I am part of the Beachbody group called Made 4 More.  It is co-coached with my coaches Kyle and Emily Bryant.  They are so motivational!  They brought me out of a lot of the negativity I felt about my weight, and they encourage me every step of the way.  Every few weeks, we start a Challenge.  These challenge groups are made up of other people who are learning to be healthy by eating what they should eat and exercising.  Now, I was not going to buy into this all the way...until I started seeing the results.  It isn't hard!  It takes little effort!  And with our challenge groups, it takes a lot of support.

I fully believe the reason I succeeded was because I shared a lot.  If they wanted a sweaty selfie, I gave it to them.  If they wanted to see a picture of my plate, I took it.  I asked questions.  I pushed myself.  And at the end of our 3 week challenge, I was down 11 lbs and 8 inches.  YOU GET OUT OF IT WHAT YOU PUT IN.

i'll just say it...I'm currently over 200 lbs.  I've been over 200 lbs for 5 years.  I felt hopeless, like I have an "old" body, I have had diabetes for 45 years...every excuse under the sun.  My challenge group helped me realize that my reasons are just that...EXCUSES.  I'm tired of wasting away making excuses.  I deserve to be healthy and energetic.  I deserve to see my grandchildren be born...years down the line.

I am really lucky.  Kyle is a great motivator and whenever I felt down, he inevitably said the words that kept me going.  If I didn't feel like planning a menu, I took a page from Emily's meal plans.  Emily is a pro culinary teacher, and is, in fact, my Michael's Pro Start teacher, who encourages him in his quest to own his own restaurant.  Needless to say, her meals are incredible.  As a mom to three young kids, AND a teacher, AND a Beachbody coach, she is also really busy.  I love how easy and delicious her meals are!  My family talks about how well they've been eating, too!

​I would love to invite you to join our next Challenge Group.  Drop me a line and I will get you connected.  And if you would like to "go official" with a starter pack, then let me know!  Above all, though...if you have questions, ASK!

​***Note...this is a report of a post I made in my coach's workout group.

I used to have a love / hate relationship with my pillow.  I love lounging, resting my head, relaxing...sleeping.  I used to think sleep meant I was lazy.  I mean, how was I accomplishing anything productive if I wasn't awake and doing something? Sleep just got in the way.

Then I got sick.  Really, really sick.  And while I rested for two weeks in my hospital bed, I realized that while I was sleeping, my body was healing. It occurred to me...maybe our bodies NEED sleep to heal day to day, too.  If our bodies are healed, they are healthy, and if we are healthy, we will be able to work out more effectively, have energy to prepare healthy meals, and LEAD BETTER LIVES.

Our bodies go through so much during the day.  Our bodies need to heal.  SLEEP is how healing happens.

I encourage you to put a notebook by your bed.  Before you go to sleep, write down how you handled your day.  Were you stressed? Did you get a lot accomplished? Did you eat well?  Work out?  Then write down what time you're going to bed.  Try very hard to aim for eight hours in your bed.  You probably won't sleep the entire time.  That's okay.  Just allow yourself to rest.

For those of us with sleep trackers, in the morning, write down how much good sleep you had and how long you were restless.

Try this for a week.  If you're comfortable with this, share your observations in the comments below.  Make a note of how much you got accomplished during the day when you've slept well, and how your moods changed when you were restless.  It will be interesting to see the results.

If you want to try Beachbody and come get healthy with me, simply CLICK HERE and we will get you set up on the right program.

I knew my family supported my healthy journey.  I knew they were proud of the success I've had.  Yesterday it was proven even more to me.

I got a FitBit Flex 2.  And it is awesome.

I love it because it keeps me honest.  I can't cheat on my sleep.  I can't cheat on how many steps I take a day. I can't estimate.  It keeps track of everything.  It's perfect.  It tracks my steps, distance, calories burned and active minutes.  I tend to stay sedentary, so I've set it to remind me to get up and get active every hour during the day. When I get a text or call, it lets me know with a subtle vibration. I love that it's waterproof because I spend a lot of time at the lake, and I need it to be able to withstand water.  These are the settings I prefer, but you can change what you want on your own FitBit page.

There are a lot of FitBits out there.  My daughter has the FitBit Charge HR.  That one works best for her because as a college student, it gives her the time, and tracks her steps, heart rate, distance, calories burned. number of stairs climbed,  and it even tracks her sleep patterns.  Since she's so busy and on the go, it works great for her.

