We've MOVED!

Thanks for reading me over here ....sorry for the delay in posting.  I was waiting on our NEW SITE to launch to post anything.  Give me a few weeks and I'll be loading several posts from the last few months!

www.genuinelygraftonfitness.com

EOP Challenge!

So, this is our new challenge ;-)

Eat everything out of our fridge, pantry and freezer before going grocery shopping again.  Some of you may have heard of this from Dave Ramsey's "Millionare Diet" or Dani Johnson's "War on Debt" but we are just doing it to see how far we can stretch this budget item.

The idea is that we as Americans are pretty good at the gathering and hoarding part of our food budgets.  We tend to go grocery shopping when we want to (or need an item that ends up turning into 20..) and then if we are too lazy we just go out to eat.  Several times we look and have to throw away food that has gone bad after a few weeks (hellllloooo smelly fridge??).  This way we are eating off what we HAVE first and then purchasing as we NEED instead of as we WANT.  So this challenge is to eat off our 'gatherings' first and not eat out at all.*

Fortunately we are pretty well stocked already AND with Thanksgiving this week, we are hoping to have several meals of leftovers.  I may end up with something creative for Friday evening's meal after I've been looking through Pinterest for ideas!

I have a few meats in the freezer, steak, chicken and fish plus some meals that I freeze when I make large pots of things over the past few months.  I didn't want to put them into the plan until I really know how much food we will have at the end of this week.  

The only concern I truly have is that we aren't following a great nutrition plan here.  We will be eating items that are not Paleo, not Whole30 and sometimes downright not good for us.  I am most anxious about spreading veggies and fruits out over two weeks because those tend to go bad so quickly.  Next week's meals could get a little more...creative.. LOL.

*there are two meals this week that were already scheduled, Patrick's bible study on Tuesday morning and my lunch with a friend on Friday.  

Anyone done this before? Suggestions or ideas for us???

21 day fix finals!

Ok, first let me say that I needed several weeks to emotionally prep putting this blog post up.

Second, don't judge. ;-) I'm being real about my weight, my stats and my emotions.  Not saying my journey is better than yours...we are all different.  And I hope that this helps someone find the right program to start or continue their journey.  If you had told me a year ago I would be posting this I would have called you crazy. So don't judge. I didn't know...  #thanksabunch

Onward;

I took pictures in my bikini to really see the changes in my body.  I don't think I am going to be losing much more weight, so my focus for these 21 days was to see what would slim down or firm up! haha!

I started at 164 and ended at 158/157. I will say that women can relate to the dreaded 5 lbs of water weight during the month, so I'm really trying hard to not focus on the scale.  I go up and down, depending on hormones, salt intake, and the amount of wine I consume on the weekends...haha.

I had to have MY coach remind me that we can't chose where the weight will come off.  Neither can we chose where the definitions will come.  I absolutely HATE my midsection and lower body. And unfortunately neither of those spots really seem that much different to me.  But, you can see for yourself...

I see a big difference in my back.  Those chin-ups and planks are working...

Any women can also attest that the 'ladies' seem to lose all their weight first, as well.  Um, yeah, NOT so happy about those lbs gone, but lbs nonetheless.  My face appears thinner as well (maybe just the blonde?)

Anywho, I have learned a TON about my non-clean-eating ways these past three week.  When I have sugar or indulge in alcohol (BOTH totally allowed on the 21 day fix) my weight goes up and my performance on my workouts goes down.  I am in the middle of a no-sugar challenge this week to really try to push myself and so far so good.  

its only 21 days.

I lost 6 lbs.

I can't eat sweets everyday.

My fav workouts were the Dirty 30 and Total Cardio Fix.  

Two words: Circle Crunches

Now...how long do you think it will take me to delete this post..hmmmmm

Mid-week update #21dayfix

Hey there,

Make sure you go back and read the last intro post...haha. I have blogged a few times just to get the hang of the new 'feel' of it.  Hang with me as I update things in the coming weeks!

Here I am day 4 and still doing great :-) I'm not gonna lie, been really tired and not feeling like getting in a workout.  I think its because my calories are still way lower than I am used to...and most people say it takes about a week to really bump past this lull.  I am really enjoying the super clean eating and trying to find ways to fit my veggies in!

Today I got an abripperX workout in and tomorrow will be another 5 mile walk/run.  To be specific, I LOVE the 21 day fix workouts, but have started my P90X routine until my birthday...so I'm modifiying the program a bit.

Day 3:
B- 2 eggs and Gf toast (red, yellow)
S - Shakeo with PB2 and banana (red, teaspoon, and purple)
L - skipped (had a hair appointment and honestly I wasn't hungry)
S - Mcdonalds grilled chicken wrap, no sauce (Red....)
D - chicken curry with rice (red and green)
w/0 = none.  boo. 

Day 4: Ab ripper x
B - Blueberries, Strawberries, fat-free greek yogurt, and granola (purple, red and yellow)
S - Shakeology with water (red)
L - Chickfila chicken (grilled) and fries...yellow container...right??
S - hummus and celery/snow peas (blue, green)
D - chicken curry...no rice (red, 2 green)
S - 2 shakeo balls (red/yellow)....needed some energy after dinner!


