T25 Results and Review Week 3

SAY WHAT. I'm down 6.5lbs and keeping it off in the first THREE weeks of our new program called T25.... and ladies and gents (if any dudes read my blog) I'm SHOCKED...

I'm not kidding when I say I was working out at least an hour and a half or two hours EVERYDAY for the past few weeks and not seeing much in results... and I realize now that it's because I wasn't getting enough HARD CORE cardio and resistance training in.

Have you ever tried Insanity? Did you almost die or drown in a pool of your own sweat? I'm not knocking Insanity but I know how hard the program is... and I know how tough it was for me! I'm going to answer a few common questions I get about T25--

OH and if you want a more in DEPTH explanation of T25 please visit my blog post HERE! 



1. Is T25 like Insanity?

So many of you are familiar with Insanity--and well the name certainly hits the nail on the head. It's pure Insanity... because you're busting your butt for about 40min to an hour of non stop high intensity training (HIIT workouts). However with T25 you are only EVER doing 25 minutes, so if you are SHORT on TIME this is your BEST BET! In some ways T25 and Insanity are similar, you will do a lot of lateral drills, floor sprints, push ups, hopping and fun foot work! Be prepared to have SORE calves. What I LOVE about T25 vs. Insanity is that it has specific DVDs for certain body parts, i.e. : lower body focus, Ab intervals, total body focus, etc.

Also the GREAT thing about T25 is that you start out prepping your body for the next phase! So in the Alpha, beginning phase, you will start out slower with easier movements. The great thing about this, is that it literally prepares your muscles and joints so that you aren't hitting them too hard too soon. ShaunT you are a SMART GUY!

FIRST PHASE: ALPHA-5 weeks
SECOND PHASE: BETA-5 weeks
THIRD (OPTIONAL) PHASE: GAMMA


2. How HARD is it? Are there modifications?

Honestly, you are going to get WORKED, but that's the point, that's how you get RESULTS! BUT yes there are modifications, and believe me, you will probably use them at some point because even fitness freaks like me struggle with the moves. You will probably feel a GOOD burn in your calves and your feet may be on fire if you aren't use to what I like to call fancy foot work! I'm obsessed with Up and Overs (super fun!)

While yes, it's hard, it's only 25 minutes, so you REALLY CAN'T complain. It's over before you know it. SHUT UP AND SWEAT PEEPS!


3. How often are the workouts?

The workouts are 5x a week- Monday through Friday if you choose to do your schedule like that. But if you prefer to workout on the weekends then start on a different day! I like weekends off so I can get outside and hike or go to the beach!

There are double days--Friday you have TWO workouts but if you choose to do one Saturday you can. However Shaun T says for the BEST results to double up Fridays--and so I did!


4. Do I need equipment?

For the ALPHA and BETA phase you do NOT need any equipment except that hot bod of yours and the resistance band you get with your base kit, and a yoga mat if you prefer more cushion. For the GAMMA phase you will need weights, but your T25 comes with a red band you will use. If you want the GAMMA phase you will have purchase it separately (I did--if you are going to do it, do all if it, and do it right, might as well get the BEST results possible eh?!)


5. How can I get it?

Ok the BEST PART--ITs on SALE right now until July 31st, 2013 at 9pm PST/12EST so if you want to save a ton of money, well then you are in LUCK my friend!

Right now the T25 Challenge Pack is on sale for $180--normally it's $205... but this is how it breaks down:

-normally T25 without a challenge pack: $120 plus shipping is another $10 (so $130 total)

-Shakeology without the pack: $130 (if you get on HD, free shipping, without HD which is called home direct, which means you get it shipped to you every month until you cancel or modify it via email, is $10 for shipping) so about $140

In the challenge pack you get:
1. Shakeology 30 day supply on HD (you can cancel your order or modify at any time and I will send you reminders)- we have FIVE flavors: Vegan Tropical and Chocolate, Greenberry, Vanilla and Regular Chocolate
2. T25--with a food guide, the DVDs, a workout calendar, and so on!
3. FREE 30 day trial club membership with extra meal plans and fitness tips
4. FREE coach sign up--so you pay NOTHING (normally $40 to sign up) to become a coach--just an option if you want Shakeology on HD or considered the business... signing up as a coach will always be free as long as you buy a challenge pack! but you can order as a customer for now if that works better for you! If you order as a customer and decide LATER you want to be a coach and get a 25% discount on future products (just another perk of being a coach) the coach sign up fee will still be waived when you get a CP.
5. ME as your COACH the best perk of all hahaha! a little biased maybe

I will add you into MY Facebook challenge group a WEEK before we start so you can get prepared...(when I see your purchase, I Will email you all the details if you want to be apart of a challenge group) 

AND LAST but NOT LEAST: FREE SHIPPING, whereas if you bought the products by themselves and not bundled together you would pay $10-12 on shipping (plus tax in your state). 

