{Menu Planning}

I finally found a system that works for me when it comes to meal planning. This has been my biggest struggle on my fitness journey, but finally, with the help of 21 Day Fix (& the awesome containers), I have found a system that works AND gets results!

If everything in that picture looks crazy and you'd like to know more...email me at gingerbales@sbcglobal.net

I'd love to tell you more and help you unlock one of the keys to a fit and healthy life!

{Super Saturday ~ Little Rock}

My day started super early this morning....like, wake up call at 4:45am! I had to meet my Coach Sponsor at 6:15am to head to Little Rock for my first Super Saturday with TeamBeachbody. I was so excited...(1) to just get to learn from successful coaches and (2) to spend time with Liz and get to know her a little better.

It rained on us most of the 2-1/2 hour trip to Little Rock, but you couldn't dampen our spirits. We had so much fun learning about each others background, families, and of course we talked Beachbody and Running (our two fave things!)

Once we arrived in Little Rock, we checked in and helped set up the room. About 40-50 people were in attendance and they did some recognitions and then we heard from our guest speaker, Makala Clark. She's a 2-Star Diamond and has an incredible story of how this business helped her overcome body image and confidence crushers. You can read about her story here .

 Liz and myself....before the Live Workout!

After some company announcements...Hello! New Shakeology Flavor Café Latte! I know some coffee drinkers that are going to LOVE this!...we got ready for the Live Group Workout. I have to say, I was So...so...soooo nervous, especially once they mentioned it would be P90X. I have never done P90X and mostly have stuck to the 21 Day Fix program, so I was terrified. I determined I would not let fear keep me from experiencing ALL of Super Saturday. Did I do every rep? No. Did I do every exercise? Mostly. Did I do my best? Absolutely. And I loved it! I left feeling so strong and empowered.....and a little sweaty!

{Midway through P90X! Getting my sweat on!}

We had a great time meeting up with other peeps that are on this fitness journey just like us, taking pictures, and of course, eating at Panera.

The next Super Saturday is April 2...can't wait!!

{Hammer & Chisel Day1/60}

Wow! Day 1 of Hammer & Chisel.

My nutrition was mostly on point (minus a handful of chocolate chips...ugh) with very few modifications to my planned day.

Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Blackberries, Oatmeal

Snack 1: Apple with Hazelnut Butter

Lunch: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup (this was not on the plan, but I'm still struggling with a sinus infection and felt I needed the soup)

Snack 2: Did not happen! I got busy at work...I wasn't hungry..and I forgot!

Dinner: Salsa Chicken, Black Beans, & Steamed Veggies

Snack 3: Handful of Chocolate Chips (I'll explain that in a minute)

So....nutrition wasn't horrible today, but has room for improvement. I was feeling pretty good about the day overall....and then I pushed play!

I don't know what I was thinking?! I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I had some sort of illusion that it wouldn't be too bad. This was the toughest workout I've ever attempted. The very first exercise was a weighted pistol squat. I tried. I tried hard. But I just couldn't get up from my seated position without putting my foot down. I was so frustrated that the very first exercise was proving to be so difficult. On to the 2nd exercise...Leg Bridge Pullover. Again. This was hard! I wasn't able to hold myself in a bridge position (on one leg) and do the weights. I stopped the video and messaged my upline, who encouraged me that I can do this and to modify where I need to and keep going. I stopped and listened to our Surge call and then pushed play again.  I ended up using a chair for balance and not using any weight on the pistol squats but got through them. I went down for the Leg Bridge Pullover and my computer lost the connection! WTH!! I took this as a sign to try again...tomorrow. (this is where the chocolate chips came in) I had planned on Shakeology after my workout, but being the emotional eater that I am, I reached for the chocolate chips and ate a handful and went to bed. This revealed an area that I've got to master and I plan to do that in the next 60 days!

I was very discouraged and frustrated....but I had pushed play...and although I am discouraged by how poorly I performed and my lack of willpower; tomorrow, I will get up and try again.

{2016 Weekly Chase 1/52}

The first full week of the New Year; full of promise and possibility!