Some self reflection from the past two days.  I have got to do a better job of planning out my travel days. Fast food is horrible and even the 'healthy' choices are laden with chemicals and awful stuff.  I know it tastes good (well, some of it) but man, I feel gross after eating it.

Onto the next two days! My promise to myself is to workout both days AND no fast food ;-)

 Next 21 day challenge starts May 27th ;-) I'm doing another round...can't wait to see this week's results on Saturday! Send me a message to get in on the fun. I'll even give you my meal plan!!!

Day 1-2: #21dayfix

By now if you have followed me on facebook (at all haha) you probably have seen a bit of a change in my lifestyle. I've been following a new plan of eat whats GOOD and leave the rest out. Plus, I'm a bit addicted to my home workouts because I do them every...stinkin...day.

Since I have hit a bit of a plateau (Yes I've lost a lot of weight, but I can tell I'm still not where my ideal weight should be) I wanted to try this plan.  Its called the 21-day fix.

about 4 years ago...

First of all, let me say I HATE the word FIX. Anyone that tells you their product, lifestyle, recipe, whatev is a fix is lying.  My health journey has been just that - a journey.  I was hesitant to jump on the bandwagon until I started seeing the results of my friends and fellow coaches.  These are people who are busy moms, working women, people that need to lose 100 lbs and those that just need to shed a few.  Their results have been crazy!

This is everything that came in my kit!

So....I'm going to chronicle my 21 day journey.  ;-)

I have my meals all planned out for the week, including my 'cheat' meals of wine and cookies! I am a sugar-a-holic, so really cutting down and eating clean is going to be the toughest part for me.  Plus, we still live with my parents and they have amazing goodies always laying around (chocolate bars, baked breads, whipping cream...in their COFFEE).  I've told MY team of coaches that I want them to hold me accountable.. so here goes!

Day One:  Today was harder than I thought.  I started off with a 5 mile wog (walk/jog) around the neighborhood and was soo hungry when I was done.  I followed the plan. to. the. T. and you know what, that feels pretty impowering!  I even called my friend Ashley at the end of the day to ask for more motivation...I just wanted chocolate sooo badly but she convinced me that I didn't need it! Yay for accountability partners!!

Day Two: So far so good!  Woke up hungry and a bit more tired than usual.  I've been told that the first few days of really getting off the processed junk is always the hardest.  For me, I overslept until 7am so that meant I missed my workout...but I will get her in after my church meeting tonight!  Food for today: B- Nutter butter shakeology, S - forgot! went grocery shopping, L - pot roast leftovers, S - berries and yogurt, D - chicken curry with shakeology balls for dessert!

And yes, I've taken some before pictures, in a bikini. And no, those won't be public unless I have some seriously amazeball results.  Even then...meh...probably not...  I'm just hoping to feel better, know that I can do this for 3 weeks, and maybe have abs like Adras?

Seventeen!

Cohen,

Thank goodness its only 17 months and not years.  We aren't quite ready for that! 

You have really morphed into our little toddler and have let go of the baby/infant stage.  While we are sad to not have our 'baby' you are so much fun to be around.  ;-)

You 'talk' all the time, but we still can't understand what you are saying to us.  Conversations between us are pretty hillarious.  You do mimick and repeat words a lot, but nothing on your own yet:  You've said, bike, duck, Cici, Dadda, Mama, Bella, no (and no..and noo....), uh-oh, night-night, bye-bye, up, down.  When you hear the dogs bark you point and say no to them.  Maybe they'll listen to you because they surely don't listen to us!

Outside is your favorite space.  Cici and Grandpa have the best backyard filled with dirt, grass, roots for jumping, piles of dirt for digging and sticks for waving.  You would be happy to live outside and throw tantrums when we make you come in to eat or rest.  Now that the weather is finally getting warmer, we are brainstorming ideas for a backyard play area or at least a swing!

Climbing.  You are our little monkey, and a gym class is in order. Next month we are going to start taking you once a week to get your fix. You still need help to get on the furniture, but you want to be on the highest space.

You are still a good little eater, although you snack a lot.  We've got to be better about setting usual meal times - haha.  B: Oatmeal and Cici's cereal with OJ   S: pouch or orange and crackers  L: Applesauce, yogurt, sandwiches S: Usually cereal while watching Mickey Mouse after your nap! D: Whatever we eat, haha  You are independent and want to use your own spoon, your own cup, your own snack bowl.  When you don't like what we've given you or you are all done eating, you still swipe everything off the high chair onto the floor. ...

Since Babi lives here now, we get to play with her at least a few times a week.  You crawl all over here and LOVE to run in the hallways ;-) 

You sleep pretty well! You are an EARLY morning riser (before 6 am) like your mama, so if you could adjust that we'd all be happier ;-) Mornings are your favorite time and you are in bed by 8:30pm after a fun bath. Daddy does your night time routine and you know how to 'pray' by putting your hand together.

You grew two more teeth this month getting the grand total to 7.   The dentist says this is fine, that the longer it takes for your teeth to come in, the healthier they are.  This is great news to us because I have HORRIBLE luck with teeth.  So take your time!  We are ok with waiting for those tooth-ies!

