I don’t know what it is about March that always makes me want to start something new. It could be the warming of the temperatures, the longer days, the anticipation of the cherry blossoms blooming, or a new pair of fresh kicks (sneakers). Whatever it is, this March is no different. 

I have been honest about my struggles with negative self-image, weight, and the health issues I have struggled with. In 2019 I was diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. I knew if I continued on this path and didn’t start to make positive changes, things would not get better, and my health would deteriorate. My parents passed away in their 60s, and I was headed for the same faith if I didn’t change my ways. So I decided to start a 10-day detox and raw food diet as a quick fix solution. I heard the commercials about the detox on the radio and how it helped people lose weight. If it helped them, then I thought it could help me too. And it did help me to lose 10lbs in 10 days, and my liver enzymes did go down a lot, but I didn’t change my mentality, and I didn’t implement any exercise. I had way too many excuses to exercise. Between my daily four-hour commute back in forth to work on top of working a full day. I would leave my house in the morning by 7 am and return home hopefully by 8 pm in the evening, depending on the traffic. I would be exhausted and in no mood to workout. Thankfully I had the support of my husband with the raising of our three kids. I tried waking up early and working out in the morning. In my 30s, that was an option, but once I turned 40, my body physically could not put forth the effort I needed it to. I knew I needed to change, but I didn’t know how. I was stuck. 

Fast forward to September 2020. After the initial shock of what was going on in the world sank in, I decided my only option was to stop making excuses. I no longer had that four-hour daily commute. I was able to spend more quality with my family. I was running low on excuses, and I didn’t have a valid reason I could tell myself as to why I couldn’t pull it together. So I found the only outlet in my unfinished basement, and I set up an old TV and DVD player. I pulled out my collection of Beachbody DVDs and started my fitness journey. After a couple of months, I felt good, and I was running out of workouts quickly. I didn’t want to have any excuses available where I tell myself I’m bored with doing the same DVDs repeatedly, so I signed up for Beachbody on Demand. I went through a couple of the exercise programs, but I found my niche with Shan T and then Insanity Max 30. It was short and to the point, and I loved it. I lost 30lbs working out 6 days a week for a year, but I still hadn’t committed to a consistently healthy diet plan. I know there are no shortcuts and that diet and exercise work together towards a healthy lifestyle.

Now I am ready to move into the next phase of my fitness journey and incorporate an exercise regime with a healthy eating plan. Here is what I plan to do:

1. Incorporate more nutrition into my diet – Part of a healthy lifestyle is making sure your body has all the nutrients it needs. It is not always easy to eat everything our bodies desire. Beachbody has these protein shakes called Shakeology that promises dense nutrition. It’s the most convenient way for me to accomplish this goal right now since I am already subscribed to the program. I can make a shake, add some extra frozen fruit and leafy greens to make it a meal and not have to overthink it. I am about that simple life!

2. Meal Plan – I am not affiliated with Beachbody. Still, it has worked for me, and I am all about results and [again] simplicity. There are two diet options available, and they launched a new gut-healthy diet plan. This got me thinking that maybe I should look more into my gut health to help me to get rid of this “Mummy Tummy” after having twins. I will do some research on this and report back with which meal plan I think would be best for me and my lifestyle. Stay tuned…

3. Update current workout routines – My current workout routine includes switching between Insanity Max 30 and Transform 20. Both are Shaun T workouts, and I love a Shaun T. workout chile. I don’t feel like I have worked out unless I’ve maxed out. I really like his workouts, but I am open to new things to see if something else works for me too and if I want to incorporate it into my life. If I choose to go with the BB gut diet, I might as well do the exercise program that goes along with it. Whatever path I choose, I will follow the BB meal plan and add the accompanying workouts as an additional evening workout. I feel like it’s time to step it up to really see results. So that will be two workouts a day, 5x a week. Each routine is less than 30 minutes, so I will be upping my daily workouts from 20 – 30 mins to about 60 minutes a day 5x a week. 

4. Incorporate weights – In addition to everything above. I will incorporate a bonus 10-minute weights routine 3x a week after my 1st workout of the day.

My New Weight Training Regimen

Monday: Rest 

Tuesday: Back, Arms, and Shoulders

Wednesday: Butt 

Thursday: Core

Friday: Rest

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: Yoga

5. Track everything – I plan to take you along for the journey. I will post a weekly blog with my progress, meals, workouts, and mental state.

I need time to get my mind, so I plan to be ready to start the beginning of the month and report my results at the end of the 30 days. I will post one blog a week detailing what I did and how I implemented the plan. I am so excited for this new phase and journey and that you will be with me along the way. Thank you. Let’s Go!

Everything I discuss here is something I have used to help me. My ultimate goal is for Breathe Chile to be a movement to help the world through mindfulness, physical fitness, and positive motivation. I hope you will join me on the journey!