The First Trimester: Fit Pregnancy

At the beginning of the summer I found out we were pregnant with our 3rd baby! I never documented my first two pregnancies so this time around I have been making it happen! 

Thankfully I was only a little sick and that didn't last long, but the first trimester was TIRING and left me feeling drained and unmotivated most the time. 

Feeling like I can barely keep myself together had me wondering who the heck would want me as their own health and fitness coach?

BUT then I reminded of something.

I am not inspired by "perfect" individuals.

I am inspired by those that wake up everyday and keep trying to move forward regardless of their obstacles.

So that's what I have been trying to do!

I am taking it one step, one minute, one hour, and one day at a time.

I won't be throwing in the towel because I know I will be happiest if I am consistently trying to be better.
I have still been running my monthly challenge because I need that support and accountability more than ever and thank my lucky stars Beachbody came into my life to give me the tools, the knowledge, and the community I need to keep going. 

10 weeks

I also wanted to document what workouts have worked best for me since I have been pregnant! I didn't exercise AT ALL my first pregnancy, and my second was hit or miss. I wanted things to be different this time around. My doctor gave me the green light so I kept at it!

When I first found out, I was trying to finish up the last few weeks of 22 Minute Hard Corps, BUT it got to be too much once morning sickness and fatigue set in. 

It was then that I had decided to switch to PiYo. 

This program was PERFECT for the 1st trimester (it would be more difficult with a belly). 

It is low impact and focused on strength and flexibility. I always felt SO good while I was done. Exercise is one way to relieve morning sickness and it definitely helped me! I looked forward to working out most days which is a BIG thing when you're pregnant and unmotivated. 

(For more information about PiYo click HERE or reach out to me!)

Another thing I have still been using is Shakeology! I brought the ingredients into my Doctor and she approved me to use it AND replace it as my prenatal (WIN!!!)

It has helped with cravings, it gives me a much needed energy boost, AND when I was feeling morning sickness it actually helped RELIEVE that. It's been a LIFE SAVER for me and I know baby and I are getting the nutrients we need fro it. 

(For info on Shakeology click HERE.)

 Along with Shakeology, I have just been trying my best to eat clean and not give into EVERY SINGLE CRAVING I have. (There are many!)

There is definitely a noticeable difference when I am exercising and eating well vs. when I am not. I feel like that may be ONE reason this pregnancy has been easier on me this time around.

If you're pregnant and aren't sure what to do please send me a message! If your doctor has given you the green light to stay fit then I would love to help you on your journey as well :)

Stay tuned for a post about my 2nd trimester and what I've been doing at that stage soon! :)

Easy Crockpot Shredded Chicken

Do you cook your chicken in the crockpot?! Well you should because it's so yummy and super handy to throw in soups, salads, casseroles, sandwiches, or whatever else!

Easy Crockpot Shredded Chicken:

3-4 large boneless, skinless chicken breast ( frozen or thawed)
1/4 C chicken broth

Put chicken in your crockpot, drizzle chicken broth over the top, cover, and cook on low for 6-7 hours of on high for 4-5 hours. 

Shred with a fork (or in a standing mixer) and use or freeze for later!

3 Day Refresh Results

Back in March I did the 3 Day Refresh for the first time so I thought I'd better document my journey with it and share my results!

I had just gotten back from the Beachbody Success Club Cruise and felt like it was a really good time for me to RESET my system to quickly get back on track! I was feeling sluggish and my sweet tooth was a little out of control.

When you do the 3 Day Refresh it comes in this kit with a guide along with Vanilla Refresh supplement shake, the Fiber Sweep shake, and Shakeology (if you don't have any and get the kit with it).

It gives you a step by step guide on what to eat and when along with recipes!

For 3 days you are basically eating a vegetarian diet with no meat and mixing in the shakes with your meals.

It is lower in calories so it is recommended to not exercise during the 3 days. If anything, light yoga or walking.




Since I cook for my whole family of 4 I had to plan out two dinner meals each day. Thankfully it's not always like that and we all eat the same thing!

Here is what my first day of meals looked like! Each day after looked pretty similar as well.

Meal 1: Shakeology + Fruit

Meal 2 - Fiber Sweep Shake ( I shook it up with cold water and drank it quickly. It thickens if you don't.)

Meal 3 - Veggies + Fruit + Olive Oil + Vanilla Fresh Shake (I blended mine with water/ice/cinnamon and loved it! It is similar in flavor to the Vanilla Shakeology to me)

Meal 4 - Veggies + Olive Oil + Vanilla Fresh Shake

AND that's it! It also has you drink at least 80 oz or water during the day.

Really simple to follow.

Here is my HONEST experience with it.

I had been used to eating lots of sweets and a lot of food in general on the cruise so my body had a hard time with the lower calories! I did get a detoxing headache by day 2 (I was a little cranky LOL). I would always wake up in the morning feeling really good though! The end of the day was just the hardest when my cravings were kicking in.

I liked what I was eating and didn't mind the shakes so that wasn't a problem for me.

This isn't something I would do EVERYDAY because it was hard for sure! It's great for anyone wanting to kick start their weightloss, lose a few pounds quickly before an event, or to get back on track after a holiday/vacation.

Overall, I'm glad I tried it to get the experience for myself!

I woke up on day 4 when I was finished and had dropped 5 lbs in those 3 days!! I felt more energized and my sweet tooth had definitely diminished.

 I was back to exactly where I was BEFORE we went on our 6 day cruise (AKA a buffet on water!).

If you're interested contact me for more info HERE!