SO LETS DO THE MATH: individually if you bought Shakeology, club, and the workout you would spend about: $275 (ish), so you would save, until July 31, $95! BARGAIN. if you order after July 31st, you still save $70! 

get the PACK HERE! =)

OR

2. JUST buy T25 alone for $130 and you don't get the club or Shakeology...CLICK HERE!

Please message me and we can figure out the BEST route for you... this is about RESULTS, not excuses, we all have the time. Keep in mind, health is an investment, not an expense! 

To your SUCCESS and RESULTS!

Abby Marie

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FIVE ways of Staying Fit While in a Relationship

So how do you do it? How do you fall in love, avoid eating out all the time, socially drink, make romantic heavy carbed dinners for two, and manage to stay in shape...?! Seemed like Mission Impossible III to me a while ago... but now... it's a totally different story... keep reading...

So when I met my Ulises (my boyfriend) he was already into health and fitness. He had actually been working on his transformation for about two years.... he was the not so typical transformation story. He was actually skinny and wanted to GAIN lean muscle (which he did and DAYUM he looks good), so over the last two years thats been his main goal.

I'm fortunate enough to have a boyfriend that loves health and fitness as much as I do. However, I know that may not be the case for you and your relationship... maybe you're the one who HATES the working out and eating right part, or maybe its your boyfriend or girlfriend. Either way I have a few ways you can help each other out, get and STAY in shape, and have fun together!

1. Talk about your GOALS and make them SMART. This is where you have to get honest with yourself and your S/O (significant other)... decide on goals together.
Examples:

• We will only have one cheat meal a week and it will be on Sunday and we will have ____ you fill in the blanks!
• I want to lose ___lbs by Dec 31st by doing ____ workouts. 
• We will follow ____ meal plan and check in with each other everyday--if you live together this is easier! If not, text each other. Uli and I let each other know what we had to eat that day to stay on track. 
• Take your measurements and weight together... I know how scary this can be! I wanted to avoid this when it was my turn to tell Ulises what I weighed, but I let my guard down (after all he is my best friend). Ladies--the scale is a NUMBER it does not define your amazing personality, your spunk, your humor, it cannot measure your heart. So don't get so caught up on this part. 
• do your RESEARCH--find meal plans that work for you both, obviously men and women have different portion sizes and needs, help each other out and look into eating clean. Your results will depend on your nutrition (follow the 80/20 rule: 80% results will be from nutrition, 20% from exercise) 
• commit to trying one new clean recipe a week that you two will make together--cooking together is not only fun and romantic but strengthens the relationship!

2. Decide on a START date and a program you can do together either everyday or a few times a week--working out together creates an amazing bond--you are right next to each other when you're at your must vulnerable states... pushing that last rep or doing the last 30 seconds of floor sprints (think T25). If you need help deciding on a workout program and meal plan please CONTACT ME! OR SEND AN EMAIL TO ABBYFIX@ME.COM

3. Print out a workout calendar and be sure that you BOTH mark off the days you worked out together--keep tabs on one another and don't allow excuses to creep in. Promise each other that you are committed to not only the program but helping each other reach your and their goals! When I'm committed to helping Ulises reach his goals, I won't let him talk me out of  a workout or into a bad meal, and vice versa. He's got my back and I have his!

4. Decide on a REWARD and WORK towards something!  A few months back Ulises and I decided we wanted to go to Cabo for his 25th birthday, and let me tell you--nothing fires me up quite like a vacation I know I will be rocking a bikini in! Decide on how long you two will do the program for and then either take a mini vacation together or reward yourself--shopping spree, travel, new watch, workout clothes, a cheat meal you've been dying to have, you name it! Make it fun and compete with each other, who ever has the best transformation or lost the most weight has to pay for dinner and a night out! 