So, since this is the first full week, I don't have any recap of the last week, but I DO have goals for the upcoming week :)

This Weeks Goals:

• Log 10 miles--I'm starting a new workout program, so I think this will be a good number for my running this week.
• Complete H&C workouts each day
• No sodas
• Daily stretching & foam rolling
• Hammer & Chisel blog daily

Starting Weight: 217.0

Chest:

Right Arm:

Left Arm:

Waist:

Hips:

Right Thigh:

Left Thigh:
Total Inches:

I plan to see those number above...SHREDDED!!

{New Year; New Goals}

Every year I start the new year with new goals to achieve and a resolve to do something. This year is no different....however, the different part is that I WILL achieve everything on my list. A few days ago, while running with a friend, she said something that really made me take pause. We were running up a small incline. We had chosen the distance we were going to go before we could walk, but my legs were begging for a break, so I slowed my pace, and started to walk. She said, "don't you quit on you!! {actually she kinda yelled that part} You are worth it! Don't stop." It was the first time I realized that I was my own worst enemy. I made commitments, but didn't follow through. When things became difficult, I often bail out. The funny thing is...no one cares if I quit. It doesn't affect them one little bit. I'm the only one that suffers. No more. I will not quit on me! I will commit and follow through. So....as I do every year...here are my goals for 2016;

[SPIRITUAL]

• Read through the Bible--I'm using The Bible Project plan, which also has videos to accompany the different themes.
• Daily Scripture writing--I'm determined to finish writing out the Psalms and Proverbs and hopeful that I can finish the gospels.
• Rekindle my first Love--I've struggled the past few months with being in a spiritual desert, but I'm praying that the new year turns that around.

[PHYSICAL]

• RUN a 5k--no walking allowed
• Log 1,000 miles on these feet--walk, run, crawl...it doesn't matter, just get it done! 
• Run Streak for the entire year...log at least 1 mile every day!
• Be stronger--ability to do a handstand push up {against the wall} and a pull up
• Be lighter--below 175 pounds!

[PERSONAL]

• Read 12 books
• Weekly personal development
• Take 1 hour each week to just BE...slow down and breathe

[RELATIONAL]

• Monthly date night with Q a priority--we tend to let everything else get in the way of us and we really need to make our relationship a priority this year
• Bring back family game night--not sure why we ever stopped this...everyone always has so much fun!
• Family Vacation! {this will include Matt, Mallorye, Olivia, & Sophia}

[FINANCIAL]

• Save $1,000
• Tithe regularly {this is a biggie! and is going to take tons of prayer}
• Generate additional income through Beachbody

Bring on 2016! I'm ready!!

Month 1

Well...today was weigh in day at Dr. McClurkan's office. I was nervous! I don't feel like I have done my best the past week and knew the scale would show that. I was pleasantly surprised when the scale read 214.6# ....a total loss of 5.6 pounds this month. Now, granted, that is not the number I hoped for (I was really hoping for a 10# loss this first month), but at least it was moving in the right direction!


My clothes are also a bit looser :) I can pull my pants off without unbuttoning AND my bra is looser.


I'm getting stronger and learning to make healthier choices.


Dr. McClurkan was very pleased. He did increase my caloric intake to 1500/day to see if that would boost my weight loss to 2-3# per week. Hopefully, this month I can stay closer on task and we'll see some positive results at my September weigh in.

{I'm Back}

So...I've been MIA on the blog for way too long and decided now is the time to get back into the swing of things. I wanted to be honest with my weight struggles and a place to keep up with the progress that I'm making.

First, I'm under a doctors care for my weight loss goals, as working with a trainer and nutritionist just wasn't providing the results I was after....read...I didn't lose a single pound in 6 months! My doctor determined that I'm insulin resistant and started me on some meds that will help with that. Apparently, they work! I've lost 8 pounds (according to my scale) in about 2 weeks. I'm excited for my one month weigh in on the 20th.

Today has been a good day. 

I've kept within my caloric goal. I walked this morning for 30 minutes and worked out for an hour this evening. My energy has been great! Now to keep it up for the duration of the week.

Goals for this week:

1. Keep my calorie goal (1200) in check

2. Walk 5 days this week for at least 30 minutes

3. Strength train at least 3x this week

4. At least 64oz. of Water

5. 7 hours of sleep each night