What is the Coaching Opportunity?

Curious??

 

What am I doing?

What is a “coach”

What is a challenge group?

How did you get started into this?

What are the perks of being a coach?

How BIG can this opportunity really get?

 

I've been getting some questions lately about this life changing coaching opportunity I stumbled upon and I would like to extend the invitation out to anyone else looking to see what this is all about.

Here's sort of how I began in this if you're curious: 

Last summer I was really into getting myself back into shape.  We felt like our family was complete and I really wanted to feel more comfortable in my own skin again.  My goal was to get rid of my “fat” clothes in my closet for GOOD.

I was really motivated to get back to me, and to be honest I really enjoyed some time for myself while out on my runs.  Sort of like my little escape to clear my head and enjoy some quiet.  I did try doing the gym thing but I always felt hugely guilty leaving my husband with our three kids at home for and hour, sometimes longer while escaping to the gym.  So at that point I was pretty active and enjoyed exercise but with all the running and working out I was doing, the scale wasn't moving. That was incredibly discouraging because of all the time and hard work I was putting into it.

One simple decision to try a something different has changed my life. I owe it all to Wendy - a friend that has now lost 50+ pounds from a program called the 21 Day Fix by Autumn Calabrese.  She invited me to join her challenge group and asked if I was interested in doing that program with her.  So then I started doing some research on YouTube and such on this program and Shakeology and was finding a LOT of positive reviews.   I also liked the idea that this programs workouts were only 30 minutes long and it's something that I could do at home.  A solution to the guilty feeling I had about leaving my family to take off and go to the gym, which I was feeling horrible about. 

 

So I took a chance.  Ordered it and hoped to goodness this wasn't just another quick weight loss program thing I just spent my money on.  My package came, and I worked away through the 21 days in a challenge group with other girls doing the same thing. My coach supported me, motivated me, helped me when I was down, and cheered me on when I needed it.  We shared recipes, tips, feelings, successes, set backs, everything.  Being a part of these challenge groups with others has lead me to lose 30 + pounds now since last summer. That program taught me how to eat and fuel my body properly.  AND it was fun to be a part of a supportive group of people for accountability.

 

 

I loved being part of a group of supportive people and I was having great results from the 21 Day Fix program that I soon had thoughts of wanting to pay it forward and help others through their weight loss journey as well. I signed up to be a coach and was soon starting my own challenge groups to motivate and inspire others. I didn't know exactly what I was getting into, I'm not a nutrition or fitness instructor. I didn't have a perfect body. I just had a desire to help people and show them these products DO work and you CAN feel so much better in your own skin. I didn't know how much time I wanted to devote to this but it was sort of a win-win because I was helping to keep not only others on track by myself as well by  leading by example.  By helping out just one person in the beginning has now led to helping more and more each month. Such a domino effect and it feels FANTASTIC to show people a healthy way of losing weight and get them feeling better about themselves! Especially my fellow busy mommy friends. Being a mommy we are constantly putting our kids first, and rightfully so! They are the loves of our lives. But when we can start our day off with just 30 min for us, we can be that much of a better mama for them and wife to our husbands when we're feeling great about ourselves. This coaching opportunity just felt RIGHT!    

 

Over the course of just 6 months my fellow coach Wendy and I have ran about 4 challenge groups, helped many other women regain their confidence, transform their bodies and learn how to eat clean! Each and everyday I get to open up my Facebook news feed and it's beautiful. Full of inspirational people and postitive coaches.  Stories of inspiring transformations each and every day, it is just so uplifting. THEN to hear your friends tell you about their successes, how great they feel, how much they're losing, how they get to go shopping now and feel great about it, how much more energy they have from shakeolgoy, how much more confident they feel, list goes on and on and on with the messages I get it makes me so excited to hear this! And it all started from helping just one other person! 


Like I said I didn't know what I was doing when I started. I was not a skinny fitness model. I was not a health food major. I'm not a fitness instructor. I'm just someone that loves these programs and wants to share and insipre others that they can do this too!!




I've just been learning as I've been going. There are people on this team that are doing this as a hobby, and for some this is their career. I went into this as a hobby, actually that's not completely true, I went into it for the discount off of shakeolgoy and other programs, no lie. But then I saw how other coaches were inspring and helping others, I wanted to do that too! There are coaches that are moms, nurses, teachers, fitness instructors, corporate business women and men and every other career in between! Together we are all committed to helping other people reach their goals.



Our team will open up their doors for 5 days in a group called Coaching at a Glance. If something in what I just said inspires you, message me and I can add you to the group to see if this would be a good fit for you.