We love your mickey-mouse-loving, dog-chasing, head-strong personality.  Next month we are going skiing ;-) which means your FOURTH plane ride in 18 months. Can you say 'baby traveler?'

Love you little stinker!!

15 months

Cohen,

You are 15 months old.  You will always be my baby, but man, you certainly have your toddler-sized skills down!  I am anxious what the "twos" will be like after experiencing the last few months!

Just saw your pediatrician:
You are 23.11 lbs (20%)
You are 32.5 inches (75%)
and you have a big head (70%) for all those brains ;-)
You are growing out of your 12-18 month clothes but the 18-24 are still a bit big.
You have your 4 teeth still, and just cut the upper left one (#5) a few days ago.

This is your signal for 'so big' or when we ask 'how old/big are you?'

You are a good eater, and love love your carbs and sweets.  No milk or banana for you - they give your entire body and diaper area a rash.  Some favorites are graham crackers, lucky charms (!), vanilla yogurt, chili, spaghetti, and french fries.  You get overwhelmed when we put more than a few things on your tray and will swipe it all off to clean up.  Also, you've started to become annoyed with your high chair and want to sit at the table with all the big people, but you just aren't steady enough for a booster seat yet.

No more bottle for you - Daddy has a night-time routine with you and you even reach for the crib on days you are really tired.  However, you are a morning person like your mom and get up before 6 every. stinkin. day.  We've tried adjusting bed time, but you have a LOUD internal alarm in the mornings...

You are Mr. Independent (NO idea where you get this from...) At meal time, you want to feed yourself or you won't eat.  You use a spoon with your oatmeal in the mornings and a fork when Mom's feeling up to cleaning afterwards.  More of the food makes it in your mouth than not, which is a surprise when you see how you eat...

You understand when we give you directions and usually follow them (see Mr. Independent above)  Favorites include, go get your books, trains and/or paci.  Or 'who's home??' and you run to the garage door.

You are walking, running, and climbing.  Daddy 'chases' you around the house and you just laugh and laugh.  Sometimes you chase us back...or the dogs...but they don't get a kick out of it like we do!

 Since you climb all the time (above) I took you to a gym class this month.  I'm thinking you need the real deal since you scaled the rock wall in no time with NO FEAR.  This no fear has resulted in several bad falls lately.  You have busted your chin, your nose, and your forehead all within the last two weeks.  Yikes!

Your love language has to be physical touch.  Everyone that comes in contact with you calls you a cuddle-er.  Despite being independent, you will always come back and give a hug before your next focus of play.  You want to sit on our laps when we read or when you watch your favorite show, Mickey Mouse.

Wrestling with Santa!

You don't use words much, but you babble like we understand every syllable.  You do sign a bit as well.  The sign for food is the same as drink right now, and you do that one pretty emphatically.  "All done" that started at the end of meal times is now your favorite thing to 'tell us' when its something you don't want to do (i.e. diaper change, ride in your car seat, get in the shopping cart)

I want cupcakes...why isn't anyone listening to me?

You love dogs and animals.  I think a zoo membership is in our future...

Amazon had some jumbo magnetic letters that arrived this month and you play with them at least 3 times a day.  You like to find things that they stick to (the dishwasher and the washing machine), or throw them.  We definitely find them around the house in random places!'

Your Grandpa is still your favorite person ever, although you have been more attached to Cici this past month.  You giggle when Daddy gets home from work, and love to mess with your cousin Ace when he comes to visit.

 Trying on his boots ;-) You go to his closet and get his boot jack for him when he asks you too!

 This is you looking at Grandpa...seriously...you are TOTALLY obsessed!

You love your day school and your teachers (who are now Mommy's friends, too!) but you love that morning nap time...so you've fallen asleep a few times before lunch at school.  I love when they send me pictures, but especially this one :-)

You've experienced two snow/ice storms in December.  Although you 'saw' snow last year you were only a few months old, so this was really your first experience.  Since you love being outside anyway, I think you were just frustrated that the snow suit was awkward to walk with. (notice the nose boo-boo)

Blessings,

First Birthday Party!

Cohen,

We had a crew of family members come up and help you celebrate your first year.  Since I am behind on your blog as it is, I will let the pictures do most of the talking ;-)

Uncle Mike and sweet cousins!!

Aunt Laura and the bday boy!

Aunt Alex and Cohen, after the fun outside and an outfit change!

You woke up that morning so happy (as usual!) You are definitely a morning baby and 7-8 am is your best time of the day!

Lady, Poppy, and Olivia...Cohen loved all the attention - ha!

Finley playing with the balloons!

Uncle Matt - I think you look similar here!

I'm cute - I know it, and I LOVE the attention....

 After the cake smashing, the best way to get you clean was with the hose.  You LOVED it.  I think we turned it on a few times that day just to watch your reaction. 

Later that week, a good friend of Patrick's took some family pictures for the celebration.  We decided on the sock-monkey theme and just went with it.  I figured we all deserved a party after making it through the first year with a little one!

Happy Birthday lil stinker.  This first year has been the BEST.

Blessings,