Cajun Stuffed Peppers

With summer around the corner that means green peppers are coming into season FRESH from the garden soon!

I could never find a stuffed pepper recipe I LOVED so I just made up this simple one on my own.

Stuffed Peppers

3 cups of cooked rice (brown or long grain)
4-6 green peppers
1/2 lb turkey sausage (lean ground beef or turkey would work too)
8 oz can tomato sauce
1 tsp Cajun seasoning, or to taste (I love Tony Chachere's brand)
Grated cheese

Have rice cooked and ready to go.

Cut tops off of green peppers and clean out the insides. For softer peppers boil in a pot of water for 5-10 minutes (they don't cook long in the oven later). Set aside.

Cook sausage until done. (I like to cut up the pepper tops, minus the stem, and cook that along with the peppers.) Add cooked pepper and sausage mixture to rice in a bowl. Add in Cajun seasoning and tomato sauce and stir.

Place peppers in a baking dish. Stuff them to the top with rice and sausage mixture. Top with cheese.

Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes or until cheese is nice and melted.

Makes 6 stuffed peppers. (I made 4 and just had extra rice to eat.)

Beachbody Coaching Misconceptions

Loud and proud... I am a Beachbody Coach!!

I LOVE my job... Yes I do, but there are a lot of misconceptions about what it takes to be a coach! 

I'm here to give it to you the facts 😉 

1. You can only work out at home with Beachbody programs to be a coach...... WRONG! 

We represent a health and fitness lifestyle. MANY coaches prefer the gym and some teach classes! Exercise is exercise 😉

2. I have to drink Shakeology.... WRONG! 

Coaches drink Shakeology because we freaking love the stuff and we value what it does for us!

3. You have to be in awesome shape and know lots of things about health and fitness...... WRONG.

I still had weight to lose when I started and I knew NOTHING about health and fitness! 

4. You have to eat 100% clean ALL THE TIME... WRONG! 

We are imperfect just like everyone else and struggle to find that healthy balance! 

SOO now that I have cleared that up.... Why haven't you joined my team yet?!

I am always on the lookout for people who want to make a difference not only in their own lives, but others!

If you'd like to be a member of The Fitspiraiton or to get more info click HERE.

Baked Spaghetti Squash + Pizza Crust

Are you a spaghetti squash fan? I tried it for the first time a year or two ago and I think it's so fascinating! Delicious when cooked the right way too!

It's great to use as a noodle replacement, a simple side dish, or in as a PIZZA crust.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well the pizza crust turned out!

FIRST this is how you actually COOK a spaghetti squash so you can use it in a recipe. 

Baked Spaghetti Squash: 

1.  Preheat oven to 350

2.  Cut fresh spaghetti squash in half and scoop out all the seeds. 

3. Bush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

4. Foil line a cookie sheet with foil and place upside down (opposite of photo). 

5. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the "noodles" are tender an easily shred. 

Now here is how you can make an awesome pizza crust out of the cooked squash!

Spaghetti Squash Pizza Crust: 

• 1 medium/large spaghetti squash or about 3 - 3 1/2 cups (This will make a medium sized pizza for 2-3 people)
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon shredded parmesan cheese
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400. 

Wrap measured out squash in a cheese cloth, clean kitchen towel, or a layer of paper towels. SQUEEZE SQUEEZE SQUEEZE the excess water out. The more water you get out, the crispier the crust will be. 

Once water is out, place in a mixing bowl with the remainder of the ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. 

Line your baking sheet with parchment paper and spread out the mixture as thin as you can get it. (About a 10 in circle)

Bake for 20 minutes and then carefully FLIP it over and bake another 10 minutes. 

Remove from oven, add desired toppings, and bake in the oven until the toppings are done. 

(Original recipe can be found at http://sharedappetite.com/recipes/gluten-free-spaghetti-squash-pizza-crust/)

Rosie's Beachbody Transformation

In honor of Transformation Tuesday, I want to share with you an AMAZING one from a coach on my team!

Rosie has been working SO hard and I couldn't be more proud of her. She used Beachbody fitness programs (mainly the 21 Day Fix), Shakeology, and clean eating to get her results!

Read her story below!

(Words from Rosie)

" When I say Beachbody has changed my life I'm not just blowing smoke. 

My mentality before Beachbody on losing weight?? Just starve yourself. Shame yourself into feeling so bad and so crappy about your body and your appearance that your emotions take over and shut down your common sense and you STARVE yourself to see results! 

New mentality?? Work your ass off, give your body ALL the vital nutrients it deserves and needs, wake up every morning with a game plan and a schedule and fuel that with a healthy lifestyle and THATS how you see REAL RESULTS! 

I joined Beachbody literally lost, with no clue on how to lose weight and get TRULY healthy. I felt daily anxiety about my appearance and my life. I felt like it was just passing me by and I had stopped TRULY living. I felt secluded and cut off from the rest of the world and honestly I felt depressed. I was always putting everyone's needs before mine and leaving myself to drown in anxiety with an emotional cup that was NEVER being refilled. 

Fast forward to today. I have NEVER felt more fulfilled. I have honestly found my niche. I have found my community. I have found my happiness... I have found MYSELF I have found my CONFIDENCE. 

I have a giant group of some of the most amazing people I have ever met behind me and I have made so many amazing friendships through out this process. I no longer feel secluded or alone but instead I feel COMPLETED and EMPOWERED. 

.... THIS is how I got THESE results and THIS is the program that I have lost 18 POUNDS on."

AMAZING story right?! This could be YOU next!

If you're ready to start on your own journey click HERE and let me help you get the support and the tools you need to find your own success!