5. HAVE FUN!!! So many people miss the boat on this part--you need to have FUN with your SO... this person is going to know what you struggle with, what you're good at, and it's important to be silly together... one of my FAVORITE parts of working out with my boyfriend is that we laugh about the workout program, or we do silly things during it to make each other laugh. I will stop and give him a kiss or grab his butt, or maybe I'll slip in a pool of my own sweat. Either way, we are laughing, saying how much this workout hurts, or cracking jokes. AND at the end of EVERY workout we say good job and give a kiss. Sounds so cheesy, but it's my favorite part. Its kind of like that rule, "don't go to bed angry" well my rule: SAY GOOD JOB AND GIVE EACH OTHER A KISS-REGARDLESS OF SWEAT! ahem, we also like to take pictures and then laugh about it later... ;-) *if you couldn't tell, we love photo booth on Macs... nothing like laughing at yourself and each other! 

Tip: In moments of unsatisfied hunger pains and moments of weakness--tell each other your goals, reignite that flame of WHY you are doing this... and decide on a cheat meal for the week so you have something to look forward to. When you do have your cheat meal--don't go OVERBOARD but don't guilt yourself either. Enjoy, savor, and get back on track!

Tip #2: If you are a social drinking couple (we are, we like to go out and dance downtown San Diego wooooo!!!) then look into healthier alcoholic beverages--skinny girl margaritas are pretty good, check out sparkling waters and adding your choice of liquor to it, or stick with healthier beers! Limit yourself to certain weekends so you're not drinking every weekend (this will seriously hinder your results).

If this helped you and you would like my support as your health and fitness coach PLEASE go here to create a free profile and I will be in touch with you! 

XO, 

Abby 

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Why the SCALE may go UP during your new workout routine!

So you started working out again and eating right... only to see the scale start tipping in the VERY DIRECTION you want to avoid.

You step off.

You step back on.

You see the same thing.

Disbelief.  How could this happen?! You've been eating right and busting your butt everyday right?

Here are a few things that may just contribute to the scale tipping out of your favor (temporarily) in the beginning of your new workout program or routine...

• Muscle Soreness: Ya know when you start working out and the next day you can feel your tight muscles and it's hard to lift your arms? Yep that was the lactic acid being released during your workout... and your body is starting to change FOR THE BETTER. However, during this time, your muscles tend to swell and retain water. Your body does this naturally to protect your muscles which have been temporarily stressed and somewhat torn (which is fine) during your workout. 
• Initial SHOCK to your body--each time you start a different phase of a workout program or just a new program, your body is in shock. Muscle memory=plateau. Muscle memory is when your muscles have become SO accustomed to your movements that your body stops changing. Muscle confusion=RESULTS. When you switch up phases of a workout, alt. cardio and weight lifting and different movements, your body is able to change faster! 
• Your Diet- alright ladies and gents. If you're going to lie to me when I ask you about your diet to make yourself not look as bad, FINE, but do me a favor, don't lie to yourself! Now is the time to hold the mirror to the problem and see the reflection looking back, because 9 times out of 10, there in lies your biggest problem.. it's the thing you put in your mouth and chew... AKA FOOD which can be your BEST form of fuel for your body or your biggest poison to keep you overweight, depressed and sluggish. So if you're diet still consists of processed foods and you're only eating twice or 3x a day... well thats where  it has to change. If you need help with nutrition I recommend you look into Shakeology or message ME RIGHT NOW (abbyfix@me.com) and I can help you pin point the things that need to change and get you going.
• BLOOD-yep your blood volume could be why... during aerobic exercises your blood plasma actually consists of water (hello weight gain) but this will benefit you later--because more blood volume means more stamina for longer and harder workouts which in turn burns more fat. 

STICK with your program... it takes about 4 weeks for you personally to see a difference and about 8 for other people. 

Go back to WHY you are doing this in the FIRST place and ask yourself: If I quit now, when will I Start again? and remember that if you do quit now, eventually you will have to go through this again, so you might as well endure muscle soreness, and slight weight gain, stick it out, then watch the weight fall off. 

Best of luck!

XO,

Abby Marie 

PS check out these photos... muscle is much more slimming and flattering then fat, even in these pictures!

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Pre-Workout Snacks

I set alarms through out my day to let me know to eat... because 1. Im that busy. 2. and I can get that lazy when it comes to eat. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to eat... but sometimes I get too distracted to remember to eat... and come on... eating 5 meals a day is easy to forget! Most of us are in the hustle and bustle of life!

I HATE working out on an empty and growling stomach, and hate is a strong word... esp if it's AB day. There's nothing worse then doing a crunch when all you want to do is eat.

Here are some easy pre-workout snacks you can indulge in a few minutes before you either press play like me (for all of us at home workout DVD peeps--think T25, Insanity, P90X, etc) or go to the gym!


