I Gave Up, Then Came to My Senses!

If you're new to the exercise game, getting back into it, or are a seasoned pro we ALL go through the same day where we absolutely DO NOT want to work out. My day was today.

I go through the same thing about every Tuesday. Why it's Tuesday? I don't know. It just always seems like the day I go through this. I start off the day great, work is busy enough and mid afternoon I hit a little bit of a lull, but then get a second wind and start to get excited and pumped to get home and workout. I head out of work a little early to pick up my youngest from daycare, stop by the grocery store for some supplies then head home. I get in the door and what I had originally planned to take place, didn't. As those of us with kids know all too well, right?!! So I start to get supper ready, get the oldest started on his reading for the night, and have the youngest playing some learning games on the computer. We sit down to eat spaghetti. I do have to mention that I used this new fettuccine Miracle Noodle, which is a noodle that has zero calories. One thing I forgot to do was pat down the pasta after rinsing it so my spaghetti was really runny and I couldn't quite stomach the clear, squid looking calorie-less noodles. Fettuccine is my least favorite pasta, so maybe that was it. I have angel hair and rice, so I will try those and see how that goes. Anyway, back to my original story. Got done eating. Helped oldest with his Spanish homework, cuddled with my youngest while my oldest painted his model airplane. My most awesome and thoughtful friend brought me a shovel, because he knew it was supposed to snow tonight and that I didn't have one. Shortly after that, got my kids up to get ready for bed and while they brushed their teeth, I got into my workout clothes, with almost every intention of working out. Got boys tucked in and kissed goodnight and after 30 minutes of "mom, i pooped, come wipe my butt", "mom, I'm scared of the dark can you turn the bathroom light on", "mom, i can't sleep with the light on", "mom, brother won't let me have the light on and I'm scared and want to sleep in your room" I finally get them settled into bed with a compromise of the bathroom light on but with the door mostly shut so it doesn't bother my oldest. By time I get downstairs to work out, I feel exhausted and depleted of my "excitement" to work out. So I start the normal conversation I have with myself and almost convince myself that suuuurrrreeee, I will totally wake up early the next morning and do two workouts to make up for my lack of one tonight. Then I sit down look at my computer and remember all the people I am accountable to. My almost 2,000 Twitter followers, my almost 400 friends on Facebook, my 60 Facebook Page fans, my accountability partner Cal with whom we are doing a Beachbody Challenge, the people I talk to every day to explain this wonderful business I am called Beachbody, my boys who look up to me as a role model and lastly, but certainly not least, myself! I am doing this for myself! No one else can push me or make me do it, but ME!! So I switch my attitude and start listening to the Chalene Johnson voice in me that tells me, "ok, you wanna flake out on your workout, fine, but you gotta do at least 5 minutes". So I do, I start with 5 minutes. But you know what, I kept going. Once you start, it's easy to keep going.

I finished my workout and although I do still feel tired, I'm extremely proud of myself and glad I did it. I didn't give up on myself. Even the best of us have bad days and want to give up but it's how you reverse that conversation with yourself to make sure that you DON'T give up that is most important.

You are the only person standing in your path to success, get out of your own way!

Skinny Phoenix

2012 New Year Goals

As the year comes to a close and the new one fast approaching, everyone is starting to think about resolutions. Did you realize that 80% of people never achieve their resolutions?! Astonishing. Mainly it's because people make resolutions without a MAP (massive action plan). So in an effort to make sure my GOALS (I use goals rather than resolutions), as well as yours, for the new year come to fruition I am going to lay out some steps to help in the success of achieving them.

Step 1 - Write down your top 10 goals for 2012. When you write them, write them as if it's the end of 2012 and they have already happened. For example, I lost 30 pounds and cut my body fat percentage to 12%.

Step 2 - Be specific with your goals. Simply saying, "I'm going to lose weight" isn't specific enough and you won't have anything to "measure". See the above example? I set 30 pounds as my goal and also had a goal of getting to 12% body fat.