We're looking for people who are self motivated, caring, independent and coachable. If that's you I would love for you to join our team!

There are limited spots open for this so that there aren't too many in this group and we can answer any questions you've got along the way.

 

21 Day Fix Extreme -- Week #2 Review

Hey Guys!



So it's Saturday and I'm almost done week #2.  What a difference in how I feel from week 1 to 2.  Week one the workouts were all new, and I was using the modifier to get through a lot of the moves.  Week 2, I sort of knew what to expect and the moves felt easier.  I struggled to get through the 30 seconds of PLYO or 60 seconds of cardio moves but this week I could make it through. Sometimes I would use the modifier, sometimes I was able to do it so it was definitely encouraging to feel stronger already in just one week.



I started off last weekend sitting down with the nutrition plan and writing out what I was going to eat during week #2.  Just like finding time each day to get those 30 minutes in, I know sitting down and planning my food is so SO important.  Autumn put a lot of work into creating the workout routines and she put the same amount of work into creating the nutrition guide, it's a proven system for proper eating.  Here was my loot from the grocery store:




I always sit down and do my "homework" each week.  If I don't have a plan for dinners for my family or have my work lunches prepped ahead of time, I run into making quick decisions and grabbing things I shouldn't that lead to quick and unhealthy food choices.  SO, meal planning is equally important as the exercise portion. 



Since really getting back to using these containers I'm definitely noticing changes, which is exciting!!  Which again reminded me how important the food aspect was to the success of going "extreme"
I'm usually pretty good sticking to it during the work week because it's just go go go and I'm following the plan but by Thursday/Friday, we get tired.  The work week catches up to me and the food temptations pop up.  Sugar usually being the strongest temptation but that's because we need that sugar kick.  Friday night after a really draining week at work, I couldn't bring myself to cook dinner, so I did order pizza.  Had just one slice (my old self would have had 4 plus cheese bread)  And then the hubby and I chilled on the couch with a movie and shared some wine.  Wine is not on the food plan because it's "extreme" but I know that I'm in this for the long haul, not just 21 days so a mama needs some wine sometimes!



I'm really actually growing to love the workouts.  It feels so great to accomplish something for yourself first thing in the morning (we're up at 4:45a)  When you get that hard workout in, you feel great for the rest of the day knowing you accomplished something for you!  You can get through those 30 minutes and you find out that you're stronger than you think. 




Hubby was able to join me all week and he is working hard at this too.  It's really great to have such a supporter of this new lifestyle.  He is doing SO good !  So proud of him! 




So Next Sunday I hope to have week #3 review and RESULTS   ekkkkkkk!  That scares me a little!  So I'm going to give week #3 all I've got.  Making it count this week and pushing hard! 
Thanks for all your support guys!

--Jenn

Turkey Chili

Here's a healthy Chili recipe to try this week.
We had it last week and the kids ate it.  You can feel good about serving this to your family because it's full of all clean food and super healthy and still filling.

Here's what you'll need for this TURKEY CHILI:

1 tsp olive oil
1 1/2 lean group turkey
1 onion chopped (super small if needed to hide it from the kids)
1 green pepper chopped
1 package of mushrooms
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 Tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1 can of red kidney beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of diced tomatoes (watch out for added salt and sugar)
cilantro springs, finely chopped for garnish (optional)

• Heat oil in large pan medium-high heat.
• Add turkey, onion, mushrooms, pepper and garlic, cook stirring occasionally. for 5-8 minutes until turkey is no longer pink
• Add spices and stir constantly for 1 minute.
• Add beans and tomatoes (with liquid).  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low; gently boil, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes.
• Serve warm, sprinkled with cilantro. 

I love my crock pot so I just browned the turkey with the olive oil and once it was cooked I added everything into my crock pot.  I stuck it in the fridge and pulled it out the next day and heated it on low for 4-6 hrs. 

Enjoy

 ~~ Jenn ~~

21 Day Fix Extreme - Week #1 review

Wow I'm still alive!  Sore, very very sore but still here.

So this past week I was extremely excited to start a new program.  I think I was just really wanting something new, something challenging, and something that I knew would get me in spring/summer shape, and get rid of those last 10 pounds for good. 

So, I started 21 Day Fix Extreme with a test group.  There are 7 of us total that braved this new program together.  We've been supporting each other, helping each other, and posting about our challenges and our triumphs!

First week down and I got the hang of the containers again and writing out the meal plan.  Here's a sample of what I was eating for lunch last week.  Balsamic Steak salad!  This tasted amazing!!!  Could have had it all week!  Yummy!