1. 8oz Plain Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup of blueberries and 1tbsp of agave nectar or honey
2. Whole wheat pita with hummus ( I love spicy jalapeno hummus) and carrots
3. Brown Rice Cake with 1 tbsp of all natural PB and a few banana slices
4. Two hard boiled eggs with tapatio or salsa with a handful of almonds
5. Shakeology--any flavor-Vegan Tropical or Chocolate, Reg. Chocolate, Greenberry and Vanilla
6. An apple with all natural PB or small handful of almonds
7. 1/2 cup of oatmeal with fresh berries and cinnamon
8. 1/2 sweet potato with almond butter (yum)
9. Slice of Ezekiel toast with fresh fruit
10. Albacore Tuna with avocado and spinach

Need a quick boost before your workout and you're not hungry just low on energy? Check out a preworkout drink like this one!
So want to know WHY pre-workout snacks/meals are a MUST for results and recovery?

• If you want to push your HARDEST in your workout, it's important to eat 1-2 hours before you workout because it gives your body that energy it needs to expend on the workout itself... for example.. try lifting weights on an empty stomach thats hungry and a stomach thats been given proper nutrition. Who will lift more weights, higher reps, and heavier weights? 
• Carbs low in the glycemic index is KEY before a workout, it allows you to have energy LONGER... foods with a high GI are known for the "crashing" effect--you don't want to crash half way through your workout do you?! Thats why carbs like quinoa, sprouted grain breads like Ezekiel and oatmeal are key.
• Protein and essential amino acids are the building blocks of our muscles. You can get animal protein through eggs, fish, chicken, etc. or through other sources like beans, spinach and quinoa. 
• Essential fatty acids (EFAs) will keep you full during your workout--such as tuna listed above!

It's pretty basic--eat about 1-2 hours before you workout. If you plan on going for a quick morning jog, your best bet is to have a small serving of oatmeal. If you plan on doing a  predawn yoga sesh, make sure you have plenty of water and a sports drink with electrolytes! I could go on and on. but for now this is it! check back for POST workout snacks for optimal recovery and results. 

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Vanilla Shakeology Review--Is it really that GOOD?

Vanilla Shakeology. I didn't think it was going to happen... simply because there are SO many ingredients in Shakeology and masking the taste of all those natural super foods would be TOUGH. But nonetheless Beachbody has done it again, this is our fourth flavor! I seriously wonder what they will do next... 

So Vanilla Shakeology. lets get down to it.

1. Is it all it's cracked up to be flavor wise? One of the best things about this new flavor is that because vanilla is a neutral base, you can customize recipes to make your shakes taste like anything you want. You can have a "Vanilla Latte" for breakfast one day, a "PB & J" for lunch the next, or a "Tiramisu" when you're craving dessert. You can NEVER go wrong with just vanilla.
2. How did they create vanilla flavor thats natural and can actually mask the taste of other ingredients in Shakeology (like wheat grass)? They come from a place where the soil is rich, the air is pure, and the water is untainted. They come from where natural resources available for growing vanilla beans are absolutely perfect. They come from the lush jungles of Madagascar, a remote island perched off the eastern edge of South Africa. And under this tropical rainforest's vast canopy, indigenous Malagasy farmers meticulously hand-pollinate each vanilla orchid by hand—then hand-harvest, blanch, sweat, sun-dry, and condition the beans (over a six-month period!) to release their incredible essence and aromas. So pretty much, these beans come from paradise
3. How does Vanilla Shakeology come from Madagascar and make its way over here? How does this help the farmers? Through the purchase of these particular beans, we're helping invest in a wide variety of training for the rural Malagasy vanilla farmers. Not only are they learning optimal and sustainable growing and harvesting practices to help lower their costs, increase yields, and standardize their processes, they're also learning how to build a better infrastructure for their volatile vanilla bean industry. We're doing everything we can to help put an end to the prolific "slash-and-burn" agricultural harvesting that causes deforestation and soil erosion, putting unique crops (like vanilla), as well as natural resources, at risk. In addition to all the training these farmers will be receiving through our purchase of these beans, we're also helping to invest in the building and ongoing maintenance of new schools in this developing nation. These schools are being built with renewable resources and are currently enhancing the education of more than 3,000 local children

Ok first, can we just mention how FREAKIN COOL it is that OUR COMPANY is 1. in zero debt and 2. is helping Madagascar develop schools and improve the economy. now that is a company I stand 110% behind. That seriously just tugged at my heart strings, tear. But really... this is what I want to do with my life--completely serve others and if that means one bag of Shakeology can help people who don't have as much, then count me in. Plus I get a super sweet coach discount.