We are sold on the FitBits.  We have tried a lot of activity trackers, but these work well for us.  They have great features and can withstand the stress of our lifestyle.  When you desire a healthy lifestyle, you should definitely invest in a fitness tracker.

Have a great day, and stay healthy!

​I've been a Beachbody coach for approximately 10 days and I just got my first check!  Say what?

I didn't become a coach to earn money.  I became a coach because I have changed my life for the better.  I'm healthier and I want to share that journey with people.  Sometimes it's ugly, often it's hard, but it's always worth it.

I have been having so much fun as a coach that I totally forgot that I get paid to do this!  Yesterday, when I opened my mail and found a check, I was SHOCKED.

Now, the check isn't going to pay for much.  Maybe a pack of the delicious organic meat at our local Farmers Market, or even organic tomatoes and turkey bacon for a BLT salad...but it's a beginning.  I'm beginning to help people get healthy, and I get paid for it.  Unbelievable.

My first check was $12.47.  I'm excitedly looking forward to my next check.  But more than that, I'm excitedly looking forward to seeing you get healthier with me.

For information on joining one of my challenge group, please email me  There is no pressure, no requirements to buy or pay for anything.  Heck, I'll give you the first month of Beachbody on Demand for free.

Come on and join!  Let's have some hard working FUN.
​
In health!

I love my Shakeology.  Each morning, I start with this goodness, and it helps me throughout the day.  I like:

• The morning routine
• It isn't a meal replacement shake. I often have toast, eggs, bacon...yum!
• It gives me energy throughout the day.  I haven't needed an afternoon nap in weeks!
• My blood sugars are steady
• I am simply not as hungry.

I'll be honest...I did not want to be one of those crazy shake people.  I fought it.  But the results I saw with people who did their challenges with Shakeology were convincing.  So I ordered the Shakeology Challenge Pack, and I haven't looked back.  I ordered the chocolate and vanilla combo pack just to see which one I liked best, but there are lots of flavors including Strawberry, Vegan options, cafe latte and Greenberry.

I will share my Shakeology recipes with you, along with 21 Day Fix counts as well as some modifications. I hope you enjoy!  If you have Shakeology recipes you would like to share, I'd love to see them.
This first recipe is a Funky Monkey with a MINTY twist!  It definitely pops my tastebuds first thing in the morning and helps me face the day with eyes wide open.

​Ingredients

• 1 scoop or 1 pack of chocolate Shakeology
• 1 banana
• 1 tsp peanut butter
• 1 splash of mint extract
• 1 cup ice
• 1 cup water

​Combine all ingredients in blender until completely smooth
Pour into your shaker bottle and ENJOY!

21 Day Fix Counts:

• 1 Red
• 2 Purple
• 1 Tsp.
• Water​

For the past 6+ months, my friend Emily has talked to be about BeachBody and Shakeology.  I kept trying to put her off bit by bit..."Maybe next time," or "That's interesting," or even, "I don't know if my doctor would approve."  She kept answering my nays with yays.  In the meantime, I was exhausted and fighting sickness weekly, and she was losing weight, looking amazing, and easily having more energy that I've ever seen her have.

Last month, I looked in the mirror and thought, "I can't do this anymore.  If Emily asks me to do this challenge thing, maybe I'll give it a try.  Who knows."  Then I ate a sleeve of Girl Scout Thin Mints, and went to bed a little sad.

THE NEXT DAY, she again approached me about Beachbody and Shakeology.  This time I was ready.  I said yes.  For 21 Days and beyond, my life has changed.  I'm never looking back.

I have limitations.  I've been diabetic for 45 years and I have an arthritic hip from a car accident five years ago.  I had no energy and would come home from work and fall asleep for the next 3 or 4 hours.  I felt sluggish and disgusting, but couldn't do anything about it.

Then the challenge started.  And it was tough.  I do the 21 Day Fix, and I've learned a lot about portion control.  I do the 3 Week Yoga Retreat, and I feel my body stretching.  I drink Shakeology and I am not exhausted by the end of the day.  And at the end of our 21 Days, I had lost 11 lbs and 8".  You read that right.  I'm a LOT smaller than I used to be.  I am full at the end of the day, with no midnight cravings.  I drink my water.  I eat my greens (okay, sometimes I put them in my Shakeology shakes, but I can't taste them, especially when I add a drop of mint extract).  I feel clean

All because of a 21 Day determination.

I am so overwhelmed at how well I'm doing that I've decided to become a Coach and share my journey with others who feel hopeless.  If you would like more information, please don't hesitate to contact me.  

For more information on Shakeology, please visit here:  Shakeology