Step 3 - Set a specific deadline for each goal. Be realistic when setting your goal. Don't say I will lose 30 pounds by Feb. 15, when you are starting January 1st. Also, don't be too lax on a deadline either. Saying you will lose 30 pounds by the end of the year is too broad and you are more likely to keep putting it off.

Step 4 - Stay Accountable. Tell several close friends your goals, or better yet, get an accountability partner. This way you'll both hold each other accountable for your goals and you're more likely to stick to them.

Step 5 - Break it down. Break down your goals into smaller short term tasks that will help achieve your goal. If one of your major goals is losing weight then working out, healthy eating, daily food tracking etc. should be on your list of daily to-do's.

Step 6 - Celebrate. Don't forget to celebrate achievements. Especially in the process of reaching your goal. It will keep you motivated. My best example of this is that I get to buy a new outfit after losing 10 pounds. Don't reward yourself with things that are going to sabotage your ultimate goal. Like gorging on an ice cream bender to DQ. Use things that will keep you motivated to sticking to your plan.

Finally when you have set your goals, only tackle those that you know you can handle. Trying to take on 6 goals at once is going to lead to stress, derailment and failure. Focus is KEY! I cannot stress enough. It's once we lose our focus that we start to fail.

So get cracking! Write down those goals, tell your friends, and find the tools to make sure you will succeed this year. You can do it, I know you can!!

If you need an accountability partner, look me up on Facebook. I run Challenges regularly and I am here to help you!

Cheers, love and prosperity to all in the New Year!

Skinny Phoenix

Skinny Phoenix’s Accountability Group

My accountability group is for those looking to be accountable to themselves as well as to others to help them achieve their health and fitness goals. I am going to be fairly strict on this and you will be held accountable for daily check-ins. If you fail to check in for 3 days straight you will be booted out. I only want those who are serious and who will remain committed. If you want to lose weight and change your eating habits to reflect those of health, but have never been able to stick to something because you couldn’t “do it alone” then this group would be for you.


Step 1 – Email me at skinnyphoenix31@gmail.com. Let me know what you weigh now, what your goal weight is, how you are working out/plan to work out [i.e. which program, TurboFire, P90X, Running, Swimming, etc.], and how many times a week you are willing to commit to working out. “Like” my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/skinnyphoenix).

Step 2 – Sign up for a free Beachbody account via my website http://www.beachbody.com/skinnyphoenix. This is where you will be logging your workouts, in the online gym (this way you will also be eligible to win the daily prizes!). Set up your profile and add any before pictures and add a small blurb about yourself. Add your weight and measurements to your profile as well as your goals then email me your measurements. Add me as a buddy. I should show up under your profile pic on the left hand side of the screen as your “Coach” you will just need to add me as a buddy. Order your fitness program (if you need one) and Shakeology (if you want to accelerate your weight loss).

Step 3 - Full accountability (FA). On Facebook you will be added to Skinny Phoenix’s Accountability Group. You will log in daily to the FB Accountability Group, log your food on a daily basis, and write a short few comments on what you did for the day, worked out, had struggles staying away from the donuts, small successes and minor failures, etc. We will do weekly weigh in’s on Monday’s. I want this to be a place where you are held accountable for what you are doing. I realize it make take a little extra time out of your day, but remember you are doing this for yourself. You deserve it and you deserve to live in the body that makes you proud and to have the energy to keep up (or run circles) with those around you.

Together we can do this and achieve our goals!!

Day 1 Shakeology Cleanse

Ok, so after day one of my Shakeology, I lost 1.4 pounds! I was hoping to lose more, but I cheated a bit. So I'm still pretty happy that I lost that much! I did extremely well, didn't feel too hungry and the fact that I got to eat some "solid" foods helped tremendously. My cravings were greatly diminished and I didn't crave the normal "junky" food I usually do.

I posted a YouTube video about it here that you can go watch...
Day 1 Cleanse Vlog

If you want to do this cleanse with me, which I plan on doing again at the beginning of September, shoot me an e-mail at skinnyphoenix31@gmail.com. I am also starting an accountability group kicking off on August 15th, so let me know if you would like to be included on that as well.

I will update later on my Day 2 results.

Happy Weight Loss!!!
Skinny Phoenix