Watch me I'm funny: 

Ready to try something new? Ready for something pure? 100% pure vanilla? Want to be apart of an honest movement? A great company that thinks outside the box and helps others? Yep. its legit peeps!! <3 And don't forget if you order it on HD (home direct) you get FREE shipping!

Message me and get your sample--It's $6 for a single serving packet--includes shipping! abbyfix@me.com or Facebook!

XO,
Abby Marie

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T25--I don't have the time to workout excuse!

Not gana lie, when T25 came out, I literally imagined this.... 7 minute Abs from Something about Mary.. yeah crappy quality but I was skeptical at first...



What is our BIGGEST excuse when it comes to working out?
I dont have the TIME
Right?!





So I started a new program called T25 on Monday! I finished Body Beast right before I went to Summit 2013 in Vegas and had pretty great results! I didn't lose any weight but got a LOT more toned which is exactly what I was looking for (although weight loss would have been nice).

See, Im like you, reading this now... I have struggles. and DIET is def one of them.... but I don't beat myself up or become obsessed with it. I workout, I have a great mental attitude, I enjoy working hard, and I'm pretty deng healthy. So NO, I won't get caught up on the scale, or how skinny some other girl might be. Im running a race against ME, and only me.

But anyway, off my soap box... T25, it's a workout program Beachbody JUST RELEASED about 3 weeks ago... It's 25 minutes a day, 5x a week, for 10 weeks (unless you get the GAMMA as well, I DID!!!)

Not bad right?

1. What could you do in 25 minutes?
In 25 minutes: I can shower, and put clothes on
I can do my hair
I can write emails
I could be on pinterest
I could procrastinate on emails
I could wonder what to blog about


See.. the thing is most of us, MOST of US, waste 25 minutes in the day somewhere... everyday... day in and day out... but now we have the opportunity to actually get healthier, stronger, and more toned with a 25 min workout. IT's not 7 minute ABS, it's an ass kicking workout for 25 minutes, where every SECOND COUNTS.

So I'm on day 3, yep, lil ole me is on day 3, and Im seriously exhausted. BEAT. HOT MESS EXPRESS. thats me right now. and I LOVE IT.

So what is it exactly? WATCH THIS>>







T25 is like a mash up of Insanity, Hip Hops Abs, and Asylum in my opinion. It's not going to be easy, but you can modify. And its for anyone and everyone--Tania (hot asian girl who just had a baby and looks amazing) is the modifier!

Isn't it crazy that Tania, who had a baby has better ABS then me after T25? I dont have a baby (food babies once in a while) but I'm damn determined to get ABS that POP!

ALSO check out this girls results, hers are by far my favorite!

I would LOVE to hear about your goals and see if T25 is a good fit for you (uhhh pretty sure it will fit for anyone!!!) so message me NOW and lets get you started... READY SET GO! OR email me at abbyfix@me.com 

and without further adieu

my before photos:

PS. I worked HARD on this before photo, went on vacay for work in Vegas, then took a week off and relaxed and had a few cheat meals, then went to San Fran! CANT WAIT FOR my AFTER photos!!! <3

I'm READY to COMMIT TO 25 MINUTES A DAY:

So now what? 

Well, I have TWO options for you--if you want REAL results like the one above... here is option #1

1. We have these things called Challenge Packs--they include your workout (T25), 30 day supply of Shakeology (our health shake, see this link--we have Vegan Chocolate and Tropical, Greenberry, reg. chocolate and Vanilla), a free 30 day trial to the club membership with access to multiple meal plans, me as your coach to keep you on track, and FREE shipping! Normally Shakeology HD is about $130, and T25 is another $130 (includes shipping, add in tax for your state), the club membership is about $12 a month, and shipping normally costs about $10-12 on the products. The T25 Challenge pack is $180 right now until July 31st, then it goes back up to $205... 

SO LETS DO THE MATH: individually if you bought Shakeology, club, and the workout you would spend about: $275 (ish), so you would save, until July 31, $95! BARGAIN. if you order after July 31st, you still save $70! 

OR

2. JUST buy T25 alone for $130 and you don't get the club or Shakeology... 

Please message me and we can figure out the BEST route for you... this is about RESULTS, not excuses, we all have the time. Keep in mind, health is an investment, not an expense! 

To your SUCCESS and RESULTS!

Abby Marie

Also stay tuned, Ive got video coming! 

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