It’s usually just dinner somewhere with John, and going to my family’s place. Actually, I guess my best birthday was back in 81 on the real day I was born. That was definitely a game changer! lol

My 31st bday – I have no pics of my 32nd :(

3. What has been your favorite thing you’ve done in your own city?

For me it’s restaurants and shows. I know it’s NYC and there is about 75 billion amazing things to do here….but restaurants and shows are my fave. I love live theater, especially small nobody-ever-heard-of-it shows versus the big huge productions (but those are fun too) and I love eating at restaurants of celeb chefs and all the cute lil new places we have to eat in this city.

4. What is your idea of the perfect date night?

Well, Idris would pick me up around 7…..

OK OK…

If I were being fantasy-full, I’d describe a date night consisting of private jets, personal masseuses and shopping sprees…but coming back down to earth I’d say:

Kids away for the weekend at my parents’ house, I get to luxuriate and pamper myself all day before the date, hair did, nails did, massage, long bubble bath. I sip on some sweet white wine and eat strawberries as I get dressed, ~~Idris~~ John is already dressed and waiting, we have a car waiting outside so we can both imbibe. We’re driven to a fanatastic restaurant and eat course after course of amazing food prepared special for us and brought out by the chef himself. We talk, we laugh, we kiss, we reminisce, we drink great wine. ….. then we go home get nakey and….(ahem)….watch a movie on demand til I pass out LOL
5. Have you ever been to a blogging conference? If so which one(s)? If not do you want to?

I’ve been to BlogHer two years runnin’ and going for year three in just a few days. I really want to go to Blogalicious, Niche Parent, Mom 2.0, Fitbloggin’ and Blogging While Brown. Hell I wanna go to all of ‘em…

What about you?!

Dani

Happily married mom of two.

Filed Under: My Life, Sunday Social

August 4th : Fit Before Fall Challenge Group

July 19, 2014 by Dani 2 Comments

Hi girls, I’m so exited to bring my Fit Before Fall Challenge Group to you all! I finished T25 and moved on to BodyBeast so I will be leading the group but also participating right alongside all the challengers! John’s going to be a challenger too!

Here’s how it works:

If I am not your Team Beachbody Coach then you would make me your coach. Contact me by filling out the application below this post to join! You are required to purchase a challenge pack (workout program of your choice + shakeology) from me as your coach. Then, you are accepted into my closed, private online support group that will begin on the 4th of August.

We will start with a week of prep, then 60 days of replacing 1 meal a day with Shakeology, healthy eating and the exercise program of your choice.

Each day you will log into the group for your daily tips and daily motivation, inspiration and accountability. I will share recipes and resources, along with ways to handle late night munchies, sugar cravings, emotional eating, temptations and more. We will also discuss habit creation and cultivating a positive mindset to set you up for ongoing success in your lifestyle change.

You will be accountable each day to check in with the group and rate your daily food /workouts! At the end of the 60 days we will measure our progress, submit our results and in 60 days you will have kicked bad habits, introduced new healthy habits and be on your way to creating life long health and wellness for you and your family!

Does this sound like something you would like to do?

If so, join me my completing the application below.

Then, create a free account so that I am your Team Beachbody Coach.

If you are anxious to get started then purchase your choice of challenge pack here and just make sure to message me and I will add you to the group and get you up and running!

Either way, the cut off for registration is Friday August 1st! So don’t wait until the last minute or you might miss an opportunity to truly transform your health and feel your best this summer/fall!

So whether you need a total overhaul or just a few tweaks now is your time! From woman to woman, mom to mom, business owner to business owner trust me YOU have TIME to put yourself FIRST for 30 minutes each day!

Fill out my online form.

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Dani

Happily married mom of two.