So after my meal plan was all set, the groceries were all set, shakeology all stocked, all there was to do was wake up Monday morning and get my workout on!  I was nervous, (scared actually) about how hard this was going to be.  But it's fun when its something completely NEW! 

My hubby joined me for the first part of the week so we were able to do it together.  His work schedule got a bit off kilter so he'll jump in when he can. What a great guy eh!

The workouts were awesome!  I think I was ready for a change, a challenge.  Yes, some mornings were EXTREMELY hard to get up.  BUT I had to keep my focus in mind, and I really do enjoy getting it done and out of the way first thing in the morning.  Even though some mornings look like this:

Each day has a different workout, which I love because then it switches up daily and you don't get bored. 
Having a different workout each day also gives different areas of the body a rest because trust me, we were SORE!

The schedule we follow looks like this:

•  Monday - PLYO Fix Extreme
•  Tuesday - Upper Fix Extreme
•  Wednesday - Pilates Fix Extreme
•  Thursday - Lower Fix Extreme
•  Friday - Cardio Fix Extreme (I dreaded this all week)
•  Saturday - Dirty Thirty Extreme
•  Sunday - Yoga extreme (ahhhhh well deserved)

Which one was my favourite? 
Do I have to pick one because they were all tough lol.

Favourite one was probably Dirty 30 on Saturday.  I enjoyed that one in the original program too.  Just a nice overall body toning workout.  Get in, get out on the busy weekends.

What's my plan going into week #2??

Just Survive!!  Be able to walk!

No really, my struggle is always food.  So that's why I have my meals planned and lunches prepped in advance sometimes so there's no room to get sidetracked or tempted.

My goals for this week is to stay on track with my meal plan, drink my shake daily, and get in the 30 minute workouts done each day.

OH, and as much as I dislike going before photos I did those too last Sunday before Day #1
I just have to keep my "after" photos in mind!  Only 21 days right?, we can do this!

Can't wait to see where the end of week #2 takes the test group!

Hearty Beef and Butternut Squash Stew

With the new Extreme Meal plan there were several new recipe's!!  I love getting new ideas, especially for dinners, especially QUICK dinners for when we're really on the go with hockey, play dates and after school fun.

Here's a great 21 Day Fix approved recipe that you can prep the night before and know when you're on the go, you're getting a healthy and filling meal.

It's called Hearty Beef and Butternut Squash Stew.

I prepped this the night before and then we had a play date at our place, but lucky this was already made for us.  This was the first time I had made this and we had company, so thankfully it was good and my friend liked it too ;)

Here's all you need:

1tsp olive oil
1 1/2 lbs raw lean stewing beef (cubed)
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 cup low-sodium organic been broth
1 bay leaf
1tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 cups cubed butternut squash
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley 

Throw all of these ingredients in the slow cooker store in the fridge if you prepped the night before.  Pull it out and set on low for 6 hours and your healthy meal is done!

Makes 6 servings, plenty for the whole family

Counts as 1 RED, 1 GREEN

Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

Here's another new recipe I tried this week.  A healthier version for Taco Tuesdays!

Turkey Lettuce Wraps  

These were delicious I scarfed down 3 of them.  oops!  (Hard workout that day I was starving)

By replacing that hard taco shell (processed food) with the lettuce as your "shell" or wrap, makes this a really healthy dinner.  The taco seasoning is great for you too, no extra salt!

Here's what you'll need:

1 1/2 pounds of lean group turkey breast
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp oregano
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 green bell pepper. finely chopped
3/4 tomato sauce (no sugar added watch the labels, the nutrition label will surprise you on some)
6 large lettuce leaves, washed and dried
1 medium tomato, chopped (or I used cherry tomatoes)

1. Cook turkey over medium heat in non-stick skillet until no longer pink.
2. Stir in all the spices above
3. Add onion and bell pepper and cook them up in the skillet for about 4-5 min, until onion is translucent.
4. Add tomato sauce and stir frequently until heated through
5. Cut up tomatoes for the toppings.  You could even add grated cheese (add blue container if you do)
6. Dress each lettuce leaf with the taco meat mixture and then tomato and cheese toppings.

Deeeeeeelish!

Serves 6, or 3 very hungry adults ;)

Counts as 1 GREEN, and 1 RED, 1 BLUE (if you added cheese on top)

When I served this to my kids, they still used and enjoy the taco shells.  Mama had the lettuce but we all had this yummy meat recipe.  Didn't matter that the taco seasoning wasn't from the package they didn't even notice.

Let me know if you tried it and liked it. :)