Filed Under: Beachbody, Challenge Groups, Exercise, Fitness Tagged With: beachbody, challenge groups

3 – 4 Months of Kaya

July 18, 2014 by Dani Leave a Comment

OK…I started writing this post the day before Kaya turned 3 months to make a 3 month update. Now…we’re 2 days away from her turning 4 months!! #procrastinatemuch? At least I’m gettin’ to it! Right? Here is my 3 month baby update and 4 month baby update of Rohan for comparison.

Next survey update will be 6 months. I can’t believe 4 months have already passed since Kayabean’s birth. She is the best little girl I could’ve asked for. I’m so grateful! She’s such a big girl. and has changed so very much since her colicky beginning. She’s so chill and only cries when she’s ready to sleep.

Weight Well this lil girl is getting long and heavy. I have to take her to the doctor soon so we’ll get an accurate weight, but when I get on our bathroom scale with her and then without her, there’s a 14.8 lb difference. So that’s a rough estimate for ya. Tho, she seems super light in comparison to Ro.

Clothes She is in 3-6 months and some 6 months! Her tiny lil shoes no longer fit either. She still fits her size 1 shoes. I gotta say, I LOVE baby girl clothes. All baby clothes is adorable just because of the tiny factor, but omg lil baby girl dresses and leggings and bows. ugh! I see why people go overboard with girls. I’m fighting it. (And let my mom go overboard on my behalf)

Diapers We have tried a few brands with her so far: Pampers, Honest, Huggies, Love and even Publix. So far, no standouts for either great or awful, so going to try a few more brands and if none stand out will choose her diapers by price. Gotta say, Honest diapers are the cutest things ever!! I love the size 2 girls diapers w/ the strawberries. Honest wipes are my second fave, after Kirkland wipes from Costco.

Eating Kaya eats every 2 to 3 hours. I nurse on demand just like with Rohan. I get so worried now that she’s sleeping long at night that she’s starving. I know it’s irrational and that she’d wake up and cry if she wanted to nurse….but still. When in Florida she got a bottle for the first time. It took her 3 attempts with a bottle to get used to the nipple. I’m glad she was able to catch on, I am not so tethered to her now. Overall she’s a good eater. There were some latch, and air gulping issues in the first month or so, but that’s over now.

Naps Kaya sleeps so randomly it’s ridiculous. Some days she’s the queen of cat naps, some days it feels like she sleeps for 24 hours, and some days it feels like she downed a bottle of no-doze and is tweaked out and wide awake. I am trying hard to find some sort of pattern, but she is throwing me for a loop. One great thing about her, that never happened with Roey, is that she will fall asleep on her own!

Nighttime Ahhh sweet night time. at about 7 weeks Kaya’s colickiness kicked the bucket and since then she’s been a perfect sleeper!! Before and during our time in Florida she would go down around 9:30/10 and then wake around 4:30 to nurse and pass out while nursing and stay asleep until 8 or 9. Now, she goes down around 9:30 or 10, then wakes around 6:30 sometimes…and other days doesn’t wake until 8:30 or later! Thank you heavens!!

Likes

Her brother – she stares and smiles and giggles and coos at him all day long
Being upright and walking around – she likes to see everything going on
Pulling hair, blankets, earrings, fingers, anything within reach
music, being sung to
her playmat and her rocker
bathtime – kicking and splashing
sucking her fingers – I’m happy she can self soothe and fall asleep, but worried she’ll be a longtime sucker

Dislikes

being held in one position for too long
being in an unmoving car
waiting for me to pull my breast out – those 2 seconds are entirely too long when she’s ready to nurse

Milestones

Rolling over! I gotta get her on camera, I always just catch her after she’s done the deed.
Scooting around
Giggling! i gotta get that on camera too
Taking her first dip in the pool and first flights

Overall

She’s such a calm baby. She’s so much easier than Roey and Roey wasn’t even that bad! #SOGRATEFUL I think she’s going to have a calmer personality/toddlerhood that Ro, but we’ll see. She may be a lil tornado just like her big bro. She’s already full of personality and makes the best faces! She’s just the softest snuggliest lil thing and I’m so excited to be her mommy.